Best Enemies (Canterwood Crest) (10 page)

IT WAS BARELY SEVEN WHEN I GOT TO THE
stable. I walked down the aisle, swallowing back a yawn and looking for Eric.

A few stalls down, Mr. Conner stood in the aisle and looked at his clipboard. “Sasha,” he said when he saw me. “Come into my office for a second?”

“Okay.” I followed him, trying to think if I’d done something wrong. Jasmine was already sitting in front of his desk. She smirked at me as I took my seat. She’d done something. Something bad. I just knew it.

Mr. Conner sat behind his big wooden desk and leaned back in his chair for a second, looking at both of us. My heart thumped uncomfortably. If Jasmine got me in trouble for something I didn’t do…

“Sasha,” Mr. Conner said. “I asked to speak with you because I have news about the YENT. News I’m sure you’ll be excited to hear.”

I nodded. Maybe this
wasn’t
something bad…

“I’ve already told Jasmine and she said that you were both best friends now and that you’d want her here when I told you.”

I tried to speak, to say that Jasmine and I were not even
close
to best friends, but nothing came out.

“Sasha, you’ll be glad to know that your best friend is the most wonderful rider,” Mr. Conner said. “When Jasmine arrived at Canterwood, I felt as though I’d finally gotten the perfect equestrian. Jasmine is the best rider Canterwood has ever had. And unfortunately, she makes you look even less experienced than you already are.”

I almost fell off my chair. Tears blurred my vision and my face felt hot. How could he be saying these things to me?!

Mr. Conner locked eyes with me, his face showing no trace of sympathy. “I want to spend more time working with Jasmine and the YENT scouts agreed that she needs extra attention. We’re going to remove you from the advanced team, Sasha, and are placing you with the beginners.”

“What?” I managed to gasp.

“Jasmine is the only rider at Canterwood who even has a chance at making the YENT, so I don’t want to waste my time on a rider who can’t.”

I jumped up, knocked over my chair, and bolted for the door. I started sobbing and grasped the door handle, barely able to see through my tears.
This was not happening. It—

“Sasha?” A hand gently shook my shoulder.

“What?” I opened my eyes and looked up at Paige. She was leaning over my bed, her worried eyes flickering over my face. The lamp was on in our room and it was still dark outside.

“You were having a nightmare. You started crying,” Paige said. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”

“Oh, my God,” I said, letting out a shuddering breath. “I thought it was real! Mr. Conner told me he was putting me on the beginner team and that Jasmine was the best rider at Canterwood.”

Paige sat on the side of my bed. “That’s so not true. And you’re waaay too good for the beginner team. You know that.”

I nodded as my heart rate returned to normal. I brushed my sweaty hair from my forehead and gave Paige a small smile. “I’m sorry I woke you. I’m okay now.” I checked the
clock—five forty-five. “I’m just going to stay up.”

Paige got up from my bed and flipped on the overhead light. “I’m awake too. We can get to the caf before all of the good muffins are gone.”

We showered, dressed, and went to breakfast. Paige, happy with the morning selection, grabbed two banana nut muffins and I took two chocolate chip muffins. We had plenty of time to eat before I had to get to the stable to help Eric with Luna.

We sat at our usual table and Paige sipped her orange/ cranberry juice mix. “So, what’s with the nightmares?” she asked.

I thought for a minute. “I’m just worried about finals… and the YENT,” I confessed. “I want to make that team.”

“First, you’ve totally got finals under control,” Paige said, putting down her glass. “Think about where you were last semester compared to this one. You’re studying as much as you can and that’s all you can do. I know you’ll do well.”

I nibbled a chocolate chip off my muffin.

“And second, you’re ready for the YENT. You’d make it if they tested you today. You’re a great rider, Sash. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”

“Thanks, Paige. You’re a good roomie.”

“You can totally pay me back by watching the next
Teen Cuisine
episode with me on Friday,” Paige said.

“It’s a date. And, seriously, how high are the ratings? Is every single person in America watching your show?”

Paige blushed. “My producer did say the ratings were good…”

“And?” I prodded.

“And twice as high as last season,” Paige admitted, turning even pinker.

“Paige! That’s awesome. But I’m not surprised.”

We talked about
Teen Cuisine
for the rest of breakfast and the anxiety of the nightmare slowly ebbed away.

By the time I got to the stable, Eric was already there with Luna in crossties. I passed Phoenix’s empty stall— Jasmine was testing now.

“Hey,” I said, giving Eric a quick hug. “How’re you feeling?”

He smiled, but it wasn’t a real Eric smile. “Just a little nervous.”

I grabbed a comb from Luna’s tack box and started detangling her tail. “The nerves will turn into adrenaline when you’re in the arena. I know you’re going to do great.”

We slipped into silence as we groomed. I knew Eric needed time to think and concentrate. While we groomed
Luna, I thought about
my
upcoming test and how it would determine my entire summer. I’d either go home for a couple of weeks before going to YENT camp, or I’d be home
all
summer. And what about Eric? I watched him, his face serious as he bridled Luna. What about
us
?

“Here,” I said, taking Luna’s reins. “I’ll hold Luna while you get her saddled.”

My worries about my own riding future disappeared as I held Luna. All of my concentration went to Eric.

He finished tightening the girth and ran down the stirrups. Holding his black helmet under one arm, he turned to me. “Any tips?”

I took his hand. “Just pretend it’s any other lesson. You’ve worked
so
hard for this, Eric. You’ll kill it!”

Eric stepped closer to me, squeezing my hand.

“Eric?” Mike said, walking down the aisle toward us. “You’re up.” He offered a fist to Eric for a nudge. “Good luck.”

“Thanks.”

Mike walked away and I led Luna toward the indoor arena while Eric put on his helmet. He got in the saddle and looked down at me.

“I’ll be cheering you on from the skybox,” I said.

“You better.”

He rode into the arena as Jasmine exited. I started walking toward the skybox, hoping to get away before she could comment about something.

“Your boyfriend is gonna need lots of luck to make the team,” she called after me.

I ignored her and walked up the stairs. When I opened the door, I found Andy, Ben, Troy, and Nicole waiting. They were all friends of mine and Eric’s, and riders on the intermediate team.

Nicole patted the seat next to her, brushing blond hair off her heart-shaped face. “Sit,” she said.

I sat beside her and we waved at Eric when he looked up at us. I knew he had to feel good about having friends cheering for him. The skybox had been empty for Jasmine. The Belles, her so-called “friends,” hadn’t even bothered to show up.

“He’s definitely going to make it,” Ben said. “I rode with him yesterday and he was great.”

Eric warmed up Luna along the wall, taking her from a trot to a canter. He’d dressed up for the test in a black jacket, new breeches, and his show boots.

My phone buzzed.
Txt me aftr E’s test. I knw he’ll mke it!

Callie. I texted back.
Will do!!

The skybox door opened and I expected to see Jasmine.
But Rachel and her friends walked inside. Nicole shot me a what-are-
they
-doing-here glance. I shrugged. Then glossed.

“Hey, Sasha,” Rachel said sweetly.

“Hey,” I said, my voice faltering slightly. Rachel was really pretty—and were those highlights in her hair?

The girls grabbed the last few seats and peered down at Eric. They started whispering and giggling.
Whatever,
I said to myself.
Don’t get jealous. Eric’s with
you
.

Mr. Conner walked into the arena and glanced up at the skybox, seeming surprised when he saw all of us. “Not a word from any of you,” he said to us. “Understand?”

We nodded. Mr. Conner walked into the center of the arena and Eric slowed Luna to a walk.

“Let’s get started, if you’re ready,” Mr. Conner said. “Follow my directions and you’ll do fine. Good luck.”

Eric nodded and urged Luna toward the wall. I scooted to the edge of my seat and crossed my fingers. Nicole, glancing at my hands, did the same.

“Sitting trot,” Mr. Conner called. Eric sat to Luna’s trot, not bouncing at all. His hands stayed low over Luna’s neck, his heels were down and he was balanced over the saddle.
Perfect
.

“Posting trot,” Mr. Conner said. He jotted something on his clipboard. Eric posted for two laps around the arena.
Luna, quiet under Eric, listened to every command.

I glanced over at Rachel and her friends. They were perched at the edges of their seats with their eyes stuck on Eric.

“Cross over the center and reverse direction,” Mr. Conner called. Eric turned Luna toward the arena’s center and sat for a beat when he crossed the halfway point of the arena and started to turn in the opposite direction. He made another lap going counterclockwise.

“Halt,” Mr. Conner called.

Within strides, Eric pulled Luna to a smooth stop.

“He’s got this,” Nicole whispered to me. I nodded, never taking my eyes off Eric.

Mr. Conner put Eric through several more exercises before he raised his hand. “Walk, please,” Mr. Conner called.

Eric slowed Luna and patted her shoulder. When Mr. Conner looked at his clipboard, I waved at Eric and gave him a thumbs up. He’d aced the flatwork part of the test.

“I’d like you to take Luna over those four jumps,” Mr. Conner said, pointing to the opposite end of the arena. “You may start whenever you’re ready.”

I took a deep breath, but knew I didn’t have to worry about Eric’s jumping unless something crazy happened. He was the best jumper at school.

Eric walked Luna for a few more seconds before asking her to trot. He circled her twice and then urged her into a canter. Luna’s red leg wraps flashed as she cantered, shaking her head playfully. Eric settled her and then set her up in front of the first red and white vertical.

I counted strides in my head and whispered, “Now!” at the same second Eric lifted in the saddle. Luna rose over the jump and landed cleanly on the other side. She cantered for eight strides before reaching the oxer. She gathered herself and jumped over the spread, her back hooves inches away from the rails.

“Two more,” I whispered.

“He’s got it,” Ben said behind me.

Luna’s speed increased a notch and Eric guided her to the combination. Eric only had two strides from the first jump of the combo to gather Luna and get her over the next jump. Combos were tricky.

Luna reached the first jump of the combination, with white rails that were about three and a half feet high, and leaped into the air. Eric was ready the second they were on the ground. He rose in the saddle at the right moment and Luna jumped the second half of the combination. I held my breath as she seemed to suspend in the air and I almost squeezed my eyes shut. But she landed on the other side,
not even coming close to knocking the rail. The tense look on Eric’s face vanished. He rubbed Luna’s neck.

That had been a great ride! Eric couldn’t have done any better.

Rachel and her friends clapped silently with their fingertips.

Mr. Conner wrote something on his clipboard. “Please dismount,” he told Eric. Eric did and took off his helmet.

Mike came into the arena and took Luna from Eric. Mr. Conner motioned to Jasmine, who had appeared in the entrance. She walked over to stand beside Eric.

“Thank you for those excellent rides,” Mr. Conner said. “You both impressed me with how much you’ve practiced since I scheduled your testing. I have no doubt that you’re dedicated riders and I’m lucky to have you both in my stable.”

I was so proud of Eric. He deserved to hear that— he’d been working nonstop since the testing had been scheduled.

“I don’t need time to think about my decision,” Mr. Conner continued. “You both have great potential and would make excellent additions to the advanced team. I’d like to welcome you with my congratulations.”

I clapped my hand over my mouth to stop from shouting. Mr. Conner turned, looking up at the skybox. “You can cheer now,” he said, shaking his head.

Eric laughed and smiled up at us.

Ben, Nicole, and I started clapping and cheering.

“Congratulations,” Eric said, turning to Jasmine.

She stared at him, then seemed to remember that Mr. Conner was standing feet away. “You too,” she said sweetly.

“Jasmine,” Mr. Conner said. “I’m pleased that I was able to advance you this time. Keep up the work you’re doing on becoming a softer rider.”

Jasmine nodded and tucked a lock of wavy hair behind her ear. “I will, Mr. Conner.”

“Good,” Mr. Conner said. “I’ll see both of you at seven tomorrow morning for practice. If you’re interested in celebrating, there will be a cake at the Sweet Shoppe at two.” He turned to the skybox and tilted his head toward us. “The cheering section is also invited.”

We started laughing. “As if we’d miss cake,” Ben called down to Mr. Conner.

Mr. Conner laughed and shook Eric’s hand, then Jasmine’s. “Congratulations.”

Mr. Conner started toward the exit. He wasn’t even three steps away from Eric and Jasmine when I was out
of my seat and hurrying toward the arena. I ran across the dirt floor and grabbed Eric in a hug.

“Omigod!” I said. “Who was right?”

Eric stepped back, putting his hands on my waist. His warm brown eyes had their special Eric sparkle. “Hmm. I don’t know… you, maybe?”

“Um, yeah,” I teased. “I was totally right. I
knew
you’d make it!”

“Ewww,” Jasmine said, shaking her head. I’d been so excited that I’d forgotten she was still there.