A Horse's Tale

Thanks for the great story idea my 

favorite 

sister Mallory

Chapter 1

"Shh. Steady Buttercup! Calm girl!" Angela Newton told her horse. They were going to spend the rest of the afternoon doing there favorite thing together. Riding. They loved riding over mountains and fields, valleys and hills.  But most of all, they loved the challenge coarse. Every year, they had a big horse race at the challenge field.  Angela new she and Buttercup would win that race one day. Angela's thoughts were interrupted by a loud scream. 

Angela jumped and turned around to investigate. There standing next to her grandpa's horse, stood a girl with wavy blonde hair. The girl looked embarrassed. 

"Oh. Um. Sorry. I um, was um, just coming um, to say hi to um, you. My name is um, Maria. I just moved in. Your parents um, said you um, might be um, here. A mouse um, ran across my um, foot."  

"Oh. My name is Angela. And that horse you startled, that's Flower-bud. He was my grandpa's old horse before he died. They say that when grandpa got 'er, he said 'Her eyes remind of the flowers back were I was born.'  Grandpa was a good one all right. Hey! Do you ride?! I bet ole' Flower - bud here would love to get out and run through the wide open fields! I know Buttercup does!" 

"Why is she called that?"  

"Who? Buttercup? When we first got 'er as a pony, she looked exactly like a buttercup that's for sure! Now answer me this. Can you ride?"

"No. Can you play checkers? Back in Texas, I played checkers all the time!" 

"Well, you're in Tennessee now and we don't play checkers!"    


"Oh. How ‘bout dress up? I love dressing up in old clothes!" 

Angela was disgusted! Dress up in old clothes! Eww!  

"That is disgusting! I will NOT dress up in old clothes! How ‘bout you just try riding a horse. Flower-bud never gets out of her stall these days!"

"But what if I fall!"  

"You won't! I never!" 

"Fine. I will." 

"Great! Let's go!" 

 

 

Chapter 2

                                         
Angela helped Maria on the horse. Maria was a little wobbly, but determined to ride the horse. Angela hopped up on Buttercup's saddle ready to ride. 

She always felt a gush of excitement right before a ride. Maria looked nervous; she was squinting from the bright sun. 

"Here. Put this on."  Angela said handing Maria a cowboy hat. 

''What's this?" Maria asked eyeballing the hat. 

"Whoa whoa whoa! You're from Texas and you don't know what a cowboy hat is?"

"Well...no. My parents never let me out of the house." 

"What?! What about school?!" 

"I was home schooled." 

"What! Lucky! Why didn't they ever let you out of the house!" 

"It's a long story." 

"I've got time." 

"Well, once along time ago, when my parents were young, an evil goblin named Ethan, riding on a mysterious flying horse, captured my father's father, and never returned with him. My parents were afraid he would come for me next. My mother went to work full time everyday, while my father taught me all my school lessons because my father was afraid, being related to Grandpa Jo, that he could be captured as well. I always felt lonely and with out a friend; trapped in a small cell.  Well, maybe not a cell, but a small house on the end of the street. We moved here because we thought it would be safer, and my parents finally let me out of the house. I thought you would be a great friend until I met you and realized that we so unalike." 

"Well opposites attract, sister! Welcome to Tennessee!" 

"Wow! My first friend! I never thought it would feel this good!" 

Chapter 3

"Come on! Let's ride!"

 Angela and Maria rode over to the challenge course.

With Angela at her guide, Maria did a great job and nailed the challenge course.

After all of the low hurdles, they made it the high jump.  

Angela had jumped the hurdle before but just barley. 

"I can do it." Maria said, "If there is one thing I've learned from you is to never give up. If you believe in yourself, you can do anything." 

"Okay let's do it! I'll go.." 

"I want to go first!" Maria interrupted.

"Okay! Go ahead!"

Maria backed the horse up then slowly but carefully, charged at the hurdle. Maria looked nervous. As she re-approached the hurdle she lifted up the horse making him jump. 

Angela couldn't look. What if Maria fell? What mess did she get Maria in to? Once again Angela's thoughts were interrupted by scream,but this scream was much louder than the one back at the stables. Oh no, Angela thought. She's down! 

"I did it! I did it!"

"What?! That's great!" 

"I knew I could! That was so much fun!" 

"I'm so glad you had fun!" 

"Now it's your turn!" 

"Okay! Here goes!"  Angela backed up the horse then, without a doubt in her mind, jumped. 

"AH!"
 

 

 Chapter 4

Angela fell off the horse onto the ground ; the horse fell on top of her, "Ah! Get this horse off of me!" Angela screamed weakly with fear in her voice. 

"Um... OK! I'll ride Flower-bud and Buttercup back to the stable, and then run home for help!" 

"Great! But please get Buttercup of me and fast." 

"Got it!" Maria lifted Buttercup off of Angela. 

"Can you stand Angelica?"

"No! I can't even move my arms! And it's Angela." 

"Oh, Sorry! I'm bad with names! I will be back with help in about 10 minutes!" 

"Please hurry!"  

Chapter 5

Maria rushed home to find help.

"Mom! Dad! Angela's hurt!"

"Who is Angela?" asked Becka Fields, Maria's mother.

"That girl next door!"

"Then you should go talk to Nancy and Paul Newton." said Becka.  

"Okay! I will be back latter." said Maria.

Maria knocked at the door on fifth avenue her head racing.

 "Yes?" 

"Hi! You remember me right? Maria Fields? I just moved in next door. And,uh,well....."

"Sweetheart! What's a matter?"

"A-A-Angela got hurt on the high jump hurdle! She can't move! I-I-I'm so sorry!" Maria said bursting into tears"

"Sweetheart! It's OK! It's OK! Let's head over there. Would you like a juice box?"

"Yes ma'am. That would be nice."

"OK then head over and get in my car. I will get the juice box while you use the emergency phone in the car to call 911 and while your at it, call your parents and tell them to come over and we will all go together."

"Yes ma'am"

Maria hurried in the car and quickly found the phone.

"9-1-1"

"Nine one one whats your emergency?"

"Yes, uh, my friend was injured in a horse stunt."

"Can you please tell me how she is acting?"

"Well, uh, she can't move. And,uh, she says she really hurts."

"Location?"

"Excuse me?"

"Location! Tell me the location please!"

"Oh,sorry. Tennessee Stables."

"Please stay calm. We are on our way."

"Thank you."

"1800-785-9283"

"Hello?"

"Mom? This is Maria. Mrs.Newton would like you and dad to come over so we can go to the stables and help Angela."

"Great! We will be right over."

Maria put the phone back.

"Ready to go?" Mrs. Newton said coming out the garage door with 4 bottles of water, two juice boxes, and Mr. Newton.

"Yep! 911 are on there way to the stables and my parents are on there way here."

"Make that here."

"Mom! Dad!"

"Well come on! Let's go! We want to try to beat the ambulance." Mrs. Newton said starting up the engine. 

They drove to the stables without a word.

The silence was broken by Mrs. Newton.

"OH............ MY.........GOSH......! MY BABY!"

The fire department and the paramedics were surrounding Angela.

Everyone piled out of the car and joined the rescue teams in a huddle.

"How is she! Is it serious? Will my baby be OK!!!???" Mrs.Newton was almost screaming.

"Well, this injury was pretty bad, but I think after about 4 weeks of treatment, she will be just fine."

"But that means I don't get to go to the big horse race!" Angela cried.

"Even if you were all recovered by that horse race, we wouldn't let you go after this!" said Mrs.Newton 

Mrs.Fields eyes widened.

"What is it?" asked Mr.Fields. 

"Ethan! He has returned!"

                                  
                             

Chapter 6


 ''Who is Ethan?" asked Mrs. Newton.
 
"He-he-he- he captured my father. I-I-I think he's back for another Fields." stuttered Mr. Fields. 

"Hand over Maria or you will regret it!"

"You can't make us do anything!"

"Hello? Daughter with serious injury here!"said Mrs. Newton impatiently.

"Hello? Daughter about to be taken captive here?" Mrs. Fields said about to faint.

"Hello? Hurting like crazy here!" muttered Angela.

"Hello! Is no one going to listen to me?!"

"What do you want Ethan!" said Mr.Fields in such a harsh tone, the boogie man would be scared.

"I don't want to hold captive your daughter. I want to marry her!"

"Hello? I'm twelve!" said Maria.

"I may die! Get some assistants over here!" said Angela.

"Freeze ray! Now that I have frozen everyone but Angela and yourself, the choice is yours. A, marry me and I will heal the girl and unfreeze everyone else. Or B. You don't marry me and you and your little friend join everyone else. Frozen. Maria? What do you choose?"

"You have nasty ways Ethan!! But I must do the right thing and pick choice A. BUT, you must promise to heal her."

'' Oh I will darling. IF you promise to be a good wife unlike Ashley, Mia, Brooke, Sarah, Patty, Lily, Hannah, Joice, Lexi, Lauren, Claire, Jessica, Dede, McKenzie, Abby, Danielle, Julie, Maddy, or Victoria. They are all frozen now."

"Promise.''

"Jump on the unicorn and..."

"Unicorn?" interrupted Maria.

"Yes, what about it?"

"Doesn't seem very manly? What about a dragon? Or did the magic fairy run out of those?" 


"She did NOT! She only had one of each and I went to the fairy's castle with a friend and he called dibs on the dragon!"

"Gotta respect the dibs."

"JUST GET ON THE UNICORN!!"

"OK, OK!"

"Let's go!"

"Heel and unfreeze!"

"Fine!" Ethan unfroze and heeled just as Maria had requested.

"I love you all!" said Maria as they flew from sight.
 

 

Chapter 7

Angela lay in her bed that night thinking. Thinking about everything to come. She couldn't bare the thought. What about the Fields? How would they be feeling? What were they talking about with her parents at this very moment at coffee?

Her door suddenly crept open.

"Angela honey? Your medicine."

Her mom came in and sat at her bed side.

"I know your scared. Mr and Mrs. Fields are going to spend the night. Here. That will make you feel better. Eat up."

"It was all because of me. I was the one who brought her into this mess."

"It wasn't all because of you. Actually, we just got a letter from her." She handed the letter to Angela.


  Dear Mr. and Mrs. Newton, mom, dad, and Angela,

   Life isn't as horrible with Ethan as I thought it would be.
Actually, I think I kind of like him. I told him this news and he told me that if I promised to stay at the castle, he would give me anything I want, and would postponed the wedding until my 20th birthday. He let me have this old typewriter and it works great! I'm starting to wonder if he likes me.
Anyway life is great and i will write you regularly.
      Love and kisses,
               Maria

"Wow. Thanks for showing me that mom. I will be able to sleep in peace now."



                 

                 

                    

                                                *8 years later*

                   
                                                  Chapter 8

"Angela, your 20. Can't you take your mind of this horse race?"

"No mom! Because of the serious injury, I am more determined than ever!"

"There is something in the mail for you dear."
What could that be, Angela thought as she took the envelope from her mom.

 

Please join us: Maria Elise Fields and Ethan Daniel Johnson

for a magical wedding this Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at the castle in the sky.

We hope we will see you there!

There was also a note attached from Maria herself that said:

Dear Angela,
I am so excited about my wedding! I never thought I would be in love with Ethan! I didn't write you this to tell you about my love life! I wrote this to you to ask you to be my maid of honor! If you didn't take me horse back riding, I would have never met the man of my dreams! I hope you can come! It means a lot! You have been a great friend all these years. Please write me back as soon as you can!
Your best friend,
-Maria-

Oh no, Angela thought. The big horse race was this Saturday! She had practiced for the last seven years for this race! Maria was her friend. She knew what she had to say. She knew  Maria would understand. She wrote back a letter as quick as she could.

Dear Maria,
Thank you so much for the invitation! It means a lot that you like me that much! I'm very excited that you will be with the man of your dreams forever! I'm sure it will be a magical wedding! I hate to inform you that the big horse race is this Saturday. You know... the one I've trained for for seven years. I really need to go so I can live my dream. I knew you would understand. If you were anyone else I would come. I know you can  handle anything. I'm taking my own adviCe I gave you eight years ago, never give up. Anything is possible. Have a great wedding. Hope to catch up with you soon.

-Angela :)

She sent it to Maria through fast magic. She got a reply almost instantly.

Does my dream not matter to you? If I was anyone else you would come? There are many horse races you could go to but you only get married ONCE!!! Sorry to bug you about MY special day.
-Maria-
 

  

Chapter nine

It was the Saturday of the horse race. Angela was so excited she didn't even have the slightest thought about the wedding as she chowed down on some fruit loops that morning.

 All she could think about was the race. Her outfit, grooming her horse, jumping the big hurdle, it was all so exciting! 

It wasn't until noon when she finally remembered Maria's letter.

"Mom!" Angela called. "Where is the castle in the sky?"

"California.  It's a cute little place made specifically for weddings, but i had my sweet sixteen there. You can have any theme you want and they make it magical. Oh every girl wishes her wedding was there! Why?" 

"Oh nothing. Just wondering. I saw it in the...uh...newspaper." 

Chapter ten

As soon as she could, Angela bought the next flight out of Tennessee to California.  It would take hours, but she might make it time. The plane ride was horrible. Other than the fat sleeping man next to her and the little kid kicking the back of her seat, she was getting texts nonstop.

Angela, good luck on the horse race! You are so talented! I'll be there to cheer you on! Want to catch a smoothie afterward? -Taylor Myers

I would love to but I already have plans. Can I have a rain check? ;)-Angela Newton
 Defiantly! See you soon! -Taylor Myers



How’s that Horse competition going? -Maria-

 It hasn't started yet. -Angela

Oh. Well I hope it goes better than a once in a life time wedding! -Maria- 

Sweetie? Are you at the stables practicing? I can't find you anywhere? -Mom

I'm fine mom. Don't worry. -Angela

Where are you? -Mom

I'm fine!- Angela

Hey on a plane to California. Pick me up at the airport? -Angela

Sure. Why are you here? - Troy

Tell you later. Your a great cousin. -Angela

I know-Troy


It was all so over whelming. Trying to be to the wedding on time, missing the horse race... She finally decided to pop in her head phones and listen to One Direction.

Chapter eleven

Angela got off the plane to see her older cousin,Troy, waiting for her. 

"Troy! Thanks for coming to pick me up!"

"I almost didn't come! You owe me an explanation! You don't tell me why you’re coming to California by yourself, then ignore all the texts I've sent you for the past hour and a half!"

"Sorry...One Direction...they distract me...a lot."

"That explains the texts..but why are you here?" Troy said as the stepped in the car.

Angela told Troy everything. Jumping hurdles, the accident, Ethan, the wedding, the race today...and Troy understood.

"So you felt bad about not coming to the wedding that you decided to surprise her by showing up last minute?"

"Guess I didn't think this through."

"Don't worry. The castle in the clouds is right here." 

Troy got out and opened Angela's door.

"My lady..."

"By the way Troy I need a date for the after party. Because I don't have a boyfriend and Louis Tomlinson from One Direction is in Great Britain right now, would you be my date?" 

"Sure! I'm going to ride home and grab my tux!"

Then he left without a word.

"We'll, here goes nothing." Angela said as she walked in the front door. 

 

   Chapter twelve

Everything was white. It felt really weird to just be showing up...

"ANGELA!!!!!!!!!"

Angela immediately thought she was being attacked. Her instinct was to kick the intruder of her space in the shin...so she did just that.

"OWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!"   

Angela took a step back.

"Oh...Sorry Maria! ...Maria!" Angela was speechless. "Maria...you look beautiful!"

"Thanks. Hey! Thanks for coming by the way. I knew I could guilt trip you in to coming! I got you a dress because I just KNEW you would come! This totally makes up for you kicking my shin!"

"And you forgiving me after I talked so harsh to you totally makes up for me missing the horse race."

Maria was silent. Yes, her best friend was here for her special day...But she was making her friend miss her special day. She shouldn't have done this. She had to tell Angela to go back home.


                                                        
                                                              

Chapter thirteen

"Angela," Maria began. "You...you don't have to be here...I feel bad for making you do this... go. Go do that horse race."

"Maria, you’re so sweet. But I could never miss my best friend’s wedding! I was wrong. I'm just glad that you forgave me."

"Thanks Angela. I think I can tell you the surprise now!" Maria said excitedly. 


"What surprise?"


"I..."


"You..."


"Got..."


"Got..."


"LOUIS TOMLINSON!"


"LOUIS TOMLI... wait WHAT!!"


"Louis Tomlinson! From one direction! He's here! Along with the others! And I hear that he needs a date to the after party!"


Angela squealed. She had to text Troy and tell him her dreams came true!!


Angela- Hey Troy. Maria got LOUIS TOMLINSON!!

Troy- So this means I'm not your date?  

Angela- Sorry. We can have our own personal after party when I get home!

Troy- Thanks, but no thanks. Have fun!

Angela-Thanks :) <3


"I can't believe I'm going to meet Louis Tomlinson!" 

"I know your excited. Let's keep the excitement going as you go put on your dress." Maria said trying to change the subject. She was more of a Harry Styles fan herself.

"Okay. Lets go!"

They hurried to the dressing room because there was only twenty minutes until the wedding would begin.

They girls walked for three minutes until they entered a room decorated like a magical kingdom. The walls were painted like the inside of a princess's bedroom with pink lace hanging from the walls. The lights were dim, giving the room a mysterious glow. 

"Well," Angela said her voice hushed like a secret was trapped in the walls and she was whispering to hear it. "I think you got the palace theme!"

"Yes," said Maria in the same tone. "We thought this was the best theme that brought out the both of us. Now, let’s find you that dress."

They went into a small room with mirrors, make up, paint, hair styling tools, hair bands and clips, music players, and lights. They walked straight across the room and walked through an ajar door and into a wardrobe. 

In the wardrobe, there were dresses of all shapes, colors, and sizes. One particular dress stood out to Angela. 

It was a lime green strapless dress with sparkles.

"I know you like that dress," Maria said as she pulled out the prettiest cowgirl boots she had ever seen.

 "It doesn't really match the style of the wedding, so I thought you would like to wear it to the after party. If you don't you can pick out a different dress to wear." 

"Are you kidding? I love it! Thank you Maria! Your the best friend ever!"

"Now here is your dress..."

Chapter fourteen

Maria pulled out a pale pink staples dress with feathers. Angela loved it even more than the green one.

"Well..." Maria said, her voice suddenly more excited. "Try it on!"

"You don't have to ask me twice!" Angela said as she scurried into the dressing room.

When she emerged, Maria was speechless. 

"You...Look...Gorgeous...." 

"Thanks!!!"

"Come on! The wedding will start in five minutes!"

The two girls left the wardrobe and went into the dressing room. Maria sat Angela down on the sparkly yellow chair and got to work. Angela had no idea Maria was this good at make-up and hair. Then again she had only spent a few hours with her before the incidents.

"Sit VERY still for this part." said Maria slowly as she took out a pointy piece of make up Angela had never seen before.

Maria had just started to apply the...whatever it was...to her face when...

BUZZ!!!!!!

Both girls jumped at the sound of Angela's phone. 

Angela looked up at the mirror to see the make-up all across her face.

"You answer that phone and I'll get the make-up remover." Maria said before she scrambled out of the room.

Angela took out her phone. She was getting a video chat!

"Hello?" Angela said as her face popped up on the screen.

"Angela? Is that you? Where are you?"

Her mother...she completely forgot about her!

"Mom...I'm really sorry...I'm at the castle in the sky for Maria's wedding."

Let the yelling begin!  

"I had a feeling that was where you were! Anyway, lots of people couldn't make the horse race so they moved it to next week. Are you OK with that?"

"YES!! Thank you!"

"Hi Mrs. Newton!" said Maria holding a bottle of make-up remover. 

"Hi! Oh, I've got to go! Have a good wedding Maria! Oh, Angela, Troy will come pick you up after the after party and he will send you back on a plane in two days."

"Thanks! Bye!" The girls said together as they closed the chat.

Maria removed the make-up from her face then put on fresh make-up. Finally, with no time to spare they were finished. 

Angela took  a step back to see herself in the mirror. She looked great!

"Now," Maria said,"Let's go get our wedding on!"

Chapter fifteen

The girls squealed with excitement as they stepped out into the hall.

They could hear the crowd settling into their seats at chatting amongst themselves. 

"Oh," Maria said in a rushed tone. "There is one more surprise." 

"What?" Angela questioned.

"Ethan kind of got a...um...make over." Maria replied searching for the perfect words.

"OK," Angela replied as the music started to play and everyone settled down. "Let's get this party started!"

Angela headed over to the west wing of the palace and got in a line with the other bridesmaids. 

"You go in front." said a girl in her forties. "You’re the maid of honor." 

"Thanks" Angela said as she uncomfortably moved to the front of the line.

"I'm Ashely. These are Mia, Brooke, Sarah, Patty, Lily, Hannah, Joice, Lexi, Lauren, Claire, Jessica, Dede, McKenzie, Abby, Danielle, Julie, Maddy, and Victoria. We were all Ethan's wives."

Before Angela could reply, Brooke handed her flowers and music began to play. Angela slowly walked in with the rest of the bridesmaids. When they got to their marked positions, they turned and faced the crowd to wait for the bride and groom to enter the room.

Angela took the moment to admire the room. 

It was a beautiful room, decorated to look like a courtyard of a castle. The seats were made of white benches and there were flower petals all along the aisles. 

''All rise." Announced the Justice of the Peace.

As everyone arose, she could see Maria peeking through a curtain looking nervous. Angela gave her a thumbs up and instantly Maria felt better. She ducked behind the curtain again before Ethan could see her.

Ethan looked amazing. You could hardly tell he was a goblin. His smile was from ear to ear. He looked something he had never looked before. Happy.

Suddenly, the music changed as a beautiful girl with beautiful blonde hair emerged from the curtain. Her smile as bright as the sun.

As she made her way down the aisle, Ethan's smile grew even bigger as he watched his beautiful bride approach him.  

When Maria was by his side, the Justice of the Peace began the ceremony.

After two beautiful "i do-s" the couple sealed their love with a kiss.

Chapter sixteen

The crowed roared. This day was perfect. Everyone ran to get ready for the after party.

Angela slipped on her green dress and boots and went to see if Maria needed any help. 

Maria had on a hot pink ruffly dress with high heals.

"Ready to go party?"

"Ready to live the dream?"

"Ready to go dance with Ethan?"

"Ready to go dance with Louis?"

The girls giggled. They loved to question each other about silly things.

"Let's go!" Angela screamed. 

When they made it there, Maria went straight to dance with her new husband. Angela went immediately to the stage where One Direction was playing. 

When they finished their number and the boys got off the stage, Louis ran right into Angela.

"Louis!" Angela cried.

"Angela?"

"Yes! You know my name!"

"Would you like to dance?"

Angela's heart swelled up in her throat and her mouth went dry. Would she!

She finally forced her mouth to say yes and Louis took her hand. They danced all night under the stars.

Every so often, Angela looked at Maria to find a good time to talk to her. The whole night she was in Ethan's arms and she didn't want to ruin it.

Finally it came to the last song. Angela saw Maria with her arms wrapped around her new husband as they danced the last song. 

Angela found Louis and they did just the same, Angela's head rested on his shoulders.

Too quickly, the song ended and Louis left kissing her on the check. For Angela, it had been the best night ever.

She quickly found an open bench and plopped herself down on it. She was exhausted.

Maria quickly found her and sat at her side. 

They talked for a short while, then, both of them without a word gazed into the night sky.

 Chapter seventeen

"Go Angela! GO! GO!!" 

Maria, Ethan, The Fields, The Newtons, and Troy all settled in their seats at the big horse race. 

Angela was in second place and it would take a lot out of old Buttercup to win the race.

Angela's mother was freaking out the entire time. This was the first time Angela did the challenge coarse on full speed since she fell.

"One lap to go!'' The announcer's voice boomed.

Angela was three feet behind.

Five hurdles left...

"Come on Angela! Make me proud!" Troy's voice could be heard over the crowd.

Angela was neck in neck. With only the finish line before her, she charged, crossing the finish line on 0.2 seconds before her opponent.

The crowd erupted with cheers. Maria laughed. Mrs. Newton cried.  

Angela had finally done it.

As her mom took her picture on the podium, holding her blue ribbon and trophy, she knew that it was only a matter of time before she would finish her horse's tale.

The end