Kingston University for the Gifted

Chapter 9: Proper Mane Care is Manly, Too

This morning, we got a pass from classes. This is good, of course; I love missing school. The more frustrating part is the pile of makeup work we were emailed last night. At least they gave us until after the show to finish it.

"Good girl, Prim," I say under my breath, afraid she'll break the good behavior she's displayed for the past five minutes. Dressage is not her strong point, however hard I've been working with her.

Opal and Whisper dance up to me. "Does she have it yet?" Opal asks, her eyes twinkling. She's seen Prim's latest antics.

I snort. "What a question. Why wouldn't she?" I mutter nervously. Opal gives me a pointed look. "Fine. Nope, she almost threw me into the wall again about ten minutes ago."

She laughs, shaking her head. "Give it another ten minutes, she looks like she's settled." Smiling to herself, she canters to the other end of the arena and starts warming up Whisper. She's already taught Bucky his test.

"Show-off," I mutter. Slowly, Prim straightens out and turns her energetic skittering into a smooth movement. Finally, I sigh in relief and slide off her back. "Let's go, trouble," I say to my horse. She shakes her head and nudges my arm. "Yeah, you."

After Prim is settled, I start to jog to the dining hall. I'm going to be so late to breakfast. I hope they still have something left and Matt hasn't eaten all the pancakes- again.

It's funny. I've noticed after the first week of classes, the quality of the food went down drastically. It's kind of gross right now.

Carmela catches me on her way out. "Matt says to hurry before he goes for thirds," she grins. Speak of the devil. Laughing, she hikes her bag up on her shoulder and heads towards the science buildings.

I all but sprint into the room and grab the last stack of pancakes. Slipping into the usual table, I glare at Matt. "You would've let me starve?"

He shrugs, holding back a smile. "I saw how much pizza and ice cream you ate last night. I thought you were skipping breakfast."

I look at him with a look of horror on my face and my fork full of chocolate chip pancake suspended halfway between my plate and my mouth. "I never skip breakfast!"

He laughs. "Of course, of course. So what held you up? Prim?"

"Why would you automatically assume it was Prim?" He raises an eyebrow. My face falls. "Yeah, it was Prim," I admit. "She was a little brat this morning."

Matt smirks at me. "When is she not? She likes you, though. I think if any of the rest of us were assigned to her, we'd be goners."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I mutter. I finish my food and carry the empty plate to the washer. "At least Sol is every equestrian's dream."

"See, Prim is just twice as much work to make up for Sol's lack of mischief," he decides. "Easy explanation."

The closer we get to the stable, the more activity there is. Grooms are almost running around with tack trunks in new colors with unfamiliar crests. Justin almost runs into us with a bag of feed.

"Kyle!" he exclaims with palpable relief. "Do you know where Frigid Air from Blue Ribbon is supposed to go? I know you put all the info packets out yesterday. His owner requested special feed, and I don't know where to put it!"

"I think he was in the main stable, around stall 65, give or take ten stalls," I answer. "The Blue Ribbon horses are split between the main barn and the other one we're using, but I'm pretty sure he was in the main."

"Thank you," Justin calls over his shoulder, already hurrying toward the stable.

I look at Matt and shrug. "That was the most polite he's been to me all year," I point out.