Cowboys and Mustangs

Drive In- Chayni

Jesse

I lift my chin to watch my legs glide out then spur the mechanical practice bronc. My core is on fire from the repetition and rapid moves of the 'bronc'. I try to breath through my fatigue, focusing on getting that gold buckle for the National High School finals coming up in little over a month. I won the state finals two weeks ago, only beating one of my friends by two points because I had more control over the bronc.

It felt amazing to win that buckle and the check, I've worked so hard for it- I earned that buckle. But I also couldn't have done it without my mom, Weston, Lilly, and Chayni. They all helped me get through the rough patches including when I hit my lowest point, even made sacrifices for me. I can't explain how thankful and blessed I am to have them in my life.

Once the phone buzzer sounds I release my riggin and sit up, trying to catch my breath knowing that was the last ride of the day. I'll probably go back to Chayni's folks home and ask her to go on a run with me or do some balancing with the exercise ball or with the horses. "Great work ol' son." Hunter says to me as I jump off the mechanical bronc that's at his place.

"Thanks and thanks again for letting me practice over here with this."

"Ah no problem, what are friends for right? Hey what are you doing later?" He asks me.

"Mhm not really anything, what's up?"

He closes the large garage shop door, "Well Blake and I were thinking of going to that drive in movie thing tonight and we were wondering if you and Chayni wanted to hitch along."

I look at the ground, trying to think if Chayni reminded me about anythingtoday. But I couldn't come up with anything so I respond, "Sure that sounds pretty cool, I'll ask her when I get back and I'll let you know."

"Awesome, Blake has been dying to have a double date." He laughs lightly.

"I bet." I laugh knowing Blake's personality, "Have you figured out the college thing yet?" I ask, knowing they want to go to different schools. Blake is planning on going to Colorado State University, where Hunter wants to attend a community college around here.

He sighs, kicking the gravel under our boots, "Nah man.. Every time I bring it up she starts bawling her eyes out. I keep trying to tell her I'll do whatever she wants, but then she goes on a whole tangent about it has to be both-ways and all this stuff. She's just making it so complicated."

"Yeah, Chayni said the same thing to me. She has already made the decision to go to U of W and said that I could do anything I wanted.. I told her at first that it would be simple because love is love and it wouldn't had matter where we are, together or seperate."

"Damn dude, that's good.. Can I borrow that?" He says with a snicker.

"Good right ahead, it made Chayni pretty happy." I laugh remembering how she threw herself at me after I said that.

"Don't take this the wrong way but I think Chayni's pretty cool. She's so laid back but quicker than a snake bite. She's funny when she actually speaks." He admits making me laugh again. Chayni has never been the one to draw attention to herself, but when it comes to her, she stands out like a spot light.

But I nod in agreement, "Yeah, she's pretty special alright."

When I arrive back at Chayni's, I see her practicing in her mom's barrel racing/roping arena. I notice she was riding her youngest horse, training him to the sport. Alone Chayni is really great with horses but with her mom, they are full blooded horse whispers. Her dad, Luke, told me that he's always taken away by their horsemanship and has never seen them give up on a horse. I couldn't see them doing that anyways, they never quite at anything.