Surfing Midland (Complete/ First draught).

Chapter 9

"Oh my god...is this Butte?" I asked, glancing out the window as we drove down what I assumed was the main street of Butte. There were a few stores here and there, but a few of the buildings looked like they were abandoned, the stores that were prospering were the supermarket and the ranch supplies store.

"Yep, this is Butte. The population is a couple thousand, more animals out here than humans though so my practice is well placed." Declan seemed pleased with that statement that he had chosen a town well away from the city that they needed a vet there but not small enough that it didn't have most basic amenities.

I didn't say anything else as Declan came to a stop outside of the school, or what I assumed was the local high school. The building looked a little old and run down; it was a far cry from the high school I had been in a while in California. There was a letter missing from the school's official name, and now it was 'Butt Central High.'

Valerie said nothing as she climbed out of the truck and headed around the main building to somewhere else in the school. I looked over at Declan and made a face, it looked like I couldn't rely on her to introduce me to anyone in the school but then I'd never had a hard time attracting attention.

"Come on; we might as well get this out of the way." I climbed out of the truck, making sure to take my handbag. Declan didn't even lock his truck; I wondered if it was that safe around Butte but would find out eventually as we continued to the main building and office.

As soon as the receptionist landed eyes on Declan and me, she smiled and waved us both over to the front desk. "Welcome to Butte Central high school Leah, your mother had your grades and what not transferred here over the weekend, and we've just finished the enrolling process so if you're ready to start school today, we can put you on your way? Mrs Finley isn't here at the moment; she's the principal. So I'm here to welcome you." Smiling broadly at the woman I nodded my enthusiasm if I didn't start today I would probably have to sit around and wait for Declan to finish work for the day.

Looking at Declan, I rose a brow in silent question; he had doubted that I would be accepted and allowed to begin school today. He could only laugh and shake his head in disbelief as I turned back to the receptionist.

"I would love to start today; I suppose my classes have all been selected already?" The receptionist nodded and smiled again at me, but I shrugged. I figured if I hated my classes I could always beg to have a few of them changed around or swap out of in favour of other classes.

"Alrighty then, let me just get a..oh Devyn! You're right on time, can you show this lovely young lady around? She is in your homeroom, and a few other classes, Leah here is your timetable you have to buy your lock for your locker. Those can be purchased down the road after school, seniors are permitted to leave the grounds during lunch, but your parents must agree to it." That was something I would need to pester Declan about; I was sure my mom had already agreed to everything that would make my life easier it was just a matter of getting Declan on my side.

"Declan? I know mom would already have agreed to it, but can you as well?" It was putting him on the spot, but he was more likely to agree to it than if we were at home. He wasn't as stupid as I thought and glared at me before shaking his head.

"No can do Leah; you know the deal." I crossed my arms over my chest as I frowned at him, sure that would do the trick, but he only shook his head again and began laughing. Okay, so that trick only worked on mom, and I needed something else to use on Declan.

"Anyway Leah, this is Devyn. He'll be working out on the ranch this summer, look after my daughter okay Devyn?" Turning to Devyn I tried to keep my expression neutral; this was one fine looking fellow. His t-shirt showed off his muscular arms, his shoulders were broad, and he had a boyish smile. The wider his smile grew, the more the dimple in his left cheek stood out, though he seemed to know I was looking at him in more than a friendly way as he began to laugh.

"Nice to meet you Leah, you've got the same look of concentration as your paw." Before I could ask what a paw was Declan was excusing himself, and the receptionist was handing me a thin stack of papers while explaining things a little too quickly.

"Bye Declan! How am I getting home?" The last thing I wanted was to be stranded in the small town of Butte at the end of a long day at school. Though I had my usual iPod and phone to keep me occupied if I did have to stay around for an extra hour or two.

Declan turned before he reached the door and pointed to himself, "I'll come pick you up, don't worry! I'll be here." The reassurance wasn't enough to quell the sudden nerves of being forgotten. I had been forgotten a few times in the past; it had taken a few hours for my mother to realise that she'd forgotten me in a store or at the park. I had learned early on that either staying in the same spot or going to an officer was the best bet of being reunited with her quickly.

"Come on; let's get to home room. I can introduce you to a few people....do you always dress like this? And do you not call Declan dad? You look like him," I knew I looked like Declan more than I did my mom, I had Declan's eyes and hair but had inherited my mother's semi slim form and long legs.

"Yes I call Declan by his given name, and yes, I always dress like this. I grew up in California after all." The way I said it made me sound like a snob and I wanted to backtrack on the last sentence but Devyn interrupted the backtracking with a hearty laugh.

"You sound like such a snob when you say it like that, why don't you call Declan dad?" Lord but he was a nosy son of a gun. Though it was nice to talk to someone good looking and genuinely nice for once, being stuck with Valerie for the weekend had made me subconsciously yearn for decent conversation, and I was currently finding that in Devyn.

"I know, it wasn't supposed to come out like that. But you know? Like, in California you're expected to dress a lot nicer and flashy then you would be out here. I don't think I've seen either Declan or Valerie out of plaid shirts yet. I call Declan by his name and not dad or paw because he was never there when I grew up, he was here living with his new family." I tried to keep my voice neutral when I explained Declan; it still hurt that he was or had another family, but I didn't want to dwell on it anymore as Devyn escorted me to class.

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Okay that will be my last update until like.....next week some time. I cut it off a little early but I think that is an appropriate place to do so :)