You, Me: Us

3. Winner

Lainey was just about to make her way to the show jumping arena when Danny and Pin stopped her. "Hey, guys."

"Hey, love," Pin greeted her first with a kiss and Danny hugged her.

"How's Zoe and the rest of the Island doing?" She asked her brother and he smiled at her.

"They're good, they're doing well. I just came form giving Zoe a pep-talk before show-jumping."

Lainey laughed to herself, "hoping your girlfriend beats me?"

He shrugged, looking away, "You said it, not me."

They all laughed at his words as the announcers called her district number. "I should get to the arena."

Danny nodded, "are you having fun at least?"

She nodded, "this has been one of the best weekends of my life," she told him honestly. She loved competing, she loved her team. She was having the time of her life and she never wanted it to end. As much as she said that she was happy to leave high school and live on the Island, she was terrified.

She was scared of the change. Scared of losing her friends she's known since Primary school, scared of her friends on the island hating her. She was scared and she didn't like it.

Danny hugged her tightly, "just because high school is ending doesn't mean your life is," he whispered before letting her go. "Now go out there and beat all our friends."

Lainey laughed and looked to Pin, "What he said." She gave him a look. "What? I already gave you your pep-talk."

She rolled her eyes and started walking to the arena, "thank you guys. I love you!"

She lined up with the rest and was ready to win.

~

By the end of the day, everyone was at the closing ceremony, waiting for them to announce the winners of every category and give out the awards.

"Thank you everyone for competing in the 2018 Secondary School Nationals. Now, let's see those awards. Showmanship third place: From district 12-Alex Barber!" The island cheered in excitement as their trainer grabbed his trophy since they were all in the arena with the announcer. "Second place: From district 3– Devin Mcalister!" Lainey stood up and cheered with her friends, high-fiving their winner. "In first place. Drum roll please." Each of them pounded their feet on the stands as announcer opened the card. "From district 3– Faith Nightly!"

Lainey's mouth dropped open as her friends shook her, screaming in her face. She dove into a hug with Chloe before being passed around. She fist bumped Devin. "We won, captain!"

"Yeah we did!" she screamed back.

"Next up, Eventing; Third place: from district 12 Callum Elphick!" Once again the island started cheering for him, although not as wildly. "Second place; district 5–Sophie Williams. First place; District 3 Elizabeth Martin!"

"AHHHHH!" Eliza screamed, jumping up as her teammates hugged her.

They went through many different awards and St. Emily's was taking many of them home. Them and district 5 and 8 were really taking everything. For dressage Becky won top 3 and Jade won top three for cross country. Now, it was down to show jumping that announced the top 5. "Okay, now for the most anticipated ranking– individual show jumping!!" Everyone screamed and pounded on the bleachers, waiting for them to announce it. "In Fifth place; District 8–Clarie Devlode! In fourth place; District 12– Mia McDonald! In third place; Also from district 12– Zoe Phillips!" Lainey clapped politely for her friend and cousin, but her heart was racing. Show jumping was the category she really wanted to win. "Second place; From district 11–Daina Fisher. In first place; From district 3– Faith Nightly!"

She gasped, "I won? I WON!" She jumped up and started hugging the people around her. "I WON!"

Someone taped her on the shoulder and she looked around to face her cousin. "Congrats, Lainey." She smiled at Mia and rushed forward, giving her a hug.

"Thank you, congrats to you as well."

~

When she got to the hotel that night, she didn't go to her hotel room, she went to Pin's. She knocked on the door and he opened it before smiling at her. "Hey, love, come in."

"So, did you want to hang out with a national champion?" She teased, smiling like an idiot.

She stopped walking as she notice him not moving. He was just staring at her. "Pin?"

"I'd like to do more than hang out,' he smirked walking over. Lainey gulped as he started to undo the button's on her uniform. Her breath hitched as his lips made their way to her neck as she grabbed onto his arms to stabilize herself. "Any complaints?"

"Nope," she shook her head and pulled his face to her as they kissed. Her took off her blazer and walked her back to the bed.