15

THE ONLY ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS

I TORE OFF TOWARD THE STABLE, FORCING Brit to run after me.

“Sasha,” Brit called. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

I grabbed her arm, pulling her into Charm’s stall and locking us inside. I crouched down by his hay net so no one would see us, and Brit mimicked me.

Charm, obviously trying to give us away, ambled over, and started nuzzling us.

I put my head in my hands, feeling like I couldn’t even comprehend what I was seeing.

“Talk to me,” Brit said. “You’ve got some sort of history with that girl. Is she someone you met a show or something? Is she like Jasmine?”

I lifted my head slowly. “I have no idea if she’s like Jasmine and we’ve never officially met, but I saw her ride once.”

“Who is she?” Brit asked.

I almost couldn’t believe I was saying it out loud. “Her name is Lauren Towers. She’s from Briar Creek.”

“What?”

I nodded. “She’s a year younger than us. I saw her ride when I went to visit Kim at my old stable—Briar Creek. She’s a nationally ranked dressage star who started there after I left. Back then, it felt like she’d replaced me there.” I paused, still trying to process. “And now, she’s here.”

“Try not to let her rattle you,” Brit said. “She might become a great friend. You both have a history with Kim and Briar Creek. You could be the one to welcome her and really help her feel like she fits in.”

“I just started to fit in,” I said. “There’s no way she’ll want my help. Plus, it’s just too weird. I’m not going to be mean or anything to her, I’m just going to stay out of her way.”

Brit looked at me for a second, then stood. “Your call, obviously. I’m going to tack up Apollo, and I’ll meet you in the arena.”

“Okay, see you there.”

I took out my phone and instinct took over. I typed a BBM.

Sasha Silver:

I had to talk to someone who would understand. Hope that’s ok. Do u have a sec?

It only took her half a minute to respond.

Paige Parker:

Of course it’s ok! What’s going on?

Sasha Silver:

I was on the way to my riding lesson and I saw this horse and girl get out of a trailer and truck.

Paige Parker:

OMG. Pls, PLS don’t tell me it was Jasmine.

Sasha Silver:

Def not Jasmine. P, *Lauren Towers* is here.

This time, it took Paige a minute to respond.

Paige Parker:

Lauren Towers. As in the younger rider from Briar Creek?

Sasha Silver:

Exactly.

Paige Parker:

Oh, Sasha. Whoa. What r u going 2 do?

Sasha Silver:

Stay away from her for now. I’m not in a place to be the welcoming committee. And IDK, it kind of feels like she was my replacement at Briar Creek, even though I wanted to come here.

Paige Parker:

Def do whatever makes you comfortable. You don’t know her though—she might turn out to be nice.

Sasha Silver:

We’ll see. I’ll keep you posted. C u in English.

Paige Parker:

Try 2 have a good lesson. And we’ll talk more in class if u want.

I put my phone back in my pocket.

I looked both ways before I left Charm’s stall, then hurried to gather his tack. I rushed through grooming and tacking him up, desperate to get to our lesson without running into Lauren.

I felt like I didn’t breathe until I got into to the indoor arena and Mr. Conner hobbled inside, closing the door behind him and shutting Callie, Brit, Heather, and me inside.

He started to explain to us what we were going to do this morning, but I didn’t hear his voice. Instantly, on repeat, I heard five words: Lauren Towers is at Canterwood.