Timber Creek Academy

~18~

*pic above is Sera! Just wanted to share a pic since I've talked about him a lot:)

I found myself relaxing on my bed on Tuesday evening. I had just gotten back from a tough dressage lesson with Leo, but towards the end we had a few breakthroughs. I was showered, in pajamas, and I had finished ALL of my homework. That never happens!

Hailey was showering, and I had the TV on the new episode of Dance Moms. It was a commercial, and I was surfing the web for a dress. I had to find the perfect dress for the winter ball! Which was in 2 and 1/2 months.

I scrolled through Nordstrom's website, and saw many dresses I liked. Unfortunately, they were all over $100, and my parents would definitely not let me buy a dress that I probably wouldn't wear that often. Ughhhh, what am I gonna do?!

Frustrated, I exited the website, and checked my email. I deleted all of the spam mail from, of course, Nordstrom's, Polyvore, Google, and other websites I had subscriptions too. Then, one caught my eye.

From: Timber Creek Equestrian Program

To: Timber Creek Equestrians

Subject: Halloween at the stables!

Timber Creek Equestrians,

We are excited to share with you all that this Halloween, we will be hosting an event for the city's children's hospital! They will come dressed up, and trick-or-treat at each horse's stall door. If you are able to participate, which we hope you are able to, you are required to pick up a bag of candy to pass out at the TCA convenience store, and should come up with a costume for you and your horse (not required). If you decide to do so, nothing gory or too scary! The event will be from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M.

If you and your horse plan to participate, please sign both of your names on the white board outside of Mrs. Banks' office.

Thank you, and we hope you will all participate!

-Timber Creek Equestrian Program

Excitement bubbled up inside me. I was definitely going, and Leo and I were also going to dress up! I couldn't wait to see all of the other girls and horses dress up, too. Leo will be excited; he loves kids.

Hailey walked out of the bathroom in light blue pajamas and damp, dark hair.

"Has my phone ringed at all?" she asked hopefully. I frowned, and shook my head.

"Sorry," I said, then closed my laptop.

"Oh, okay," she said glumly. I could tell she was hoping it was Jake.

"Don't worry, he'll call you back soon," I said.

"I hope so, we texted a little bit, but I really want to talk to him," she explained. I nodded my head understandingly.

Like me, she got under her covers, and we both got sucked into the TV show, that was now off of the commercial.

***

The next few days flew by, and soon enough it was the weekend. Today I was having a half-hour private lesson with Mrs. Banks. She was going to help me with something I've been both dreading and looking forward to.

Today, I was gonna jump Leo.

***

Hailey, dressed in skinny jeans, Uggs, and a sweater, walked beside me, dressed in dark teal winter riding breeches and a black riding jacket, to the cafeteria for breakfast. We both grabbed trays, and scanned our eyes at the selection of breakfast foods.