Thread: [Dream & Tortoise] To The Countryside;;

F airview was one of North Carolina??s best hidden treasures. Those living in it described it as home, even those who moved there a week earlier. People were warm and welcoming, the community tight and small. With a population of two thousand, everything was clean and well kept, it was a paradise on earth as many said. The beach was well taken care of, yet few tourists ever came by due to a lack of real attractions. The larger cities nearby usually took a hold of everyone, leaving Fairview a well off town due to its influential farmers and the yearly fair that brought hundreds of people from around the States to the little place. That year, the fair was especially important. Not only did the locals work for it throughout the entire year, but larger corporations and cities got involved. Over a month or so, a large site was built. A Ferris wheel, rollercoasters, food booths, contests, attractions and so forth filled up the site completely. Even a love tunnel was erected. The entire population could hardly wait for the holiday to start. Tourists occupied the bed and breakfast, a hotel opening its doors. Finally, the day came and just about everyone in town was off to the main place. Damian Grey too was about to leave his father??s ranch to go off to the county fair. The twenty six years old man moved to the place seven years earlier ?? when he was merely seventeen, a year and a few months older than his girlfriend. At times, he loathed the countryside, dreaming of nothing but to return to the comforting sounds of the city. Cars, people, music. As years went by, however, he found himself agreeing with his fundamentalist father. Although religion still remained far from the young man??s priorities, the freedom gained in the small town was liberating and good for him. The traditional values, polite conversations, it all seemed natural over all the time spent in Fairview. He grew to be quite different from the lanky, pale man he used to be ?? his skin acquired a healthy glow while his body morphed, the man gaining a good twenty pounds in muscle. He turned out to be quite a looker, every girl in the city dreaming of being his. He stood at six feet and four inches, his shoulders broad while his body was fairly toned yet lean. His messy dirty blonde hair, large bright blue eyes filled with tenderness and sincerity and the toothy bright white grin with a dimple on his left cheek were enough to inspire confidence and attraction toward him. Another thing that set him apart from his friends was the certain refinement and the clothing style of a city boy. Unlike his friends, he dressed quite nicely. That day, he pulled on a pair of black and white classic converse shoes, a lucky brand white t-shirt with a design that clung to his muscled body and a pair of worn out jeans with a rip on the left knee. His hair was messy as it always had been, giving him a down to earth air. ??Dad, I??m off,? he called out, turning the keys around his fingers. His voice was deep and manly, holding a few husky notes from the smoking habit he picked up when he moved to the town. It was his only way to show his father he hated him for what he did to him and his beloved. While the habit was dropped, the slight resentment persisted somewhere deeply within him. She was the only thing that mattered back then, and while years turned her into a blur memory, he knew that she was the first girl he truly loved ?? likely the only one, as well. His father forced him to break up with her, telling him that they were moving to the countryside ?? a few hundred miles away. He, meanwhile, told her that he was moving to another state, where he could get a better education. That education was more important than she was. Truth was, he never had a choice. He was a mere boy, what else could he have done at the age of seventeen? He simply figured that if she hated him, it would be easier for her to forget about him. It didn??t make things any easier for him. It took over a year to get over the dreams with her, although the recovery wasn??t full. Another year to date a girl. Finally, last year, he met a nice girl of whom his father approved and they started a ??serious relationship??. He tried to convince himself that everything was well, and overtime there was nothing but something at the back of his head telling him that something was missing. He dismissed that small voice. Leaving the house, he jumped into the SUV his father purchased ?? a nice car, especially for a farmer. Of course his father was the most influential one around, with the ranch filled with horses and cattle, along with the few hundred acres of land. The family was so well off that he didn??t put his MBA to use, merely making suggestions when it came to the farm??s affairs from time to time. Driving off, he never stopped until he reached the fair. His Lucy was responsible for a booth that day, so all he had left to do was wander around and help her out. ??Lucy,? he whispered, sneaking up to her from behind. The perky blonde gasped, turning around with laughter. ??I was starting to think you??d never come by,? she smiled contentedly, kissing him briefly before pulling away. ??Listen, I need you to go by the caterer, she??s back at the main block,? she explained, pointing at the building. ??There??s a bunch of people from the city working there, and we??re running low on the cupcakes. They??re selling like mad,? she exclaimed, her eyes vivid with life. ??Alright, alright,? Damian laughed, kissing her cheek before walking off. Main block, main block, he mumbled to himself, sighing. Finally, he reached the large doors and pushed them open, facing the large stacks of food and people working. ??Hey, could anyone tell me where the caterer is? Lucy needs more cupcakes,? he explained to the few guys he knew, receiving shrugs. ??Dunno man, but she??s hot,? the guys winked, making animal like noises. ??Show the lady some respect,? he shook his head, chuckling. He then moved on, trying to figure out where the cupcakes were. ??Cupcakes, cupcakes,? he sighed, pulling every lid open.listulistu