"Come on, let's race again!" Rev urged Rusty into a gallop as the trail widened, almost enough for five horses to walk side-by-side.
"Flaxen and I are gonna beat you again!" Rachelle challenged as Flaxen easily caught up with Rusty.
"Again? When was the first time?" Rev pretended to be confused. Rachelle gave him a murder look.
They all spread out, leaving plenty of room between each horse. Soon, they came to a log. It was small on one end, large on the other. While everyone except Cassidy went over the low side, Cassidy jumped over the tall side. Phantom didn't even hesitate as they flew over the log.
"If only she would be this calm in the ring, then you'd be all set." Ben pointed out. Cassidy nodded.
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"Number seven, Miss Cassidy Coyote." A loud voice called out. Cassidy walked forward. She recognized what was going on. This was that day. The day the meteor hit earth. The day that changed her life forever. She panicked. She could not go through with this. She had to stop it. But, she could not control her body's movements.
She stepped out on to the rink. Soon, bouncy music filled her ears as she began her routine. Her mind was screaming, "NO!" but her body was not listening. A backspin, a cartwheel, then a twist, she remembered the exact order of them. It was right after the twist, jumping up into the air and twirling four times, that the meteor struck. People screamed and ran. Cassidy felt herself slipping, pain shooting throughout her body, and then, the sickening feeling of falling.
Cassidy's eyes shot open. Her breathing was heavy and uncontrolled. She sighed with relief, it was only a dream. A horrible dream she hadn't had since she gave up skating. She got out of bed and decided to go sit on the porch for some fresh air. She glanced up at Lexi, who was still asleep. "Good thing we got her into the habit of wearing earmuffs to bed."
Meanwhile, Cassidy wasn't the only one up. Tech was laying in bed, reading. He looked up when he heard the door beside them open and close. He peeked out his door, and saw Cassidy walking outside. He wondered what was keeping her up. And so, he decided to follow her.
Cassidy sat cross-legged on the edge of the porch, staring up into the sky. She closed her eyes and concentrated on the silence that surrounded her.
"Isn't it a little cold out for stargazing?"
Cassidy looked over her shoulder and smile when she recognized the voice. "Hey, Tech."
Tech walked up and sat beside her. "So, what's keeping you up?"
"I had... a... dream." She stammered.
"A dream?" He repeated.
Cassidy nodded. "It was... that day. I haven't had that dream in ages. I thought I was finally over the accident. I guess I was wrong."
Tech set his hand on her shoulder. "It will never completely go away. Skating was a big part of your life. It must of been hard for you to give it up."
Cassidy nodded. "But, I still don't understand why that dream just happened to come back tonight. There's not a skating rink for miles around."
"Well, it could be that you're not afraid of skating, but of competing."
"Yeah, that would also explain my hesitancy to enter the show. I get this sick feeling in my stomach everytime I think about it."
"Well, all I can suggest is for you to just try it. You'll never get over your fear if you don't try. But, if it's too hard for you, don't worry about it."
Cassidy smiled. "Thanks, Tech." She gave him a small hug.
"You're welcome." Tech noticed something. Cassidy was shivering. He wasn't suprised. It was already cold out and Cassidy was only wearing her pajamas. He shrugged off the jacket he was wearing and draped it across Cassidy's shoulders.
Cassidy blushed. "Thank you."
"You're welcome." Tech's mind was now battling to get his mouth to ask her a question. "Uh, Cassidy? Would you...uh... want to, maybe, go to the dance with me. Just as friends?" He blurted out.
"Dance? What dance?"
Tech had forgotten that the girls didn't know. So, he told her what Ben told him. "I was wondering if we could go together, since Rev and Rachelle are, and so are Ace and Lexi, I think."
Cassidy pretended to be insulted. "So, you're only asking me because Rachelle and Lexi are already taken?"
Tech fell for it, and panicked. "No! No, that's not what I.."
Cassidy giggled. "Calm down, Tech. I was only joking. And, to answer your question, yes, I would love to ."
"Uh, really? Great!"
Cassidy stood up. "Well, I'm going inside before me tail freezes."
Tech stood up, too. "Okay."
When they reached their room doors, the stopped. "Good night Cassidy."
"Good night, Tech." When she had shut the door behind her, she hugged the jacket tight around her. She couldn't believe it. She had a date! With Tech! They were just going together as friends, but still, a date!
(end chapter 14)