My Cowboy

Riding with Ryder

It's the first day of my senior year at Red Oak High School. I have to look perfect. It's 4:30 am on Friday, September 29th. I curled my hair like usual, and I wore a brown long-sleeved leather jacket with a black dress and patterned black pantyhose. I wore black booties with a three-inch heel. I finished up my makeup and made some toast.

Dad insisted on taking a ton of pictures and I rushed outside when I heard the bus. I opened the door and fell down the porch stairs. I'm not quite used to them yet. I'm used to stepping out of my apartment and hopping on the elevator with Rani and Kota.

I picked myself up off the ground and tried to catch the bus. Awesome first day, if you ask me. I hobbled over to the porch steps and sat down. My knee was bleeding and I ripped my favorite tights.

"Are you okay? That was quite the tumble."

I looked up. "Ryder! Uh - yeah I'm fine. It's no big deal."

He bent down to my eye level and he pulled a rag out from his back pocket. He gently wiped up the blood. I couldn't help but stare at him. The morning sun really brings out his sparkling blue eyes.

After he finished, he stated, "Let's get you in my truck. I'll take you to school. Okay?"

I nodded. I stood up and realized how bad it hurt to straighten my leg. Ow. Ow. Ow! I walked towards his car, limping. He watched me struggle and then, I was swept off my feet, literally. He picked me up bridal style and headed towards his car.

"I can walk. There's no need to carry me." I said hoping that he would put me down. I must be heavy.

"I'm not letting you go," Ryder replied in such a way that made my heart melt. His tone of voice caught me completely off guard. I was mesmerized by his perfect white smile. I'm not into the whole cowboy-hat-and-boots thing, but he really made it work.

He gently placed me in his truck and closed the door. As we drove off, he glanced over and complained, "You don't have your belt on, do you?"

"No? Why would I wear a seatbelt?" I asked, extremely confused.

"This ain't New York, Doll. People drive 80 on these country roads."

Did he just call me Doll? I tried to buckle, but the seat belt wouldn't work.

"Shoot. I forgot to fix that belt this weekend. Slide over next to me." He patted the middle seat beside him.

I slid over and buckled. How long is this ride? I wondered. We'd been driving for twenty minutes.

Almost as if he heard me, he said, "Just another three miles."

The rest of the ride there was silent. You could hear a pin drop if it wasn't for the roar of his truck. I surveyed the area. When we arrived at school, I noticed we were on Main Street. That's odd, I could swear that's Texas Roadhouse farther down the road. Oh right. It's a chain. I'm sure there are plenty around here. Wait a minute, that's definitely our gas station and convenience store.

"Um, isn't that our town?" I asked pointing down the road at what appeared to be our town.

He denied it. "Nope, that's the opposite direction. You don't know the area well enough yet."

No, I know the area. I have a photographic memory. And that is my town.

The first day of school was hell. I walked in looking like a New Yorker and walked out looking like I got jumped in an alley. I broke the heel of one of my booties, the hole in my tights grew larger, and I ripped my leather jacket.

Ryder spotted me on the way out and ran to catch up with me.

"Rough day huh?"

"You have no idea," I replied as I tried to get on the bus.

Ryder grabbed my hand firmly and pulled me away, "I'll just drive you. Every single day. Okay?" He whispered in my ear.

He's holding my hand..... I glanced down and he realized I was uncomfortable with all of the people staring. He released my hand and opened the door to his truck. A few of his friends came up to him and asked about me. I'm right here guys. I understand that I look like shit and I don't look like one of Ryder's "normal" girls. Thank you. Besides I'm not even one of Ryder's girls. What does that even mean?

On the way home, Ryder asked me like a million questions. Mostly about where exactly I was from and about life in New York and my family. That word, 'family' doesn't exist to me. My mom left us two months ago and she took my sister with her. We haven't heard from either of them since. Even though I've only known him for less than 24 hours, I feel comfortable telling him.

"I'd prefer not to talk about my family. My mother left with my sister two months ago."

He shut his mouth and then I felt really bad for making him feel uncomfortable.

"Listen, I'm sorry. I just haven't had anyone ask about my family since then. It's just hard." I explained.

"No, it's okay. I'm sorry I asked."

He looked at me and placed his hand on my knee as a sign of sympathy. I stared into his eyes. When I looked away, I noticed he didn't and I wondered how he could drive like that, without looking at the road. I looked back at him and he moved his hand back on the wheel and looked forward.

The ride home seemed even longer than the way there. Then we turned down our street. Only 5 miles left.

He asked, "Do you wanna maybe go um, r-riding with me? When we get home?"

I would never have pegged him as a shy guy. Aw, he's blushing! How cute!

"I'd love to!" I shouted enthusiastically.

We both smiled like idiots getting out of the car. Once again, he grabbed me by the waist and helped me out of the car. Except, this time he didn't let go of my waist. I tried to move, but he wouldn't budge. He just stood there staring into my eyes.

"What?" I asked.

"Your eyes are beautiful. They shine like emeralds." He pulled me closer to him with his arms wrapped around my waist. I placed my arms around his neck. I was so close to him that I could feel his heart beat a mile a minute. He stood about 7 or 8 inches above me. He stared down at me and leaned in. I closed my eyes.

"Boy! I need your help!" Ryder's father called from the field.

...And the moment is ruined. I pulled away. Damn it. I really wanted to kiss him.

"Need any help?" I asked as I ran, catching up with him.

He chuckled, "You ain't quite ready for this, city girl." He stopped and turned towards me. "One of our cows is giving birth."

I threw my hands up as if being asked to "freeze" by a cop. "You're right. I'm just going to go clean myself up." I stated as I backed away. I tripped over a branch by the driveway, luckily I didn't fall. Ryder laughed at me and headed towards the cows.

"If you're still on for riding tonight meet me at the barn. 6 pm."