First Rodeo

She'd never really been a huge country music fan, so the rodeo had never really caught her interest before. But Danny had invited her. And there was just something about Danny that she found so intriguing. She knew he liked her. But she'd always thought he was kind of...sloppy and crass. To be honest, she'd judged him by his grease streaked wife-beater, holey jeans and cowboy boots from the moment she first saw him. But over the past few months, she had begun to get to know Danny, and he was different than what she'd expected. Oh he was bad news, that's for sure, and he cursed like a sailor. But he was funny, and spontaneous, and there was something about his boyish grin, and husky laugh that captivated her. And he was genuine. He never hid what he was really thinking. Including his feelings for her. But she continued to resist him, and he respected that, even though he didn't like it. And he just wouldn't give up!

So when Danny asked her to join him and his friends at the rodeo, she hesitated at first, but in the end, she gave in. The bus ride to the stadium was full of jokes and laughter, and boys being boys... The rodeo itself was not at all what she had been expecting. There were tons of people, all of them in cowboy boots and hats, there was a carnival, and games... And it was fun! Being the only girl with 4 boys didn't bother her at all. She was used to it. Not because she'd always gotten a lot of attention from boys, but because she'd grown up a tomboy, and her recent transition to public school had made her disturbingly aware of how catty and judgemental girls really were.

So she goofed off with them, teasing the boys when they couldn't hit the bell in the strong arm contest, and spraying them, instead of the targets in the watergun game. When it was time for the concert to start, they left the carnival and went into the stadium. She had never even heard of the performer, and surely hadn't heard any of his songs. But of course all the guys were diehard fans. Their seats were at the very top, and they found themselves walking up and up and around for what seemed like ages.
The seats were so terrible the performers onstage looked like ants. Danny's friends got up to see if anyone would see them some beer.

"Let's dance!" Danny said.

"Dance?? Where?" She asked, surprised.

"Out there! We're at the very top, there's nobody up there." He pointed up and out to the concourse.

"Ok..." She said, and she let him take her hand and guide her out.

When they reached the concourse, he took her right hand in his left, and placed his other hand around her waste.

"What are you doing??" She asked, giggling.

"Two-steppin'!" He said.

"I don't know how." She said.

"I'll teach you." He said.

And he did.

1-2, 3. 1-2, 3. She was a little stiff at first, but after a while, they fell into an easy groove. And he twirled and spun her, and they laughed and laughed.

I could get used to this, She thought, and smiled.

Soon after, the guys showed up (sans beers) and they all took their seats and watched the rest of the show. Danny kept stealing sideways glances at her, and she couldnt help but smile to herself.

That night when she got home, she pulled out her diary and wrote,

Dear Diary,

Tonight was special...