1.
The Saddle Club walked into JB's. the place was crowded with prospective riding students. This time of year, all the stables and riding schools in the valley were having their annual recruitment drive.
All the prospective students here had spent most of the afternoon going on one stable tour after another. Now they were here discussing the merits of the various schools.
Lisa heard a couple of girls talking about Pine Hollow and she wondered whether or not they would choose to come there.
"I'll be glad when the recruitment drive is over," said Stevie, "do you know that those snots from the WRI were waiting outside the Pine Hollow gates to try and intercept the people who were actually interested in coming to see Pine Hollow!"
"They have no shame!" grumbled Carole
As Lisa was giving Maya their order, the front door opened and a tall young man about her own age walked in. He had dark hair and piercing blue eyes. He was wearing black jeans, a bright red shirt and a black leather jacket. He walked over and sat down in a booth that had just opened up. He picked up a menu, and studied it.
Maya went over to take his order. He gave her his order and she headed back to the kitchen.
After she left, he stood up to take his jacket off. He had barely gotten the jacket off when the bell over the door jangled wildly as someone burst through it. It was a man in a three-piece suit. Lisa recognized him as one of the recruiters for the WRI. He looked around and spotted the boy in the red shirt who was draping his jacket over the seat.
He rushed up to the young man.
"Mr. Cranston." He said, "have you made a decision yet."
Young Mr. Cranston face palmed.
"Mr. Albertson," he said, "I only finished your tour five minutes ago. I haven't even had time to sit down much less decide what riding school I'm going to go to. Now go home already!"
"Good grief!" he muttered after Albertson left, "I hate suck ups!"
"I wonder why they're so interested in getting that guy to come to the WRI." Said Stevie
"Don't you know anything?" said a familiar condescending voice.
"Hello Veronica," said Carole rolling her eyes. Truth be told, Veronica was getting better, though sometimes she still slipped back into her old elitist attitude.
"That guy," said Veronica, "Is Lee Cranston."
"That orphan boy who became a billionaire overnight when they discovered he was the missing heir to the Cranston fortune?!" Replied Carole
"The same." Said Veronica.
"So, they want him there because he's rich." nodded Lisa, "and they want to see how much money they can convince him to shell out."
"Yeah," said Veronica, "With his money backing the WRI no telling how big the school will get!"
Veronica left before Stevie could think of a reply.
A few minutes later Lee's burger and fries came. Maya placed the food in front of him and left to take care of another customer.
As he started eating, Lisa slid out of her booth had headed for the ladies' room. Suddenly, she found her path blocked by a tall boy with curly black hair.
"See I told you boys," he grinned, "Girls just throw themselves at me."
"Buzz off Alex," snapped Lisa, "I know what you're up to and I've told you over and over and over, I have a boyfriend!"
In an example of impeccable timing Rafael walked in right then. Immediately, he saw what was going on with his girlfriend.
"Hey," he snapped storming over to them, "How many times do I have to tell you to leave her alone!"
Alex scowled and made a move toward Rafael. Rafael raised his fists.
"Hey!" yelled another voice, it was Maya, she got between Alex and Rafael, "Knock it off Alex. Neal, Rico, that goes for you too!"
Alex suddenly swung at Maya, but his arm was grabbed mid-swing and twisted behind his back in a hammer lock!
It was Lee, who was now standing just behind Alex's right shoulder. He leaned over and spoke into Alex's ear in a voice that was quiet, low, and menacing all at the same time.
"Alex," he said, "I strongly suggest that you and your buddies, Rico and Neal there, call it a day and get out of here, now."
"And if I don't?" Replied Alex defiantly
"North Ridge Military Academy." Said Lee with a pointed look
Alex went pale and looked at Lee spooked. He and his buddies turned and practically raced for the door.
As they passed the girls table, Stevie and Carole heard Neal say.
"How did he know what your parents said they'd do if you got into any more trouble?!"
"I don't know!" said Alex, "But somehow he knew!"
Lisa, Rafael, and Maya turned to Lee.
"Thanks, from all of us." said Maya
Lee smiled, "You're welcome."
"Um what did you say to him that made him run like that?" asked Lisa
Lee chuckled.
"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." he smiled. With that he turned and went back to his table.
Lisa still curious went on to the ladies' room then came back and joined her friends and Rafael. Stevie and Carole told them what they had overheard.
"Man," said Rafael, "It sounds almost like he read Alex's mind!"
They all turned and looked curiously at the young man. He was eating with one hand while fishing something out of jacket pocket with the other hand. Then they all turned and looked at each other. After having seen what Lisa's and Rafael's crystals allowed them to do. They weren't going to consider anything impossible!
Lee had pulled out a small slip of paper.
"Let me see," he said to himself, "What was the name of the next Stables around here that I was going to check out?"
He looked down the list on the paper until he came to the name he was looking for:
Pine Hollow.
To Be Continued…please review