Back in the Saddle

An Intriguing Idea

Karl's POV:

I sit in the concession stand, bored out of my mind and waiting for it to be time to open. The car ride here was more boring than normal, though Alex was his usual peppy self. I just wasn't interested in joining in their conversation.

Alex and Clay are really funny when they're the only two talking: it's always sort of passive aggressive and they get deep into whatever it is they're talking about. This morning, they were going on about which one of them could throw a better party, which got competitive quickly. Naturally, Alex is the one who I feel would be better at throwing parties, mostly because of how easygoing he is. Clay would be too concerned about something being broken to let us have a good time.

But of course I didn't say this, because I wanted to see where the argument would get them.

It still has yet to be settled, so for now, I'm still just chilling in the concession stand, waiting for something to happen. If the day doesn't pick up soon, I might just leave, because what's the point of being here if I don't have an actual job to do.

"Karl, stop moping," Hannah says. "I know you're bored but we have like thirty minutes till we open, go do something else!"

"Really? I don't have to stay here?"

"Sure, I don't care. As long as you're back in time to open, because I am not dealing with rush hour on a Friday alone."

"Deal," I say, taking off my gloves and apron and going out the back door. "I'll see you later. Thanks Hannah! Love you!"

"Yeah whatever," she laughs, rolling her eyes.

I go straight to the stables, where I assume Alex and Clay will be, but I'm disappointed when they're not there. Figuring that they're out practicing for the competition they have tomorrow, I'm about to head back to the concession stand when I hear Ranboo's voice calling me over to Oreo's stall.

I walk over to it, peering inside to see the black haired boy by the horse's hooves, putting her horseshoes on. He looks up at me and flashes a smile before going back to what he was doing.

"Did you need something?" I ask, leaning my arms on the door.

"Not really: I could just use some company. From the looks of it, you do too. What's got you looking so distraught?"

"Distraught? I'm not distraught," I scoff and he gives me a side eye. "I mean I'm bored, but that's not the same thing. Believe it or not, working at a concession stand isn't exactly the most thrilling job in the world." He nods in understanding. "Say, do you have a job Ranboo? Or do you just spend all your time here?"

"Yes, I have a job," he answers, smiling to himself. "I work at a computer store. It's only part time, though, 'cuz I'm also in college for cinematography."

"Really? Toby didn't tell me that. Actually, I have a question." He hums, prompting me to continue. "Did you... always know what you wanted to major in? Or was it, like, something you grew used to the idea of."

"Um, it was a bit of both, I guess? I always knew I wanted to do something in the film/editing field--I even had a fairly popular youtube channel for a while--but it took some time till I discovered what major would be best for me and the job I wanted to pursue. Why do you ask? Weren't you in college for a lot longer than me?"

"Well, yeah, but I got kicked out, remember? It may have been because of personal reasons, but I wasn't upset about it because I didn't like my major. I wanted to do something in the computer industry, I knew that already, but I apparently didn't choose the right one because I hated it."

"What was it?"

"Computer engineering."

"Yeesh, I've heard that that's difficult. Interesting but difficult."