I think the job’s perfect for you Ryleigh said Khadija I thought it over The Pony Girls are like my little sisters and horses are my life And Bree is a good friend She lives next door with Avery Esha and Jaelyn We used to ride together but she hasn’t ridden since she took a bad fall So now she helps Aunt Jane take care of the animals My stomach fluttered as I opened my journal In big block letters I wrote YES I CAN and added some hearts Hearts always make me feel better I wonder who else wants the job I said If Jaelyn or Avery applies they’ll get it Khadija poked my shoulder Be confident in yourself Ainsley cocked her head You want to own a camp like this one day right The job would be good practice Ainsley’s right said Khadija And don’t forget the Pony Girls love you the most She 6
touched my wrist Those friendship bracelets prove it I ran my fingers over my rainbow-colored arm I have tons of bracelets from the girls at camp Khadija suddenly jumped around like a kangaroo Guess what Guess what Guess what Ainsley moaned Not again Khadija pointed outside She’s heeeere She was the new girl Aunt Jane told us we were getting a new bunkmate today I crossed my the Three Horseketeers will become the Four Horseketeers fingers Maybe Khadija rewrapped her hijab around her head and secured the pin a little tighter Maybe But why is she coming to camp two weeks late The door swung open Layla our counselor and a girl were standing in the doorway 7
Because I only found out about it yesterday said the girl She walked in and waved I’m Cassidy Clemson I looked her up and down She was taller than Layla and at least four inches taller than the rest of us Her hair was in a tight bun It was the same color as my cat midnight black I had never seen such dark hair or a bun so ginormous Her thick bangs went straight across her forehead There wasn’t a hair out of place She was pretty even though eyeliner mascara pink blush and lipstick caked her face No one here wears makeup Ever I noticed her perfectly manicured nails right away I glanced down at my own nails and then shoved my hands behind my back Layla hoisted Cassidy’s designer suitcase onto a chair You’re all set Thanks Layla Could you please fetch me some iced tea She glanced around the room 8
