Chapter Text
Taking one of her chicken’s wings carefully into her hands, Noelle dutifully scrubbed the pumpkin colored feathers clean with a blue plastic brush. The silly things had gotten all muddy from the after-rain muck left in their little outdoor fence area connected to their coop. Of course when the storm had actually started Noelle had swiftly gone and forced all the chickens back inside their coop. The outdoor area they had wasn’t really protected from the rain. Only thing that came close was a little myrtle leaf orange tree.
It was small and still hadn’t blossomed a single orange, but Noelle, undettered, always kept her hopes up every single spring that she’d see them bloom. She loved oranges, it was a snack her mom had always made her. It warmed her heart when she ate an orange, having only fond, fuzzy memories attached to the fruit.
The chicken fussed and tried flapping its wings with a frightened squawk, but Noelles grip was both gentle and firm. Even when the chicken flicked a piece of foamy soap into her eye, causing her to let out a hiss of pain and squeeze her eye shut. Letting the tears wash it out themselves.
“Come on… stay calm…” She coaxed, trying to sound patient. “Only a little more…”
When the chicken finally stopped flapping its wings, Noelle hurriedly finished scrubbing its underwing and finally took it out of the little metal “bathtub” she’d prepared.
In reality it was a spare bucket usually used for the goats water when they needed, but that wasn’t a current concern, so instead it was filled with bubbles and loose brown and orange feathers.
She scrubbed all the muck away, running her fingers through the soaked feathers. When a loose strand of hair came loose and fell over her eye, she just tried to blow it out of her face. It fell back down.
With a triumphant smile, she put the chicken down beside the tub and held it in place as she reached out for one of the clean towels, scrubbing it dry and ruffling all its feathers. She couldn't help but laugh at the lifted feathers all over its back.
“Aaaand you’re done! You did great!” She said as she stood up and carried the chicken back to its pen. Lifting it over the fence and plopping it back in its home. It immediately ran off, running inside into its coop.
Satisfied with her work, Noelle wiped her hands off on her jeans and rushed back to the front of the barn. Where she’d been giving the chickens a bath on the grass all that time. She picked up the bucket which sloshed around, spilling a bit of the soapy water over her farm boots, not that she minded. They were already caked with mud and speckled dirt. Soapy water was probably an improvement…
She made a mental note to clean her boots.
As she walked back into the barn to wash out the soap, her nose was hit with the familiar, comforting scent of hay and goat, as well as the crisp morning wind. Noelle let out a deep breath. How she loved this farm.
“Noelle! You done washing the chickens?” Her fathers deep, boisterous voice startled her from behind. She looked back with a smile, though she wasn’t quite sure how she hadn’t heard the clicking of his boots.
“Yup! I was thinking of cleaning the bathroom next? It’s gotten pretty filthy, I’ve seen!” Her father chuckled and clasped a giant hand over her shoulder.
“Well, you can go ahead and do that, orrrrr you could go to school.” She stared at him for a second before snapping her head to the clock on the wall.
7:32.
She nearly dropped the bucket as a surge of panic and surprise shot through her. The water sloshed once again, spilling on her fathers boots this time as well as her, but she couldn’t even think of apologizing as her brain went into overdrive. How could she have lost track of time like this?! School started in– 18 minutes!
Her father laughed loudly and held out his arms. “I’ll empty it! You head off to school, now hurry!” She could only manage a nod as she handed him the bucket. Rushing off to put on her school shoes and get her backpack.
Noelle scrambled with the doorknob, swinging it open before doubling back to make sure it didn’t leave an indent on the wall, then kept rushing. She kicked off her muddy boots –being sure to still line them up neatly against the wall– and squeaked a little as she saw her dirty jeans still on. Covered in dirt and still drying from bathing the chickens, not to mention the muddled scent of soapy water with dirt and animal encrusted onto her work pants almost permanently. Never in a million years would she have chosen to bring them to school
But she was already running late.
Sighing, she pressed onward and ran into the kitchen with only socks on, yanking her backpack off one of the stools of the mini bar, swinging it over her shoulder, and running to the front door where her clean shoes were lined up. She slipped them on way too quickly, crushing the back lining of her shoe with her heel with her toes only half slipped in.
She was too busy to focus on that, so, taking her left hand and sticking out her pointer finger, she hooked it onto the little back strap her shoe had, and using her right hand opened the front door at about the same time. It was a clumsy, clunky process, but gracefulness was not her proficiency. It was efficient. Which was all she needed.
She took one last look at her house. Spotless like she always kept–or tried to– keep it. Her father would be fine. The storm was over and she already had a mental list of the chores she needed to do when she got home.
So she pivoted and left. Running to school as fast as she possibly could.
School was maybe a half a mile from where her and her fathers farm was, so every morning she’d walk to school. She’d only lost track of time like this a handful of times. It was very rare and startling when it happened.
She ran past the most rural area into the part of town with houses and a neighborhood. People were standing out on their porches, cleaning the dirt off, watering their plants, getting ready to walk their dogs. Many of them greeted Noelle as she ran past them in a hurry, though she did bother to turn around while running to shoot a polite smile and a nod.
She wasn't out of shape by any means. Growing up on a farm meant many, many chores had been relegated to her from a young age– mostly because she’d asked for them– and a majority of those included carrying heavy things around. Hay, bags of animal feed, pipes, etc.
As she rounded the corner she finally saw her school appear in front of her. Small and local it almost looked like a little cabin instead of an actual schoolhouse. She’d never once minded though, she had been with the same couple of people for most of her life. She was comfortable with everyone.
She ran in, twisting the cheap metal doorknob and swinging the thin spruce door open. Her eyes flitted to the side as they scanned and processed what time it was.
7:46.
Oh. She was fine.
Heart still pounding, she walked over to her classroom and opened the door.
Her eyes skimmed over the people there, more specifically her closer friends. Mika, a shy, golden haired boy – who'd actually worked on a recent poetry assignment with her– in the corner booking at the globe, sketching something in his leather bound notebook. Fishcl, the class bookworm always dressed in intricately decorated violet dresses with her nose buried in a– did she call it a manga?– and her hair in a half up with pigtails and down across her shoulders. Razor, the silver haired, red eyed wolfish boy who had a strangely rudimentary speech pattern. Also strangely not right beside his best friend, Bennett. The unluckiest boy she’d ever met in her life. The poor thing couldn’t walk through the neighborhood without being chased by 3 dogs and trip over every little pebble. Not that that ever stopped him from having a smile on his face, the positivity was admirable.
Her train of thought was interrupted by a sudden tap on her shoulder. She flipped around to see who it was and met with a sweet, familiar smile. Barabra, the little sister of the police chief, and her best friend.
“Noelle!” Barabra said in a pleasant, cheery voice. Noelle took a moment before quickly returning the smile and taking in her appearance. Barbara always dressed conservatively, as many people in town. Her hair was up in sandy, swirly pigtails, an adorable hairstyle Noelle often complimented. She had a knitted blue sweater that covered up to her knuckles and black leggings bunching up at her sneakers.
“Barbara! How are you?” She was one of her closest friends. Often visiting Noelles farm to help around (mostly relegated to brushing goats), or just talk. Her voice was nice to listen to, sweet and kind. It was airy so it could lull anyone to sleep when she sang. Which was always a treat to hear.
“Oh, I’m good.” She replied with a little sigh. “Almost late, I hadn’t even realized what time it was…!” Noelle gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder and smiled.
“Same here! If my dad hadn’t told me I probably wouldn’t have noticed.” Barbara let out a little laugh and walked over to the cubbies, the wooden, locker stand-ins where they could put their stuff in every morning. She swung her baby blue messenger bag off one shoulder and placed it inside. “How's your sister doing?” Noelle continued, asking as she followed after Barbara and placed her thick backpack in her own cubby.
“Good, I think…” She gave a little shrug, walking over to her desk, which was right next to Noelles so Noelle had no problem following. “Haven’t seen her in a while, you know how busy she is with work and everything…” Noelle nodded sympathetically. Everyone knew the police chief constantly overworked herself, even if there were barely any crimes in their town. The police practically ran the whole place. They funded the schools, ran the church, and dealt with any domestic issues.
“Of course… and… how about your parents? You’re with your mom this week, right…?” Barbara nodded and let out another sigh.
“Yes, she’s been… fine. How’s your dad?’ The abrupt change of topic surprised Noelle slightly, but she didn’t question it. She knew how rocky her relationship with her mother was, and it looked like it hadn’t improved lately… her heart squeezed for her friend.
“He’s good, energetic as ever, and actually planning to buy a new pig… he says only two is depressing.” Barbara let out a little laugh which made Noelle happier immediately.
“Sounds like he is doing good!” Noelle nodded and opened her mouth to say something else, only for her to be interrupted by the shrill sound of the bell, indicating the start of class as their teacher walked into class holding a cup of steaming coffee
“Hello my dears, how has your morning been?” Noelle watched as Ms. Lisa sat down at her desk and took a sip of her coffee. Her caramel brown hair in a bun with purple rose attached to the hair tie she’d used. She leaned back on her chair and smiled to the class, a somewhat sly smile.
“Seems one of us is still out…” A sudden, flustered figure burst through the door. Leaves in pale hair, scratches on dirty face, relieved green eyes, and breathing heavily.
“Ah. Nice of you to join us, Bennett.”