Jack Overland: Chapter Four

It was a particularity hot and humid day in Jack's little village. Even baby Emma had realized this, expressing her displeasure by wailing and crying.
   
   "Jack, would you go down to the river and fetch some water?" Asked his exhausted mother, trying to shush the baby.
   
   "Yeah I guess so," Said Jack, shoving the marbles he'd been playing with in his pocket. He didn't really want to go outside, but at least he would be able to go to the cool river.
   
   Before leaving, he snatched up a little pail that his family kept by the door. Jack sighed as he stood outside, mentally complaining about the heat. He began to walk at a hurried pace, wanting to get this over with so he could continue his game of marbles.

   It wasn't long before he heard the quiet gurgle of the river. As it came into view, he noticed that many of the other villagers were also filling various pails and buckets full of the refreshing liquid. Jack chose a spot under the shade of a tall tree and bent down, letting the water fill the bucket all the way to the top. Even though his bucket was full, he stayed there for a while, letting the liquid cool him off.

   "Hey!" Came a high pitched voice from behind him.

   "Hey Clarissa," Jack said, not even bothering to turn around. He knew it was her.

   She crouched down next to him, not even bothering to ask if he minded. She too began filling a pail she'd brought.

   "The chickens really hate the heat, so my mama made me come get them some water," She rambled.

   Jack thought about telling her how much he didn't care about her chickens, but he stopped himself. "Yeah, my ma asked me to come get some water too."

  "Ahh, it feels so nice," Clarissa said, setting the full bucket on the ground to dangle her hands in the water. Seeing her, Jack did the same.

   "Yeah it does..." Jack said, smiling. How he wished he could swim in it, but he couldn't while others were getting drinking water.

   "Hey! There's a little pool that the river fills up that dad showed me. It's kinda far, but we could go swimming!" Said Clarissa, seeming to read his mind.

   "I guess so," Said Jack.

   "It's really fun! No one goes there because it's not very deep and it's kinda muddy."

   "Okay," Said Jack, his excitement growing. He loved muddy places! "I'll go give my bucket to Ma, and then I'll meet you back here."

   "Yeah! I'll go do the same," Clarissa said with a grin.

   After a hurried journey that caused most of the water to be sloshed out of the bucket, Jack gave it to his mother, then rushed to his room. He stripped of his clothes, knowing his ma would kill him if he got them all muddy. He picked out some shorts and an already-ruined shirt to wear instead.

   "Mama! I'm going to go swimming," He announced.

   His mother, who was currently giving the baby a cloth bath, eyed her son. "Is it deep where you're going?"

   "No. Clarissa said it's not deep at all. I'll be safe, I promise!" Said Jack.

   "Well...okay as long as you're going with Clarissa. You two look after each other though, I don't want either of you drowning," His mother warned.

   "Of course not! I'm the best swimmer around, it's impossible to drown me, Mama!" Jack said proudly.

   Mother smiled. "Have fun."

   Jack rushed out the door, his bare feet dashing over dirt and grass. When he finally reached the meeting spot, Clarissa was already there, dressed in some odd shorts and a very large shirt.

   Clarissa frowned as she saw him eyeing her clothes. "I had to borrow some from my brother, okay? All I got are dresses."

   Jack choked down a laugh, afraid that she wouldn't take him to the pool if he offended her. "Let's get going then!"

   The two began walking alongside the river, moving out of the way of various villagers. Clarissa proudly strutted in front, obviously loving the fact that Jack wasn't leading this time.

   "Golly, it's hot!" the girl complained.

   "Golly?" Jack asked, giving her an odd glance.

   "I-It's what Mama says...," Clarissa trailed off, obviously embarrassed.

   Jack shook his head and changed the subject. "Fall is coming soon though, so it won't be as hot."

   "But fall is so short...and then comes winter," sighed Clarissa.

   "Winter is fun though! Snowball fights, Christmas, presents, building snow men--"

   "But it's cold! I like being warm," Clarissa said, cutting him off.

   "But you couldn't feel warm without the cold now could ya?" Asked Jack.

   Clarissa paused, unable to come up with an argument. "No I guess not," She said with a sigh of defeat.

   After about fifteen minutes of walking in the heat, the trees parted to reveal a little pool of water, fed by a small run-off of the river. It was perfectly shady and cool, an ideal spot to spend a hot summer day. Even the songs of the birds seemed a little more lively.

   Jack's well-known mischievous grin crept upon his face. He turned to see Clarissa was quite happy as well.

   "Whoever gets in last is a fat loser!" Jack declared, not even allowing her any warning.

   "Jack!" Clarissa yelled, giggling as she ran after him.

   Jack jumped into the air and curled up into a ball, however his splash wasn't very satisfying. He hit his bottom on the floor of the pool and he realized now how shallow the pool really was. He popped back up with a gasp.

   "Ouch!" He exclaimed.

   Clarissa laughed at his foolishness as she slipped into the pool. The water barely came up to her chest. "I told you it was shallow, stupid."

   Jack splashed some water at her in response. "It looks deep when you're in it, shorty."

   Clarissa screamed and giggled as he continued to splash her with the cold water. Not willing to go down without a fight, she began to do the same, laughing triumphantly when she splashed him right in the eyes. However, all the fun was over when she felt a nice big handful of mud hit her forehead. Her mouth wide with shock, she wiped the mud away from her eyes to see a hysterical Jack.

   "Your face! Oh man," He laughed, pointing at her.

   "Jack Overland I swear I'm gonna kill you one day!" She exclaimed, raising her hand to wipe off the rest of the mud. "Ugh! You got it in my hair!"

   "Quit being such a girl and wash it off in the water," Jack said, beginning to float on his back.

   "But the water's kinda muddy too!" She complained. Seeing that he honestly didn't care if the water was clean or not, she sighed in disgust and put her head under, rubbing the squishy mud out of her auburn hair.

   Meanwhile, Jack floated above the water, looking up at the canopy of trees above them. It sure was nice here, but his mother would want him home soon. He sure was glad that he chose to wear these ruined clothes, for they were already getting darker with the muddy water.
   
   Suddenly his peace was interrupted as a pair of small hands pushed up under his back, causing him to tumble over with a yelp. When he came back up, Clarissa was standing there with a very superior and pleased look on her face.

   "Got'cha back, Jack," She said with a grin.

   After a few more water games and fights, the two children chose to lay in a nice patch of grass lit well by the sun to dry off. If they came home soaking wet, they'd surely have to mop the floors.

   "Thanks for coming with me," Clarissa said, gazing at the clouds.

   "Yeah sure, freckle-face," Jack responded.

   "Why do you always call me that gross name, Jack?" She asked in disgust, sitting up to glare at him.

   Jack sat up as well. "Well you see, you have freckles. Lots of 'em"

   Clarissa turned red and averted her eyes. "I know. They're ugly..."

   Jack frowned. "They aren't ugly. My dad told me once that freckles are angel kisses. It means you're loved or something mushy like that."

   She faced him again, a little smile crossing her face. "I've never heard that before. I just know that I get made fun of a lot by the other village kids about them."

   "Don't listen to them, they're just jealous that angels don't kiss them," Jack said, standing up to hold out a hand for Clarissa. "Just come and tell me if someone is making fun of you and I'll fix them."

   Clarissa giggled, taking his hand and getting to her feet. "They'd crush you."

   The two argued all the way back to their homes, Jack trying his best not to lose his temper, and Clarissa trying her best to make that happen. She thought he was quite funny when he got angry. When the children reached town, they said their good-byes and parted ways.

   Little Jack lay in his bed later that night, thinking about all that had happened. Clarissa might be annoying, but he decided that she was definitely the person he could call his best friend.