7 – Bending the Rules

Olivia rushed down to the stable as soon as she woke up the next morning and talked to Cornbread about her dreams and the stories she had been reading. Olivia had come to the conclusion that Cornbread was just as good of a listener as Buttercup and seemed to neigh and snort at things Olivia would say as if she could understand her owner and was trying to communicate with her. Once she finished her barn chores, Olivia rushed inside to set the table quickly before breakfast. As they ate breakfast, David and Emily discussed the new rule that Olivia would only get into trouble at home if a note was sent home just like all the other children. Olivia was relieved to hear this new information and accepted the new rule graciously.

Once the table and kitchen were cleaned up, Olivia and her mother started towards the school in the buggy. Olivia could not wait to talk to Joe about her new horse. As soon as Joe arrived, she rushed over to talk to him about Cornbread. Even Hoss was listening excitedly. Olivia told them about how she had already started to ride her and told them all about Cornbread's breeding. Olivia just could not control herself on her excitement. They talked and talked until Joe and Olivia drug themselves inside after hearing the bell ring.

The day was just an ordinary day the only difference was that Olivia could not pay attention. Mrs. Bradshaw spoke to her several times about paying attention, and even Joe had nudged her a few times trying to keep her from getting into trouble. Finally, Emily had had enough of her daughter's distractive behavior when she called on her and she did not know where they were. Joe tried to point it out, but was cut off by Mrs. Bradshaw. Since Olivia did not know where they were, Mrs. Bradshaw sent her daughter to the corner for the rest of the day with an extra homework assignment.

Once everyone was dismissed, Emily called her daughter out of the corner to discuss her behavior. Mrs. Bradshaw gave Olivia a moment to write down her assignments and then added the reading assignment and lines to do for her behavior. Olivia and her mother walked home quietly. Olivia went straight upstairs to work on her homework. She was sitting at her desk staring out the window when her father walked into her room.

"I was hoping to work some more on Cornbread. Are you almost done?"

"I can't papa."

"What do you mean you can't? Olivia?"

"I am so sorry papa."

"For what darling?"

"Papa I...I..."

As she turned to face her father, a tear trickled down her check. David mentally began to brace himself for the conversation not sure of what she was going to say. He held out his hand for her to come to him as he sat in the rocker.

"I got in trouble today for not paying attention. I was just so excited that school was almost over, and I was going to be home to work on Cornbread. I had to stand in the corner when mama called on me and I did not know where we were in the reading. I have to finish the reading assignment because I was in the corner. Then, I have lines to do. I don't know if I will be able to work with Cornbread today. I am sorry papa. It's breaking my heart that I won't be able to work with her today."

"Well, I am sure she will miss you today and maybe you will remember the hurt in your heart the next time you decide to get into trouble at school. Olivia, you know I don't like that you got in trouble at school, but appreciate that you are being grown-up about it by taking responsibility for what you have done. Now, you get your work done, and maybe will read a little before bed, ok?"

"Yes papa."

Olivia hugged her father and climbed back in her chair to finish her homework.

"When you finish, come downstairs. If we have time, we will try to work on Cornbread. I love you Olivia."

"Yes sir. I love you too papa."

Mrs. Bradshaw was standing outside her door listening to the events when David walked out of the room and saw his wife. They walked downstairs to the study together.

"I am glad we will leave school stuff at school unless there is a note. Olivia had a point. All of her friends get to go home, but that doesn't mean she needs to get in trouble."

"I agree and we still would have known something, because she had more to do. I hated to have to give her more work, but I will treat her like everyone else. That is only fair."

"I agree. Hopefully, she will learn her lesson, and we won't have to deal with it again."

"Haha...I wish it was only that easy."

"Me too."

They smiled at each other before going about their separate ways to finish the evening chores. Olivia finished with just enough time to groom Cornbread and do her evening chores before being called in for dinner. She apologized to Cornbread and promised she would try harder so they would get to ride again the next day. After dinner, David read with Olivia like promised. She was fast asleep before David kissed her on the head and left her to her dreams.

The next morning early, Olivia was just as eager to get outside to take care of Cornbread. When Olivia entered the stable, she noticed that all the horses were gone, and wondered where everyone was that morning. Her mother later explained that David and the hands had already left early that morning taking a group of horses they had broken to a buyer in Carson City. They were planning to be back by that evening if they could make the sale quickly and start back. Once her mother reminded her, she remembered her father talking to her about the trip the morning before, but had drifted in and out of the conversation thinking about her new horse.

When Olivia and Emily rode into the yard, Joe was there eager to find out what happened to Olivia once she got home. Olivia told him that she had some additional work to do, and she did not get to work Cornbread. Joe was sad for her, but Olivia was still excited about her horse and really wanted Joe to it her.

"Hey Joe. Can you come over after school to see cornbread? I really want you to see her."

"I can't today. Pa is meeting us here after he is finished in town. He said we had better be here ready to go. Hey, what about going during our lunch break? We could ride paint. It would take only 5 minutes to get there and 5 minutes back. Then, we would have plenty of time to see her. What do you think?"

"Do you really think that we could make it?"

"Of course. We get an hour for lunch and recess. So, we will have plenty of time."

"Ok. My father and the hands are gone so that would be prefect, and I don't think we should tell anyone just in case."

"Ok no worries."

Just then the bell rung and everyone rushed to the school house. The morning was so long, but eventually, it was time for lunch. As soon as they were dismissed, Joe and Olivia darted out of the building and to the corral before anyone could really figure out what was going on. They rode off toward the house. No one was there. Her father had not made it back yet. Olivia showed Joe to Cornbread's stall.

"Wow! She is beautiful."

"Thanks. She is even more beautiful when she runs. Want me to show you?"

"Are you supposed to ride her?"

"Not without someone here, but you are here. Besides, who will ever know."

"Well, that's true."

Olivia saddled Cornbread and lead her into the corral to ride her around for Joe to see. Joe thought she was a beautiful horse and wondered if she was as fast as Paint. So, they decided to race a little. Joe opened the corral gate and remounted Paint, and they raced around the open field beside the house. Joe and Olivia were having a blast until they realized what time it was.

"Joe, we have to get back. We are going to be late."

"We already are judging by the position of the sun."

"No, no, no…we can't be late."

"Well, we are. Put Cornbread up quickly. We have to get going."

"Ok, I will just give her some feed and water for now. I will brush her down when I get home this afternoon."

Olivia unsaddled Cornbread and wiped her down quickly before putting her in her stall with a full trough of water before mounting Paint with Joe and riding back towards the school. Once they got back everyone was inside. Joe unsaddled Paint, and Joe and Olivia walked into the school building quietly and slid into their seats without saying or making a sound. Hoss looked up as they walked in and then over to Mrs. Bradshaw seeing that she was aware that they were back. Not one person said a word. Everyone continued to work on their work. Olivia felt a knot in her stomach, but remembered that no one had seen her ride so all she was in trouble for was skipping school.

However, what she did not know was that Sam got sick on the trail and headed back towards the house. When he rode up he thought he heard someone riding off, but brushed the thought away when he did not see anyone. He dismounted his horse and groomed him before giving the horse fed and water in his stall. Sam was a tall, average built man with dark hair and eyes that had been working for David since before Olivia was born. He joined David right after his wife and child had passed due to an epidemic that passed through a wagon train they were apart of at the time. As soon as he was well enough and made it to California, he began to work with David; starting off as a hand and working his way up to foreman within weeks. In those 5 years, Sam and David became more like brothers. When Olivia was born, he gained a new purpose in life when he was called uncle and was asked to be Olivia's godfather. David trusted Sam and would ask his advice from time-to-time when it came to raising Olivia.

As Sam began to walk towards to foreman's quarters, he noticed Cornbread in her stall, and she had a sheen to her coat that caught his eye. He walked over to the stall and opened the gate. Cornbread headed toward him. Sam rubbed his hand over her neck and chest feeling the sweat on her coat.

"What have you been doing today, girl?"

Sam then walked over to the saddle feeling the blanket was moist as well. He could not imagine how Cornbread got so sweaty unless someone was riding her, but who. He decided to check the corral and around the yard for tracks. Sure enough there were two sets of hoof prints: Cornbread's and Paint's. Sam had learned Paint's tracks when he was teaching them how to track.

Sam walked back to Cornbread, walked her out of the stall, and groomed her properly before putting her back and heading to bed. He was furious at Olivia that she would put Cornbread back into her stall without grooming her properly let alone riding her without an adult. He decided he would speak to her as soon as she got home, but for now, he was going to sleep a little.

School was finally over, and Mrs. Bradshaw told everyone that they were dismissed except for Joe and Olivia. Hoss lingered in the back of the school house until she dismissed him for the second time. Based on the tone of her voice, he knew better than to have to have her tell him again. Emily called them to her desk to discuss why they were late to class.

"Olivia and Joe, come up here."

They both said 'yes ma'am' as they slid out of their seats to stand in front of the teacher's desk.

"Would either of your care to explain where you were this afternoon?"

"We just went for a ride Mrs. Bradshaw."

"You just went for a ride? Where?"

"Just around mama. It was such a pretty day for a ride. We didn't want to waste it."

"Yes ma'am. We won't have too many more like it."

Emily, not convinced that what they were saying was the whole story, had them sit and work on their work they missed while she wrote a note to both families. Just as she finished, she heard boots walking into the building. Ben stopped as soon as he saw Joe working on schoolwork at one desk and Olivia doing the same at another desk. Hoss had already given him the information that he knew, which was very little, when his father asked where Joe was. He walked over to Mrs. Bradshaw who looked up as he walked closer to her.

"Mrs. Bradshaw."

"Hello Ben. I just finished a note to you telling you about Joe's adventures today, and letting you know that he will be staying 30 minutes after school for the rest of the week. Apparently, he and another student decided to go off on a little adventure during lunch and recess. I have questioned them, but have only received that information that they just went for a ride."

"I see. Joseph, come here."

Joe glanced over at Olivia who glanced at him quickly as he walked over to his father and teacher. Joe stood with his head bowed looking as his wringed his hands. Ben gently placed his hand under Joe's chin in order to look eye to eye.

"Joe, what were you doing?"

"Well, we just decided to go for a ride."

"A ride? Who was with you?"

Joe looked over to Olivia out of the corner of his eye. When Ben saw him look that way, Ben looked too. Olivia quickly looked down when she saw him look at her. Ben looked over at Mrs. Bradshaw who nodded to confirm that it was the two of them that were playing hooky.

"Joe, why were you and Olivia playing hooky from school?"

"We did not mean to, pa. Honest. We just lost track of time."

"And where did you go? Joseph, my patience is wearing thin. You better start talking or I am going to give you an incentive."

"Yes sir. Well, Olivia wanted to show me her new horse. I told her that I couldn't go after school. So, we decided to go during lunch and recess. We rode out to the house, saw cornbread, and lost track of time before returning to school. I'm sorry Mrs. Bradshaw. Sorry pa."

"I appreciate that. You will be restricted to the ranch for the next two weeks, and if you decide to play hooky again, you will be receiving a necessary talking to, do you understand me?"

"Yes sir."

Joe said swallowing hard. Ben addressed Emily and apologized for Joe's behavior as Joe looked over at Olivia and mouthed that he was sorry. She just shook her head as if to say not to worry about it. Then with that, Joe apologized, and Ben and Joe left leaving Olivia and Emily in the school house by themselves. Emily looked over at her daughter and asked her the same questions Ben asked receiving the same answers, which did not surprise Emily. However, she still felt there was more to the story. Either way, it was time to head home where Emily hoped that David was back from Carson City and could help determine the rest of the story.

Once home, Olivia rushed into the stable to groom Cornbread after taking care of the horse, Chester, that was pulling the buggy. Chester's stall was right next to Cornbread's. She closed Chester's gate and walked over to Cornbread's gate talking breathlessly to her new best friend.

"Hey girl. Sorry, I ran off earlier, but I will get you all taken care of now."

Olivia said as she opened the gate and walked into the stall only to stop abruptly seeing Cornbread was all cleaned up. She turned around and walked out closing the gate behind her. She continued to look at Cornbread trying to figure out who would have groomed her. She knew her father was not back yet. Then, she noticed that her saddle was not on the rail were she left it.

She decided to check the tack room. She paused as she walked in seeing Sam taking inventory. She looked over to see her saddle where it should be. Sam heard her walk in and turned to her. She looked at him with questioning eyes. Once she saw his eyes, she knew he was the one who took care of Cornbread, which meant that he knew what she had done earlier that day. Her heart began to race and her stomach began to knot as he motioned for her to come to him. Olivia knew she was in trouble and would accept whatever punishment he gave her. Sam was like an uncle or another father figure in her life and David and Emily trusted him. As she got within arm's length, he grabbed her hand pulling her toward him standing her at his knees.

"I see that you decided to put Cornbread away before properly grooming her. Would you care to explain to me why and how she got so sweaty?"

"How much do you know?"

"More than you want me too. I know enough to give you the whipping of your life. Do you understand how dangerous it is to be riding Cornbread and racing her with Paint?"

Her heart sank as the words came out of his mouth. He did not say them in anger, but with disappointment, which made Olivia's stomach turn even more with guilt. She stood there with unshed tears accumulating in her eyes.

"Are you going to tell papa?"

"No, you are, and if you don't, I will, but you know he would rather hear it from you than me."

"Do I have to tell him about me leaving Cornbread all sweaty?"

"Whether you do or don't, you will spend the next four Saturdays grooming every horse in this stable, and if you ever treat your horse like that again, I will take my belt to you. Do I make myself clear?"

Olivia nodded. About that time, they heard several horses ride up toward the house. Then, the hands walked the horses into the stable. Sam just looked at Olivia who turned knowingly out of the tack room to see everyone at work. Sam put his hands on Olivia's shoulders as he asked where David was and was told that he was in the house. Olivia looked up at Sam who gave her a nod as to say go on. Olivia just shook her head, grabbed her books, and headed to the house. She snuck up the back stairs to her room, putting her books on her desk, and taking out the note that she had before finding her father in the study.

Olivia walked to her father's desk with the note in her hands behind her back. Mr. Bradshaw looked up due to the movement; seeing the distress on Olivia's face and tears welling up in her bright blue eyes as she walked closer to his desk. She kept the desk between her and her father. She didn't say anything and handed her father the note. He looked at the note in her hand and then back to her. He took the note, but did not open it.

"Do you want to tell me your side or what happened before I open this?"

"Yes sir please."

"Ok, go ahead."

"Well, Joe and I left school today during lunch and recess and did not make it back in time. I wanted to show Joe Cornbread, and he couldn't come over after school. So, we decided to leave during lunch and recess. We figured we had enough time, but we got a little distracted and did not make it back on time."

Mr. Bradshaw did not say anything as she spoke quietly shifting her eyes from her father to her hands. David drew a deep breath as he opened the letter to read exactly as Olivia had told him minus some things she told him. He folded the letter back up and placed in on his desk. He looked back up at his daughter and spoke sternly yet gently.

"Olivia, I am very disappointed that you were disobedient today."

"I know papa. I am sorry. I won't let it happen again."

"I am glad to hear that, but there is something I am still confused about. You should have had plenty of time to ride out here, spend a little time, and get back in time. What kept you so long that you were late back to school?"

Olivia bowed her head as a tear escaped down her cheek. She felt guilty for what she had not told him what else she had done. He motioned for her to come to him and guided her eyes to his. He could tell she was holding something back.

"Olivia, what is it that you need to tell that you are not?"

"You're going to be really mad."

"Maybe so, but you still need to tell me, and we will work through it like everything else. Why were you late getting back?"

"Well, when we got here, I wanted to show Joe how Cornbread moved and her smooth gait. So, I saddled her to show him all her great moves. Then, he said something about her being fast. So, we decided to race each other. We were having so much fun racing around that we lost track of time."

David's anger started to grow at each sentence Olivia said. Once Olivia finished, he took a deep breath to gain control of his anger before calmly addressing her again.

"So, you disobeyed me. You understand that you racing around alone is very dangerous."

"But Cornbread has been great with me. Plus, Joe was here."

"You, young lady, have only ridden her once. That is not enough time to learn her temperament. Not to mention that she could have acted out being around Paint and/or with the racing. It was careless, and you know better. That is why I have the rules for you; to keep you safe."

"Yes papa."

"I was going to not allow you to ride Cornbread for a week for playing hooky, but due to the seriousness of this new information, I am going to have to punish you more severely. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir."

He stood up walked over to the door and closed it. He wanted to have some privacy for Olivia. As he walked back to his chair, he gently pulled her in front of him taking her hands into his.

"Olivia Grace, do you understand why I am going to punish you?"

"Because I did something dangerous and could have been seriously hurt or even killed."

"That's right. Olivia, I hope that you will remember to follow the rules from now on. I don't make rules to make you miserable. I make them to keep you safe, especially when I am not around to protect you."

He opened a drawer to his left pulling out a thick wooden ruler before guiding Olivia to his right side. He rarely disciplined her with anything other than his hand, but this situation was too serious. Once he had her over his lap, he lifted her skirt and petticoat holding it back with his left hand. She was already crying before her father put her over his lap. David had to steel himself for what he had to do. He loved her too much to allow her to do dangerous things and get away with it. He raised the ruler holding it in his right hand and landed ten solid swats covering her bottom. All she could do was cry after the first few swats. He put the ruler on the desk, placed her dress back down before he stood her up and looked into her eyes. Olivia did not know what to do first: wipe her eyes or rub the sting out of her behind.

"I don't want to have to do that again. You need to follow the rules. I love you too much to lose you to a dangerous and careless stunt, and if you break one of my rules again, we will be right back here again. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir. I am really sorry papa."

"I know you are darling, and I love and forgive you. It's all over."

He said as she fell into her father's arms to be comforted. He lifted her and gently sat her on his lap. He cuddled her wrapping his strong arms around her small frame until she calmed herself. She pulled away to look in his eyes. She said through her hitching breaths.

"I love you, papa."

"I love you too, Livy."

Olivia feel back against her father and stayed there being comforted until she finally fell fast asleep. David heard a knock at the door and granted the person to enter. It was Sam with the inventory list that he had been working. Sam sweetly smiled at the sight of David holding his sleeping daughter as he continued to work on paperwork. It reminded him of all those years of her growing up and being a part of the family. David motioned for Sam to come in and have a seat. He wanted to talk some business before everyone retired for the evening.

"Everything ok sir."

"Yes, it is now. How are you feeling?

"Better with some rest, thank you. I took that inventory that you wanted."

"Thank you. I am glad you are feeling better."

"Thank you, sir."

Sam handed the list to David. While David was reading over the list, Olivia began to stir waking from her nap. David gave her a gentle squeeze and kissed the top of her head before looking down at her. She looked up to see her father smiling at her and returned the smile. She laid her head against her father's chest again and just remained there for a bit more listening the richness of his voice as it resonated in his chest. Olivia saw Sam sitting there.

"Hi Uncle Sam."

"Hi Olivia."

"This looks fine. You can go into town tomorrow and get the rest of the items. Can you have the hands start working on the next order of horses?"

"Yes sir. That won't be a problem. I will get them started in the morning, and then head into town for the supplies. Well, if that is everything, I will leave you to your family."

"Thank you Sam. Have a good evening too."

"Thank you, sir. Bye Olivia."

"Bye."

Sam stood and walked out of the door to see Emily walking towards the study. Sam said good evening and walked out the side door. Emily walked into the study to see David talking to Olivia softly reassuring her that everything was over and that she needed to get her homework done before dinner. Olivia gently slid off her father's lap and headed for the door stopping long enough to give her mother a hug and apologize for playing hooky. Emily returned the hug and told her that she had forgiven her. Once Olivia was up the stairs, Emily walked over to her husband rubbing his shoulders.

"You spanked her for playing hooky? That seems a bit extreme."

"Yes, I would agree, but I spanked her, because when she and Joe came over here, she decided to ride and race Cornbread against Paint."

"So, that is why they were late. They did not mention that part."

"Was Ben upset about them playing hooky?"

"He wasn't happy with Joe and restricted him to the ranch for two weeks, but he wasn't furious or anything."

"Well, that's good."

David started to laugh and Emily joined in. David gently grabbed Emily's hand guiding her around sitting her on his lap as he embraced her. Emily put her arms around David's neck enjoying the closeness of being with him. They started to talk about times when they played hooky and how much trouble they had gotten into, then swore that they would never tell Olivia.

During all this time at the Ponderosa, the Cartwright boys were beginning their chores. Hoss and Joe had finished their chores and Adam had finished some of the fencing.

As they worked, Joe seemed to drag about getting his chores finished. Adam grew tired of telling him to hurry and finish. Eventually, he just went into the house and figured what would happen would happen. Hoss stayed in the barn with Joe. He wanted to get him out of his mood before pa got a hold of him.

"Listen, you better get out of the mood that you're in before pa gets a hold of you. Plus, pa has already punished you for skipping school."

"I know, but I just feel bad. That's not all that we did."

"What do you mean?"

"Well…"

Joe started to tell Hoss, what they had done at the stables and why they were so late getting back. Ben could not hear what the two boys were talking about, but did hear murmurs coming through the barn door. When Ben entered the barn, he spoke to the youngest of his two boys about getting their work finished before dinner.

"Boys? What is taking so long?"

"Sorry pa."

Hoss said quietly looking at his father and then at Joe. Joe was hoping that his father had not heard what he had been telling Hoss before his pa walked into the barn.

"Are you boys finished?"

"Yes sir."

"It is dinner time."

Ben said before heading back to the house. They sat at the table and enjoyed their dinner. Joe tried to talk to Adam a few times, but received nothing more than short one word answers until Adam excused himself from the table retired early to bed. Joe hoped he would be able to talk to Adam before he went to bed, but when he went to get ready, Adam was already asleep. Joe was a little disappointed. Adam had not spoken to Joe since he had chastised him about getting his chores done. They were not supposed to go to bed angry or upset with one another, but Adam would not even give time for Joe to talk to him. As Joe's eyes grew heavy, he decided that he would just try again in the morning as he fell asleep.

The next morning came quickly. Adam was up and already out in the barn working. Joe had heard him and got dressed quickly and followed him out to the barn. Joe hoped Adam would not still be mad at him about yesterday's chores. Joe treaded cautiously.

"Adam?"

Adam just turned to see his little brother standing partly behind the barn door as if he needed protection. Adam just looked at Joe slightly confused by the scene he saw.

"Adam, I am sorry about taking my time with the chores yesterday. Thanks for trying to help."

Joe really did not know what to say. He just knew he had to say something. He loved his big brother and hated it when his brother was cross with him. Adam looked at Joe for a moment and his heart softened. Adam thought back to the previous evening, and he knew he had snapped at Joe that evening. Honestly, it wasn't Joe's fault. Adam was having a bad day as it was and Joe's acts just set him off. Adam had actually just brushed it off not really thinking it was a big deal or that he needed to settle anything with his brother last night. However, seeing and hearing Joe this morning made him realize that maybe he should have addressed the issue before going to bed.

"Apology accepted. You are welcome, and I am sorry if I came across as cross yesterday. I was having a bad day, and if I took it out on you, I am sorry."

"Apology accepted."

They both smiled at each other and Adam went back to work. Joe stepped a little closer.

"Did pa tell you about yesterday?

"No, and before you ask, Hoss did not tell me anything either. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"

"Well, Olivia and I went to see her new horse during our lunch and recess break. We had plenty of time, but we got a little distracted, and now I feel guilty."

"How did you get distracted?"

"Olivia was riding her new horse, and then we decided to race against each other."

"What a minute. Didn't she just get her horse? Is she supposed to be riding without an adult yet?"

"No, and that is why a feel guilty."

"Why do you feel guilty?"

"Because I should have stopped her and watched the time better. She told me that she's not exactly allowed to ride without an adult yet and that her father's worried about the horse's temperament."

"Well, Olivia made that choice not you, but I don't think you should have encouraged her."

"I didn't mean too. I just got caught up in the moment of seeing this beautiful horse."

"Well, I understand you feeling guilty for what happened, but again, Olivia made the decision when she saddled that horse and rode her. Should you have tried to stop her? Probably, but that is not your responsibility."

"You would have done it for us."

"Yes, I would have tried, but if you still did it, it would have been all on you."

Joe nodded knowing that Adam was right about what he was saying. He decided to just talk with Olivia at school to make sure they were still good, and as far as he knew, her parents did not know any different. However, Joe had that gut feeling that they found out anyways.

The next morning, Olivia was over sitting under one of the trees waiting for Joe to come. As soon as he got there, he unsaddled his horse and ran over to Olivia. He knelt beside her as she looked up at him.

"Did they find out?"

"Yes, I had to tell them. Uncle Sam found our tracks."

"Did you your pa punish you?"

"Yes. He was pretty upset that I did something so dangerous."

"I'm sorry. I should have stopped you. If I had, you wouldn't have gotten punished."

"It's not your fault. I made the decision to do it. I honestly did not think we would get caught."

"Me neither."

Just then the bell rang. Olivia looked at Joe before standing, and Joe stood up as well. As they walked back toward the schoolhouse, Joe spoke directly.

"Olivia, are we ok?"

"Ok? What do you mean?"

"Yeah, is everything between us ok? Are we still friends?"

"Of course we're still friends and always will be. We better get going before we are late again."

Olivia said with certainty before smiling at her best friend who smiled back. Then, ran towards the building. They knew that no matter what, they would be friends and looked forward to the adventures they would have in the future.