2nd Chapter

I woke up with the sun on my face and got out of bed slowly. Sleeping poorly is the worst thing. I get in an awful mood. I took a quick shower, put on my school uniform and went to breakfast.

As soon as I got to the kitchen, I smiled when I saw Maria setting the table for me. She is the coolest cook on earth!

“Good morning, girl!”

“Good Morning! This smells good.”

“Eat all! You are very skinny.”

“You and your habit of wanting to put on weight.” I bite a piece of cake and sigh. There is no one in this world who cooks like this woman!

"You’re skin and bone, girl, must eat!”

“I'm eating,” I say with my mouth full, and she laughs.

After eating until I almost exploded I went to school. A small van was coming for me. I live in a distant place and if I go on foot, I need at least a day of walking. Yes, I live at the end of the world.

And I don't care about that. I like to take care of the farm animals. They at least understand me.

I sit in the back of the van and sigh. I was always the first to enter. Then the van was full, as Arthur took the other people. My friend Isabeli was always the second. She is the only friend I have in this place.

What? I'm a “from the farm”, people don't like me around here very much. And I don't care, because annoying people have to stay away. That's why I always say: I prefer to talk to cows than to those humans who study with me.

“What's up? How are things with your crazy marriage?”

“Don't even tell me about it! The guy is just like I imagined.”

She burst out laughing when I say that. She knows my imagination of the future groom very well. And that's not funny at all! I mutter a dirty word, and she laughs louder making the people in the van look at us.

“What if he was a handsome guy? Were you going to complain?”

“Of course! I am not obliged to marry!”

“Actually, you are.”

I was silent looking out of the glass. I didn't want to argue with her. This marriage story already takes me seriously just because it exists. I don't want to fight with my only friend because of this useless thing that my father invented. Who knows what for!

We got to school. I was in the third year of high school and in a week I would go on vacation. I was not a bad student, but my grades were also not the best. It was average. The first class was math. I said that people don't like me very much, right? They don't like it on a daily basis, because in math class it is “Lara, help me with this one?”, “Lara, do you understand?”, “Can you explain to me, Lara?” That's why I like animals! They are not selfish!

Yes, I'm the best in the math class. Many say that this matter is difficult and boring, but I don't think so. I like numbers. People are more complicated, numbers are better to decipher.

“Ready for physical education class?”

“Don't remind me of that drug!”

What I was good at mathematics, I was very bad in physical education. I am usually butchered at games and everyone hates having me on the team. I am always the last to be chosen. But I'm sure if they put me on a horse, it won't be for anyone. It's my passion!

I have a mare called Teci. Everyone covets her. And I know why: she is all white and beautiful. It is the best mare we have on the farm. My father once tried to sell it, of course I made a fuss, but like all the times my dad ignores me, he didn't hear me and a man took it. I didn't eat for three days because of that, but luckily Teci is also in love with me and the man returned it saying that she was wild.

It was the happiest day of my life when she came back, and we went out riding in front of the man to show that animals are not sales products, they also have feelings! My dad didn't like it at all, but I didn't give him any idea I was too happy to let ruin everything.

****

My day was intense, seeing that we had to play volleyball and I can never play the ball. I always jump too early or too late to block and the other team scores. And in the draft it is better not to comment ... If you want you can ask the girl who I hit the forehead, she will tell you how good I am at it.

Now I was in the van driving home. This is the best time of the day. After school, I stay in the stable all the time. My best company is Teci. I don't know what I'm going to do when this fiancé of mine comes to pick me up. I don't want to leave her. She is very attached to me and can suffer if doesn't see me anymore. What can I do?

As soon as I got out of the van I ran into the house and changed my clothes. I went to the stable without talking to anyone. I don't like meeting my father. He starts to talk about my life as if it were his property and speaks in authoritarian way that makes me crazy. I prefer to stay away, only find him when I can't help it. Before she even saw myself, I heard Teci neighing. She always knew when I was arriving, the most incredible thing was that she only did this to me.

Teci's story is kind of sad. I found her still a foal,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   stuck in a hunter's trap. That pissed me off so much! And it was very difficult to get her out of it, she was very scared and tried to bite me several times. Finally, I managed to let go. She tried to escape, but couldn't, so, very calmly, I approached and showed that I wasn't going to do anything bad. Teci found it hard to trust me. Don't think I brought her home the same day. I had to keep bringing her food and medicine for a while. She didn't get up at all. The paw was hurt, and she didn't trust me to come with me.

Gradually, I got closer and took care of his paw. When she was cured, I thought I could run around and look for her mother, but she followed me home and since that day she hasn't left me anymore.

When she saw me, she neighed harder and shook her head.

“All right girl. I'm here already,” I say, rubbing his muzzle.

I go into the stable and pet her neck. Teci smells my hair making me laugh. I fix the saddle. Teci doesn't like it very much, but I only ride it with nothing when I'm angry and I need to get away from my father in a hurry, so I go on the fur.

I walk out of the stable and Teci comes after me. I don't even have to pull her. As soon as I let go, she follows me wherever I go. My father's lands are quite large, I have to praise that. Because when he pisses me off, I grab Teci and juice through the trees, and he can't find me.

I got on her and ran across the lawn. It was in that one and only moment that I felt free. I could go wherever I wanted and in the best company of all. I didn't have my father, I didn't have a boyfriend, I had no problems, just the wind hitting my face and ruffling my hair.

It was the best feeling in the world.