I walked into my dressing room and found a note on my mirror.

"Knock them dead today sweetie.

Love dad"

That was just like my dad, always leaving me little notes reminding me that I'm his star. Too bad I didn't like his plans for my own show. Yes I loved my horses and singing, but I wanted a show where girls could learn that they don't need to be fake. A show where I could be in high school living a normal teenage life. But no everyone wants to see a show about a show. I guess that's just the risk I'll take. Maybe I can even get him to write Kendall in as my boyfriend. That won't happen, from what Staci told me he already has a girl friend in the show. Her research was good for something. Maybe I will keep my oath. But that doesn't mean I can't date him in real life.

"Hey Ari. So how was lunch with Kendall," Staci asked.

"It was ok I guess. I ate with James, Carlos, and him," I sighed. Kendall will never want to date a girl like me.

I looked in the mirror. Yeah I was pretty; I had deep brown eyes, a cute little nose. Well I thought it was cute. I even had the dark blond hair that can't be bought. I noticed it looked a lot like Kendall's hair, only much longer. I had kissable lips, according to my recent ex. He was more like a best friend than my boyfriend anyway. I'm starting to think he may be bisexual or even gay. No I don't turn guys gay many of the guys I dated are off with supermodels now.

"You don't sound very happy. Ari what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong Stace. I think I'm just a little tired. I didn't sleep well last night," I lied. The first thing she would do when she discovered the truth was tell Kendall. I didn't want that. "I'm going to see if Storm got here yet."

"Alright go check on your horse. But if anything is wrong you know you can tell me," Staci said.

I walked out of the dressing room and into the parking lot where they were now setting up what looked to be a fair. I saw a horse trailer but someone was with MY horse. I walked closer to get a better look. It was James standing there petting Storm. It was pretty weird actually because Storm generally lets no one near him without me being there.

"Your horse is beautiful. He reminds me of the one I used to ride. Your dad said his name is Storm why's that?" James said when he saw me approach.

Has everyone seen my father today except me? Was my first thought. Of course I didn't want to be rude.

"He actually has quite the temper on him. Like a raging storm. In fact that's his show name 'Raging Storm'. He doesn't let many people near him. He threw one of my dad's trainers into a wall," I said patting the black horse. "But he's my baby."

"It's crazy that you're calling a horse that dangerous your baby."

"Well I've had him since he was a foal so in a way he's my baby," I said. I felt like an idiot explaining this to him, but now he knew.

"I've got to go get ready. I'll see you later."

"Storm this is so not what I want," I said digging my face into the horse's mane.

All I could see when I opened my eyes was black fuzz, warm rough black fuzz. I could have stayed there all day, just thinking. It made me go back to the days when I was five sitting in the stall with a baby horse curled up in the corner. Maybe that was why Storm only let me anywhere near him, with the exception of James.

"James said I would find you out here," my dad said.

"Dad it's so great to see you. Ok well I saw you just this morning but still it's great to see someone I know. Staci and Logan are an item isn't that a surprise," I said taking my face out of Storms neck. "She always gets the guys. Dad this sucks cow."

"Have you ever sucks a cow?"

"No Dad I haven't. But this is probably what it feels like. Highly lousy. Daddy I don't like losing," I cried.

Yes tears were falling down my cheeks. But I couldn't tell my dad just why I was so miserable. Well he knows part. I hated loosing and the fact that Staci now calls herself Logan's girlfriend was annoying me. I lost she found a boyfriend first.

"Oh Ari, everything will be alright. You're beautiful, even when you cry. Cheer up. Kendall doesn't know what he's missing."

"Dad!" I shouted mostly from embarrassment. "I guess I just gave that away didn't I. Daddy he's different from the other guys I dated isn't he?"

"I've only worked with them a few weeks, but yeah he is different sweetie. Very different, he wouldn't hurt you like the others have. I think he likes you too. If only your mother where here to help you instead of me. I wish she would have moved out her with us. I miss her."

"Thanks dad. I miss mom too. I probably should go get my make up fixed. I have a feeling I look like a clown."

I couldn't wait to go home and just get away from it all. So I could just "forget about Kendall and him being a stupid boy. Of course that didn't happen because I walked right into Kendall on my way back to my dressing room. I'm glad my dad gave me a tissue to wipe away the make-up that smeared from crying.

"I knew I would find you eventually," he said to me. His blue green eyes sparkled in the dim light of the hallway.

"Well here I am ready to get today over with."

"It has been such a long day hasn't it. It's soon over we're just going over the fair scene where we're singing. They just want to make sure it all looks right. They told me to stay away from that horse of yours."

"You know he may just like you. We share the same hair color it may comfort him," I said looking at Kendall who could not keep his eyes off of Staci. "Well I really need to change and fix my make-up."

I knew one thing and one thing for sure Staci was not coming with me tomorrow. What was it with her that shiny brown hair that came from a bottle? There was no way I was dying my hair just for some stupid guy's attention. I had my make-up fixed and changed into a different top from wardrobe. Maybe I was dreaming when I thought Kendall was looking at me back in the studio. Staci was standing right beside me.

I did everything asked of me during rehearsal mainly because I just wanted to go home and get away from Kendall. I always found a way to get my heart broken. This time I brought it on myself. A breeze blew making me shiver. Even California could be cold during the winter months. I was just glad rehearsal was over. It was like the breeze ended everything, because I stopped worrying about Kendall and instead looked over at James who was back with Storm.

"There's just something about him," James said helping me put him back in the trailer. "You really do have a beautiful horse."

"Thanks. Not just for the comment but for helping me get this monster into the trailer," I said with a smile.

"He's no monster just a big sweetheart." He pat my horses forehead something I was even afraid to do.

"I'll see you tomorrow and thanks again for the help James."

"See you tomorrow. I was thinking….would you like to hang out this weekend? Maybe go riding?" James asked.

"Is it because you want to see Storm again? Because he'll be here tomorrow." I didn't realize how harsh I sounded.

"No I just want to spend some time with you. You seem like an amazing person. I know you don't know me that well but I'd really like to hang out with you this weekend."

"James that sounds great. We can go riding on Saturday. I was going to go riding anyway and having someone else there would be fun."

Maybe I didn't have to be sad after all. James wanted to do something over the weekend. I finally for once during the long day felt happy. I had won. I may not have beaten Staci but I won something.

I drove my dad's truck home and placed Storm in his stall. While I did I received a text message from James. It made me smile even though all it said was "Good Night. I'll see you tomorrow. Don't forget your monster." I couldn't wait to see him again.