Castleside Academy

Chapter Twenty: Hazel

Monday morning I wake up. I groan. The week went by so quickly. I take a small box out from under my pillow. I open it and see the beautiful sapphire ring. Toby and I talked about it, he said (and I agree) that he really thought of it more as a promise ring. He just wanted to make it dramatic, and it worked. I really don't feel comfortable wearing it yet. But I promised Toby that I would start wearing it more when we're in ninth grade. Goodness, today is Horseback and Care. I get out of bed and get ready for today and walk out the door. But as I close it, I see a small paper attached to the door. I peel it off, and it says:

Spring Dance

This Saturday at 6 o' clock in the evening.

Come wearing formal attire.

I guess this was the easiest way to get the word out. I slip the paper under our door so Kailey and Jackie will see it before they head to class.

            Let's see, first period English. I walk into class, and of course see Toby sitting there. I don't know how he always beats me to class.

            “Hi, beautiful,” Toby says dramatically.

            I giggle. “Hello, handsome.”

            He stands up, takes a glance over at the door, and gives me a quick kiss. He lets go and we sit down.

            “So did you not want to get up this morning either?” Toby asks.

            “No, I wish we're still on break,” I sigh. “But the one thing that gets me, is, well, how on earth do you get here before me every day?”

            Toby gives me a sly smile, “I have my ways.”

            I just giggle. Then, the class starts filling up with students and the lecture starts.

            Second period, Photography. Nothing special, just how lighting and stuff works.

            Third, free. Toby and I eat lunch.

            Fourth, social studies. I see Lexi walk in and I go over to talk to her.

            “How was your break?” I ask.

            “Good, a little awkward, but good,” she replies.

            I give her a confused look, and she gives me a look that says, 'if I have time later, I'll tell you. But I really don't feel like talking about it'. I nod understandingly and take a seat.

            Fifth period, dancing. Random, Lady and Lord Talon are being weird.

            Sixth, Science. Boring.

            Seventh, Math.

            Eighth, Horseback and Care. Yay! Favorite class! I go into the stable and get out Vanilla. I brush her down and get her ready. Then we go out into the riding circle. We all go around in circles for now. But then we are divided in different groups to learn things, like jumping, barrel racing, etc. I'm put in the jumping group with Jackie. It was a very interesting class.

            An hour later, we're all finished. Jackie and I go back to our room to shower and stuff.

            The week goes on as usual, nobody gets kidnapped or anything. So far, so good. Saturday comes around. The day of the dance. Everyone is so excited, yet a little scared from what happened last dance. I pretty much hang out with Toby all day. But the clock strikes five, and we hurry back to our rooms to get ready. Out of my closet, I pull out a yellow dress. It has spaghetti straps and a silky top, but right under my chest there is a bow off to my left side, the rest of it falls down to my knees and is a double layer with silk on the underside and a very soft tulle fabric. It has sequins on the skirt. The bow is an aquamarine color, so it matches my necklace perfectly. I run into the bathroom as soon as Kailey and Jackie are out, and I put on a little make-up and I curl my hair. It's in beautiful spiral ringlets, and I have on yellow flats that match my dress.