Eager Star by Dandi Daley Mackall

Author:Dandi Daley Mackall [Mackall, Dandi Daley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Retail, Ages 8 & Up
ISBN: 9780842355438
Publisher: Tyndale Kids
Published: 2002-01-01T08:00:00+00:00

Friday morning I left home later than planned. I’d ridden Nickers at dawn, fed Towaco and Eager Star, and mucked the barn before getting dressed for school. But what slowed me down was writing in my private journal after breakfast:

Herd behavior in kids at AMS makes it almost impossible for a new person to break in. Still, individual members of the popular herd may act different when they’re away from the pack. Take Grant, the head stallion of the popular group. Last night he almost acted like a regular guy. If Summer or Brian had been here, I doubt if Grant would have wasted his time on a straggling scrub like me.

I wheeled my bike into the rack, then spotted Summer and Grant’s herd on the steps, blocking traffic so kids had to squeeze around them to get inside.

Great! I’d have to walk right by the herd. What if Grant had already told everybody about my backward ride on Nickers? Summer would love that!

Laughter erupted from their group, no doubt at my expense.

I climbed the steps, pretending not to see or hear them. See no evil. Hear no ev—

“Winnie!” Grant shouted.

I glanced behind me, as if there might be another Winnie on the steps.

“Come here!” Grant motioned me into the herd.

Swallowing what felt like sandpaper, I joined them, wishing I’d spent more than two seconds on my hair. I wore jeans; they wore shorts. I needed a new top so I wouldn’t have to repeat in the same week. Summer probably didn’t repeat her clothes the whole year.

“How’s Towaco?” Hawk moved over so I could stand next to her.

“He’s good.” Loosen up, Winnie girl! Just a herd of horses. You like horses.

Hawk’s shorts matched her peacock shirt. “Grant told us you are training his horse.”

I looked at Grant, amazed. He’d told them that? He hadn’t told them about the backward ride? “Uh-huh.” Great conversation, Winnie. You really belong in this herd.

Summer laughed. She looked to the other members of the herd, the real members. “Grant and I have to race in a barrel race our dads dreamed up. Not like I want to! I don’t even like riding Western. Daddy’s making me practice, practice, practice! He’s driving me crazy!”

That’s a short putt.

Grant cracked his knuckles.

“So, Summer . . .” Sal reached back to redo her red ponytail. “How’s it coming with the sleepover plans?”

“My mother ordered in so much food! We’ll gain 10 pounds!” Summer tugged at the tiny black belt at her waist.

“Bet you wish you were coming tonight, Grant!” cooed a girl with pixie short, blonde hair. I didn’t recognize her from any of my classes. I knew she didn’t recognize me.

“I’ll pass.” Grant still flashed his perfect smile, but it looked forced—all lips, no eyes.

Hawk secretly elbowed me. “Summer, have you invited Winnie yet?”

I elbowed Hawk back. I was kind of surprised she’d say it, because Summer Spidell would sooner invite the plague or pimples than me.

Startled, Summer looked at Grant, who simply stared back as if waiting for the answer.

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