Kingston University for the Gifted

Chapter 15: I Have Packing Problems

"Please, Kiera? I promise I won't jump. High, at least. And I won't have as much stress on my ankle if I don't have a saddle."

Kiera gives me The Look. You know, the one that very clearly says she doesn't believe me. "You told me the doctor said three to five days, Kyle. I want that whole five days, just to be sure."

I shoot The Look right back. You know, the one that very clearly says I'm too desperate to care. "Come on, I haven't ridden for two days. I really appreciate Justin and Neville riding my horses, but I need to get on or I'll go crazy."

We have a little staring contest. My Look wins. "Fine!" she says, throwing up her hands in defeat. "You can ride with the team on Sol- but not Prim. And I'm making the whole team do 2' crossrails."

My face splits into a grin. "Yes! Thanks, Kiera!" I take off running down the stall block.

"Kyle-"

"I know, no running," I call over my shoulder. 

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Smiling, I walk Sol out beside Neville. "You're batshit crazy, Kyle," he's saying, shaking his head.

I shrug. "I'm just happy to be back on." Sol slows to a stop in line with the rest of the team. 

"I just don't understand how you were able to jump in a brace the size of a cinder block," Maggie comments, staring at my foot. "It's commendable, certainly, but a little freaky."

"Back to matters at hand," Kiera calls over us, quieting the conversation. "Anyone know when the next show is?"

No one answers at first. Finally, Willow pipes up from the other end of the line. "Um... next month?"

Our trainer smirks. "Good. The info didn't leak." We all glance at each other nervously. "It's in four days."

Justin sighs in relief. "At least you gave us more warning than last time."

A little smirk appears on Kiera's face. "And it's in Virginia, so we're leaving at 4:00 tomorrow morning."

A ringing moan rises up from the line. "Kiera! Why?" Neville groans. 

She shrugs. "You have to get used to performing at your best in any situation. And there are a few more things."

Justin rubs his forehead. "Alright, shoot."

"It's IHSA style. Any of you know what that means?" Cue the blank stares from us. "It means you'll be riding a horse I randomly draw from a pool of school horses. You'll ride a max of 4' fences on these horses, a different one every day of the event."

Willow shakes her head, confused. "So... are we not bringing our horses? Who's going to school them?"

Our crazy trainer just grins. "Oh, you're bringing them. You'll school them every day. After all, we wouldn't want them to go soft before the show tour we'll kick off."

A clamor of protests and questions louder than I thought was possible from five people drowns out her laugh.

She gestures for quiet. "Calm down. Haven't you wondered why each of you is only scheduled for two classes this semester? You got most of your core classes done last semester. Six credits is an easy workload to keep up with on the road.  You'll be fine."

There is silence for a good thirty seconds. Finally, I break it. "I guess I'll start packing," I mutter, turning Sol around and trotting out of the arena. Kiera just made this a very long night.

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You know that stereotype about women claiming they pack six million bags for any trip? I've decided it was based off an equestrian woman, because all of us, men and women, are toting four or five large bags and a tack trunk.