Prairie

 

 

“Prairie, we’re gonna be late!”

“Just a minute!” I call back.

I turn my gaze back to the mirror in front of me and tug gently on the hem of my purple hoodie, willing it to stretch just another inch longer. I can’t remember the last time I wore something that didn’t come from the church’s goodwill bin. Not that I’m a snob, but today is the first day of my senior year and for just a minute, in the privacy of my bedroom, I’m allowing myself to be disappointed that I don’t have anything brand new to wear. I look down at my dark blue skinny jeans and my faded black flats. At least the jeans fit properly.

“Prairie?” My mom knocks lightly on the door and peeks her head in. “Honey, we have to get a move on,” she says, stepping through the doorway. She stands beside me and wraps her arm around my shoulders as I let out a sigh.

“Does this look okay, Mama?”

She tilts my chin up and forces me look in the mirror in front of us. “You look beautiful,” she says.

My honey brown hair falls hopelessly past my shoulders in unruly waves that I’ve never been able to tame. My pale green eyes match my mother’s perfectly as my stare meets hers in our reflection.

“I’m sorry honey,” she sighs. “Maybe next month we can get you a few new things, okay?”

“No, Mama, it’s fine,” I respond firmly, with a reassuring smile. “I don’t need anything new.”

“We should get going,” she suggests gently.

A wave of guilt hits me as I follow her through the narrow hallway of our trailer and into the small kitchen. We’re lucky to have what we have and I shouldn’t be wishing for new clothes when what I have in my closet is just fine.

 The faded linoleum creaks beneath my feet as I reach up to one of the wood paneled cupboards and grab myself a strawberry Poptart from the box. My mom swipes her purse and apron from the counter top and heads for the front door. Following behind, I hoist my backpack up from the floor of the mudroom and sling it over my shoulder.

It’s been four years since my dad died and we lost our farm. My parents always worked hard and we lived comfortably, but we were never rich. When my dad got sick with cancer, everything we had was sold and used to pay for treatment. When he passed away, whatever we had left was used for funeral expenses and debt. After all of that, we had just enough to buy a mobile home in the local trailer park and now my mama waits tables at Lureen’s Truck Stop Diner. Sometimes I think my life sounds like an actual country song. Sometimes I feel so much older than seventeen.

I pry open the passenger door of our rusted old Monte Carlo as it grumbles to life.

“All set?”

“Yup,” I say, forcing a smile.

My mom backs the car up, away from our faded old trailer and pulls out onto the county road that will take us to the only school in town. I look in the side view mirror and watch the tacky neon sign fade behind us. Paradise Court. Yeah…right.

 

*

 

The town of Redemption, population 859, sits smack dab in the middle of nowhere. Within the limits of Miracle County, it’s simply a dusty pit stop on the highway. No one here even bothers to change that, either. The town’s slogan says it all…The road through Redemption, leads to Fortune. That’s all we are, a dot on a map that’ll guide you to the city of Fortune. The only thing that keeps folks living here is the paper mill, the commercial farmland and I suppose the fact that they don’t know any different and are in no hurry to try something new.

We approach the school and park behind the bus that brings in the kids from the local farms. A bus that I used to ride.

“Okay, you’ve got some money for lunch?”

“Yes.”

“And you’ve got your schedule?”

“I’ll swing by the office and grab it,” I say.

“I’m working a double today, but I left a casserole in the fridge so just heat it up when you’re ready.”

I unbuckle my seatbelt and pick my backpack up from the floor near my feet. “Okay,” I reply, rummaging through my bag to make sure I have all my supplies.

“Your daddy would be so proud of you, honey,” she states. “And I’m proud of you too.”

“Thanks, Mama.” I lean across the seat and give her a quick kiss before I open the door and climb out of the car.

The school is divided into two sections, the elementary side and the freshman to senior side. I walk along the concrete path and around the building, spotting my friend Emily as she waits for me near the main doors. Ugh, great. Josh is leaning against the wall beside her.

“Prairie!” she shouts.

“Hey!” I wave awkwardly as I approach them.

“What? No hello for me?” Josh asks.

“Hi Josh,” I mutter.

“I was just telling Emily about the new truck my old man bought me this summer,” he brags. “Maybe you two want a ride home after school?”

Emily looks up at him with her big blue eyes and smiles as though he just offered her his unconditional love.

“That would be great,” she says.

“I think I’ll pass. I’m kind of out of the way anyways.”

Emily and Josh both live on the outskirts of town on neighbouring acreages. The side of town that I used to live on.

“Whatever,” he says to me with a shrug before he turns his attention away from us.

“Ugh, he is so hot,” Emily sighs.

I look at her with her straight blonde hair and her slim figure and then over at Josh. His matching blond hair is cut short and styled meticulously. He’s wearing full cowboy attire right down to a pair of shiny leather boots, even though I’m certain he’s never ridden anything in his entire life. They’d make a cute couple but I’ll never understand what she sees in him. He’s always been a spoiled brat.

“If you say so,” I tell her.

“Oh shut up,” she laughs. “He’s hot, don’t deny it.”

“I’ll meet you in homeroom,” I say, changing the subject. “I have to stop by the office and get my schedule.”

“Didn’t you pick it up last week?”

“No, I was helping out at the diner and I didn’t have time,” I explain. “It’s no biggie, I’ll just grab it now. See ya later.”

“Okay. Later,” she mumbles, her eyes still focused on Josh.

I shake my head and make my way around the crowd, nodding hellos as I go. We hardly ever get new students, so everyone that’s here now, I’ve pretty much grown up with. There’s a couple other kids my age from the trailer park but most of the kids are bussed in.

Emily and I have been friends since pre-school. She’s the only one who didn’t get weird when my mom and I moved into town. I guess some of my old friends think I’m not good enough to be in their little clique anymore. Whatever. I’ve worked my ass off over the last two years and I’ll be graduating a full year early. I’ll be applying for as many scholarships as I can and then I’ll work even harder until I can give my mom and me a better life. It’s what my dad would want. Work hard Prairie, and you can do anything. That’s what he always used to tell me.  

 I swing open the main door and head for the office, the scent of Lysol and floor polish filling my nose as I go. I walk around the corner and see that Mrs. Buck, our school secretary, is busy with someone so I take a seat in a plastic chair along the beige wall across from her desk. I set my bag down as my eyes wander over the office walls to kill time when suddenly they land on someone I haven’t seen before. He walks through the same set of doors that I just came through and takes the seat beside me. I’m not sure if he’s a student but if he is, he sure doesn’t look like it. His dark brown hair is thick and short and kind of messy and he has a bit of scruff along his jaw that most guys my age would kill for. He’s wearing a plain, fitted white T-shirt, faded jeans and black boots. I casually glance over and notice the flex of his arm as he reaches down and unzips his green backpack, pulling out a piece of paper. I guess he does go here.

“I think she’s talking to you,” he says to me, his voice smooth and deep.

“Uh, what?”

“Miss Bennett! Come on girl, I’ve got things to do,” Mrs. Buck scolds.

“Right! Sorry,” I say, my face warming.

I self consciously step towards her desk, feeling his eyes on my back the entire time. I get my schedule and also set up a meeting with the guidance counselor so I can get some information on scholarship applications. When I turn around, my eyes flash to the set of chairs where he’s still sitting. I offer him a small smile and dip my head down as I head for the door.

Who was that?

 

*

 

By sixth period I feel overwhelmed. I’m taking three science options this semester and two math courses, which are all requirements for the nursing program that I hope to get into after graduation. It’s going to be tough, but I keep telling myself it will all be worth it in the end. Luckily, I have a free period now but I’m going to stop by the library before I head home. I use the computer to look up some books on organic chemistry and write down the info on a scrap of paper. I leave my stuff and head for the non-fiction shelves. Turning a corner, I walk right into a hard chest and inhale the light scent of laundry detergent.

“You okay?”

I tilt my head back and look up at a pair of dark brown eyes, feeling myself blush as I take a step back. “Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t see you.”

“It’s okay,” he shrugs.

I continue to stand there like a moron, no doubt making a fool of myself. I was so wrapped up in my classes today that I’d actually forgotten all about him.

“I should get these,” I say eventually, waving the scrap of paper up as if he’ll know what I’m talking about.

He steps aside and lets me pass but stays where he is while I bend down and look for the first book on my list.

“What’s your name?” he asks.

“My name?”

“Yeah,” he laughs lightly.

Duh.

“Prairie,” I say, standing. “What’s your name?”

“Logan,” he replies.

“Nice to meet you.”

He hesitates for a moment before he adds, “See ya around.” And turns back the way I came.

I find the other book I’m looking for and replay my lame conversation skills in my mind over and over. It’s not that I’m necessarily shy but something about him made me nervous. He’s definitely someone that I would call hot and I smile to myself when I think of how Emily would definitely disagree. She likes guys that are clean cut and I wouldn’t use those words to describe Logan. Not even a little bit. I check out my books and grab my backpack and hoodie from the table I was sitting at before glancing at the clock and deciding that I should start heading home. The trailer park isn’t too far from the school but it will take me at least twenty minutes to walk home and I want to have enough time to study before and after supper. The thought alone exhausts me but I just keep reminding myself, it’ll all be worth it in the end.