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“I’m off to the ranch,” I yelled from the door, as I stepped out of the house. I got to the ranch in Aunt Nelly’s truck, and I didn’t see Ben anywhere.
It was a mixed feeling in my heart. I wished he was there and at the same time, I wished he wasn’t. However, the wish for him not to be there was stronger. Seeing him would be hard for me.
I sighed. “Thank God Ben’s not here!” I started walking in the direction of the cows, head down.
As soon as I raised my head, “Damn it!” “Speak of the devil!” I whispered. I increased the speed I was walking, and my head was down again.
I wanted to ask him why he did what he did, but my ego wouldn’t let me. I already felt stupid, and I didn’t feel even more stupid.
Head down, I decided to walk past him. It was working until I felt a grip on my arm. He was stronger than me I couldn’t move even a step forward, so I stopped.
“Are you avoiding me?” He asked. I stood there, backing him without giving him a single response.
He released my arm and started moving. Where could he be going now? Is he leaving me here? Questions ran through my head.
He walked around and stopped in front of me. “Olivia?” He called out. My face was down, and he used his hand to raise it gently by my chin. I locked eyes with him and a gentle, yet aggravated look was on his face, and shock ran through my spine.
“Olivia? Are you avoiding me?” He repeated. He put his palm on my cheek and looked into my eyes.
His hands were so tender and soft. Emotions came running through my body like I was a teenager in love. But I wasn’t going to give in to that this time.
I pushed his hand off my face. “What do you think?” I asked and walked past him.
Ben ran after me and kept calling my name.
“Olivia!” He stopped running and started walking fast beside me.
“You know I didn’t mean to do what I did.” He said.
“But you did it anyway!” I yelled and stopped walking. It was loud and embarrassing. I looked around and no one was there.
“Let’s not talk in the open.” Ben felt embarrassed a bit. He tried to make me go with him to one of the barns.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” He asked.
“I’m not going anywhere with you.” I said with confidence, even if I didn’t mean it. I wanted to be anywhere in the world with Ben, but I had to stand by my word.
I walked off again, and fast. He followed me. I was heading straight to the cows, and we got there together.
“I was scared. What would you have done if you were in my shoes?” He asked.
“Stand up for what I believe in. That’s what I’d have done,” I started.
“Not run off like some scared cat chased by a dog,” I said. I felt like it was harsh, but he needed to hear it.
The atmosphere was heated. He got aggravated and I wasn’t in the best place either.
“So, now I’m a scared cat.” He pointed at himself and nodded.
“Yes! You are.” I said with assurance. I don’t know if I aimed to make him angry.
“My life is just complicated, and I just don’t think…” he started talking.
“…what? You don’t think what?” I cut in.
“You don’t think I have a complicated life, too?” My voice went soft.
“But, at least I’m willing to try. Unlike you.” Our eyes locked.
