𝐃𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (𝐆.𝐁.) (𝐁.𝐀.)

Twenty-four.

It's been a few weeks after the tragedy that happened in town. They had repeated history. Avonlea's name was plastered on all newspapers, being the new gossip.

And the town was suffering. Well, mostly the families who weren't so rich.

Thankfully, Lavinia and her two best friends weren't affected.

Although their fathers helped others and put a lot of money into the whole gold facade, they had enough money that there wasn't any difference in their lives.

The Cuthberts were fortunate enough to have not decided to send a soil sample. They haven't suffered like those who did.

Lavinia was currently sitting outside in their garden with her father. Where she was surprisingly having a delightful conversation with him.

They were both laughing while they sipped their tea, forgetting about all the problems they had with each other.

That was until Lavinia's mother walked in, looking angrier than ever, "I've been calling. You were to be practicing lessons, and here I find you engaged in perilous, senseless... whatever this is!"

Her mother hasn't spoken to her in weeks, and this is the first thing she tells her?

Lavinia looked back at her father for help, which he clearly understood.

She thought he would help her, do something, but all he said was, "Go follow your mother. You should learn how to be a respectful woman."

Lavinia quickly gave her father a hurt look. Didn't even last a month and he's already gone back to his normal self.

She knew this would come sooner or later, but it didn't mean she was ready for it to happen.

She sighed, standing up as she followed her mother to the huge living room. Where she was taught how to play the piano and how to sip tea.

As soon as she was done, she asked her father if she could go visit Jane since Diana was busy with lessons all day. He agreed. she quickly dismissed herself and went to her bedroom. Letting her maid do her hair while she chose a dress to wear.

She chose a fancy purple dress with puff sleeves and white simple lacy edges. She let her maid tie a matching bow to her hair.

Once she was ready, she went to the kitchen and took a piece of pie for the road.

She nonchalantly glared at Mary before heading out.

Quickly making her way through the short road, seeing as the Laurents and Andrew's were basically neighbors.

She knocked on the door, only for it to be opened by none other than Billy.

She smiled sweetly at him, making him avoid eye contact. But she didn't notice. She never did.

She never noticed the way he stared at her, she never noticed the look in his eyes whenever he saw a glimpse of her, and she never noticed how he would smile whenever she was laughing with her friends. How he would secretly like it whenever she defended someone she didn't know closely.

She didn't notice anything. She was too busy worrying about Gilbert Blythe. The same guy who left the town without any explanation.

But he also never noticed his feelings.

They were both unaware of the feelings they felt for each other. Maybe they'd realize it soon enough. Or maybe they'd be too late to act on their feelings.

He quickly let her in, stepping aside and taking her coat to hang it up.

"May I go to Jane's room, or is she busy?" She asked, not knowing where this sudden politeness came from. She would usually go up to her room without asking for permission, seeing as she was one of her two best friends. But with Billy, everything felt different.

"Yeah, yeah of course." He stuttered slightly, not realizing he was staring at her this whole time.

Lavinia slightly blushed, which Billy didn't fail to notice. He felt butterflies in his stomach, watching her go up the stairs to his sister.

Lavinia knocked on Jane's door, getting inside once she heard a 'come in'.

She closed the door and slid down, her back leaning on the door. A huge smile plastered on her face, not once glancing at Jane.

"What is happening?" Jane deadpanned. She was confused, she had never seen her friend this happy.

Lavinia's face turned bright red, a huge smile still evident on her face, "Nothing."

It then clicked, making jane smirk as she raised her eyebrows, "Oh."

"Oh?" Lavinia gulped, not wanting her friend to know the reason she was so flustered was because of her brother.

But little did Lavinia know, that the same thing was happening to the boy.

He leaned against his door, a genuine smile on his face. His heart was racing as he felt himself heating up.

He closed his eyes as he thought of their simple interaction, which somehow made him feel over the moon.

He didn't know what was happening to him but he liked every bit of it. Or so he thought.

He soon realized what he's been doing and what kind of feelings he felt, making him stand straight. He scoffed at the thought of ever liking Lavinia. She's his sisters best friend. He's known her his whole life. It would be weird.

And that's why Billy set him mind on one thought, 'I don't like Lavinia.'

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