*Back solo from beginning of winter break*
It was home again for Eliza, for the winter break. She had Lenore, Puck and Hercules all packed up in there carrier and she was ready for two weeks of relaxing and fun, well to a point anyway. She had to help with the animals and she had to help with whatever winter crops they had growing, but it would be relaxing anyway because she was home.
She sat in the front seat of her mother's care of the 21st dozing lightly, forehead pressed against the grasses. She needed the sleep, she was desperately lacking since she had become more active as a knight. She was out most night taking out youma and meeting new people on both sides. She hadn't done much fighting chaos outside of youma dusting, but she was getting stronger and better at being a knight.
Eliza yawned opening one eye to see what had woken her to see the car had stopped and to hear her mother's voiced floating to her ears telling her they were home. She shifted in her seat not really wanting to fully wake, but her mother gave her a gentle shake and she turned to look at the woman and smile. “I'm up, really I'm up. I was just so warm and comfy.”
“Liza love, you haven't slept in the car in years. Are you getting enough sleep dear,” she asked softly brushing her hair back.
Eliza nodded, “mostly, but I'm in the 10th grade now mom. I had a few paper due before the break. I got them done, but I lost some sleep. I'll catch on break and we don't have anything due when I get back.” She gave a huge grin and unbuckled herself, although she felt slightly bad for not telling her mother the whole truth. She kept on top of her school work, trying to get everything done as early as possible because of her night time escapades. She didn't want to fall behind.
Eliza grabbed the kittens traveling case and ran up the porch steps trying not jostle it to much. “Home again, home again,” she spouted before dissolving into a fit of giggles. Her mother came up to her brushing her hair back and kissing her one her forehead.
“Its good to have you home my Liza love. Come on now, let's get dinner started and then we can go check on the puppies. You told me you found some good home for at least two of them yes.”
Eliza nodded following her mother into the house, “Yes two of my friends said that they would love a puppy. I haven't had a lot of time to try and talk to anyone else about it, but I sure the remaining two will be easy to find home for.”
A knock at the door had Eliza looking at her mother curiously, but her mother just waved a hand to the back door motioning for Eliza to run and get it. “It's William. You remember little William although you two have scarcely seen each other since you were 13, before that even. He's been helping me with the farm as of late. You know he's got six older brother's so they've hand to spare. Williams hands to be exact.”
Eliza nodded and ran off to get the back door. She was surprised to hear that Willie was helping her mother. She had always been just a scrawny and small a Eliza, but twice a spoiled. With six older brother there wasn't much for him to do, so he mostly ran wild with Eliza when they were really young, but that like most things grew tiring when Willie got more into baseball and Eliza still liked make believe.
When she threw open the door she was surprised to see the now 16 year old William had shot up several inches and was now much taller than herself. It was weird to have to look up to him. He gave her a smile.
“Hey, Eliza. Same as always I see, even life in the city couldn't change you. Your hair's still a bird's nest and you haven't grown an inch.”
Eliza laughed, “nope not going to change, not even living in the city. I much prefer this life William. You changed a lot though. You got so tall, it's crazy. You're like a giant compared to me. I'm a afraid you might snatch me up and carry off.”
William arched an eyebrow at Eliza and stood up straight so he was at his full height, “5'10 and still growing apparently,” then he grinned surprised at Eliza's words, “well your certainly little enough for me to carry you off.”
He made to grab her, but dodged him and ran out the back door, right as her mother was walking into the kitchen. “Eliza,” she called shaking her head, “dinner will be in an hour, please don't come back looking like you rolled though a pig stye.”
William blushed, but he was waved off, “she'll keep running until you catch her. You really shouldn't have started that game. Go on. I call your parents and tell them your staying for dinner.”
William had run off before she had even finished her sentence and she just couldn't help but to smile because it been a long time since William and Eliza had truly acted like the friends they been when they were younger.
Eliza ran quickly at first, but slowed when it became apparent that William hadn't followed her. She was slightly confused because he had started it. She stopped all together looking around the woods and wondering where the boy could have gotten off to when she heard twigs snapping and leaves crunch. A head of sandy brown hair became visible and Eliza took of running because if she didn't William would catch her. It seemed he did indeed want to play.
Eliza made a mad dash trying to make it out of the woods behind the house and heading for the barn. It wasn't too far, but William was right on her tail. She was fast, but he had gotten faster since she'd last run with him and just before she made it to the barn he grabbed her up.
“Ahh,” she shouted at being grabbed up and slung over his shoulders. “Put me me down Willie. Put me down. Come one put me down now.”
William laughed all the while making his way into the barn and over to the biggest pile of hay he saw before dropping Eliza right into with the satisfying splatter of hay needles. “Looks like I win this time, huh Liza.”
Eliza popped up out of the hay tossing a huge pile of the stuff at William and watching it rain down on him, “maybe but you still ended up covered in hay too, oh giant one.”
William laughed and rolled his eyes, trying to brush the hay of him will Eliza seemed happy to just sit in the hay, even though she started scratching at the hay sticking off of her everywhere. William rolled his eyes and held out his hand to her, pulling her out of the hand in one quick motion.
Eliza laughed, “thanks,” she said laughing before pointing at William. “You look like an alien, you've got hay antenna.”
William smirked at Eliza, “right, says the girls who currently got more hay in her hair than she has hair.”
Eliza rolled her eyes and started trying to shake the mess out, “you did it Willie.”
William laughed but tried to help Eliza get the rest of the hay out. “You know this would be a lot easier if you brushed you hair more often. I thought by 16 you would get over your fear of the brush.”
Eliza pouted, “but brushing takes to long. I just don't have time for all that,” before looking around the barn and noticing that Shake, Park and the puppies weren't about.
William noticed, “they're just out getting some exercise. I was going to let you mother know before I went home, but now I'll just round em back up myself after dinner. Speaking of which, we should probably go help you mom.”
Eliza laughed, “such chivalry Willie. How charming. Who knew you'd turn out to be such a prince?” Even though she laughed at the statement, it was clearly a compliment.
William made a face, but turned to make his way out of the barn, “Come on Liza. Stop fooling around.”
Eliza pouted, but grinned after a moment watching William walk toward the barn door, before she ran and gave a leap right onto his back. William startled and caught her, sort of, managing to stay up just barely.
“Liza,” he shouted, but she just laughed.
“I'm glad your tall now. Now I can ride on you back. Though it is a little weird that you're not scrawny anymore.” She put her chin on his shoulder, “this was fun. I can't do stuff like this in the city you know, running in the park isn't like running through the woods behind the house and there is no hay to jump in. I miss the farm, the fresh air and watching the stars come out at night.”
William walked with Eliza on his back, listening to his old friend, happy she would be around for a while. He'd been spending weekends and after school at the Satchlyn farm, but it could get a bit boring without someone his own age to keep him company. “You still stare gaze? Always the dreamer huh?”
Eliza nodded, “yeah I love the stars. They are lovely and just so much more special than one would think.”
William laughed, “oh really? When did you get so philosophical Liza. Sounds like someone growing up.”
Eliza frowned, “so not funny Willie. I'm very grown up. I don't see why I can't imagine and believe in magic. Mom always says life is short. I want to enjoy my whole life. Beside letting yourself go to a whole other place for just five minutes, its just nice.”
William nodded, “maybe one day you can go to some of those places in your dreams. Who knows maybe you'll be the first person to land on Mars. If anyone could do it, a dreamer like you, seems just right.”
Eliza laughed, “Thanks Willie. Glad to hear you've grown up too and don't think I'm the weirdest anymore.”
William shook his head and laughed lightly, “you'll always be kinda of weird Liza, but weird is not bad. It's mostly refreshing. When I was younger, I was being stupid, but I missed my best friend. A lot. No one can plan an adventure like you Liza.”
Eliza hugged William, “I missed you too Willie.”
William could feel his cheeks heat up slightly, but was very happy to be able to place the blame on the chilly December air. “Are you going to be staying through the new year because there's a party and you should really come. I bet people are wondering about you. Even when you are here we hardly see you.”
Eliza nodded, “I can come. I don't mean to be scarce. It's just when I come home for the summer there is so much to do and my mom needs my help. Plus I miss her. I like spending time together just the two of us.”
“Unless your mom decided she doesn't need me, I'll be around this summer too. I hope you don't mind,” he mumbled not really liking the idea of cutting into her time with her mother.
Eliza laughed, “I don't mind. Mom will have you around even if she doesn't need you. So I will have more company and not constantly spending time with an “old lady”, her words not mine.”
William laughed as he reached the house pulling open the back door and walking right in with Eliza still on his back.
Hannah turned and look at the pair, still having lots of hay on them, flushed from the cold, but simply look as adorable as ever and laughed. “Oh geez guys. Look at you. Made your way to the barn I see. Out, out, out you go. Let me get the hay off. Put her down Willie, so I can help you guys get brushed off. Dinner's just about ready. You too, good lord.”
Word Count: 2111
