The Boy From Oklahoma

Travis

Briefly edited. 

   I wake up in the worst mood ever, not to mention I also have a major headache. I look to my clock to see that it's already 5:30am. I sit up quickly in bed and throw off my covers. I overslept and I'll be late for work if I don't hurry up and get my butt in gear. 

   I hurry to my bathroom for a quick shower. I don't have enough time to let the water warm up, so I'm forced to take a cold shower. 

   Ten minutes later, I jump out of the shower and barely dry off before gettin' dressed. I then hurry out to my truck and barely shut the door before turnin' the key. Nothin' happens. 

   "Come on, come on," I mutter to myself, turnin' the key two more times. 

   "Dammit!" I yell, hittin' the steerin' wheel with my palms. I get out of my truck and slam the door, startin' to walk to Sarah's ranch. 

    In Oklahoma, at 6:00am, the humidity is already startin' to build. I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my hand. 

***

   Just about an hour later, I make it to the ranch. By then the top part of my shirt is drenched with sweat. I march up to the barn and slam the door on my way through. 

   "Whoa," Shorty says to me. I lift my hand to cut him off and walk past. 

   "What the hell happened to you, man?" Trace asks. 

   "I don't want to talk about it," I respond, pushin' past him. 

   "Hey," Caleb says, grabbin' my arm. I resist the urge to swing as I turn to look at him. 

   "Why are you bein' such an ass?" Shorty asks. 

   "That's none of your business."

   "Oh, I think it is. We're the ones who're gonna hafta deal with your shitty attitude all day," Caleb says. All three of them look at me with curious and expectant gazes. 

   "It's Alana," I say. As soon as the words come out of my mouth, Shorty busts out laughin'. I glare at him and he lifts his hands almost as a surrender, but keeps laughin'. I glance at Trace to find him tryin' not to smile. I then look at Caleb who is unsuccessfully tryin' to cover his laugh with a cough. 

   "What is so damn funny?" I ask. 

   "Maybe you need to learn a little somethin' about women," Caleb says, pattin' me on the shoulder.

   "What's wrong with Alana?" Trace asks. 

   "I tried to kiss her," I say. Shorty busts out laughin' once again.

   "Will you cut that out!?" I yell.

   Caleb smirks and shakes his head slightly. "All right! This is serious, the boy needs help."

   "You tried to kiss her, meanin' she didn't let you?" Trace asks. 

   "I did, but then she got mad and stomped away," I say. Shorty snorts and I glare at him. 

   "Girls are complicated creatures," Shorty says. 

   "They like it when you take it slow," Trace adds. 

   "I thought she wanted to."

   Caleb chuckles. "Basically, everythin' you think they want, is actually nothin' they want. Like Shorty said, girls are complicated creatures."

   "Why do you want her anyway, Travis? She's just a prissy city girl," Shorty says. 

   I run a hand through my hair. "I know Shorty, but I think livin' here is startin' to change her," I respond. 

   Trace clears his throat deeply and I look up at him. He gestures behind me, so I turn to look. Alana is standin' there, fists clenched at her sides. 

   "Really Travis?" she asks. "that's all I am to you? A prissy city girl?" She doesn't give me enough time to explain before she shakes her head and runs in the opposite direction. 

   "Shit," I mutter as I take off after her. Behind me, I can hear Shorty's laughter. 

   "Alana!" I call as I see her figure round the side of the barn. She doesn't answer me and keeps runnin'. I grit my teeth and dig my boots into the Oklahoma dirt. As I come 'round the backside of the barn, I find her sittin' on the ground with her knees pulled up to her chest. 

   "Alana?" I ask quietly. She doesn't answer, but I do hear a soft sniffle. 

   "Alana, come on, you know I didn't mean that," I say, nudging her boot. Slowly, she lifts her head and I can see that tears soak her cheeks. I want nothin' more than to wipe them away. She looks soft and vulnerable, but the words that come from her mouth are as sharp as glass. 

   "Leave me alone, Travis Hayes."