I get home 15 minutes late and an absolute mess. Turns out, running in a hedge maze-especially flattening against the hedges-will get twigs and such all over a uniform.

I nod to the butler, George, as he opens the door for me, politely looking near me but not directly at me. A while back, whenever my parents were both away for the first time, the staff were the only ones available who could take care of me. They were-and still are-much nicer than my parents. They all quickly learned about my anxiety and avoided looking directly at me to try to help, none of them have ever raised their voices at me. They've been people I can rely on ever since my father...took a turn for the worse.

I shake my head, clearing those thoughts away as I go up to my room.

Just get out of these clothes and into something to ride in.

Mom is probably out again, she's such a great exterior designer that she's almost always called for. Mazes are her specialty, and she loves doing them so they always turn out looking perfect. Probably why my school called for her to make theirs. Father is gone for a horse race... somewhere. I don't keep up with them anymore. He's been everywhere his horses have been, not once has he been separated from the winning horse: Dasher. Fastest horse in the racing community.

I leave the dress out in front of my door with a sticky note on it, telling them what happened and which detergent would probably work best. Even though they probably had an idea and already knew the detergent to use.

Jeans, oh how I adore you.

I'm in my riding outfit: Jeans, boots, and flannel in less then a minute. Whenever I open the door, the dress is gone.

That was fast. I must've set it out as soon as someone was walking by or something.

I look both ways down the hall. Nobody.

Or maybe they're all secretly ninjas and that's why everything moves so smoothly.

I quietly close the door behind me and race down the stairs. There's movement in one of the rooms as I run past, causing me to pause and peek in. One of the newer maids has her purple hair up in a messy bun as she hums to herself, cleaning off a desk.

I gently knock on the oak door.

"M-Ma'am?" My voice is quiet, much quieter than her humming. Yet she looks up. She sees me and hurriedly bows. I sheepishly look down, "I was wond-dering if we could have Jasmine's famous Alfredo... for dinner?" I look at her through my bangs, nervous about her response. She smiles and looks at the wall behind me as she speaks.

"Of course, Madam." She sounds chippy, like she's excited to see me or something. I nod and back out. On my way out of the house I pass a mirror, it's then I understand why she was so happy.

My parents were both gone for my birthday last year. Mom sent cards and such, but it still hurt. The staff went through the effort to get my gifts from their own pocket. I got my knee-high boots from one of them, the stylish jeans from another, and the flannel from Mom two years ago. Tying it all up with my long hair in a messy bun on top of my head, and it still goes past my shoulders.

This creates a very fashionable cowgirl look, if only I didn't ruin it with my face.

By the time I reach the stables in the back yard, my horse is already saddled and ready for me. He's tied to the fence post.

My stallion is a purebred quarter horse, one of the few not in Father's races. He has an almost crescent shape on his forehead, the rest of him is completely black. This is what earned him his name, Midnight.

"Hey buddy, you ready for our gallop?" I smile and pet his neck as I start to untie him. He neighs and nuzzles me gently, his hoof digging up some loose dirt. I easily climb over the fence and up into his saddle, years of practice making my movements fluid and confident. With a quick click of my tongue and little tap with my toes, he takes off into our property.

My father gave me Midnight a long time ago as a birthday present. I've raised this colt since he was a little foal that couldn't see over the stable gates. Now, he is 16.1 hands tall and able to jump those very gates.

The racing horses are in the middle of their training as we race by.

Father must've given them orders. Wonder if there is another race coming up soon.

I steer Midnight in the direction of our little spot, a clearing not too far from my house that over looks the wilderness. On clear days like this one, you can see the mountains in the distance. He neighs at me-probably saying something like 'I know the way let me get there myself!'-as he trots in that direction. I smile to myself and rub his neck.

"Fine, but you didn't have to be so mean about it." I mumble to him. His ears twist to face in my direction at my voice, his head a little higher.

I allow myself to close my eyes, trusting him. His footsteps are confident, his weight shifting with each hoof which causes a small rocking motion in the saddle, combined with the near silence around us and I'm completely relaxed. Riding with Midnight always has this effect, he calms me down more than playing the violin does.

It's a shame I can't ride him every time I feel nervous.

I take a deep breath and lay down on his neck. He nickers and adjusts his steps to help keep me on his back. A few more moments and he stops, shaking a bit like he's waking me up. I sit up and look around.

We're here.

__

Two hours later I'm riding back, feeling much better and ready to go to bed tonight. The sun is casting our shadow well a ways in front of us, so by the time we've reached the stables there is a man waiting for us to put Midnight up. I dismount and nod to him as he bows in response, his eyes trained on the area around me and not actually me.

He's the stablemaster guy, the one that always helps Father... Like, Josh or something? Father prefers American servants, I'll never understand why, but until I pay their bills I'm not one to complain.

"Welcome back, Madam." His voice is soft, barely above a normal whisper, but I can hear him.

"Uh, th-thank you." I speak quieter than he does and avert my eyes. While he leads Midnight into the stable I pat the horse goodnight and head for home.

Time to get ready for tomorrow.