Chapter 11

Diana spent the remainder of the night strategizing about her conversation with Cellie, contemplating how to convey that she was neither Hannah nor Barbara, and that there was no need for their respective Teams to prove anything. Both were participants in equestrian sports, recognized in international competitions and within the Stargate Equestrian program, so undermining each other was pointless. It wasn't until Diana settled down for a brief rest to rise early and check on Beatrix before her morning class that she realized Chloe had completely slipped her mind.

She had stayed late at the barn with Beatrix. Her schooling session with Miss Meridien had dragged on, with the instructor insisting she re-do a line repeatedly ("You look great, but I think we could work on that lower leg a bit more over those fences," she had said), long after Hannah and Barbara were done and night began to cloak Stargate Equestrian. Diana didn't mind. She was accustomed to it; "one more time" never really meant just once when it came to riding instructors.

By the time she returned to the barn to brush Beatrix and perform her post-ride checks for any issues, the school grounds were enveloped in darkness. Only one person was still riding in the Jumper arena, and the floodlights illuminated the space between the Hunter and Dressage arenas like a stadium.

She led Beatrix from the cross ties, gently nudging the mare away from her box and out onto the open lawn between the barns, the central lane, and the arenas. Diana's routine included letting Beatrix graze after intense workouts; it was their special time together, free from riding or standing on hard surfaces. Guarding her mare as she contentedly grazed was one of Diana's favorite ways to bond.

As Beatrix lowered her long neck to sift through the grass, Diana's eyes wandered to the arena where a lone rider caught her interest.

It was Cellie.

And she was jumping.

That was unusual. Cellie wasn't known for jumping, nor was her pony from what Diana could tell. Plus, being in the jumper arena was typically reserved for the Show Jumping team. Maybe Cellie had gotten special permission?

Regardless, Diana found it both odd... and intriguing.

Standing by her mare's withers, Diana gently scratched Beatrix's shoulder while watching Cellie and Chariot navigate jumps with surprising finesse. Though Cellie's form wasn't perfect—her knee drifted too far forward and her hips closed a bit too much over fences—it wasn't bad overall, especially considering she rode a pony. Ponies have a different balance point than regular horses, making them trickier to ride.

Chariot seemed confident and enthusiastic, approaching each jump at perfect distances with ears perked forward, seamlessly clearing verticals and oxers with effortless grace.

She noticed a shadow moving down the lane, slipping through the fence rails to approach the cheerful rider. The rider, who had just halted her small pony and was hugging its neck, was instantly recognizable to Diana as Miss Carmichael. This kind and gentle woman, young but exceptionally knowledgeable, would surely treat Cellie with kindness. Diana continued to observe discreetly, following the mare as she moved through patches of grass, snorting quietly in the evening air.

Eventually, Miss Carmichael parted ways with Cellie and walked back up the lane. She waved at Diana and cheerfully greeted her with a "Hello, Miss Hitchens!" before disappearing into the stable behind them.

Diana turned her attention back to Beatrix, watching as the mare nibbled at the grass and feeling momentarily intrusive for observing Cellie and Chariot. But soon the sound of horseshoes drew her gaze back.

Cellie had already removed Chariot's bridle, placing the girth across the saddle. The small chestnut pony followed her owner obediently, eyes solely on the girl who walked ahead with hands in her hoodie pockets, never looking back. They shared an unspoken understanding.

"Hey, Cellie," Diana found herself saying before she could stop.

Cellie paused, lifting her eyes from the pavement to meet Diana's gaze where she stood beside Beatrix. She said nothing, just frowned and sighed heavily before moving forward again. Chariot hesitated briefly, then resumed trailing behind Cellie with a soft snort towards Beatrix.

Diana tugged Beatrix's head up from a patch of grass she was reluctant to leave and joined Cellie in the middle of the lane, walking alongside her.

"I understand if you don't want to talk to me," Diana began, her eyes shifting away from Cellie to focus on the stable's warm light ahead. "But I wanted to apologize for my teammates' behavior."

"Seriously?"

Cellie stopped abruptly, bringing Chariot to a halt as well. Her brown eyes locked onto Diana's taller figure. "It's not like you did anything to stop them. Just standing by gives you some responsibility for their actions."

Diana's frown stopped Beatrix in her tracks. The mare leaned in, sniffing Chariot's neck. "It's quite irresponsible to allow a teammate to douse someone with a pitcher of beer," she retorted.

"I had no idea she would—"

"Just like I didn't foresee them doing that to you," Diana snapped. She straightened up and resumed leading Beatrix as Cellie approached. "If that's what's bothering you, I'm genuinely sorry I didn't know my friends would act so immaturely."

"Fine," Cellie muttered. "Then I apologize on Amanda's behalf for being unpredictable."

"That's not the point—" Diana sighed, realizing it was useless to argue. She needed Cellie's goodwill, not her disdain. "Regardless," Diana said, shutting her eyes briefly, "I won't tolerate any disrespect towards you or your team from my side. If such a thing happens, please inform me so I can handle it appropriately."

Cellie paused again, the barn's amber light casting a glow on her face and making her brown eyes gleam as they met Diana's. "Prove it."

Diana arched an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Show me you're not just a bunch of jerks, then maybe we'll talk. Until then, my team will defend themselves however they see fit."

Diana stared back, taken aback by the fierce determination in Cellie's gaze. It was intense and unwavering—enough to earn Diana's respect for the feisty rider.

Finally, Diana cleared her throat. "Alright," she conceded. "That sounds fair."

Cellie nodded, an amused smirk playing at her lips. "Alright then. See you later, Hitchens."

The use of her last name stung; it was a sharp reminder of all the expectations hanging over her every day. Was Cellie taking cues from Amanda? Get it together, Diana.

"You know," Diana hesitated, trying to muster a non-sarcastic compliment despite her naturally flat tone, "you two looked great jumping."

"Oh." Cellie's gaze dropped momentarily before she responded. "Thanks. She used to be a jumper, so I let her enjoy it sometimes."

Diana nodded, feeling the sweat on her palm against the lead rope as she guided Beatrix away. Her blue eyes fixed on the mare's front hoof as she added softly, "She's a very fortunate little pony." With that, she walked off toward her own stable without another word.