Briarwood Elite Riding Academy: Take the Reins

Chapter 16: Do What You Need To Do Ben

“So what are Amelia and I supposed to do now?” Tatum asked after Monday morning lesson in the cafeteria. “Now that Harper’s gone we can’t look through any of her stuff.”

My head my pounding due to the horrible morning lesson I had endured; Winter had acted like a pure demon and had instanced on bucking, refusing and flat out throwing her scope out the window. But I couldn’t blame the horrible lesson entirely on her; my mind had been a bit more than distracted lately.

Shoving my fingers into my temples to steady the ache in my head I glanced up at Tatum and offered the best possible solution I could think of; “How about one of you follows Chloe and the other follows Justin. If they enter the dorm text one of us ‘abort mission’.”

“I pass on stalking Justin.” Amelia squeaked.

I inwardly cringed at the word stalking.

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Tatum sighed dismissively.

“Man you have this whole thing really planned out, hey?” Ben chuckled from beside me.

After Sunday we had included Ben in on our master plan and even got him and Leon to help us ‘investigate’ Justin’s dorm room. Though even mentioning it around him made me feel super childish and I couldn’t help but blush.

Man, he must think I am some sort of crazy person…

“I’m more or less rolling with the punches.” I said with a slight smile; “This is an act of defense.”

Or what I had convinced myself it was.

With a warm smile Ben cupped my hand in his and I knew somehow he understood.

“Not wanting to burst your romantic bubble or anything but we better get going before our targets decide to skip back to their dorms to shower before afternoon lesson.” Tatum said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“Alright. You guys stay here and follow your respective targets if they leave.” I whispered, glancing once at Chloe and Justin at their shared lunch table.

With a vigorous nod of approval Ben, Zoé and I (trying as hard as possible to not seem suspicious) left the cafeteria and broke into the afternoon sunlight.

The Briarwood grounds were empty and desolate; seeing as most everyone else was eating and the Briarwood stable hands were and acted like ghosts, rarely being spotted around campus.

With a hug goodbye Ben and I parted ways as we both headed to different dorm buildings to being our mission.

House White was empty as well aside from Zoé and me. Though I didn’t have to worry about ‘being caught’ seeing as this was my dorm building I felt better knowing no one else was around.

Chloe’s bed was parallel to the left wall beside Zoé’s and directly across from Amelia’s. Like everyone else in the room Chloe had one sole nightstand with three large drawers as well as one dresser. There was also the closet both her and Zoé shared though I doubted there would be anything in there.

Zoé chose to begin looking through her dresser and I chose to begin with Chloe’s nightstand.

Three ornate boxes varying in size and color were placed specifically on her nightstand and I found myself drawn to them though they proved to be nothing but a dead end since they were filled solely with jewelry and various other knickknacks.

My head ache was growing steadier.

“Have you found anything?” I asked over my shoulder.

“Just some really gaudy clothes.” Zoé said with a laugh; “You?”