I nosed the new smelling human as she petted my neck. "Aww, you're so pretty aren't you" she crooned. Soon Jason appeared beside her, and next to him was Jojo. I whinnied excitedly once i realized i was being turned out. "Yeah i know, hey can you hold him?" The girl took Jojo's lead and Jason haltered me. I bobbed my head up and down excitedly. "Come on shrimp" He laughed and took Jojo and we were led outside. i wobbled across the gravel, and i felt someone nudge my rump. i twitched my ears backward and turned and nickered at Millicent who was being led by a stablehand. "Go," she murmered. I pranced across proudly. Jojo galloped off as soon as Jason slipped his halter off. "Okay girl" he smiled, after he took my halter off. i nipped him lovingly. he laughed and dug around, "ah here" He smiled and gave me a piece of alfalfa. I took it and then walked off slowly and nickered at Millicent who was grazing by Jojo.
"Jojo" I nickered after he'd rolled around, "Yes?" "Who was that person with Jason, where is Ashley?" I nickered. Jojo snorted, "Don't worry about it, darling" Millicent interuppted giving Jojo a dirty look. "but i want to know" i said. "Noel, humans bounce from one mate to another, it's silly" she said with a sigh. Jojo nuzzled me, I turned and nipped him back. "Come on kid , we need to work on your balance. he said nosing my rump.
SWITCH to jason's point of view.
Mandy was surprisingly relaxed around the horses, she never flinched when they came close to her, instead she laughed and rubbed their necks. "Jason, who is this one?" she always asked. I would explain who the horse was.
"Jason, look how effortlessly they move," she said as we drove out of the parking lot, i momentarily took my eyes off the road and smiled as Noel pranced around with Jojo. " it's amazing" I agreed. "Jason, do you always think of your sister when you see Noel?" She asked suddenly. I frowned and put more focus into the road. I was silent. "Well?" she said. "I want to show you something," i croaked. I drove in the direction of the cemetary.
I led Mandy, to Sammy's grave, the silver stone was shining gallantly, like her blue eyes did when she was about to cry. Next to it was a picture of us, just me and Sam, it was taken about three years ago, after her softball team had won their first state championship, and sammy was the reason, he pitching skils were awful but she rose to the occasion with no doubts she could do it and I was so proud. "She looks like that horse," Mandy whispered. I stared at her surprised. "You see it too?" "Of course I see it," she snapped. I smiled at her. Their was only way to explain Mandy, she was very sweet, but she was tart. She was sweet, but if you say something that surprises her because it sounds like something stupidly obvious she makes you wince. And that was one thing i loved about her. She was strait with me, like Sammy was but, Mandy possesed other qualities too. "look at those blue eyes, it's like they see right into your soul" she whispered. I smiled, "don't they seem to read you?' she nodded silently. "Did Noel have a blue eye?" I nodded. "Their is doubt that Noel, is your little sister reincarnated," she said putting the picture back gingerly. I smiled because she was the first one to agree with me. She stood on her tiptoes and stretched her arms up and around my neck. i placed mine around her shoulders and held her closely. "You are probably the sweetest guy in the world" she said pressing her lips to my neck. I closed my eyes and savored it before i put my own against her soft lips. "jason?" Hmm?" i asked. "jason, will you please never leave?" she whispered. I suddenly twinged and wanted to push her away. "I can't make promises" I said.
that night after I had taken Mandy home i sat in Noels stall and watched her eat. "Jason?" "Yeah Sam?" "Don't ever leave me," "what are you talking about shrimp?" "Please don't forget me when I die, because it would be like I'm losing you too" The conversation whirled around in my mind. "Noel, this sucks," I said. She snorted, as if she was asking what the hell i meant because i wasn't the one that'd been through so much surgery. "She's like Sammy, she's weird....She's trying to be a replacement" I said. Noel collasped beside me and laid her head in my lap. I rubbed her face. I can't even remember her smile anymore" I said sadly. I had forgotten so much, pictures hold every detail, but they only offered so much comfort. I had forgotten how much i loved lifting her up and carrying her around in the hallways at school and how much i liked it when she would sit in my lap at night. I missed carrying her to bed when she'd fallen asleep on the couch. I missed her voice, what did it sound like again?
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