Chosen (22 page)

“We have
all
summer together,” I went on, encouraged. “Do you want to just . . . enjoy tonight and figure out us later?”

Taylor's eyes never left me “I thought about that too. This isn't the place. I just want it to be you and me when we get into all that. Tonight's supposed to be a party—we definitely deserve to enjoy it!”

I hugged him. “I'm so glad you agree.”

Tension seeped from my neck and shoulders, my body loosening as we moved on the floor. The music picked back up and Taylor and I grinned at each other while we danced. I noticed that his posture had relaxed, too.

Tonight, sixth grade would get the send-off it deserved.

THE NEXT MORNING, I WOKE UP WITH A SMILE
on my face.

My first thought was of the dance. Taylor and I had danced until we'd exhausted ourselves. And before his mom picked us up, we'd stepped into a quiet corner of the room. First, we promised to BBM each other over the weekend.

Then, Taylor had kissed me. Every time we kissed it felt special.

I touched my lips with my index finger. They
still
felt tingly—like I'd just woken up after a trip to the dentist and the Novocain was beginning to wear off.

After our kiss, Taylor said good-bye to his friends and I found Brielle and Ana. Brielle was sitting with Will, their
heads close together as they talked. I told her I'd text her tomorrow and gave her a hug before leaving. Ana was still on the opposite side of the floor with Jeremy.

“Hey,” I'd said. “Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted to say bye before Taylor and I left.”

“I hope you had fun,” Ana said, hugging me. Then she leaned into me and whispered, “Jeremy's awesome.”

I grinned.

“Did you have a good time?” I asked Jeremy.

I didn't know him that well, but we'd talked a couple of times.

“Really great,” Jeremy said with a smitten look on his face. “I didn't know that Ana was an artist, too.”

“I didn't know
you
were,” I said. “That's cool! What's your specialty?”

“I mostly sketch and paint,” he said.

“We've been talking about art all night,” Ana said.

I'd never heard her like this. She sounded so happy and her voice was flirty.

“I'm glad you asked my best friend to dance,” I told Jeremy. “See you guys later.”

I left them, and before I was two feet away, they were already back to talking.

I snapped out of last night's memories and climbed out
of bed, not wanting to be late for my first riding lesson of the summer. Kim had changed weekend hours so that my lesson now started an hour later, but I wanted to get to the stable at my usual time. Every second I wasn't with my friends and family, I planned to spend at the stable.

Because in a few months, I'd be at Canterwood.

No matter how many shows I'd competed in or how many teams I'd ridden for, Canterwood was completely different. Canterwood wasn't like anything I'd experienced before. I knew I couldn't take Cricket with me and there was no way to predict what kind of school horse I'd get, so I had to prepare myself as much as I could. That meant riding. Lots and
lots
of riding.

I pulled on tan breeches and a ballet pink distressed tee before heading downstairs. Mom and Dad were at the breakfast table, sipping coffee and talking.

“Morning,” I said, cheerful.

They both looked at me, smiles on their faces.

“What?” I asked slowly. “What's going on?”

“Come sit for a second,” Dad said, patting the seat next to him with his palm. “Your mom and I want to talk to you.”

Oh, no. Had Headmistress Drake changed her mind? Maybe Canterwood didn't want me anymore
.

I almost saw spots as I sat down slowly. “Did Canterwood change its mind?” I said, unable to keep it in. “Are you trying to find a nice way to tell me? Because if you are, I'd rather just know now. Just . . . tell me.”

“No, honey. No!” Mom said, putting her hand over mine. “You're still going to Canterwood—no one's going to change their minds. That's not it at all.”

“Oh.” I slumped in my chair, the spots beginning to dissipate one by one. I remembered how to breathe and put that action into practice.

Dad cleared his throat, looking from Mom to me. They were still making me nervous. I wished they'd just tell me what was going on.

“Lauren, your mom and I have been talking a lot about Canterwood,” Dad said. “We're just so proud of you for getting accepted. We didn't give you a gift for your big acceptance—or for graduation—because we had to wait.”

I shook my head, confused. “I didn't expect a gift, but wait, why did you have to wait?”

“We had to wait for Kim,” Mom said.

The more either of them said, the more confused I got!

“Kim? Why?”

“Honey, your mom and I wanted to give you something that you've deserved for a long, long time. You've always
done well in school. But you've had
outstanding
grades at Yates. You're a responsible young woman. And when you got accepted into Canterwood . . . we asked Kim for help. To connect us with a few local breeders.”

All I could do was just stare. And I still had no clue where they were going with any of this.

Mom laughed, touching my hand. “Lauren, next week, we're going to start looking for your very own horse. You deserve it. We'd really like you to have your own horse at Canterwood.”

“Breathe,” Dad said, grinning at me.

“Oh. I mean,
oh
. A horse. That's . . . ” All I could do was giggle. I felt hysterical. “Are you . . . you're not
kidding
?”

“We're very serious,” Dad said. “We talked to Kim about it and she also agreed that you needed a horse to train and grow with at Canterwood.”

“A horse,” I repeated in shock. “My own horse!”

“You've always ridden stable horses, which Kim thinks made you a stronger rider,” Mom said. “But it's time. You're going to have your own horse, Lauren.”

“I can't. Believe this,” I whispered.

It felt like my brain was going to explode.

I hadn't even thought about a horse of my own. It just . . . never occurred to me. Canterwood had been
enough all on its own—I'd been excited to just ride any horse they had. But now I was getting a horse that was
mine
—a horse I could name. And love. And never have to share with anyone if I didn't want.

My. Own. Horse.

“We had to wait because Kim had to call reputable farms in the area first,” Mom explained. “She wanted to be there. To help you choose a horse that fits you best. Your dad and I don't know anything about horses, so we wanted to make sure we could work with her schedule next week. To visit the farms with us.
All
of us.”

It was really starting to sink in now. My own horse! “This is the best present
ever
!” I said, my voice finally coming out above a whisper. I jumped up, hugging Mom and Dad. “Thank you! Thank you!”

“You're welcome, sweetie,” Dad said. “Thank you for being the kind of daughter we trust enough to give a present like this. We can't wait to find the perfect horse for you, baby.”

“I promise I'll be even more responsible,” I said. “You won't have to worry about a thing. I'll—”

Mom shook her head, laughing now. “Laur, you don't have to tell us that. We aren't worried at all. You've treated every horse you've ever ridden as if it were your own.
You could have handed them off to a groom like a lot of the kids I've seen. But you never have. You've more than proven your responsibility.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Maybe Mom paid more attention to me than I'd thought. I turned to Dad, tears spilling down my cheeks now. “Dad,” I said, my voice wobbly. “Thank you.”

Dad smiled. “We start looking Monday morning, Laur-Bell. Just be prepared. Kim will want you to try a
few
horses. It'll be hard, so don't fall in love with the first horse you ride. And don't worry if it takes awhile to connect with the right horse. We've got plenty of time.”

I nodded. “I know. I definitely want to find the absolute right horse. Oh my God, I have to tell Brielle and Ana. They're going to
freak
! Dad, can we go?”

“Go get your boots, Bell. We'll go right away.”

I jumped up, hugging them each again before dashing to my closet to grab my boots. I shoved my feet into them, then realized I needed my bag. Then I realized something bigger than my bag. Becca! I yanked my boots off (house rules) and ran to Becca's bedroom. The door was closed. I knew she was still sleeping, but I
had
to tell her
now
. Otherwise, I'd burst.

“Becs?” I said softly, opening her door.

She shifted, opening one eye and looking at her clock all frowny. “Lauren. It's the first day of summer vacation. That means sleeping in!”

“Sorry! I know. Sorry. I have to tell you something really quick, then I'll let you go back to sleep—I swear.” I sat beside her on her bed, controlling my instinct to duck.

Becca rose up on her elbows, her long hair in a messy ponytail. “This better be good,” she grumbled.

“Mom and Dad just told me about my graduation present,” I said. “I'm getting a horse!”

Becca smiled, sitting up all the way. “You have no idea how hard it was to keep
that
a secret.”

“You knew?!”

“For a few weeks,” Becca said, awake now. “They told me on the condition that I'd promise not to tell. I'm really happy for you, Bell. You need your own horse.”

“I can't believe I'm actually getting one,” I said. “I'm
freaking out
!”

Becca laughed. “Really? Hard to tell. Now go to your lesson and tell Bri and Ana.”

Another wave of excitement washed over me. “See you later!”

I started to get off Becca's bed, but she grabbed my
arm. At first, I was scared this might turn into another shoe-throwing incident.

But instead, she hugged me. “Congratulations, Laur.”

I hugged her back.

Hard.

“Thanks, Becs.”

My eyes filled again. Okay, this needed to stop!
Go away
, I commanded my tears. They didn't, or at least not until Becca let me go.

“Now go. And never wake me up this early ever again.” But Becca smiled as she said it.

“Deal,” I said, laughing.

I closed her door behind me and grabbed my phone, bag, and boots. I ran back down the stairs. I was buckled and ready in the car before Dad was even out the front door.

I took out my phone. I wasn't going to tell Taylor, Brielle,
or
Ana over BBM. This was too big. But I could at least tease Brielle and Ana with my news the way Bri had teased Ana and me about Will.

Lauren:

I have *big* news. Like, epic!!!!

My fingers fumbled over the tiny buttons—I was shaking so bad I could barely type.

Brielle:

EPIC news?!

Ana:

What???? TELL us. Now!!!

Lauren:

I want 2 wait till I c u guys! This is major, in-person news. I'll be @ BC soon
.

Brielle:

*pouts* Fine. Make us wait, then!!

Ana:

U better spill the sec u c us!

Lauren:

I will! Swear! U won't believe it!

Brielle: