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"Lacey. Hey, Lacey. Wake-up."
Lacey slowly opened her eyes. The boy from yesterday was shaking her. And she was sitting outside her house. I must have fallen asleep out here. . .
"So. Why'd you come to look for me? Want a re-match?" She said as she stood up and stretched.
"Nah. Not today. All the little girls kept following me around, asking 'Where's Lacey, Where's Lacey?'. It was getting annoying. They wanna see you again. But. . . I have a question. Is your name really Lacey? You don't seem like a Lacey to me. You're a real good fighter. Isn't Lacey kinda a prissy name?"
"Quiet, you. I'm not proud of it. It seemed to fit me when I was younger, but things change, ya know? I used to be a real stuck-up brat. I had whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. But nothing good can last forever like that. Right?"
"Really? Hm. I can't imagine you in a dress." He held his hands up meaning 'just saying' because Lacey was threatening him with a fist."But why do you think that? What happened to you? What's your story?"
"Let's go to town. I think I gottta work today,"Lacey said, trying to dodge his questions.

When they got to town, they split off in seperate directions. Lacey opened the door to the bakery. Mrs. Tulune was at her side in a second. "Ooh, Sugar! The latest gossip is you beat the kid that always looks like he's got a bad mood! He's tough, they say! Makes all the little ones cry! Is it true, Honey?"
"Yeah, I guess so. He wanted to fight me at the river, cause I teased him. He asked for, he did. He didn't seem that mean, though."
"Hm." Mrs. Tulune murmured under her breath,"Maybe he's turning soft. . ."
"I beg your pardon, Miss?"
"Nothing, Darling, I was just thinking how much work we have today. It's wondeful to have you here. Such a blessing, it is."
"Right away, Mrs. Tulune." She heated the stove and in a flash had bread cooking.
"Dearie. . . You're very skilled with cooking. . . Yet you fight like a boy? I've never met a girl like you, yet. Pleasant company, but ready for a challenge, hmm? Would you like work that is more active?"
"No, M'am. I like to work here. It teaches me how to support myself. I mean, when I get older, you know? It's not like I'm on my own yet, right?"
"Alright, then, back to work."
"Right away, M'am."

"Hey, Lacey!"
"Oh! Hi . . . um. . . I don't recall you telling me your name."
"It's Terence. What's with the polite language all of a sudden? Lacey, I don't get you at all. . . I think we need a nick-name for you. Lacey is too girly. How about. . . Sam? or even Taylor. Then we could always call you Tay."
"Mm. No thanks. Let's just stick with Lacey."
"Alright! Sam it is!"
"Don't push it. I said it'll stay Lacey, and Lacey it'll stay." She said, giving him a small punch on the shoulder for kicks. The little girls ran up to Lacey. "Lacey! Lacey! We missed you!" She picked one of them up and swung her around in her arms."You should visit more!"
"Ah. . . I wish I could, I wish I could. But I have to work. And my work is fun and easy. So I don't mind!"
Terence leaned against the brick wall. What's with her? She was living all alone. Doesn't she have a family? And why did she live all isolated in the forest? There are plenty of cheap cottages around here. She looks so optimistic. But it's almost as if she's hiding stuff. Is she really alone?
"Hey Hey! C'mon Lacey! Lets go back to the river! You gotta teach us those tricks!"
"Hold it, squirts. I don't think you should take after me. Fighting isn't for girls."
"But that didn't stop you."
Lacey closed on eye and stuck her tounge out in a smile."I'm different. Things change. Got it? Now be good girls, 'kay?"
"Alright, Lacey. . ."
Terence chuckled. "First you show 'em how dang good you are at fighting, then you tell 'em not to be like you. I don't get you one bit, Lacey. Not one bit."
"Trust me, it's best like that," She said with a wink and a waggling finger.
"Whatever you say, Lacey."