❥ ℛℯ𝒸𝓀𝓁ℯ𝓈𝓈 𝓁ℴ𝓋ℯ ❥ •𝖦𝗂𝗅𝖻𝖾𝗋𝗍 𝖡𝗅𝗒𝗍𝗁𝖾•

•𝒯ℯ𝓃•

„SURELY IT CAN'T BE THAT AWFUL!"
Diana said to Anne's new hairstyle, when the girls arrived in school.

"I'm sure it will grow back faster than you think!" said Amybella and Diana nodded affirmatively.

"I'm a monstrosity! In fact, you best forget me now and for all time. I'd never ever want to bring this humiliation upon you too." Said Anne tragically.

"Anne don't say that I'm sure-.." Amybella was about to say, but she picked up a voice from all the noise in the classroom. It was a very specific and familiar voice.

She walked slowly past Anne and Diana into the classroom. Everyone stared at the girl. Of course, word had spread quickly that her mother and Marcus had died. Amybella had avoided school the days before to save herself those looks, but Rachel made her go back to school that morning.

Whispers went around, but the blonde girl hardly cared. Her eyes searched the room for the person to whom she assigned the voice, she had heard.
Brown eyes met hers and the boys around Gilbert stood to one side.
Amybella looked him up and down, just as he did with her.
He had grown and seemed stronger. His features were older and his curls longer than the last time she had seen him.

„Amy." Gilbert said smiling, kindly at her.
Amybella stared at him as whispers went around again.
She turned and saw Anne walking into the room with Diana's hairband.

"My goodness! What happened to her?" She heard Josie Pye whisper and giggle.
Amybella watched as the girl stared at Gilbert with equal surprise and then opened her mouth.

"You're back." she said in disbelief and Bella stepped aside.

"Yes.. Hi!" Gilbert's gaze lingered on the blonde girl, who avoided his gaze and then looked intently at Anne.

"There's no gold." The redhead said quickly.

"I-I know. I heard! That's not why I'm here." Amybella shook her head and ran out.

"Amy." She heard Gilbert's call behind her and then stopped. She turned to face him and he stopped in front of her.

"Hey.." he smiled.

"Hey? Is that all you have to say?" Amybella hissed. Gilbert seemed surprised for a moment by her harsh tone.

"Listen-.." he tried to speak, but the girl cut him off.

"No you listen!"

"I'm sorry-.." Gilbert tried again, but Bella wouldn't let him get a word in edgewise.

"You disappear out of nowhere. I haven't heard a word you've said except that you want to 'come home without force' " Amybella mockingly pronounced his words.

"I mean, it wasn't that easy!" She interrupted the boy again.

"Not that easy? Leave without saying goodbye?" She asked, crossing her arms.