Trail ride in a few mins. Want 2 go? I sent the message to Eric.
Last 1 tacked up has 2 buy hot choc.
I smiled, yanked on black paddock boots and a coat and hurried to the mirror. I quickly twisted my hair into a bed-head, I-didn’t-take-forever-to-do-this ponytail and pulled a few tendrils around my face.
I jogged to the stable. Eric wasn’t in Luna’s stall, so I figured I had him beat. I ran to the tack room, hoping Mr. Conner wouldn’t catch me sprinting, and saw Eric inside. His back was to me—he was gathering Luna’s tack into his arms.
“You!” I said. “You’re not going to win.”
“Ha!” Eric teased, spinning around. “I’m already out the door. Bye!”
“This so isn’t over!” I huffed, racing over to Charm’s saddle rack.
He skirted around me and ran out. I noticed that Phoenix’s tack was missing from the rack next to Charm’s and figured Jasmine had probably paid Mike or Doug to clean it. I scooped Charm’s gleaming saddle and bridle into my arms and hurried to his stall.
“Charm,” I said, hurriedly. “Want to trail ride?”
Charm pricked his ears at my voice and stepped up to the stall door. He nickered at me and stood back to let me open the door. As I crosstied him, Eric brushed Luna on a set of crossties ahead of me.
“You’re behind, Silver,” Eric called.
“Keep telling yourself that, Rodriguez,” I said.
I picked Charm’s hooves and whisked a body brush over him. Charm knew it was a race. His ears pointed forward and he struck the ground with his left foreleg. He stood still while I saddled him and opened his mouth easily to take the bit.
“Almost done!” I taunted.
“Too late!” Eric said.
We unclipped our horses at the same time and I led Charm toward Eric and Luna.
Eric was a few steps ahead of me. He’s going to win! Then I saw his helmet on the counter.
“Not so fast,” I said. “You forgot something.”
Eric looked over his shoulder, but kept walking. “Oh, sure. I know your tricks. I didn’t forget…” He reached up and felt his head. “Oh.”
He circled Luna back and Charm and I passed him.
“Better get your wallet,” I teased, giggling as Charm and I headed outside.
A few seconds later, Eric and Luna reached Charm and me. He shook his head and smiled. “You got me,” he said. “I totally blew my lead.”
“I’ll take my hot chocolate with caramel, please,” I informed him. I laughed so hard that my sides ached and tears spilled out of the corners of my eyes.
Eric shook his head. “Look at yourself,” he said, but he was laughing too—almost as hard as I was.
I thought about how lucky I was that Eric had decided to stay. He was fast becoming my closest friend aside from Paige. The clinic would have been totally miserable without him. He made the bad stuff going on with Jasmine and Callie seem less overwhelming. Plus, I always smiled the entire time I was with him.
We mounted our horses and turned Charm and Luna toward Blackwell. They stepped onto a dirt path that snaked behind the dorms, matching each others’ strides.
The dark gray sky was filled with wispy clouds. I took a deep breath of crisp, cold air.
“I can’t believe the clinic is almost halfway over,” I said. “It’s going by so fast.”
“I know,” Eric said. “It feels like my parents just gave me permission to stay.”
“They must be proud that you’re such a good rider.”
“They are,” he said. “But my mom wasn’t thrilled at first. She wanted me to do the typical guy sports like soccer or football because she thought I’d get teased. My dad told her I’d learn how to handle it if kids picked on me.”
Luna snorted as a bird flew off the trail and under a pile of brush. Eric ran a hand down her neck. “Easy, girl,” he said to her.
“Wow,” I murmured. “I never thought about that. Did anyone ever tease you?”
Eric locked eyes with me for a second like he was debating whether or not to say something. “Yeah, they did.”
“I’m sorry. You don’t have to tell me.”
“No, it’s okay. I don’t mind.” He took a breath and rubbed his thumbs over the tops of the reins. “In fifth grade, I’d just started riding and my friends kept asking me why I wouldn’t stay after school and join the baseball team with them. I told them I wanted to ride and they didn’t get it. They started teasing me for doing a ‘girly sport.’”
“That’s so dumb. I’m sorry you had to deal with that.” I almost reached over and squeezed his elbow, but I stopped short. My relationship with Eric had gotten so confused by Callie—and everyone else—I hated that I couldn’t do something as simple as comforting a friend for fear that someone would see and blow it out of proportion.
“It’s okay,” Eric continued. “But those guys wouldn’t stop harassing me. When I got to my desk one morning, I found a message written on it.”
“What did it say?”
Eric laughed. “It said, ‘Go back to the barn and kiss your horse!’ in red marker.”
I clenched the reins with my fingers. “Those stupid boys! What did you do?”
“Nothing. Actually, the message itself was so lame, I didn’t really care. But when my teacher saw it and asked me who did it, I wouldn’t tell her. But the guys were afraid of being caught, so they messed with me and threatened me when teachers weren’t around. That was the worst of it.”
The trail took a sharp turn, twisting along a semifrozen creek bank. We eased the horses to a slow walk and guided them carefully along the bank. I was furious to think that those jerks had teased Eric.
“Did it ever stop?” I asked.
“For the most part. But one of these guys pretty much teased me until the day I left,” Eric said. “At Canterwood, it’s okay that I’m a guy and a rider. The equestrian team is so prestigious, no one cares if I go to soccer practice on Tuesday and ride on Wednesday. Plus, there are other guy riders here.”
“Yeah, well, they shouldn’t have cared at your old school either. Girls and guys can ride. But you’ll show them. When you make it big, they’ll be jealous.”
Eric smiled. “You’re a good friend to say so.”
We edged the horses along the creek and into a thicker spot of woods. The horses’ hooves were muffled along the dirt path and Charm drifted closer to Luna. Eric and I guided the horses around a fallen tree that blocked half of the trail. We approached a low-hanging branch and ducked as Charm and Luna walked under it.
“Do you know what you want to do when you’re older?” I asked. “Anything with horses?”
“I want to open a training stable one day. Maybe give lessons like Mr. Conner.”
“That’s so cool!” I edged Charm closer to Luna. “A training stable would be amazing. You’d get to work with so many different horses and learn how to handle all of their personalities.”
“Exactly. What about you?”
I shook my head.
“Tell me. What?” Eric’s eyes seemed to smile at me.
“Well…I know it will never happen, but I want to ride on the United States Equestrian Team and compete in the Olympics. And, while I’m trying to qualify, I want to open my own stable.”
“That’s great! And the reason it would ‘never happen’ would be…what?”
“It’s almost impossible to get on the team. Out of the thousands of riders who are good enough, only a few make it. That’s why I want to open a stable too—as backup.”
“Sasha, you are good enough,” Eric said. “You’ll be perfect for them.”
“Thanks.” I grinned. “There’s a lot of work to do between now and then. Making the Youth Equestrian National Team would be a big step.”
“That’s why this clinic is so important. It’s your shot to impress scouts,” Eric said.
I nodded, letting the words sink in. Eric was right. If I wanted to ride in the Olympics, this was my first big chan
ce to impress important people. Everything else—Jacob, the Belles, and Callie—had to come second. I had to find a way to focus on myself and worry less about situations I couldn’t control.
“I should be more focused,” I said. “But it’s been hard. I’m fighting with Callie, and she was my best friend.”
“Have you tried talking to her?”
“Only a thousand times.” I dropped the reins over Charm’s neck and reached my hands to the sky. “She won’t listen. And it’s so stupid. It’s all because of—” I stopped and shook my head. “It’s just stupid.”
“Because of what?” Eric asked. “What were you going to say?”
I sighed. Eric was my friend—I could talk to him. Nothing I said could make this situation worse. “Because of you.”
Eric gently pulled Luna to a halt and I stopped Charm beside her. “Me? Why?!”
“Well…” I paused and swallowed. “Callie really liked you, but then she kept seeing us together, and she thought I stole you from her. It’s crazy because I told her I liked Jacob, and that you and I were just friends, but she wouldn’t believe me and now she hates me for no reason!” Phew! Felt good to say that. And now that it was out, I felt silly for not saying anything to Eric sooner.
“Oh,” Eric said. “Wow. I had no idea that Callie liked me. Is there anything I can do to help?”
I thought for a minute. If I could get Eric and Callie together…
“Do you like Callie?”
Eric hesitated. “She seems nice—I mean, aside from the whole ignoring-my-friend Sasha thing.”
“She is nice! She’s so friendly and smart. Plus, she’s the best rider I’ve ever met. I’ll give you her cell number and you can text her sometime. If you want.”
Eric handed me his phone. “It might help you get your friendship back, huh?”
I nodded as I punched in the number. “I think so. Then, she’d definitely believe me.”
I handed him back the phone. This plan couldn’t fail. Eric and Callie would start dating, Callie would forgive me, and if Jacob would ever e-mail me, I’d get him back, too!
“Want to trot out of the woods and canter through that field?” Eric asked.
“Let’s go!”
18
I H8 SPAM
BACK AT WINCHESTER, I LOGGED IN TO ICHAT. I’d texted Paige on the walk back from my ride with Eric and she’d been free to meet me online. After our trail ride, Eric and I had agreed to text later and set up a study time for tonight.
“Hellooo!” Paige said, when she saw me. She leaned closer to the screen and covered her mouth. “OMG, you made up with Jacob!”
“What?”
“Your face! You’re all pink and you look sooo happy! Tell me, tell me!”
“Paige!” I said, holding up my hands in a wait-a-sec gesture. “I didn’t make up with Jacob. I haven’t even talked to him yet!”
Paige slumped backward. “Really? I’m so sorry—you just haven’t looked this happy in a while and I thought it was because of Jacob. Did you make up with Callie?”
“Not yet—but I think I will soon. I just got back from a trail ride with Eric. I gave him Callie’s number and he said he’s going to call her. I figure if Callie sees I’m not with Eric, we can be friends again.”
“Hmmm…,” Paige straightened her broad white satin headband. “That might work. And Eric doesn’t like anyone else?”
“I don’t think so…at least he’s never said a word to me about it.”
“Let me know what happens. I really miss being there!”
I rolled my eyes. “Paige, you’re on the set of a TV show. You can’t seriously miss school!”
“I do!” she said. “I know I’m a total dork, but I’m ready to get back to classes and see my friends. The set is great and it’s nice to visit Mom and Dad, but I’m ready to come back.”
“Paige!” a voice said behind her.
“Hold on, Mom!” Paige turned toward her door. “Be right there!” She looked back at me. “Gotta go. Text me later.”
“Bye.” I closed out iChat and pulled up my e-mail.
Two unread messages.
!!!!!
Please be from Jacob. Pleeeeeaaaase be from Jacob. I opened my inbox and scanned the senders. Spam. Both spam. Sigh.
“I’m not going to miss Jacob,” I said out loud. “I’m not.”
But I did. He was never going to e-mail me. Ever. I flopped onto my bed and sighed. Boys were the worst.
My text alert chimed. It was Eric. Study @ 7?
Most def!
I smiled and thought about how nice our trail ride had been earlier. Soon, all thoughts of the Jacob drama had vanished and I was thinking about my friend and how much fun we always had together. Eric was a good person, and I was lucky to have him in my life.
19
TRADING FRIENDS FOR GUYS
MR. CONNER’S CLINIC, DAY 8
DAYS LEFT TILL BELLES MEETING: 3
“PAY ATTENTION, COLE! VIOLET, WATCH YOUR hands!” Miss Cho called.
It was Monday morning and she’d been tough on us for the whole lesson. At least today’s focus wasn’t dressage. Miss Cho had decided to let us do flatwork for the day. Charm and I hadn’t messed up once. We were both in good moods.
“Sit deep and urge your horses forward with your legs,” Miss Cho said. We’d been doing a sitting trot for a couple of laps and Charm’s gait was even.
“Sasha,” Miss Cho said.
I looked over at her nervously. “Yes?”
“Charm looks excellent. As do you. Nice work.”
I grinned and Jasmine turned around to glare at me.
“Slow your horses to a walk,” Miss Cho said. “I need to grab Mike and then we’ll begin a new exercise.”
We followed her instructions.
“Congrats, Sasha,” Jasmine said. “You’re able to control Charm’s walk. Score!”
“Thanks, Jas!” I said. “I mastered the walk after seeing how you couldn’t control Phoenix’s trot. Thanks for the inspiration.”
Miss Cho stepped out of the arena and returned a couple of minutes later with Mike.
They went to the back of the arena and picked up white cavalletti from the ground. Miss Cho and Mike worked together and set up four cavalletti, or portable jumps, that were often only a couple of inches high, down the center of the arena. The poles were held with wooden Xs at the ends.
“We’re going to take the horses over the cavalletti that have been spaced enough to encourage your horses to lengthen their strides,” Miss Cho said. “We’re not trying to get your horse to jump, but rather to trot over these poles and pay attention to their hoof placement.”
I stroked Charm’s neck and straightened my helmet as I listened.
“Keep a safe distance between yourself and the other riders. Go ahead and trot to the end of the arena, turn back and then walk over the cavalletti.”
“Walk?” Jasmine questioned, sounding bored.
“Yes, walk,” Miss Cho said. She gave Jasmine the say-another-word-and-you’re-in-trouble look. “Does anyone know why we’re walking first?”
Aaron raised his hand and Miss Cho nodded to him.
“You want to be sure the horse can walk over the cavalletti first without hitting them. If not, then you’re probably not ready to trot without lowering them or walking through a few more times.”
“Yes,” Miss Cho said. “Exactly. Let’s begin.”
I asked Charm to trot and we squeezed behind Violet. Aaron, Cole and Jasmine lined up after me and we trotted down the center of the arena, bypassing the cavalletti. Charm and I had worked over cavalletti a lot back home in Union, so I wasn’t worried.
I turned Charm to face the poles and slowed him to a walk.
“Be sure to give him rein, Sasha, and let him look at the poles,” Miss Cho said.
Charm lowered his head and looked at the cavalletti. He seemed to think about where he placed each hoof and made it through without nicking a pole.
&nbs
p; “Good boy,” I said, patting his neck. He stepped to the side of the arena and we waited for everyone else to go.
“Let’s do them one more time at a walk,” Miss Cho said, once everyone had finished their rides.
Jasmine rolled her eyes when Miss Cho wasn’t looking. We walked over the cavalletti and Miss Cho raised the first pole a couple of inches.
“We’ll go through it again and keep raising one pole at a time until all of the cavalletti are the same height as the first pole,” she said.
Charm and I reached the cavalletti first and he stepped over them without a second glance. Everyone repeated the process until all of the poles were raised.
“Let’s trot through them now,” Miss Cho said.
Charm and I started for the cavalletti, but Jasmine weaved Phoenix around us and cut Charm off. She angled Phoenix at the cavalletti and kicked him into a fast trot.
“Jasmine!” Miss Cho called. “Slow down!”
Jasmine acted as if she didn’t hear. Phoenix tried to lower his head to look at the poles, but Jasmine tugged it up and heeled him forward. Phoenix tripped on the first cavalletti and didn’t have time to recover. He knocked over the second pole and clipped the third. With a strong effort, he managed to clear the fourth. None of that was his fault, but Jasmine acted as if it was. She yanked him around in a circle and pulled him to a halt.
“Ms. King, dismount now,” Miss Cho’s voice was hard. “Lead your horse out of the arena, cool him, and groom him. Then, go to Mr. Conner’s office. Tell him you’re waiting for me.”
Jasmine didn’t even argue. She hopped off Phoenix and led him out of the arena. Miss Cho shook her head and took a breath.
“Please continue at a trot,” she told us.
“Go ahead,” Violet said. She motioned for me to go in front of her.
I eased Charm forward and made sure he didn’t trot too fast. He snapped his knees up over the poles and glided over them.
Violet, Cole, and Aaron did the same. I was relieved that none of us had given the already upset Miss Cho one more reason to get mad at us.
“Once more and we’re finished,” Miss Cho said. “You’re all doing great.”
The Canterwood Crest Stable of Books Page 40
