Farmgirl

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

The day I met Andrew, my life began to change. The day I met Abigail, my life changed for good. It was a warm Thursday evening in late September, and I was taking a stroll through the woods next to my house. They weren't technically woods or a real forest, kinda just a messy space behind a lot of houses full of trees and leaves and other weird things. I always knew that the forest was in between the houses and a farm, but I never thought much about who might live on that farm. And I was certainly very surprised to find out who.

The woods didn't exactly have a path to follow or anything, but I was wearing sneakers and was pretty good about being able to balance on fallen trees and carefully hop over tree roots or poison ivy. After awhile, I was at my favorite spot in the woods - a little sitting space right behind a pile of concrete bricks, right in between two trees. I'd come at just the perfect time and the sun was shining right onto my spot, bathing it in golden light. I sighed happily, and sat down, taking out my book and beginning to read, feeling right at home in this natural area. The birds were singing, the wind was gently rustling through the leaves, everything was so perfect.

"Who the hell are you?" A rough voice asked from above me. I jumped and quickly and clumsily got to my feet. A boy stood in front of me, about my age, probably a little bit taller than me, with dark blonde hair, freckles splattered over his tan skin, and deep brown eyes. I had to admit - he was kind of cute.

"Who are you?" I demanded. The boy looked rather affronted.

"I asked first," he said stubbornly. I crossed my arms.

"I asked second, but-" I quickly thought of a good reason. "Um, ladies first." The boy snorted.

"Sticking to gender roles in the twenty-first century?" he asked me.

"Fine." I snapped. "I'm Meredith."

"That doesn't much answer my question. What are you doing here?"

"And you didn't answer my question at all. Who are you, and what are you doing here?"

"I'm Andrew." the boy clarified. "And I live on the farm. I'm out here looking for one of our chickens that escaped."

"You own chickens?" I asked.

"I do live on a farm." he replied.

"Right," I said. "Well, I live at one of the houses down there, and I'm here because no one owns these woods and I decided that I like to read here. It's a nice evening, I have no homework, and nothing better to do. Does that answer your question?" I asked in a sickly sweet voice. Cute or not, the boy was rather annoying.

"I suppose." he grumbled. "You better not come much closer to the farm, though. Dad doesn't like surprise visitors."

"What's he gonna do, shoot me?" I asked. Andrew rolled his eyes.

"He's just not the friendliest man, let's put it at that."

"Whatever," I said, and began to get my stuff together.

"Wait - where are you going?" Andrew asked.

"Well, clearly I'm not wanted here, so I'll just head back ho-"

"No, no, I wasn't kicking you out!"Andrew said. I raised my eyebrow. "After all," he added hurriedly, "no one owns these woods, so I have no right to do so. Obviously."

"Uh-huh."

"Anyway, I'll just be on my way. To find the chicken." Andrew said. I nodded slowly.

"Bye, then." he said.