A new story because I'm trying everything to put off doing my mountain-load of homework over the winter break. Happy holidays, all! Remember to review. Thanks and enjoy.
The Princess & The Pauper
Chapter One
Rachel was used to the empty, grumbling feeling in the pit of her stomach by now. Hunger was something she had grown very used to – however, that didn't make it any less unpleasant. The kingdom of Lima, in this day in age, was divided into two factions – the very poor, and the very rich. There was literally no middle class now in Lima, with the war raging on – either you were wealthy, with nice clothes and a warm place to live and plenty of food, or you were, like Rachel, a desolate street-rat, with no place to call your own and no nourishment to fill your hungry, emaciated body…
Like the rest of the people in her social class, Rachel roamed the snow-covered streets, presently trying to do anything to keep her mind off of her hunger – she hadn't eaten now in nearly a week. She was spending her time trying to focus the little energy she had on making footprints in the snow with her worn-out, too-small boots, and trying to catch a snowflake on her tongue. She only stopped and re-realized the reality of her starvation when she passed a baker pushing along the street a cart of his freshest baked breads, still warm from the oven. The aroma of the breads trailed on farther than the actual fresh baked rolls and baguettes did, forcing one of Rachel's hands to cover her mouth, and the other to be drawn to hold her empty, growling stomach. Her stomach ached so badly now, that she felt like she would throw up if there were anything to throw up. Then, like a savior sent to her, the stray dog which Rachel called 'Barbra' came to light out of the corner of her eye, walking in the alley on the other side of the street. Rachel's heart leapt, and her brain whirled with a plan.
"Barbra! Here, Barbra!" She called to the raggedy Berger Picard dog, followed by a whistle. Barbra ran over to the girl in rags as she got down on her knees to greet the sandy-colored dog – Barbra met the street-weary girl with licks of happiness and excitement. "Good girl," Rachel bayed, and turned the dog's face to show her the baker's cart; the dog barked in understanding. "You know what to do – go, girl, go get 'em!" At Rachel's command, Barbra ran with pink tongue hanging over to the traveling baker, sat at the man's feet, and barked twice.
"Oh – go on, dog, get out of here!" The baker yowled. "I don't need mutts beggin' for food at my feet! Get on, now!" Barbra only growled in response. "Go on!" The man continued, and so did the Berger Picard. "Get out of my way, you mangy mutt!" The dog kept growling fiercely, and lunged at the man, biting his leg. The baker screamed as her K-9 teeth dug through the material of his pants and into his leg; flying back in surprise, the baker flailed and knocked over his cart, sending the rolls, croissants, and baguettes soaring into the air and onto the open street. As the baker howled in frustration, Rachel grabbed as many pieces of bread as she could carry in her arms.
"C'mon, Barbra!" Rachel shouted, and with a happy yap, the dog grabbed a croissant in her mouth and followed the girl across the street and into the back alley. Eventually they made it to the abandoned alleyway that the two called home. What they did not devour of the bread they saved for later, knowing painfully well how scarce their food supply was, although they wanted to eat everything they had. "Good dog," Rachel praised, patting Barbra on the head as they shared a roll.
The church bells chimed in the distance, signaling not only the new hour, but this particular hour being when the boys were let out of school. Rachel brightened, seeing as now she and Barbra wouldn't have to be alone. Noah Puckerman – known to his schoolboy friends as 'Puck' – was in the same position as Rachel as far as social classes. He was lucky, Rachel thought, because he got to go to school and get an education. She of course, could do no such thing in the kingdom – only the princess received an education. Rachel tried not to dwell on this fact – she only made the most of what she had, and never gave up hope for a greater future.
"Rachel!" Noah called, walking over with a schoolmate of his – Finn Hudson, a wealthy-class aristocrat. "You found some food, finally! It's been nearly a week! Can I take some home to my mother and sister?"
"Fine by me," she answered. Noah, though poor, at least had a home; Rachel lived alone, on the streets. "They'll be very pleased." At the sight of Finn, Rachel rose to her feet, and curtsied as best she could. "Good day, sir."
"Good to see you, miss," Finn responded. Rachel loved when someone called her 'miss', as if she were not a street-rat like she was – this did not occur very often. She couldn't help but notice that both boys had muskets with them, and her eyes grew wide.
"Noah…you haven't been drafted…have you?"
"No," he answered, and his best friend was relieved. "But now they have us prepare in school – all of us, regardless of class. Anyone could be drafted at any time."
"I wish I could get drafted," Rachel said wistfully. "I wish I could fight for the kingdom…" Noah laughed, as if she were joking, but Finn nodded, as if he understood.
"I know what you're saying," Finn responded. "I wish the army would just draft me already! My father was general, I work for the princess – can't they just trust me in the front lines, already? This war has been going on for too long, and I've got something to fight for!"
"Yes," Rachel sighed. "We've all got something to fight for."