Free Little White Lies by Jessica Burkhart

slightly out of the saddle. Charm jumped, landed cleanly, and we cantered to the final oxer.
    Charm snorted and asked for more rein. I gave him some and let him build a bit more speed to get over the oxer. He rocked back on his haunches and upward. His body stretched over the oxer’s spread and he landed softly on the other side.
    â€œGood boy,” I said, patting his neck.
    â€œNice,” Mr. Conner said. “What did you think?”
    I rested my hands on Charm’s withers. “I lost focus and that’s why he knocked the rail. But he didn’t let it affect the oxer and he didn’t lose his confidence after we pulled down the rail.”
    â€œThat’s true,” Mr. Conner said. “But don’t be so hard on yourself. You did lose concentration and he took advantage of it, but we need to work with him to keep
his
focus, even if you lose yours for a few seconds.”
    I nodded. Mr. Conner was obviously trying to make me feel better.
    â€œLet’s run through a couple of flat work exercises, then we’ll stop for today,” Mr. Conner said. “Space out and do a sitting trot.”
    I sat to Charm’s trot and we passed Callie. I tried not to look at her and to keep my focus on Charm. Charm, always in tune to my moods, stiffened and let his trot switch from smooth to bumpy. I took a breath, forcing myself to relax in the saddle, but I couldn’t when Callie was watching. Every time we went by her, I felt a surge of guilt.
    â€œSasha,” Mr. Conner called. “Pull Charm to a walk, then ask him for a trot again.”
    I flushed. It was a beginner mistake. I shouldn’t have any problems with a sitting trot by now. I slowed Charm, and Jasmine edged around us, trotting by and cutting in front of us. Phoenix’s tail streamed behind him and, unlike Aristocrat, he didn’t swish his tail in Charm’s face when Jasmine forced him in our path.
    I asked Charm to trot, and this time I pushed my tailbone into the saddle and focused on keeping my hands light. I stayed relaxed and forced Callie out of my brain. She was here for support—not to rattle me—and that’s how I had to take it.
    â€œPosting trot,” Mr. Conner called. “Trot for a lap, then cross over the center and reverse directions.”
    Heather, Jasmine and I started posting. I found the right lead immediately and rose and fell with Charm’sshoulder. Ahead of me, Aristocrat tossed his head and tried to jump into a canter.
    Mr. Conner didn’t need to tell Heather what to do. She tightened the reins, pulled Aristocrat in a circle, and made him settle before realigning him along the wall. Heather was in total control after that.
    Mr. Conner worked us for another half hour before dismissing class. “Good work, everyone, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
    I rode Charm up to Callie and she smiled at me. “Good practice,” she said.
    â€œBut we knocked the rail and—”
    â€œOmigod,” Callie interrupted, holding up a hand. “Don’t make me slap you. You knocked
one
rail. It happens! Stop it.”
    I grinned. “Thanks. I needed that.”
    And that’s why Callie was my BFF—she knew how to handle my freak-outs.
    â€œAwww, this is just
so
cute,” Jas said, riding up beside me. She halted Phoenix, and he and Charm sniffed muzzles. They got along even though Jas and I couldn’t stand each other. I liked Phoenix, too. I just thought he needed a different owner.
    â€œWhat?” I asked.
    â€œYour BFF who didn’t even make the YENT showed up to be ‘supportive.’ But really? Be honest, Callie.”
    Callie glared at her. “About what, Jas?” she snapped.
    â€œYou’re here to watch Sasha self-destruct. You’re waiting for Mr. Conner to finally kick her off the team so you can take her spot. Just be real about it, Cal. That fake BFF attitude is so obnox.”
    Callie jumped off the