A.N.- Happy New Year! New Year, new story. You have no idea how excited I am for this story. Just a couple things:
1. This is an AU. Set right before the Civil War in the South.
2. Josh is Riley's older brother, and Auggie her younger brother (Although Auggie does not appear in this chapter).
3. Everyone's ages are older because of society's . Riley is 17, Maya 17 (turning 18 in Chapter 3) Isadora is 16, Lucas is 23, Farkle is 21, Charlie is 24, Zay is 22, and Josh is 26. In times back then, older men usually married girls around 17-18.
4. The fic is inspired by the Hanging Tree song from Hunger Games.
The brunette peaked through the separation of the wooden planks that shielded the animals. Her hands gripped the loop of the wicker basket.
"Come on Mary Lou, let's see what you have for us today." The chicken seemed less amused, but in the end gave up the fresh laid egg. Riley began down the line talking to each chicken. Her father would not be amused at the naming of them, he would say that it would encourage the thoughts of the chickens being pets; instead of animals that they were. Riley didn't mind though, it made her chores seem to go by faster. Little did she know that her blonde friend was waiting around the corner. As soon as Riley exited the chicken coop the blonde leapt out startling Riley almost to the point of dropping the eggs. As a laugh escaped her best friend's lips, Riley put her hand on her heart to try and calm it.
"Maya, you scared me," the girl grinned even wider. Riley's eyes gazed over Maya's blue dress that already had dust and dirt edging the bottom. She must have done her chores in a hurry.
"Come on Riley, let's go to the field. The flowers are blooming."
"Well unlike you, I have chores that must get done," She looked towards the blue pools and pouty lips and they won her over.
"Fine, we shall only be a minute." She dropped off the eggs in the kitchen and then found Maya waiting for her outside.
"You're going to dirty your dress further," she cautioned.
"That's fine." Maya answered coyly as her lips twisted up in a wicked smile.
"Because I took this from your closet a week ago." Riley's mouth opened in slight shock as she began to chase Maya towards their field, laughing as the two usually did.
No one could have predicted when the girls met four years ago that they would have become this close of friends. Anyone would attest to their friendship and no one dared to try and break it up. The two girls couldn't be more different. Maya was an unconventional girl born in her time. For fun, she like capturing moments in painting and bending rules as much as society would allow her. Maya lived her days on a small farm in which she had to toil every day in order to get food on the table. She was beautiful, every man in town could see that, she had a few suitors, but some of them couldn't get along with her personality. They left because she was more than they bargained for. If it were left up to society the two would never had met. Luckily for both of them they happened to meet while Riley was at the market.
Riley on the other hand was a curious creature. She lived on a plantation that her father owned yet, she still insisted that she help with chores around the house. Her father was a public figure in town and was loved by almost everyone. While having to attend social gatherings, Riley still enjoyed the quietness of a room and a book in her hand. Despite her age approaching that of marriageability, she had yet to find a suitor that truly understood her. She feared of a loveless marriage, as she knew many girls in which that was their predicament. Despite that Riley was beautiful and combined with affluences, it drew many suitor's eyes.
The two dashed up the hill to oversee this massive valley below that was bombard with vibrant colors of reds, blues, yellows, pinks, purples, and whites.
"Maya," the brunette gasped.
"It's so beautiful." There was so much color in this one field, it was almost hard to believe. They had found this field outside of town about two years ago. It was considered a safe place that they could just be themselves.
"I came here to paint, but then thought it was too beautiful to wait to share it." They raced down the hill to lay among the blooming plants.
"Now that the flowers are starting to bloom, I'd imagine it will only take a couple days before Mr. Gardner will attempt to leave some at your house Ms. Matthews." Maya teased as a light pink tint that matches some of the surrounding flowers spread across Riley's cheeks.
Now Charlie Gardner was the son of the richest, most influential man in town. Riley was convinced that that if he commanded the sun to stand still, it would. Although they lived in a small town it could probably be said outside the town as well. And he had his eyes set on one Riley Matthews, much to her dismay. He wasn't all bad, he had his good moments, but Riley was less than impressed on his wooing of her. It provided hours of entertainment to the girls, much to his expense.
"Like Charlie would lift one finger to pick these flowers."
"Only you would care about a thing like that."
"Far be it from me to have dreams of love my dear Maya. Mr. Gardner's wealth has no effect on me. If he wants my hand, he will have to make an effort, and if he wants my heart"- Riley sat up to survey the flowers once more.
"He'll have to win my soul." She laid the back of her hand across her forehead in a swooning fashion.
"Do you really think it's possible Riley?" Her friends asked, her eyes glued to the daisy she had plucked turning their conversation deeper.
"If I had my way, I would marry Farkle before Charlie, at least I know that he cares for me."
Franklin "Farkle" Minkus was the third person to their trio, or as anyone close to him would call him Farkle. Farkle was his own breed of weird in the town, but that was what connected him with the girls. They were all sort of outcasts in their own way. He was training to become a doctor. He decided that he would rather pursue a knowledge of science and helping people than farming, and for that Riley applauded him. Maya seemed to take in her words and started to process them. Riley sensed that their conversation needed to be lightened.
"My father agreed to throw a party for your birthday Maya, soon the whole town will know how eligible you are." She pushed a loose strand of hair behind the blonde's ear.
"There will be people, food, and boys." The last word sparked something in Maya's eyes, but Riley couldn't really pin it.
"You know my brother has had his eye on you," now it was the blonde's turn to blush.
"Maybe you'll be the one to make a man of him yet." She joked lightly.
"I don't know Riley," Maya placed a Daisy stem behind her ear.
"Can I tell you a secret?" Her friend nodded vigorously and leaned in.
"Sometimes I think it would be an adventure to go out west," she confessed. Riley's eyes widen as Maya's blue pools found the ground.
It wasn't that Maya didn't like Josh. He came from a good family, he would take care of her, and was attractive, but she wanted more. She did want Riley to become her sister, but she was a wild spirit and didn't want to give that up for anything. Maya could sense some tension between them.
"The whole idea is foolish; can you imagine me out west?" This seemed to ease Riley, despite her own heart sinking at the words.
"We should head back." Her voice holding less vigor than before.
"You have chores to do."
They neared the house and hugged goodbye before they parted. What Riley didn't see was her smile fade from Maya's face, but unbeknownst to Maya, someone else did. He was in the corner; most people wouldn't even notice him there. His lips slightly down, perplexed to why the maiden was sad, for she had a much better life than he.
"Zay!"
He was flung out of his daydreaming state. His best friend whipped him around and held him against the wall.
"What do you think you're doing sneaking off, are you askin to get whipped?" Zay shrugged him off and turned back to look at the blonde girl, who was retreating to her own home. Martin caught it and shook his head in disbelief.
"You snuck off to see the blonde girl again? Are you out of your mind? If anybody caught you, not even God himself could protect you against their wrath against you. Zay winced as he half pictured his punishment.
"She was sad, a girl that pretty, should never be sad."
"Do you hear yourself talk Zay? Your mouth will get you in too much trouble someday. You know what we do? We're born, we work, we die. We don't matter Zay." Zay turned and looked at him.
"See I don't believe that. Everyone matters."
"See it's thinking like that," he pointed to his head.
"That will get us in trouble. Come on back to the field.: Needless to say they were caught given lashes for sneaking off. Despite the pain that Zay felt, a smile played his lips, for he had seen the blonde girl in the blue dress.
Farkle turned the key to the lock the door of the medicine practice. His mentor in medicine had left half way through the day, and never returned. Unfortunately, this was a common occurrence for Farkle, but he didn't seem to mind much. He was fascinated with the science behind it, and often had the afternoons to himself to experiment.
"Franklin!" He heard a voice calling his name and froze, he rolled his eyes knowing that he had to talk to the unwanted visitor.
"What brings you this way Charlie?" Charlie smiled at the greeting not knowing Farkle's real feelings towards him.
"You have to help me; you know her best. How do I woo Riley Matthews?"
'By giving her space,' he thought to himself.
"I don't know Charlie; how do you woo other girls?" He tried to leave it vague to deter Charlie, but to no avail.
"But she's different than other girls. You are her friend, you must know." Farkle sighed dejectedly knowing that he couldn't' get rid of Charlie without giving him what he wants.
"Have you tried taking her somewhere by horseback and reading to her?" He watched Charlie's eyes light up liking the suggested idea. He thanked Farkle and then made his way further into town. Farkle's eyes followed Charlie's retreating figure and let out a sigh. He almost felt sorry for one of his best friends. He made his way home and adjusted some light in his smaller shack he called home. An orange tabby weaved in between his feet. He nuzzled the cat and it released a purr which caused Farkle to smile. He went about making food for the two of them. He sat down and released another sigh. His house was often this quiet, but he rather have it quiet than having to keep up with a normal hustle and bustle of the household. A knock disturbed his normal routine as he looked towards the door. He opened the door to find his favorite blonde standing there with a basket of vegetables.
"Maya?" He asked slightly surprised then realized it was the end of the month. In which during this time she brought some vegetables to both Riley and him.
"Howdy stranger." A smile was exchanged.
"Do you want some soup?" He asked as he accepted the basket as Maya greeted the cat. Maya looked up and her blue eyes met dark blue pools. The two sat down as Farkle fetched another bowl. The two talked about their day, Farkle filled her in on Charlie's latest plan for Riley, Maya told him that she started painting the field, and then she bit her lip ever so slightly.
"Farkle? Can you keep a secret?"
"I'll take it to my gave," he placed his hand over his chest and laughed. Maya wasn't sure why she wanted to tell him. They never had secrets in their group. It was more that she wanted at least one person to understand her yearning.
"I think I might want to go out West." His eyes widened just like Riley's and Maya prepared for the worst.
"You're much braver than I," He replied.
"With all those Indians and wild animals out there." He saw a spark of passion ignite in her eyes.
"Won't you miss being here?" He asked cautiously not wanting to dash her dreams. Maya's face had a series of complexity of emotions to it.
"I don't belong here Farkle, I know it." He stayed silent because he knew she was right when he desperately wanted her to be wrong.
When they both had finished their food, she thanked him and left. Farkle sat back down as the orange cat jumped back on his lap. Farkle knew then that he was in trouble. He had grown attracted to Maya and the second she said she yearned to head out West his heart stopped. For a brief second in his mind he almost suggested going with her. For wherever Maya went, he wanted to go too.
Dinner was winding down in the Matthew's family household.
"Father," Riley politely asked as she wiped the corners of her lips.
"May I venture into town tomorrow with Maya to pick out a dress for her birthday?" Riley didn't fail to notice Josh's head perked up.
"I don't see why not," Cory replied.
"I'll accompany Riley into town, there are some items I require as well," he said almost too quickly. Riley threw a smirk in his direction. She excused herself to her room as gracefully as possible.
Riley slipped on her nightgown as her maids prepared her bed. She grabbed her brush and started working it through her brown hair, she felt it soothing effects.
"Is everything to your likin' Miss Riley?" She nodded and dismissed them for the night. Her mind wandered to the field where Maya confessed her secret, to Maya teasing her about Charlie, Maya dropping off her monthly gift. She let out a sigh. Maybe Maya was right, even though everything seemed to be perfect, it left something to be desired. She was snapped back to reality when she heard the singing, it started softly, but she cracked her door open a little bit more and the volume grew. With the tune of the lullaby, Riley slowly drifted to sleep.
A snow white stork flew down from the sky,
Rock a bye, my baby bye;
To take a baby gal so fair,
To young missus, waitin there;
When all was quiet as a mouse,
In ole massa's big fine house.
Dat little gal was borned rich an free.
She's de sap from out a sugah tree;
But you are jes as sweet to me;
My little colored chile.
Jes lay yo head upon my bres;
An res, an res, an res, an res,
My little colored chile.
To a cabin in a woodland drear,
You've come by a mammy's heart to cheer;
In this ole slave's cabin.
Your hands my heart strings grabbin;
Jes lay your head upon my bres,
Jes snuggle an res an res,
My little colored chile.
Yo daddy ploughs ole massa's corn.
Yo mammy does the cooking;
She'll give dinner to her hungry chile,
When nobody is a looking;
Don't be ashamed, my chile, I beg,
Case you was hatched from a bussard's egg,
My little colored chile.
A.n.- So what do you think? I know this chapter is on the boring side, but I thought it important to show what their life was like before everything changes. Please R&R and follow and favorite. Trying something new with story. I'm leaving below a little preview of Chapter 2. Enjoy!
-RGT-
Riley was trying to look anywhere but Charlie, as he stood before her. She really didn't want to go anywhere with Charlie, she threw a desperate look towards Maya begging her to come to her rescue. Maya obliged. She looped her arm through Riley's.
"Sorry Charlie, she is helping me pick out my birthday dress." Charlie's face dropped.
"Well I can I request a dance at Maya's party?" Riley wasn't heartless, he wasn't all bad. She managed to smile.
"Oh course Charlie,"
