Born to Ride

Chapter 16

The door to the fridge slams shut as I pour myself some orange juice, startling me.  "Arizona!" I scold her. "Do you have to make so much noise?" Being my sister, she knows how to push me. 

"You've been riding on very thin ice, maybe the scare will knock some sense into you." She pours herself a pot of coffee. "How are you feeling? Ready for today?" Even if she is mad at me, I can see she still cares for me. 

Today. I love to ride. I always have, but this week has been a disaster. When Bonnie decides to show, Clover is here. I've been swamped going left and right. I have been distracted and with Bonnie around I didn't get enough training done. Getting through today is of the most importance. I am going for gold. I address Arizona's question, "Where's Clover?"

"You mean where's Bonnie?" She gives me a duh face. 

"Arizona." I already feel guilty about Clover, why does she have to make me feel worse? 

"Chill out, I didn't tell her about your completion." She finishes her cup of coffee and heads to her room. 

Nervousness is something I wish doctors would find a cure for. No matter how many times I go through these competitions, they always seem to overwhelm me. This one in particular is very unsettling. I didn't tell Clover to show up, so there is no possible way that she would come. Not to mention, I have no idea where she is exactly. Same old Clover she leaves when she wants and shows up when she feels like it. No way Bonnie and Clover will ever encounter each other. 

The livestock shows are always a hit, and people from nearby towns, including cities always make their way over to look at the animals and the rodeo. I walk with Bonnie through the crowd until I reach the restricted area and kiss her cheek goodbye. I head over to where my dad is waiting for me. 

"How are you feeling champ?" My father hands me a water bottle. 

"The tingles never wear out." I let out nervous laughter as I hand him the water bottle back. Riding is my passion, and like people say do what you love and you'll never work a day in your life. No matter how many times or how long I have been bull riding the sensation is always the same. This time it's different. Clover used to always come to my competitions before she moved away. As toddlers, we were brought here making it our second home. But now Bonnie's here. She's never excited to be here, but she is. And Clover isn't. Clover doesn't stick around. 

The crew helps me mount the bull, as the announcers announce my name. The bull changes every now and then. There are always new faces, meaning there are new challenges for us (cowboys) to conquer. The chute gate opens. I focus, even with a mind full of endless thoughts. I tighten my grip as the bull takes off on a rampage. I have one chance to qualify and make it to the finals. I want gold again. I look over at the crowd from the corner of my eye. 

There it is the purple hair. Why does it always have to be purple? I hate that color. I hate girls that dye their hair an unnatural color. My grip tightens causing the bull to get more aggravated. In that split second, I look up to see Bonnie rows down from where Clover is. I lose my balance. I lose my grip and before I know it, the bull sees the chance to throw me off his back. I land on my stomach only to have the bull direct its charge at me. I try to get up but am not quick enough. Everything goes dark. 

***

My eyes were attacked by a bright light of white light, not helping that my eyes feel like someone used super glue to have them close. Trying to sit up, I look around to find Flynn and Taylor sitting beside me. I look at my hands and find needles puncturing my skin. Flynn notices me moving around, "Bro, you're awake! Hey, take it easy. Taylor gets the nurse and some water."

After getting attention from the nurse, Flynn comes back into the room after calling my parents. Taylor hands me a water bottle, " How are you feeling?"

I adjust myself to take a sip of the water. After I quench my thirst, I ask what I last remember. "What happened?"

"You took a nasty hit from the bull. Thankfully the clowns were able to distract the bull. You only fractured your arm." Flynn informs me. "What happened out there? You suddenly..." He trails off, thinking of how to finish the sentence. While Flynn doesn't necessarily like to compete himself, I know he is observant enough to release I got distracted. 

I look over at Taylor, not sure why he's even here. "Where's everyone?"

Flynn looks over at Taylor and pauses before explaining. "Your mom is probably at home with your dad. I convinced them to go home and rest. They were pretty worried."

After he stops, I realize he's probably avoiding explaining the rest. But that's what I am more interested in. "What about Arizona?"

"She flipped out." That's all he gave me. 

"Bonnie?" I press on. 

He looks over at Taylor again. "Austin, I don't think-"

"Tell me what happened."

He hesitates, "When you were unconscious the crowd went wild like usual and so you were brought backstage, and naturally, your parents, Arizona, Bonnie, and a chick with purple hair came along. She seemed to know you and brought a bouquet of flowers. She then said  "Ace, come on. I know you can hear me. I am right here, ok?" she grabbed your hand and was cupping your face, trying to wake you up. 

Bonnie seemed to be annoyed at her. "Excuse me?"

Arizona then pitched in and told Bonnie to calm down. "Clover is a friend," Clover went to brush the dirt from your face. 

That's when Bonnie grabs her hands and pushes her away, "Get your hands off him."

Clover then shoved her out of the way, "What's your problem?"

One of the crew members speaks up, "Ladies, I am going to have to ask you to leave. We have a serious situation here." They load you on the stretcher to take you out of the arena. 

Bonnie then tells her off, "I'm his girlfriend. Who are you?"

The girl Clover seemed not to know you had a girlfriend. "His girlfriend?" Her voice sounded very confused and surprised. She then looked at Arizona who looked away, "Did you know about this?"

As Flynn finishes up. I can only imagine the rush of confusion on her face. The gaze of horror she must have given me. I am a horrible firend.