Cedar Hills Equestrian Academy

Chapter 5

As Emma and I unpacked we chatted easily, getting to know each other. She would ask me a question, I’d answer it, she’d answer it for herself and then it would be my turn to ask a new question. Lather, rinse, repeat. It took us about an hour or so to get everything out of our suitcases and put away. By the time all of our things were in their new places, I felt like Emma and I were already good friends. I learned that she’d only been riding for about three years, but she loved the sport and her horse, Kirk, more than anything else in the world. She started riding on her thirteenth birthday, when her parents bought Kirk and signed her up for lessons at a prestigious barn.

“Wow, a horse is a pretty risky gift to get without you riding before.” I commented on this new information, mentally deciding if Emma’s parents were crazy or not.

“Yeah,” Emma admitted, shoving her hands into her sweatshirt pocket, “but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. My parents aren’t ever around and to make up for it they get me really expensive birthday gifts. To show they care, I guess. It’s a sweet thought but they’re gone so much they get me things I’m not into. That year I just got lucky.” Emma smiled happily and we continued chatting, this time the focus of the conversation was on me and Saturn.

At school I was always bullied for being “the poor girl” because I could never afford nice clothes or school supplies. None of the friends I made ever stuck around for long. I didn’t want to lose the only friend I had here, so I decided not to mention anything about getting here on a scholarship or the fact that my family could only afford Saturn because he was sold for an unreasonably reduced price. I felt bad about giving Emma the false impression that I was rich, but I saw half of Dover’s catalogue stuffed in her suitcases. Her parents bought her a horse on a whim, and I knew instinctively that Emma was on the top of the social pyramid. If I wanted to make friends at this school I had to pretend like I was too.

When the conversation died to a comfortable silence, Emma suggested getting dinner and I eagerly agreed. We both shoved our feet into our shoes and trudged out of our room. We approached the dining hall and walked into the building through the propped-open main door.

Just as I turned to ask Emma how the food lines worked she opened her mouth and answered me before I could even get the question out. “The lines are a bit confusing to navigate; you can just follow me because I’m an old pro at this!” She said mock-boastfully.  I saluted and tagged behind her as she headed towards the largest group of people. It wasn’t hard to keep track of Emma, there weren’t a whole lot of students in the hall. I suspected that the majority either hadn’t arrived yet or were still unpacking.

I followed Emma over towards the largest crowd of people and we moved up quickly in the line while Emma hurriedly explained to me what food was in what section and how to pay at the end. She went first, as an example to me and I watched what she did, trying not to lose sight of her as she moved farther down the buffet-style line. Just as Emma disappeared from my line of view, an inquiring voice penetrated through my panicky thoughts.

“Excuse me, Miss? What can I get for you?” It was a nice-lady in a hairnet standing on the other side of the food.

I smiled awkwardly and apologized before telling her what I wanted. “I’ll have a slice of pepperoni pizza, please!”

The lady chuckled softly at me and handed me a plate with my order on it. “Thank you, Jenny!” I said, looking at her nametag and smiling before I moved on down the line.

My first food-ordering attempt at Cedar Hills was a success! Well, mostly. I panicked a little when I had to try and find Emma again after I got all of my food but after only a second or two of my floundering around hopelessly in a crowd of people I didn’t know, she popped up holding her own tray. Together, we ventured over to an empty table and plopped down on opposite sides.