The Canterwood Crest Stable of Books

by Jessica Burkhart

  Even the Belles—Violet, Brianna, and Georgia—glanced up from their lunches. The caf went silent—no clicking of spoons against bowls, no scraping of forks against plates. Nothing. I’d never heard it so quiet.

  The Trio shook off their giggles and stopped behind Jas. At Heather’s nod, Julia tapped Jas on the shoulder.

  Jas jumped, then turned around. She yanked her ear buds out of her ears, and her eyes widened, flicking to the sodas and then to the Trio.

  “Jasmine,” Heather said brightly. Her voice seemed to echo through the cafeteria.

  Jasmine’s gaze shifted among Julia, Alison, and Heather. “Hey?” she said. It came out like a question.

  “Enjoying your lunch?” Alison asked, nodding at Jasmine’s tray.

  “Um, sure,” Jasmine said. She shifted in her seat. She had to know the Trio was up to something.

  “Good!” Julia said. She looked so friendly that, for a second, I thought she’d hug Jasmine.

  “Look, we’ve been talking,” Heather said. She smiled, flashing her teeth.

  Danger! Danger!

  “This situation is just so awkward for everyone,” Heather continued.

  The entire cafeteria seemed to be hanging on her every word.

  Jasmine nodded and her shoulders relaxed. But I knew better. Across from me, Paige and Eric had abandoned their food to watch.

  “We’ve been handling this all wrong,” Heather added. She leaned closer to Jasmine.

  “Yeah, we’re just sorry we waited so long,” Julia said.

  Jasmine stood, wrapping her arms across her chest. “Omigosh, don’t even apologize. Really. I’m just glad we can stop fighting with each other twenty-four/ seven.”

  Heather nodded, her face serious. “Agreed. We’re so done fighting. ’Cause, really, it was about time I did this.”

  Before Jas could even blink, Heather flipped her tray right onto Jasmine. Everyone in the caf sucked in a breath. Soda sloshed though the air between them and soaked Jas. In an instant, her clothes and hair were drenched. The tray and plastic glasses clattered to the floor, landing at Jas’s feet. Her lips parted, but she didn’t say a word.

  I immediately felt sorry for her. She’d done awful things to us, but the Trio had already humiliated her enough. What was the point anymore? But I already knew the answer to that. The point was to never stop making her pay. Almost a year ago, it would have been me on the receiving end of that soda.

  “There! I feel so much better!” Heather said, smirking. “How does it feel? You poured oil on Aristocrat, and then molasses in Sasha’s hair. It was your turn, Jas. Are you ready to crawl back to Wellington yet?”

  Jasmine just stood there, dripping soda onto the floor. The cola formed a puddle around her boots. Her face was as white as Charm’s blaze.

  “Ta!” Heather, Julia, and Alison chirped at the same time. They turned and started out of the cafeteria. They were just about to pass the Belles’ table when Violet got up and stood in front of them.

  “Hold it,” Violet said, folding her arms.

  Heather tossed Violet a playful grin. Heather obviously thought that, as a fellow clique leader, Violet would be proud.

  But then Violet did something strange. She tucked her light brown, chin-length hair behind her ear and leaned close to Heather. “You’re so transparent. It’s sad.”

  Heather straightened. “Whatever. It was just a harmless little prank.”

  Violet’s eyes narrowed. Heather didn’t need to make the Belles mad—they were probably already mad enough at us about the whole banned-from-riding thing.

  “The only reason you’re going after Jasmine is to secure your spot as Canterwood’s top seventh-grade rider,” Violet said. “And after the way you and your little friends got us in trouble, that’s not a spot you deserve.”

  Heather squirmed. Julia and Alison shifted back on their heels, looking like they wanted to run away. Brianna and Georgia walked over and flanked Violet.

  “So either leave Jasmine alone, or we’ll come after you. Got it?” Violet said.

  “Whatever,” Heather whispered again.

  Violet peered around the Trio at Jasmine. “C’mon,” she said.

  Jasmine, trying not to slide on the spilled soda, grabbed her bag and skirted the Trio. The Belles formed a protective barrier around Jasmine and walked her out of the caf. The room erupted in chatter the second they disappeared.

  Heather, Julia, and Alison didn’t move. They stood frozen to the spot where Violet had crushed Heather. Their faces were pink, and Alison and Julia stared at the ground. Heather, realizing people were looking, tossed her hair over her shoulder and walked out. Julia and Alison hurried out behind her.

  Spilling soda on Jas? Biggest. Mistake. Ever.

  14

  CLUELESS

  AFTER MY RIDING LESSON I WALKED TOWARD the stable exit. I had film class tonight—ugh. If only Eric were in my class instead of Jacob. I walked by Jack’s stall and saw he was alone inside, munching on a mouthful of hay. When he saw me, he pricked his ears and walked up to the stall door. He stretched his neck to me and I rubbed his cheek.

  “I miss you too, boy,” I said. “And so does Charm.”

  I petted Jack, thinking about how many trail rides Callie and I had missed since that awful Saturday. One of my favorite parts of the weekends had been riding with Callie and getting away from the pressure of the advanced team. I had Paige and Eric, but they didn’t understand what it was like to be on the advanced team.

  “I don’t know what to do,” I said to Jack.

  Jack stared at me with his big brown eyes. He nudged my shoulder and I smoothed his forelock. “See you later, boy.”

  I left him and ran into Alison at the exit. We walked through the door without saying a word. Usually, Alison would snap at me for walking within a ten-yard radius of her. But she just fell into step beside me. Weird.

  “Everything okay?” I asked hesitantly.

  Alison shrugged. She transferred her folder from one arm to the other and I saw a sketch of a horse head on the front.

  “Pretty,” I said, pointing to the drawing.

  Alison blushed. “Thanks.”

  We walked for a few more seconds before she turned her head toward me.

  “I guess we shouldn’t have done that, huh?” she asked.

  “Done what?”

  “Poured soda on Jasmine.”

  I looked up from the sidewalk and stared at Alison. “Maybe not. Heather really, really embarrassed her.”

  Alison took her hair out of its ponytail. It fell down to the middle of her back, brushing against her green jacket. “I don’t like her or anything, but I shouldn’t have gone along with Heather and Julia.”

  “Why did you?” I braced myself for Alison to huff away.

  “Because they’re the only friends I have,” Alison said. “It’s always been Julia, Heather, and me.”

  We reached the courtyard—the spot where Alison and I would split up to go to our dorms.

  “You don’t have to go along with them all the time if you don’t want to,” I said. “And if Heather and Julia get mad, you can make new friends.”

  “Yeah, like the Belles?” Alison joked. “Hey, at least I’d be in with the headmistress’s daughter.”

  “What?” I asked.

  Alison shook her head. “You didn’t know? Hello! Georgia Drake.”

  “Georgia is Headmistress Drake’s daughter?! I had no idea,” I said.

  Alison grinned. “That’s nothing new, Silver. See ya.”

  I gave her a half wave as I started up the sidewalk to Winchester, but my mind was preoccupied. If the Belles really had found a way to hack into my e-mail, I wondered if it could have had anything to do with the fact that one of them was the headmistress’s daughter. I still wasn’t sure how Georgia could have pulled it off—but either way, no more gut-spilling e-mails for me. If I had something big to say—to anyone—it would have to happen live and in person.

  15


  PASMINE?

  I NERVOUSLY APPLIED A COAT OF LIP GLOSS—chocolate raspberry—and stepped out of the bathroom. In a minute I had to leave for film class. If I didn’t love the class so much, I would have requested to drop it by now.

  I grabbed my film book, tucked it under my arm, and headed for the common room. Paige had been there for a couple of hours testing a new recipe. Maybe if I begged and gave her the sad-eyes and trembling-lip combo, she’d let me taste something yummy.

  Laughter came from inside—Paige was probably fending off our floor mates Annabella and Suichin. They always tried to sneak bites of Paige’s delicious food too.

  “Hey,” I called, walking around the corner. “What are you guys do—” I stopped in the doorway.

  Paige and Jasmine sat together on the couch, facing each other and grinning. A fire warmed the room, and the smell of hot apple cider wafted through the air. They both looked cozy in pajama pants and hoodies.

  “Paaaige?” My voice was high and weird.

  Paige’s head whipped in my direction and she almost spilled her drink. “Sasha, hey.” She uncurled her legs and put her feet on the floor.

  “Wanna sit?” Jas asked, patting the couch cushion. She’d obviously recovered from her soda bath just hours ago.

  “No, thanks,” I said. I couldn’t believe it. All this time, I thought Paige had been cooking, and she’d actually been chatting with Jasmine!

  “I was baking and Jas came in for a snack,” Paige explained. “We’ve been discussing Troy’s hotness factor.”

  I shrugged. “You guys have fun. I’ve got film.”

  “Sash,” Paige said. She got up.

  But I mumbled, “Gotta go,” and walked out of the room, leaving Winchester behind. Calm down, I told myself. Paige just felt bad for Jasmine—especially after the soda thing. Paige was the Polite Princess of Winchester. She was probably just trying to be nice.

  I walked into the brightly lit media center and weaved through the students waiting in line for popcorn, candy, or soda. Inside the theater I took my seat and rubbed my temple.

  Jacob sat next to me and dropped his book bag on the ground. He turned and looked at me.

  “Is something…wrong?” he asked.

  I shifted to glance at him.

  “I mean, I know you’re mad at me. And you should be. I’m not talking about that.” He brushed his hair out of his eye.

  “Then what?” I asked, shrugging.

  Jacob took another deep breath. “I don’t know. There’s just something. And if it is just because of Callie and me, I’m really sorry.”

  My shoulders slumped. I wasn’t ready to forgive him, but Jacob was definitely trying. I looked at him for a second and saw that his green eyes were full of concern. For a moment, I saw the Jacob that I used to like—the Zac Efron look-alike who’d given me extra marshmallows at the Sweet Shoppe that one time. The one who’d made a horse movie for me because he knew how much I loved horses.

  “Nothing else is wrong,” I whispered.

  Mr. Ramirez walked into the room, saving me from having to say anything else.

  But I could feel Jacob searching my face as if he was looking for a clue. I pretended to be paying attention as Mr. Ramirez started class, but all I could think about was how much longer I’d have to keep Eric a secret.

  16

  WHEN BORED, GO RIDING!

  IT WAS ONLY ELEVEN A.M. AND I’D ALREADY crossed everything off my Sunday to-do list: I’d spoken to my parents (skipping over the part, of course, where I have a secret boyfriend—but filling them in plenty about my good grades), finished my math homework, and read the first two chapters for English.

  But now Paige and I were antsy to do something fun.

  “Movie?” Paige asked. She sat up at the end of her bed, looking hopefully at me.

  “Nah,” I said, spinning around in my desk chair. “Magazines?”

  “Read all the good ones. TV?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing on.”

  We both sighed. Our room felt tiny today. Bleak sunlight came through the window between our beds. I tried not to notice how messy my desk was compared to Paige’s. Mine was covered with stacks of homework papers, graded tests, and old issues of Horse Illustrated.

  “We could…” I paused. “Omigod! We should go on a trail ride!”

  Paige grinned. “With me? Riding?”

  “Yes! Eric could come too, and we’d have lots of fun.”

  “Will Mr. Conner let me? You know I’ve never ridden before.”

  I thought for a second. “Well, Eric and I could promise to give you a riding lesson before we go. Mr. Conner trusts us. He’ll say yes.”

  Paige hopped off her bed. “Okay! Then yes! I’m going riding.”

  I texted Eric. Want 2 trail ride w/ P & me?

  My phone buzzed right away.

  “He’s in,” I said. “Let’s get dressed.”

  I tossed a pair of breeches to Paige.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  We paired them with heavy sweaters and pulled our hair into low ponytails. I swiped on pineapple gloss and put on my riding boots.

  “Can I wear these?” Paige asked. She held up her wedge boots.

  “No way,” I said. “Here.” I gave her a spare pair of riding boots. “If you fell off in those boots, your foot could get caught in the stirrup. The horse could drag you.”

  Paige swallowed.

  “But that’s not going to happen!” I said quickly. “Eric and I will help you. Don’t worry.”

  Paige gave me a small smile. “Please. I’m not worried. You’re Miss Superstar Rider of Canterwood.”

  I shook my head, laughing.

  Paige moved in front of our full-length mirror and checked her reflection.

  “I should totally buy riding clothes,” she said. “They’re so chic.”

  I grabbed my camera, snapping a pic of her. “There. Now you’ll have future fashion inspiration.”

  Paige nodded. “And I’ll totally e-mail that pic to my parents after we’re done. Otherwise, my mom’ll find some magic way to stop us.”

  At the stable, we went straight to Mr. Conner’s office. I knocked on his door.

  “Come in,” he called.

  Paige and I walked into the office and he smiled at us. He’d met Paige last fall when I introduced her to Charm.

  Mr. Conner was sitting behind his giant wooden desk, in front of a pile of paperwork. His spacious office was huge and my eyes wandered to the blue championship ribbons on the wall behind him. I wanted a wall of blues just like those.

  “What can I do for you girls?” Mr. Conner asked.

  “Well,” I started, “I was wondering if Eric and I could take Paige on a short trail ride. We’d take the easiest trail. And walking and trotting only. Promise.”

  “A trail ride, huh? Have you ridden before?” Mr. Conner asked Paige.

  She shook her head. “No. But I think Sasha could teach me.”

  “Eric and I would give her a lesson first,” I said. “And we’d put her on a superquiet horse.”

  Mr. Conner drummed his fingers on the desk, then looked up at us. “I want to watch Paige ride before you go. If she’s comfortable and I think it’s safe, it’s fine with me.”

  “Thank you!” Paige and I said in unison.

  “Get Chomp for her,” Mr. Conner said.

  We thanked him again and left.

  “Yes!” Paige said when we got in the aisle. “Is Chomp a good horse?”

  “Oh, yeah,” I said. “He’s supercalm and sweet. You’ll love him.”

  “Where’d he get his name?”

  “Uh, well,” I said, pausing. “It’s rumored that he bites riders he doesn’t like.”

  Paige stopped. “Bites?! Sasha!”

  “It’s not true! Really,” I said. “People made it up. Or Mr. Conner would never let you ride him. Swear.”

  Paige eyed me, but followed me to the tack room. We grabbed Chomp’s tack and grooming kit and headed for
his stall.

  “There’s Eric,” Paige said, pointing down to Luna’s stall.

  We waved and he walked over to us. “Hey,” he said, looking at Paige. “Ready for your first ride?”

  Paige crossed her fingers. “I think so!”

  “We have to give Paige a lesson first,” I said. “Mr. C will watch her ride, and when she totally impresses him, we can go.”

  Eric nodded. “I’ll groom Luna and Charm, so you can give Paige her lesson.”

  “You sure?” I asked.

  “No prob,” Eric said.

  I smiled. “Thanks, Eric.” I felt my cheeks grow warm when I realized I’d been staring at him maybe a little too long.

  But Eric didn’t seem to notice. He just started for the tack room, and Paige and I went to Chomp’s stall.

  “He really likes you,” Paige whispered.

  “I hope so,” I said. “Because I really like him.”

  “You have to be dying that you haven’t gone on a date yet.”

  I nodded, coiling the lead line around my hand. “I am. But I’m just not ready for everyone to know.”

  I took Chomp from his stall, and Paige helped me lead him to an empty set of crossties. Paige eyed him warily, staying out of biting range, but Chomp didn’t even blink at her.

  “If he bites me,” Paige said, “you owe me a trip to the Sweet Shoppe.”

  “Deal. But see?” I said, patting his neck. “He’s totally fine.”

  “At least I know how to groom this time,” Paige said. She picked up a body brush.

  “Wait till you learn how to tack up.”

  We groomed Chomp, then I brought over the saddle pad.

  “Okay,” I said. “We put on the saddle pad to prevent the saddle from rubbing sores into the horse’s back.”

  Paige nodded. “Got it.”

  I picked up the English saddle, heaved it into the air, and placed it gently on Chomp’s back. “You reach under and grab the girth, then tighten it to keep the saddle in place.”

  Paige watched. “Does it hurt?”

  “It’s not supposed to,” I said. “You take your time so you don’t pinch the horse.”