My Goth Cowboy (BXB) REWRITTEN VERSION

Prologue

It's always hard losing a best friend. Especially when you don't have much time to plan for it. I've known Johnny for thirteen years. We basically grew up together. My dads have been friends with his parents for a long time, so when we were born we automatically became best friends. He understands me like nobody else. Sometimes my fathers can't even talk to me like he does. Living in a small town like Applewood is hard. Having two dads isn't always easy. It's not the "norm" around here. Yes, I get bullied. That's one of the reasons I'm homeschooled. I tried going to public school and it just didn't work out.

Johnny and his family have always stood up for us. If someone is rude to us about them both being male and raising me, then they have our backs. It's nice to have that reassurance that I'll always have him by my side. Well, until his parents got the news.

Two days ago they got offered a job in New York. They're photographers and amazing at what they do. After a day of thought, they took the offer. I can't blame them of course, it's a huge opportunity! I'm extremely happy for them! But at the same time... I'm going to miss Johnny so much. Right now I'm in the barn brushing my horse Sullivan. We own a ranch with many horses. We do equine therapy for adults and children with mental and emotional disorders. We also offer horse riding and holiday events. Sullivan is my personal horse. He's a big, black Friesian horse. He's about eight years old and is one of our most docile horses. I like to think we have a special connection. I'm actually talking to him about my problems right now. It's how I get stuff out when I don't have an actual human to talk to.

"I know this will be amazing for them, and maybe I'm a bit selfish, but I'm worried that we'll never see each other again. He says we'll stay and touch, though. I guess that's the best we'll get for a while until we can plan visits. I sure am going to miss hanging out with him," I say and sigh. I put the brush down and pat Sully on the back. He neighs and nudges me with his snout. Most people will find me crazy, but I think animals talk back to you. Not like actually talk, but in their own way. Sullivan always has a response whenever I talk to him and to me that's talking back.

I open his stall door and let him out into the field with the rest of the horses. He goes over next to a painted horse named Maya. Johnny usually rides Maya when we go out on the trail. It's his favorite horse and I'm sure Maya will miss him.

After changing the hay in all the stalls, I hop on the four-wheeler and ride back to the house. I see Dad and Pa on the porch husking some of the corn we grew. I call my father Gabe dad and my other dad David pa or pops just to make it less confusing on who I'm talking to.

"Hey, Rain, all done doing your part?" Pa asks. We have so many horses and things to do it's easier that we all pitch in with them. We switch up who does what on different days, but we each do have our own individual horse we always care for. Mine is Sullivan, Dad's is an appaloosa named Delilah, and Pa's is a thoroughbred named Mickey.

"Yeah, sorry it took me a little longer than usual."

"That's okay. I'm sure you had a lot of stuff to talk about," Dad says with a sympathetic look. Because they both went to school for equine therapy, they know how kids can cope by talking to horses. They're quite amazing at what they do and loved for it. Parents have cried at the transformations they see with their children after they come here. I would love to go to college for it.

"Well, Johnny called while you were out in the field. He wanted to know if we would like to come over and help them load up the car and truck for tomorrow," Pa says while getting up to stretch.

"Sure, I'd love to help!" I say. We live next to them, but because we own so much land we usually ride our horses over to the other side of the fence or take something like a four-wheeler. We decide to use a side by side because there's three of us and Dad rides us to Johnny's house.

"Thank you so much for coming over to help us! You have no idea how much stuff we've moved since last night," Johnny's mom Linda says.

"It's no trouble whatsoever. Besides, it'll give us a few hours to hang out one last time," Dad says and Linda hugs him. Pa and Johnny's dad Richard strike up a conversation and I look around for Johnny. After spotting him inside the house sitting on the couch I walk inside and sit down next to him.

"Hey, Rain," he says in a sad tone.

"What's wrong?" I ask like I don't know the answer.

"I just wish we didn't have to move. We've built this life here with you guys and now it's being torn down. I'm happy for my parents and all, but what about me? I'm not going to be able to see you anymore," he says and wipes a tear that runs down his cheek. It takes everything in me to not burst out crying and tackle him in a hug right there.

"I know. I'm going to miss you a lot, too. I don't think we've gone a day without seeing each other not counting the time you got chickenpox." He cringes at the itchy memory.

"Oh, yeah. That was horrible. Your dads dropped off a bunch oatmeal for me to bathe in and that helped a ton. You guys have always been there for us. No matter how big or small the problem."

"Same with you guys. When I went to public school you stood up for me whenever I needed it... which was a lot. I don't know how I'm going to make it without you," I say and look down. He puts his hand on my shoulder and I look up at him.

"I may be moving but you'll always have me to talk to. You have my number and I have yours. We'll text and call each other every day! We can even video call sometimes. We won't lose this friendship and you won't lose this ear to talk to." I give him a hug and wipe my eyes.

"We better get packing," I say and grab two boxes. He agrees and we spend the next couple of hours packing the rest of their house into both their truck and car. As soon as we're done we all basically collapse in exhaustion and rest on their porch.

"We can't thank you enough for helping us! We'll see you tomorrow morning," Richard says.

"Have a good night!" Dad says and waves as we get in the side by side. We ride back to the house and head into the house to go to bed.

We wake up pretty early every day anyway because we have so much to do with the horses, so having to get up at 6 a.m. on a Saturday is no different for me. I have this sinking feeling in my stomach and I know it's because today is the last time I'll see Johnny.

"Come on, Rain! Get your boots on!" Pa yells up to my room.

"I'm coming!" I say and run downstairs. We decide to take the horses today and Dad will ride Maya so Johnny can say goodbye to her. Our Austrailian Shepherd named Clover comes along to say goodbye as well. Once at their house, we climb over the fence and Johnny runs over to me and gives me a big hug.

"I'm going to miss you," he says while my face is buried in his shoulder. It's taking all my energy not to cry right now.

"I'll miss you, too," I say with my voice cracking. Johnny lets me go and smiles sadly when we see Maya. He pets her snout and pats her back while telling her goodbye.

"I would say take good care of her, but there's no need to." I force a laugh and my dads give Johnny a hug. Linda and Richard both say their goodbyes to me and give me my last hug before they get into the car and truck. Johnny and his mom will take the car and his dad will take the truck. They honk a few times before pulling out of the driveway and taking off down the ride.

Well, that was it. Johnny's gone. As soon as we return home my dads comfort me on the couch while I cry. Pa tells me I'll make new friends, but it's hard to believe. I've been here for thirteen years and I've never made a second friend.

"Rain, you've never really tried," Dad says. I mean, he's not wrong. I guess he's right. I'll have to try to make friends if I want to have some I can physically see. Johnny and I will remain friends I'm sure, but it'll be hard not having someone around to hang out with.

I head outside to hang out with the horses for a bit. Maybe riding will help get my mind off things.

*Hello! This is the new rewritten version of My Goth Cowboy! Hope you like the prologue! As I said, it'll be different. Please leave some constructive criticism in the comments or what you like and please vote if you'd like! Thanks for reading! I love you all! <3*