It was 1888. We lived on a farm on the outskirts of Walnut Grove. At first I didn't think me and my sisters would like it, but slowly, we thought of this place as a second home. Us five live in a roomy house that our Pa built for us, along with a farm filled with horses and chickens. Right now, we're getting ready for school.

"Renee! Breakfast is ready! Hurry down from the loft, before your eggs get cold and the bread gets hard as a stone!" I yelled.

Ma was holding her right ear. "Zoey, you mustn't yell. I'm right next to you, and even if your sisters aren't, we live in a house where we can still hear each other if we just whisper. Although that isn't absolutely necessary." Ma lectured.

I bowed my head. "Yes ma'am."

My name is Zoey. I am the middle of three. My older sister is Renee, and my younger sister is Kiki.

Renee was now climbing down the ladder. "For goodness sake Zoey, you didn't have to yell. I bet that even the kids that are on their way to school heard you."

"Very funny. But I don't wanna talk about school. We're not even there yet, so I don't wanna hear anything about it." I declared.

Pa was took his pipe from his mouth. "Now half-pint, everyone needs an education. Otherwise, how do you expect to be able to read things like the names of stores or food from a menu?"

Ma got into the conversation. "Your father is right. Now finish your breakfast and head on down."

"Yes ma'am." I said in defeat but obeyed.

After we were done eating, me and Renee headed our way to the church/schoolhouse. Renee looked up from her English book and I jumped when we were almost past the Olesons' mercantile. That's when Corina came out with her brother.

"Well, well, if it isn't Zoey and Renee Ingalls. What are you doing in a civilized place like this dressed like that?" Corina sure didn't know how to hold her tongue.

"Go away Corina, cause if you don't, I'll lick that big lollipop of yours all over." I threatened.

She held her sucker farther away from me, terrified that I would actually do it. "Don't you dare Zoey Ingalls, or I'll get my mother to make you pay for it!"

"I'm not-" Renee lightly grabbed my wrist.

"Come on Zoey, she's not worth the air we breathe. Let's just go and play before the bell rings." Renee said, pulling us away.

"I'm tellin' ya, if Ma and Pa would just let me have one shot, I could nail her, and then you know she'd be sorry to mess with the Ingalls." I said gripping my free fist.

Renee closed her book and put down her lunch pail with mine on the school steps. "Yeah, I know. That's what frightens me. You know that if you got caught, you would be the one getting whipped and yelled at, not Corina."

"I bet it'd still be worth it though." I said still defiant as ever when it came to Corina and Mrs. Oleson.

We both went over to the swing, and Renee started to push me on it. "Even if Mrs. Oleson did hear Corina was starting a fight with you, you should know by now that she would still take her side, and try to get you in trouble."

I rolled my eyes, mad about the whole thing. "Yeah, you're right about that. I just wish I could-"

"Run away with me?" purred a slimy voice in my ear right before I was pushed right up into the air again.

Before me or my sister knew it, Renee was pushed aside, and now Dren, the town bad boy, was pushing me on the swing.

"Hey!" I cried. I jumped off the swing and once I got on my feet when I landed on the ground, I ran over to Renee's side. I gave a death glare towards Dren. "Dren Lockhart, don't you ever touch my sister or me. Say your sorry to my sister, before I get my fists out!"

He held his hands up in defense with a smile on his face. "Alright alright. No need to get so mad like you had a burr under your saddle." He walked over to us and then grabbed Renee's hand. He put it up to his lips and lightly kissed it, much to mine and Renee's disgust.

He looked up with an innocent look on his face and said, "I'm sorry. Any chance I could make it up to you pretty gals by taking you fishing after school?"

Renee pulled her hand away and wiped it on her dress. "Not ever. Now scat and stay away from us."

Ding dong. Ding dong. "All right children. Time for class to start. Hurry on in now."

Every one of us groaned in despair. Except Renee of course. She loved school. I don't know why though. It just seemed like it was against nature to like it. It was just pure talking torture to me.

Dren sighed and tried to put an arm around me. "Well, I guess we better head in. Let's go Zoey."

I threw his hand off me. "Don't put your dirty hands on me Dren, and I'm going in with my sister. Try putting your hand on me again, I'll call out my pa, and then you'll be sorry."