"Come on Ally, it'll be fun!" Trish said.
Ally rolled her eyes. Clearly, her definition of fun was a lot different from Trish's. She'd rather be spending her newly, fresh out of college self curled up in an apartment with a new book.
Definitely not at a dude ranch with Trish's boyfriend.
The first thing Ally noted about Dez was his height. He was well over 6 feet and he wavered above her with a goofy grin. He was ginger and as for his wardrobe…not the typical southern wear she was expecting. A bright, checkered t-shirt with pants to match, followed by yellow suspenders hanging lose. It looked like a blind person picked them out. And he was a bit…off.
He took the purple suitcase from Ally's hands and grinned. "Is there anything meltable in here?"
"Meltable?" she asked timidly, hunching an eyebrow.
"You know, able to melt. Or solidable?"
She stared at him awkwardly and Trish rolled her eyes. "Freckles, it's just clothes."
Trish gripped his arm and led him through the house, Ally meekly following behind.
Dez took the suitcases up to his room. It was, admittedly, a big house. Which meant lots of people. Ally grimaced and twirled her hair. It's not that she didn't like people.
She was just really, really shy.
"Dez! How many times have I told you to keep your backpack out of my room- oh, hi there!"
A girl burst into Dez's room, brunette, curly hair bouncing at her shoulders. She grinned at Trish and immediately hugged her.
"H-hey, Autumn," Trish said, and Ally grinned. Trish hated physical contact.
Autumn, Ally thought to herself. She had heard that name before, in the dorm room at MUNY. Trish must've talked to Dez about her.
"You must be Ally!" Autumn said.
Ally chuckled nervously, preparing herself to shrink back if she too would be wrapped in an embrace.
It never happened.
"Trish has talked so much about you!" she said. "I'm so happy to finally meet you."
Ally did her best to smile courteously. She glanced over at the window, where even more people were coming in…trucks?
This would be a long summer.
/
"Mikey!" Dez yelled, running up to a man in a flannel tee and old Levi's. He jumped into the man's arms, and the man picked him up.
A blonde woman drew from behind the man in a matching flannel with a scarf tied around it. She smiled as Dez wrapped his arms around her as well.
"Ally, this is Mike and Mimi Moon," Autumn said. "They're best friends with our parents."
"Aww, Trish! You're all little Dezzy talks about!" Mimi said.
Mike cleared his throat and turned to face Dez. Ally noted the southern drawl and she felt out of place with her Miami accent.
"Good job, son. You got a real nice girl here," Mike said, turning to face Trish.
"Thanks. Is Austin coming to supper?" Dez asked.
Austin. That name didn't click like Autumn.
"Yeah, he's just workin' at the stables. Y'all wanna go up yonder and help him?"
Dez nodded eccentrically and Trish chimed in. "Aw, what the heck."
Ally trailed behind them slightly until they got to the horses.
Horses. She shuddered.
Ally noticed everyone had mounted but her.
"You need help, sweetie?" Mimi asked, readjusting the lasses on her mare.
"No ma'am," she said, and clumsily threw herself over the horse.
She waited just an extra second before realizing the horse wouldn't throw her off. It merely trotted alongside everyone else's.
Maybe this wasn't so bad.
When the horse went to turn, it jerked her off and she hit the ground with a rather ungraceful thud.
Okay, maybe it was.
/
She brushed the grass off her pants and sighed.
The sun was blocking her view of everything until a large hand outstretched to her.
Ally didn't know whether to take it or not.
"I don't bite."
A voice rang and she looked up, finding a rather attractive face to match the hand. She slipped her hand into his and allowed him to pull her up.
"I've never seen you before," he said, and she realized he hadn't let go of her hand. "What's your name?"
"A-Ally," she sputtered out. "I'm from Miami. I'm here with my friend…Trish."
"You're awful pretty for a Floridian. Don't worry about old Pickles there, she don't take very well to newcomers. I can give you a ride if you want."
Her eyes shot up.
"Not that kinda ride, I mean like a piggyback ride. Or if you're into that…" he said, and she saw something flash in his eyes. He burst out laughing.
"God, you're somethin'. Come on, hop on."
He knelt down and she awkwardly stepped back.
"Can I at least give you a ride on Pancakes, then?" he said. He whistled and a bright, custard colored mare strode up to his side. He hopped on and again, outstretched his hand to her.
She allowed him to pull her up.
"My name's Austin, by the way."
He pressed his heel gently into Pancakes' side, letting her know to start going.
"Hold onto me if you get scared," he said.
Despite everything telling her not to, she couldn't help but wrap her arms around his sides when the horse picked up its pace.
He didn't seem to mind.
/
Dez's parents and Austin's parents really were best friends. As were Dez and Austin.
After their awkward encounter today, the last thing she wanted was to see him.
But she couldn't just do that, she had to sit right next to him at dinner.
"What's for dinner, Ma?" Dez asked, taking a seat by Trish.
"Chicken Casserole and greens," Betty replied, serving him a plate alongside everyone else.
Mimi inhaled it. "Oh gosh, it smells delicious Betty Lou. I feel kind of rude, we have guests."
"I don't believe I caught your name, dear," Mike said.
It took a minute for Ally to register he was talking to her.
"It's Ally," Austin said, casually popping a bite of casserole into his mouth. "She's awful shy."
She hesitantly answered for herself. "My name's Ally. I guess I am rather shy."
Trish smiled. "Not when you get to know her. Then she never shuts up."
"Aw, bless her heart. So Ally, Dez tells me you went to MUNY," Mimi said.
"MUNY? Ain't that one of the best schools in the country?" Betty piped in.
"Sure is," Trish answered. "Ally was one of their best students. She's a songwriter."
She shrank back into her chair. "This is really good casserole."
Austin looked at it funny. "It's burnt."
"Austin Monica Moon, watch your manners!" Mimi yelled.
Ally and Trish burst into laughter.
"Monica?!" Trish said, barely containing herself.
"Moooom!" Austin whined.
"Isn't that a girl's name?" Ally said.
Austin folded his arms. "Oh yeah, and what's your middle name?"
"Marie," she said.
He slunk back in defeat.
A/N: So how was that? Yay for new multichapters. I may not continue it, but depending on reviews, we'll see how it goes. I owe quite a few people requests, but I really want to finish this up before I start up on requests again. I will get around to it though!
P.S.: Big shout out to Autumn, aka AwkkwardTree, for helping me to write this! :D
Review, please!
~Rebel