Chapter 3. Scarlett's happiness
1432 Words
Scarlett’s POV
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I stopped for a moment and looked behind me, Mr. Jim is not here yet. I know I can outrun him. He's too fat and his tummy wiggles every time he runs fast. I laughed and giggled at my own while walking slowly and holding my white runners. I didn't want this to get dirty, so I took it off before running so fast from Mr. Jim.
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The thick long grass and soggy soil leaves a footstep behind me. I looked at my muddy feet and smiled. . . At least this part has no leeches. I don't take any salt with me, which I always have in my pocket. But today, I forgot because I was in a hurry to see the tournament.
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"Scarlett!" Mr. Jim shouted. I looked behind and there he was, running towards me.
"Oh, my goodness!" I laughed and ran fast again.
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Mr. Jim was like an uncle to me, a distant family relative on Mom's side. I paused for a moment when I reached the dry part of the hill, catching my own breath while both of my hands were on my knees. Then, I heard something and my heart pounded. . . a whinny just right in front of me.
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"Thalia? Oh my god, Thalia!" I strode faster towards my horse, Thalia, and hugged her.
"I've missed you so much my baby. . . " I caressed her face and kissed both of her cheeks. She neighs and seems excited to see me.
"How are you feeling, baby? Are your feet okay?" I bent down and checked her fetlock down to her coronet.
"You can ride her home, Scarlett. She's more than okay now," Mr. Jim smiled while catching his own breath.
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I stood up and hugged Thalia again. I haven't seen her for over a month because dad took her to the vet for treatment. I got Thalia as my birthday present when I was only eight years old. And this horse was more than a family to me. She's my companion and only buddy through escaped.
She's still majestic and beautiful. And the snow color of her hair shines in my eyes.
My eyes were busy adoring her without even noticing that Maligno was just around the corner. He neighed as a greeting for me and shook his head.
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"Maligno," I said calmly and smiled. Then Thalia neigh as a response to Maligno.
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Shivers ran through my spine when I stared deeply at Maligno. Like dad, Maligno gives me a spooky feeling. No wonder the people around here think that we are the family of weirds, nuts, and witches. Crazy! Because we are not. It's only because they're scared of dad's favourite pet, and that is Maligno.
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Maligno is like a legendary horse tale inside a story book of fantasy and mystery. Well, it's only because Maligno is all black, a huge and muscly tall horse. Dad bought him from Dubai and Maligno once attended the Melbourne's Cup in Australia. That made the horse more famous at his time and when Maligno retired, that's when dad bought him for a million.
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"Ready?" Mr. Jim asked me while he was fixing the side part of Thalia.
"Are you ready for me, baby?" I whispered into Thalia's ear and patted her head. I even kissed her nose before hopping onto her back. I then gently kicked her hand and then she handed slowly.
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I was smiling the whole time while adoring the beautiful sunset and behind me was Maligno and Mr. Jim. We still have to travel thirty minutes or more home. When we reached the peak of the mountain, Thalia stopped for me. She knew that I loved the sunset as we always do this every day. Together, we always watched the sunrise every weekend and the sunset after school.
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"So beautiful!" I said with open arms in the thin air. Until the shades of sky became dark and then we kept moving. It was dark when we arrived home. I hurriedly jumped down from Thalia's back and ran faster towards the mansion.
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"See you, Mr. Jim and thank you!" I hurriedly said while waving at him.
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Instead of getting into the huge front door, I sneakily ran behind the mansion, on the laundry part of where I believed Aunt Felicita was now waiting for me.
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"My goodness me, Scarlett dear!"
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The horror of Auntie Felicita's face when she saw my muddy feet was shocking. She smacked my shoulder but it was unintentional and I just laughed.
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"I've told you to be home before six o'clock. What time is it now?"
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I hurriedly took off my top and my skirt. I ran into the laundry area and turned the shower on. Auntie Felicita already had my clothes ready in her hands. She was waiting while I was showering in a fast way.
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"Hurry up, Scarlett! Your dad is going to kill me if he finds out that you went to the other town just to watch that stupid tournament!"
"Don't worry, Auntie, dad won't notice."
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I turn off the lever and the towel is ready for me. Auntie Felicita even help me. She was drying my hair while I was busy wearing my undies and pajamas. She quickly brushed my hair, and as soon as she finished, I ran straight away up to the second level of our house.
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Why the hell is our dining table located this far? Dad could have put it downstairs, closer to the kitchen. But no, because like me, dad wants to see the sunset while waiting for his supper.
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I took a deep breath when I reached the huge door of our dining room. I cleared my throat, fixed my posture, and plastered my best smile before opening the door, and there he was, my most charming father sitting on his mighty throne.
I stepped in lightly, trying not to make a noise at every footstep, and sat down on my designated chair, right beside my father.
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"Where have you been, Scarlett?" in his baritone voice.
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I swallowed hard and was about to tell a lie, but what's the point? Lying is not in my vocabulary, so I plaster my best shyly smile, again at him.
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"Uh. . . um, I-I watched the basketball tournament in the other town, dad. In Del San Miguel," I swallowed hard.
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Dad is very strict about everything when it comes to me. He's a man of few words and timid at times. But he's dangerous and mighty once his temper rises and once you break his trust. That's why I am very careful with everything, especially at school. But for some reason, dad knew everything all about me and my performances at school.
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We started eating quietly and I could hardly breathe inside. I ate too fast and the food got stuck in between my throat and my stomach. I gently hit my chest and drank my water, and then my father stared at me seriously.
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"Scarlett, you're moving to a new school."
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My jaw dropped while staring at my father, who was now eating seriously.
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How many times do I have to move from school to school because of my bullies? I have lost counting already. I have no problem in my subjects because I'm always on top and I always do my best to excel. Dad knew that because every time I get a medal for being the first top student, he's there and proud. But my problem is the bullies around me. Knowing my rights, I always fight back. That's why Auntie Felicita always gets a call from my teacher or worse, from the school Principal.
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I stared at my food on the plate and then I pouted.
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"Which school, dad?" I said politely. I have no choice anyway and, besides, I want to do the same way. I cannot stay in that school anymore.
"The other town, met Del San Miguel University," dad paused and our eyes met. "Is that okay with you?"
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My heart flickered and I could see golden fireflies around the entire room. My goodness me, of course! I'd love that. I just cant believe it, and oh my god, I will be on the same campus where Wade Terrance Porter is. . . Yes! My mind speaks.
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"Sure, dad. Absolutely!" I said lively.
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C.M. LOUDEN
- Writer
