When We Were Young

This one is gonna hurt

"Oh hell no you aren't putting that damn thing on me!" I screamed as I was being held to a gurney at the hospital. " Miss Merriweather you need to calm down or we'll have to sedate you." I continued to thrash around before I felt like I was floating. "I'm sorry Miss, you were warned." A far-away voice said and before I knew it I was asleep.

"We're so sorry for our granddaughter, she's trying to adjust to a new style of life." I thought I heard come from my Memaw, slowly I opened my eyes, and my arm felt heavy as I tried to lift it. Reveling a bright pink casted forearm. "What happened?" I croaked as I sat up slightly. "Good morning sleeping beauty," Papa said as he kissed my forehead. "You broke your arm in three places and unfortunately we had to sedate you to cast you." I was reading the doctor's name tag as he was speaking. "Now you'll have to wear this for the next six to eight weeks, it will itch but do not! Stick anything inside of your cast the skin will be sweaty and easily prone to cuts and infection, and it seems like you have enough scars. Do not get it wet when you shower or take a bath. Wrap it in a bag or plastic wrap. Any questions?" I shook my head and was helped out of the bed and into a wheelchair. "Oh and before I forget, Mr. Merriweather she is not permitted to be lifting with her arm, in or out of cast until she is done with physical therapy." I watched as everyone nodded and I was wheeled out of the hospital.

"Now Alex tomorrow you and me can go shopping like I promised to get school clothes and supplies. And don't worry about Emma her mother came and got her after we left." Memaw said from the front seat of Papa's truck. I just nodded as I looked out the window. "Memaw can I dye my hair?" She turned to look at me through the side mirror and just slightly nodded. "Let's start with streaks and if you like it we can do more." I nodded and kept looking out the window.

Once we got home I just ran to my room and grabbed my laptop. I opened Youtube again and started playing music while going through some of my things to start permanently putting things away. "One final fight for this tonight." I sang quietly as I was folding clothes the best I could with one arm. Knock knock I looked at my door and just ignored it. "With knives and pens, we made our plight." I continued to sing. Knock knock "Alex can I come in?" I was taken aback by the voice and just stood there. "I'm changing just tell me through the door." I started to panic because I didn't recognize the voice right away. I heard an audible sigh before the person spoke. "Your grandpa asked me to get you so you could watch us with the haybales since that was your job. Also before you ask it's Dalton I'll see you outside." Before I could answer I heard footsteps walking away from my door.

Rolling my eyes I grabbed a jacket and headed outside. "Papa why couldn't you tell the boys how to do the hay." I groaned as I walked out the door, I heard him chuckle as I was walking towards the hay shed. "No, I'm telling you Emma barely shoved her and we all heard the arm snap. I mean yeah she's cute but like I'm a toad so like I don't think I have a shot." I could tell it was Dalton talking. I knocked on the door as I made my grand appearance. "Hi boys, I'm Alex and typically I do the hay but as we can see." I gesture to my arm, "Looks like one of you is taking that over." The boys wave and start their introductions. "I'm Andrew and I'm in charge of the livestock and that's my brother Ryan he tends to the crops and helps me." I wave at the other two boys. "And I'm Dalton but you knew that already, I typically help the old man with the yard work or other odd jobs, looks like I'm taking over for you." I just nodded and looked around again. "I don't know why all of you are here so if you have other things to tend to get to it." Ryan and Andrew nodded before patting Dalton on the back. "Good luck with the spitfire," Ryan said as he shut the door. I chuckled and leaned against the door frame. "Why the hell are you laughing?" Dalton looked at me puzzled as he leaned down to grab a bail. "Oh because I heard you guys talking before I came in." He just chuckled and tossed it to the side. "So a few things to learn now that you're staying around." I looked at him confused and grabbed my phone from my pocket. "Okay so teach me." I bit the inside of my cheek so I wouldn't come off as cocky. "Well first things first, the school here is a bitch so stay by me and you'll be fine." He never looked up from the hay he was throwing. "Secondly, learn how we talk, easiest way to be bullied and singled out is sounding the way you do." I nearly dropped my phone when a small bale hit the ground two feet from me. "Are you paying attention?" I just nodded and put my phone away. "And don't worry about Emma at school, she's friends with my ex so she won't be around us much." I nodded again. "So what I'm hearing is, don't talk unless I learn certain pronunciations, and don't be a loner?" I raised an eyebrow at him as he dusted his hands on his jeans.

"Or be a loner and only come to me if there's an issue, I start football in a few days so I won't be around much. Oh, and avoid Andrew and Ryan if there isn't someone else around." I just nodded.

"So this is done, what to double check I did it right?" I could tell in his voice something was off. "You okay there?" I questioned as I walked around the small shed to count the number of bales stacked around. "Yeah, I'm fine, but I can't tell what this feeling is you know?" I turned to look at him as he took my spot on the wall. Sitting down on a lone bale and looking at him. I finally caught a glimpse of his face, his features, and behind his glasses a glimpse of his baby blues. "You missed one, but what do you mean?" I felt my heart jump to my throat as he pushed himself off the wall. I watched as he walked, he made himself seem taller than he was, the way his hair brushed against his forehead, and how some hairs clung to his forehead with sweat. He stopped in front of me and crouched down. "How I got lucky to work here this summer and found someone as beautiful as you I guess." That caused my heart to beat fast enough to kill a horse, the sound could deafen a room as he got closer. "How no matter how long you've been in the sun you're still as pale as snow. How you always seem to keep your hair in a braid and never have to fix it. And how easily I could lose time looking into your eyes." I tried to move so I had some space between us and he leaned in closer to whisper. "If you want me to finish this job, you need to move your fine ass before I move you myself." I could tell I was the color of a cooked crab but I couldn't seem to move. I could feel his arms brushing against mine, wrapping himself around me. Before I knew it, I was above the ground and he had me securely in his arms. "I knew you weren't that heavy." He let out a deep chuckle before putting me down. "Um, I have legs I could've moved if you let me." I was at a loss of words and Dalton just moved the last bale of hay. "Yeah, I know but I wanted to know if I had feelings or if it's just hormones you know?" I was confused but just nodded. "And besides, I could tell you weren't going to move." He chuckled again before walking out of the shed, leaving me there dumbstruck, did I have feelings? No, I just met him today. But maybe I could, no Alex once he sees who you really are he'll hate you.

"Brain shut up, no one will see the cuts or scars it's fine." Once the words left my mouth I realized I was really alone. I really hope feelings are mutual on this, because if not...This one is gonna hurt.