The Little Things | Jared "Donny" Donalson

Beers & Bull Riding

Donny

Do you ever wake up and know it's just going to be a great day? That is how I felt when I woke up this morning knowing I am going to get to spend the day with some of my best friends at the Auburn Rodeo. On top of that, we get to spend the day watching bull riding then tonight watch Ian Munsick and Zach Bryan perform. We have been here for a few hours already and it has been a lot of fun. We watched part of J.R. Carroll's set before deciding to head to the merch stand. The lines were pretty long so we figured to circle back later and go to the rodeo ring to watch the barrel racing event that was coming up. As we were walking to watch bull riding, Bret and Kyle mentioned getting a beer, which prompted the whole group to get another round of drinks.

Noah is walking with Kyle who points out a beer stand as we come up on it. It is his turn to buy this round since we figured that would be the best way to do it since our group is rather large. We all get in line, I'm towards the back because I bought the last round. The line is taking a bit to get moving, but about 5 minutes into our wait I get a text from Noah telling me to check out the girls in line in front of us. I lean out of line and one of the girls turns around and glares at Noah. Well, best of luck to Noah, because based on the look she just gave him, he will need it. The brunette is pretty, and based on the look she is giving Noah she is going to give Noah a run for his money. However, my attention is taken off the brunette when I see another girl turn and appear next to her. She is stunning. She is wearing a light blue t-shirt and jean shorts with a pair of brown cowboy boots. I doubt she saw me checking her out because she was too busy silently scolding her friend. I watch her green eyes stare at her friend as shakes her head before she turns facing back forward. The brunette takes the hint and turns back facing forward.

I text Noah back giving him a hard time about the girl's reaction and he tells me to just wait. A few minutes later when the girls are up ordering I hear Bret say, "Oh so he's going for it still." I look around and see Noah talking to the worker saying he's gonna pay for the girls' drinks along with the rest of our groups'. When I get up to the counter Noah smiles at me and then whispers, "You're welcome in advance." I shake my head and laugh as I get handed my drink. I walk back over to Bret and Collin. Once everyone has gotten their drink I hear one of the girls trying to leave the group, I'm at the back of the group so I can't see her but I assume it's the brunette that has grabbed Noah's interest. I hear her friend respond to her something about their group ditching them so I then take this opportunity and make my way to the front of our group. As I appear I put my hand on Noah's shoulder before looking at the girls and saying, "Screw them you guys can just join us. Isn't that right Noah?" Noah glances at me then nods and smiles, " I hope you both are already for the greatest sing-along of your lives." The brunette-haired girl sighs and hangs back staying towards the back of the group while the other girl is walking upfront.

I look at Noah then go and catch up to her. She turns and looks at me not saying anything at first when I start walking next to her so I decide to talk first, "Hey, I'm Donny. I didn't catch your name by chance." She smiles, "It's Kaylee! It's nice to meet you." "It's nice to meet you too Kaylee. So I have to ask your friends who ditched them none of them were your boyfriend right?" I see the blush start to appear on her face, "Nope, my boyfriend didn't ditch me. In fact, it is kinda impossible for my boyfriend to ditch me being that I don't have one." I nod and internally I am fist pumping, but gotta play it cool. "Yeah, that would be pretty lame if your boyfriend did ditch you." Why did I say that? I watch as she nods and smiles. She definitely thinks I'm lame now. Time to save this, "So since you don't have a boyfriend, does this mean I get to dance with you later?" I watch as the blush starts to reappear on her cheeks, "I suppose so, but. I do have to warn you I'm not the best dancer." I nod and we continue walking together.

When we get where we are going to watch the rodeo ring the barrel riding event is already in full swing. I watch her climb up and sit on the fence while still holding her beer. She watches the competitors maneuver the course while I while I stand watching her. I don't know how long. I am just standing there watching her, but Bret walks up next to me, "Why are you just standing here when she is over there?" "Because she might not want me to join her I mean I just met her." He shakes his head, "Go get to know her better so you aren't kicking yourself tomorrow. Plus since I walked over here she has glanced back at you twice already so go." That a deep breath and walk over. When I reach the fence she looks down. "Uh, do you mind if I join you?" "No, go for it." I climb up and sit next to her, "So is this your first rodeo?" "Nope it's my first time at the Auburn rodeo, but I have gone to probably at least a handful of rodeos in my life." I nod and we sit and I ask her lots of questions trying to get to know her. It turns out she's a fan of the Bananas so that is a bonus watch the barrel racing until it ends then the bull riding competition for a while until the group is ready to head over to watch the acts before Zach Bryan closes out the night.