6 years later

The crowd is cheering. There must be about a thousand people out there. My hands are still very sweaty, I can barely swallow any saliva. I close my eyes and block out all the noise. I think about the only thing that makes me calm. The rodeo is merely a hobby, but that is what I love to do. I open my eyes head into the area. 

"Here is number 26, Austin Knight," I hear the announcer go on. Number 8, that my horse. 

"Over here, Knight. Horse eight aight it?" 

"Sure, is," I respond with confidence. I climb into the chute and the crew helps me mount the horse slowly. 

"This is the last Candidate of the week folks, Mr. Knight here has shown throughout the week very good development and progress." The announcer's charismatic voice continues. 

eight seconds that's all I need, just eight. I take a few breaths. I nod to the judges, and the chute is open. I tighten my grip on the reins and make sure my right hand is up. I hear the crowd counting 4.......5......6..... Just a few more seconds. 

"I can't believe it, Austin Knight, He sure showed us. What a great performance! Ladies and gentleman, there we have it this year's annual rough stock events, the saddle Bronc riding event has concluded. Next week's event is bull riding." The charismatic voice continues. "We will now wait for the Judges score."

"You did great baby," a very fine girl with blond hair wraps her arms around me. "Not right now, Bonnie," I untangle myself from her. 

"You were saying, Mr. Brown?"  

"With your talent. I'm sure you will be about to qualify for the Silver medal, perhaps even the Gold medal. I will encourage you to keep on training. That landing today got you a good standing in the ranks."

"Thank you, Mr. Brown," He takes his leaves. 

"My man. That landing was sick. 82 is not bad," I am head locked from behind. 

"That was some Landing," Taylor pats my back. 

"Flynn, get off," He releases his grip and gets off my back. 

"Sorry, about that Bonnie." I turn to her. 

"It's fine," She mumbles. 

"Can't believe you made it, Taylor," I take out a water bottle.

"I couldn't miss you landing an 82. I paused college to come around and watch," Taylor brags. 

"He acts all brave until he gets swamped with Homework," Flynn gives him a friendly nudge. 

"Where's my sister?" I ask Flynn and Taylor as I massage my neck. My parents and sister enter backstage and approach us. 

"You did a very great, Honey. I am very proud," my mother gives me a light hug. 

"You have to work on Your landing, son. But other than that you were great." My father pats me on the back. 

"Get this to celebrate we're going to party!" My sister squeaks. 

"What? But we were going to Barneys," Bonnie interrupts. 

"We can go another time, Bonnie. Let just enjoy today." 

"Fine, " she crosses her arms and glares at my sister. 

My sister gives her a smug smile. "Come on, the party will start without us." My sister nudges us to move. 

"Don't stay out too long, you have to be ready for the next competition," Our parents call out. 

We walk toward the tent where there is music as loud as it can be. Taylor, Flynn, and My sister go inside. A whole crowd has form people bumping into each other as they walk by. 

"Hey clove, over here." I stop but only turn halfway around before entering the tent.  

"What's wrong?" Bonnie looks at me. 

"Nothing let's go," I grab her hand and we head into the tent. 

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My head feels like it has been punched several times. I open the fridge to take a water bottle to drink. 

"Partied too hard, uh?" I turn around to see my sister at the kitchen bar, drinking coffee. 

"Hilarious," Walking toward the kitchen bar, I move my neck around. "How long have you been up?" I take a sip of the water

" A few hours?" She looks at me confused.

I spit some of the water out. "A few hours?" I look at the nearest clock. It's 12 pm. "What time did you get back yesterday?" 

She shrugs, " Early?"

"How early?" I persist. 

"I don't know. Maybe like around 10 or 11."

"Ugh," I rub the sides of my head. I let out a sigh. 

"You know, I don't even know why you're still with Bonnie," She casually sips her coffee.

"Really? That again?" I drink more water. "I don't see why you don't like her?"

She looks taken aback, "The better question yet, is why do you like her?" She raises an eyebrow, " Like what's so great about," she mimics a high-pitched voice. "Oh, baby. Come on, Let's go. Oh, baby are you alright? blah blah."

"Arizona, your exaggerating." 

"Exaggerating? When has she told you she likes you, OR better yet when has she told you she loves you. I'm telling you this because all I see, is that she's just with you because of what you have. Are you planning on marrying her?"

Marriage? Sometime back, I always knew who I would marry, but now I don't seem to trust myself. 

"She's mature, pretty and she said yes when I asked her." I walk over to the trash to throw away the water bottle. "And she hasn't broken any promises."

"Mature? She's not much older than I am and she acts like a chicken with no head. Is that really the only reason? What about how she makes you feel? Or whether she makes you happy?"

"She does make me feel happy, that's why I'm with her. Arizona, Let's not talk about this anymore, I'm already late for training." I look over the apples and take one. 

"You know, I saw John at the farmer's market. Maybe he'll stop the rodeo, " She looks at me waiting for a reaction.

I pause for a second but regain my composure. 

"Maybe he will? We'll see. I'm late for training," I grab my hat and head out.