✾𝖻𝖾𝖼𝖼𝖺✾

your first actual night there was simply beautiful. no other way to describe it, just simply.. beautiful.

you had unpacked your room with your aunt earlier, right after dennis had left. well, mostly. there were a few loose tank tops, a few shorts and skirts in bags that needed to be put in a dresser. there might've been a few stray earrings, but that could be dealt with in the morning. while you were unpacking with her, she told you a bit more about dennis.

"ah, you met a whitaker? dennis, m'assume?" she said with a small, knowing smile. she definitely caught the slight flush that was on your cheeks.

almost shyly, you spoke, "uh– yeah! he helped bring in some bags. he seems really sweet."

"mhm, that whole family is real sweet." her southern accent was thick, and strong. it was different than what you remembered, but almost made her sound.. sweeter.

"yup, dennis s'been helping 'round over here with the animals. he really like them, told him he should be a vet or something."

"mh, he was telling me about that." you almost smirked, while folding a shirt.

"i told him he should do more traditional medicine, like at an emergency room. they always need new people, i feel like it would fit him well."

"you just met the kid!" your aunt exclaimed, but it looks like she thought about it. "y'know what, maybe he wouldn't be awful with that.." she mumbled, smiling softly dispite herself.

you smiled right back at her. it felt.. so nice. everything felt lighter, everything felt fresher.

"okay, should we set some ground rules?"

your aunt asked, while putting one of your hoodies on a hanger.

"yup, let me know 'em, so i can break 'em easier." you spoke mischievously, smirking, and she smirked right back.

"okay, you can go to the farm and creek at night, if you want. but, don't be goin' too far out."

the fact you could go the the creek at light at all was SO cool to you. even just thinking about the stargazing you could do there just made you giddy.

"mhm, that's good with me." you responded, picking up a pile of folded clothes. your aunt started putting the others you had on the bed, so you could put them away easier.

"okay, you and that whitaker kid can be friends, 'kay? but nothin' more than that."

okay, ouch. you weren't even thinking about him like that, (okay, MAYBE you were), but it's not like you would've made a move!! (okay MAYBE you would've).

"ugh, c'mon. i don't even know him that well. what if we.. i dunno, end up being soulmates or something!" you almost sounded excited, and your aunt made a face.

"that's. that's exactly why i don't want you dating him, he's definitely not your soulmate."

"okay, you're being a BUMMER. maybe if i do good work, we can see?" you tried to plead, giving her big doe eyes.

"..we'll see." which, was basically a yes.

yes.

that first night you were there, at like, two am, you wanted to explore. you went downstairs, and right out the back door. you had a little tote bag with you, it had a small comfy blanket in it so you could sit at the creek, a small handheld telescope, your digital camera, a small bag of chips, earbuds, and your water bottle. as soon as you stepped outside and looked up, there was a literal audible gasp from your mouth.

fuck, it was beautiful. it looked like you could see every star in the whole universe, especially with the lack of trees. you could see the horizon, the light glow from the line. it was the most beautiful sight you had honestly ever seen.

you didn't notice you had company.

you started walking to the creek, but your eyes were peeled on the stars. it wasn't far, only about three minutes. it only felt like twenty seconds. you got right to the edge, the stars and almost full moon reflecting off of the creek. there were a few frogs with you, and you thought that was all the company you thought you were gonna get.

you were wrong!

"hi." a small, quiet voice spoke as soon as you were about to put in your earbud, and you jumped slightly, and whipped your head around.

of course, it was dennis. you gave him a small smile.

"hey, dennis. whatcha doing up so late? dontcha' gotta work tom- wouldn't that be today?" you spoke with a small smile, getting out your blanket. and whatcha know, it was big enough for two. you sat down, and patted the spot next to you. he sat down quickly.

"uh– yeah. i usually come out here around now though, i like when you can see the stars. i usually sleep from like nine to one thirty, wake up for a bit to watch the stars, and go back to bed until four. call me crazy, but it works for me."

he sounded weirdly confident, it was almost adorable.

"yeah, i really like the stars too. this is my first time actually seeing how like.. abundant they can be. pittsburgh has like, none. it's so sad, but these are so pretty."

you kinda wanted to look at him, he probably had a dorky grin on his face. but, you were honestly enamored by the stars. i think he understood.

"really? i didn't know it was that bad, i thought you just missin' a few because there's so many people." he almost mumbled, and you nudged his shoulder gently.

"right, because a city with like.. three hundred thousand people just might be "missing" (you did air quotes, he giggled), stars."

there was a brief moment where you two made eye contact, and you just.. started for a bit. it was kinda weirdly perfect. this kid who you barely knew, who was your age, was just stargazing with him like you were best friends. and honestly, he did kinda make it feel like you were best friends. he seemed awkward, but still natural.

"yeah, mhm, all they're doin' is just runnin' off, goin' missing."

he teased, poking your arm gently. you poked his back, and took out your camera. you took a few pictures of the lake, then looked at him. and he was already looking at you

snap!

you guys got some pictures together, and you pulled out your telescope. this moment was like.. perfect. just under the stars with him, talking to him about just random bullshit, it was honestly pretty great.

but, unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. dennis had to go back, so he could get his thirty minute power nap, wow.

you sat with him in the quiet for a few seconds before he left, you were gonna say something. but before you could, he kissed your cheek gently. then, he RAN off.

wow. smooth.

city life was all you ever knew. and, honestly? you hated every second of it. you hated the crowds, it felt like everyone was constantly staring and judging you. you absolutely despised the light and noise pollution of pittsburgh, hated.. just about every part of it. every single inch of you yearned for a simpler, less stressful, more peaceful life. you craved to get away from the tiny apartment you and your parents lived in, to get away from the tiny room you were forced to sleep in.. it would also nice to not constantly get hit with the most unholy stench when you walked outside. city for ya, i guess. you constantly imagined waking up early, watching the sunrise in fully glory, tending to crops.. it sounded so perfect for you. so quaint, so relaxing, to refreshing.. you were CONSTANTLY begging to go to a farm. just for a vacation or even a day trip, that's all you ever wanted.

that's why, the summer you turned sixteen, your parents had finally listened to enough of your bickering. your aunt had moved to a small farmhouse in a tiny town in nebraska. broken bow, to be exact. you had never heard of it, hadn't even heard from your aunt in years. but you were absolutely ecstatic about it. it was obviously a somewhat silly sounding dream to have, what was so great about farm life that's made you want it so bad? well, even just the first night there was better than any day in the city.

the night before your flight, you were checking your bag for the millionth time. did you have all the outfits you needed? did you need more shoes, did you need more hair ties? you were sure you'd be fine, yeah. but a little part of you was definitely worried. you were going to basically your dream space, it had to be the best three months ever. you had to make the absolute most out of it, and the pressure of that was a bit.. yeah.

you didn't even think to worry about it you would see anyone there. you assumed it would be in the middle of nowhere, you probably wouldn't be seeing too many people other than your aunt and the occasional neighbor.

you didn't sleep that night. obviously, i mean who could? that night, you were just watching random shows on your laptop, occasionally glancing at your room. it looked almost empty, a lot of the makeup, books, clothes, and bedding completely stripped and in your bags in the corner. it felt weird that in less than twelve, (more like around four maybe), you'd be at the airport. you had a layover unfortunately, so it would take like.. five hours.

the ride to the airport and the actual flight there were nothing special. you were almost late to your second flight, but that's how layovers usually went. a bit chaotic, but absolutely nothing insane. as soon as you walked out the airport, there was just.. nothing. completely flat lands, only two or so clouds in the sky. just complete emptiness, and fuck if it wasn't beautiful. the air was so fresh and crisp, it tasted absolutely pure, nothing like the smoggy air from pittsburgh. the grass was the most beautiful shade of green, it even seemed like the sun shone brighter. you already loved it here.

you found your aunts car almost instantly, she had the only red truck there. there were only maybe twenty other people there. nebraska so far seemed.. small. incredibly so. you started putting your stuff in the back seats,

"hey sweetie, so happy to have you here!" she basically exclaimed, her southern accent very clear and thick.

"hey auntie, thank you so much for letting me stay with you! i'm so excited to help you out." you replied with a small smile, closing the back door. you then went to the front seat, and gave her a small side hug.

"first time i've heard a youngn' say that." she joked, expelling a small laugh from you both. you stay in comfortable silence for a minute, getting used to each others presence. she seemed very sweet. "you've grown up since i saw you last, 'darlin." she said softly, with an arm on your shoulder, smiling. you smiled back at her while she started the engine, and started driving back to her house.

her house was a lot bigger than you thought it would be, and a lot bigger than your parents described it. it was beautiful, honestly. two stories, large windows, it was a beautiful sage green with plants everywhere. her actual farm and barn were beautiful too, it looked like her plants went on and on for days. it almost knocked the breath out of you, it was everything you ever wanted. she noticed, and nudged your shoulder gently.

"nice, ain't it? barley even costed a pretty penny, basically robbed 'em."

your jaw was still basically on the floor as you carried in your stuff. you had the guest room on the second floor, and holy fuck.

it. was. spectacular.

there was a bay window, and you could basically see the whole farm. all the cows, horses, pigs, birds were just in your sight. all the corn, wheat, potatoes.. you could see them growing. the room was also big, it was probably about the same size of your living room back at your apartment. it was all white with light green touches, and hints of gold. it wasn't much really, just honestly a regular farm house. but it was literally everything to you. you were SO happy to finally be out of that house.

there was even a creek right between you and your neighbors house, it looked gorgeous. the water was crystal clear, there were lilly pads and rocks all around it. this seemed like the absolute PERFECT place to spend your summer.

you went back down to grab the rest of your bags, and you saw someone already doing it for you. and.. wow.

he looked about your age, and yeah. he was HOT. he looked at you, and realized it was definitely your stuff.

"uh, howdy."

he visibly cringed after he said that, but kept going.

"i'm dennis. i'm your neighbor for the summer, i guess. i help out your.. aunt, right? sometimes on her farm."

he had a small smile, and you returned it almost instantly.

"well, hi dennis. thank you for helping me out, i'm y/n. and yes, she's my aunt. i didn't know she got help, whatcha usually up to around here?"

you asked with a small smile, eyeing him up. he looked pretty scrawny, but he definitely had some muscle on him. he seemed sweet enough, and had a nice smile.

"awe, y/n. that's such a nice name!"

he complimented immediately, and kept going.

"yeah, i help out 'round here. i tend to the animals, mostly. sometimes if she needs help with the crops, but i like the animals a lot more. especially if they're sick or som'thing. i think i wanna be a doctor of some sorts, i love helping critters. even humans."

you smiled at him. he seemed really sweet, and friendly. it was refreshing, honestly. every guy you had met either wanted to get in your pants, or just had no interest in you. this, didn't seem romantic or anything. it just seemed sweet.

"yeah, i feel like that would fit you, dennis. maybe you should work in an er or urgent care or something, they always need more people."

you suggested with a small smile, grabbing your last bag. he had two of yours already in his grip, and you guys brought it upstairs together. he looked around the room for a few seconds, appreciating it just as you did.

"well, ain't this nice.."

he murmured, checking out your room appreciatively. he set your bags down next to your bed, and made eye contact with you for a second. you would be lying if you said you didn't blush a bit.

"well, y/n," he said your name teasingly, "i guess i'll see you around. when i see you picking potatoes at the ass crank of dawn, i'll know you're a real country girl."