How Green Becomes Wood

"Wisconson or maybe Idaho," Rumy said without hesitation. "California is too hot for me, but I'm told north California isn't so bad, so maybe there, but Wisconson and Idaho are supposed to be like the best places to raise dairy cows. Montana would be okay, too, because land's cheaper there, but they mostly do beef, not dairy."
 
"Oh, right. I forgot about the cows." Sloan replied, sticking her hands in her back pocket, "I don't think I could live somewhere super rural. There's too much to do and see in cities, I want to get to really experience things."
 
"I never really got that," Rumy admitted. "I mean, yeah, there's cool stuff, but I feel like I can't breathe without a bit of grass and space. I guess I could have a small farm within... half an hour of a town. Then it's not outlandish to go into town sometimes."

Alec finally ran over to Xander. "Ready to go! Why are you just standing here? Let's go home!"

Xander stared at his brother as he pranced off to the van. "You idiot," he sighed, following him.
 
"I mean, I like having grass and trees and all that, but it just feels so isolating. Even here in the suburbs I feel like there are too many eyes on me. Nobody looks at you, in the city, because there are so many people, who are all so unique, nobody cares what you do, anymore. And I want that." She sighed, "and I want to be able to walk to things."
 
"There's no eyes on you out in the boonies, either," Rumy said with a grin. "I guess I've just never wanted to disappear in the crowd or felt like people were watching me. That's rough. But, hey! If you move to a city where you can walk everywhere, you can invite me over and show me how awesome it is, right?"
 
"They do if you're different," Sloan replied, "If you're out in a small town, and they don't know you, they're way more likely to question who you are and what you're doing there, because they know everyone there, so they know if you belong. But anyway, I'll be sure to show you cool places in the city, if you show me the good walking trails."
 
"I don't mind being different. I've been different all my life, but some people think it's cool and some think it's weird, but I like being weird," Rumy grinned, tapping her cow earrings lightly. "I'd love to show you some walking trails! Trail walking is like the ultimate way to get inspiration on, like, anything! Have you been to the ones around here?"
 
Sloan's smile faltered slightly and she glanced away, guessing Rumy, too, didn't really know what it was like to be treated as weird and different in the way she had been, "I've been to a few of them. I'm pretty busy most of the time, though, so I haven't walked as many as I'd like. I spend most of my free time in the gym, especially these days."
 
"We should totally go sometime!" Rumy cheered. "Just tell me when you have time. I can make time just about whenever."

A pair of boys walked past them, chuckling, and one called out, "Hey, cow chick," while the other mooed.

"Heifer, not chick, chicks are baby chickens," Rumy called after them and turned back to Sloan, not thinking twice. The boys faltered, not having expected that, but kept going as Rumy told Sloan, "I used to be busy all the time. My mom put me in a ton of classes and stuff, but I got so super tired that I started skipping them and sleeping in the locker room or the car or whatever. She eventually stopped, but she was pretty mad she wasted money on like a month of classes that I either snuck out of or slept through. I still love my art classes, though, and I'm taking one on agriculture! I was thinking about maybe volunteering at the zoo for experience. They don't take anyone under 17, preferably 18, and all the slots were filled last summer."
 
"I'll try to find some time," She said, watching after the boys. She'd be out, soon. Then nobody... almost nobody... from high school would ever need to see her again. Sure, they didn't say anything to her, but it seemed, at this place, it was only a matter of time. It had happened before. Xander was suspended over it. "It's cool your mom freed you eventually. I don't know if I'll ever not be busy. The zoo would be cool, though. You've got to apply as soon as the application opens."
 
"You could just... not go do the thing or whatever," Rumy shrugged. "What's your mom going to do? Physically drag you there by your ear? And if she kicks you out, you can come stay at my place. We have a spare room since my older brother moved out. Besides, not everyone is a piece of coal. Pressure only turns coal to diamonds. Most of us are more like bread. Give us the occasional smack, but mostly leave us alone to do our thing."
 
She shifted, looking over at the lockers and at the kids passing by, "It's not really that simple. I'm not even really..." She turned her head to the side, "It'd be easier if I hated the things, but I don't. I mean, I don't love student council, but I've done it all the other years, I can't quit now. I could end up student-body president and piss off the people on council who are convinced they'll be the actual president some day and take it too seriously. But it's not... really the activities. It's the... I don't know. It's a whole thing. I'm going to start coaching the littles after I turn 18, though. It won't help my schedule problems, but I'm excited for it."
 
"Hey." Rumy stepped closer and gently hip-bumped Sloan. "A full life only counts if you fill it full of things that matter to you. If it matters to you and you're willing to make the sacrifices, then you should do it. Whatever 'it' is, or all the its. Just don't forget that everyone needs to breathe, right?" She smiled at Sloan. "You'll make a great coach. But if you ever want to play hooky, lemme know and I'll be your fall guy or your alibi, whatever you need to catch a break."
 
"I'll see if I can manage that," Sloan replied with a little smile, "I can't make any promises, but I'll try. I didn't really grow up being taught to breathe. When I was in third grade I had nightmares about failing a test."
 
"Oh, man, that's a pretty strict house." Rumy impulsively put one arm around Sloan in a sideways hug. "It gets better from here! And if it doesn't, we'll kick life until it does." She grinned at Sloan and let go. "I should probably get going, and I've probably made you late. Sorry."
 
Eyes widening at the touch, Sloan didn't pull away but stared down at the ground, her face flushing softly. "Yeah, I-I know it will. Once I'm out of my parents' house, and I only need to talk to them, like, monthly, if that, it'll be better."

When Rumy let go, Sloan looked after her, "It's no problem, actually. I mean, I should get going, but I don't have to worry about buses or anything, so it's okay. I normally arrive to places early anyway. But I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
 
"Absolutely! But if for some reason we don't see each other before, I hope you have a stellar birthday," Rumy grinned. Then she headed off to the parking lot to retrieve her moped and putter off.

Alec and Xander had an actual talk in the van on the way home, but it wasn't about the fight they'd had the previous day. It was about something else. When they arrived home, they called out a greeting to their family as they kicked off their shoes and took turns touching the salt.
 
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