Read Online Rival Revenge by Jessica Burkhart - Free Book Online Page A

fading. “Okay.”
    He went back to his seat and I snapped a pic of the egg on my desk. The rest of the classroom soon filled. I was so busy reading my to-do list, I didn’t even notice Eric walk into the room. I just looked over and he was sitting in his seat.
    Mr. Spellman walked into the room, smiling at us. “Before we get started,” he said, “I want to remind everyone that group projects start at the end of next week and
I hope you’ve all had a chance by now to be in contact with your partners and get to know each other.”
    I’d forgotten all about that. Mr. Spellman had put Jacob and Eric in the same group. I still didn’t even know my group members—I’d have to ask Mr. Spellman who they were. I’d been in too much shock to pay attention after he’d said that Jacob and Eric would be partners.
    â€œLet’s talk about the reading,” Mr. Spellman said. “Who wants to start our discussion?”
    I raised my hand and Mr. Spellman nodded at me. I was beyond prepared for talking about the homework.
    â€œI’ve read about the Industrial Revolution before,” I said. “But I didn’t remember how much it impacted
society in such a huge way.”
    Mr. Spellman nodded. “Continue with that, Sasha.”
    I talked for a few more minutes about how losing animal-driven power to machines had changed daily life for so many people. Mr. Spellman agreed with my answers and seemed pleased that I’d given such a detailed response.
    And for the rest of class, I raised my hand every few questions. My participation grade was going to skyrocket after this class. Everyone already thought I was a backstabbing boyfriend stealer, so who cared if they thought I was a teacher’s pet, too?

SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING
    I LUGGED CHARM’S SADDLE DOWN THE AISLE— it felt heavier than I remembered. Sweat was already prickling along the back of my neck and I was tired before the lesson had even started. At least it was the middle of the week—I’d have the entire weekend to tackle things on my list.
    Charm, sensing my mood, was quiet while I tacked him up. We walked outside to the outdoor arena. Heather and Jasmine were already on horseback and trotting in figure eights. Thankfully, the early evening sun wasn’t in our faces and the air was starting to cool.
    I stuck my foot in the stirrup, hopping to keep my balance. That was lame! Mounting was so basic—I shouldn’t have had one second of a misstep. I looked up to see if Heather or Jas had noticed, but they were too focused toeven care what I was doing. I mounted and gave Charm rein to move into a walk. He stretched his neck and ambled toward the fence.
    We’d just finished warming up when Mr. Conner came into the arena. “Ready to work over jumps today?” he asked us.
    We nodded.
    â€œGood,” Mr. Conner said. “If all of your horses are warmed up, then you’ll each take turns jumping the three verticals and two oxers that are arranged at the other end of the arena. Jasmine, you’ll ride first.”
    Jas tapped her heels against Phoenix’s side and the gelding moved easily from a walk to a collected trot. Jasmine circled him once and then urged him toward the first jump. Phoenix, a total pro, sailed over the first three-foot high vertical and stayed focused as Jas took him over the next two verticals and the oxers. Jasmine had finally taken Mr. Conner’s warnings seriously that he wasn’t going to tolerate her pushing Phoenix over every jump. She’d made a noticeable effort to become a softer rider and it showed.
    Phoenix gathered himself before the last oxer, preparing for the spread, and surged into the air. He cleared it and Jas patted his neck once—a rare sign of affection from her.
    â€œExcellent,” Mr. Conner said. “You were quiet and Phoenix stayed focused. You continue to impress me with your efforts to relax