The weeks passed and Jenny watched in amazement how her uncle could build things so fast. Their house was almost completed, not to mention the new mercantile that he was helping Nels Oleson build. There was another town store afterall but the owner, Mr. Bradley made a deal that as long as the Oleson's store was not in a 10 mile radius of his, and as long as they did not sell plows it was okay to build. Harriet was upset with these rules and demanded to move, but Nels, for once, stood up for himself and proceeded to build the store.

None of the "Walnut Grovian children", as they called themselves, had started school yet. They wanted to wait until they were settled in their new homes and were more accustomed to the traditions of Dakota. Laura taught the lessons each day as the men worked on the new homes.

The Ingall's family came about a week after everyone else had arrived in De Smet. Carrie was so happy to see Laura that she burst into tears the moment she saw her. Believe it or not, Cassandra was excited to see Nancy, her nemesis. "She brought excitement to my life" was Cassandra's excuse when her family asked her for a reason. James and Albert were happy to be out of the city with all the pressure of "fitting in" and drug use were common issues. And Grace was happy to be anywhere as long as she was with her family.

"I hate it here." Nancy complained one day as the kids worked on their schoolwork.

"Then go back to Walnut Grove and live with Lassitor. He'd like you. Jeb Carter said with a snicker.

Everyone laughed.

Nancy slammed down her book and glared at him. "Maybe I will then!" She ran off to her halfway built home yelling: "Moooooooooootttttttttttthhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrr!" the whole way.

"You missed that Cassandra?" James asked his sister.

"Maybe, I didn't miss her as much as I thought." Cassandra replied back.

Before long the houses were finished, and it was time to move in. Jenny was pleased with the work done to her home. "This is the best house ever! It may not be big, but we have a porch! No one else has a porch! Thank you so much Uncle Manzo for making my dreams come true!" Jenny exclaimed as she danced around the porch.

"Jenny, I never thought you would become so excited over a house." Laura laughed.

"I know, but I have been living in a wagon for the past month and a half so I am just so thrilled to have a home!"

"And the best part is Rose has her own room now." Almanzo commented.

The Carter's lived parallel to the Wilder farm, and the Ingall's lived right next door. Isaiah lived in the hotel in the middle of town, and the Oleson's lived a little further out to the east, opposite the town. Doctor Baker was living with the other Doctor, Doctor Hammand, who lived a little to the west of the town. Their office however, was underneath the hotel, just like it was in Walnut Grove.

The day finally came for the Walnut Grovian children to start school. The morning before class started was quite a challenge.

"Ma, I feel sick. I think Jeb is sick too." Was little Jason Carter's excuse for wanting to stay home.

His mother looked at him with sympathetic eyes. "I know you are nervous honey, but you have to go to school. Don't you think I am nervous to start a newspaper here in town? I don't want to be rejected by the town, but the only way to find out if I will or not is to try. Promise me you will try school for two weeks, and after that if you are still having trouble and worries we will see what we can do. Okay?"

"Jeb too?"

"Yes, Jeb too." Sarah Carter knew her son would quickly adjust to the new school. He was a sweet boy who made friends very easily, and as long as he had his big brother Jeb, she wasn't worried. "Now get up and come help me set the table for breakfast."

"I hate this dress!" Nancy Oleson scowled in front of her vanity mirror.

"Why honey? It is so pretty. Pink is looks so pretty on you." Harriet Oleson said trying to console her daughter. "And I bet Jeb Carter will think it looks good."

"Really?" Nancy's eyes widened.

"Really. Now come downstairs I have a nice ribbon that will match this dress perfectly.

Nancy waited for her mother to leave. "Jenny Wilder is going to be so sorry she ever liked Jeb, so sorry."

At the Ingall house no one was particularly nervous, but it was total chaos.

"Ma, Carrie stole my ribbon!" Yelled Cassandra.

"Ma, I don't like this dress. I want a new one not Carrie's old hand-me-down." Complained Grace.

"Ma, I can't find my hair brush. Have you seen it?" Carrie asked.

"Albert hurry up at the mirror, I need to shave too!" James said as he pushed his brother.

"Quit it James! I was here first!" Albert pushed back.

Suddenly the commotion stopped. There had been a knock at the door. Already tired, Caroline opened the door, and saw Jenny standing there with a grin.

"Hi! Is everyone ready for school?" She asked, chirpy as ever.

"They will be done in just a few minutes dear. Why don't you sit down at the table and wait for them." Caroline offered.

"Okay. Nancy is supposed to meet us here anyway."

"Are you nervous Jenny?"

"No, not really. I am excited and just so thankful I have a school to go to."

"Well I'm not! I wish Laura was still teaching us." Carrie said interrupting the conversation.

"Carrie," said Caroline exhausted, "go borrow my hairbrush and finish braiding your hair."

"Yes ma'm." Carrie ran up the stairs to finish getting ready.

Finally all the braids had been braided, all the ribbons had been tied, all the shoes had been shined, and all the children were ready to start school. They headed down the empty road side by side, oldest to youngest. Albert to the far right, followed by James, Jeb, Carrie, Nancy, Jenny, Cassandra, Jason, and on the other end was Grace, who was about to start school for the first time ever. As they approached the school building they all took in a deep breath.

"Here we go. Let's show everyone what true Minnesota children are all about." Albert said trying to encourage his companions.

The students sat whispering silently amongst one another as they watched the teacher; Mrs. Tuley read the new students transcripts.

"Well," she said putting down one of the transcripts, "it seems to me that you all are very bright. But you young man," she pointed to Albert, "aren't you a little old for school?"

"Well, you see m'am I skipped a year because of a personal matter, and I am also waiting to for an application to the University of Iowa to study medicine. I figured I might as well stay in school and keep my mind fresh in case it takes a long while to get the information."

"How very smart of you Albert. Now why don't you and James take a seat in the back row? The rest of you all find seats wherever there is a spot available."

Nancy looked out to see the whole class staring at her, or she thought her, but really they were staring at all of the Walnut Grovians. She noticed a girl sitting in the second row with wavy blonde hair and a big red bow. Nancy walked down to take a seat next to her.

"You can't sit here." The girl said without looking up.

"And why not?" Nancy wondered.

"Because I said so."

"But, but I am Nancy Oleson. My father runs and operates the Oleson Mercantile.

"But, but I'm Wendy Bradley," she mimicked, 'and my father owns the Bradley convenient store. Go sit your curls down some place else."

Mrs. Tuley saw that Nancy had not taken a seat. "Nancy please sit down so I can begin class."

"But, Mrs. Tuley Wendy won't let me sit here and it is the only available seat."

"That is nonsense. You were the one who did not want to sit next to me. I would be glad to have you sit here." Wendy said with a sweet tone.

"You hate me!" Nancy squealed as she sat down.

Wendy leaned over and whispered, "That's right. Oh, and I always get my way."

Jenny grinned at thought of Nancy being told off, but as she looked over to Nancy's desk she saw a tear trickling down her face, and for a quick second felt sorry for her.

The weeks went by and the children began to make new friends and understand the way of De Smet. Things seemed to be going well, that is until the school dance come about.

"Aren't you going to play ball?" Nancy asked as Jenny took a seat on the bench next to her.

"No, I don't feel like it today. I was up so late last night trying to figure out my math homework. Did you have trouble with it?"

"No," Nancy coughed, "Mother did it for me." She coughed again.

"Nancy are you okay? You keep coughing, and you look a little pale."

"I am fine okay! It is just a little cold."

Jenny looked offended. "I was just making sure you were okay. Maybe I will play ball."

But before Jenny could go play the school bell rang and the students headed inside.

"Class, I have some exciting news," Mrs. Tuley began, "we are having a school dance. All the parents are invited. It will be the biggest social event of the year!"

The kids squealed with happiness.

Nancy tuned out Mrs. Tuley's remarks about the decorations and date. All she could focus on was inviting her love.

Jeb tried to catch up with Jenny after school. :"Jenny! Jenny! Why didn't you wait for me?"

Jenny looked behind her. "Oh, sorry Jeb. I have so much to do, I forgot."

"Well you are planning to go to the dance with me right?"

"Of course!"

"Okay good!" He grinned. "See you tomorrow!"

"Bye Jeb!

That night at supper Jenny told Laura and Almanzo about the dance.

"That is very nice Jeb Carter asked you to go with him." Laura commented.

"I knew he would. He was so cute about asking. He was all shy like."

"Yeah, he is a very nice boy though."

There was a sudden knock at the door. Almanzo got up to answer it.

"Why hello Nancy!" He said.

"Good evening Mr. Wilder. "May I talk to Jenny please?"

"Jenny, someone is here to see you."

Jenny groaned as she walked to the door. "Can I help you Nancy?"

"I would like to speak to you." she looked at Laura and Almanzo, "Alone."

"Alright." Jenny shut the door behind her..

"Jenny, I am going to the dance with Jeb."

Jenny laughed. "You're joking."

"No, I'm not."

"But Jeb is my boyfriend. Go find your own."

"Please Jenny, let me take him."

"Why should I? You treat us like dirt."

"I love him Jenny."

"No you don't. You just want to make my life miserable.

"Fine, don't let me take him, but I will find a way to get him to go with me, you'll see. And you'll be sorry -So sorry."

"Whatever." Jenny slammed the door in Nancy's face.

"Jenny!" Laura scolded. "That was rude."

Jenny put her head down. "I know, but she…"

"It doesn't matter. You will apologize tomorrow."

"Yes m'am."