Against the Stars

Chapter 44

Ginny didn't come out of her room the rest of the night. Nelly tried to convince her to eat dinner, but Ginny said that she wasn't hungry. Truthfully, her stomach rumbled, but Ginny wasn't ready to face Mother.

It didn't seem fair! Ginny thought. She was being punished for something she hasn't even done. It was only something her mother thought she would do. Due to that, she had lost all chance to choose.

Ginny wished her mother didn't have to be so controlling. It would be nice decided what the rest of her life could be like. Ginny fell asleep with theses thoughts bouncing through her head.

The next morning Ginny woke and got dressed in silence. No one needed to know she was up. It was early enoughh that the only person who would be awake would not be home. Ginny quietly slipped downstairs, careful not to wake anyone. She grabbed an apple off the counter, grabbed her cloak, and headed towards the door.

Then she heard a sound.

Ginny spun around to see her mother, still in her nightclothes. Her eyes were still full of sleep.She opened her mouth and yawned. "George, is that you? Shouldn't you be gone by now?"

Ginny considered lying and saying she was her father, but realized that would only get herinto trouble. "No Mother, it's me Ginny." And she was out the door before Mother could respond.

A light wind blew Ginny's clothes out behind her. She didn't mind though. She found it hard to be mad when the day last out before her eyes. She had a bit of freedom and she was determined not to waste it don't something stupid.

Ginny made her way to the general store, hoping Ben would be awake. If he wasn't, she would want him. The rusty old bell rang as she swung the door open.

Grace, Ben's sister, was sweeping the shop, quietly humming to herself. She smiled when she saw Ginny. "I'll go get Ben," she said, setting her broom down.

Ginny wandered around the shop add she waited for Ben. She fingered the soft, silky cloth and smelled the tangy scent of the spices.

A cry from the back room caught Ginny off guard. She had no doubt that Grace had woken up Ben in a way he had not enjoyed.

A few minutes later, Ben emerged the back of the room, his hair soaking wet. Ginny had to laugh.

"Did Grace dump a bucket of water on your head?"

"As a matter of fact, she did. Now could you please wipe that smug grin off your face?" That only cause Ginny to keep her grin.

"What are we doing today?"

"I was thinking make Celia go riding with us."

"But Celia hates riding."

"Well, we'll make her like it!" Ginny cried.

"Whatever you say," Ben said as the two headed out to find Celia.

The sun was creeping over the hills as the two of them made their way. The sky was brought pink she cast a faint light over everything. It simple, beautiful, and Ginny basked in it.

The sleepy town was just beginning to awake. Doors were opened and then slammed by the wind. Echos of greettings hung in the air, as friends ran into each other. It was just another day.

The pair arrived at the Rosers as the sky began to turn blue. Morning had finally snuck in and Ginny hoped Celia was awake and that she wouldn't get a bucket of water thrown on her like someone else. Ginny glanced at Ben, with his still wet hair, and retired not to laugh.

Ben knocked on the door and the two walked as patently as their impatient selves would allow. Needless to say, Ben's foot began to tap after thirty seconds. Ginny, however, was able to hold on a little longer.

Luckily for them, Celia came to your door rather quickly. Hey eyes were half opened and get her still showed signs of sleep. However, didn't seem the last bit annoyed.

"Hello!" She said, her cheery attitude shining through. "What do you two need?"

"You," Ginny said, "we need you."

"All right, I guess I could fit you into my schedule..."

"Celia!" Ben cried.

"What? Is a pretty girl not allowed to have a life?"

"A pretty girl is, an arrogant girl is not," Ginny said, wanting to drag Celia out of the doorway.

"All right, all right. I'm coming," she said, smiling on her cloak she heading out. Ben grabbed her arm and started dragging her towards the meadow.

"Where are we going?"

"To the meadow!" Ben cried.

"Why?"

"We're riding! I don't care if you don't like it, you're going to your and you're going to love out!" Ginny yelled, her voice soaring into the sky.

"Oh Ginny," Celia moaned, but she did not fight  willingly let Ben drag her into the meadow.

There, Ben mounted his usual stallion, Henry. Ginny helped Celia mount Annie, and then proceeded to mount Maple. "Be good, she's new," she whispered to Annie.

The three of them rode out of the stable, slowly for Celia's . Ginny smiled at the freedom that may before her. Celia, however, squealed, and not the good way.

"What?" Ginny asked.

"It's so high!" Celia cried.

"Oh you'll be fine. Just don't fall off and twist your ankle," Ben said, slyly.

"What!" Scared, little, Celia cried.

"Ben!" Ginny scolded. "Leave her alone. Besides, Cece, twisting your ankle isn't that bad."

"Don't call me Cece!" Celia screamed, her voice taking on a high pitched tone. Ben and Ginny laughed at her fright.

"Come in Celia, let's ride!" Ben cried, urging his mount forward. Ginny followed suit, as did Celia, hesitantly.

Dee coated the ground and was sent splashing whenever a horse ran through it. Ginny loved the feeling of cold drew on her legs. Celia, on the other hand, did not. She cried out every time she was splattered.

"Hey Celia, watch this Ginny cried. With steady hands she rose till she was standing on the house. Celia screamed, from shock or fear, Ginny did not know. Ben, hearing the scream, turned around. When he saw Ginny he started to laugh, lost control of his horse and nearly ran into a tree.

Ginny laughed and didn't sat back down on Maple. Celia let outa sigh of relief. The threesome continued to ride their horses, with Celia screaming every five seconds.

Soon the day was done add the threeslme went their own ways. Ginny headed home, her bed in her mind. She felt worn out and tired. All she wanted to do was sleep.

Opening the door to get house, Ginny was surprised at the silence. She never got used to having only three of her siblings home. She missed Stephen's cheerfulness, the house seemed almost empty without it.

No one seemed to hear Ginny's entrance do she slipped upstairs to her room. She was to tried to bother changing out of her clothes, so she fell on her bed and fell asleep, skirts, dress, petticoat, shoes and all.