A Southern Princess

Chapter 1. Leaving

"Another failing class, one more detention, the next conference we are asked to come to" those are just a few of the many thing my parents used to complain about to me. I was never the perfect kid and I always got compared to people. For instance my older brother Tate, he was smart, handsome and the football star. Where as I was stupid, ugly, and not good at anything besides saddling up my horse and ridding. My parents never believed in me just because I was the trouble maker. I knew I was being a little crazy but I didn't know I was being bad enough to where they felt I needed to be sent to a boarding school! Seriously they are insane!

I finished stuffing the last of my old suitcases with my clothes. This whole year is going to be just awful. I can't wait until it's over, not that I would want to come home to parents that don't even love me but still it's better than nothing I guess.

Once I'm positive I'm finished I put on the one thing I can't live without, my boots. They've been with me forever and I'm not going nowhere with out them. I slide them on over my feet and shuffle outa my bedroom.

My moms waiting by my door. She backs up as soon as I come out.

"I think you're forgetting this." My mother hand over a navy blue uniform. I was hoping she wouldn't find that. Seriously it's the ugliest thing I've seen since pink sparkles. It came with white pantie hoes, a navy blue skirt, a navy blue shirt with the school logo on it and a hideous NAVY blue blazer. I started at it before snatching it away from her and walking up stairs, my boots clanking on the wood floor the whole way there.

My mom mumbled as I walked back to my room"Oh yea and Ryder is outside waiting to say goodbye." I saw her turn around and walk away.

Just the mention of that name gave me chills, the good kind though that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Ryder was my boyfriend of four years ever since 7th grade. He worked on the farm with his dad for a living and didn't do much else except spend time with me. I really did worry about the future and what could happen to us. After all he was the hottest guy at school and every girl wanted him, I was just lucky enough to have him first. I trusted him but I honestly just didn't know what he would do when I left.

I wasn't even into British guys, I was a boot stompin, hat wearin, spit spitting, jean pants, country kind of girl. British guys were too proper and poised. Like why the hell would I ever lift my pinky to take a sip of my tea?

I finished stuffing the ugly article of clothing into my suitcase and waltzed out the door to go see Ryder one last time.

"RYDER" I yelled from across the lawn and his head snapped towards me.

"Beth!" He tilted his chin and ran over to me. I see his hat, his boots, and his ripped light wash jeans. I just wanted to cry looking at him. I've been through the worst years of my life with him and now I was just leaving. Not my choice of course but still it bugs me.

As soon as my body meets his I throw my arms around his neck letting my fingers limp themselves down his back. His embrace is tight yet soft. He's protecting me. I know he try's to act all tough but when it comes down to it he's just the biggest sweetheart out there. I don't how I could possibly live without him. I have been with him through the hardest years of my life. We were best friends before we stared dating so we really knew each other well, unlike some couples who date after they just met.

I feel his hands slide down to my waist, still holding me tightly.

"Can we go somewhere and talk." He looks at me with his big brown eyes and I couldn't manage to find the menacing will power inside me to say no.

"Yea sure. I got about 30 minutes left." He smiles and takes my hand as we walk through the woods behind my house. These are hunting woods and it is hunting season so me and Ryder are extra careful. Nobody is going to be out at this time of day anyway. I walk farther, my hand is intertwined with his and it just feels so right. Soon the world behind me disappears and I'm swimming with the sounds of chirping birds, scurrying rabbits and the Autumn leaves crunching beneath my feet. This is my real home, I'm hardly ever inside. It's always outside with me. Hunting, fishing, just watching nature is amazing. It feels even more perfect when the boy I love is here with me. Ryder's grip loosens and eventually his hand is gone from mine completely. I'm vulnerable without his touch, like a deer in the head lights. I don't know what to do. I get scared and nervous but as soon as he hugs me everything is erased. We rock back and forth for what seemed like forever and I honestly didn't care for it to end.