Best Enemies (Canterwood Crest) by Jessica Burkhart Read Free Book Online Page A

midstep.
    Jasmine and Heather stood in front of the shop, facing one another. Both girls had their arms crossedand eyes locked on each other. Jasmine was dressed for riding in white breeches, black boots and a flyaway sweater coat. Heather looked ready for a date in a double-breasted green pea coat, black skirt, and peep toe shoes.
    I decided just to keep walking.
    “Sasha,” Jasmine called. “Don’t run away so fast.”
    I turned to look at her. “I’m
not
running anywhere. I’m going inside.”
    Jasmine shook her head. “But you should hear this. Your teammate Heather is trying to convince me of something superfunny.”
    My eyes flickered from Heather to Jasmine. “What?” I asked.
    “I’m not convincing her of anything,” Heather said, her face a deep shade of pink. “I’m
assuring
her that we—the real Canterwood riders—will make the YENT. Jasmine won’t. Right?”
    I just stood there, annoyed to be in the middle of their fight. “We don’t know who’s going to make it,” I said. “But I guess the scouts will pick the best riders for the team. We all have a shot.”
    Jasmine, tilting her head to look at me sideways, laughed.
    “You’re delusional,” she said. “Perfect example— just look at us. Who’s in riding clothes?”
    I just stared at her, not answering.
    “
I
am,” Jasmine continued. “Because I’m actually on my way back to practice more. Heather’s not. Obvi. And, if I had to guess, I’d say you’re here to stuff your face with cookies.”
    “I just finished practicing,” I said. “Not that I have to explain myself to you.”
    Jasmine started toward the stable. “Oh, you don’t have to,” she said. “I’m just fine with you not making the YENT.”
    Heather took a deep breath and shook her head once Jasmine was gone. “I’m going to totally—”
    “Don’t,” I said. “She’s not even worth it. We’re doing everything we can for the YENT. You know it. She’s just trying to throw us off our game.”
    Heather threw up a hand. “She doesn’t even need to try. Our team is a disaster as it is.”
    “What are you talking about?”
    “Really? Let’s see… ,” Heather put a finger to her chin. “Callie was late and she got kicked out for looking like a slob, Julia and Alison are so furious, they can barely function… and aren’t allowed to ride anyway.And now
I’m
getting distracted because of
her
. I’m done. I’m going to change and go ride.”
    Heather stomped away from me before I could say anything else. I stood there, staring longingly at the Sweet Shoppe. But I turned away and walked toward Winchester. Paige’s brownies were better anyway and I needed to do my homework.
    Suddenly, Heather had me feeling insecure about everything I’d been doing—or not doing.

11
PRESSURE COOKER
    MR. CONNER CAME INTO THE OUTDOOR ARENA for our afternoon lesson and nodded when he saw we were all there on time. Ever since she’d been late, Callie had been sure to be the first one in the arena.
    Mr. Conner put us through a long dressage lesson and my arms ached after repeat attempts to collect Charm’s trot and canter.
    “Great job, everyone,” Mr. Conner said. “Please dismount and cool your horses. See you next class.”
    I dismounted and walked Charm over to Jack. “Good ride,” I said to Callie. “Ready to go again?” I made a pretend-serious face.
    “Totally.” She mock-rolled her eyes. “You first.”
    We walked side by side as we cooled the horses.“Paige is spending the night at Geena’s,” I said.
    “Her friend from cooking class?”
    I nodded. “They’re watching
Teen Cuisine
together. Do you want to sleep over?”
    Callie smiled. “Only if TV, movies, and tons of junk food are involved.”
    “Of course,” I said, feeling Charm’s neck to see if he was cool. “Those are, like, essentials.”
    “Cool. I’ll come over after your film class.”
    We started the last turn around the arena to cool out the horses. As we walked I couldn’t