Tutu's & Cowboy Boots (Part 1)

  Chapter 17

  Cadence

  As my alarm rings on Monday morning, I toss the covers off and am ready to take on the day. I’ve got to take my time getting ready this morning. First impressions are important, and last night I chose the perfect outfit. I slide on my nude-colored Brazil dairy shell skirt paired with a white blouse and laced-up stilettos.

  Grabbing my white handbag and just enough school supplies to get through the first day, I walk to the kitchen to pour myself a cup of coffee. Gran is sitting at the kitchen table and Mom is gathering her things for work.

  “Mom, you sure you can’t drop me off?” I question because, let’s face it, I’m not stoked about driving a piece of shit truck or the fact that I learned to drive it yesterday.

  “I can’t, sweetie. I’m running behind and these two-lane roads are no joke with traffic.”

  Turning to Gran, “Gran?”

  “Cadence, I have got to get started on tendin’ to the animals this morning. The key is in the ignition like always, and from the looks of it yesterday, you’ll be fine. Now go on before you’re late.”

  “Fine,” I say as my heels click on the wooden floor and I make my way toward her truck.

  I open the door and decide I need a towel to sit on to be sure I don’t get my skirt dirty. I run back in and grab one of the kitchen towels. As I turn the ignition, I pause. Shit! What do I do? I refuse to go back inside and ask Gran. Glancing at my watch, I have fifteen minutes until classes start. Taking a deep breath, I try to remember what Barrick told me. I take a moment and feel the truck. I stall out once at the stoplight in town when my heel slips from the gas pedal, so I quickly slide off my shoes and it makes driving easier. I arrive at school with five minutes to spare. Turning the ignition off, I make sure the emergency break is in place, slide my heels back on, and step out of the truck with my head held high. I did it.

  Looking around, I can see that the transportation of choice is either a truck or small car. I also notice several are high-end vehicles. As I walk with confidence toward the office, I see the girl from The Loft and her posse. I smile and walk in the office, daring her to say something.

  My schedule is a piece of cake. It looks like they have four classes each semester and my only academic class is English this semester. The secretary asks if I would like someone to show me around. I tell her no, and she gives me verbal directions. As I am walking out the door, a girl enters and smiles.

  “Hey,” she greets me.

  I smile and reply back. I guess my assumption that people are polite in the South is correct as well. Let’s see how many I get before I get to class. No joke. I swear someone spoke to me every two feet until I got to class.

  The day goes as any first day would at any school. The teachers introduce themselves, go over rules and procedures, review the syllabi, and make us do some cheesy, get-to-know-you activity. By the time fourth block has started, I’ve tuned out most of it. As the bell is about to ring, the girl from this morning flies into class like a whirlwind.

  “Sorry, Ms. Luckadoo,” she says with a smile.

  “That was close, Jade,” she says as the girl takes a seat diagonal from me. She turns and says ‘hey’ to me yet again. What is it with these people?

  As the bell rings for the end of the day, I stand and take my time walking from class because I don’t want anyone to know I drive that clunker. I’m almost to the doorway when I hear Jade behind me.

  “Hey, Cadence right?” she says.

  I look at her. “Yup. That’s me,” I say with a fake smile. Why can’t these people leave me alone?

  “Just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Jade,” she says as she walks beside me.

  “Yeah. I got that from what’s her face,” I say, tossing my head back toward the classroom.

  She giggles. “You’re funny.”

  I crinkle my nose. I’ve never been called funny before. “Why’s that?” I question.

  “’Cause you just called Ms. Luckadoo, what’s-her-face, and you look like you’re about to run the catwalk at fashion week. You do realize where you are?”

  “Well, I couldn’t remember her name and I live for fashion. It’s obvious people around here do not feel the same way.”

  “Oh they do, but it’s different.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Jade takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “Okay let me give you the run down.” I can’t wait to hear this. “Most girls around here are up on the latest southern, preppy trends from either Simply Southern, Southern Charm, or Southern Fried Chics. Every girl here owns boots to work in as well as boots to go out in. Jack Rogers are a must and we monogram everything.”

  “Are you serious? You monogram everything?”

  “Yeah. Just look around.” I do and notice every backpack as well as vehicle has initials on it. What the hell? “Oh and don’t forget the more glitter the better.”

  “That’s insane. Are people afraid they are going to forget their names or something?” I say smartly.

  “Nope, it’s just a southern thang,” she says with a deep southern drawl. “See,” she says as she shows me her car. Oh gosh, she’s one too.

  “So tell me more about Lawndale High.”

  “Well, there’s not much to say, I mean, it’s school. The guys there are your typical country boys. They drive trucks and miss the first day of the season.”

  “Why would they miss school on the first day of autumn?” I question.

  “Please tell me you didn’t just say that.”

  “Um, yeah. The first season to occur while in school is autumn.”

  She starts to shake her head. “Girl, you’ve got a lot to learn around here. Let me spell it out for you. Bambi, big buck, big boy toys, trophies on the wall, and food in your belly.”

  I sit there and process it. “Ewwwww! Deer hunting?” I question in disgust. “Why would anyone want to hurt such a beautiful creature?”

  “Bless it. You’ve got a lot to learn ‘round here. Do you eat steak, chicken, veal?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Same difference. I tell ya what, you’ve got to learn.”

  “What do you mean? Learn what?”

  “I know you are fine being you, but some of those girls are brutal. They aren’t nice at all. Not to mention life is different here. Expect to see a wide range of people, but most of them are plain ‘ole country folks. They don’t worry about impressing anyone. They do things differently down here. You need to be prepared for that because I’d hate for Maddie to start running her trap about you.”

  “Oh, you mean the bitch that was talking shit at The Loft. I’m not worried about her,” I say confidently, and I’m not. Only people who are insecure belittle others to stay on top.

  “Yeah, about that—” I cut her off.

  “Look, I know you were there. And I also know you didn’t say anything about me. You aren’t her and we’re good,” I say with a smile.

  “Shew! I’ve been worrying about that since this morning.”

  “No worries. I can tell you’re not like her, but why do you want to be friends with her?”

  “Around here you keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

  Jade and I stand and talk for a few minutes. She glances at her watch and tells me she’s got to go to practice. I bet she’s a cheerleader. She tells me that tomorrow during lunch I should hang out with her, and I think that sounds like an awesome idea.

  Glancing over my shoulder to make sure no one is watching, I hurry to the truck and escape without anyone noticing. Thank God!

  Barrick

  As I’m cleaning out the storage closet in the barn and loading my truck with trash for the dump, I realize how thankful I am that I have all online classes and don’t have to go in to school anymore. Just as my mind wanders to Cadence and her first day, I hear the truck pull up. Guess I taught her well, or at least well enough to get ho
me. I give her a slight wave but get nothing in response as she struts to the house.

  When I get back from the dump, I’m shocked to find Cadence in the barn talking on her phone.

  “Oh my gosh Lauren, thank God you’re home. Gran was about to drive me nuts with questions about the first day of school. It was awful! Those girls have no sense of fashion and they put their initials and glitter on everything. The only good thing was a girl named Jade that filled me in on everything, including the glitter.” She laughs.

  I clear my throat and she turns around. Seeing me there she walks past me and goes outside without a word. I hoped she would fill me in on her first day. Oh well. I finish working and go home.

  Cadence

  I hop in Gran’s truck, careful not to mess up my electric blue romper. Today I decided to wear flats so it would be easier to work the clutch. Arriving at school early, I take a deep breath hoping no one saw me in Gran’s piece of junk. I grab the books I need for the day and close my locker.

  “Well, looks like the fashionista doesn’t have a fancy car to drive,” Maddie says, looking me in the eye.

  “Excuse me. Not only do you lack any kind of fashion sense, but I bet you drive a two-door sedan,” I counter.

  “Uh! You did not just call Bubbles a two-door sedan!” she says defensively. I burst out laughing and soon realize we have an audience.

  “You freaking named your car? Who does that?” I laugh harder.

  “And for the record it’s not a sedan, it’s a Mini Cooper.” At this point, I try to refrain from speaking but it’s no use.

  “Let me get this straight. You drive a speck of a car that you’ve named Bubbles, your clothing is soooo three seasons ago on Pretty Little Liars, and you want to talk about my Gran’s truck? It might be a piece of shit, but at least I look good driving it.”

  When she’s speechless, I turn and make my way to class. Jade catches up with me.

  “Holy crap, Cadence! I’ve never seen anyone talk to her that way.”

  “It’s the truth. Plus, she might think she’s all high and mighty, but there’s nothing special about her.”

  “That’s not how people ‘round here see her. Maddie is like the queen bee and always gets what she wants.”

  “What do you mean?” I question.

  “She’s won homecoming court for our class like each year. She always has people falling at her feet, and she’s got more money than most of us around here, well at least her family does. She won the Miss Liver Mush Festival four years in a row and is hoping to win Miss Teen North Carolina if all goes according to her plan.”

  “What do you mean she’s won for your class each year? Isn’t that against the rules?” I ask.

  “No, Maddie makes the rules.”

  “Hmm…I might have to see what I can do about that.”