"Connor! Get up! You've gotta get up now!" I jolted awake at Casey's tone and quickly climbed down to her level,

"What's wrong?!" She smiled,

"Which top should I wear?"  She said holding up a lavender blouse and a loose navy blue blouse, I rolled my eyes,

"The blue one of course, why?" She smiled again,

"Because our dorm is going to a grill tonight" I rolled my eyes again,

"I'm not going to any grill tonight" Casey stuck out her bottom lip pouting,

"Please, it's karaoke night," I took a deep breath and said,

"Ok but no singing" Casey nodded jumping up and down squealing,

"This is going to be so much fun!" I rolled my eyes at her excitement and went to change into something till I had to change for tonight. I put on jeans, red converse, a black v-neck tee and strapped my brace over my shoulder wincing as I tightened it. I quickly French braided my hair and went down stairs for breakfast running into Will as I did. I gritted my teeth as pain shot up my shoulder and backed up from Will,

"Sorry didn't see you there" Will laughed,

"Obviously, how's your shoulder feeling?" 

"Um like I strained it" Will laughed again,

"Well then I guess I'll walk with you down to breakfast," this time I smiled,

"My hero" we both laughed and made our way down the remaining stairs,

"Ah sleeping beauty arrives, how's the shoulder feeling?" I glared at Adam but replied,

"It'll be better once I take a few pain killers" Adam nodded and pushed them toward me and a cup of orange juice. I swallowed the pills and orange juice, grabbed a pop tart and made my way out only to be stopped by Adam,

"Umm I hope your not planning on riding" I shrugged and weaved past him out the door. I jogged out to the stable and went up to Winds stall. He immediately came over to me and nudge my right shoulder as if to say, ' where have you been I missed you' I kissed him on the nose and gave him a hug.

"How do you feel about going for a small walk?"  he nickered and I opened his stall door and climbed onto his back grimacing a little bit. I walked him into an arena and saw as soon as I entered knew it was arena eight. The barrels were set up in that triangle pattern and I saw Nick enter on Dante riding western. He looked up when he noticed me enter and walked Dante over,

"I thought your not supposed to ride?" I shrugged, "Well since your here mind giving me a few pointers?" I nodded,

"Show me what ya got," he nodded and walked over to the starting gate. He nodded at me and I nodded back he burst out of the gate. He made it around the barrel well but when he got to the second barrel he lifted his hands to high and took the turn to tight thoroughly knocking it over. He didn't phase but continued on but ended up doing the same thing with the third barrel. They ran back fast but it didn't help much, he brought Dante over next to Wind and said,

"Umm yeah I did something wrong" I laughed,

"Yeah not that bad just a few beginner mistakes, when you were going around the second and third barrel you acted like you were show jumping. Also don't tense up when your going around the Barrel you've gotta trust Dante because when you tense up he can tell and well that happens, so go ahead and take him around one more time," Nick nodded and went back to the starting gate.

They burst out of the gate going around the barrels cleanly, his time wasn't amazing but it was a definite improvement. I clapped as they trotted over and smiled at Nick,

"Thats' a much better run," he nodded,

"Yeah it definitely is what you told me really helped. Well I think I better un-tack him  we've been out here a good few hours. I nodded,

"I'm gonna do a little work with Wind then head in, you going to the grill place tonight" he nodded,

"Yep I guess I'll see you there" I nodded,

"See ya later then" he nodded and dismounted walking Dante out. I turned Wind around and dismounted wincing slightly at my shoulder but it felt better from the pain meds. I left Wind there seeing the gate was closed and walked over to the barrels running a hand over them I walked the course I stopped as I went to the third barrel memories flooding back. My last competition before the accident

"And here she comes folks that horse she's riding lives up to her name just a blur of fire! And she's done it folks she's broke the Arena record she's going to the big leagues!"

I sink to the ground tears streaming down my face and I hear hooves come up behind me. I look up and see Wind standing right behind me. He bent down to my face nudging me and I reached up and stroked his muzzle. Giving him a small kiss I stood up wiping my eyes and took a deep breath. I took hold of his halter and led him away,

"So little miss dramatic is also a crybaby" I froze and slowly turned around. My eyes hardened when I saw her,

"Oh and the only reason you're on the advanced team is cause Josie feels sorry for you. The minute she sees how bad you really are she'll kick you off the team" She said smirking, I glared at her and  walked away. I put Wind in his stall and brushed him down. I slipped off his halter and hung it up, my brain still racking all the possibilities of not getting kicked out and still beating Sonia up. I walked back to the dorm my blood still boiling from what Sonia said. When I walked in I saw Adam and Casey laughing at the island . They took one look at my face and immediately asked,

"What's wrong"

"Nothing, I'm just annoyed with Sonia that's all." They both nodded and Casey gave me a look that said ' we're not done talking' she stood up smiling,

"Now then though we've gotta go get ready so we'll see y'all in an hour" she linked elbows with me on my right arm and dragged me upstairs.

As soon as we were in our dorm room Casey texted someone grinning. I soon found out she'd texted Megan and Amy cause the showed up at our door clothes slung over their arms. 

"Ok pink or purple?" Megan asked coming in she held up a pink dress with ruffles and a purple on with a tight waist and somewhat floaty skirt. We all immediately gave the unanimous got of purple making us all laugh. Casey turned to me 

"what are you wearing?" I shrugged my shoulders,

"I dunno give me a minute" I went over to my closet thought for a moment before pulling out my hunter green Jean dress with a wide leather belt. I showed them my choice and Casey basically yelled,

"Hell yeah!" We all shushed her and quickly got dressed after helping Amy realize that yellow dresses are her color not red. Casey disappeared again and into our closets. She came out a minute later holding two pairs of cowboy boots and two cowboy hats. I glared at her,

"This better not be a western grill" she just grinned and handed me the pair she found in my closet. I silently swore to murder my brother for bringing them but reluctantly put on my worn boots and black cowboy hat. The other girls each had pointed toe boots-unlike my round toe-and lighter hats. I strapped on my shoulder brace and stood up showing my finished ensemble,

"Connor take your hair out of braids please" Casey said sweetly. I shook my head the next thing I knew Megan was tackling me,

"I'll hold her down! You get the hair!" Amy and Casey laughed but did as they were told. I glared at Megan when she got off me glad she was careful with my left shoulder.

"Ok you need to wear your hair down more often, girl those boys'll be fighting to sit next to you or may I say a certain boy Will want to sit next to you" I raised an eyebrow at her,

"Real subtle Casey real subtle" she shrugged and led the way out the door,

"Oh and Connor you look really at home in those boots and hat. You should wear them more often" I shrugged again and followed her out the door linking arms as we went down the stairs Megan and Amy right behind us.

As we made our way down I saw the boys waiting for us. Adam let out a low whistle looking at Casey and I shot a glare at him. The guys were also wearing boots and hats Adam and Ben were the only ones looking at home in their hats which didn't surprise me. I walked toward the boys and raised an eyebrow when they didn't follow,

"So unless you boys just want to stand here staring at us all night I suggest we get going" everybody nodded and followed me out the door into the van we were borrowing from the school to get there.

I ended up sitting in the middle row between Amy and Megan while the boys to the back and Adam drove with Casey as passenger.

                                                                               .             .            .

The drive was about ten minutes before we pulled up to a small grill/bar. The minute we walked in we were hit with the smell of fried chicken, burgers, ribs and fries. We made our way over to a small table of eight where I ended up between Will and Adam with Casey on Adams other side while the others sat across from us.

"Alright folks who's ready to get this night started!" Everybody let out a loud "We Are" before the guy on the stage continued,

"Now then as most of you know it's Karaoke night and for those of you who haven't been before here's the rules. We choose two people at random and they must sing a country duet song with each other. Don't worry folks though you get to choose the song and we'll play the words on that screen there. So to start us off you two in the corner" Everybody turned to see a coupe sitting at the corner of the grill near the stage. The couple stood up and made there way to the stage. 

I didn't know what song they were singing but It sounded familiar.

"Hey Connor you want some fries?" I turned to my brother who was holding a basket of fries and nodded, taking the fries.

"Young lady in the black hat and the gentleman on the right, next to her please come on up," I froze as a light beam was shone onto me and Adam. I glared at Casey who'd told me I wouldn't have to sing and slowly stood up, making my way to the stage with Adam. The man handed us each a microphone and said,

"What song do you two want?" I looked at Adam and he shrugged indicating I could choose. I thought for a moment before saying

"Meant to Be,"

The screen in the back lit up with the words, the music started, Adam started it off first, 

"Baby, lay on back and relax, kick your pretty feet up on my dash
No need to go​ nowhere fast, let's enjoy right here where we at

Who knows where this road is supposed to lead

We got nothing but time

As long as you're right here next to me, everything's gonna be alright If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be"

I joined in when it got to my part and I felt a lot of people stare at me as I sang

"I don't mean to be so uptight, but my heart's been hurt a couple times
By a couple guys that didn't treat me right
I ain't gon' lie, ain't gonna lie
'Cause I'm tired of the fake love, show me what you're made of
Boy, make me believe"

Adam stood there looking like a proud Dad after I sang and our group looked at me bewildered. Yeah yeah I get it I don't have a terrible voice. I got it from my Mom...

"But hold up, girl, don't you know you're beautiful?
And it's easy to see"

I turned to him as we sang the chorus smiling as we sang together.

"If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be

So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me
See where this thing goes
So, c'mon ride with me, ride with me
Baby, if it's meant to be Maybe we do
Maybe we don't
Maybe we will
Maybe we won't But if it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, just let it be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be (c'mon)
Baby, just let it be (let's go)
So, won't you ride with me, ride with me?
See where this thing goes
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be
If it's meant to be, it'll be, it'll be
Baby, if it's meant to be"

Me and Adam stood on the stage for a bit and I started laughing when he took my hand and we did a dramatic bow. Going to back to the table everyone stared at me like I'd grown another head,

"What," I asked brows furrowed,

"Nothing you just didn't tell us your voice was so pretty!" I laughed as I sat down at Megan's comment,

"Well if I did I'd sound conceited and I don't usually sing," they all laughed and we spent the rest of the night goofing off and them trying to make me sing again.