October Story Contest

Second Chances
By: Shinabella
Age: 11

“ACTION!” The director called out. In a split second, Actors were fighting. Not for real, though. Just or a movie. I was the lead role. Isabella Marlin. Suddenly, The horse I was supposed to fly onto, galloped up to me. The director made a sign to me to start flinging myself onto this horse. How in the world could I do this? I had a long, Blue dress on. Almost skin tight. I grabbed the reigns, and in 2 seconds I was on the horse.
“CUT!” The director called. I just waited until the next scene. “That’s a rap.” He continued.
“Oh, I though we had until 9:30 to do this, sir?” A woman asked.
“No, no. I think we all need some rest around here.” Someone said. The director shot him a look.
“I agree.” He said. Someone helped me off the horse. “Um, Sir, You better come take a look at this.” The person said. He got down on his knees as the director came.
“What?” He looked down to where the man was pointing. “Look, That’s not fake blood.”
He grabbed a hankie and started wiping off the blood. It just kept coming. The sight of it made me sick.
“Come with me, Dear.” A woman said. I followed her to a trailer. “Lets get you out of this.” She said.
She unzipped the dress.
“Thank you,” I said. “Do you know what happened to the horse?” I asked. She got a pair of jeans and handed them to me.
“Here you go.” I shoved them away.
“I am going to put on my riding clothes.” I walked over to the dresser next to my bed. The lady looked at me.
“Its okay, I will get some lunch after I'm dressed.” I said. She left, Closing the door hard.
“I hate that door.” I said, getting dressed. 4 minutes later I was in the cafeteria.
“Hamburgers or Sandwiches?” The lunch lady asked.
“Hamburgers.” I replied. I got a tray, then some lettuce, and some mustard. The lady brought the burger to me, and I loaded it up. I was so very hungry. I thought a bit. That lady that was in my trailer with me never answered my question.

I looked for the director. He was over in a corner at a table. He was on the phone.
“Yes, I know. The horse is not going to make it.” Is all I heard. I started to cry a bit. I ate the burger and rubbed off my tears. I quickly put away my tray and ran out into the barn.
“Ah, Bella, Late again.” Mrs. Crandal said. I also ride horses without riding in movies.
“You go get Shadow.” She said. I looked at her funny. She sighed.
“Dear, Maylin is not going to make it.” She watched me as I started to cry.
“She did something to her leg in the pasture.” I went over to the steps to the tack room and cried some more.
“I'm sorry.” She cam over and hugged me tight.
“If you want you can watch as the new foal arrives.” She said. I wiped my tears. “It- Its okay. Shadow is fine.”

My makeup was running down my cheek. She pulled a napkin out of her pocket and wiped off my face.
“Okay, Go get her tack. I will brush her for you.” She opened the tack room door and kissed me on the head before I got up. “It'll be okay.”
She stroked my hair. I went into the tack room and got an English saddle.
“Where is the bridle?” I yelled.
“Um, I think it’s in my tack box. Sorry!” She replied.
“Okay, Thanks!” I yelled again. Got out the bridle, and closed the tack room door on my way out.

She was done with the brushing, so I put the saddle on while she put Shadows bridle on.
“Tomorrow I'm going to put you on the new horse, Chance. I think your ready.” She said. I started to lead Shadow out to the arena.
“Can I mount?” I asked. She looked over to me and nodded her head. I mounted, And started down the arena's rail. Pretty soon it was dark and I was dismounting. I heard a crash. Lightning. Great. Just what I need. Jane came into the arena.
“The sky is pretty dark. Just put him in his stall, I will get him un-tacked for you.” She said.
“Okay, Thank you.” I got down and handed Shadow to Jane. I walked out of the barn.

BANG!

The thunder made me loose my balance and I almost fell. I quickly ran to my trailer. There was a truck near my trailer. “Hmm, must be Chance's owners.”
I shrugged my shoulders. BANG! I jumped. I forgot it was raining and I ran into my trailer. Why was the director in there? He looked at me.
“Isabella, I'm afraid I have some bad news.... The horse you rode today is-” I cut him off. “Not going to make it. I know. Jane told me.” I went over to the cupboards and got out 2 glasses. I opened the fridge.
“Uh, yes. I have gotten a new horse-” I cut him off again.
“Chance, I know the whole story. Is that their truck out there?” I asked. I filled the 2 glasses with lemonade and gave one to him.
“Thank you. And no, That's my truck.” He replied. We drank our lemonade in complete silence.
“So...” I said. He put his glass down on the coffee table.
“Thank you for the drink, Isabella.” He said. He got up to leave. “I would like you to come to the arena at dawn. I know that's early but Chance is going to be there. I want you to be the first one to ride him.” He opened the door, and left. I sighed. I went and put some popcorn into the microwave and went over to the couch. I started to zone out.

BEEP BEEP BEEP!

I sat up and there was a smell of popcorn. “Oh great.” I said. The last thing I remember is waking up to a beeping alarm. “Oh nuts!” I jumped out of the couch, brushing off popcorn. I think it took me about 2 minutes to get ready, then I was at the barn in the arena.
“I'm so sorry I'm late!” I said to Jane and my director. “Bah who cares. Chance is over there. Go mount him.” Jane said. I mounted Chance and we walked along the rail.
“How is he so far?” The director asked. “I love him! His walk is so smooth!” I replied. He started trotting and I started slowing him down. “No, that's okay, Just let him trot.” Jane said. He started to canter. The next thing I knew I was on the ground.
“Are you okay?!” Jane asked.
“I-I'm fine.” I said. The director was shaking his head.
“What’s wrong?” I asked. I suddenly felt dizzy. “Well, duh, You fell. You had no control. I don't think this is going to work......” The director said.
“Oh, sir, Please let me try again! It was my fault, And it was my first time riding him. Please!!!” I said.