A thing for cowboys

Tilly Cole

My long blonde hair whipped around my face as I built up speed, canter broke into a gallop the wind rushing past my ears and the sound of my horses hooves steadily beat the earth.  There's nothing more exhilarating then sitting on a twelve hundred pound horse and unlocking the next gear of power and speed. Sitting up I collected my reins cooing to my horse "Woah girly, woah." she pulls up nostrils flaring as she breathes in the crisp morning air.

We neared the top of the hill coming to a stand before the scenery, looking out to the sun rising over the rolling fields the hazy orange sky was melting away, replaced by a flawless blue. I stroked Petra's neck,  her coarse winter coat was beginning to shed and her sleek summer coat was making an appearance. Summer was finally on the horizon and boy, I was so ready for it.

Rodeo season is in full swing the weather is warming up.Soon freshman year would be over and it would be time to make summer memories, go on adventures and live life to the full. I took in a deep breath before looking down at my watch, oops, I had better get a move on or I wouldn't make it to my first lecture on time. Giving Petra a nudge and click we began picking up speed in the direction of home.

Walking into the barn I threw my leg over the saddle I slid down and quickly untacked putting  my saddle over the stall door. I began to run Petra out to the back field clicking to her to pick up some speed though she just pulled her ears back taking her own sweet time.

"Come on girl." I tugged on her  reins "You're going to make me Miss Spence's least favourite student." she finally broke into a strained jog. "well I probably already am." I mumbled to myself. Closing up the gate I went back into the barn, threw my headstall in the general direction of my saddle and ran towards my truck pulling open the door, the hinge creaked painfully followed by a slam. I patted down my jean pockets, ah shit.

Running up to the porch of my house the door  swung open before I could reach for the handle and there were my truck keys dangling in my face. I glanced up, holding my keys  in an outstretched hand was my saviour.

"You might need these if you're hoping to actually make it to college today." My Sarcastic saviour chuckled. I leant forward taking the keys in exchange for a quick peck on the cheek.

"Thanks pops, you know me too well." I gave him a cheesy smile before getting in my truck for the second time, leaving the tanned weathered cowboy standing on the porch shaking his head with his Stetson in his hand.

Pulling onto the open road I turned up my radio to let the sweet country notes fill the silence. My fingers drummed against the wheel as I mumbled along with the song chipping in with the chorus and few other lyrics I could remember. I began getting closer to campus winding through town, the same old buildings with the same folk bumbling around. Everyday just seemed to be on repeat here, everyone always happily going about there days. No news was good news right?

I pull up into the parking lot next to an electric blue truck before leaning out the window letting out a wolf whistle at the sight of the blue jean cladded backside of none other than Ray Austin leaning over the back seat.

"I dropped my phone, I ain't givin you a show." The dark haired southern boy  stood up turning to flash a smile, phone in his hand. "Unless you want one?" he drawled.

"You wish." I laughed climbing out my truck grabbing my bag. I walked round to where he stood linking my arm through his "Let's go cowboy we're already late!"

"Yes ma'a" I cut him off with a playful punch to the shoulder "Save the niceties  for Miss Spence when you tell her why we're late." I say pulling him towards the building. "Why we're late?" Ray questions "How come it's always me who has to think of the excuse?"  I stop for a second glancing back at him. I wait a second but I am still met with blatantly oblivious blue eyes.

"Are you kidding? Flash Miss Spence a charming smile and call her ma'am and you don't even need to give her an excuse." With that said Ray scoffed as if I was wrong. Just wait.

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"Next week on time though please, Ray?" Miss Spence replied in her sickly sweet voice completely ignoring me behind Rays tall frame.

"Yes ma'am" Ray replied making me smirk as I walked to my seat. Sitting down my eyes met his as he shook his head trying to hide the small grin pulling at his lips. Twelve years I've been friends with Ray, he used to be a little squirt with braces but finally puberty hit and little Ray is no more. Tall, lean with a natural tan, dark hair and blue eyes. Many women's fantasy but he's as absolute dork with a heart as big as Texas yet a brain the size of Rhode Island.

"So are you still up for the rodeo this weekend?" Ray mumbled not taking his eyes off Miss Spence who was frantically trying change the presentation slide on molecular microbiology.

"Is that even a question Austin?" I say, sarcasm pouring from my tone of voice.

"Alright then, roping starts at twelve so I'll pick you up around eleven" Ray nodded towards me.

"On time though please, Ray" I mock in  Miss Spence's squeaky voice batting my eyelashes and chuckling under my breath.

"Yes ma'am."