New State New Life

New Hat

Hmm, do I want to stay in my pajamas? Eh i'll get dressed, so early. Looking through the drawers, I have leggings. Yeah that's fine, i'd rather wear sweat pants for the drive back tomorrow. Putting on a thong and the leggings, I grabbed a bra and sifted through the drawers. I have a flannel, an oversized tee and a regular tee. Uhm, I guess we're gonna go with flannel and just leave it un-tucked. Heading down stairs, their mom was making breakfast and their dad was sitting at the table. Then Connor came walking in and went over to the back door.

"You coming?" He asked

"Yeah" I replied

Walking over to the door, I followed him out and over to the barn. We did our morning routine and I got to feed my buddy Blackjack. He's always last, but is a good boy while the rest of the horses get fed. Also while I feed him, Connor gets the gator loaded up with all the other animals food.

"So, how bad is this in the winter" I laughed

"Not fun" He chuckled

"I could never" I replied

"I got a question" Connor said

"Oh no. What is it" I asked

"Did you and my sister really buy hair dye?" He asked

"Oh yeah" I smirked

"What colors did you guys get" He sighed

"I'm not telling you. You'll just have to wait and see" I laughed

"Will it be like that for graduation?" He asked

"I don't think so" I replied "I could snapchat you I guess. Since you added yourself"

"Well, you can snapchat me regardless" Connor replied

"Oh really now?" I said

"Yeah" He laughed

"I'll send you ride updates tomorrow cause I will be bored" I smiled

"I'll be working but I'll try and keep you entertained" Connor laughed

"What do you even do for work?" I asked

"I work on machines up at school. Which is an hour away, right by the rodeo actually. But yeah. I graduate this year as well. I started late." Connor said

"Same here" I laughed

"Luckily my graduations before Marie's so we're all going to come down when she graduates.. Do you guys graduate the same day?" He asked

"Yeah. They do the vets then the techs so we'll be semi near each other" I said

"Oh so I get to see your truck when we come down?" He asked looking at me

"Yup. Maybe i'll take you for a ride too" I laughed

"That sounds interesting out of context" Connor laughed

"Shut up" I replied and hit his arm, lightly this time

"Is your family coming?" He asked

"Probably not. I don't expect them too either" I shrugged

"Why not?" Connor asked

"Cause they didn't want me to come all the way out here for school, they wanted me to stay local. But I just wanted to get out of there. They have never come out, not even when I moved out here. I drove my s**t my self and picked up stuff when I went home on break. Honestly, I don't even know if everything will fit in my truck." I said

"Oh wow. Sorry" He said

"It's no problem. My one cousin lives kinda out here. She's somewhere in the Midwest. She might come. But like I said. I don't expect much from my family, she left to get away from the bullshit too and ended up moving to the state she went to school in" I said

"You think you're going to do that?" He asked

"There's nothing really around there. For having a vet school you'd think there would be" I laughed

"Well what about the offer our vet made you?" Connor asked looking at me

We quickly hopped out and took care of the goats and I looked at him.

"I'd have to find a place to live out here and there's like nothing even for sale" I said

"That rooms not being used" Connor said

"No" I replied

"Why" He laughed

"I'm not going to take advantage of y'all like that. I'll feel too bad" I pouted

"Oh shush. We have land and our parents said we can take pieces to build our own houses if we wanted to. You and Marie build a house and I guess I will get the second best spot" He smiled

"See now what about when she gets a boyfriend and gets married. I'll still have to be house hunting while i'm here" I said

"Nah. You can stay with me in my luxurious house that isn't built or planned or anything." Connor said

"Yeah and feel the wrath of who ever you're dating? No thank you" I said

He smiled and I petted my favorite goat. He's all black and his name is Billy Joel. Honestly, 10/10 because Billy Joel is amazing. We finished our morning feeding and I got dropped at the back door. Why go to the barn and walk when I can just be lazy. Jogging up the steps, I went into the kitchen and Marie was home.

"Hello friend of mine" I smiled

"Hello" She laughed

"How was your night" I asked

"Oh boy interesting. I'll wait for everyone to share all the things we did" Marie said

Nodding, I sat next to her at the table and Connor came waltzing in. Him and his sister said hi and he took his seat at the table. Their mom started making plates and handed them out to everyone. Then she grabbed one for herself and sat down as well.

"So, story time" Their dad said

"Well let's see. We had a horse colic. An emergency exploratory because someone's dog ate a sock for apparently the third time. We had a pyo come in and the owners almost euthed her while she was on the table. It was a bad one, this is why you spay your dogs man." Marie said

"Rough" I said

"She lived though and is stable for now" Marie shrugged "Pumping meds into her"

We all nodded and chatted as we ate.

"So, what are your plans for today" Their mom asked

"Sleep" Marie said

"I guess chill on the couch" I laughed

"I don't know" Connor said

Their parents nodded and we all helped clean up. Then their dad headed out back with their mom. They are going on a Sunday morning trail ride, apparently they do that every Sunday if it's nice. I love that.

"So, do you want a cowboy hat now?" Marie laughed

"Maybe" I chuckled

"Is that one hat shop still open?" Marie asked looking at Connor

"Yeah, that's where I got mine. I used to stop in there every now and then to see if I like anything" He replied

"We can go when I get up. If they're still open when I get up" Marie said

"Sounds good" I nodded

"They close early on Sunday's" Connor said looking at his phone.

"How early?" Marie asked

"2" Connor replied and flipped his phone around

"Oh. I don't know if i'll be up by then... Hey Connor" Marie smiled

"I mean, if you want to go. I'll take you" Connor said

"You sound thrilled" I replied

"Well you two, have fun if you go. But i'm going to bed" Marie said

"Night" Connor and I said

She got up from the table and walked away. Then I looked at Connor.

"Yeah?" He said

"Do you actually want to go. Or were you just trying to be nice?" I asked

"Well it's better then sitting around" He said

I nodded and got up from the table as well. Walking into the living room, I sat on the couch and petted their one dog who was laying up there. We are going to snuggle on the couch now.

"So?" I heard

"What?" I asked

"Do you want to go and get a hat?" Connor laughed

"I feel like they're expensive" I said

"I mean, they're 2 to 300 dollars depending" Connor said, so nonchalantly too

"Oh, uhm. Nevermind then" I said

"Why?" He laughed

"I don't think I can afford that" I replied

He just looked at me and sat down on the other end of the couch. Okay then. Turning on the tv, I scrolled through the channels and man, there is nothing on, on Sundays.

"You want to take Blackjack out?" Connor asked

"I guess" I said

"Grab your boots" He said

Looking over at him, I got off the couch and walked over to where my boots where. Pulling them on, I looked at Connor who was already walking towards the kitchen. Just leaving me behind, I wonder if he would notice if I just sat back down with the dog.. eh. Walking towards the kitchen we both went out the back door and over to the barn. Letting the horses out into the pasture, I walked Blackjack over to the grooming post and got the stuff out. I got this thing down now. Grooming the handsome boy out, I cleaned his feet last and got the saddle and saddle pad. Throwing those on, I tightened everything up and went and grabbed a bridle. I'm getting used to these split reins now. I don't mind them, wouldn't be my first choice but they're okay. Connor walked over on his horse and I looked at him.

"I'm still semi new at this okay. Show off" I laughed

He smiled and walked out of the barn. Getting the bridle on the massive horse, I walked him out and hopped up. And now we do our routine, run circles around the arena. After a couple laps, I trotted back over to Connor who was on his phone. Mines in the house charging because, well it died.

"You know, if we did that, he would just keep running" Connor said

"We're buddies. Huh Blackjack" I said and patted his neck

"Look you're riding in leggings today" He laughed

"I don't have anymore clothes okay" I pouted

"C'mon" Connor said

He started trotting and I came up next to him. We rode around for a little bit and went on a trail ride. It's so pretty around here. After about an hour or so, we came back to the barn and cooled the horses down. Taking everything off, I put it away and turned Blackjack out into the pasture.

"Ready to go to the store?" Connor asked

"No" I replied

"No?" He said

"No. I don't want to go" I nodded

"Why not?" He asked

"Because, if they're that much. I can't afford that. And if we go i'll want to get one" I said

"That's fine" Connor said

"What part about can't afford do you not get sir" I asked

"I'll buy you a hat. You looked good with one anyway. At least with mine" He said and walked towards the house.

"No no. Don't walk away. You're not buying me a hat" I said

"Why not. Graduation present" He laughed

"No" I replied

"Too bad. We're going" He said

I sighed and followed the boy inside. He grabbed his truck keys and we went out the front door. It's about 8:30 now so they should be open. Well it's probably not close so, there's time for them to open. Getting in his truck, I looked at the boy and leaned back.

"C'mon. Maybe they have some on sale" He laughed

I shook my head and we drove about half and hour into town. He parked his truck and hopped out. Following in suite, we walked down the street and came to a*****e. Cow Lot. Okay then. Going inside they had a bunch of hats. There's also one's you can get custom made. See now I want to get one. I mean I have the money, I'm just trying to save money since i'm jobless at the moment.

"There's so many" I said

"I know. C'mon" Connor said

We walked in to the store some more and he went over to the one counter. They had steam and were shaping a hat.

"Yo, Connor. What's up" A kid said

Wait they were at the rodeo last night. Great.

"She wanted to look at hats so I brought her down since Marie just got home" He laughed

"You going to get one?" The kid said looking at me, I just shrugged

"She's worried about prices" Connor said and waved his hands

"Did you not tell her you get 20% off" The other kid laughed

"No. Was gonna wait for her to find one" Connor chuckled and looked at me

"What?" I asked and looked away from the hat

"Oh, you're good she didn't hear you" The one kid said

"C'mon. Lets go look around" Connor said

He put his hand on my waist and pulled me away from the counter. I was then guided around the store and it's a little overwhelming. There's so many to choose from. Honestly, I might just get plain black. It will go with anything and I won't hate my color choice. Walking over to the black hats, I picked one up and looked at Connor.

"All black?" He said

"Yup. I'm indecisive" I smiled

"Did you even look at the price" He laughed "Cause you were so worried"

"Uhm. No. Cause then i'll be sad and as of right now i'm just saying f**k it" I said with a nod

"Alright then. Let's go over here and pick out how you want your hat shaped" Connor said

We walked over to where his buddies were and he pointed to a board. If anyone was wondering, no, Connor did not wear his hat. He's wearing a baseball hat though.

"So you need to pick the crown and the brim shape then they'll measure your head and get you fitted" Connor said

"Oh. More choices. Great" I sighed

Looking over the board, I picked what I wanted and the one guy took the hat. Walking back to the counter he grabbed a tape measure and handed it to Connor.

"You did your sisters when you weren't working. You can do her's" He laughed

"Working?" I asked

"I work here when i'm on break from school" Connor laughed, I just looked at him

Connor took the tape measure and wrapped it around my head and nodded. Then he went behind the counter and started messing with the hat. After he did a couple things he put it on my head and looked at me.

"How's that feel. Is it to tight? Or too big?" He asked

"It feels fine" I replied

"Move your head around" Connor said

I did so and he nodded. Taking the hat back, he used the steam and started shaping it. It's fun to watch, so interesting. After a couple minutes he walked over and put it on my head again.

"Okay, you can look in the mirror" Connor said

Walking over, I looked and it's nice. I like it.

"Time to pay" Connor said

I sighed and we walked over to the check out counter. Connor disappeared for a hot second then came back with a tie thingy.

"This is a hat band. Figured you might like this one" He said

"I was looking at that one when we were walking around" I said

"I know" He laughed

He tied it around the hat and put it on the counter.

"Hey Connor" The girl said

"Sup Tracy" He said

"So, you using your discount?" She asked

"Yes ma'am" He replied

"Your what?" I asked

"I get a discount I can use for myself, friends and family" Connor laughed

"He rarely uses it though" Tracy said

"Oh" I replied

"Your total is $150" She said

I nodded and used my card to pay. Once I got the all good and a receipt, she put the hat in a giant box and we walked outside.

"Thank you" I said

"You're welcome" He replied

"So, when you finish school. Are you going to come work here? Or do you already have a job lined up?" I asked

"Probably work here while I job search. They know I'm not a full time employee but I like shaping the hats." Connor said

Nodding, we got in his truck and he looked at me.

"So, lunch?" He said

"Up to you" I replied

The boy nodded and started driving. After a couple minutes he pulled into a burger king and went into the drive through.

"What do you want?" He asked

"Uhm.. chicken fry meal, with sprite and sweet and sour sauce" I laughed

I got a head shake in response and he ordered. The boy got a whopper meal. Once we got our food we started the half hour drive back to the house and I'm excited for the food. Once we got back to the house, I grabbed the food and my hat box and skipped in the house. The door was unlocked. Putting the food on the counter, I brought the hat box upstairs and came back down to Connor setting the food out.

"Oh look who's all giddy" Connor laughed

"Hey, i'm just excited for chicken fries okay" I laughed

"Mhmm sure" He replied

I grabbed my food and sat down at the table. Connor sat next to me and we ate in silence. After stuffing my face, this boy somehow finished before me, I threw out my trash and looked at him.

"Thank you for lunch as well. Would you like to go find something on the tv? Or do you have Sunday plans?" I asked

"I don't feel like doing anything. My dads doing ranch work today" He laughed

"Oh you know what I need to do" I said

"What?" Connor asked

"Marie said we would do our laundry before we left but like, never showed me where your laundry room was" I said

"Go grab it and i'll show you" He laughed

Walking over to the stairs, I jogged up and grabbed the hamper. Coming back down, Connor was standing at the base of the stairs and I followed him through the house. Coming to the laundry room, he pointed to the soap and dryer sheets and I nodded. Once the boy left the room, I threw all my clothes in one load and started the washer. Cool, done, now to go relax. Walking back out to the living room, Connor was laying on the couch. He was also in sweat pants, when did this kid get changed.

"You comfy there bud?" I laughed

"Yup. Would you like to share the couch?" He asked

"Nah you look good. I'll sit in the chair" I said

"I look good huh?" Connor laughed

"Shut up" I laughed

He just smiled and I sat down in the chair. And Marie said I was a flirt...