Chapter 3

The next day at lunch a girl name Rachel Conaway who was the class snob who loved to taunt Amelia. Rachel walks over to where Amelia was sitting.

“I’m surprise a Cartwright would sink this low” mocked Rachel coldly. Amelia looks at her annoyed. “What are you talking about?” demanded Amelia.

“As if you don’t know the only reason why Little Joe is dating our teacher is so you’ll get ‘special privileges’. Typical for a Cartwright having to have higher privileges than everyone else” said Rachel.

Amelia gets up. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m not the reason Joe is or isn’t dating our teacher and where did you hear that from?” she asked.

“Why it’s the latest rumor going around town. Everyone is talking about them and most of them think that you set them up” taunted Rachel.

“How did it get around town?” asked Amelia. “Joe told some people around town. Why didn’t he tell you?” asked Rachel loving every minute of tormenting Amelia.

“No he didn’t” stated Amelia getting angry not only at Rachel but at Joe too. “Well it shows how much that miserable excuse of a brother cares about you. You Cartwright’s are nothing more than a waste of space” mocked Rachel.

Amelia losing her temper clinches her hand into a fist and punches Rachel hard in the mouth. Rachel falls in the dirt. “And your mouth is so big Rachel Conaway it’s a waste of air” said Amelia confidently.

Miss Browney who had seen the fight walks directly over to the girls as did Amelia’s best friend Emily. “Amelia Cartwright apologized to Rachel” demanded the teacher who was appalled that Amelia had hit someone.

“I’m sorry” muttered Amelia without any emotion. “Amelia go back to the classroom and you and I will have a long talk after class” said Miss Browney sternly.

Amelia grabs the rest of her stuff and walks toward the school house. “Rachel dear you better get your lip check out with Doc Martin” said Miss Browney.

Rachel gets up from the ground and walks toward the Doc’s office. Emily looks over at the teacher. “Please don’t be too hard on Amelia ma’am. She hasn’t been herself. She hasn’t been talking to Joe and it’s been killing both of them” explained Emily.

She didn’t want to see her best friend getting in trouble. She knew that Amelia was hurting and didn’t mean to hit Rachel even if she had it coming.

“Why isn’t Amelia talking to Joe?” asked the curious teacher. “I don’t know ma’am” said Emily with a shrugged.

“I understand Emily thank you for telling me. Can you please ride out to the Ponderosa after school and let the Cartwright’s know that Amelia is being held after?” asked the teacher.

“Yes Ma’am” said Emily obediently as they walk to the school. Once school was let out Emily rides out to the Ponderosa to find Joe grooming his horse.

“Hey Emily what brings you out this way?” asked Joe cheerfully. “Amelia got in a fight at school” informed Emily. “A fight what happened? Did she get hurt?” asked Joe concern.

“No she’s fine she gave Rachel Conaway a fat lip. Apparently she was giving Amelia a hard time about something I ain’t sure of” said Emily. “Thanks for coming out here to tell me” said Joe.

“Joe whatever she is mad at you about I’m sure she’ll come around about it eventually. Whatever you did to make her mad I’m sure it wasn’t intentional. Amelia can’t stay mad at you for a long period of time” assured Emily. “I hope so” said Joe hopingly.

Emily smiles and rides away. Moments later Joe walks in the school house to find Charlotte sitting in front of Amelia.

Charlotte looks up to see a concern Joe in the doorway with his hat in his hands. “I’ll be right back Amelia” she said. She then walks over to entrance of the school.

Amelia turns her head to see that the teacher was going to talk to Joe. Joe gives her a small wave but she turns her head and ignores him.

Charlotte and Joe walked outside. “What happen?” asked Joe. “I’m not sure Amelia won’t talk to me. She either cries or doesn’t do anything. I’m worry about her Joe this doesn’t seem like her at all” said Charlotte worriedly.

“We’re worry to. Last thing she said to me was that she hated me. She cries all the time at home and when I try to comfort her but she just pushes me away” said Joe.

Charlotte caresses Joe’s arm comfortingly “This is really bothering you isn’t it?” she asked.

“Why shouldn’t it be? She’s my baby sister and she’s in pain and there is nothing I can do to help her without her saying she hates me and I don’t know why” said Joe helplessly worried his lip quivering and his voice cracking full of emotion.

“I better get her home my Pa isn’t gonna be happy when he hears about the fight” said Joe dreading to tell his father.

“Good luck and I’m sure everything is gonna work out between you two. I know how much she loves you and I’m sure whatever this is won’t last long” assured Charlotte. “I hope so” said Joe.

Charlotte kisses him. “I love you” she said. “I love you too” said Joe. He kisses her again before walking inside the school house.