In the Fields

Kelly looked around, taking in the vast green fields stretching out before her. She took a deep breath, trying to come to terms with her new reality.

— I could have never imagined… working in the fields like… a peasant! — she grumbled in frustration.

All the peasants turned to look at her, some with curiosity, others with disdain. A young woman approached with determined steps and slapped Kelly across the face.

— Who do you think you are, hitting me like that, you poor thing? — Kelly shouted, shocked and indignant.

— My name is Taia, — the young woman replied firmly — and we are not wretches, like you just said! I may be poor, but I have honor… unlike you.

Kelly raised her hands in surrender.
— I didn’t say that about you! — she tried to explain, but Taia didn’t look convinced.

— I’m not stupid; I know you were talking about us indirectly! — Taia insisted, crossing her arms.

— Maybe you are a little stupid, — Kelly replied, trying to stay calm — because I wasn’t talking about you at all. If anyone felt offended by what I said, I apologize; it wasn’t my intention.

Taia narrowed her eyes, suspicious.
— You’re not fooling me.

— You’re a little paranoid, aren’t you? — Kelly shot back, raising an eyebrow.

— And you’re not as clever as you think, — Taia said with a mocking smile.

— Who knows, friend… — Kelly replied, but soon realized Taia didn’t consider this friendship.

— I’m not your friend, — Taia said, pointing at Sara — you must be related to Sara; you’re just like her.

Sara, staying calm, replied:
— I’m not offended, Taia.

— How are you not offended? — Taia asked, surprised.

— Because she’s fake, and I’m not, — Sara said firmly.

— Oh, Sara, you don’t even believe what you just said. Don’t take me for a fool, — Taia retorted. — I’m not fake like the two of you.

Kelly took a deep breath, trying to end the argument:
— I’m not fake; I just expressed myself badly.

At that moment, Mr. Alfredo, one of the chief overseers, approached, raising his voice:
— Girls, stop arguing, please.

— I’m not arguing, — Kelly said, looking at Alfredo — it’s Taia accusing me of being fake! I have honor, you know?

— You’re right, Kelly, — Alfredo agreed with a smile.

— She’s not right; she is fake! — Sara retorted.

— Sister Sara, how can you say that about your own sister? — Kelly asked, hurt.

— You all heard that, right? — Taia shouted — they’re sisters, and they talk to each other like that!

— That has nothing to do with it, — Sara said firmly — and she’s not my sister. My grandmother is the one who adopted her as a granddaughter, and she’s the only fake one. I’m 100% genuine; you all know me.

Kelly took another deep breath and said, determined:
— Mr. Alfredo, can I work in another field, please?

— Of course, Kelly, — Alfredo replied — come with me.