Chapter 2

English dragged on and on for Sam, she was out of the door as soon as class was dismissed. She ran down to her locker grabbed her sport clothes and ran to the gym. Jen was already there with Jo, they were chatting away and didn't realise Sam was coming till she click her fingers near their ears.

'Sam!' Jo yelled.

'It's not your fault that you don't pay attention to your surroundings' Sam said.

'Boo'

'Jake! You sacred the crap out of me' Sam yelled, her hand over her heart.

'And you said that we should pay attention to our surroundings' Jo said to Sam.

'Okay, you've got me' Sam said.

'Come on let's get changed' Jen interrupted.

'Yep' Jo agreed.

They walked to the change rooms, Sam stopped dead in her tracks. 'We have sport with you I thought you only got into sophomore subjects' Sam practically screeched.

'Well cowgirl, people do get high marks in some subjects' Rachel replied and went back to talking with Daisy. Sam parked her gear in a locker, Jen and Jo did the same, unfortunately Jo got the locker closest to Rachel and Daisy's.

'Something stinks' Jo said, smelling Rachel perfume. 'Wait that's Brittany Spears perfume that stuff never gets sold' Sam snorted, Jen started laughing as did everyone who heard what Jo said.

'At least I'm not a slut' Rachel snapped at Jo.

'How the hell would you know, plus I wasn't the one who did all the football team last month' Jo snapped back, Sam could hear the temper and stubbornness in her voice.

'Who told you that' Rachel whispered.

'Everyone knows' Jo replied, Sam and Jen nodded in agreement, surprised that Jo knew so much about Rachel already.

'Whatever' Rachel replied and went back to talking to Daisy about the upcoming cheerleading tryouts. Sam listened to the conversation between Rachel and Daisy; secretly she wanted to do the tryout but was sacred.

'When are the tryouts?' Jo asked.

'Tomorrow period five lunch' Rachel replied not knowing who asked her. Sam watched Jo who was pulling her light Brown hair out of its perfectly and tightly French braid into a sloppy low pony tail; how can she attack each task with total control and not care about what people think of her, she even takes more than one senior classes Sam thought. They went to the part of the change rooms where they could get changed.

Sam put on black shorts that had a brown horse on the front right side, and a short sleeved forest green T-shirt. Jen put on a yellow T-shirt and hot pink shorts; while Jo put on black shorts and a grey loose shirt. Once they were all ready they walked back to their lockers.

'Jo, how did you get into senior English and Math? It's just that we can only take one senior subject a year' Jen asked, placing her good clothes in her locker.

'Special applications to Mrs. Santos, special recommendations from my old teachers, 4.0 GPA and A plus grades help' Jo replied, leaning to tie up her running shoes.

'Sam, what are some other after school sports apart from track and basketball?'

'Football and Soccer' Sam replied to Jo.

'Good, I need a few extra activities to keep me busy when all the work is done on the ranch' Jo replied.

'I still can't believe that you run a ranch by yourself, let alone Deer Path sorry Freedom it's huge' Sam said to Jo, she realised that Rachel heard her way too late.

'You own Deer Path Ranch! My father has wanted that property since we moved to this god forsaken land' Rachel sneered at Jo trying to look scary but Jo was able to pull it off more effectively in her reply.

'Oh, I'm so scared the rich popular girl's father wants my parent's ranch' Jo started off sarcastic. 'Well guess what Princess of nothing he ain't gonna get it, and if he steps one foot on my property he will be arrested' Jo's voice was threatening and dark, Sam shivered.

'I'll have you know my godfather is the chief of Police and he won't' Rachel was quickly cut off.

'Like I care, I've dined with half of the parliament members, so don't you dare threaten me with little words that mean nothing' Jo snapped at Rachel and left the change rooms for the Gym. Sam and Jen watched her leave; they looked at Rachel who looked as though she had been seriously upstaged. They started laughing and headed to the Gym courts where they warmed up.

'Hey where's Jo?' Jen asked; she stretched out her leg on the bench in front of her.

'Over there talking to Quinn, Jake, Mr. Cameron and Mrs. Temperance' Sam replied, stretching the same way as Jen.

'What are we going to do for the English assignment?' Jen asked.

'Dunno, I haven't even read the book yet'

'Me either, I don't even remember the title'

'Wasn't it Hannibal Rising?' Sam stopped stretching and sat down.

'Yeah it is' Jen sat beside her as they waited for the teachers, Sam watched Quinn, Jake and Jo as they talked to the teachers. She wondered what it was about.

'What do you recon they're talking about?' Jen asked watching the same group as Sam.

'Quinn's got spare and he probably wants to spend it away from the Library in here, because he loves his sports and he'll do his homework more efficiently while watching the basketball hoop, since he's captain of that team he probably doesn't want to be away from the hoop for a long period of time. Jake was made the captain of the track team so he's talking to the teacher in charge Mr. Cameron. And Jo? I dunno she may be joining one of the after school teams, maybe that's why she asked earlier' Sam answered Jen question, as Jo ran over.

'What up?' Sam asked

'You're looking at the newest member of the track team; also I just joined up to the mixed basketball team, that's why I was talking to Quinn and Jake we set it up in Math this morning we just needed conformation from Mr. Cameron and Mrs. Temperance' Jo replied and sat on the bench.

'Cool, maybe you should join up to the mixed basketball team Sam' Jen said.

'Great idea, just who am I going to get to pick me up?'

'Try outs are on Thursday period five; so we made first practise Friday after school' Jo replied. 'And I could take you home on Friday, you to Jen if you don't want to ride the bus alone'

'I'm in' Sam said.

'Sure Jo, I may even join up myself' Jen said.

---

'Mr. Blair'

'Sam, it's not that easy. Do this story and I'll think about it'

'Mr. Blair, this'

'I know winning the sophomore photo competition is an important thing to you, but this story has to be done, before the competition'

'But'

Sam, my word is final' Sam walked off past Rachel who was talking to Daisy about the cover of the Darton High paper, past Jo who was printing out her article for Mr. Blair to one of the computers and tried to focus on her story.

'Mr. Blair, here's the story you wanted' Jo handed in her story, Mr. Blair looked it over.

'If you keep this standard up till the end of the year, I want you as editor next year' Mr. Blair told Jo quietly.

'Sure' Jo replied.

'You're done for the day so you're free to work on homework or have a spare if you haven't got homework'

'Okay' Jo replied and went to a spare desk.

'Pst, Jo, come here' Sam ushered; Jo walked over to her and sat beside her.

'Yea'

'Look at this, these are my notes, I always keep a double set, and look half of this isn't my writing but the other half is and on my copy sheet it's all my writing'

'Where do you keep your notes?'

'One copy in my locker, one at home, and this one with the writing is kept in my locker'

'Who keeps the codes to the lockers?'

'There kept in files on the computer in the main office, only the secretary, school councillor, principle and vice principle are the only ones who are allowed access'

'I've seen that writing before' Jo said she frowned. 'When I was interviewing Rachel about the upcoming try outs, it's hers'

'Why would she dock my notes'

'Did she want this story?'

'Yes, she literally begged for it, why do you ask?'

'You muck up, she gets the story, and you get booted off the paper. Not more competition to her, she gets the story she wants, and probably editor in junior and senior year' Jo explained.

'It would make a great story, Rachel would have her business all over the school paper, and she would get kicked off the paper and off the cheerleading squad'

'Joint article'

'It would take a while to put together, about a month, it would have to be top secret and no leaks' Jo said looking at Sam's notes.

'Done'

'Class a president, that's your article no props' Jo said, 'I can give you a article starter to help you with this'

'Can you that would be great' Sam said and packed up her things. 'Mr. Blair may I email my article later tonight?' Sam asked as he strolled past.

'Okay Forster, this once' he replied and walked off.

'Great I'll give you a lift the programs on my laptop at home'

'That would be better than riding the bus and walking 5 miles so yes!' Sam replied.

'Class dismissed' Mr. Blair called a moment before the bell rang; Sam and Jo were out o their seats as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

'Meet you in my car it'll be the one standing out' Jo said to Sam and left for her locker, Sam ran to hers to get there before the rush started, Jen was already there putting away her books and grabbing the ones she needed for homework.

'Jen, Jo is giving us a ride' Sam said, she opened her locker quickly and pulled out her books for that night.

'Great better than the bus' Jen replied and slung her backpack over her shoulder, Sam followed her out of the building that was full of students wanting to get home.

'Where is she?' Sam asked, they had been looking for 10 minutes for Jo's car.

'Dunno, but the guys' sure look interested in something' Jen pointed out where 50 Senior's and Junior's were.

'Let's have a look' Sam said and walked to where the guys where.

'Is that a BMW?' Jen asked, her mouth open wide, no student could afford a BMW not even Rachel however many times she begged her father.

'Quinn why is everyone around a BMW? Yea I know it's the only one in the parking lot but' Jen started

'Jo is in it, Sam's Jo' Quinn said.

'Out of my way' Sam said and through her and Jen's bags in the back of Jo's Black BMW M6 while Jen got in the front seat, Sam jumped into the back seat of the car.

'Boy's watch the drool marks' Jo said dropped her Gucci sunnies' on the bridge of her nose and sped off, Sam watched Rachel face as Jo dove out of the parking lot.

'Rachel is so pissed, she saw us as we left' Sam said.

'Well just because she isn't rich enough to own a BMW is her loss' Jo replied and moved her car into a high gear with a faster speed.

'Jo don't crash' Jen warned.

'I'm only doing 60' wait till I'm able to do 100' Jen's eyes widened behind the frames of her glasses. Sam snorted.

'Sorry Jen, but it is funny'

'Jen do you want me to drop you off now or when I've given a program to Sam'

'After you given the program to Sam that way Rachel, Ryan and Linc will see you speed in and I want to see the look on Linc's face when someone richer than his daughter is driving a BMW while he can't afford it' Jen replied as they whizzed past Gold Dust Ranch.

'Great Jen' Jo replied, going into another gear as they flew past River Bend.

'Are you going to be able to make the turn into the driveway Jo with this speed?' Sam asked.

'Hell yes' Jo laughed and spun the steering wheel 90 degree's to go in the drive way, she slowed down as they went past about to be built buildings and fences and towards the house Jo parked under a shed type thing, she pulled in next to a Hummer.

'Talk about a monster car' Sam commented, jumping out of the back seat.

'The Hummer's for winter when it's snowing so I can get into town if need be, and you have not seen my dad's car, that is a monster' Jo said as she opened the boot of her car and took out her bag.

'Where's the house?' Sam asked she just realised that they came up the wrong drive.

'We've got a new house' Jo said she walked out of the car shed and to a sprawling two story ranch house/mansion.

'Wow, and I thought Linc's house was huge' Jen said taking the words out of Sam's mouth, Jo laughed.

'It is huge, but it has everything you would ever want in a house, a swimming pool inside and out, mini gym, three offices, 12 bedrooms with a bathroom each and walk in closet, wireless internet, 16 fireplaces, satellite TV' Jo relied, she led them through a huge garden with green lawns and flowers past the pool area that had lounging chairs spread across a huge decking area and huge swimming pool to the two story mansion.

'Wow that pool would come in handy during the summer break' Sam said as they approached the big wooden doors that would take them into the huge house.

'Sure since the water will be 100 degrees like the weather' Jen said.

'Both pools have temperatures in it, so if it's too hot the water will cool down' Jo answered and opened the doors to the house.

'Wow' Sam and Jen said in awe.

'It has that effect' Jo said, the entered into a large foyer area, and walked through the lounge room to the huge rolling staircase.

'Nice TV, Never seen one that big' Sam said her eyes swept across the huge lounge room, there were three couches spread in front of the huge plasma and about 5 chairs.

'Who's that?' Jen asked and pointed to a group of pictures hanging on the wall.

Jo looked at where she pointed; she rushed over and took the picture down.

'Why did you do that?' Sam asked.

'That was my eldest brother Alan, he died today' Jo said and put the pictures on an end table.

'That explains Miss Santos coming in during Spanish' Sam said.

'Yes' Jo said, she pointed to a man with dark hair with his arms around his wife on their wedding day. 'That's my other brother Damian and his wife Leone.'

She pointed to another picture of a man with the same Blondie-brown hair that Jo had and dark blue eyes that had his arms around Jo while she was on horseback and were laughing, 'that's Jase and I before a horse show, Jase was my best friend and neighbour in Australia.'

She pointed to a picture where she was covered in paint and yelling at Jase, 'Jase and I invented a thing called paint bombs, like water bombs only with paint.'

The next one she pointed to was of a group, 'that's my mom, dad and cousin Claire, and that's Kevin, Kelly, Elle and Jase before we left Australia.'

'They rest are of horses that we've owned and various pictures of me, Jase, Claire and Elle' Jo explained and led them up the huge staircase to the biggest bedroom in the house.

'Now just don't get scared, there is an open doorway into my wardrobe. It is full of clothes, lots of clothes; there are racks everywhere of designer clothes' Jo warned as she led them into her room.

'Are those Jimmy Choo shoes?' Sam asked looking at the pair of shoes near the couch in Jo's room.

'Yes, you can go have a look in there if you want' Jo said pointing to her wardrobe and dropped her bag on her desk.

'English riding clothes' Jen stated surprised looking at the door into Jo's wardrobe only her riding clothes were visible.

'Um yea, I'm sort of in the junior Olympic team' Jo stumbled.

'What!' Sam almost shouted.

'Don't tell anyone, I've just started training again' Jo begged.

'Alright, if I can try some of your clothes' Jen and Sam said at the same time.

'Go ahead, you can take some and wear them to school if you want, I've got a heap to choose from' Jo said and walked into the wardrobe, Sam and Jen followed her.

'HOLY' was all Sam could say.

'Not even Rachel has this many clothes' Jen stated, 'And I've seen her wardrobe.'

'I've never seen this many clothes in my life, let alone owned' Sam said and went down to the end of Jo's wardrobe to see the 3 metre wall full of shoes.

'How many shoes do you have?' Sam asked in awe.

'2000' Jo admitted.

'I'd be lucky to have 100 in a lifetime' Jen said looking at Jo's handbags.

'Exactly how many handbags, necklaces, bracelets, earrings and headbands do you have?' Sam asked.

'And Clothes how many skirts, tops, dresses, pants?' Jen asked looking at a Gucci handbag.

'I have no idea probably 10,000 all up'

'Holy Hell' Sam said.

'And the clothes all I know is that I've got over 15,000 articles of clothing, this room was actually ment to be the largest bedroom in the house, but since I've got so many clothes it was converted into my wardrobe' Jo answered Jen.

'Wow' Jen said amazed, her jaw coming off the floor.

'Sam do you want that program?' Jo asked and went to her computer.

'Yea...Yes' Sam stammered, still taking in Jo's wardrobe.

'Here, stick it in your computer, click newspaper starters, choose your layout and go from there, any problems IM me, my IM's on the USB' Jo said handing Sam a USB.

'Thanks' Sam said, Jen was looking at a pair of jeans.

'I don't think these are yours' Jen smiled, holding up a pair of jeans that were obviously made for men.

'Shivers, I didn't realize I packed them' Jo said and took them from Jen folded the jeans up and put them in a draw next to her shoe's and under her necklaces, Jen sneaked a look at the draw. Inside were men's shirts, jeans, sweaters and boxers.

'What's with the guy clothes?' Jen asked, curiosity getting the better of her.

'They belong to a friend' Jo replied, she looked at her watch. 'Time to take you two home' Jo said and led them back outside to her car.

'What type is this? I don't speak car and driver but I would like to look it up tonight when I get home' Sam asked.

'It's an BMW M6, I got it as a moving present' Jo said, she grabbed Sam and Jens bags and put them in the boot, they looked at her.

'Leather seats don't look got with rips' she explained; Sam and Jen snorted and got in. Jo closed the boot put on her Gucci sunnies and got in, she took out her keypad for her car pressed a button and the car started.

'What happened then?'Jen asked.

'One of the accessories that I got with the car, wireless keypad, above wheel imaging, 9 speaker sound system' Jo rattled off and reversed out of the shed and drove out the drive.

'Remind me to call this the bat mobile' Sam spoke from behind Jo.

'That's what my dad calls it, I'm going to do 100' Jo said as they went past the old Deer Path drive way.

'Great' Jen said scared.

Sam nodded 'bring it on.'

Jo put her foot on the accelerator and they flew past Three Ponies and River Bend in under a minute.

'This is fast' Jen managed.

'It's the same as being on a racing thoroughbred Jen' Jo replied and turned into the Gold Dust driveway at a slower pace.

'That's something I don't want to try ever' Jen said and got out, Sam and Jo did the same. Sam opened the boot and got Jens bag and handed it to her, Jo looked at the few Palominos in the 5 acre pasture by Jen's house.

'That mare has a bruised tendon' Jo said pointing to Golden Rose and her filly, she reached down into the boot of her car and pulled out a pair of boots and put them on.

'Rosie? She was fine yesterday, when dad had her in' Jen said and went to the pasture. Silly and Champ jogged over while Golden Rose limped over.

'I'll get Jed' Sam said and ran to the house with Jens bag, Jo climbed over the fence and walked to Golden Rose.

'Hey Rosie' Jo stretched her hand out for Golden Rose to sniff. 'Good girl' Jo bent down when Rosie sniffed her hand and didn't react, she moved her hand down Rose's leg.

'There's defiantly swelling there, I can feel the heat' Jo told Jen and Jed and Sam who had joined her, her hand moved a few times on Rosie's leg, then she stood up.

'Who are you?' Jed asked from his spot by the fence, Jo led Golden Rose over to him.

'Jo Parkinson' Jo shook Jed's hand.

'Do you have any Idea how it would've happened?' Jed said he climb over the fence and took over handling Rose.

'Anything could've caused it; based on the swelling area I would say another horse kicked her' Jo climb back over the fence on the opposite side of Jed and Golden Rose.

'Horse?'

'Flick put that mare, Swindle in here this morning by "accident"' Jen spoke, quoting accident with her fingers.

'He knows that mare has an Attitude problem' Jed muttered and led Golden Rose away.

'Thanks Jo' Jen said, 'See you tomorrow.'

'I'll pick you up?' Jo asked

'Sure' Jen said and left.

Jo and Sam got into Jo's BMW, just as Linc came out of the mansion talking to Rachel.

'What are you doing here?' Rachel's voice shrieked.

'Dropping off Jen' Jo said, she put her music on and drove off with Sam.

'How do you not let Rachel get to you?' Sam asked; she turned down the music.

'I knew someone like her once, we didn't get along and she spread rumours about me all over school. I got into a huge fight with her about what she was saying; we both got botted out of school. Mum sent me to boarding school, 6 months later here I am' Jo replied and pulled into River Bend, Sam got out and walked to the Ranch house, she turned to wave goodbye to Jo but she was already gone.

Sam ran inside to her room, she grabbed a pair of jeans from the bottom of her wardrobe.

Mental Reminder #3: Clean Wardrobe!!

Her t-shirt was on straight after her jeans and a sweat shirt went around her waist; she galloped back downstairs grabbed two of the double chocolate chip cookies on the table for her and a glass of water the water was drowned down in a gulp. Sam slipped into her boots and grabbed her Stetson; she rushed outside to the barn nearly falling down the stairs to the house on the way.

She ate one of the cookies on the way; Ace whinnied from his place in the barn. Sam had insisted that Ace and Tempest have the stables closest to the door, and they got them. Ace knew that the other cookie was for him, Sam was always spoiling him and chocolate chip cookies were there little secret.

'Hey boy' Sam unlatched the door to Ace's stall, Ace backed away enough for Sam to get in. He snaked his head out towards her hand where the cookie was, 'hey, not now' Sam said she grabbed one of the brushes in the tub beside Ace's stall door and started brushing him.

After she had finished brushing him, she grabbed his saddle from the tack room. Ace rolled his eyes at the saddle, 'Ace no cookie otherwise.'

Ace stopped one of his fore legs and let Sam tacked him up, she slipped his bridle on and gave him the cookie. Ace nickered and chopped on it peacefully, Sam brought him outside the barn and tied him up by one of the rings next to the barn.

Sam ran back inside and grabbed the rest of the cookies that were packed into a container for her and two bottles of water from the fridge. She ran back outside to Ace the cookies went in one saddle bag and the water in the other, she put her foot in the stirrup and swung her leg up and into the other stirrup.

Ace started walking but was quickly put in line by Sam. Sam debated to go and see the Ely's, go to Jo's or to Jen's. Ace walked sideways towards Three Ponies so that's were Sam went; Ace started loping towards Three Ponies.