Dancing in the Oaks

Jeez, Ain't this a Drama Fest?

The rest of the rodeo was super fun. The bull riding was so good it was painful. Guys got thrown off and onto the ground. I couldn't help but feel one of the rider's, Mason's, pain. It hurt too much. The bull stepped on his arm and left it broken. I guess that's the risk they take. It was so crazy, but well worth going.

I realized that they were having a brief intermission for 30 minutes. My friends started talking to me again. "You alright Norah? Still worrying 'bout Nick?" Miranda asked. Would she just leave me alone! I sighed and took a deep breath, so deep in fact, that people could hear it over a mile away.

"You know, this may seem like a total dumb response. I already have enough to deal with. I have nightmares every night. I see the fire. I see the knife. I see made up scenes of people hurting people. The last thing I need right now is for y'all to make fun of me because of some guy. Oh please just stop." I wanted to cry, but couldn't show emotion. "I just have enough. Coming here was hard enough. It's hard for me to go places now. It's even hard to stay at home. Please, just give me a break! I cannot deal with it anymore right now. This just hurts me too much"

She gave me a dead stare. "Oh" was all Miranda could say.

"Hey we're gonna go find Liam and Jason. We'll be back unless you wanna come."

"Who's Jason?" I asked.

"Oh he's my crush. The guy that took third." Miranda repeated.

"Sorry it's just that I don't really go out around other people. I don't know what is happening anymore." I rubbed my eyes. "I'll just get up and walk around for a minute. I wanna see the horses."

"Okay. Just come back to where we sat." They got up and left.

I grabbed my black purse and undid the top button on my plaid shirt because it was choking me. I put on my black cover coat and walked over to the horse stalls. The first horse that caught my eye was a brown and white mare. I couldn't help but just stare at it. The horse was beautiful. I could not believe the colors in the spots. While I kept walking I felt like someone was following me. Each time I looked back there wasn't no one there. I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. Immediately I turned my head around. "Oh my gosh Nick! Please don't sneak up on me like that!" I gave him a tight hug. "You did so good Nick!" I started to cry and fall apart. I always hate when I do that because I don't want him to see me as a mess.

"Hey Norah. I'm sorry about that. Couldn't resist. Why are you crying? Are you alright?" He continued to hug me against his jet black uniform. His uniform reminded me of the same one that Jess Lockwood wore to his PBR events. I used to have a small crush on him when I was younger. I was fifteen years old when I first liked him. I don't anymore since I have Nick. Looking back, that was a cheesy mess. Nick is so much cuter. It looks a lot better on Nick for sure.

"It's just you did so good. I'm so proud of you and Jayxon. I'm so happy." My tears stained his uniform.

"Here." He took my hand and placed it on a metal cuff bracelet.

I looked at it. It said: Norah Jean and Stryd On the other side off to the right it said: Love Nick "oh my! It's so pretty Nick. Thank you! I love it and I have something to say to you."

"What's that?" He walked me over to stall number 12, which was where Jayxon peeked over the gate. "Tell me. Don't hesitate." His southern accent drove me crazy.

"First, I'm so sorry for not talking to you for the past three days. I've been having a lot of bad dreams. It's not comfortable for me to leave the house. I've missed you so much. I just had a two day mental breakdown. Trust me, you would never wanna see me like that. Okay so I've been wondering how to say this, but... I think... no I don't think..." I struggled to find words to say. "I am so grateful for you Nick. I'd be dead if it wasn't for ya. I like you Nick. In fact I love you... I cannot forget about our nice little kisses the other day. I really appreciate that. It was so nice." When I couldn't say no more he gave me a tight hug.