Here I will put the written version of the chapter. Enjoy! :)

Chapter 1 - Summer Evenings:

“Come here, Bandit!” I called as I followed him up the hill. I stood panting, as I searched for my little black dog who was out and about in the fields. I leaned on my shady peach tree and sighed. From the hill, I could see our neat little farm, with our sheep in the meadows and cows in the field (sorry that was a little too poetic).

Further back was a garden, and a big one at that. There were fruit trees and bushes, as well as a big vegetable garden. A cool wind swept past my face. I called for Bandit one last time, and he came bounding back, with his tongue out, and looking thoroughly pleased with himself. (I found out later that he had caught a butterfly.)

Bandit is a small black dog-we don’t know his breed. My dad found him abandoned at the side of a road during a business trip, and brought him home. He was still a puppy back then, but now he’s almost 3 years old! But even though it's been over 2 years, he still has that energetic flair to him that reminds me of a puppy.

We sat down in the shade, snacking on peaches and watching the sun slowly sink into the mountains below. The sky was a mixed palate of pink, orange, yellow, and blue. It was beautiful. I will never get tired of living in the countryside. A distant shout broke the silence. My mother was calling us home for dinner.

As I walked down the grassy hill, the wind made the grass sway between my feet. I felt a chill down my body. But it wasn’t one of those bad, scary chills. This one was refreshing, almost washing over my body, with a nice deliciousness, and ending the day. Summer was wonderful. It was the perfect night for sleeping under the starry sky. There wasn’t a single cloud up there.

Once we washed up and sat down to eat, Mom asked “So how was it?” I took a moment to reflect on our walk and replied “Perfect. He ran up the big hill- you know the one with the peach tree? And chased butterflies and bumblebees. He actually caught one, can you believe it?” “It sounds very nice,” Mom remarked.

My little sister had been listening to our conversation and piped up,

“Mommy, since it's such a nice day, can I go outside and camp there? Pleaseee?”

Shoot, I thought. I loved my sister, but I really wanted some alone time out there. If mom said yes, that would mean I had to watch her...

“Honey, I think you’re a bit too young to camp out. You just took a bath this morning! Do you wanna get dirty again?”.

Yes! I thought! Now’s my chance! I waited for Mom to send her upstairs, and while we were doing the dishes, using my most persuasive voice, I asked “Mom, may Bandit and I go out and sleep? I promise we won’t go too far. Oh, and I checked. There isn't a cloud in the sky! It won’t rain! And even if it does, we’ll be under the big peach tree. Please?”

Mom hesitated. Uh oh, is that a no?

“Very well,” she said, smiling. “You’ve finished your chores. You may go get ready. Just make sure to not go past the tree!”

“Ok! Thanks, mom!” I called as I ran to get ready for my night out!