Picture Perfect

Chapter 9: City Boys and Horses

          "Well, this is fun so far," Troy says walking into the stables to find Deagan petting the horses.

          "I'm sorry about that back there."

          "Its fine, I understand why you left. There's nothing around here."

          "Have you ever ridden a horse?"

          "Nope, I've never been around a horse before."

          "You want to go ride? Get away from here for a little bit?"

          "Uh yeah sure I can give it a try," Troy smiles a little, sliding his hands in his pockets as he can't help but feel a bit nervous since he's never been on a horse before.

          After helping Troy and giving him some tips and pointers, they head out for a short ride. Riding horses has always come naturally to Deagan, going out after her chores were done or after class was always on the agenda. This being the only thing she misses. Pulling herself out of her daydreaming, she looks over at Troy looking uncomfortable, giggling internally.

          They head back to Deagan's parents, getting the horses in the stables. They walk back into her parents' house, Deagan hearing Jesse mention party and baby all in the same sentence.

          "Baby?" Deagan asks walking into the kitchen to get a bottle of water.

          "Yeah, my girlfriend and I are having a baby."

          "Really?" Smiling big, "congratulations!" hugging him tightly.

          "Thanks, we have a baby shower tomorrow."

          "What do you guys need?"

          "I don't know, we've got some stuff and Chase is making us a crib. I'll have to ask Amanda."

          "Do you know what you're having?" Deagan asks, hearing Chase's name.

          "A girl."

          "I'll get you some stuff," Deagan winks at Jesse.

          Jesse nods, happy Deagan is making an effort to be an aunt.

                                  

          After dinner, Deagan and Troy get ready for bed since its been a long day for them both. The two don't stay awake for very long, falling asleep about 10 minutes after hitting the pillow.

           Looking over at the clock, it reads 1:32 am, Deagan carefully goes downstairs to get a glass of water. Getting down to the bottom of the stairs, the front door opens as Emma walks through.

          "I'm surprised you're still here," Emma says shutting the door softly behind her.

           "Will you cut the crap Emma."

          "I'm being honest." With that Deagan rolls her eyes as she walks to the kitchen to get her water, Emma following behind. "Deagan you were my best friend, and we all thought that there might be a chance you wouldn't go after you met Chase. Then all of a sudden a week after your graduation you found a place and you were gone. How would you feel?"

          "I wanted to leave here Emma. I didn't want to live in this town. I wanted to move to the city. I wanted to be a model. I'm doing that. I'm happy."

          "Don't you get it? We're all happy for you but you left all of us here, and there were no visits, no phone calls, nothing."

          Rolling her eyes, Deagan grabs her glass of water and makes her way back into the room quietly, shutting the door. Troy on his stomach shirtless, still asleep, Deagan walks in. She can't help but shake her head as she replays what Emma said to her. She can't believe her sister doesn't get it, living in Franklin, Tennessee is not where Deagan wants to be. After finishing the water, she sets the empty glass down and climbs back into the bed with Troy.