(A/N: I've edited and reuploaded this chapter so many times because I was dissatisfied with the way the story was going, so I think this chapter is worth reading again if you want to understand the rest of the story. I'm just having trouble figuring out why Eddie would want to annoy Samantha, but I think I've finally got it. Also, please review!)
Summer 1903
EDDIE POV
It would be an understatement to say that Virginia Ryland was picky. From her tastefully done make up to the stylish interior of her house, not at thing was out of place. A Virginia Ryland possession could not be too garish nor to modest. Which is why out of compulsive habit she smoothed down her sons hair for the fifth time in the hour.
"Mommy, won't you please stop," Eddie protested.
"I'm sorry dear, but you must understand that it is important for one to always look presentable, you never know who you might meet," Virginia replied.
Eddie puffed his cheeks and rang the doorbell.
"Well, it seems that Ms. Edwards isn't here. Maybe we should go home," Eddie looked to his mother with hopeful eyes. It was the middle of July and Eddie was beginning to sweat. He had already calculated an escape route.
"Oh no, you don't-" Virginia stopped halfway when Hawkins opened the door and led them into the dining room.
The two were alone with their thoughts as they waited for Mary Edwards to appear. Eddie glanced at the green walls and his eyes landed on a portrait of Mary and the late Mr. Edwards.
Virginia and Eddie Ryland were at their elderly neighbors house for lunch but Eddie knew their was another reason. He had heard his mother murmuring with his father two weeks ago about how Ms. Edwards' granddaughter was soon to be moving in. Apparently she was around Eddie's age. Eddie wondered what this girl was like. All the other girls Eddie met at public school were too proper to play tag or baseball with. He hoped this new girl would be fun. Perhaps he could share his beetle collection with her.
Several hours later Eddie decided that his mother and father must have been lying to him about this girl. She obviously didn't even exist. It had been almost two hours since they arrived and all that time he had only had the old lady gossip of his mother and Ms. Edwards to entertain him. Where was she?
The two ladies were leaning inward. They seemed to be having a deep conversation about Gardner Edwards' scandalous relationship with Cornchip something or other and so on.
Finally, Eddie heard steps coming down the stairs. And the most beautiful girl he had ever seen entered the room. She had long shiny hair, big brown eyes, and soft pink lips. She looked really cute with her oversized hair bow. She even liked the same books as him he noticed, a copy of The Wizard of Oz in her left hand. And she just had the nicest smile when she looked at Grandmary. Eddie put his hand over his small 9 year old heart to check that it hadn't stopped. Oh great, now she was staring at him, like she was expecting something.
"Hullo, Samantha, I'm Eddie" he greeted with a little wave.
She smiled shyly "Hello, Eddie, Grandmary says you live next door."
"That's right," Eddie shook his head up and down.
"Why don't you two go outside and play why we ladies finish up here?" suggested Ms. Edwards.
The children were obedient and took this as an opportunity to leave the stuffy conversation.
"So Eddie do you like The Wizard of Oz?" asked Samantha
"Oh yes, my favorite part is when the Wicked Witch poisons the poppy field, or maybe when the house lands on the Witch of the East, or Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch… or, wait, maybe -"
SAMANTHA POV
Samantha was pleased that Eddie liked her favorite book but she couldn't help but notice Eddie only liked the rather violent parts.
"But Eddie, what about the Dorothy's silver slippers, or when Glinda visits in her bubble?" Samantha added.
Eddie looked bewildered. "Gee, Samantha, you really are a girl."
Samantha gritted, "And what's wrong with being a girl?"
"You only like the stupid parts that sissy's like" he pouted.
Samantha was beginning to see red. He insulted her intelligence and her opinions. She stepped on his foot. Hard.
Eddie yelped, "you'll pay for this, Samantha!"
Samantha didn't spare him a passing glance as she stomped back into the house.
Eddie let out a few choice words that he had heard his cousin say before as he bore holes into Samantha's retreating form.