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  “That’s smart. Mr. Conner did something similar with my class last week. He had us do games on horseback. It reminded me of gymkhanas at summer riding camp.”

  “Oh, fun! Wow, that makes me think of egg and spoon races, costume classes, relays . . .” I smiled. “We should have a game day just because!”

  “We so should. I would love to take on a certain someone in a relay.” Khloe cleared her throat. “Speaking of someone, how is Riley during lessons?”

  “She hasn’t been outright mean, but she’s always there. If she’s not talking to Clare, she’s around me whenever I don’t want her to be.”

  “Like when?” Khloe filed her thumbnail.

  “Like today, when I was talking to Drew.”

  I put up a hand as Khloe’s eyebrows went up. “Talking!” I said. “That’s it. I was talking to him, and during those thirty seconds, Riley realized she needed to ask Drew about an assignment.”

  “Sounds like someone’s jealous.”

  “I know she likes Drew. But is she that insecure that I can’t even talk to him without her jumping in?”

  “Yes.” Khloe shook her head. “She’s probably especially insecure around you.”

  I looked up from my pinky, which I’d been filing. “What do you mean?”

  “Well, you’re the most experienced rider on the team. Clearly. That’s something Riley can’t deny. You’re also comfortable around guys. You’re not afraid to talk to them, and I’ve seen how they respond to you.”

  “Whoa, you’re making me sound like some kind of guy expert,” I said. “I am cool around most guys, but you’re the one who got asked out.” I grinned, then stuck out my tongue.

  “Touché,” Khloe said. “I really just meant that your background in riding is spreading around the stable, and you already were popular before people knew about that. You’re also making more nonrider friends each day you’re here. Riley won’t give up her seat on the throne as seventh grade queen bee easily.”

  I picked up the bottle of base coat. “She can have it. I’m not chasing popularity, and I don’t want people to befriend me just because of old titles. I mean, I’ve already got the Khloe Kinsella as my bestie; what more does a girl need?”

  Khloe grinned. “That’s true.”

  We went back to our nails, and I replayed the conversation in my head. It felt off. It almost seemed like Khloe thought I’d ditch her or that I’d have every guy in our grade looking at me. Like Zack, maybe. Or even Drew. Drew’s face popped into my brain. I hadn’t thought about our boy conversation until now, but when Khloe had described her dream guy, Drew Adams was a ten. But Khloe likes Zack, obviously, I argued with myself. She wasn’t faking excitement over her run-in with him this afternoon.

  “Oooh, I almost forgot,” Khloe said. “Did Mr. Conner talk to your class about the schooling show?”

  I looked up from my hand. The clear base polish on my pointer finger was gloopy, as if I’d painted it five times. Oops.

  “He did,” I said, quickly painting my other nails and handing the bottle to Khloe. “Our sign-up sheet was the only one on the board. Did he talk to your team?”

  Khloe nodded. “We start signing up tomorrow. I’m so excited!” She put down the base coat bottle and waved her hand with wet nails in the air. “How are you feeling about it?”

  “Scared at first. I kind of froze and couldn’t even think. But when I calmed down, I was happy about getting to show with Whisper for the first time. It was even hard to pick only two classes. I like how this show isn’t so serious and that there are some fun classes.”

  “I’m so happy you’re showing!” Khloe said, putting down her hand. “That’s huge. What classes did you pick?”

  “Dressage and trail riding,” I said. “I couldn’t pass up the trail riding class.”

  “I chose those, too! You’re so right about trail riding—it doesn’t feel like a class. I can’t wait.” Khloe smiled. “I’m really, really happy you’re showing, LT. It’s going to be your comeback.”

  “We’ll see about that, but thanks! I can’t wait to see you and Ever compete.”

  “It’s going to be the best weekend,” Khloe said. She looked at her nails. “Okay, pause for a sec. I’m ready for polish. Got an EBT for me?”

  “I do! So, first, don’t shake the polish bottle. Roll it between your palms like this.” I rolled mine and Khloe mimicked my movements. “Shaking the bottle creates bubbles and those can mess up your polish.”

  “I never thought about that,” Khloe said. “Good tip.”

  “One more. When you paint your nails, finish your first coat by swiping the brush horizontally across the bottom of your nails. It makes them harder to chip.”

  “Cool! I’m going to have the best nails ever. Now I’ve got to think of EBTs for you.”

  Smiling, Khloe and I applied our polishes. We laughed and talked more and more as lights-out approached. I pushed the weird conversation out of my head, content that I’d overthought Khloe’s comments. When we snuggled into our beds hours later, our lavender and teal nails were très magnifique.

  11

  SHE HAS A . . .

  DATE?

  “LT!”

  I stopped midstep on my way to the math building and turned toward the voice. Cole Harris waved and hurried up the sidewalk to catch up to me. His leather messenger bag was slung across his chest and he wore an espresso-colored polo shirt that brought out his green eyes.

  “Hey!” I said. “Where have you been hiding?”

  Cole shook his head. “Under a stack of books at the library. Of course, they’re all research books that I can’t check out. Like anyone else is going to need biographies about Sue Monk Kidd at the exact time I do.”

  “I don’t know,” I teased. “Her fan club might want access to those twenty-four seven.”

  We laughed. The September sun had burned off the early morning fog and we’d moved just off the sidewalk as students hurried to their first classes. Usually, Khloe and I left Hawthorne together, but she’d stayed behind. She’d misplaced a science paper and had told me to go without her so I wouldn’t be late.

  “What class do you have?” Cole asked.

  “Math. You?”

  “Gym. First period.”

  Cole and I made similar grumbling sounds.

  “Sorry,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “No one wants gym first period.”

  “Especially when Mr. Warren makes us do chin-ups,” Cole said. “I’d rather play dodgeball and toss a projectile, thank you.”

  “Same. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.”

  The math and gymnasium were in the same direction, so we kept walking together.

  “I’m glad we ran into each other,” Cole said. “We haven’t gotten a chance to talk. Mr. Conner doesn’t make it easy to chat during lessons.”

  I shifted my bag from one hand to the other. “We can chat during riding. Then we’d have plenty of time to talk while we’re on stall-mucking duty together.”

  Cole laughed. “I like dishing with you, but not enough to muck stalls.”

  “I do want to talk about what Lexa told you,” I said. “Any chance you want to grab something at The Sweet Shoppe after our lesson?”

  We stopped near the entrance to the math building.

  “Sounds perf,” Cole said. “Meet you out front after riding?”

  I nodded. “Done. See you in fashion class.”

  Cole smiled and we separated.

  I hurried up the stairs and pulled open the glass door to the building. I walked down the hallway, doing a quick check of my outfit. I’d paired a black A-line skirt with camel-colored knee-high socks and nude peep-toe booties with a low wedge. Khloe had loaned me a royal blue shirt with capped sleeves and a crew neckline. I’d curled my hair with a big barreled curling iron this morning.

  I walked into Ms. Utz’s classroom and, spotting Lexa, snagged the desk next to her.

  “Hey and wow,” Lexa said. “You look so great.”


  “Excusez-moi? Are you saying I’ve looked awful every other day?” I put down my bag and crossed my arms, pretending to be offended.

  “Yes. That’s exactly what I said,” Lexa teased. “Your outfits are always great, but it looks like you did something extra this morning. What’s up?”

  “Nothing. I am wearing Khloe’s shirt. Maybe you remember seeing it on her?”

  Lexa scanned me. “Hmm. I remain unconvinced.”

  Citrusy body spray wafted through the air. Glancing up, I sneezed and Riley stared in my direction as she headed toward the last row of desks near the window.

  “So glad she’s sitting far away,” I whispered to Lexa. “She looked at me like I’m infected with the plague.”

  “Plague brought on by her body-spray bath.” Lexa giggled. “And, seriously, are you sure there’s nothing going on that you want to talk about?”

  “Nope, I promise. I just felt like dressing up a little and putting more effort into my hair.”

  “This has nothing to do with . . . oh . . . I don’t know, a certain guy?”

  I felt a flush spread from my neck to my cheeks. “Drew?”

  Lexa tilted her head. “Unless there are more boys that I haven’t seen you with . . .”

  “I did not dress up for Drew! We were just talking yesterday—”

  “And before our riding lesson. He’s so crushing on you!” Lexa grinned, pulling out her textbook.

  “He is not! I’d know if he was. Drew’s a really nice guy and I like talking to him.”

  “I saw,” Lex said. “And so did Riley.”

  “Riley saw us talking. There’s nothing I can do if she’s jealous over that.” I reached into my own bag, pulling out my orange-and-white textbook, notebook, pencil, and calculator.

  “It’s like boy fever is everywhere! First Khloe and Zack. Now you and Drew. I can’t imagine what it was like in your room last night. Khloe must have freaked about Friday. She’s been BBMing me nonstop—sometimes just a row of exclamation points.”

  I shifted to face Lexa head-on. “What’s Friday?”

  She frowned. “Khloe didn’t tell you? Zack texted her last night and asked her out. She told him yes, and she’s been freaking out ever since.”

  I shook my head, confused. “Are you sure? We did our nails and homework together last night. She didn’t say anything about a date with Zack. I knew he’d asked her out, but not with a set date and everything.”

  My mind went through every second of last night. Khloe’s phone had buzzed once, but she hadn’t looked at it. She’d silenced it. After our nails, we’d washed our faces and read. I turned out my light first. Zack must have texted after I’d fallen asleep. This morning had been frenzied, but not much more so than a regular day. A definite date with Zack seemed like something Khloe would want to tell me ASAP.

  Lexa stared at her desktop. “Laur, I know Khloe wanted to tell you. She texted me really late last night and said you were already asleep. I’m sure she was two seconds away from shaking you awake.”

  I wanted to believe Lexa, but hearing about Zack this way stung. Khloe had had every opportunity to tell me this morning. This was exactly what I’d been afraid would happen after Saturday—Khloe was mad but not saying so. Somebody bumped my desk with a book bag and I didn’t even look up.

  “She didn’t say anything about it this morning, though. Lex, has she said anything to you about being mad about Red Oak? If she has, please tell me. I promise I won’t say a word to Khloe that you told me.”

  Lexa sighed and rested her chin on her hand. “She hasn’t said anything about it, Lauren. Not a word. I know Khloe, and if she was upset, she’d go to you. She’s not the passive-aggressive type.”

  “I’m sorry to have asked you,” I said. “I didn’t mean to put you in a weird spot. I’ll talk to Khloe.”

  “Good,” Lexa said. “I’m sure there’s a silly explanation and you’ll be a thousand percent okay after you talk to her.”

  I smiled at Lexa. I was glad, though, when Ms. Utz walked into the room. The distraction was welcome. I’d pay attention, not obsess over the Khloe and Zack thing, then I’d go to English and talk to Khloe.

  “Good morning, class,” Ms. Utz said. She towered over the classroom even though she wore flats. Her hair was up in its usual tight bun. “Please pass last night’s homework forward. When I’ve collected that, I’ll hand back your homework from yesterday.”

  We turned in our homework, and Ms. Utz moved to the front of the room, holding a stack of papers in her hands. “It seems as though some of you might not have a grasp of the material,” she said. “If this is true, please come talk to me during office hours. Several of these papers were disappointing, especially those with careless mistakes.”

  Ms. Utz began placing our papers facedown on our desks. Lexa got hers and grimaced. She flipped up the corner so I could see. C+.

  “It’s just homework,” I whispered when Ms. Utz moved near Riley’s end of the room. “Tiny percentage of our grade.”

  Lexa nodded. She put the paper into a folder and stuffed it into her bag.

  Ms. Utz reached me, putting my paper on the desk. I peeked at it. A-. I let out a breath. Lexa’s grade and Ms. Utz’s speech had made me nervous! I put my paper in the left side of my file for completed homework.

  Lexa made a tiny noise and I glanced over. What’d you get? she mouthed.

  I didn’t want to make her feel bad, but I didn’t want to lie. “A minus,” I whispered. “Sorry.”

  Lexa shook her head. “Good job,” she whispered back.

  “Everyone should have his or her paper now,” Ms. Utz said.

  A few whispers were scattered across the room. Ms. Utz stood, arms folded, at the front of the room. It was as if no one noticed, though, because the hushed chatter didn’t stop.

  “Clearly, some of you are already bored,” Ms. Utz said. “My speaking isn’t holding your attention, so you all will do the talking.”

  The whispering stopped. Students shot each other it’s your fault! looks. Lexa and I made ugh faces when Ms. Utz wasn’t looking.

  “I’ll call a random name, and that person will step up to the board. I’ll give you a problem similar to last night’s homework and you’ll solve it, showing all of your work and talking the rest of the class through your decision step by step.”

  Ms. Utz walked from the front of the room and sat behind her desk, turning her chair so she could see us and the whiteboard.

  “We’ll solve problems until the bell. Your homework for tonight will be the next lesson and the thirty problems that follow,” Ms. Utz said. Sunlight shifted outside and faded out of the room, making the fluorescent lights feel harsh.

  A girl, Amanda, raised her hand. Multicolored bangles clinked down her arm. “Ms. Utz? If we’re doing problems until the bell, how are we going to learn the lesson to complete tonight’s homework?”

  Ms. Utz smiled, showing her square teeth. “After class, whenever you have free time, you’re going to use the new online lectures for my class. This is the perfect time to see how well you learn via prerecorded lessons.”

  I tapped my eraser against my notebook. Either Ms. Utz was still really mad from our talking or she was just in a bad mood today. I’d never tried a lecture via the computer. What if I had a question and didn’t understand some of the material? I couldn’t exactly ask my laptop.

  “The lessons are forty minutes long and they cover sample problems, just like in class lessons,” Ms. Utz said. “If you have questions, please e-mail me.”

  Forty minutes?! I wanted to smack my head with my textbook. That added almost an extra hour of homework tonight.

  “Brice,” Ms. Utz called. “Please come up to the board.”

  While Ms. Utz called names, I went through the calendar in my homework planner and added the lecture. Today’s space was already a quarter full.

  And this was only my first class.

  12

  FYI: INTENSE BLUE

  EYES SCR
AMBLE

  YOUR BRAIN.

  AFTER MATH, I LEFT THE BUILDING AND soaked up the sunlight hitting my shoulders. I’d been called on twice in class. One problem I’d gotten right and I’d stumbled on the second, finally reaching an answer that didn’t match when I checked my work. Ms. Utz had me back up, go through the problem over again, and retrace my steps until I found my mistake. I’d looked at the class and caught Riley stifling a yawn.

  I was not going to let one long class drag me down. I headed for the history building, happy that I’d see Khloe in class.

  “Lauren, hey.”

  A strong, smooth voice jolted me out of my thoughts. Drew walked up one of the many off-the-main-path sidewalks. He looked undeniably cute in a red T-shirt, dark wash jeans, and black Converse.

  “Hi! What’s up?” My words came out all bubbly and high-pitched. My cheeks warmed.

  “Heading to science. You?” Drew stepped closer, stopping only a couple of feet away.

  “History. Just got out of the longest math class ever.” I smiled. I felt more like myself with every passing second.

  “Sorry,” Drew said. “Math’s not my favorite. At least we have gym today and that’s a free pass.”

  He remembered that we have gym together today. My thoughts seemed to scramble in my brain. Drew’s intense blue eyes met mine and that definitely didn’t help!

  “Yeah. Right. Gym. Easy.” So, one-word sentences were all I could muster. If Brielle and Ana were here, they’d be staring at me and thinking, Where’s our LT?

  Drew grinned. “Hopefully, Coach Warren will let us do whatever.”

  “What would you do?” I asked.

  “Hit the track. I love running. I’m not on the track team or anything, but it clears my head. It’s a different kind of workout than swimming. I’m in total competition mode when I swim.”

  “I run too.” I smiled, shifting my bag. “I know what you mean about it clearing your head. Whatever problems I’m dealing with disappear when I run.”

  “If we get a free period for gym, maybe come find me on the track?”

  I nodded. “But it’ll be the other way around. I’ll be the girl overlapping you.”