Love in the Fields

3

It had been a week since Camila had arrived, and the routine of rural life was slowly beginning to settle into her bones. The 5 a.m. wake-ups still felt like torture, and the constant physical labour left her sore and exhausted, but she had to admit it was getting slightly easier. Her muscles were starting to adapt, and maybe, just maybe, so was she.

Today, she was mucking out the horse stables with Lauren, the familiar earthy smell filling her nose as they worked side by side. The air was hot, the kind of heat that soaked into her skin and left her craving a cool escape. She wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead and leaned against her shovel for a break.

"Hey," Lauren said, breaking the silence with a casual grin. "Me and some friends are planning to head down to the river after work. If you're up for it, you should come along. It'll be nice to cool off."

Camila raised an eyebrow, curious. "What do you even do for fun around here?"

Lauren shrugged, her emerald-green eyes twinkling with a hint of mystery. "Nothing fancy. Just swimming, hanging out. It's low-key, but it's a good time."

Camila thought about it, realizing that it'd been a while since she'd had a true break. "Not how I usually spend my Saturdays, but... why not? I'm sweating my face off out here, and a swim actually sounds perfect."

Lauren's face lit up. "Cool! So what did you do for fun back in the city?"

"Oh, you know," Camila said with a smirk, "a little drinking, a lot of partying."

Lauren laughed. "Yeah, well, we don't do much of that around here. But I think you'll have a good time anyway."

Camila chuckled and gave a mock sigh. "Guess I'll have to settle for a quiet, respectable evening, then."

The girls exchanged an amused glance and continued working, the air around them light with shared laughter. They finished up their chores by noon, as usual, and Camila received her daily pay from Carla before heading back home, sweaty and in need of a shower.

She walked in the door to find her uncle Rob in the kitchen, reading the newspaper with a cup of coffee. He looked up as she entered. "Hey there! Good day?"

Camila handed him the envelope, smiling a little. "Yeah, it's getting easier. My arms don't feel like jelly—well, not as much, anyway. But I still ache like I've been hit by a bus."

Rob chuckled. "That's a good sign. Means you're adjusting."

"Oh, by the way, Lauren invited me out with her friends later. They're going to the river. Is it okay if I go?" she asked, already guessing his answer.

"Of course," Rob said, setting down his coffee with a smile. "Just be home by 11."

Camila nodded and hurried upstairs, anticipation buzzing in her chest. She'd never thought she'd be excited about something as simple as going to the river, but here she was, practically giddy. She took a quick shower and picked out a pair of jean shorts and a tank top, something casual but decent for a swim. Just as she was twisting her damp hair into a loose braid, she heard a soft knock on her door.

"Hey!" Lauren greeted her, stepping inside and glancing around at the mix of city posters and belongings that dotted Camila's room. She plopped down on the bed, watching Camila with an amused smile.

"You know we're going swimming, right?" Lauren teased, gesturing to Camila's hair.

Camila laughed, a little sheepish. "I know. But I like to look halfway decent. It's a habit."

Lauren shrugged with a smile. "Can't say I relate, but I respect it."

They headed downstairs, saying a quick goodbye to Rob and Pam before setting off toward the river. As they walked, Camila felt herself relax. The world around her was drenched in late afternoon sunlight, the fields rolling out into a sea of green and gold, and the distant sounds of birds were soothing in a way she hadn't expected.

After a while, they reached the river, where three other girls were already waiting, chatting and laughing by the water's edge. When they noticed Lauren and Camila approaching, they waved, their faces lighting up with friendly smiles.

"Guys, this is Camila," Lauren said, gesturing toward her. "She just moved here from the city. Camila, this is Dinah, Ally, and Normani."

"Hey!" Camila greeted them, feeling a bit of her usual city-girl coolness falter under their warm, genuine smiles. There was something about their easy camaraderie that made her realize how superficial her own friendships had been back home.

They spent the afternoon splashing around in the river, laughing and joking as they took turns dunking each other and drifting along in the cool water. The sun glinted off the surface, and Camila found herself letting go, laughing in a way that felt as fresh and freeing as the country air.

As the sky turned from bright blue to shades of pink and orange, they gathered on the grassy bank, drying off in the evening breeze. The conversation drifted to small things—embarrassing moments, crushes, future dreams. Camila found herself opening up more than she expected, sharing bits of her life that she rarely voiced, and listening to the others' stories with genuine interest.

By 10 p.m., the air had cooled, and they began to pack up. The girls hugged each other goodbye, and Lauren walked Camila back toward her aunt and uncle's house, the quiet of the night surrounding them.

"I actually had a great time tonight," Camila said, a little surprised at her own words. "Your friends are awesome."

Lauren's smile was soft. "I'm glad you had fun, and that you like them. They're a good group."

They walked in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Lauren glanced over at her. "Do you miss your old friends?"

Camila sighed, looking down at the ground as they walked. "A little, I guess. But honestly, not as much as I thought I would. They only ever text me to gossip or update me on their lives. They don't really care about mine. Being around you and your friends tonight... it made me realize that they were more like people I hung out with because I was lonely, not real friends."

Lauren nodded, her gaze understanding. "Well, you can hang out with us whenever you want. I know it's different here, but we actually care, you know? We're more than just people to pass the time with."

Camila's heart swelled at the kindness in Lauren's voice. She felt an unfamiliar warmth, something like belonging. "Thanks, Lauren. That's... really sweet."

Lauren grinned, her green eyes glinting in the moonlight. "Though to be fair, you don't have much choice. You're kinda stuck working with me."

Camila laughed, nudging her with an elbow. "True, but I do like working with you. I mean, the work is terrible, but you make it easier."

They continued down the road, talking and laughing softly, the bond between them deepening with each step. When they finally reached Camila's aunt and uncle's house, she turned to Lauren, a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

"See you tomorrow?" Lauren asked, her smile lingering.

Camila nodded. "Definitely."

She watched as Lauren disappeared into the night, feeling a strange pull in her chest. Her new life was far from easy, but she was starting to see its beauty, even in the smallest, simplest moments. And maybe—just maybe—there was something more waiting for her here than she'd ever expected.

As she climbed into bed that night, she couldn't shake the memory of Lauren's smile, or the way her friends had made her feel so welcome. For the first time since she'd arrived, Camila felt a flicker of hope—a feeling that this small town might hold more for her than she'd ever imagined.