Cowboys and Mustangs

NHSFR- Chayni

As Jesse gets checked in the main office building, I look everywhere I can from the view of window rolled down. Hundreds of trailers, even more lawn chairs, and people riding around horseback. I could already feel the crazy, competitive, but friendly atmosphere of the National High School Finals. It honestly felt like we were at the NFR in Vegas.

The opening of a door gains my attention and Jesse comes back with a blue folder in his hand, putting down on the center counsel. "We're all good." He says, meaning there was no complications with registration and checking in so that is good to hear.

"This is so cool." I comment as Jesse drives around the campground to his designated spot for the pickup and trailer.

"Just wait until the ceremony and when the actual rodeo starts.. I swear you'll get goosebumps, Chayn." Jesse says with an excited smile which makes me smile. "When are the others coming?" He asks as he looks for our spot.

"So my dad's pickup who has my parents, your mom, Mikey, and Lilly are going to be here probably just as the ceremony starts. Blake, Hunter, and Dawson are going to be here in about an hour." I inform him as I read the updated texts from everyone. I basically already told Jesse that I was going to be his 'manager' for the week so he didn't have to worry about a thing and only focus on riding his bronc, nothing else.

Jesse nods along as we finally pull up to our spot and I step out to help direct him, like I usually do. For the week we took my parent's trailer because it's much more fitted for a week of rodeoing and living the rough life rather than just a weekend like Jesse's trailer. My parents were more than happy to lend Jesse the trailer.

I hold up my hand to stop him then he parks the pickup and unhooks the trailer. I begin to unpack everything that needed to be refrigerated, folded, hung, or anything that needed to be in sight as Jesse takes care of the horses. He brought his horse and I brought Willie along so we could ride casual behind the arenas and around the campground.

As I'm pulling out our shoes, I hear loud conversation between multiple voices but I only recognized Jesse's. I peak my head out to see Jesse surrounded by a guy our age, a girl mostly likely two years younger than us, a grown woman, and a grown man. "Chayni come meet some good friends of mine." Jesse says with a smile and I step down from the trailer. "First of all this is Kenny, a real good buddy of mine, his sister, Sarah, and dad Kacey, and mom Nikki."

I go around and shake all of their hands, "I practically raised this kid when he was in diapers." Kenny's mom says to me with a great big smile. She looks like the typical rodeo mom; extremely friendly, mom to everyone, and protective of her own.

"So you're the one who let him get that scar on the back of his arm." I joke with her and everyone laughs as she grows embarrassed.

"Now that was not my fault!" She says after she playfully nudges my arm but I laugh in good fun.

"They used to live in Teal but they moved to California when I was about ten." Jesse explains to me.

"And what a coincidence we're parked right next to each other." Nikki beams brightly, "Y'all hungry? We got lots of food to share." She offers generously.

Jesse and I share a look before he answers, "Sure." He accepts.

"I'll just finish unpacking and I'll be out." I say towards Jesse as I step back into the trailer.

"What is she your mother?" Nikki says sarcastically.

I let out a compressed laugh, "Nah, she's just the best girlfriend."

A small blush reddens my cheek as Nikki smiles adoringly, "Aww that's nice.. but go help her."

I sit in the lawn chair at the end of Kenny's family trailer as I watch the boys and the sister rope the steer dummy as I eat a hot dog. It's hotter than blazes out and a hot dog paired with a lemonade seem to help keep the heat away. Kenny's family has been extremely generous, kind and very interesting so far. They seem like the nicest family in the world, especially for California people.