𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 — 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒏

❝ 𝙘𝙤𝙬𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮! ❞

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

"We have changed the lives of some people in this room!"

Amanda glanced at her cousin and best friend who came through the classroom door.

"Oh, please, not me," Zay groaned.

"I'm happy with my life the way it is," Farkle commented, "I got taller and my teeth grew in nicely," he gave his friends a toothy grin.

"Yeah, we're not talking about you two," Maya said, "we're talking about you two," she motioned toward Andrew and Lucas.

"Oh, no. What did you do?"

"Oh, Lucas. In your whole history, we know what has always been your biggest regret," Riley smiled sweetly.

"How do you guys know, and I don't," Amanda asked, her hand wrapped around Lucas's bicep.

Her comment was ignored as Maya started to 'baaah' quietly, "what is that? Why are you doing that," Lucas asked, looking startled.

Maya 'baaah'ed louder, "you used to be a champion sheep rider in the Mutton Bustin' Rodeo, until you fell off of Judy the Sheep!"

"What," Amanda chuckled until she saw Lucas looking at her, that's when she stopped, "I mean, not funny," she cleared her throat.

"And then you gave up and never got over it," Riley added loudly.

"Uh, what does that have to do with me," asked Andrew.

"Oh, we're getting to you next, Canada," Maya smirked.

Lucas groaned, "that is my deepest darkest secret. No one knows I fell off of Judy the Sheep except..."

Zay smiled sheepishly, "they made me Lucas, they made me."

"How did they make you?"

"I said, 'you wanna hear a great Lucas story?', they said 'yes'," he shrugged.

"Okay," Lucas started, glancing down at Mandy, "it doesn't matter, I'm over it. I don't even think about that day at all," he paused, reminiscing, "I fell off that sheep so fast," he buried his face into Amanda's neck, her arms going around his neck in comfort, "no one likes me."

Riley came up behind Lucas and patted his shoulder, "Lucas, you can fix this. Get back on that sheep and be a sheep riding champion. We have made that possible."

Lucas took his head out from Amanda's neck, "how? How'd you make that possible?"

Maya took out a sheet of paper and showed to everyone.

"Ride, Lucas. Ride, boy!"

"We have entered you in—" Maya started.

"The annual Mutton Bustin' Tournament—"

"In Austin, Texas—"

"In front of everyone you know—"

"Yay!"

"Ooh, Texas! That sounds fun," Mandy smiled as she tugged on Lucas's arm.

"Hello," Andrew waved his arms, "what does this have to do with me?"

Riley sighed, "do you remember when we were seven and we went to that place where they had a kids version of a mechanical bull?"

"Oh, no."

"Wait, you can't enter us in Mutton Busters," Lucas furrowed his brows, "you can't be over eight years old or over fifty-five pounds."

"You are wrong, young Lucas," Maya said simply, "we entered you last week and your application has been accepted. You too, Andrew."

Riley grabbed the sheet from Maya's hand, "congratulations, Lucas Friar and Andrew McHolland. You are an official entry in this year's Austin Round Up Rodeo. Lucas will be riding Tombstone the Sheep, and Andrew will be riding Graveyard the Sheep."

"Tombstone," Zay repeated in disbelief, "Graveyard? Well, that's the end of both of you."

"Why," Mandy asked, nervously.

"Yeah, what's the difference of riding Judy the Sheep and Tombstone and Graveyard the sheep," Riley asked.

"Read it again," Lucas instructed, looking sick to his stomach.

Maya took the paper, "blah blah blah. Over the age and weight limit of Mutton Busters. Blah. We have placed you into the adult rodeo where you will, blah, ride Tombstone and Graveyard the Sheep."

"Oh! You only got one word wrong," Lucas raised his voice.

"Let's see if they find that one word," Zay stressed.

"Blah blah blah blahdey blah blah blah blahdey blah blah—oh! Bull!"

"Ah! She found it!"

"You signed me and Andrew up to ride Tombstone and Graveyard the Bull," Lucas shouted.

Riley smiled, "are you excited?"

Maya shook her head, "what's the difference between riding a sheep and riding a bull?"

"Death. Death is the difference," Andrew answered.

Just then, Matthews walked into his class, "all right. May we begin class," everyone took their seats. Matthews continued, "the railroad."

"I don't get it."

"What do you mean you don't get it, Farkle?"

"How's the railroad tie into what's going on in our lives, Hambone?"

Maya scoffed, "you just gonna let him call you 'Hambone', Matthews?"

"The railroad allowed us to travel great distances," Matthews disregarded his students, but smiled nonetheless, "the railroad allowed us to see how other people lived. When you see how other people live, it changes you," he turned to Maya, "and I like 'Hambone'. It's cool."

Lucas turned to Riley, "Riley, rip it up before he finds out!"

"Who?"

"He's gonna find out, and when he does, nothing will stop him."

"Who?"

"Oh, you'll know who," Zay jumped in, "you'll hear his big, booming voice. He'll say somethin'—he'll say somethin' like—"

"This country was built on railroads," the class turned to see an older man, with a country accent. Amanda could see Lucas covering his face in the corner of her eye, "I, myself, just arrived on the noon train from Austin, Texarkana and Arkadelphia. Guess why I'm here."

Matthews broke the silence in the room, "anybody?"

The man laughed, "I'm here because I could not be more proud of my grandboy, Lucas."

Maya smiled, "Pappy Joe. That's your Pappy Joe. Yes, more stuff!"

"That right there's the first Friar to ever have the courage to ride the most ferocious creature in all creation," Pappy Joe announced with a smile.

"Are we talking about Judy the Sheep, Pappy Joe," Riley asked.

Pappy Joe laughed, "Judy the Sheep! Remember when you fell off of Judy the Sheep for about two seconds, boy," he asked his grandson, "remember that? And we all said it was okay 'cause you were only five years old. So we said it was okay, but it wasn't okay, because you were a disgrace to the community and you dragged your family name through the mud hole right up to this day. You put us in the mud hole, remember boy?"

Amanda could feel her smile drop completely and her good mood vanishing as she thought of Lucas being a failure, she never wanted him to feel like that.

Lucas looked down, embarrassed, "Yes. There is one moment in every man's life that shapes who he is forever, my moment was Judy the Sheep."

Pappy Joe crossed his arms, "well, you know what, Lucas Friar? Forgiven."

Amanda's eyes brightened.

"You get on that bull for three seconds, then you will be the master of Tombstone," Pappy Joe continued, "and I'll tell you 'I love you'. That's something I've never said to another human."

"Can we talk about this," Matthews asked with uncertainty.

"Time for talking's over," Pappy Joe responded as he took out two slips of paper, "I got a permission slip. Babineaux? I got one for you, too. Come on, boys. Let's go ride."

Zay shot out of his seat, "yeeehaaaaw," he paused, "that slipped out."

The two Texan boy's made their way out of the classroom. Lucas turned back to Riley and Maya, "you did this!"

The class was silent until Andrew spoke, "so, does this mean I don't have to ride, too?"

"Oh, you're riding, Canada."

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

"Well, if I have to ride Tombstone the Bull and die in front of everyone, at least it won't be in front of all my friends."

"Surprise!"

"Hey, it's all my friends..."

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

The gang was now in Austin, Texas. This was bitter sweet for Amanda. She loved going new places and seeing new sights but at the same time, she didn't want to be here. On the inside, Mandy was terrified about Lucas getting hurt at the Rodeo. But, she didn't want to worry him or rattle his confidence. She needed to be supportive.

Amanda walked out from the bedroom with Riley and Maya. The boy's conversation died down as they stared at the three girls in admiration. Lucas could feel his heart beating out of his chest as he couldn't keep his eyes off Amanda.

Pappy Joe removed his hat, "well, look at you three little darlin's."

Riley chuckled, "told you two this was the best way to spend all of our allowance money on the first day."

"Quit looking at us, Canada," Maya caught Andrew staring, "and Huckleberry, you can gaze into Amanda's eyes another time."

The two could feel heat rising on their cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Maya," Andrew responded, "you look—look good. All three of you do."

"Thanks, Drew," Mandy smiled as she took a seat next to Lucas, their shoulders touching.

Riley's eyes widened, "you know what this place needs? Bay window—bay window right now!"

The two girls sat on seats near the window of the home.

Pappy Joe turned to his grandson, "what's a bay winda'?"

"A safe place where the girls have their private talks."

"Oh, then I'll make sure those two seats are there forever."

Suddenly, a hyper man came through the door, "Pappy Joe! Pappy Joe!"

"Woah woah," Joe said, "don't be alarmed, it's just Cletus."

"Tombstone the Bull gone crazy," Cletus informed everyone, "he everywhere, all over the place at the same time like one of them Houdini Bulls!"

"Use your words, Cletus," Pappy Joe said.

"I am using my words, garducky! Tombstone the Bull gone bananahooey!"

Maya smiled, "I love him!"

"What did Tombstone the Bull do?"

"He done tore up the China Shop," Cletus exclaimed, "ironically. It's true what them say."

"You mean he broke out of his pen?"

"Oh, he brammoed the pen," he turned to the two girls by the window, "what's them? A bay winda'?"

"That's Riley and Maya, Cletus," Lucas said, "and this is Amanda."

He exchanged 'hellos' with the three girls, "well how de do?"

Riley smiled, "well how—"

"De—"

"Do!"

Cletus turned to Lucas, "Lukey. Thissar Lukey," the two Texan's hugged.

Lucas chuckled but then got serious, "wait, they did get Tombstone back in his pen, right?"

"Yessir. We shot him fulla sleepy juice," Cletus nodded excessively, "but I seen the look in them red eyes just before he went nighty night. And when he wake up, ha—huurrr!"

Amanda gasped and turned to Maya, who was grinning ear to ear, "no way, Maya, do the thing, please!"

Maya went up to Cletus and tapped him in the shoulder, "what?"

"Ha—huuurrr!"

"Oh, okay," the blonde cleared her throat as she positioned Cletus and Lucas perfectly before repeating her last statement, "what?"

"Ha—huuurrrr!"

"I know it's early, but my life is complete."

Cletus turned to Maya, "well, thank-ye."

"No, thank-yee!"

"All I know is, I feel sorry for the po' fool gonna ride on Tombstone," Cletus shared. He turned to Pappy Joe, "did I tell you what he done did today!?"

Pappy Joe cleared his throat, "Lucas is riding Tombstone, Cletus."

Cletus's face dropped as he took off his hat. He kept muttering to himself in despair as he looked at Lucas one last time before leaving, "goodbye Lukey."

Once he left, Lucas turned to his friends, "goodbye."

Amanda sighed heavily and tried to control her breathing as she leaned her head on Lucas's shoulder, the boy grabbing her hand in reassurance.

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

"I will ride you. I will ride you for more than three seconds. I will be the master of tombstone the bull," Amanda watched Lucas talk to the bull, his riding gear on. She sat on the fence and tried to distract herself from spiraling herself into a panic.

Lucas walked away from the bull and towards Mandy, "you okay?"

Amanda looked up from her hands and tried her best to put on a fake smile, but it came out as a grimace, "I'm fine, Bubba, don't worry about me. Focus on yourself and the task in front of you."

Lucas took her hands and sighed, "I know you're nervous. I am, too, okay? Let's just try to stay positive," he smiled gently at her and helped her down the fence after she nodded at him.

The two walked hand and hand toward the tent of the rodeo when they stumbled upon Riley and Maya, "oh, hi, hey. Uh, yeah, I just saw Tombstone the Bull and uh, why do you hate me," Lucas asked them.

Riley groaned, "come on, a bull is just a man cow."

Maya chuckled, "you're scared of a man cow. Moo!"

Amanda rubbed her forehead with her free hand, "you two have never actually seen a bull, have you?"

Riley shrugged, "no. What we would like to see are some cold drinks from an air-conditioned refreshment tent," they looked behind themselves, "oh look!"

The four made their way into the tent, seeing Zay and Andrew, who had his gear on, watching the TVs that were around the tent, "hey, guys. What are you watching," Riley asked, walking toward them.

"Nothing you wanna see."

The PA announced the following clips were last year's men with Graveyard. After the clips were shown, Andrew looked queasy.

Maya's eyes widened, "I don't want you going anywhere near that bull."

Andrew scoffed, "yeah. That makes two of us."

"I want you to take off that stupid outfit and I wanna get out of here."

"Maya—"

"I saw the bull, Drew! I don't think the Bull knows this is supposed to be fun!"

Riley faced Maya, "Maya, let's not shake Andrew's and Lucas' confidence," she turned to the two boys, "you guys can do this, right? Just stay on the bull for four seconds and win the Master of Tombstone and Graveyard Award?"

"Andrew is going to end up in a Graveyard."

"I don't want Lucas going out there, either," the group turned to Mandy, whose face was paler than normal after watching the clips on the TV.

"See? Mandy agrees with me!"

"Maya, he's going to do great," Riley exclaimed with optimism. She turned to Zay, "tell them they're going to be great."

"You're gonna do great."

"Truth."

"You're both gonna die."

Riley walked up to Andrew, "I believe in you, Drew. I believe you can do anything you want to."

"Riley, why do you want him to do this?"

"Because, we would talk all the time when he was in Canada. And somehow him falling off that stupid machine bull was always in there somewhere. He won't let it go. This will give him the boost to let go."

Maya turned to Mandy, "Mandy?"

"I don't want Lucas to do this but this is better than riding Judy the Sheep. And I hate how he's known as a disgrace in his community."

"I wouldn't say I'm a disgrace—"

"You are," Riley cut him off, "I've been talking to people. They have long memories around here."

A waitress went up to Lucas, "baaahh!"

Amanda glared at the back of the lady's head.

"See," Lucas said, "I have to do this."

Amanda went in front of him and took his hands, "okay, just do me a favor, Bubba."

"Anything, 'Manda."

"Don't do anything that could get you killed."

"Yeah, Lucas is right," Andrew chimed in, "we have to do this."

Riley went up to Andrew, "okay, then go out there. Be the hero I know you are."

"Thank you, Riley."

Farkle and Pappy Joe entered the tent, "the Mutton Busters are getting ready to ride, Andrew's first after them, then Lucas."

The group of friends started to travel toward the entrance of the tent, Maya called out to Andrew, "Andrew, look at me," when he faced her, she continued, "if you do this, I will never speak to you again."

"Maya—"

"Riley, why are you for this?"

"Because I want him to succeed. I want him to get his confidence back."

Maya turned back to Drew, "you won't have confidence if you don't do this?"

Drew smiled sheepishly, "that's the general gist of it, yes."

Maya sighed, "I will never speak to you again."

The blonde left the tent, leaving Riley and Drew confused. The others were too focused on Lucas to notice anything big that was happening.

While Andrew was getting ready to ride Graveyard, Amanda pulled Lucas aside, "okay, I know I haven't been the best supporter today, but that's because I'm so scared, Bubba, and I'm so sorry—"

"No, no, stop," Lucas told her softly, bring her to his chest, "no tears today. I'm gonna try my hardest and you're gonna be in my mind every step of the way, okay?"

Amanda nodded into his chest and squeezed her arms around him tighter.

The PA announced Lucas' name, he was next. The pair saw Andrew in perfect health, the two hugged the champion and congratulated him on his accomplishment. Amanda saw Riley heading towards Maya, who was sitting far away on a huge staircase. She sighed, she couldn't think about them right now, Lucas needed her.

Amanda, Farkle, and Zay climbed up the fence to over look the riding zone, Farkle holding Amanda's hand in comfort, for he saw the girl's distress.

Amanda shouted, "Lucas tell the bull you wanna be a veterinarian, it's your only hope!"

"He doesn't care!"

"THREE—TWO—ONE!"

The gate opened and Lucas started riding the bull. Everything happened in slow motion. Four seconds in, Lucas was thrown off the animal and Amanda's heart dropped to her feet. She climbed over the fence and ran to his side, "Lucas! Lucas, are you okay? Lucas, get up!"

"I stayed on for like, thirty seconds."

Mandy let out a relieved chuckle, "yeah, Bubba, you did so well."

With the help of Farkle and Zay, they helped Lucas to his feet. They were all thrilled to see that not only Andrew was a champion, but Lucas was as well.

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

Maya liked Andrew. Riley loved Andrew like a brother.

That's what Amanda was caught up on after the rodeo, and she couldn't be more confused. The only thought that went through her mind was, since when?!

The three girls entered Pappy Joe's home to find the four boys sitting around the two trophies that were placed in front of them.

Riley sighed, "Andrew can I talk to you?"

"Actually, I have something to say to you, Riley," Andrew started, "I wanted to thank you for believing in me, today. And always believing in me no matter what. We've known each other for a long time and even when I moved to Canada, you were always there for me, and I never want that to change. You mean a lot to me."

"You mean a lot to me, too, Drew," the brunette smiled, "you're my brother, Drew. It's my job to care about you."

Andrew furrowed his brow, "what?"

"You're my brother, Andrew, and I'm you're sister," Riley leaned up and kissed his cheek. She turned to Maya, "how do you feel about him, Maya?"

Amanda couldn't help but feel bad for Andrew, his face showed nothing but devastation.

When Maya didn't respond, Riley left the room, everyone else following except for Lucas and Amanda.

Once they were alone, Amanda started to play with Lucas' fingers, "I'm so proud of you, Bubba. I don't know what I would've done if you had gotten hurt."

Lucas wrapped an arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer to him, "I'm not going anywhere," he looked down at her, "I wanted to thank you for being by my side today. I really needed it."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Good, because if you did, I wouldn't be able to this..."

Lucas slowly leaned in and placed his lips on Amanda's, gently. The pair pulled away and smiled at each other and leaned in again for another kiss.

The only thing that ran through Amanda's head was; I love Texas.

──︒✿ཾ∘∗✽ᜒࠬ. ──

edited: 27 feb 2021