Chapter 22 : "Start of Something New"
Shadow followed Duck out into the ring. They lined up beside many other horses and their people. The judge walked down the line, checking over every horse. Shadow stood as still as could be for the judge. When the judge was finished, Duck scratched Shadow's forehead. Then, the judge asked for Duck to walk Shadow around the ring.
Much to everyone's suprise, Duck unclipped the lead rope and walked away. Shadow tagged along at Duck's heels. After walking once around the ring, they were asked to trot. Shadow obeyed and kepts right beside Duck. Then, they lined up again. The judge walked up and down the line again before making his decision. The judge bent down and pinned a blue ribbon on Shadow's orange halter.
"Great job, Duck! Way to go, Shadow!" Ace, Lexi, Rev, Rachelle, Tech, Cassidy, and Slam called out to him as he exited the ring.
Duck bowed in front of them. "Thanks you. I guess you could say that we did very well. But of course, I wasn't suprised, considering I am an 'exceptional' superhero. This was a piece of cake for me."
Ace rolled his eyes. "Same old Duck, no matter what happens."
Next was Slam and Red's turn. There was only one other team challenging him, a dark-skinned man and a grey Percheron. Each horse was hitched to a large cart. Slam and the other man were given heavy weights, and both horse and rider had to pull the weights all the way across the ring. The first to reach the finish line wins.
When the starting bell rang, the other Loonatics and Rachelle cheered for him. They found a group that was cheering for the other man. The two groups challenged each other, trying to cheer louder than the other.
All the cheering really encouraged Slam, and he and Red pulled as hard as they could. Slowly, they inched past the other man and the Percheron. They soon crossed the finish line, a few feet in front of their opponents.
The others ran to the gate to congratulate him. Slam was so happy, he grabbed everyone and gave them a bone-crushing bear hug. "Slam...we can't... breathe..." Duck wheezed, his bill beginning to turn blue.
"Whoop. Sorry, guys." Slam carefully set them down.
Once they had caught their breath, Rev spoke up. "What's next?"
"The last event is trail class." Cassidy read the schedule.
"Are you going to try that, Tech?" Lexi asked.
Tech shook his head. "I'm already tired from being hugged numerous times."
"Are you sure?" Cassidy asked.
"Positive."
"Well, 'den, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Ace led the way to the barn so they could give their horses a well-earned rest.
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A few minutes later, Cassidy and Lexi were in their room, getting ready for the dance. Lexi had just finished tying her ears in her green ribbon after brushing her blonde hair. She glanced at Cassidy, who was busy tying her hair into a long braid. She noticed a far-way look in her freind's eyes. "So... did Tech ask you to go to the dance with him?"
That seemed to snap Cassidy out of her trance. "Uh...maybe..."
"You know what, I think he likes you..."
"And how did you get that idea?"
"With a guy like Tech, it's easy to see when he likes someone. He's been spending a lot of time with you, and not to mention the way he reacted to you hugging him. He was smiling."
"We're just freinds. And we are going to the dance together as freinds." Cassidy stood up. She was wearing a light blue blouse and matching skirt.
Lexi inspected her outfit. "Not bad, but this is going to be you first date with him, I think there's something missing..."
"It is not an actual date, we are just going as freinds." Cassidy tried to remind her. Key word, tried.
Lexi reached into her bag and pulled out some lipstick and eye shadow. "I think I can help you..."
Cassidy backed up. "Makeup? Don't you think that that's going a little too far? I mean, I don't want to scare him or anything."
"Don't worry, I'll only put on a little bit. It won't scare him, he'll like it. Trust me."
"But Lexi..."
"Sit." Lexi pointed to the chair.
Cassidy tried to hide her smile. "Oh.. okay." She sighed, sitting down.
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Meanwhile, Tech and Ace were standing outside the girls' room, waiting.
"Are you waiting for your date?" Ace asked.
"No, I'm waiting for Cassdy."
"Isn't dat the same thing?" Ace raised his eyebrow. Tech ignored it.
Just then, the door opened and the girls walked out. "Wow... you goils look great." Ace stepped forward and hugged Lexi. Lexi hugged him back. Ace glanced at Tech. He smirked and put his finger under Tech's chin and pushed it up to where it was supposed to be.
That snapped Tech out of his trance. He bit his lip. Cassidy giggled. "Well... I guess you like what Lexi did to me."
"Uh... yeah. It looks really..." He struggled to find the right words. "..nice." Tech felt like slapping himself. 'For a genius, you can be quite stupid sometimes.'
Cassidy blushed. "Thanks." She glanced at Lexi, who was giving her a 'I told you so' look.
"Well, shall we go and meet the others?" Ace held his arm out to Lexi.
Lexi hooked her arm around his. "Let's go!"
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Living in my own world
Didn't understand
Ace and Lexi were holding hands, gently swaying back and forth to the music. Ace smiled at Lexi, and Lexi smiled back. Ace slowly put his hand on her side. Lexi rested her hand on his shoulder.
That anything can happen
When you take a chance
Tech and Cassidy stood nearby a table, covered with food and drinks. Tech kept glancing over at her nervously. He wanted to ask her something, but he couldn't muster the courage. Rev walked past them and gave Tech an encouraging nudge in the arm. Tech bit his lip. "Uh... Cass?
I never believed in
What I couldn't see
Cassidy looked up at him. "Yes?"
I never opened my heart
To all the possibilities
"Would you...like to dance?"
Cassidy smiled. "I would love to."
I know that something has changed
Never felt this way
Tech held her hands as they joined the large crowd. Cassidy winced as Tech's foot landed on hers. "Oh... I'm sorry. I forgot to mention that I'm a terrible dancer."
"That's okay, Tech. I used to be, too."
And right here tonight
This could be the start of something new
Tech's hand began to shake as it slowly moved towards her side. 'What if she doesn't like that?' He thought. His hand froze. Inside, he was panicking. He didn't know what to do. This was completely new to him.
It feels so right
To be here with you
Cassidy also felt as nervous as Tech. She had dated before, when she was in college, but she had never felt like this. This was different. It almost scared her. The soft look in Tech's eyes, the feeling of his hands holding hers. As his hand touched her arm, she felt a shock go through her.
And now looking in your eyes
I feel in my heart
She glanced up at him. He looked at her. Their noses touched. They both jumped a little and looked away. Cassidy blushed. Tech bit his lip. Before either of them could say anything, the sound of buzzing and a little boy's cries was heard. "HELP!"
The start of something new
(End Chapter)