Read Online Best Enemies (Canterwood Crest) by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Jessica Burkhart
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Tears blurred my vision and my face felt hot. How could he be saying these things to me?!
Mr. Conner locked eyes with me, his face showing no trace of sympathy. “I want to spend more time working with Jasmine and the YENT scouts agreed that she needs extra attention. We’re going to remove you from the advanced team, Sasha, and are placing you with the beginners.”
“What?” I managed to gasp.
“Jasmine is the only rider at Canterwood who even has a chance at making the YENT, so I don’t want to waste my time on a rider who can’t.”
I jumped up, knocked over my chair, and bolted for the door. I started sobbing and grasped the door handle, barely able to see through my tears.
This was not happening. It—
“Sasha?” A hand gently shook my shoulder.
“What?” I opened my eyes and looked up at Paige. She was leaning over my bed, her worried eyes flickering over my face. The lamp was on in our room and it was still dark outside.
“You were having a nightmare. You started crying,” Paige said. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
“Oh, my God,” I said, letting out a shuddering breath. “I thought it was real! Mr. Conner told me he was putting me on the beginner team and that Jasmine was the best rider at Canterwood.”
Paige sat on the side of my bed. “That’s so not true. And you’re waaay too good for the beginner team. You know that.”
I nodded as my heart rate returned to normal. I brushed my sweaty hair from my forehead and gave Paige a small smile. “I’m sorry I woke you. I’m okay now.” I checked theclock—five forty-five. “I’m just going to stay up.”
Paige got up from my bed and flipped on the overhead light. “I’m awake too. We can get to the caf before all of the good muffins are gone.”
We showered, dressed, and went to breakfast. Paige, happy with the morning selection, grabbed two banana nut muffins and I took two chocolate chip muffins. We had plenty of time to eat before I had to get to the stable to help Eric with Luna.
We sat at our usual table and Paige sipped her orange/ cranberry juice mix. “So, what’s with the nightmares?” she asked.
I thought for a minute. “I’m just worried about finals… and the YENT,” I confessed. “I want to make that team.”
“First, you’ve totally got finals under control,” Paige said, putting down her glass. “Think about where you were last semester compared to this one. You’re studying as much as you can and that’s all you can do. I know you’ll do well.”
I nibbled a chocolate chip off my muffin.
“And second, you’re ready for the YENT. You’d make it if they tested you today. You’re a great rider, Sash. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“Thanks, Paige. You’re a good roomie.”
“You can totally pay me back by watching the next
Teen Cuisine
episode with me on Friday,” Paige said.
“It’s a date. And, seriously, how high are the ratings? Is every single person in America watching your show?”
Paige blushed. “My producer did say the ratings were good…”
“And?” I prodded.
“And twice as high as last season,” Paige admitted, turning even pinker.
“Paige! That’s awesome. But I’m not surprised.”
We talked about
Teen Cuisine
for the rest of breakfast and the anxiety of the nightmare slowly ebbed away.
By the time I got to the stable, Eric was already there with Luna in crossties. I passed Phoenix’s empty stall— Jasmine was testing now.
“Hey,” I said, giving Eric a quick hug. “How’re you feeling?”
He smiled, but it wasn’t a real Eric smile. “Just a little nervous.”
I grabbed a comb from Luna’s tack box and started detangling her tail. “The nerves will turn into adrenaline when you’re in the arena. I know you’re going to do great.”
We slipped into silence as we groomed. I knew Eric needed time to think and concentrate. While we groomedLuna, I thought about
my
upcoming test and how it would determine my entire summer.
Mr. Conner locked eyes with me, his face showing no trace of sympathy. “I want to spend more time working with Jasmine and the YENT scouts agreed that she needs extra attention. We’re going to remove you from the advanced team, Sasha, and are placing you with the beginners.”
“What?” I managed to gasp.
“Jasmine is the only rider at Canterwood who even has a chance at making the YENT, so I don’t want to waste my time on a rider who can’t.”
I jumped up, knocked over my chair, and bolted for the door. I started sobbing and grasped the door handle, barely able to see through my tears.
This was not happening. It—
“Sasha?” A hand gently shook my shoulder.
“What?” I opened my eyes and looked up at Paige. She was leaning over my bed, her worried eyes flickering over my face. The lamp was on in our room and it was still dark outside.
“You were having a nightmare. You started crying,” Paige said. “It’s okay. I’m right here.”
“Oh, my God,” I said, letting out a shuddering breath. “I thought it was real! Mr. Conner told me he was putting me on the beginner team and that Jasmine was the best rider at Canterwood.”
Paige sat on the side of my bed. “That’s so not true. And you’re waaay too good for the beginner team. You know that.”
I nodded as my heart rate returned to normal. I brushed my sweaty hair from my forehead and gave Paige a small smile. “I’m sorry I woke you. I’m okay now.” I checked theclock—five forty-five. “I’m just going to stay up.”
Paige got up from my bed and flipped on the overhead light. “I’m awake too. We can get to the caf before all of the good muffins are gone.”
We showered, dressed, and went to breakfast. Paige, happy with the morning selection, grabbed two banana nut muffins and I took two chocolate chip muffins. We had plenty of time to eat before I had to get to the stable to help Eric with Luna.
We sat at our usual table and Paige sipped her orange/ cranberry juice mix. “So, what’s with the nightmares?” she asked.
I thought for a minute. “I’m just worried about finals… and the YENT,” I confessed. “I want to make that team.”
“First, you’ve totally got finals under control,” Paige said, putting down her glass. “Think about where you were last semester compared to this one. You’re studying as much as you can and that’s all you can do. I know you’ll do well.”
I nibbled a chocolate chip off my muffin.
“And second, you’re ready for the YENT. You’d make it if they tested you today. You’re a great rider, Sash. You don’t give yourself enough credit.”
“Thanks, Paige. You’re a good roomie.”
“You can totally pay me back by watching the next
Teen Cuisine
episode with me on Friday,” Paige said.
“It’s a date. And, seriously, how high are the ratings? Is every single person in America watching your show?”
Paige blushed. “My producer did say the ratings were good…”
“And?” I prodded.
“And twice as high as last season,” Paige admitted, turning even pinker.
“Paige! That’s awesome. But I’m not surprised.”
We talked about
Teen Cuisine
for the rest of breakfast and the anxiety of the nightmare slowly ebbed away.
By the time I got to the stable, Eric was already there with Luna in crossties. I passed Phoenix’s empty stall— Jasmine was testing now.
“Hey,” I said, giving Eric a quick hug. “How’re you feeling?”
He smiled, but it wasn’t a real Eric smile. “Just a little nervous.”
I grabbed a comb from Luna’s tack box and started detangling her tail. “The nerves will turn into adrenaline when you’re in the arena. I know you’re going to do great.”
We slipped into silence as we groomed. I knew Eric needed time to think and concentrate. While we groomedLuna, I thought about
my
upcoming test and how it would determine my entire summer.
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