The Boy From Oklahoma

Alana

 Briefly edited. 

    Travis brings me out to the barn where we go see the white horse who had hurt his leg. I rest my elbows on the door of the stall while Travis goes inside to check on the horse. 

   "So, there's a little gatherin' goin' on tonight at the school field and I was wonderin' if you might like to go and meet some people your own age. Maybe make a couple friends?" he asks. 

   "Yeah, that actually sounds pretty good," I tell him. 

   "I'll be back at seven to pick you up then," he responds. 

***

   Three hours later, I'm sitting in Bailey and I's room, trying to decide what I should wear. I have everything taken out of my suitcase and laid across my bed. I decide on my favorite pair of light blue jeans, but I still don't know about a shirt. 

   "Need some help?" Aunt Sarah asks from behind me. I turn to find her standing in the doorway. 

   "I just don't really know what to wear to one of these. The parties at home were never outside, and you always dressed up for those. It's so different out here," I tell her.

   "I can let you borrow one of my shirts, you can't go wrong with plaid 'round here."

   "Thank you," I say as I begin stuffing clothes back into my suitcase. Sarah appears a moment later with a red plaid shirt dangling from her arm. 

   "I think it'll be just a bit too long, but I'm sure you can figure somethin' out," she says, extending her arm out to me. I take it from her and set it on the bed, waiting for her to leave so I can get dressed.  

    "Thank you," I say as she heads out of the room. 

   "You're welcome," she responds. I then begin getting dressed. I put my jeans on first, then a white tank top to wear under the shirt that Aunt Sarah had given me. She was right, the shirt was a little too long, but otherwise fit me perfectly. I unbutton the last few buttons on the shirt and take the two sides, tying them together. I smile and twist my hips slightly to look at it from both angles. I have to admit, I look pretty good. I go into the bathroom to brush my hair out. I decide to leave it down, liking the way that my waves are falling tonight. I grab my make-up bag to apply a tiny bit of make-up, trying to stay with a more natural look. 

   I glance at the alarm clock next to my bed to see that it's almost seven. I grab a sweatshirt and head out the front of the house to wait for Travis. I take the boots that Aunt Sarah had given me and slip them on my feet. I then sit down on the front steps. 

   A few moments later, I see Travis coming up the driveway in his truck. He drives up near the house and gets out to open the passenger door for me. I stand up and survey his clothes as I walk toward him. 

   He's wearing a blue plaid shirt that looks a lot like mine, with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His jeans are a light color that are worn out in some places. His lips are twisted up into his cute lopsided smile, and I can't help but smile back. On top of his head is his ever present cream colored cowboy hat. 

   I reach the truck and climb inside, smiling thankfully at him as he shuts the door once I'm inside. I reach behind my right shoulder and pull the seatbelt around me as he walks around to the driver's side. He gets inside and starts up the truck and we head off down the driveway. We don't drive very far, just down the road to where the big tower was that I had seen with the word Calumet printed down it.