Home for Christmas Read Free Page B

hallway to the right. So come find us when you’re done.”
    â€œThanks so much, LT,” Khloe said. “This is a great room.”
    â€œAgreed,” Clare said.
    â€œI think Lexa would say the same,” I said, laughing. Lexa had plopped on top of the daybed and was stretched out, her face buried in the pillow. She mumbled something unintelligible.
    Smiling, I left my friends, and Carina followed me to my room.
    â€œThat’s my sister Becca’s room,” I said, pointing. “Andthis one is Charlotte’s—my oldest sister. My parents’ room is on the first floor.”
    â€œAre your sisters going to be here?” Carina asked.
    â€œYes. Becca’s only two years older than me, so she lives here. She’ll be home later today. Charlotte is at college, but she’s coming home for break. She’s flying home on Tuesday.”
    We reached my room, and I pushed open the half-closed door.
    â€œLauren!” Carina said. “Oh, wow !”
    I couldn’t stop the feeling of pride that built in my chest. Only Ana and Brielle had been in my room before. It was a huge relief that at least one of my Canterwood friends liked it.
    We put down our bags and Carina wandered around, looking. “Did you decorate this yourself?” Carina asked.
    â€œYep,” I said. “I like soft colors and clean lines. Kind of classic American in my favorite color—pale blue.”
    A floor-length mirror was framed in twisted metal painted ivory. Icy-blue velvet curtains were drawn back from my windows. My bed had one of my favorite comforters—a soft white with flower outlines stitched in blue. A white ladder bookcase rested along one wall next to my desk.
    Along the wall near the bathroom door was the second daybed—this one had the same white metal frame and a micro-fleece lavender comforter and a stack of pillows.
    â€œThis is the closet,” I said, tapping on the door. “Please use it so you’re not living out of a suitcase.” I flipped on a light. “And this is our bathroom.”
    Carina poked her head inside. “It’s so chic! This is totally you, Lauren.”
    â€œThanks!”
    The bathroom had alternating white and blue towels hanging off a rack. A plush suede chair was tucked under a low part of the counter, where I usually did my hair and makeup. The shower curtains, ones I’d been thrilled to find, were blue-and-white pinstriped.
    â€œIt’ll be so fun with you in here,” I said. “But if you don’t want to be in this room or if you want to bond with the girls by staying in the guest room, it won’t hurt my feelings.”
    Carina gave me a tiny smile. “Honestly? I was a little intimidated with the idea of staying with the others, since I do know you better. I adore your room and am so happy in here!”
    â€œYay!” I said. “Want to unpack so that’s over?”
    Carina nodded and with that, we unzipped oursuitcases and clothes started flying into the closet. We had just finished when Khloe, Lexa, and Clare walked into my room.
    They added how much they liked my style, and before my ego exploded, I suggested we go downstairs for snacks and a tour of the rest of the house. I could barely contain my excitement—this was going way better than I’d hoped! And Ana and Brielle weren’t even here yet.

4
CANTERWOOD, MEET BRIAR CREEK
    Sasha
    I WOKE UP WAAAY TOO early the next morning, but I was too excited to sleep! It felt a little strange to wake up at home instead of in the dorm room that I shared with Brit at Canterwood.
    I was taking my friends to Briar Creek this morning. Everyone would get to meet Kim and see my old stable. Nerves stabbed my stomach. All of my friends knew that I’d started at a tiny stable, but they hadn’t seen it. Would they think less of me after we went to BC?
    No, I told myself, rolling over on my side. Callie was sound asleep on an air