Chapter One
Silence, why is it the small things that we take for granted? When you live in a sorority with 19 other girls, the word silence tends to become a distance memory. Taking a deep breath Maya stared down at her sketch pad as she laid on her bed, the sound of her pencil scratching across the paper was the only thing keeping the blonde at bay. College, it wasn't even something that Maya had thought possible, and yet four years later here she was.
Not only was she getting ready to graduate in a few months, but waiting for her back home was the internship of her dreams at the New York Art Gallery. Charcoal plastered against the side of her hand, the young blonde glanced up quickly as her best friend came bursting through the door, "You decent? You up? Good!" Riley squeal excitedly, a little too excitedly for Maya's taste. Reaching down to grab a rag from under her bed, she slowly sat up whipping the charcoal from her hand "What is wrong with you?" she asked softly, "Honey you look like you're going to explode." She mumbled tossing the rag back under her bed cleaning up the pile of sketch papers that were plastered all over her mattress.
"The girls and I are going out, and well I thought that maybe you would want to go with us tonight." Riley explained the grin plastered all over her sweet and innocent face. Raising a brow, Maya took a deep breath letting out a sigh, "And why exactly would I want to do that?" she asked softly. It was no surprise that Maya had only joined the sorority for Riley, after all she would do anything for her best friend. The only thing Maya wouldn't do, and that was getting pulled in by the snobby arrogant rich girls that lived in the house with her. If would have been up to her it would have only been her and Riley. "Peaches." Riley said softly walking over to her best friend's bed taking a seat on the edge, "Do you remember when I told you eventually you would have to do something, even though you didn't want to do it?" and as she said it Maya let out a defeated huff, "Tonight's that night, isn't it?" asked the blonde sighing, "Trust me, you don't want to miss what is going to happen tonight." Riley said excited jumping off the bed heading for the door. "Wait, where are we even going?" "The Rodeo." Riley admitted before bounding out of the room, leaving Maya defeatedly falling back onto her bed letting out a low groan.
It didn't take too long for her to get dressed, after all Maya's style hadn't really changed since they were back in high school. It was easy for her to throw on a pair of her old torn up jeans with one of her old band tees, finishing it off with her pair of combat boots and calling it a night. Riley however, god help that girl when she needed to pick out an outfit. Pacing the hall way outside of the bedrooms, Maya glanced down at her watch, "Riles, come on let's go. You said we were going to the Rodeo, not the prom." She called out. When Riley opened her bedroom door, Maya's brow perked up a smirk coming to her lips, "Nice hat Tex, you going to do a little cattle roping?" she asked giving her best impression jumping slightly twirling around a lasso.
The car ride wasn't as bad as she thought, sure the music was horrible but at least she was getting a night with her best friend. As they pulled up to their parking stall, she got out glancing around "So this is what an actual Rodeo looks like." She mumbled shutting the car door after Riley got out. "I don't think we've been to one of these since…." "Lucas." They both said together in perfect harmony. Running her hands through her blonde locks, Maya shrugged her shoulders. "Come'on don't want to miss the main event. Apparently, there is some world champion riding the bull tonight, supposed to be a good show." Riley said pulling Maya towards the opening gate. Just as the duo went under the sign, Maya grinned over at Riley, "Welcome to the Texas State Rodeo." She mumbled in her best announcers' voice, the two rushing through the gate.