Chapter 3- Getting the News

Today went by almost exactly like yesterday, but I didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn. In literature we started reading Gone With the Wind, which I already love. Scarlett is going to be almost exactly like her dad, I can tell. She kind of reminds me of Elise, they both have some attitude and they both are extremely likable even though they can be brats. Don't tell Elise I said that. She's okay and I can get along with her, but we were not made to be best friends.

At lunch, Elise practically cried because they were out of balsamic vinaigrette and she refused to put any other dressing on her salad. She ate her salad plain. Seriously, pull it together. I'm just glad she's not a rider. I couldn't deal with her in school and at the stables.

As I sit in Mr. Davis' office with a bunch of other equestrians, Cassidy sees me; she walks in and sits in a foldable chair next to mine.

"I'm very nervous! I was in beginner last year, so I think I have a good shot at one of the three intermediate spots. Don't you?" I smiled. She was as nervous as I was.

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen. May I please have your attention?" Everyone immediately stopped talking and swiveled their eyes toward Mr. Davis. "I know you're all waiting, so I'll do my best to get the news to you as soon as possible."

The girl I recognized as Olivia raised her hand and Mr. Davis pointed at her. "Do you know if we'll be able to use kneepads? It sucks when you fall off and skin your knees." Everybody in the room laughed, but Olivia looked dead serious. The poor girl didn't even seem to care people were snickering behind her back. I didn't even crack a smile.

"Um Olivia, I don't see why not. As long as it doesn't interfere with your riding." Olivia nodded über-seriously and began to fidget with the drawstring on her breeches. "As I was saying, I'll try to get the news to you as fast as possible. I just want you all to know that you all are very talented young men and women and you all deserve whatever you set your mind to, however, there were only three intermediate level spots and two advanced."

I sat on the edge of my seat. He couldn't talk anymore. He had to tell us now, right?

"The three people taking spots on the intermediate team are Cassidy Scott, Olivia Reynolds, and Ophelia Aimery. Congratulations-"

The whole world began to spin. I smiled and I knew Cassidy was tugging my arm happily and squealing in my ear. "We did it!" I could hear her screech. My smile broadened. I couldn't believe I did it!

"-and to all of my other riders, you are welcome to join the beginning team."

"Do you know who else is on our team?" Cassidy looked excited and almost nervous. I smiled and shook my head. I had absolutely no idea. I literally only knew four people at Canterwood.

"Intermediate group, you have lessons everyday after school at five o'clock. I'll see you all then."

I took Cassidy's hand and we went to go back to our dorms to get ready for our lesson in an hour. I pulled out my charcoal colored breaches and a maroon tee. I also wiped off my makeup so it didn't run when I sweat during riding and vaulting. I had gotten an email from the CC vaulting team and we would be having meetings every morning at five thirty. I wasn't looking forward to waking up so early, but I would manage.

Once Cassidy and I were ready, we went down to the stable together and clipped Milan and Beethoven in crossties next to each other as we groomed. Beethoven was already sparkly and shiny from when Doug and Mike, the stable hands, cleaned him earlier that morning. I was determined to make him look even better.

Just as I started picking out Beethoven's hooves, my phone chimed. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and stared at the text I received.

"Oh. My. God." I can't peel my eyes off of my phone. Cassidy looks up from brushing her own pony and looks over at me. She furrows her eyebrows and looks concerned.

"Um are you okay?" Cassidy set down her currycomb and slowly walked over to me. She peered at my phone. "Oh my god."

To Olivia- Heeey. It's Olivia. Can I join u 2 by the crossties? Seems fun.

"Ophelia, how did that creep get your number?" I pinched Cassidy's arm and whispered into her ear. "That creep is probably a few stalls down grooming her horse. You don't live in a soundproof box!" Cassidy rolled her eyes.

"Um, Olivia?" I said half-talking half-shouting. "You there?" I see a head pop up in a stall not to far from where we were grooming.

"Ophelia! You got my text! Well, obviously. You girls were just talking about it! Can I join you?" Cassidy shot me a look and raised her eyebrows.

"Sure. Come join us. We're just about finished grooming though. We're just going to talk up and head out." I could see Olivia's face illuminate while I talked. She looked funny in her tie-dye breeches and clashing tee, but I stand by what I told her.

"Um how did you get my phone number?" I dared to ask. She smiled at me.

"The student directories. It took a lot of snooping and maybe a small amount of stalking." Well, that explains everything!

I quickly brushed across Beethoven one more time before putting on all of his tack and quickly redoing his polo wraps. I grabbed his reins and led him out to the arena with Cassidy following close behind. I quickly mounted and so did Cassidy. I let Beethoven on a loose rein at a free walk before squeezing him slightly to trot. We make a few laps around the arena before I saw Olivia and another rider walk into the arena and mount.

"Hello everybody! I saw you three talking earlier, but I'm Ethan and this is Honey my Belgian Quarter horse mix." We all told him our names and continued to warm up. Just as I finished up my serpentines, Mr. Davis walked into the arena.

"Welcome. It has come to my attention that many CC students have forgotten something. Can anybody tell me what that is?" Olivia's hand shot up and Sequin ran into the fence. Mr. Davis cringed and pointed to her.

"We've all forgotten how to name the parts of a western saddle." Olivia said with confidence. Mr. Davis let out a nervous laugh.

"Close, but not quite. It had come to my attention that many of you have forgotten how to properly dismount in an emergency. During today's lesson I'm going to call out 'emergency dismount' at random times and you all must do as I say. From there, you may use the fence to mount your horses again. Only if needed, Cassidy." He winked.

Our lesson was a basic one. We were mostly just getting comfortable with our new teammates. We also worked on bending our horses more.

"Here, if you lightly put your riding crop on your horses behind, Ethan, you can get Honey to move her hindquarters over toward the railing."

It was impressive how much that helped Ethan. He was really struggling with Honey's massive behind… I giggled. I couldn't help it. Olivia's horse stumbled over a small cross rail and I was sure I looked sheepish. Oh well.

Once the lesson was over, the four of us cooled our horses down together, Olivia slightly behind the rest of us. I felt bad for her, but I didn't do anything.

"Where do you three live? I'm in Blackwell. It's by the tennis courts?" Ethan tried to make small talk as we all awkwardly walked our horses side by side.

"We all live in Crescent." I replied. "Cassidy is my roommate." I smiled over at Cassidy who was to the other side of me.

"Ah. You girls must have the best view of the cafeteria," Ethan joked. "My roommate is Lincoln. I think he has film with you?" Oh I remembered him.

"Oh yeah. I think I remember seeing him." I plastered on a smile hoping it didn't look too forced. I yawned. "I better head out. I need to tackle that mountain teachers like to call homework. See you all later."