Free Tutus & Cowboy Boots (Part 2) by Casey Peeler

you’ve been my friend since I can
remember, but until you realize life is more than a pair of Jimmy
Choos you’re not really living.”
    She doesn’t speak for a few moments.
“Cadence, look, I know the move has been hard on you and the stuff
with your dad has been rough. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you but
I like my life the way it is. I still want to be your friend and
keep in touch because I miss you, just don’t expect me to love all
that country stuff like you do now.”
    I miss her too, but I don’t know what it’s
going to be like going forward. “I miss you too. Thanks for calling
to tell me about NYU, and good luck. I’ll text you after our
competition this weekend.”
    “You better! I’ll talk to you soon.” We
disconnect and it feels good to know we’re on good terms, but I
know we’ll never be as close as we once were.

Chapter 13
    Cadence
    I wake up the next morning
excited and hurry to the barn to start my chores. I check on Daisy
and tell her I’ll be away this weekend and ask her if she can hold
off having the calf until I’m back home. She moos and I know she’ll
try her best. As if she can stop
nature . After all the cows are fed, I walk
out of the barn and see Barrick pulling up in his truck. He’s
smiling from ear to ear when he gets out and I can’t hold back, I
run to him and hug him. As he spins me around, I feel my heart
soar.
    As he puts me down, I wrap my arms around
his neck. “Morning,” I say.
    “Mornin’ beautiful. You ready for this
afternoon?”
    “Hell yes I am. How was Jade this
morning?”
    “A dancing ball of nerves.” I must make a
face because he quickly explains. “On competition day she always
dances the moment her feet hit the floor. Every year it never
changes. It’s a way for her to get the nerves out.”
    “What’s going to happen when she gets to
school?”
    “Oh she’ll do leaps down the hall,” he
states flatly. Before I can say anything he continues. “I’m
kidding. She’ll get it together by then,” he says with a laugh and
I hear Mom calling from the house.
    “I guess I better get ready for school,” I
say.
    “No worries, I’ll be here when you get home
at lunch,” he says as he kisses my forehead and I walk toward the
house.
    The morning drags on but when I finally hear
the lunch bell, I’m out the school doors and on a mission. I’m
ready to take this competition and bring home a crystal. I crank up
the music in my Range Rover and jam out as I make my way to the
farm. Pulling in, I’m shocked to see that Barrick’s truck isn’t
there. I thought he said he’d be here. That’s a bummer.
    As I walk toward the house, I send him a
text but don’t get a reply. I eat lunch, pull my hair into a bun,
apply my makeup and fake eyelashes, and double check my dance bag
before we load up the Suburban. When we are on the road, I text
Jade to see if she’s heard from Barrick, and she tells me she
hasn’t. As much as I would have loved to see him before I left, I
can’t let it distract me. I put my ear buds in and focus on what’s
about to happen. Jade and I are about to have a flawless
performance.
    Arriving at the convention
center, I make my way up the stairs to the open room. I shake my
head at the makeshift dressing room. Jade is there and already in
her costume stretching. I quickly take the costume from my rolling
rack and slide it on. Then I take my headpiece and look for a
mirror. It’s amazing how the saturated
black cherry sequin lace forms the sleeves and adorns the leotard
while the black shorts, with a cherry side bustle, give just enough
pop. Taking the black and red feather headpiece, I place it tightly
into my side bun then begin to stretch with
Jade.
    “You ready?” she asks.
    “You know it,” I state with confidence as
Ms. Lyndsay appears and takes us to an area outside to rehearse
once more. She tells us to have fun, smile, and give it everything
we have. When we finish, we walk to the auditorium and make our