Play It Again

Hattie Branson

It's getting late, we eventually got off the boat, but now Wyatt is picking at his guitar on the tailgate of his truck. I'm swaying to the sound of the music beside him. I guess it helps to have a Twisted Tea or two to loosen up.

After the kiss I was left wondering if there's a title to go with this little thing we have going on. I want to be his girlfriend but he won't ask me, hell, I even had to tell him to kiss me. This guy can't pick up hints to save his life.

"Do you know this one?" He asks as he plays a familiar melody,
"Yes! Who doesn't" I smile and bob my head to Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker,
"Headin' down south to the land of the pines, I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline, starin' up the road and pray to God I see headlights" we both sing to the rhythm of his strumming. Harmonised, perfectly harmonised, I got goosebumps singing with him. He is so focused, yet so relaxed. I watch as his smile widens as he stares at me singing, I'm just genuinely happy.
He takes the Twisted Tea from my hands and takes a sip after the song.
"Do you maybe want to go to the county fair this weekend? Like, together?" He asks, taking his hat off and fixing his already perfect hair.
"Yeah of course, I would love to go with you" I smile, and lean my head on his shoulder. I feel him tense, then loosen. He places his hat on my head and rests his head on the top of mine.

"Hey Jessie!" I say as I catch a glimpse of her walking through the halls on Tuesday morning.
"Hattie! I thought you were dead!" Jessie exclaims,
"Jessie, I've never been more alive!" I say and nudge her jokingly,
"Oh yeah? Why is that?" Jessie asks,
"I've got myself a date to the county fair!"
Her face drops, "T-the fair? But that's our thing! It has been since we were ten!"
"Oh shit, sorry Jess, hopefully I can make it up to you! We'll hang out soon, yeah?" Jessie hasn't said anything, she is avoiding my eye contact.

I slide into my driver's seat, start up and head home Friday after school. Jessie has been visibly cold to me all week, I could tell that I hurt her. I feel like such a bitch. A terrible friend. I selfishly don't want to be thinking about Jessie tonight at the fair, I'll just get anxious and I won't enjoy myself. It just feels right to go with Wyatt and I'm glad I'm going with him for a change. Jessie and I are the same, the neglected youngest child, and in consequence we've grown up trying to get the attention of our parents, meaning it is always chaotic at the fair. I know it's not fair to her, but I have gotten a taste of the calm, beautiful life from Wyatt, it's so refreshing. I pull up to my house and see Wyatt's truck in the driveway.
I mumble, "Shit! I need to get ready!" I walk past his truck and notice he's not in it, I'm very confused and walk inside to look for him.
"Mom? Where's Wyatt?" I ask as I walk past the dining room,
"Out in the shop with your father"
"Should I rescue him?"
"No it was Wyatt's idea... you go and get ready!"
I get to my room and put on my favourite boot cut jeans that have vintage looking coral flowers embroidered on the pockets, and slide on a coral cropped tank top to match. I grab a bag and run down the stairs and slip on my good pair of Hey Dudes, and I run down to the shop.
"Wyatt, you good to go?" I ask as I walk through the shop's man door, I see Wyatt leaning over dad's old classic Mustang and dad holding the hood up.
"Yeah, I just need to tighten the spark plugs for your dad, the engine keeps overheating"
"I couldn't do it, slammed my fingers in the hood today while I was changing the oil," dad says not peeling his eyes off of Wyatts hands, making sure it's done correctly, "I really appreciate the help Wyatt, lord knows James wouldn't want to be within an arm's length of the engine!"
"James?" Wyatt questioned,
"Ah, my son, he chose to be a doctor instead of taking over the family business. I'm pushing Hattie to take business courses so she can take it over for me, but she hasn't been attending her classes, last I checked." his eyes pierce over to mine, directing his words at me.
"I've been going to all of my classes for the past few weeks, I'm trying to take it seriously, but I don't know if the dealership is my path!"
"You can't make a carrier out of Rugby"
"Yes I can!" I yell, annoyed about having the same fight everyday,
"Why don't you see if you get scouted, and major in business?" Wyatt chimes in,
"But that's admitting defeat, it's like I'm waiting to fail!"
"Just be happy you have options" Wyatt replies, clearly hitting a sensitive spot.
My dad places a hand on his shoulder and gives it a pat, "good work! I can tell this isn't the first time you've fixed an engine," he changes the subject picking up on his emotions,
"Yeah before my dad got sick he and I used to take apart and clean all of the tractor engines in the winter, and I practically built my truck up from the ground," he clears his throat, "thanks for letting me help but we have to get to the fairgrounds before they sell out of tickets!"
Wyatt walks past me and opens his passenger side door and closes it behind me, obviously trying to look good infront of dad. I chuckle when he sits up in his seat and closes the door.
"What!" he exclaims,
"You don't have to impress him anymore! Just relax!"
"Okay! Just stop laughing at me!" he blushes and hands me the aux cord. I plug in my phone and hit my favourite playlist, and the first song Feathered Indians by Tyler childers.
"You should learn this song! It's one of the only real country songs left" I sigh,
"I think I will" he smiles and taps his thumbs to the melody on the steering wheel.
I catch myself glancing over towards him, his bright blue excited eyes, his hat hair caused by that John Deere hat on the dash, and his simple black shirt and light wash jeans. I know he can feel my gaze but I just can't stop staring.