Comeback

by Jessica Burkhart

  “No,” Khloe’s voice was firm. “You’re not. Did you choose to get sick? No. I get why you didn’t want to believe it. But you’re sick, Laur.”

  She put a hand to my forehead. “Oh. I’ll get Christina after we get you into bed. You must feel awful. Poor LT.” She took the washcloth from my hand and pressed it lightly to my forehead.

  “That feels really good,” I said, tilting my head back a little. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you. I really thought I could make it through a date with Drew and sleep off whatever this is. That’s why I’m wearing ten pounds of foundation. I’m really sorry I lied to you about that. I hoped I could cover the redness from the fever.”

  Khloe was quiet for a minute. “I’m most upset that you have clear skin without the hint of a breakout in sight. When I apply concealer, it’s to cover real zits! I hate you a little for that.”

  I laughed a little, even though it hurt my stomach. “You’re being so wonderful about this.”

  Khloe stuck out her bottom lip. “I don’t like it when my best friends are sick.”

  “Oh, Khlo! You need to leave! Zack! Your date!” I uncovered an arm and took the washcloth. “Tell him it’s my fault you’re late. I’m just going to crawl into bed and sleep.”

  “Wow, your fever must be insanely high. There’s no way I’m leaving you alone while you’re sick.”

  “Khloe,” I said. Nausea bubbled in my stomach. “You have to go. You were so excited.”

  “I was. But guess what? There’s a Friday night every week. I’d be worrying about you the entire time. Please don’t feel bad or like it’s your fault. I want to stay and help take care of you in any way I can.”

  “You’re—you’re amazing. I—”

  I dropped the washcloth, covered my mouth with my hand, and ran for the bathroom. The blanket fell off me during my dash to make it. I got on my knees in front of the toilet and had barely lifted the lid and seat before throwing up.

  “Coming in,” Khloe said softly.

  She gathered my hair and put it in a loose ponytail. She sat on the bathtub edge, a hand on my back. “You poor thing. It’s going to be okay. I’m right here unless you tell me to go.”

  I shook my head from the toilet. Khloe gave me a handful of toilet paper. I’d just finished wiping my mouth when I started throwing up again.

  SICK. AWESOME.

  WHILE I CURLED INTO A BALL ON THE BATHROOM floor after the umpteenth time of throwing up, Khloe went to get her phone.

  “I’m texting Lexa to get Christina,” she said. “No way I’m leaving even just to go down the hallway.”

  I nodded, pressing my hot cheek against the cool tile. I’d never felt this sick. Ever. Not even when I’d gotten food poisoning a few summers ago from mayonnaise on sandwiches at a picnic.

  Someone knocked on our door and then opened it.

  “Oh, no, Lauren,” Christina said, coming into the bathroom. “Aw, sweetie.” She sat beside me and lightly rubbed my back. “We’re going to get you feeling better. I’m so sorry you’re sick.”

  “Thank you for coming over,” I said, my voice barely audible.

  I shut my eyes again, feeling like I was going to throw up.

  Khloe told Christina everything that had happened since we’d been in the room together and mentioned the parts I’d told Khloe about how I’d felt during the day. I listened to them, feeling as though I was drifting in and out of a fog.

  “I don’t want Lauren sleeping on the bathroom floor,” Christina said to Khloe. “Let’s get her into bed. Don’t try to move her until I get a bowl to put beside her in case she gets sick again.”

  “I’ll be right back, Laur,” Christina said.

  I fell asleep on the floor before she returned.

  WORLD’S #1 BFF

  WHEN I WOKE UP, IT WAS STILL DARK EXCEPT for Khloe’s unicorn night-light. She was propped up in her bed, a magazine on her chest, sound asleep.

  The alarm clock read 4:44 a.m. I tried to remember the haze of last night. Christina and Khloe had helped me into bed, covering me with cool sheets and adding an extra blanket on top of my comforter.

  Christina had put a red plastic bowl next to me. I’d heard her tell Khloe that she would be in every couple of hours to check on me, but if Khloe needed anything to call her no matter what time.

  Khloe.

  She had gone above and beyond a BFF. All night she’d given me sips of water and ginger ale, rinsed out my bowl if I’d gotten sick, and changed the washcloth on my forehead.

  “I’ll stay up all night with you, Laur,” she’d told me despite my weak protests.

  The last time I’d looked at the clock had been sometime after two in the morning, so my bestie hadn’t had much sleep at all.

  I vaguely remembered Christina coming in and out and taking my temperature every so often.

  I wanted to tell Khloe to snuggle under her own covers and get comfortable, but I also didn’t want to wake her. But before I could decide what to do, I fell asleep again.

  WHERE DID THE WEEKEND GO?

  “I CANNOT BELIEVE IT’S SUNDAY NIGHT,” I said. “I slept almost all weekend!” I adjusted the pillow behind me.

  “As you should have,” Khloe said. “You have the flu, Laur. You needed the rest.”

  “Had the flu,” I said. “Had. I’m not throwing up or nauseous anymore. Plus, my fever’s gone.”

  Khloe, sitting on her bed, gave me a Mom-like look. “I’m so, so glad all that’s gone. But you haven’t kept down any food until the chicken soup you had for lunch today. You’re still going to need rest and time to recoup.”

  I nodded. “Oh, I’ll get plenty of rest tonight. Going to bed early will help. Then I’ll take it easy through classes tomorrow so I don’t wear myself out before I get to my lesson.”

  Khloe got up and sat at the end of my bed. She was in her fave pair of zebra print pjs—a cami and shorts. “Laur, Christina’s not going to let you go to class tomorrow. She came in a little while ago when you were asleep and said she’d let all your teachers know you’d be out tomorrow.”

  “What?” I shook my head. “No, I’m fine to go to class. Christina doesn’t know how much better I feel. Once I tell her, she’ll let me go.”

  Khloe looked at her lap, then at me. “I know you. You want to get back to everything. But if you push it, you’ll get really sick all over again. Christina’s mind is set—trust me.”

  “But Khloe, if I don’t go to class, then I won’t be allowed to ride! We have lessons tomorrow!”

  “Ugh. I hate telling you this. I’m sorry, Lauren, but Christina told Mr. Conner how sick you were, and they decided you couldn’t ride tomorrow.”

  Anger replaced the hot feeling of the fever I’d felt in my body all weekend. “That’s not fair. I didn’t get to ride at all this weekend. I missed two entire days of riding! Now Mr. Conner won’t let me ride tomorrow? We have a show on Saturday.”

  I folded my arms, throwing myself back into my pillows.

  “I’d be mad too. Maybe try to think of the positive? You get to skip school tomorrow and sleep, watch TV, or do whatever you want. You’ll get rested up, and you’ll come back to the stable in perf shape.”

  “Missing three days of riding because of being sick and then forced to rest isn’t going to help me or Whisper at all,” I said. “She’s used to being exercised almost every day.”

  “I know Mike and Doug took turns exercising her this weekend,” Khloe said, her tone soft. “If it would make you feel better, I could work her tomorrow. Only if you want, obviously.”

  I knew I was acting like a brat, but I didn’t care. It felt like no one understood how important practicing was for the schooling show. But Khloe wasn’t the bad guy. She’d taken care of me all weekend. She’d skipped her date with Zack and had texted Drew, too, to let him know I was sick. Drew had written a sweet BBM that he was sorry I was sick and to let him know if I needed anything. Now Khloe was only trying to help.

  “I’d love for you to
ride Whisper if you have time,” I said. “That would mean a lot. Thank you.”

  “Of course,” she said. “I get why you’re mad and frustrated. I really do. I’m sorry you got sick and that it cut into your practice time. But just think—when you do get in the arena, you’ll be feeling great and you’ll make triple sure every second counts.”

  I half smiled. “Yeah. I guess so.”

  Khloe took a breath. “Try not to get down. I know that’s easy to say, but you’re ready for the show. If you didn’t have a chance to practice again before riding in your classes, you’d do great.”

  I opened my mouth.

  “I’m not saying any of that just because we’re friends,” Khloe said, stopping me before I could argue. “I’m saying it because it’s true. You’re ready for your trail and dressage class. Zero doubt in my mind.”

  “Thanks, Khloe. I don’t feel that way, honestly, but your support means so much. Everything you did for me this weekend—I’ll never be able to thank you enough. I wouldn’t be as well as I am if you hadn’t taken care of me.”

  Smiling, Khloe went back to her own bed. I stared at the TV, not even hearing the words. Even though Khloe believed in me, I didn’t. I needed to be in the arena. I was jealous of Khloe and everyone else who rode this weekend and would get to practice tomorrow.

  Christina had insisted that Khloe get some air on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, so she had worked out with Ever. I hated that I felt envious that Khloe had been able to ride and I hadn’t. It was so immature! She deserved to do whatever she wanted in the whole two hours she’d spent out of our room this weekend. Plus, I’d put her at major flu risk. Thankfully, she showed no signs of being sick.

  I still couldn’t stop the anxiety about all the lost riding time. Whisper and I needed the practice as much as anyone, and we’d missed two days and were on schedule to miss a third. I’d had my stable time for the entire weekend and week planned. Now the only place the schedule belonged was in the trash.

  BLUR OF A WEEK

  THE WEEK PASSED IN A BLUR. I’D SLEPT ALL day Monday, proving the point that I did need the rest. When Khloe had gotten back from riding, I’d woken up feeling better.

  Really, really better.

  Khloe had filled me in about her exercise with Whisper, and the mare had behaved like a pro. Even though I’d still felt upset about not riding, I was grateful that Whisper got a workout with my friend.

  I’d felt strong enough to go to the dining hall that night and have dinner. The walk to the caf, though, had exhausted me, and I’d fallen asleep moments after we came back to our room.

  Christina decided I could try a half day of classes on Tuesday if I truly wanted to go. I’d gone and turned in my makeup work. It had felt great to see my friends—especially Lexa and Clare, who’d been BBMing me the entire time I was sick. I e-mailed Mr. Conner to tell him how I was feeling, and he wrote back that I could groom Whisper, but no riding until Wednesday. For a second, I’d started to compose an e-mail begging him to let me ride. Then I deleted the words I’d written and instead thanked him and said I couldn’t wait to be back in the stable. My anger at not being allowed to ride melted away at that moment. Mr. Conner had gotten Whisper and me this far. It was only fair that I trust him in return.

  Wednesday was when I’d really lost track of time. I rushed through school on Wednesday and Thursday to get to the stable. Both lessons had been tough, but Whisper hadn’t given me any problems. She acted as if she’d encountered the trail-class obstacles a dozen times before when I’d ridden her through the course. I’d been too tired to even pay attention to Riley.

  Dressage had been nearly as flawless. Thanks to workouts from Mike, Doug, and Khloe, Whisper acted as if no time had been lost. When I’d finally come up for air, it was Friday afternoon. The day before our schooling show.

  ONE DAY TO GO

  “YOU’RE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY I’VE gathered the intermediate and advanced teams,” Mr. Conner said. “I e-mailed each of you requesting that you come without your horse, because this afternoon will be a bit different.”

  Standing together, Khloe, Clare, Riley, Drew, Lexa, and I looked at one another.

  “There will be no intermediate or advanced lessons today,” Mr. Conner continued. “I want your horses to rest. We, on the other hand, have guests coming. The stable reflects our team. Therefore, I want it to be in perfect condition.”

  “Ugh, cleaning,” Khloe whispered.

  “You’ll each be assigned a few stable chores. Everyone must clean his or her tack in addition to whatever else you’re given to do.” Mr. Conner smiled at us. “When the stable passes inspection, you can leave. I want this to be an early night for you, so please come to me for your assignments and get started.”

  Riders started lining up. Clare, Khloe, Lexa, and I got into line, and I spotted Drew way ahead of us. He waved, and I smiled back.

  “Riles, come on,” Clare said, waving at her friend.

  Her roommate hadn’t moved. Instead there was a weird look on her face, and her feet seemed cemented to the ground.

  “Riley?” Clare said. “Come on. We have to do these chores so we can get out of here.”

  Riley waved her hand. “You guys have to do chores. I’m leaving now.”

  “You can’t get out of helping,” I said.

  “Yeah, we all have to stay,” Khloe said, anger in her voice.

  Riley stepped over to us, looking into Khloe’s eyes. She paused, putting her hand on her hip. “I got the job in New York.”

  Wait. What?!

  “Ha-ha. Very funny,” Lexa said.

  Clare stared at Riley. One look at Riley’s face and I knew it was true.

  “When did you find out? You didn’t even tell me,” Clare said. Her voice shook.

  “And why would I tell you, Clare? You’ve made new friends. You tried to force me to be friends with them. I knew when I got back to Canterwood that I had the part.”

  Silence. No one had a response. I was too shocked to think of anything to say.

  “The whole ‘of course I’ll try to get along with your loser friends?’ It’s called acting,” Riley said. “I had to keep practicing somehow.”

  “You are a horrible person,” Khloe said, her face red. “I don’t care that you got a job. I don’t care that you played all of us. I do care that you hurt Clare. She’s supposed to be your best friend!”

  Riley shrugged. “Was my best friend. Now she’s all yours. And so is the part of Belle. You got everything you wanted, Khloe! Congratulations.”

  I held myself back from getting in Riley’s face. She wasn’t worth it.

  “My stuff is being moved out of our room now,” Riley said to Clare. “I’ll be gone by the time you finish your chore fest. I only came to this meeting to see all of you at once. Watch for me on TV!”

  She turned, her black hair swishing around her shoulders, and disappeared.

  Not one of us moved except to shuffle forward in line. No one said her name. It was done. Riley Edwards was no longer a student at Canterwood Crest Academy.

  • • •

  Back in our room, Khloe and I took turns showering and getting ready for bed. On our walk back to Hawthorne, we’d made a pact not to talk about Riley until after the show. We knew we’d talk about it forever, and it would take away too much of our focus. We had, however, made sure Clare was okay. She’d promised she was and that she’d text if she needed us. I couldn’t imagine what she was going through—losing a best friend. And the night before a show. But something told me that Clare wasn’t too down. That Riley’s departure had set her free somehow.

  It was going to be an early night, but I felt wired. Images of my last show—of Red Oak—kept threatening to explode in front of me. I tried to keep busy, doing anything to occupy my mind.

  My phone buzzed, and I opened BBM.

  Taylor:

  Wanted to say GOOD LUCK, Laur. Even tho u so don’t need it.

  Lauren:

  Thank y
ou! I’m nervous, but I trust Whisper.

  Taylor:

  Not worried abt u 2 @ all. Wisp is UR horse. R u excited 2 show her off?

  Lauren:

  Definitely!! Cross ur fingers 4 me that I do CC proud.

  Taylor:

  I will, but u don’t need luck.

  Lauren:

  What r u doing?

  Taylor:

  Wish I could say something cool. But just playing Wii @ home.

  Lauren:

  Aww! I miss that! I kicked ur butt @ Mario Kart EVERY TIME.

  Taylor:

  Excuse me? You must be mistaking me 4 someone else.

  Lauren:

  LOLOL. Fiiine. Just wait till I c u on break. . . .

  Taylor:

  Can’t wait. Let me know how 2mrw goes!

  Lauren:

  I will! TTYL!

  Taylor wasn’t my boyfriend anymore, but he was my friend. It meant a lot to me that he’d remembered the show and messaged me.

  “Want to get out our clothes for tomorrow?” Khloe asked.

  “Sure,” I said. Since we’d been back in our room, Khloe had been amazing. She hadn’t said anything yet, but I knew she sensed my nerves. She’d kept me distracted with gossip, TV, and stories about Beauty and the Beast rehearsal this week.

  We went to our closets, and I looked through my stack of show breeches.

  “Tan or black?” I asked.

  “I’m going with tan,” Khloe said. “Easier to hide Ever hair.”

  “Good point,” I said. “Whisper’s hair isn’t exactly easy to keep hidden on black breeches.”

  I put my newest pair over my arm. The schooling show’s dress code wasn’t strict like regular shows. Mr. Conner had told us we could skip jackets, ties, pins, and the rest of the usual show attire as long as we wore appropriate tops.

  “I’m thinking this,” I said. Khloe turned to me as I held up a light-blue button-down dress shirt that I’d normally wear under a show jacket.