Allie #3

Allie #3

By: Emma Ladner

Chapter One

Steve came home from work. Steve was my step-father. The last two years have been sorrow and not. The year before last year my mother died and last year… well, Steve married Chloe. Sudden, yes I know. But Chloe is the nicest mother. She is like a clone of my mother. When Steve is mean she scolds him and Steve doesn’t have the strength to divorce with her.

“Allie dear, can you go get the clothes off the line?” asked Chloe, who now we call Mom. “Sure.” I walked outside and removed the clothes. I’m now twelve. An awesome twelve year old. I took the basket and brought it to Chloe. “Thank you.” Said Chloe. “The mayor’s upgrading everybody’s job.” Said Steve. “That’s good news.” Said Chloe. I shook my head. “Probably Chris’s idea.” I said. Chris, the mayor’s son. “Allie,” said Chloe. I shrugged and said, “Most likely. That boy is crazy.” I said. I took my boots and began heaving them on. “It seems like just yesterday Mary left on her own with that… strong fine looking man.” Said Chloe. Mary had reached the limit to be let go and she ran off with her fiancé’. I stood up and grabbed my cowboy hat. “You know it’s awfully nice of Steve to buy that for you.” Said Chloe. I looked at Steve and then at Chloe. “Nah,” I said and walked outside. Outside everybody was busy talking and decorating. Soon the king would be coming to town and they wanted everything to look nice. As far as I know, everybody thinks our house is the cleanest. By 7:00 our beds are made. The yard has barely any poop because we find some, dig a hole with a shovel, pick the poop up with the shovel and bury it in the ground. Our floors are shiny and there is a basket beside the door for when we come in that’s where we place our shoes. Then there is a coat and hat rack, made specially by Steve. Our kitchen is clean and our laundry is on the clothes line every day by 2:00 in the afternoon. Our rooms are always clean and Steve is saving enough money to add to our tiny little house. Steve’s shed is always clean and whenever one flower dies Chloe replaces it with a new flower. There is a little stone lane leading from our porch which Steve had built last year. Chloe had knitted, embroider, and sewed to make the little porch perfect. She had green and blue pillows on the swing and red on the little rocking chairs. There was a little wooden table which Chloe had put a green table cloth on too. The crops haven’t died at least once this year. We had a little carriage and two pulling horses. We kept the horses in the barn which was perfectly organized. The hay was in the bins and in the attic of the barn. There was a bucket and a popper, which water came out of from the ground. There was the chicken coop where the chicken feed was outside. The little nests were small and the chickens had no problem with wolves. See last year a wolf came along and ate on of Steve’s prized pigs so Steve had made a fence only people my age and above can go over. And the year my mother died in December Steve made us paint the fences white. Then shovel the snow out of the way. The ponds were frozen and every day Steve had gone down there to get fish. Yeah, a lot of things have changed since Mom died. A lot of things.

I walked over to the creek where my friends were; Ethan, Dylan, Drake, and Sam. “Hey guys!” I hollered. They looked at me and then jumped into the creek. I jogged over to the giant oak tree and removed my cowboy hat and boots. “Allie, where have you been?” asked Ethan. I grabbed onto one of the stones on the ledge. “Chores again.” I said. I pulled myself on the ledge. “You’re always doing chores.” Said Dylan. “Mostly because of Steve.” I said. “What about school?” asked Drake. “Done for, I can’t believe it’s already summer time!” I said. “Yeah next year the teachers will wish they never met me.” Said Sam. “Yeah?” we asked. “Yeah!” said Sam. I grabbed onto the rope and then jumped off and landed splash in the creek. When I came up I saw Chris Smith, my X boyfriend, on his horse watching us. I climbed out of the water, watching him. I climbed up on the ledge, climbed onto the rope and swung for a little watching him. Then I came back to the ledge, walked back, then ran and did a front flip off and then landed in a dive. When I came up Chris was leading his horse to the oak tree. I couldn’t help. “What do you want Chris?” I’m such a dork. “Nothing, just watching you guys.” Said Chris. “If you think we are going out again you can forget it!” I said. “Never know Allie Johnson… never know.” Said Chris. I jumped off the ledge again. When I came out it was sprinkling. “Think ya’ll should go in.” said Chris, coming under the oak tree. We all got out and went under the oak tree. I was shivering and apparently Chris was prepared for that. He took a towel out of his pack and wrapped it around me. I shuffled then wrapped myself deep into its warmth. “It’s been raining every day so far.” Said Dylan, picking up a stone and throwing it. There was a flash of lightning and it began raining hard. Then the thunder came and it began pouring so much you couldn’t see. “Bet you weren’t prepared for this now?” Drake asked Chris. “Yeah I wasn’t.” said Chris, sticking his head out in the rain. When he pulled it back in his hair was soaking wet. I laughed. He shook his hair making rain go everywhere. I pulled my feet in and saw something in the distant. I stood up and stared at it. When my eyes got used to the rain I saw it was a little, tiny kitten! “Guys a kitten!” I said. “That’s one of the cats from the king’s kingdom. Most likely from one of the richest people.” Said Chris. I ran out in the rain, without my towel on, ran swept up the cat and brought it under the tree. I wrapped myself in the towel and dried off the kitten. “Aww… it’s a calico.” I said. The kitten stared up at me. It waved one of its paws at me and I giggled. “It’s so cute.” I said. “That ‘it’ is a ‘she’.” Said Sam. “Sam!” I said. “What?” asked Sam. I looked back down at the kitten. It was now curled in a little ball. “I wonder where her mama is.” I said. “Probably back in the kingdom. Looks like this little girl ran off.” Said Dylan. The kitten yawned and licked its back. I slowly drifted off to sleep.

“Allie! Allie… ALLIE!” I opened my eyes and I found myself staring at Chris’s feet. “Ugh.” I said, sitting up. The kitten was sitting in my lap. It had stopped raining too. “We better get to our houses.” Said Drake, looking at the clouds. “It looks like another downpour is coming.” I picked up the kitten in the towel and looked at Chris. “Um… thank you for the towel Chris.” I said, putting my hand on the towel. “No, just keep it.” Said Chris. “Thanks.” I said. I put the kitten down and put my boots and hat on. Then I picked up the kitten who was now awake and brought it home with me. Chloe was sitting on her bed, sewing. “Oh a kitten!” said Chloe. I looked at the kitten. “Yeah. It’s a she.” I said. “Oh I’ve been waiting for this moment!” said Chloe. She reached under her bed and pulled out a little rocking crib. “Here you go.” She said. I took the crib and climbed the ladder with the kitten in the crib. When I entered my room everybody was talking. Some were drawing, some were writing, and others were reading. I brought it over to my bed, which was now only mine and placed the crib down. I took my old baby blanket and put it into the crib. Then I took the towel away from the kitten and laid the kitten down. “What do you have there?” asked Stephen. “Nothing, just a kitten.” I said, folding the towel. “Kitten eh?” asked Stephen. “I wish I had a collie.” Said James. I put the towel on the end of my bed and took I took off my boots and my hat and put them in my chest. Then I laid down. “Allie, can you tell us what you named the kitten?” asked Jennifer. I yawned, “Kitty.”

When I woke up everybody was asleep. It wasn’t myself that had woken me up. Something from outside had. I opened my windows and looked outside. On Maple hill was a wolf howling at the moon. I sighed and laid in bed. Then I stared out at the wolf and slowly drifted into a sleep.

Chapter Two

“Allie check it out! It’s the King!” said Dylan. I looked from the oak and saw the King’s carriage. “We’re probably the first to see it. Come on let’s go to town square!” said Sam. We climbed out of the tree and began running towards town square. When we were still the carriage rolled in and everybody gathered around. The king stepped out. He looked at everybody then said, “Hello my royal subjects.” “Hello your highness.” We all said. He turned his attention to me. “Young girl, state your name and age.” I shuffled and looked around. Everybody’s attention was on me. I looked at the king. “Your highness, my name is Allie Caroline Johnson. I’m twelve years old.” I said. “And what are you wearing?” asked the king. I looked at my clothes; cowboy boots, cowboy hat, my dad’s old t-shirt and shorts. “My dad’s shirt and my shorts your highness.” I said. “That is not the right thing for a girl of your age to wear.” Said the king. “But sir, this is what I’ve been wearing for quite some time. I don’t believe I’ve heard anybody speak about my clothing.” I said. I looked around. Nobody looked guilty. “And who are you here with?” asked the king. “My friends; this is Dylan, that’s Sam, That’s Drake, and that’s Ethan.” I said. “Do you have any friends that are girls?” I looked around and saw girls I knew shuffle back. I looked at the king. “No your highness, I’ve never been good with making friends with girls.” I said. “And what do you do mostly?” asked the king. “I jump in the creek off a ledge, I climb trees, I fish, pretend to be an Indian or wolf, and I pretty much do a lot of farm work.” I said. “Are you man or woman? Because I didn’t hear any sewing, knitting, or embroidery. “Um… I’m a woman. But I don’t do womanly things.” I said. “You are supposed to do womanly things who is your mother?” asked the king. I looked down at my feet. “My mother died two years ago.” I said. “Where’s your father?” asked the king. “Buried on Maple Hill.” I answered.  “You live alone on the streets as an orphan?” asked the king. “No! I live in a house with my step-father Steve and my step-mother, Chloe.” I said. “Chloe and Steve Johnson raise your hand.” Said the king. Deep in the crowd two hands raised. “Come forth!” hollered the king. Chloe and Steve stepped out. “Chloe,” said the king. “You are to teach your daughter to sew, embroider, and knit.” “Yes your highness.” Said Chloe. “Steve,” Steve bowed. “Your highness.” He answered. “You are to make sure your daughter does not do all this… farm work.” Said the king. “Yes sir.” Said Steve. “And Allie,” I looked at the king. “You are not to hang out with the boys ever again.”

My eyes widened. “Not hang out with Dylan, Sam, Ethan, and Drake?” I asked. “Yes D, S, E, and D!” said the king. “But these are my only friends.” I said. “You are a lady not a man. You are to make friends with girls. Now, I will return next week on Friday to check on you.” Said the king. I nodded. “Yes your highness.” I said. The king got back in his carriage and rode away. I hugged my friends. “Thanks for being best friends with me.” I cried. “Well we will see you before you leave.” Said Dylan. “Yeah.” Said Drake. “We’ll see you at school.” Said Sam. “And we’ll talk to you.” Said Ethan. We all hugged. Then Steve pulled me away. “Stay away from my daughter boys.” Said Steve. Chloe took my arm and led me away. When I went inside Chloe made me sit. She began teaching me embroidery, knitting, and sewing. But I could only think of what the king had said.

The lessons went on and on. I didn’t have any friends that were girls by the next Thursday. The next day would be Friday. I was very nervous. “Ok Allie, try on this white dress.” Said Chloe. I put on the dress and she looked at me. “Perfect… now go to bed. I don’t want any bags under your eyes.” Said Chloe. I climbed into bed and closed my eyes. What would the King say tomommrow? Was he going to take me away? I miss my friends… And I fell asleep.

The next day I dressed in a white dress and put my hair in a bun. Then I put on white heels and Chloe looked at me. “I was a princess.” Said Chloe. “A princess?” I asked. “Of Italy, and now I put my crown upon your head.” She took a beautiful crown and placed it on my head. And then she led me outside. The king’s carriage was coming. The men rolled out a red rug and a crowd swarmed. I hid behind the crowd. The King’s carriage stepped out and the knights came out. Then the King shuffled and said, “Miss Allie Caroline Johnson. Emerge.” Said the king. I walked out onto the red carpet and curtsied in front of the king. He walked around me. “Good good… now you must pick some girls to replace your friends.” He said. Four girls stepped out. “NO!” I said. Everybody gasped. “You can make me act lady like but you CAN NOT REPLACE MY FRIENDS! I’m sorry King Jacob. But I wish to stay friends with who you should call; Sir Sam, Sir Dylan, Sir Drake, and Sir Ethan.” I said. All my friends stepped out wearing fake crowns made by Chloe’s friend. We had met him in town and his wife had made suits for them while he made crowns. “These are my friends.” I said. “Fine then, Allie Caroline Johnson you have a very low chance of getting married.” Said the king. “I don’t care.” I said. “Good day your highness.” I said. I curtsied and began walking away. Everybody watched me walk away. “Allie Caroline Johnson!” said Chloe. My friends took their crowns off. “What was that?” asked Chloe. “I stood against the king Chloe? Aren’t you proud of me?” I asked. “No I can be put to sudden death now!” said Chloe.

Chapter Three

“Allie!” said Stephen. “Where’s Chloe?” asked Steve. “Talking with the king.” I said. Steve shoved on his boots, grabbed his cowboy hat and soon I heard the neigh of a horse and a horse gallop away. I walked outside and saw Steve on a horse going towards the king. “Allie… what happened?” asked Steve. I pulled my hair down and took off the tiara. Then I went upstairs and changed into some shorts and a t-shirt. Then I put on my boots and walked outside. I got onto one of the mayors and rode away to the creek. Then I sat down on the ledge and began staring down at the water. Then I began crying. “What have I done?” I whispered. “Hello.” Said a voice. I looked up. Across the creek stood a boy. But I didn’t know him. I stood up. “Don’t worry! I come in peace!” said the boy. He climbed onto the ledge. “What’s your name?” he asked. “My name is Allie.” I said, stepping out. “My name is Prince Peter.” Said the boy, bowing. “Well then, if you’re expecting me to come with you then no.” I said. I began climbing the tree. “Please, I don’t want that! Just the savages they are attacking!” said Prince Peter. I dropped out of the tree and landed on my legs. “Dang…” said Prince Peter. He grabbed a vine and swung over to me. “Come on, we must leave!” said Prince Peter, grabbing onto his stallion. I climbed onto my mayor and looked towards town. I shook my head and looked at his horse. I grabbed his sword and ran off towards town. “Allie! Wait!” said Prince Peter. I ran into town and saw the Indians. They were fighting. I saw little kids and sighed. Then I pulled the kids onto my horse and rode to Prince Peter. “Take these kids to the river in the woods!” I said. Then I ran back into town. I knew what the Indians were after. And I had to save it. I looked around and spotted Chloe; their target. I heard yelling and turned around and pointed my sword at the Indian. The Indian ran off and I grabbed Chloe. Then I rode to the river and when I got there the kids were there sitting there. “Don’t worry…” I said. I took the blankets off my horse. They had been used to keep rain out of the way. But they had been hung to dry. Then I laid them out on the ground. Then I laid another. Chloe took off her apron and put it on top. Prince Peter took off his cloak and laid it on the apron. “Come on and lay down.” I said. The little kids went onto the blankets. “According to the clouds it’s going to rain tonight.” Said Prince Peter. “Thank you Captain Obvious.” I said. I ran out into the woods on my mayor and found thick sticks. Then I found a couple of Elephant ears. Then I rode back. “I’ll be back.” I said, dropping the stuff off. “Allie where are you going?” asked Chloe. I ran back to the house. Steve had pretty much taken everybody there and brought them away. I ran and grapped Chloe’s sewing things. I also grabbed a pot and some fire wood and rode back to the woods. I made sure nobody saw me and then I came back to the blankets. Chloe was telling the children a story. I sat down and began sewing the Elephant ears together. Then I put the sticks in the ground and put the Elephants ears on. Then I took a big stick and put it in the ground then I took another Elephant ear and sewed it onto the back. “I can start the fire.” Said Prince Peter, grabbing the twigs. Then he took the logs and began rubbing them together. I went into the woods and I stole some stuff from the Indian camp. Then quickly I rode back. Then when the little kids were talking Chloe came over and made dinner. I tied the mayor and stallion up to a tree and the little kids ate supper with their hands.

When the little kids and Chloe were asleep, Prince Peter and I sat at the fire, poking at it. “You’re lucky.” Said Prince Peter. I looked at him. “How?” I asked. Prince Peter sat back. “You’re father doesn’t force you to become somebody you’re not.” Said Prince Peter. I looked down at the ground. “My father died.” I said. Prince Peter looked at me. “Well you’re lucky to have a mother then.” “My mother also died.” I looked at the fire. Prince Peter was silent. “Well I’m sorry.” I nodded. “No need to be sorry… I just… I guess I’m not lucky.” I said, looking down. “Allie you see me way different then all the other girls I’ve ever met.” Said Prince Peter. I laughed. “I can see that happening.” I said. We laughed. Then we were silent. And we looked each other in the eyes. And as soon as I saw his brown eyes my heart was linked into my love life again.

Chapter Four

Whenever I woke up Prince Peter was sleeping beside me. I looked at the fire. It had burnt out. I looked at the children. They were there. Chloe was off somewhere. Most likely finding some breakfast. I sat up and stretched. “Peter.” I shook Prince Peter awake. He sat up. “What?” he asked. Ohh…. Kiss him… kiss him good….. “How’d you sleep?” Prince Peter stretched. “Fine thanks.” Hug him… hug him… “Do you know where Chloe is?” Prince Peter looked around. “Nope.” Kiss… hug… kiss… hug… “I’m going to town.” “I’m coming with you.” Said Prince Peter. Say Ok… Say Ok… “No we need somebody to look after the kids.” You’re so stupid Allie. “Ok.” Said Prince Peter, sitting down. I got on my horse and rode to town. All the Indians were gone. A lot of people were still hiding. Houses had been burnt down. I rode to my house. It too… had been burnt down. All our precious memories of my mother and father. They were all gone.

The next few days flew by quick. Dozen by dozen people  arrived and found their houses burnt. Some people were lucky enough to have their houses survive. But the markets were burnt. The school was burnt. Everything was burnt. Finally Steve came back with my siblings and we all hugged. Then Steve grabbed his axe and walked into the woods and began chopping down trees. We slept in the barn for five weeks. Steve made the house and painted it. Then he took green shutters and put them on. Then he polished the windows and he began with the furniture. He began with the beds first. He had all five beds done by the end of the fifth week. Then he moved it in and then Chloe began stuffing mattresses and putting them on the beds. She began making pillows and covers. And when she was done she began making curtains. The curtains were lace but we didn’t care. We were just glad we had our house back so far. Steve began making the fireplace and the chimney. His friends helped him with the chimney. It was made of stones and clay. It took sixth weeks to harden. So far it’s passed two months and only a few houses have been restored. The school was being restored too. But when Chloe finished the curtains and had hung them she began making a rug. Then she been gathering clay. We would go down to the creek with buckets and gather clay and then we would sit on the bank and dig out the stones and make pots and cups and bowls and plates. Then we laid the stuff out to dry. That took Hm… about four weeks. Three months have passed now and now we are painting the plates, cups, bowls, and pots. We painted some white and others were left the clay color. Steve had the cupboards by then and now he was making the table and chairs. That took about three weeks for him to finish that. This time I made a table cloth. I made it white. Then Steve made doorways. He made the door also. Then he made a porch. A wonderful porch. We girls did weeks and weeks of sewing, needlepoint, and embroidery. He made a rocking chair and table for the porch and then we painted that white and we were done.

Chapter Five

When all houses and the school and church was restored everybody returned to their normal life positions. The baker went back to baking. The potter when back to making pottery. The sewer went back to sewing and Steve went back to a salesman. Chloe well she got a job. But her job she opened a shop. A shop of sewing and knitting. She began giving classes and raised a lot of money. Way more than Steve ever did. One day in mid April Prince Peter came to visit me. I introduced him to all my friends. Prince Peter stayed in town for a couple of months but then he had to return home.

“Bye Peter.” Said Ethan, Drake, Dylan, and Sam. “Bye guys.” Said Prince Peter. “Bye Peter make sure you return next year.” I said. Prince Peter nodded and said, “Ok.” Then he climbed into his carriage. He waved to everybody and the carriage began going away. I ran after the carriage and came to a hill. I watched him go down the hill towards the kingdom. Where a bright, beautiful, white castle stood.

The End