Briarwood Elite Riding Academy: Take the Reins

Chapter 8: Elimination Day

I stared conflicted back at the HD screen. My reflection clear as the bright white number 8 glowed against my forehead on the screen.

I turned on my heel and faced my back to the screen as I went to give other riders space around the TV.

It took moments before an irate Tatum stormed from the TV screen towards me.

“I can’t believe how shitty I’m doing!” she exclaimed hotly; clamping and unclamping her fists.

“Relax, that was just our mini challenge” I smiled, attempting to calm the angry red head. “Besides you didn’t get the worst score.” I gestured subtly towards Matt who seemed distraught over his low score.

“I guess you’re right” she muttered crossly before slumping against a dining table; her mood spoiled.

On the other hand a beaming Amelia raced over; her eyes shining full of pride like bright green emeralds and a wide smile stretched across her face. Her mood was so infectious that even Tatum brightened when she joined us.

“I can’t believe I got a nine!” she exclaimed slightly breathless.

“Good job, A!” Tatum smiled before they hugged each other.

“I told you! You’re a great rider” I smiled before hugging her as well.

We quickly focused our attention to Logan as he strolled casually towards our small group.

“Congrats Amelia” he smiled kindly; the smile touched his blue eyes genuinely.

Amelia blushed a deep scarlet color; “Thank you! Congrats to yourself, you got a ten! That’s pretty impressive”

Logan chuckled and looked down towards his feet.

I shared a knowing mischievous look with Tatum before announcing; “Hey Tate we should go see Zoé”

“Oh yeah!” Tatum smiled with nod; “Bye Logan, bye A”

“See ya in the dorm” I said before Tatum and I walked off trying to stop giggling.

Across the dining hall Tatum and I stopped to look back at Amelia and Logan who were both talking quietly together. With a languid sigh Tatum relaxed against the wall.

“Young love” I giggled.

“Speaking of young love” Tatum gave me an impish grin before gesturing with her eyes to Ben who was speaking casually with Chance and Matt.

I blushed deeply and slapped her firmly on the arm; “Don’t even go there”

“Oh come on! He totally stood up for you this morning you should go congratulate him” she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

“Stop it” I giggled.

“C’était terrible!” Zoé’s unmistakable French accent caught my attention and I looked up at her as she joined us.

Tatum and I crooked our heads and Zoé laughed with a slight sigh; “That was terrible” she explained.

“Oh!” Tatum sighed.

“You’re score wasn’t that bad” I offered.

“No not my score; Justin’s bragging. Mon dieu that boy is like a plague” Zoé rolled her eyes and pointed towards Justin as he stood around the score board laughing like an idiot.

I rolled my eyes.

“Anyway what were you laughing about?” Zoé asked.

“Oh just Blair’s love life” Tatum shrugged; I slapped her arm again.