Playing The Phony In Oz (ONC - 2022)

Chapter 1

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Chapter 1

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Earlier That Day:

"You're not gonna catch me! Eeeek!" my excited squeal sailed through the pleasant mid-day weather on the farm. The shade of the trees shielded us like umbrellas from the scorching red sun floating in the blue sky above. I threw back a glance at my mother. She filled out in her riding clothes, strapped to her brown mare's back, almost hugging Maple, as her strawberry blonde locks fell to the side. She had a competitive grin on her face as she swung her wooden basket to catch some plums. 

"No, I won't," she agreed. "But I'll be the one with the most plums!"

"No fair, you're taller!" I complained, trying to stand up on my horse mid-ride. "Stay still, Amber, I promise you'll get the juiciest." I reached out all I could and shook a large branch. I waved my basket in the air to catch all the fruits in one go. Of course, I did miss some.

Oh no, mom's getting more, and she's much closer to the house!

"We've got to catch up, girl. What do you say to a detour, Amber?" I chuckled as my horse neighed in agreement. I looped my hand through the basket's hoop and pulled on Amber's reins gently. And she shot off to the side with great speed. The route was much steeper but much faster than the one mom was on. Yes, I'm way closer now!

"Mom, looks like I'm gonna win the race!"

That's when she snapped her head to the side and her grin dropped. "Elise, no! Come back here at once! That is far too hilly for you to be riding up!"

But did I listen? No.

And that's how I found myself on the ground, bruised, with a sprained ankle not five seconds later after ditching her advice. Two boots landed firmly in front of me on the ground. I traced them back up to my mother's crossed-arm stance and her famous I-told-you-it-would-happen eyebrow raise.

"Well, at least Amber's unscathed," I sheepishly pointed out. She scoffed as shook her head, stretching out a hand for me to pull myself up. My brown horse bent down for me to sit on her. She straightened up when I did, hoisting me above. Mom took both our horses' reins and walked up the hill back to the house. Just as we reached the front patio, Amber dropped me with a thud.

"Hey," I accused her, giving her a glare as my backside groaned in pain. "Stop giving me that look, Amber, it's not like I meant to fall-"

Mom's laugh cut me off. She shot me a knowing look. "No one means to fall, honey. Now, play fetch with Biscuit here. After all your ankle's no help whatsoever," she mumbled the last part but my ears didn't miss it.

"I heard that, mom."

"I know." She gave me a wink and disappeared into the stables. She came back a while later, muttering something about an apple pie as she walked into the kitchen.

A small, heavy thing leaped into my chest, a small wet thing running over my face. "Ew, Biscuit, stop licking me! Your breath stinks," I grumbled, wiping my face with the hem of my sleeve. When I turned back, two big black eyes stared up at me, a cute little face and a happy wagging tail. I stroked his head and hugged him. "It's nice to see you too, buddy. Now, run and get me your favorite stick to fetch!"

He was back in a flash with a sturdy mocha stick in his mouth. I threw it far as I could, but not too far away that I couldn't see where it went. Biscuit shot off, bouncing as he leaped over the tiny pebbles. "Hey, Elise, honey?"