A Winning Gift by Catherine Hapka

trouble.

    â€œHey!” Bridget hurried up to Maddie’s locker. “You going to the barn today?”
    Maddie looked up from trying to shove her science book into her already-crowded locker. Pushing a strand of dark hair out of her face, she nodded.
    â€œI’m going,” she said. “And believe me, I really need some pony time today.”
    Bridget peered at her. “Is something wrong? You look cranky.”
    â€œI am cranky.” Maddie finally got the book in. Slamming the door shut before the other books could decide to stage an escape, she turned to face her friend. “I’m pretty sure I blew my math quiz today.”
    â€œReally?” Bridget didn’t sound very interested. “Well, it’s just one quiz, right?”
    â€œTell that to my parents.” Maddie rolled her eyes. “Every quiz is like the SATs to them.”
    Bridget laughed. “And people call me dramatic? Seriously, Mads, your grades are great. Especially in math, right? Your parents aren’t going to freak out over one bad quiz.”
    Maddie just shrugged, not bothering to argue. Besides, maybe Bridget was right. Oh, not about Maddie’s parents—they were complete and utter freaks when it came to grades.
    But maybe this time it didn’t matter so much. After all, she’d be leaving this school very soon. And who knew what her classes in England would be like. Did they even have the same kind of math over there? Probably not, since they did everything in pounds instead of dollars and meters instead of yards.
    â€œWhat?” Bridget leaned closer, peering into her face again. “Are you sure it’s just a quiz that’s bothering you? You look really weird.”
    Maddie opened her mouth, tempted once more to tell her friend what was going on. Then she shut her mouth again and shook her head.
    â€œI’m fine,” she said. “Like I said, I’m just craving some Cloudy time.”
    â€œCool. So can I tag along again?” Bridget fell into step beside Maddie as she headed down the hall.
    â€œSure, I guess.” Maddie glanced at her. “Today’s my group lesson with Vic and Val, though. So there might not be time for a pony ride.”
    â€œA group lesson?” Bridget looked intrigued. “Do you have to be, you know, pretty experienced to be in that?”
    â€œNot really,” Maddie said. “Ms. Emerson believes in mixing different levels together in group lessons whenever she can. That way the less experienced riders can watch the better ones and—wait a minute. Why are you asking?”
    Bridget grinned and shrugged. “My ride on Cloudy was fun yesterday. I was thinking maybe I should learn more about riding.” She poked Maddie in the arm. “Not that you’re not a fabulous teacher. But a real lesson could be cool.”
    â€œNo, it’s okay.” Maddie’s foul mood drifted away, and she started grinning, hardly daring to believe what she was hearing. “Ms. Emerson is a way better teacher than me. So wait, are you serious? You want to join our lesson?”
    â€œIf you don’t mind.”
    â€œMind? Are you crazy?” Maddie laughed. “I’ve only been telling you for a year and a half how much fun riding is! Of course I’m psyched that you’re finally catching on!”
    â€œCool.” Bridget looked pleased. “And check it out—I even wore boots today.”
    She stopped and waggled one foot, which was encased in a stylish suede calf-high boot. Maddie smiled, though now that the surprise was wearing off, she was starting to feel slightly queasy. It was super-amazing that one of her best friends had discovered the joy of riding—thanks to the most wonderful pony in the world, of course. It would be fun having Bridget around the barn, showing her the ropes and watching her bond with Cloudy and the other ponies.
    At least for the next couple of months. Because