Read Online Initiation by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online Page B

FOR END OF BED
    Â· NIGHTSTAND
    Â· LAMP/SHADE
    Â· I P OD DOCK
    Â· DESK
    Â· STORAGE CONTAINERS
    . . . That part of the to-buy list had gone on and on and on . The rest of the list?
    Â· D O C ANTERWOOD SUMMER HOMEWORK.
    Â· R EGISTER FOR CLASSES .
    Â· B UY NEW CLOTHES .
    Â· P ACK OLD CLOTHES .
    Â· P ACK ACCESSORIES .
    Â· S TUDY C ANTERWOOD CAMPUS MAP
    . . . . and the list kept going.
    When I’d finally found Whisper—my perfect horse match—I thought I’d spend all summer getting to ride. But prepping for school had taken more time than I’d thought.
    Lexa shifted, pulling me out of my thoughts. “I wouldn’t be too nervous about having a new horse here. No one better than Mr. Conner to train you both.”
    â€œI hope so,” I said, hoping I wasn’t showing the nervousness I felt. “Because I’m testing for the intermediate team tomorrow.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll do great! I hope we’re on the same team. I tested into intermediate at the end of last year. There are five riders on the team this year, so there’s one open seat.”
    One spot?
    â€œDo you know how many new students are trying out?”
    â€œWell, it won’t just be new students,” Lexa said. “Seventh graders who were on the beginner team and want to move up will test, too. So, if I had to guess, I’d say . . . fifteen or so?”
    â€œFifteen?” I could only manage one word. “Wait, what happens to the students who don’t make the intermediate team?”
    â€œCanterwood accepts anyone into the riding program,” Lexa said. “Some students just pleasure ride and aren’t on a team to compete. The school takes any student who wants to try out for the beginner team. And there’s not just one. There are two beginner teams for seventh grade, so the classes aren’t too big—that’s where students who don’t make the intermediate team go.”
    â€œMr. Conner teaches all of those classes?”
    â€œThere are two other instructors who teach sixth grade teams and beginner seventh graders,” Lexa said. “They’re both nice and good instructors.”
    I wilted a little. I was sure they were nice, but I wanted Mr. Conner. Especially after everything I’d heard about him.
    â€œHey,” Lexa said, stroking Whisper’s forehead, seeming to address us both. “Try not to even think about that. The best advice I can think of is this: when you ride, ride as if you’re already a rider for the intermediate team. Then, when you’re in front of Mr. Conner for the first time, ride like you’re trying to keep the spot you already have. If you got into Canterwood’s riding program, you already made it farther than most.”
    I smiled. “Thanks.”
    â€œDon’t mention it,” said Lexa. “Hey, have you ridden since you got here?”
    I shook my head.
    â€œWant me to show you my favorite trail? It’ll be fun! I can tell you what testing will be like and catch you up about the riders who are already on the intermediate team.”
    â€œI’d love to go! Just knowing what testing will be like will help my nerves a ton.”
    That and many, many cups of chamomile tea.
    â€œGreat. I’ve got to groom Honor and tack up, but I’ll meet you right outside in, say, half an hour?”
    â€œPerfect.”

THE TOWERS FAMILY WORK ETHIC
    I SLIPPED INTO WHISPER’S STALL, CLOSING the door and wrapping my arms around her neck. She felt like my piece of home.
    â€œI missed you, pretty girl,” I said. “What do you think of Canterwood?”
    I let go of her neck so I could look into her big brown eyes. I loved when she blinked. She almost looked like she was flirting, with her curly gray eyelashes. I peered over to look at her pink hay net. Empty. The matching water bucket was half full.
    â€œI think someone’s settling in just