The Cowboy That Made My Life Hell

The Cowboy That Made My Life Hell:Carter Calderson

Because she kept reading my stories, even when they suck!

+*+

After Hayden hauled me off the ground, we all hugged like there was no tomorrow.

“Oh my god!!! What did you do to your hair? I love it!” Lydia squealed.

Lydia was like a teen hippie, that didn't follow any hippie rules. She just dressed brightly and sometimes kind of.... Strangely. Today she was wearing a peasant blouse and a ring of flowers weaved in her long dark brown hair.

I laughed. “I was tired of the dyed red hair. So I let the natural blonde grow out. It look okay?” I asked.

"Your red hair was dyed?!" Hayden and Spencer asked at the same time.

Us girls rolled our eyes. "Boys." Lydia muttered.

I rolled my eyes. “So, let's go!” I looped my arm into Spencers and skipped over to by the water fountains, dragging him with me. Once there, I plopped on the ground and leaned against the wall, closing my eyes. Spencer sat down next me and layed his head in my lap. I absent mindly stroked my fingers through his shaggy brown hair.

“..Should we go get him?” Lydia asked when she too sat down.

"Huh?" I asked, opening my eyes.

"Hayden. Should we go get him?" Lydia repeated, gesturing to by the trees. Hayden was still standing there frowning and looking for us I presumed.

“Nah. He'll figure out we left soon enough.” said Spencer said shrugging.

“Okay! Well, let's compare schedules!” I whipped their's out of their hands and compared them to mine.

“Hmmm... Lydia, we have Math and Science together, and Spence we have P.E., and English together!”

That sucked that we didn't have first period together! Oh well.

RINNNNGGG!

Speaking of first period.... “Time to go guys! Love ya'll!” I waved and skipped over to the history classroom.

Several people were already standing outside the door, chattering about their summer excitedly. I scanned the faces, looking for anyone familiar. I saw a few minor friends, and gave them a small wave, but I didn't see Hayden. Guess he got in a different homeroom. While I was waiting I grabbed my I-Pod Touch and put it on shuffle. Say You Don't Want It by One Night Only came on. I plugged in an earbud. This was one of my favorite songs! 

"Talk all the talk with a poet's style

Tongue like electric, eyes like a child

Buy all your wives and the classic cars

Live like a savior, live like the stars"

I got a little carried away and started singing and dancing around. Several people who saw me laughed and rolled their eyes. This was usual behavior for me. I closed my eyes and spun around. While I was doing so, my foot stepped into a pothole. I flailed my arms as I fell backwards as if in slow motion.

My eyes squeezed shut as I braced for the impact of the hard ground. It didn't come. Instead, a strong pair of arms caught me. I opened my eyes wide in shock. Someone caught me?! Usually when I fell, people just laughed and took pictures of me. This was a new experience.

I twisted around to see who it was. My eyes widened even more, if that was possible. Standing with his arms wrapped around me was Carter Calderson. He was a popular guy, except he wasn't your stereotypical popular. He lived alone on his own ranch. How he had enough money to do that? I have no idea.

His hair was black and shaggy, his skin an olive tone. But his best feature were his eyes. Bright green with flecks of gold, they were sure to catch your attention. Carter was also really tall too- Like 6'2. That was even huger compared to my measly 5'1.

All of a sudden I was dropped to the ground.

“OW!” I yelled.

Carter smirked. “I had to do something. Your checking me out was starting to scare me.”

I glared at him. I was not checking him out! I opened my mouth to argue, but instead, Carter cut me off.

“Save your pitiful excuses. Second bell just rang.”

I gasped as I yanked out my earbud and gathered my things together. I headed towards the door, but Carter stepped in front of me. I put my hands on my hips.

“Get out of my way!”

He smirked again. “Not until I get a thank you”.

 “A thank you? For what? Dropping me on the ground? I don't think so!”

“As I recall, I did stop you from falling on that pinecone over there.” He said pointing to a pinecone that I don't remember ever being there.

I frowned. “That was never there! And still no!” I stuck my tongue out at him. He did something I never thought he would do- That jerk grabbed my tongue!

“Lef go ofth my tum!” I yelled at him.

He shook his head. “Not until I get a thank you!”

I sighed. “Thine! Fank yoo! Now wet go!”

He laughed as he finally let go. Ugh! That was disgusting! Who knows where those hands could have been?!

I headed towards the now unblocked door. Before I could reach the handle however, I was swept of my feet and plopped on Carter's shoulder.

I gasped. “Carter! Put! Me! Down!” I yelled in between punching his back. Damn his back was hard! Ow! Now my hands hurt! I rubbed my injured hands sourly.

“Carter! I'm serious!”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Nope. Now shut up. Do you want to get in trouble for making so much noise?”

That shut me up. I had never gotten a detention or referral before, and never wanted to. Even though my parents were always traveling and busy not being home, I didn't want to experience the punishment... Ugh. I shuddered. I bet being in detention with all the troublemakers would be scary...

Carter pushed open the door to the classroom, and everyone's head swiveled to face us. Great. Just great.