The Boy From Oklahoma

Travis

Briefly edited. 

   Two weeks have passed since the argument between Alana and I. I stopped givin' her lessons, but occasionally I catch a glimpse of her ridin', and she looks like a pro. She hasn't talked to me, and I haven't made an effort to talk to her either. 

   It's mid-mornin' and I'm headed out to the barn to finish some mornin' chores. Shorty stops me just as I walk through the door. 

   "Look," he says, runnin' a hand through his hair. I wait for him to continue, but he doesn't. 

   "Well go on then, spit it out," I say. 

   "We've all decided-"

   "Who's we?" I interrupt. 

   He sighs. "All the guys, an even your sister and Sarah," he says. I pull my eyebrows together angrily. 

   "You've decided what?"

   "We've all decided you need to make up with Alana," he responds. 

   "I don't think that's any of y'all's business," I say, brushin' past him. 

   "But it is," he says, raisin' his voice. I turn to look at him. "It is our business because you've both made it our business. It's startin' to effect us all. The both of you have been mopin' around for the past two weeks. You've been runnin' behind in work for cryin' out loud, and that's not like you," he says. 

   I start to deny it, but he shushes me. 

   "Just listen to me for once. Travis I know you want her. Hell, we all know you want her. Nobody but you can fix this. It's time to grow a pair," he says before walkin' away. I stare at him in shock. 

***

   Two hours later I'm waitin' by the barn door for Alana to get back from her daily ride. A few moments later I hear her talkin' to Ace as she brings him into the cross-ties. 

   I slowly walk in through the door, takin' my chance to admire her. Her dark hair is pulled back into a braid. I can tell that her and Ace galloped most of the way because pieces of her hair have started to come out of the braid from the wind. She's wearin' a red plaid shirt that matches nicely with Ace's red blanket. Her light blue jeans hug her legs, but I try not to focus on that too long. I look down to find her wearin' the boots Sarah gave her the first day she came here. 

   Ace snorts when he sees me and Alana absently rubs his neck. "What is it boy?" she asks before turnin' to look at me. I notice her skin has gotten a couple shades darker, all thanks to this hot Oklahoma sun. Her smile fades when she realizes it's me. She continues untackin' Ace in silence. When she's done, she stands in front of me, arms crossed. 

   "What do you want Travis?" she asks. 

   "I want to apologize," I say. 

   "You haven't talked to me for two weeks," she responds. 

   "That's some of what I'm apologizin' for."

   "Okay," she says. 

   "Do you forgive me?" I ask. 

   She chuckles. "You haven't talked to me in two weeks and you expect me to forgive you just like that? Tell me this, Travis: what took you so long?" she asks. 

   I sigh. "I guess I was scared."

   "You guess?"

   "Okay, I was scared."

   "Of what?"

   "Rejection. Shoot Alana, I like you, I really do, and you've already rejected me more than once. A guy can only take so much. I'd really appreciate it if you'd forgive me and let me take you to the Fourth of July party Saturday night," I say. 

   "Okay," she says. 

   "I under- . . . wait, did you just say okay?" 

   "Yeah, I did. Pick me up here at eight, and don't be late Travis Hayes," she says before disappearin' with Ace. I smile as I watch her go. When I turn back around, Kade is leanin' against the wall and I nearly jump out of my skin. 

   "Damnit Kade. Next time make some noise," I say. 

   He says nothin', but detaches himself from the wall. He walks up to me and stares me down. "Stay away from my sister," he says. 

   "I'm already takin' her to the party this weekend, so that's too bad," I say. 

   "She was much happier without you," he says. 

   "She was miserable!" I exclaim. 

   He chuckles. "We'll see," he says before slinkin' away. I stare after him in confusion.