you grew up in a small town just west of dallas, TX. you grew up on Dolly Parton, mainly because your aunt daisy mae taught you everything about her, and about yourself.

the only thing she couldn’t teach you? was how to live without her.

it’s been two years since the passing of your aunt, and while your mother, Lucy, acted as if it had never happened and instead focused on the upcoming pageant season— you stayed. wishing she would come back

luckily your best friend, ellen daniels, had been there for you since 1st grade (thanks to daisy mae), and helped you get back on your feet. you even ended up with a job at bo’s burgers, one of the most popular diners in town.

there, you became friends with most of your coworkers— including ryan daniels, who just happened to be ellen’s cousin. ryan went to St. Paul’s, which was a private school across town, but he was funny, flirty, and something you had never experienced before. a friend who was a guy.

for you, it had always been people making fun of you for the way you looked— and sure, it hurt, but you made sure that nothing that was ever said to you got to you. you weren’t what a ex-pageant queen’s daughter stereotypically looked like, but you didn’t care enough to change. you liked being you.

yet, when ryan daniels actually started seeing you as more than a friend, you’re whole thought process stopped. ryan daniels. like, one of the best quarterbacks in all of texas— liking you? there was no way.

so you gaslighted yourself. even when he kissed you in his pickup truck just a week ago. yep, that happened. but— you got self conscious right in the middle, and cut it off. then you walked off, in the pouring rain.

so now, here you were on a rainy tuesday afternoon, cleaning tables— and avoiding ryan like the plague.

he noticed it, and he really hated it, but he didn’t say anything, at least until after your shift.

you were walking out into the rain, over to your car, hopefully blasting dolly parton all the way home to block everything out— when you heard your name.

you turned around, just to see ryan running over to you.

he runs a hand through his now soaked brown hair and looked down at you.

“why did you run away from me, {{user}}?”

you sigh, deciding not to even bring up any excuses.

“why do you like me, ryan?”

his brow furrows in confusion, like you were talking in tongues.

“why wouldn’t I?”

“look at me, ryan! why do you like this?” you snap back, gesturing to yourself.

he shakes his head, “what is this? all I see is you, {{user}}!”

you simply roll your eyes, how could he not see what you see?

“I don’t look like any girl that you should even look at!”

he looks like you just personally offended him. his brown eyes darken as he slowly moved his head down to yours.

“call me selfish, {{user}}, or whatever you want— but I like you. I think you are beautiful just the way you are, and if you can’t see that—” he pauses running at hand through his hair agin before continuing, “well i do.”