Astoria Blythe

014

Astoria sat on her bed, staring at the letter she received. It was from her brother saying how he wouldn't be returning home. Ever. Tears slowly welled up in her eyes and she chocked back a sob.

"What?" Her voice cracked.

She read the letter over again. And again. And again. And so on. She kept reading it over, hoping the words would change and say that he would be back soon. But they didn't, and Gilbert was not returning.

Though it was school, Astoria did not attend. She would not attend for a few days, to try to wash the feeling of sorrow away. She would no longer see her brother, she could only talk to him through letter.

A knock at her door sounded, so she said for the person to come in. Without Astoria looking up from the letter, Tom spoke.

"Are you alright? I thought you'd be at school already." He asked.

"I'm not going for a few days." Astoria admitted.

"What, why?" Tom sat beside her.

"Um... I just learned that my brother won't be coming back home." Astoria sniffled. "Ever..."

"Oh, I'm so sorry." Tom pulled her in for a hug.

"It's alright, it's not your fault." She responded.

All of a sudden, Astoria burst into tears. She gripped Tom tighter and sobbed into his shoulder while he rubbed her back in comfort.

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Two days had passed and Astoria still had yet to return to school. Her and Tom spent most of the entire days together, cooking and cleaning and maintaining the animals and crops. They were growing into closer friends and it seemed like Tom would be staying there for longer than Astoria originally thought.

"Since my brother won't be coming back..." Astoria started, sitting next to Tom on the couch. "How do you feel about being my personal farm boy?"

Tom laughed. "What does that entail?"

"Well, you'd stay with me for all the months that the weather is good, and you could go home whenever you feel like it." She shrugged.

"Yeah, that sounds like what is already happening." He pointed out.

"Yes, but... It would be for longer." Astoria told him.

"Alright then." Tom nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a great idea."

"Perfect!" Astoria clapped.

_____________

"Hey, Tom?" Astoria said, gaining his attention.

"What's up?" Tom asked.

"I was thinking that maybe... I shouldn't go to school anymore." Astoria sipped her tea.

"What?! You're kidding, right?" He exclaimed.

"No, Tom, I'm not." She crossed her arms. "I'm thinking it might be best for me to stay home and work on the farm with you. You won't be around forever so I don't want to have to rely on you."

"If that's your choice than I won't stop you, but I think you should stay in school. You'd get an education and find a really good job, and maybe move somewhere new." Tom said.

"It's not official yet... So, I will think about what you said." Astoria replied, walking upstairs.

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A/N

<3