As the barnyard animals huddled around in the reunion of Daisy, Otis just stood amazed and dumbfounded at the unbelievable sight. Daisy had returned, when all this time he had given up hope of ever seeing her again. Daisy was accompanied by two other bovines, and he easily recognized one of them. A big, broad bull stood by his mother's side, his hide a mixture of dark and light cream colors. It was "little" Ben, the calf Daisy had given birth to a few years ago at the barnyard. She had named him after Otis's father, who was killed by the coyotes right before he had been born. Otis couldn't believe how much he had grown. He was now a large, tough bull rather than the little calf Otis had once known and raised.
Otis then turned his gaze to the cow standing beside Daisy. He didn't recognize her at all. Who was that? She was a tan cow with three black spots along her backside. She looked somewhat young still. Otis had never seen her before in his life.
A strong urge pulled Otis to approach and greet Daisy, Ben, and the other cow with exhiliration, while at the same time Otis felt like turning tail and never coming back. He no longer felt the same strong feelings he had felt with Daisy three years ago. He had fallen in love with Abby, now. What about her?
Otis hastily decided to secrete into his stall before Daisy spotted him. This way, he would be allowed time to think of what to do. Without one word, Otis darted into his stall and locked the door. He hated to leave Abby alone outside, but he needed time to collect his thoughts.
C'mon, Otis, Otis attempted to reassure himself, you've delt with plenty tough and sticky situations before. What's the problem?
Try as he might, though, Otis found that he was dealing with the roughest situation yet. How is Abby going to feel that my first relationship is back? How am I supposed to tell Daisy that I've moved on and my heart belongs to someone else? More importantly, how am I supposed to do this when Ben sees me as his father?
Otis pondered all these questions in his head, resulting in a major headache. He was happy and excited to see Daisy again, but he didn't want her to believe he still loved her. Also, if he couldn't find the guts to tell Daisy that he loved Abby now, Abby would feel incredibly hurt and betrayed.
"Oh, cud," Otis sighed. "What should I do?" Abby wasn't the only one whose heart was breaking in two right now.
***
Abby stood in the same spot she had originally taken behind the farmer's house, uncertain what to do. She understood exactly why Otis had taken off like that. She could only imagine how turbulent he felt with his first love returning to the barnyard in the middle of their relationship.
At first, Abby thought about running after her boyfriend and talking to him, but she figured it might make things worse. Otis wanted time alone to think for himself.
Don't let this get to you, Abby, she told herself. Otis loves you, and he won't let anything or anyone ruin our relationship. Just be friendly and give Daisy a warm welcome. This will give you a chance to finally get to know her.
Abby finally decided to make a friendly gesture. Taking a deep breath, she made her way towards the cattle newcomers, Daisy in the middle of the two.
"I missed you all so much!" Abby heard Daisy say as she got closer. "I still can't believe I'm back. It's amazing!"
Abby brushed the excess dirt off her hide and smoothed out her hair before approaching Daisy, hoping to make a good impression. She stepped forward through the crowd of animals.
"Daisy?" Abby asked, hoping to confirm it was her.
"Yes?" Daisy replied.
Abby breathed deeply before greeting her. "Welcome back to the barnyard. You haven't met me before; I was brought here shortly after you left. My name's Abby."
Daisy generously smiled. "Nice to meet you, Abby. I assume Otis has mentioned me to you?"
Abby nodded. "Yes, he has." So far, so good, she thought. She seems nice.
"So have I missed a lot here while I've been gone?"
Abby hesitated upon Daisy's question; what should she say? She wasn't going to say, "Oh yeah, Otis got over you and he's my boyfriend now." That was only asking for trouble. Plus, she didn't want to be rude.
"Umm, not much," was Abby's hesitant reply. "Everyone's still pretty much their same, goofy self, including Otis."
Daisy giggled. "Oh, Otis," she sighed dreamily, causing Abby's eye to twitch in irritation. "Where is he, anyways?"
"Somewhere...I don't know exactly." It's not a total lie, Abby told herself. He could be hiding anywhere. Anyways, Otis wants to be alone for right now.
"Well, I can't wait to see him again," Daisy beamed.
Meanwhile, Bessy, who had just woken up from her "15-hour beauty sleep" appeared from the barn and grumpily asked, "What's all the commotion?"
Daisy gasped, laying her hoof over her mouth in exasperation. "Bessy? Is that you?"
Bessy froze in shock and disbelief. "Daisy...? It can't be... Is this another stupid prank of Dum-Dum's? It's not working, Moron! And it's not funny, either!"
Daisy ran over to Bessy in anxiety and ecstasy. "Bessy, it's really me, Daisy! I've returned!"
"Daisy? Am I dreaming? Daisy! Oh my gosh, how I've missed you, girl! I can't believe this!" The two long-lost cow best friends embraced each other in a warm hug that lasted for at least 5 minutes.
Abby had never seen Bessy so surprised or happy before. Otis had once told her of how the two cows had been lifetime best friends and had grown up on a farm together, until one day it was hit by a horrible storm and the two were brought here. Bessy had stayed, but Daisy and her calf had been taken away for some reason. Abby would be sure to investigate all the details and reasons as to why later on.
"We have so much to catch up on," Bessy told Daisy.
Daisy smiled. "Of course! But first, I'd like to see Otis. Do you know where he is?"
Bessy rolled her eyes. "Who knows. Probably doing something stupid like always."
Abby figured that she should find Otis and talk to him about this situation. Considering the fact that half an hour had passed since he ran into the barn panicky, she hoped that a talk would calm him down and sort things out. If there was one person (or cow) Otis vented his feelings to, it was Abby.
"I'll go find Otis," Abby volunteered.
"Thank you, Abby," Daisy warmly smiled.
As Abby headed towards the barn to locate her troubled boyfriend, uneasy feelings churned in her stomachs (cattle have four stomachs). What are you worried about, Abby? Nothing is going to affect you and Otis's relationship. Otis doesn't feel anything for her anymore. But no matter how much Abby tried to convince herself everything would be all right, something told her it was only going to get worse.
Sorry it took me so long to update, guys. I had written my 3rd chapter a few days before I completed this one, but realizing it was too short I decided I should post another one with it. Then, I began having a horrible case of Writer's Block. XD So that's why I took so long! Again, I'm sorry!
Soooo, next we'll have to see how Otis and Abby's talk goes, and Otis reuniting with Daisy! Will things take a turn for the worst? Let's hope not! DX
*sings* REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW!!! I update faster if I have a lot of reviews! Always remember that reviews are what keep me writing. =) Thanks, everyone!