At Least One Friend

Chapter I: The Fairy Cottage

       As I lounged in the back seat of the car, I lazily counted trees as they whizzed by the window. Normally, I enjoyed trips to the countryside; I used to get excited to see new places and meet new people. But this trip was absolutely depressing. Moving is a dreadful inconvenience, especially when there is no concrete reason to do so. My mother explained to me one evening that Papa was craving his childhood life on a farm; and when the family received significant funds from a dead aunt, Papa seized the chance directly. Needless to see, I was not satisfied with this answer; I was devastated to leave all my friends, and the thought of living like a hermit, void of joy and entertainment, was less than appealing. This was definitely a trip I was very reluctant to take.

 My sister, Ruby, always in bright spirits due to her young age, began to recline against me as she deeply consumed her book. I had always admired her curiosity for books and knowledge in general; She always came to me for book recommendations, saying that she does not want to subject herself to bad reading, therefore she only reads books approved by close friends and family.  As she started to doze, I stroked her blonde hair, and put away her book that fell on the floorboard. I turned my attention back to the scenery. With nothing of interest to see except trees and farming fields, I start to feel like a settler during the western migration; We dropped left everything to seek a new life with different opportunities. But, hard labor with little rewards was the only opportunities I saw: that is the destiny of farmers. Seeing not even a single structure except a solitary fence that guarded a pasture of cows, I knew that life was going to be very different in this "new world". My parents were silent throughout the entire trip, except for the occasional, "Dinah, would you like a sandwich?" or some other food from my mother's brown basket. It were as if we were all in serious thought about this new country and the future it held. My father carried an almost obnoxious grin, Mother had no visible emotion, Ruby was oblivious, and I had, no doubt, a look of disdain and annoyance, which explains the careful conversations directed to me. I, myself, would admit that I was being quite stubborn, but I abhorred the idea of having no friends and no home. And I had low expectations of suitable company as far as neighbors. Papa mentioned there was a small town a short walking distance away from the farm, and plenty of locals to befriend.  I internally shuddered at the idea of becoming a country bumpkin. How will I ever endure it.

Hours later, we pulled into a gravel road that was lined with a variety of pine and oak trees. If i had not still been in a disagreeable mood, I would have commented on the peaceful and soothing language that the trees spoke. I stuck my head out the window to take in the warm spring breeze. The trees seemed to wave at me in the wind, and birds gave up their own sweet songs, which sent peace through my soul. Suddenly, I felt more optimistic (though far from being happy as of yet) and determined to make the best of my lot.  My father paused for a moment at the fork of the road, as if trying to remember the directions, before zooming off with an affirmative," ah, yes". After a series of winding turns and abrupt stops, Papa stopped again, but this time to point out the view. 

"There's our new home." He pointed towards a lower valley from the road. There was a large declining hill that extended out at the bottom to a large meadow, and a small road continued out to a little white house with a green roof. The dainty house was fully groomed with shrubs and flower beds, and a well-kept garden sat close by.  Excluding the large meadow, the entire landscape was mainly broad mountainous trees, and a pine forest sat behind the house. The scene was so charming and enchanting it looked like it belonged in a fantasy novel. I had almost believed that we had stumbled upon a hidden world, and mystical wood nymphs and other fantastic creatures would appear behind the trees, dancing and playing wondrous tunes. 

"It's absolutely perfect!", exclaimed Mother, "And it looks so well kept, indeed."

"Mother! Mother! It looks like a fairy cottage!" Ruby gushed, "How wonderful this place is!" 

"Just wait, we haven't seen the whole place yet." Papa said as we descended down the small road across the meadow. 

It was a comfortable house. Each room had sufficient space and had every practical commodity. But, I laughed to myself when I pictured my friends seeing me in a place like this- the house from Little House on the Prairie. As I walked through the house with my luggage, I noticed that each room, except the kitchen, had a signature rug in the center of the it; Each one had its own bizarre pattern and arrangement. I imagined a granny spending months in the sitting knitting- her only delight. I winced to imagine that I may share the dame fate.  As I entered my room, the condition and the decorations gave me relief: It was styled with a great deal of taste. There were two windows with white sheer curtains, a white vanity with a ornate mirror with intricate edges, a matching white dresser, and a night stand holding a floral lamp. The bed was decorated with a yellow floral blanket and an multicolored afghan at the foot. With a sigh I dropped my bags and sank onto the bed--creeaak! I stared outside the window, watching limbs of a maple tree brush against it. I turned to my vanity and examined my weary reflection.

"Dinah Gale, how are you going to bear this." I mused, " You're no country girl." So overcome with uncertainty, I slipped under the covers and tried to sleep. I struggled to keep the tempting tears away but all in vain.