Love in the Fields

2

Camila woke to the sharp, shrill sound of her alarm. She squinted at the screen: 5:00 a.m. She groaned, burying her face back into her pillow. It felt like a crime to be awake this early, especially when she'd usually still be sleeping off last night's escapades. The last time she'd seen five in the morning, she'd been crawling into bed, her head spinning from too much cheap vodka.

Before she could pull the blankets back over her head, the door creaked open, and her aunt Pam stepped in. She looked fresh and alert, dressed and ready to go, as if it were noon rather than the crack of dawn. "Morning, Camila," Pam said, her voice unnervingly cheerful. "Lauren's downstairs waiting for you, and so is breakfast. Let's get moving."

Camila rolled out of bed reluctantly, her hair a mess and her pyjamas wrinkled. She shuffled downstairs, not bothering to change, her oversized sweatshirt and plaid pyjama pants sagging as she padded to the kitchen. When she arrived, she saw a girl about her age sitting at the kitchen table. Lauren looked perfectly at ease, sipping coffee and scrolling through her phone. She was dressed in rugged jeans, boots, and a well-worn flannel shirt, looking every inch the farm girl. Camila immediately felt out of place in her baggy sleepwear and half-open eyes.

"Lauren, this is Camila," Pam said with a smile, introducing the girls.

Lauren looked up, her eyes a striking, vivid green that immediately caught Camila off guard. She gave Camila an amused, assessing look. "Hey. I'm guessing you don't usually wake up this early," she said, a hint of a smirk on her face.

"No, more like two in the afternoon," Camila grumbled, plopping down at the table and pulling her breakfast plate toward her.

Lauren chuckled. "Well, just so you know, five a.m. isn't our wake-up time. It's our start time."

Camila gave her a sharp look. "Please, no lectures. I'm already here, aren't I?" she muttered, barely managing to keep the irritation out of her voice.

Pam's husband, Rob, cleared his throat, shooting her a stern look from across the room. "Camila, be polite," he said, his tone making it clear that he wasn't asking.

Camila sighed, forcing her lips into a tight smile. "Fine. Sorry. I'll wake up earlier tomorrow." The apology sounded more like a grudging concession than anything, but Lauren just shrugged, clearly used to dealing with a little attitude.

Once she'd scarfed down her food, Camila headed upstairs to brush her teeth and try to look halfway presentable. She threw on a pair of faded jeans and a sweater, finally ready to step out into the unfamiliar world of farm life. When she returned, her aunt and uncle were standing by the door, ready to see her off.

"Good luck on your first day, Camila," Pam said, giving her a small hug. Rob simply nodded, a half-smile on his face. "Make the best of it," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Camila followed Lauren out the door, casting a backward glance at the comfortable, warm farmhouse. It might not be home, but at least it wasn't a farm.

They walked down the narrow, winding path that led to Lauren's house. The fresh morning air bit at Camila's face, and she shivered. Dew clung to the grass and sparkled in the faint light, and the sound of birds was the only noise around. She had to admit, it was peaceful, if eerily quiet.

When they arrived, Lauren led her inside, where Camila was introduced to her new bosses: Mike and Carla, Lauren's parents. Mike was a tall, sturdy man with a gentle smile, while Carla's eyes sparkled with warmth.

"Nice to meet you, Camila," Mike said, shaking her hand firmly. "Lauren here will show you the ropes. You've got a break at eight, and you'll finish up around noon."