Stone Creek Academy: Faith

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The Cavalry Equestrian Center Show was two days away. Already, students filled the stable, bustling about as they packed, tacked up, cleaned, organized, and chattered. Beau wasn't startled by the noise, but I could see he didn't exactly like it either. I had to be outside in five minutes for our last lesson before the show.

How we rode today would decide how we performed this weekend. Even the show itself wouldn't be as competitive as this afternoon. I tightened Beau's girth another hole and patted his shoulder affectionately.

"You're going down, Rowanson," a cold voice snapped. I looked up just in time to see Bella leading Zazu past. Smirking, I turned back to my work. She so wasn't worth my time.

"C'mon Beau-tiful! It's time to kick butt!" I cheered, leading Beau out of his stall. Once we were outside, I swung aboard and steered Beau toward the outdoor jumping ring which would host our lesson today. We were the second-to-last to arrive, since Quinn walked in a stride after me.

"Alright everyone, you may warm up individually while I set a course," Coach Mike boomed, striding into the arena with a big smile. I started trotting Beau, mixing in plenty of circles, figure eights, changes of direction, transitions, and serpentines. I wanted to know we were completely ready for this show.

As we began to repeat our trotwork at a canter, I looked over at the course Coach Mike was setting. It looked really hard. Bending lines, towering oxers, rollback turns, airy verticals, a water jump, a triple bar, and a truly frightening triple combination decorated the arena sand. Not to mention the jumps were all a solid 1.20 meters, higher than I'd ever attempted with Beau.

Finally, Coach Mike called us into the center and sent us one by one over the course. By the time I was up, Brandon had had the only clear round. Exhaling slowly, I thought to myself, We can do this.

Beau stepped into a springy, elastic canter, and we headed for the first jump. I held my breath as Beau rocked back and launched over the airy white vertical. Next we made a little serpentine over a liverpool oxer and a faux Lego brick wall.

Easy whoa, I repeated in my head as Beau and I leaped an airy vertical. Turning right, Beau and I flew down an outside line in an impressive four strides. We then rolled back to a solid Swedish oxer with tendrils of Ivy woven through the standards and around the rails. The partly cloudy sky shifted, letting a few rays of sunlight shine through the fifty-degree air.

"Goody boy, almost done," I whispered to Beau as we charged over a water jump, not even coming close to putting a hoof in the water. Next was the triple combination. It would be especially tricky because we would only have room for one short stride between each element. I took a deep breath. Beau soared over the first element.

We stayed collected and took one short stride. Navy blue and white rails flashed by beneath us. Another short stride. More rails. The arena was silent as we cantered away. We had a clear round.

"Excellent riding Regina. You're all dismissed," Coach Mike announced. As we all filed out of the arena, I found myself next to Sofia. What came next I could never have predicted.

"Hey Sofia, could we talk?" I asked her. Sofia stiffened visibly.

"Uh, sure. This way," She stammered, leading the way toward a trail I had yet to explore. Sonic's gray-black tail swished back and forth. Beau snorted.

We began walking along the trail in silence. What were you thinking? I screamed at myself. This girl has made your life miserable for the last month and you're going for a trail ride with her?

"So, what do you want from me?" Sofia snapped, seeming back to her usual cold self.

"Sofia, I'm really sorry. It's about that day at the hospital. I don't know what my problem was. I sware, I didn't mean a single word I said. I'm really, really sorry I yelled at you like that. Can you ever forgive me?" It was like I was operating on autopilot. I hadn't known I was going to say that. We halted the horses simultaneously, and Sofia stared at me in disbelief for a second or two. I held my breath. Her answer could change everything... My life could go back to normal...

"I don't know, Regina. What you said really stung. I know you were hurt and upset and that wasn't like you at all, but you put me in a really tough spot. Everyone wanted to know what happened, was I mad at you, did I believe you... Bella was the only one who knew how to deal with it all. I trusted her and I can see it now, how she twisted my mind and took advantage of me. But I don't think we can be friends again. I've got a reputation. You moved out. You stole James from me! How could I ever forgive that?" Sofia's voice rose as she spoke. Sonic laid his ears back, annoyed that his rider was yelling.

"No Sofia, you don't understand, I don't even like him!" I shouted. Sofia had turned and started back toward the barn. I trotted Beau to catch up with her. She halted and turned to look at me, tears brimming in her eyes. I'd had no idea how much she liked that boy.

"No Regina, you're the one who doesn't understand! He likes you! Don't you get it? He doesn't like me! And I'm going to tell him you said that!" Sofia shouted through tears.

"He already knows!" I yelled as Sofia started to canter away. Beau and I cantered after her.

"Then I'll tell him about how you're going out with Brandon! He won't have given up on you, you know!" Sofia said furiously.

"Fine! But I'm still sorry!" I called after her, halting Beau. He was blowing, and seemed surprised that we hadn't gone straight back to the barn. I watched as Sofia and Sonic galloped away. Of course things wouldn't go back to normal. I was a fool for thinking otherwise. The best I could do was hope that maybe someday Sofia could forgive me.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Ok guys, that's it until our big finale tomorrow morning! Keep checking back, it'll be up probably around 6:45am Pacific time. Thank you guys so much for reading my book, it's been so much fun to write and I can't wait for the end tomorrow morning! You guys all deserve huge huge huge huge huge hugs for reading and voting. Thank you all again, and I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!! <3 ~Ari