The Canterwood Crest Stable of Books

by Jessica Burkhart

  He laughed. “Deal.”

  We turned down the sidewalk that led to Winchester.

  “I forgot to tell you that I had the easiest lesson ever today,” I said. “Mr. Conner must have been distracted or something, ’cause he barely made us do anything.”

  Eric smirked. “I’ll tell him you said that.”

  “Oh, please. And then I’ll tell him that you looove riding without stirrups.”

  “You wouldn’t!”

  “I totally would. And you’re secretly relieved that my lesson was easy. You were afraid you’d have to carry me back to Winchester if I’d had another grueling class.”

  Eric sighed. “Yeah, Sash. Carrying you would be so hard.” He wiped his forehead.

  I swatted his arm. “Stop it!”

  We both laughed. All of a sudden, I really wanted to hold his hand. Maybe I could and no one would notice. I started to inch my hand toward his, while trying to act cool. My fingers almost touched his and—oops.

  Jacob was walking down the sidewalk right toward us.

  I jerked my fingers away from Eric. That had been too close!

  Jacob, Eric, and I stopped, and the guys eyed each other.

  “’Sup,” Jacob said, nodding at Eric.

  “Hi,” I said.

  Eric remained silent. Awkward.

  Jacob, shifting from one black Converse to the other, smiled at us. But I knew Jacob—it was his fake smile.

  Jacob eyed our boots. “Done riding?”

  “Yeah,” I said. “I just finished a lesson and Eric was grooming his horse.”

  I stared at the sidewalk, trying to think of something—anything—else to say. But I couldn’t come up with one thing.

  Jacob looked at Eric. “So, you play any sports?”

  Random, much?

  “I ride,” Eric said, like, hello?

  “I know,” Jacob said. “But I mean sports.”

  Ohhhh, Jacob.

  “Riding is a sport,” Eric said.

  Jacob shrugged. “Well—”

  “Not ‘well,’” Eric said, his voice sharp. “Riding’s a sport. You ever jumped a horse? Or galloped one across a field? You have to be pretty strong to pull that off.”

  I wanted to jump in, but my mind was still totally, utterly blank.

  “But basically, it’s just sitting and telling the horse where to go,” Jacob said.

  Oh, no, he didn’t!!

  “Wait a second!” I yelled. “Are you kidding me?! You know how hard I work at riding. It’s nothing like that!”

  Eric leaned toward Jacob. “Just walk away, man.”

  “What’s your problem?” Jacob asked.

  “You’re my problem. You think you can treat Sasha like you did and everything’s okay?”

  The boys glared at each other.

  I didn’t want to be in the middle of this! What should I say?! I just stood there not knowing what to do.

  Jacob ducked his head a little. “Look,” he said to me. “I shouldn’t have—”

  Eric stared at Jacob. “You shouldn’t have done a lot of things.”

  “Guys,” I said. “C’mon.”

  Eric glared at Jacob for a few more seconds.

  “Seriously,” I said. “Stop it. I’m going back to Winchester.”

  “Fine. I’ll walk you,” Eric said.

  We split up to walk around Jacob, then started down the sidewalk together.

  “Sorry,” Eric said. “But he’s a jerk. He was lucky to have even gotten one chance with you and he blew it.” He unclenched his hands.

  “Thanks for standing up for me,” I said. “Jacob is…I don’t know why he was being like that.”

  Eric shrugged. “He doesn’t deserve you. He never did.”

  As we walked back to Winchester, I tried to imagine why Jacob had been so weird with Eric. What did he care anymore anyway? He had Callie. Didn’t he? But by the time I said good night to Eric, I still had nothing.

  I pulled open the dorm door—I needed to find Paige ASAP. Our midweek cookie break was about to happen a day early. After I’d witnessed that round between Jacob and Eric, this was a cookie emergency.

  19

  PLUS ONE

  “I CAN’T BELIEVE TEEN CUISINE PREMIERES soon,” I said to Paige. It was a lazy Saturday afternoon and we were sprawled on our beds.

  “One month,” Paige said. “I’m so nervous!”

  “Why? I know you did great!”

  “You don’t know that. What if I’m awful? Everyone will see it. In HD!” Paige sat up and pulled her lavender pillow across her lap.

  “You were NOT awful—I know it. The show will be great. And…I’ve been thinking that we need to celebrate when it airs.”

  I hopped off my bed and pulled on my boots. Jasmine’s testing was today and I wanted to go to the stable and see what—if anything—had happened. I had no doubt the Trio was already there.

  Paige’s expression brightened. “Celebrate? Like how?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” I said slowly. “I had this idea that you’ll totally hate, but I guess I’ll tell you.”

  “Sasha! Spill!”

  I grinned. “I think we need to throw a premiere party!”

  Paige fell backward onto her bed. “Yeeesss! That’s perfect!”

  I grabbed a notebook and scribbled the ideas I’d been thinking about for a couple of days.

  “We’ll throw it in the media center,” I said. “We can have a red carpet, drinks, and food. We’ll all dress up and everyone can watch the show together.”

  “Oooh! We can get our guy friends to be security,” Paige said, giggling. “We’ll dress them up in uniforms.”

  “Yeah! And we can all watch it on the big plasma screen.”

  Paige leaned over and grabbed a notepad from her bedside table. “I’ll start making a VIP guest list and I’ll reserve the room.”

  “Get the biggest room,” I said. “You’re gonna have lots of fans.”

  Paige’s eyes widened. “Fans? No way.”

  “They’ll love you and the show,” I said. “Promise. I’ve got to go, but we’ll plan more later?”

  “Kay,” Paige said. “I hope Jas falls off.”

  “Paige!” I said, feigning shock. “I can’t believe you just said that!”

  “Well,” Paige said quickly. “Not enough to hurt her or anything.”

  I nodded. “Suuure.”

  When I got to the stable, I texted Eric. @ Jas’s tsting. Bleh.

  Eric wrote me back.: ( mayb she’ll mess up.

  But we both knew she wouldn’t. Jasmine was going to rock the testing.

  Callie and the Trio trickled into the skybox. We all grabbed front-row seats.

  “We know she’s going to make it, right?” Julia asked. She popped a piece of neon green gum into her mouth.

  “Yep,” I said. Everyone else nodded.

  Jasmine entered the arena, mounted Phoenix, and rode him into the center. She looked up at us and waved pageant-queen-style.

  “Oh, puh-leeze,” Heather said, rolling her eyes.

  Mr. Conner walked inside. He nodded to us before turning to Jasmine. “Would you like to have a private testing?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t mind if they watch. They might be my teammates after this!”

  Eww.

  “You all must remain silent,” Mr. Conner reminded us. “If you say a word, you’re out.”

  We nodded. Heather, clasping her hands, leaned forward on the edge of her chair. This was the last thing she—or any of us—wanted.

  “Go ahead and warm Phoenix up,” Mr. Conner said.

  Jasmine took Phoenix around the arena at a walk, trot, and canter until Mr. Conner signaled her to stop.

  “Let’s get started,” Mr. Conner said. “You’ll take Phoenix through several exercises. Just listen to my commands and do them as soon as you can after I ask. Understand?”

  “Yes, sir,” Jasmine said. She narrowed her eyes, staring between Phoenix’s ears.r />
  Her face gave away nothing. She was totally determined to make the team. She sat up straight in the saddle, pushed down her heels, and rested her hands over Phoenix’s neck.

  Game. On.

  “Head out to the rail and do a sitting trot,” Mr. Conner commanded.

  Jasmine sat to Phoenix’s trot. They moved around the arena, looking perfect together.

  “Halt,” Mr. Conner called.

  Within seconds, Jasmine brought Phoenix to a smooth stop. He stood, not moving, while he waited for Jasmine to give him another signal.

  “Reverse direction and posting trot,” Mr. Conner said.

  Jasmine turned Phoenix, then got him trotting in a few strides. She took him around the arena twice. Mr. Conner marked a few things on his clipboard before he looked up.

  “Halt and back up,” Mr. Conner instructed.

  Jasmine stopped Phoenix and asked him to back. He tucked his chin, taking quick steps backward.

  “Good,” Mr. Conner said.

  He took Jasmine through a few more exercises before holding up his hand.

  Jasmine, slowing Phoenix, was barely able to hide her grin. She knew the spot on the advanced team was almost hers.

  “Let’s move to jumping,” Mr. Conner said. “Mike and Doug have arranged six jumps at the end of the arena. Take them once. After that we’ll discuss your ride.”

  “Okay,” Jasmine said, nodding. She shoved her heels down and tightened the reins.

  “Bets?” Alison whispered.

  “Zero faults,” Callie said under her breath.

  The rest of us nodded. There was no way she’d miss a jump. I scooted forward so I could see every inch of the arena.

  She circled Phoenix twice before heeling him toward the first yellow and blue vertical. Phoenix jumped over the poles, swishing his tail with pride when he landed cleanly. Jasmine yanked on his mouth, checking him, and then urging him over two faux-brush jumps.

  I looked at Mr. Conner—he was maaad. He crossed his arms, shaking his head. He’d told Jas a zillion times not to be rough on Phoenix, but she kept doing it.

  Everything else about her ride was amazing (sigh), but her forcefulness with Phoenix was hard to watch. I hurt for Phoenix when she jabbed him with her heels. But Phoenix, a well-trained pro, listened to all of Jasmine’s commands. She got him over two double oxers and kicked him a stride before the final, and highest, vertical.

  Phoenix launched into the air but clipped the rail with his back hoof. It wobbled in the holder and thudded to the ground behind them. Jasmine tugged Phoenix to a halt in front of Mr. Conner.

  “Can I do it again?” she asked. “I don’t know why he did that.”

  “No need to go again,” Mr. Conner said. “I saw enough to evaluate you.”

  Jasmine pouted. Then she seemed to remember that Mr. Conner was still watching her. She fake smiled and patted Phoenix while Mr. Conner flicked through his paperwork.

  “I’m not going to make you wait for my decision,” Mr. Conner said a few minutes later. “You’ve already tested later than everyone else, so that wouldn’t be fair.”

  The Trio, Callie, and I glanced at one another. That was unfair—to us! Mr. Conner had made us wait forever for his decision.

  “Would you like the other girls to leave before we speak?” Mr. Conner asked.

  Jasmine shook her head. “They can stay.” She sniffed. “I’ll need support if I didn’t do well.”

  Oh, vomit.

  “All right, then. Let me get to the point. Your flatwork was sharp,” Mr. Conner said. “Your timing was impeccable and you have a deep seat. Without a doubt, you’re a talented rider.”

  Jasmine beamed.

  Mr. Conner took a breath. “However, you still muscle Phoenix around. There’s simply no reason for that. You’re skilled enough that even the slightest cues to him will be sufficient. You cannot continue to force Phoenix through every riding session.”

  Jasmine’s happy face disappeared. “Okay,” she whispered.

  Mr. Conner consulted his clipboard. “Unfortunately, that’s why I cannot grant you a spot on the advanced team. If you had listened to my advice and had not forced Phoenix around the jumps, I would have given you a seat.”

  Beside me, Callie gasped. I looked back at the Trio—they were all grinning. We’d all been sure that Jas would make it.

  I stared down at Jasmine. Her cheeks and nose were pink as if she was swallowing back tears. I wished she had a friend waiting for her when she went back to her room.

  Mr. Conner looked up at Jasmine. “To be part of the team, you must be willing to take direction and agree to work much harder on softening your directions to Phoenix.”

  Jasmine just nodded.

  Mr. Conner looked up at her. “I look forward to watching you test again in the fall. If you follow directions then, I’m sure you’ll make the team.”

  Breath whooshed out of everyone in the skybox. I don’t think any of us could believe it—the old team was still intact!

  Jasmine didn’t look at us as she dismounted and led Phoenix out of the arena. She’d been sure she was going to make it and she’d let everyone know it. She’d been humiliated. Again. It was an endless string of embarrassments for Jasmine.

  Callie, the Trio, and I stood and left the skybox.

  Julia high-fived Heather and grinned at all of us. “Jas totally deserved not to make it,” Julia said. “Now she’s back on the loser team.”

  “It’s not a loser team,” I snapped.

  Alison looked at me. “Why do you care?”

  I shrugged. I shouldn’t have said anything, but I wasn’t going to let them trash Eric’s team. “I don’t. Whatever.”

  I walked away from them and went to Charm’s stall. I let myself inside and hugged his neck.

  “Jas didn’t make it, boy,” I said. “Our team is safe for a little while longer.” But it didn’t make me feel particularly happy to say it. No matter how awful she was, Jas did work hard at riding. She deserved to make the advanced team, but she had to start treating Phoenix better—and listening to Mr. Conner.

  Someone knocked on the stall door. I looked up to see Callie.

  “Hey,” she said, her tone soft. “Can I come in?”

  I shrugged. “Sure.”

  Callie let herself into the stall, stopping to pet Charm. “Sasha, I hate the way things are.”

  I tickled the tip of Charm’s muzzle. The back-and-forth with Callie had been so exhausting. I didn’t know how long I could stay mad at her for liking a guy—a guy I didn’t even want anymore.

  “Me too,” I whispered.

  Callie gave me a small smile. “I was completely wrong about the Jacob situation. I should have told you the second I started to like him. I never, ever meant for this to happen.”

  “I know you didn’t I sighed.

  “But I was a horrible friend,” Callie whispered. “I should have believed you the first time you told me about Eric. I’m so, so sorry.”

  I swallowed. This was the perfect opportunity to tell Callie that I was with Eric. But I was scared. Things with Eric were so perfect, I didn’t want to risk messing that up.

  “Jacob’s told me a million times how bad he feels,” Callie added. “We both made a huge mistake.”

  I stared at her, not sure what to say. She pulled her dark brown wrap sweater tighter around her. She looked as miserable as I felt. I wanted to tell her that we should try being friends again, but I didn’t.

  We stood in silence for a few minutes. I ran my fingers through Charm’s mane, pretending to search for knots, so I didn’t have to look at Callie.

  Finally, Callie sighed. She touched a fingertip to Charm’s blaze. “I guess I’ll go, then. But thanks for listening.” She left the stall and I peeked over the door as she walked away.

  Maybe things would never be the same, but then again…who knew what might happen next?

  20

  KARMA OR SOMETHING

  HANGING OUT IN THE WINCHESTER COMMO
N room was one of my fave ways to spend a Sunday. And today my day was even better because, for once, I’d finished all of my homework early. Paige and I had made a run to the Sweet Shoppe for snacks. It was a gross gray day outside and we’d decided that we needed something with pink sprinkles—the cure to any blah day.

  “I’m so excited about planning the premiere party,” Paige said.

  “Me too!”

  We took our coconut cupcakes and hot chocolate over to the coffee table and sat facing each other on the ends of the couches that were closest to the warm fireplace.

  “Livvie was here,” I said, pointing to a green tea bag wrapper on the lamp table.

  Paige nodded. “Only Livvie would drink that.”

  We sipped our hot chocolate and I took a bite of my cupcake. Mmm.

  “I’m making a list of party food possibilities,” Paige said. “I can’t wait to start cooking and baking.”

  “And I can’t wait to taste your new stuff,” I said, grinning. “Let’s talk decorations.” I pulled out my sparkly purple notepad.

  Paige leaned back on the couch. She played with one of her hoop earrings. “I’ve been thinking about that. Write down candles, a red carpet, a few posters to put on the walls…”

  I scribbled on my pad. “Got it. And we’ll just keep adding to the list as we think of stuff?”

  “Good idea. I’m still working on the guest list.”

  I looked at my lap, then back at Paige. “Go ahead and invite Callie.”

  Paige’s pen hovered above the paper. “Really?”

  “She apologized again yesterday, and you know what? I believe her. And…I sort of miss her. I don’t know…but maybe the fight’s not worth it. I mean, I’m with Eric now. I really like him. And even though Callie and Jacob really hurt my feelings, it’s not even like I like Jacob anymore. So invite her.”

  Paige reached over, touching my arm. “I’m so proud of you. You’re a good person, Sasha Silver.”

  We both looked up when Jasmine walked into the common room. She wore simple black yoga pants and a burnt orange oversize sweater. I wished I didn’t love her outfit so much.

  “You’re cold, Sasha,” Jasmine said, shaking her head.

  “What?” I asked.