Florence - (G.B.)/(B.A.)

Chapter 15

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The Broken Words

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When Florence reached the home and entered inside, the first thing that she was greeted with was a curious Anne. The red-head invaded her friend's space in a matter of seconds, stopping across from her and asking, "How's Gilbert?"

Suddenly, the anger that she'd been bottling up ever since her conversation with the boy that, mind you, didn't end well ⸺ had resurfaced. She knew that she shouldn't have been upset with him, especially given the circumstances, but it still hurt nonetheless.

Florence shrugged. "Why don't you ask him yourself?"

Anne gave her friend a knowing look. "You just came back from talking with him."

"It doesn't mean we exchanged any words."

"Oh, that's an obvious one. You two were physically sharing conversation."

Florence's eyes widened, feeling a deep blush crawling up her neck. For a moment, she thought that Anne would've been angry with her, but looking at the girl ⸺ she was baffled that she was smirking at her. "What did you see? I mean, err . . ."

"I'm just kidding around, Flo," Anne explained with a laugh, patting the brunette's shoulders in a friendly manner. The Robinson girl furrowed her eyebrows. Had she or had she not seen their entire embrace? Well, it couldn't have been a bad thing ⸺ this was just her comforting Gilbert during this unfortunate time. There was nothing more and nothing less. "I just came back from the snack table to see Gilbert walking away from you. You said you would go and speak to him, so did you?"

"Oh, right . . . yes, we talked." Florence cleared her throat, her cheeks returning to their natural shade. Phew! she thought, thankful that Anne didn't see anything odd and assume the wrong thing and potentially save her from the embarrassment. With a small smile, she answered, "To answer your earlier question, he's ⸺ he's coping."

"It must be difficult to see the person you most love and care about just . . . just leave right before your eyes. An almost unfortunate awakening that you won't be able to see them ever again, except for maybe until the afterlife. And while waiting for the inevitable to come for you too, you will have to learn to live without them 'till you are reunited."

A frown etched onto the red-head's mouth as she leaned against the wall with her arms crossed. There was a distant look in her eyes that Florence couldn't truly decipher, but it was almost like she was recalling something from the past. The brunette bit her lip as she realized the truth behind her friend's words. You really did have to learn to move on, didn't you?

"Why don't you also see how he's doing?" Florence suggested after a moment and Anne stepped out of her thoughts.

She hummed in contemplation before nodding. "You're right."

Anne turned to approach Gilbert who was standing alone by a corner.

***

Florence looked around the room and noticed how everyone was occupied with each other ⸺ conversing joyfully and sharing pleasant conversation. There was even one man who Florence remembered being called Mr Lynde. He was chewing on a blueberry scone and ⸺ hold on. A scone? That too a blueberry flavoured one?

Not another minute later, the girl had found herself at the snack table. There were all kinds of treats and desserts that were brought courtesy of the guests. Even her grandmother had baked something ⸺ apple pie ⸺ for the occasion. It was one of Elizabeth's specialities after all. Grabbing a plate from off the counter, Florence was about to reach out for one of those delicious-looking scones when she heard a familiar voice from behind her.