I awoke to a simple bed in my father's inn and warm sun on my face. I rose and walked to my closet, grabbing my overalls and shirt. The only other thing in my closet was a slender white gown.
Mom's.
I braided my long red hair. I try tying it with a white bow.
I might as well attempt to be feminine, or the gown is useless. I'll still probably never wear it, but my father would prefer I try.
I began my brisk walk out to the spring at the base of Mother's Hill.
My mother was so beautiful in that dress the day she married my dad.
I wasn't alive then, but I had seen pictures.
In truth, I barely remember her. She was a flicker of light, with a smile like a umm...firefly? Poetry really isn't me. I wonder if she wrote some. I'd ask dad but...if her smile is a firefly then his eyes are pools of...something sad. Yeah, I should stop trying.
I chuckled at myself. I was by no means a stupid girl, but I certainly wasn't poetic. Not like Mary. I wasn't determined and strong like Elli, either, or blissful and dainty like Popuri.
Still, at least I can cook better than Karen.
Thinking of Popuri...

P: "Ann! Wait up!"

She usually joins me a little after I've set out.

A: "I thought you weren't coming today."

P: "I always come eventually, you just leave too early!"

A: "Well, be less slow."

P: "I have to feed the chickens every morning!"

I say nothing, and we walk along in a content silence. She never could stay quiet for long, however.

P: "Do you think your boyfriend will like chickens?"

I blush immediately.

A: "Who says I have to have a boyfriend? I'm not some little slip of a girl who needs a man to take care of her."

Besides, no one would like a tomboy like me.
She knew me well enough to see the comment in my mind.

P: "Well, what's wrong with being a little bit more feminine?"

She fluffed her shiny pink hair and pushed her arms together to make her breasts look slightly bigger, then released the pose and giggled.
She knew better than to push the boyfriend point. I get enough stress from my dad.
I decided this was a good time for a run.

I arrived at the spring a few moments before Popuri. I took my place standing and watching the water and didn't notice a boy walking up behind me.

C: "Excuse me, miss."

A: "Sorry, do I know you? Ah, you're a new tenant for the inn, huh?

C: "Yes, Doug sent me here to find a girl that looked umm...well, are you Ann?

Just like my dad to send him to me. Hey, wait a minute!

A: "Looked like what!?"

C: "Don't yell at me!"

A: "Looked like what, then!?"

C: "Twiggish with carrot hair and a gap in her teeth. Found her."

A: "Excuse me! How dare you!"

See, I knew no one could like me. I saw him look down and sigh.

C: "Look, I'm sorry. I'm usually a gentleman, but I've been under a lot of stress from my family and..."

He could see I wasn't buying it.

A: "A gentleman! And here I thought you were a guest! Your name is what now?"

He looked hurt, so I added.

A: "I'm Ann."

C: "Cliff. I'm Cliff. I'll be in the inn."

He left. As he walked, no, stalked away, he brushed passed Popuri. She bowed back and stepped out of the way.

P: "Who was that? New tenant?"

A: "Yeah, named Cliff."

P: "So, how about today you wear your hair down. I can fix your makeup and..."

She practically bounced with excitement. I felt bad, but..

A: "No."

P: "But how often do people come here? And you have to admit, he does look interesting."

A: "No. He's a jerk."

P: "What happened?"

I pretended not to hear. She paced her usual spots, enjoying the exercise.

P: "The water is beautiful today, isn't it?"