People Talk

01

The smell of fresh pine was overwhelming. I could feel myself growing sick with each passing second. I didn't know if it was from missing home or that blasted smell.

I wandered aimlessly in the empty house. The only noise to fill the emptiness was my dad directing the movers. I turned my attention from the dining-room window to my dad. I watched as he approached me, exhaustion painted all over his face.

"If the boxes say kitchen, you'd think they'd put them in the kitchen, not the freaking bathroom!" He groaned.

I pursed my lips, nodding silently before returning my concentration back out of the window.

"Come on, Eden. It's not that bad! Why don't you go out and explore a bit? Be back in 30? I can have pizza waiting for you when you get back."

I sighed in annoyance but ultimately agreed. More for his sake then my own. I'd been trying my best not to give him such a hard time after mom had left him so suddenly. You'd think 15 years and a kid later would mean something. But to her, I guess it didn't.

It hurt a lot more than I let on to be my own mother's second choice, but you have to keep going, right?

I decided I wouldn't make this walk anymore miserable than it had to be. I started off on the dirt road, putting my earbuds into my ear and turning on the first song I had downloaded.

Safe In Your Skin by Title Fight.

Only a few moments later, I found myself in front of a open gate connected to a fence that wrapped a long way around. There was no sign to prevent me from entering and out of curiosity, I did. The surrounding area of the gate was engulfed in trees, but as I walked inside, the trees dispersed.

There was open fields as far as the eye could see. In the distance, there was a large corn field in front of an old ranch house. The further I walked, I noticed cattle spread throughout the land.

Being born in the city and never living anywhere else -up until now- I had honestly never been on a farm. Or even seen a cow in person.

As I approached one eating grass, I was met with a touch from behind, I immediately jumped in surprise. As I spun around, I wasn't met with another human, but a large golden dog.

I sighed in relief before pulling an earbud out. The dog's tail wagged eagerly.

"Hey buddy! What's your name?" I asked, bending down to pet him. I kneeled in front of the dog and searched for a tag. I found the small metal tag, "Sadie," I smiled as I began petting her. "Do you live here?" I questioned in that high pitched voice you use to talk to babies. And dogs.

"She does." A voice behind me added.

I jumped from the dog, spinning around so fast I felt dizzy. My heart pounded rapidly.

"Haven't seen you around. You new?" The voice had come from a boy. He looked to be my age, maybe even older judging by his height and toned build.

His hair was dirty blond with more frizz than curls. And his eyes. They were so captivating. I found myself getting lost in his big baby blue eyes. As he stared at me, a small smile appeared on his lips.

"You talk?" He chuckled. The more he said, the more I could hear how thick of a southern accent he truly had.

"Y-yeah," I stuttered out, "I just moved in down the road." I pointed back down where I came from.

"What are you doing out here? You didn't see the no trespassing sign?" The blond haired boy continued with a cocked brow.

"No! There wasn't one out that way. It was just open and I-I'm sorry, I was just being nosy. I've never really had the opportunity to just explore so it's just," The boy stared down at me with a look in those baby blue eyes that I just couldn't seem to read. Admiration maybe? All the while that smirk remained on his lips. "..different." I continued.

"Sorry I ramble when I get nervous." I chuckled awkwardly, fidgeting with skin around my fingers.

"You have nothing to be nervous about," He held his hand out to introduce himself, "Dallas Kramer." I took his calloused hand in my own, laughing.

"What like Texas?"

"I guess," Dallas laughed, retracting his hand and shoving it into his front pocket. "This is the part where you tell me your name."

"Oh! Yeah, I'm Eden." Now it was Dallas' turn to laugh. I furrowed my brows in confusion but it didn't make my smile disappear.

"I've never heard a name like that before! Let me guess you're from some big city, right?"

I bit my lip, crossing my arms over my chest. "New York," He shook his head proudly.

"City folk always got those real unique names."

"Well I've never heard of anyones name being Dallas," I retorted.

He shrugged, "Never been in the south then."

We both laughed as a another sound filled the air. A soft ringing bell came from the house. We turned and in the distance I could barley see an older woman ringing a bell attached to the porch pillar.

Sadie's tail began to wag rapidly once more, she barked a few times at Dallas, attempting to pull him along.

"Go ahead girl. I'm coming," He whispered, patting her before she took off running to the house.

"Close the gate when you leave, will ya?" He winked, immediately making me grow hot. I nodded as I turned to leave.

"It was nice to have met you, City Boy. Hope to see you around!" Dallas called after me.

I laughed, "Nice to have met you too, Texas!"

I continued walking as I heard Dallas burst into a fit of laughter at the name. Once I reached the gate, I pulled it closed and it clicked shut.