Southern Belle

~Chapter 1~

The chickens boked outside, signaling me to get up and feed them. I quickly rolled out of my bed and pulled on some shorts and a loose tank, I pulled Pa's hat on and went outside.

The chickens pecked quickly, liking every piece of feed I put down. I came in to prepare breakfast for my grandma and grandpa. "Gran? you up yet?" "I'm coming sugar, don't you worry." She said, slowly coming down the stairs. "Where's pops?" I asked. "Well let him sleep in, hun." I nodded and set the little table next to the window.

"So what are your plans today?" She asked. "Well after I do chores I was hoping I could head into town." I asked. She nodded in approval.

So it began, I already fed the chickens, so I fed the hogs, horses, and Casper, our lazy old Bloodhound.

"Come on Casp!" I said, he trotted slowly behind me. I walked past the neghbors drive, "Afternoon Belle! How are you!" Jack asked, "Well, and you?" "Wonderful never felt better!" He said, scratching his white hair. "Thats great! Have yourself a nice day now!" I said. "I will! you too!" I smiled.

I could see the small town appearing up ahead, really it was just the store, the market, and a few houses that are the closest in town.

I was smiling brightly, When I saw Travis' truck pass by. "Hey hot stuff, come get in the truck." Travis said smirking. I rolled my eyes at yet another attempt to get me. "No, Sorry Travis, Move along." "I will have you!" He said as he pulled away. Casper gruffed after him.

"You tell him Casp, Alright how about some pie for tonight?" I said patting his head then his side.

I went into the small bakery, "Elaine! Elaine!!" I called behind the counter the crazy old woman can't her a thing!

"Belle? that you?" She said coming from the back, "My! you look purtier and purtier ery day!" "Why thank you! your too kind ma'am." Of course sugah what can I getya?" "Pie crust please!"

"You got it!" she came out with the fresh crust. I dug into my pocket. "On the house sweet heart, like always." "Thanks Elaine, you ever need a hand you know where to find me!" I said, "I know sugah."

I went to the market to find some blueberries. "Which ones Casper?" I said weighing two containers of Blueberrries in my hands. "This one?" Casper was silent, "Or this one?" He barked, "We'll take these ones please!"

"You two always were the perfect pair the moment that puppy came home with you, you both were stuck like glue." Davey says, packaging the berries. "He's my other half for sure." I answered sweetly taking the berries.

I scruffed up his crown, when a commotion came.

A black expensive looking car came through the main dirt road, and stopped. Everyone came around the vehicle trying to get a look on the idiot who brings a nice car to a place like this.

A man walked out of his car, a phone pressed to his ear.

"I told you that the highway needs to lead more to the west, the west, WE...!Oh my gosh, ASK HOWARD!" He hung up and looked at the crowd that gathered.

I along with everyone else was confused, Highway? The last thing we need is a Highway!

"Hello people of...." He paused and seemed to glance at a paper, "Holster! I am Austin Conners! I am here to modernize your little town!"

MODERNIZE?! Not my town! LITTLE TOWN! Does he have any idea who he's talking to?

Everyone was shocked into silence, "Thank you for your cooperation!" He hoped back in his car, and drove off.

Voices, voices everywhere. All of the voices were so loud they thundered in my ears, almost overpowering my thoughts. My town, my home town, the town my family tree has lived in for generations, my parents town, will be gone, forever, modernized. Malls, Clothe Stores, Food Courts, Time and Money will matter.

Goodbye Home Town.