Miss Rodeo (chap. 2)

Dakota awoke early the next morning. She was happy she was the first one up; gave her time to take a quick shower, and write that book report. She was doing her faithfully all summer long so she could finish her senior year a little faster. She had always worked harder than Britney so could finish when she did. That didn’t happen.
Dakota grabbed a pair of low-rider jeans and a tank-top and took them to the tiny shower. She shampooed and conditioned her hair.
In eight minutes she was standing outside, combing out her hair. Then she sat in the sun, and wrote her book report while munching on a couple pop-tarts. And that was how Britney found her.
“You’re up,” was Britney’s first words, “good mornin‘.”
Dakota looked up. “Oh….mornin’.” Dakota glanced at her cell phone. “You’re up early.”
Britney plopped down by her friend. “I know. I wanted to surprise ya by awakin’ ya.”
Dakota grinned. Then it faded. “We have a three hour drive ahead of us. We hit the fairgrounds, and we ride the fourth of July night.”
“Which means we get the third all to ourselves, unless ya wanna watch it.”
“No,” Dakota said, “I don’t like watching them ride. Then I have more than Ashlee to worry about.” The conversation she overheard played suddenly in her thoughts. She told Britney.
“I think Clay likes you,” Britney giggled. “He’s always watchin’ you.”
“Clay likes every girl,” she said sarcastically.
Britney shook her head. “Not me. But hey, if you wanna deny the facts of life, go ahead.” Britney looked up. “Oh, here comes Clay Duncan right now.”
Dakota dipped her head, letting her shoulder-length hair shield her face from Clay’s studying gaze.
“Mom sent me over to collect your book report,” he said.
Dakota sat up, Indian-style. “I haven’t finished it yet. I’m almost finished. I’ll bring--”
“I’m here; I’ll wait,” Clay interrupted.
Dakota’s expression went icy. Britney covered her mouth when she started smiling. Dakota bent her head down, and began writing quickly.
Clay watched her. “Lucky you, always knowing what to write. It takes me a couple of hours to think of a book report.”
Dakota barely tore her eyes from the paper. “It’s easy.”
He continued standing there, watching.
Britney cleared her throat, and decided to speak. “So, Clay, how is your jaw today?”
“Sore still.” His face was now slightly discolored from bruises. His jaw was black and blue, tinged with purple, and a little swollen. His voice was also a little slurred.
“Take anything for pain?” Britney questioned, “Like, does it hurt that bad?”
“Even If it did, I wouldn’t take anything,” he boasted, glancing at Dakota to see her reaction.
She scowled. “Enduring a bunch of pain jus’ because you can doesn’t make you tough. What’s it gunna do? Make your jaw not hurt next time a horse kicks you?”
Clay flexed his jaw muscles, irritated. Britney stifled a giggle. Then she saw Ashlee. The pretty girl marched over.
“Clay, Mom sent you over here ten minutes ago. What are you doing”
Dakota quickly rose to her feet. “He was waiting for me finish this.” She thrust the sheets of paper into his hands, being careful enough to make sure her hands didn’t brush his. “And if you have a problem with that, get over it.”
Ashlee backed off. “Okay. Oh, and Mr. Lassen said we’re leaving in an hour for Parkston, so you might wanna get ready.”
Dakota smirked. “I am ready, thanks. Now take your brother and go away.”
Ashlee didn’t look surprised, or angry, but rather happy. “Gladly.” Clay turned, and followed Ashlee, head bowed.
Britney turned to Dakota. “How can you be so mean? he’s obviously smitten by you!”
She raised her eyebrows. “Too bad. He’s gunna have to get a brain before I even give him a second thought.”
“That is not nice,” Britney admonished. “So, maybe he don’t get a hint--”
“Doesn’t get a hint! Britney, he only wants to date me because I’m one of the girls who isn’t already falling around his feet in awe. Okay? Once he through with me, you better watch it.”
Britney looked shocked, if not a little angry. “That’s mean.”
“Good.” She forced a wide smile. “Lets change the subject.”
“Happily.”
The girls started discussing what they’d do at Parkston. Britney said maybe go see “Ella Enchanted” if it was showing. Dakota liked the idea of shopping better. Said she wanted a new pair of pants, and also needed more make-up.
“More make-up?” Britney cried. “You fly through your make-up!”
Dakota winked. “I put a lot on.” That she did. The nights she rode, she wore heavy make-up, giving more of an enticing look. “Besides, I always like to have a lot on hand, and all different kinds.” She had a wide variety of make-up. All different kinds of eye shadow, eye liner, glitter, mascara, and lip-stick. She had a whole bunch of lip-gloss, some foundation and blush as well.
It was noon when the five different families reached Parkston. The arena was getting prepared for the following two days. Not far from the stands, was the area where the fireworks would be shot off.
Other cowboys and cowgirls began arriving later that day, and helped get everything ready.
Dakota had time to get her school finished for the day, then went over to where Britney had plugged in her laptop. Dakota watched as she updated her internet-friends on the rodeo last night. She didn’t have a MySpace. All of everyone Britney had on hers had been pen-pals, but finally, she switched over to solely emailing, and now MySpace. She had met most of them in traveling with the rodeo.
After Britney finished her latest blog entry, she and Dakota saddled their horses and went for a ride around the fairgrounds.