Famous (3 page)

“Oh my God, yes,” Khloe said, putting a hand across her forehead. “I'd go crazy if I didn't ride. I'm reading like a madwoman for English class, trying to get caught up on the parts of our book where I fell behind. It's a
great
book—it really is. But I need a break. I went from chaperoning my parents, which was so much work, to homework on the weekend.”

KK pouted. “I haven't even been able to open my latest issue of
Celebs!
yet. That's how serious I've been about getting caught up in English.”

“Whoa,” I said. “You mean, you don't know if Jeni won
All Starz
? You can't tell me if Kris Kristopher is cheating on his girlfriend or if that was just a rumor?”

Khloe fake-sniffed. “I don't know
anything
. Not one thing about my world. My universe. I'm completely in the dark. I feel—”she took a dramatic pause—“Lauren, I feel like I don't know who I am right now.”

“Oh, KK. Maybe you should reward yourself. After you finish reading a chapter for English, read five pages of
Celebs!
or something like that.”

Khloe's woeful face broke into a grin. “This is why you're the genius in this dorm room! Eeeek! That's a fab idea, LT.”

“Go get back to work,” I said. “I've got homework too. I'm going to BBM everyone about the ride tomorrow, then start my work.”

Khloe went back to her bed, rested on her stomach, and swung her feet back and forth behind her like a little kid.

I opened BBM and went to the group I'd created for Lexa, Clare, Cole, Khloe, and me.

Lauren:

Hey, guys! Sure u've all heard that it IS true—my Union friend Brielle is a CC student now & is Clare's roomie. I want 2 give u all the 411, so any1 up 4 a trail ride 2mrw @ noon?

My friends started typing seconds after I sent the message.

Lexa:

TOTALLY! I can't wait 2 hear everything!

Cole:

Count me in! I want in on all the good gossip!

Clare:

Absolutely! Brielle's here, in my—our—room unpacking. She's SO nice, LT!

Lauren:

Clare—so glad u like her! I knew u would. U guys r going 2 get along rlly well.

C u all 2mrw! Meet KK and me outside of the main entrance.

I put my phone on my bedside table. I wished I could trail ride with Drew, too, but this wasn't really his kind of ride. He didn't need to hear me go on and on about my whole history with Brielle. Maybe we could hang out together later in the day.

I got up, walked over to my desk, and pulled my books from my leather Fossil bag. The Canterwood teachers were piling on the homework to prepare us for end-of-semester exams. The semester had gone by so fast—it was already mid-November, and soon we'd all be heading home for Thanksgiving break and then Christmas break.

Thanksgiving break sounded amazing, but thinking about Christmas made me a little sad. I was going to be separated from Whisper for weeks. We hadn't been apart since I'd gotten her. I wanted to share Christmas—peppermints, songs, lights, everything—with my horse. But I didn't think Mom and Dad would go for trailering Whisper to Union and boarding her at Briar Creek over break. Still . . . I wrote it down on my blue notepad to ask them just in case they said yes.

I had one more BBM to send, then it was work time.

Lauren:

Ana-Banana, talk abt surprise!! If ANYONE else from Union is coming to CC u r under BFF law 2 tell me now. I almost fell over when B told me she was staying!!!! Now I've got Bri & Taylor even tho they're fighting. Bri told me about the voice-mail mistake—oof. Hopefully, I'll get them 2 make up soon. Just wanted 2 say I hope u don't feel alone @ Yates. U've got Jeremy and u always have B and me even though we may not be right there. BBM me when u can, girly. Xoxo

I sent the message, plugged in my phone to charge, and mentally prepared myself for the mound of homework I had to get through today and tomorrow.

I put my math, science, English, French II, and history textbooks in a neat stack at the end of my desk. I flicked on my halogen lamp, and it cast a bright light over my desk. My cup of pen and pencils, notebooks, iPod dock, laptop, and framed photo of Ana, Brielle, and me on our horses at Briar Creek.

I got lost staring at the photo. When I finally pulled myself out of memories and looked at the clock, I hurriedly opened my history book and selected a blue Gelly Roll pen for taking notes. Things were definitely going to change around here. But I wasn't losing friends—I was gaining them, and the thought of Brielle being just down the hall made me smile.

THE NEXT MORNING I ROLLED
over in bed when my phone vibrated. Blinking and trying to clear my hazy vision, I saw the notification for a new BBM.

Drew:

Morning! Hope this doesn't wake u. Wanted 2 say hi & say I heard abt ur friend from home enrolling. That's cool, L! I can't wait 2 meet her. I'll b @ the stable ltr, so mayb I'll run in2 u. Hopefully.

I smiled at his message, pressing my face into my pillow.
That
was a nice thing to wake up to. I scrolled down, and there was a message from Ana. She'd sent it about an hour ago. Nine a.m.

Ana:

Laur, hey! Unless some1 I don't know has applied 2 CC, that's
all of the Yates ppl u're getting! I swear! I'm staying here. With Jeremy.
Not that I don't already miss B and still miss u. I hope B's transition is smooth . . . keep me posted. U & I will have 2 Skype sometime soon & catch up. Plus, I wanna c ur face! Miss u and love u! ~Ana

Ana's message made me smile too. I really had the best group of friends. I was beyond lucky, and I never wanted to take any of them for granted.

I rolled over onto my back, still snuggled under my covers. I opened Chatter and read through my friends' status updates.

BrielleisaBeauty: Unpacking in my new room @ CC & getting 2 know the awesome @CutieClare. I
it here already!

TFrost: On my way 2 the pool 2 swim laps. I try out 4 the swim team 2mrw after class.

I read a few more updates from my old friends at Yates and people who were in my classes at Canterwood. I started typing my own Chatter update.

LaurBelle: Total surprise that 1 of my BFFs from home, @BrielleisaBeauty, is a CC student now! So happy 2 have her here! Welcome, B! xxx

I started to put down my phone when it buzzed.

Becca:

On a scale from 1 to 10, how shocked r u abt Brielle?

Happy to see my sister's name, I immediately BBMed her back.

Lauren:

UM, 12!! U were SO good—u didn't give away anything. Neither did Mom or Dad. Sneaks.

Becca:

LOL. It was 4 a good cause. Bri rlly wanted it 2 b a surprise. I got that. How's she adjusting?

That was like my big sis. Always checking on me and what was going on in my life to make sure I was okay.

Lauren:

So far, so good! Clare rlly likes her as a roommate. I haven't talked 2 B yet today, but I'll message her in a bit. All of my friends r looking 4ward 2 getting 2 know her.

Becca:

Yay! That's awesome! Brielle's the kind of girl who could fit in anywhere. Give her a week & ppl will totes 4get she was ever the New Girl.

Lauren:

U r so right. Hey, what r u doing 2day?

Becca:

Hmwk—blah. Then mtg Grant 2 go 2 the movies.