Country Boy, City Girl [LHotP Fan Fiction]

Chapter One: New in Town

April 1883

It was a lovely morning, the early April wind was blowing a refreshing breeze as the children of Walnut Grove played outside the school-house. Miss Wilder, the school mistress, began to ring the bell. The students grabbed their books and ran up the stairs and into the school. Amongst the students was Laura Ingalls, who was returning to school after teaching a school term in Curry, which was twelve miles from Walnut Grove. It felt strange to be returning to school. Laura had taken the school examinations to get a teacher's certificate, but now she was coming back to school to assist Miss Wilder, secretly.

"Hi, Laura!" said Ida Brown, as they made their way to their desks.

"Hi Ida," said Laura, happy to see her friend after so long. "How have you been?"

"Why I'm doing mighty fine. But Laura, have you heard? Miss Wilder has a cousin who is coming to stay in Walnut Grove for the time her parents are in New York!"

"Ida," said Miss Wilder, tapping her ruler on her desk. "It's time to settle down now. And Willie Oleson!"

Willie Oleson had come running into the school-house, late as usual, stamping mud across the floor. Laura sighed; without Willie's bad habits it wouldn't be a normal school day.

"Willie," said Miss Wilder, motioning for him to come. "Why are you late?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Wilder," he replied, walking to the front of the room. "I over slept."

"Willie, in the corner."

"Yes Ma'am."

The class laughed, all except for Laura. She had finally gotten over the hump in her life and matured.

"Oh! now y'all wouldn't be laughing if you were in Willie's shoes," she said, standing and putting her hands on her hips. "So stop it now."

The room fell silent. From where he stood, Willie turned around and thanked Laura with a smile. Laura nodded and sat back down.

"Thank you, Laura," said Miss Wilder. "Now students! Please turn to page sixteen in your grammer books."

After school was dismissed for the day, Willie came up to Laura as she passed Olseon Mercantile, the store that his family owned.

"Laura," he said, shading his eyes from the sun. "Thank you for what you said today. You didn't have to speak up for me, I'm used to it."

"Oh, Willie!" Laura exclaimed, putting a hand on her hip. "I felt the need to. The others wouldn't like it if you laughed at them. They might as well treat you with a respect first to get it in return. Well, you have a nice day Willie."

"You, too, Laura."

She started walking again, when a wagon, pulled by two horses, stopped next to her. It was Almanzo, Miss Wilder's brother. There was a young girl next to him. She looked to be young, but her countenance was mature. She had long, wavy, dark brown hair that came down to her middle. Her light brown eyes were friendly, surely she was. This was the cousin.

"Hiya, Manly," Laura said, calling him by his secret nickname.

"Afternoon, Laura," said Almanzo, tipping his hat to her. "This here is my little cousin, Esther. She'll be staying here a while."

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Laura," said Esther, getting out of the wagon. "Manzo has told all about you on our way here."

"It's nice to meet you, too," Laura replied, feeling a little shy with Almanzo looking at her. "Well, I best be on my way."

"Surely we can give you a ride," Esther said quickly. "Right, Almanzo? Laura, I insist."

Laura looked at Almanzo questioningly. She was used to riding with him, she'd done so for many weeks when she was teaching. But she wasn't used to riding with him and others. Plus they were very discreet about their feelings for each other.