Page 146 of Akarnae

“Please,” D.C. snorted. “I could go up against Sparkie and his pet Bear with my eyes closed andstillcome out on top.”

“That’s great and all,” Alex said, “but here’s another idea. Why don’t you demonstrate the politeness you lectured me about last night and put on your nice-girl personality for a change? I know you have one—even if it is buried deep,deep, down.”

D.C. scrunched her face up but nodded in resignation. “All right. But only because I know they mean so much to you. And only if they behave themselves.”

Alex patted her on the shoulder. “They will.”

Together they walked over to the table where the boys had saved them both seats.

“Morning!” Alex said brightly as she ordered the first thing on her menu, so hungry that she didn’t care what she ate.

An uncomfortable silence surrounded them, and Alex didn’t know how to change it. She nudged D.C.’s rigid frame, encouraging her to relax.

Her roommate sighed quietly and then leaned forward, placing her elbows on the table. “Did you guys watch the last Warriors’ game?”

Instantly the tension around them disappeared as Jordan, Bear and D.C. launched into a passionate discussion about some kind of sporting event. Alex had no idea what they were talking about, but she couldn’t keep the smile off her face as her closest friends began to bond.

Alex was on her way to her Combat class after lunch when Professor Marmaduke approached her.

“Miss Jennings, I’ve been made aware that you may have developed your gift, is that correct?”

Alex tried to ignore the ‘finally’ that was practically screaming from the older woman and said, “Yes, Professor.”

“Excellent,” Marmaduke replied. “If you’ll come with me, I’ll give you your exam. Better late than never, and this way you won’t have to repeat my class next term.”

Alex looked at the woman before glancing at the Arena. Karter would kill her if he heard she’d skipped out on his class.

Marmaduke noticed her indecision and said, “I’ve spoken with the headmaster and he’s cleared it with Karter. You’re exempt from today’s class.”

Reassured, Alex followed Marmaduke back to her classroom where the professor tested her control. It was almost as if her gift was making up for lost time because, after an hour, Marmaduke was sweating with the effort of trying to use her own gift to break through Alex’s mind and manipulate her or even just read her, but to no avail.

The only part of the exam that actually involved Alex doing anything was in the final hour when the professor asked Alex to try anduseher gift. At first, Alex didn’t understand what she meant, but then she thought about how Gammy could outwardly share her peace with others. Alex wondered if perhaps one day she would be able to do the same sort of thing. After an hour of trying, it washerwho was sweating, with no results to show from her effort.

“Well, it’s something to practise, at least,” Marmaduke said as they finished up. “Something to work towards.”

Alex didn’t even know if it was possible, but she promised she would continue to try and develop it.

When Marmaduke finally released her, Alex had to run to her dorm so that she could get changed for her Equestrian Skills class. By the time she arrived at the stables she was almost late for her lesson, but she was saved by D.C. who had tacked up Fiddle for her already.

“You’re the best,” Alex panted, having sprinted the entire way.

“I know,” D.C. said, handing the reins over.

It was one of the best Equestrian Skills classes yet, with Tayla leading them all out on an end-of-year trail ride through the forest. Alex and D.C. rode side by side, talking and laughing for the entire ride.

When they finally arrived back at the stables and finished seeing to their horses, Alex had one more thing she had to do before going on holidays.

“You go ahead,” she told D.C. “I’ll be along in a moment.”

Her roommate looked at her knowingly. “What’s with you and that pony?”

“He’s just… adorable,” Alex said. “I’ll feel bad if I don’t say goodbye.”

“Fine, fine,” D.C. said, laughing. “I’ll meet you back at the dorm.”

It wasn’t hard for Alex to find Monster, but itwashard to say goodbye to the shaggy little pony. It took a while—and his entire body weight in apples—before he stopped head-butting her and allowed her to leave without following. She would miss the little guy, no matter where she was over the summer. But she promised him that one way or another, she would do her best to find her way back to him.

And Alex always kept her promises.

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