GENTLE | VISCOUNT TEWKESBURY

2| A Good Friend

[Y/N]

AFTER LAST NIGHT'S INVESTIGATION IN MY MOTHER'S ROOM I HAD NOT PLANNED FOR THE LETTER TO BE SENT. Unfortunately Amybeth noticed it sitting on my desk and decided she'd mail it for me. This makes thing slightly more complicated.

I didn't sleep a wink last night due to planning my escape. Well it wasn't exactly an escape, more like sneaking out. However I still had to be careful and make sure no one knew my real identity.

The plan was simple. I'd borrow a few of Antony's clothes and I'd dress up as a boy. I'd leave the house from my window in early hours of the morning when everyone else is asleep. Amybeth doesn't wake up until 7:30 and Margaret is a heavy sleeper. As for her husband I doubt he'd be a morning person.

I'll leave around 5:00 when the sun rises. I'd bike towards the town, making sure to dump my bike somewhere near the first houses. Then I'd walk to the train station which is located on the other side. I'll travel by train until we reach the next train station. Then I'd buy another ticket for the train that leaves for London as soon as possible.

You may be wondering how I know mother is in London. Well the answer is obvious. London is the perfect place to hide. It's the capital one of the biggest cities in the country which makes it very easy for anyone to blend in. If I wanted to hide that's where I'd go.

"You look really tired today Miss Y/n. Did you even sleep at all last night?" Amybeth asked, placing a plate of scrambled eggs in front of me. "Only for a few hours" I lied. "I found it difficult to fall asleep not knowing where mother is."

"Do not need to worry Miss Y/n. I'm sure Mrs Margaret and her husband will find her. Speaking of that she is to arrive around noon" she said making her way back to the kitchen. "Great" I mumbled and started eating.

"I'm going out" I stated walking into the kitchen holding my now empty plate. "I'll be gone for an hour or two" I said placing the dirty plate into the sink. "May I ask where you are going?" she asked looking at me. "I'm just visiting a friend" I said making my way out of the kitchen.

Changing out of my nightgown and into a sage green dress I made my way to Anthony's house. He may be a boy however me and him had always been close friends. Walking past the garden's gate I spotted him sitting with his back against the willow tree. "Morning" I greeted the blonde boy.

Looking up from his book his piercing blue eyes met mine. "Morning Y/n" he smiled. "What brings you here this early?" he asked confused. Normally I would visit him after 11:00 however it was not a minute after 9:40.

"I want to ask you for a favour" I told him. This seemed to catch his attention as he quickly closed the the book and put it aside. "What is it?" he asked getting straight to the point. "I need you to borrow me some of your clothes."

"You're crazy" he muttered. "What will you even do with them?" he asked when I did not answer. "I'm planning on sneaking out" I told him. "But you aren't supposed to know anything as it's a secret. So forget I told you that."

"I don't know" he said looking around. "Come on Anthony. How many times have I helped you sneak out to meat Cole" I complained. "Sh" he shushed me placing a finger against my lips. "We don't want my mother to hear" he said.

Just then a middle aged woman wearing a baby blue dress appeared next to the wooden door that was widely open. "Hello Y/n" Mrs. Green smiled. I blushed realising the state we were in. His finger grazed my lips and we were sitting incredibly close. No I do not like him, I was simply blushing from the embarrassment. After all Anthony isn't even into girls.

"Hello Mrs. Green" I greeted pulling away from the blonde. "How are you this wonderful day" I asked. "I'm doing just fine Y/n. And you seem to be doing well too" she said looking between the two of us. "I'll let you continue what you were doing."

Mrs Green always thought we liked each other. She was sure we were going to be married in the future. After a few silent moments of looking into each other's eyes we broke out into a fit of laughter. When we eventually calmed down the both of us were out of breath.

"She's so sure were going to get married someday" Anthony grinned. "I know. At least you've got a cover" I smiled back. "So will you help me?" I asked looking at him with a look I know he couldn't say no to. "Fine" he sighed and fell back, lying on the grass.

We stayed like that for the next two hours. I really don't know when we're going to have a moment like this again.

"LOOK HOW GROWN UP YOU ARE Y/N" Margaret smiled when she saw me. "Hello Margaret" I said before being squeezed in a hug. "Oh Y/n you look so mature" she said pulling away. "I always was mature" I mumbled annoyed by my sister's actions.

"Hello Y/n" the black haired man greeted me. "Morning James" I said turning away from my sister's husband. "Mrs Margaret I already prepared your old room" Amybeth informed. "Thank you so much Amy" my sister said using her nickname.

"I think we are going to head upstairs and settle. Y/n why don't you go upstairs and change into a more clean dress. This one looks like you've been lying on the grass" my sister pointed out. I rolled my eyes and made my way back to my room.

After quickly changing to a maroon dress I made my way downstairs and sat on my regular sit by the end of the table, waiting for the other two to come down. I'm already so done with this.

"SO Y/N HAS ANY BOY CAUGHT YOUR EYE LATELY?" my sister asked. I almost choked on my food and I could feel my face burning up. "No" I repaid trying to avoid any other conversation regarding that topic. "Well have you thought about marriage?" she questioned. "No, not once."

"I really don't see the need to have a boy by my side when I can accomplish anything without the help of a man" I added. "You're almost 16 Y/n, I think it's time to drop those ideas. They won't get you anywhere" James advised.

I didn't answer. Instead I focused on the plate of food in front of me, ignoring any comments the two would make. Finally we finished eating our dinner and I headed to my room without another word.

I changed out of my dress and sat on my bed. Pulling the covers over me I reached for the alarm placed on the table besides my bed, setting it to go off at 5:00. I sighed turning off the gas lamp letting the darkness engulf me. However I could not fall asleep.

Tiptoeing out of my room I walked down the dark and cold hallway to Margaret's room. The floor creaked under my bear feet and I prayed they weren't loud enough for them to take notice of. The door was closed however I could see the light was on from under the door.

Back against the wall, I tried to slow down my breathing in an attempt to hear what the couple was saying. "Your mother left all her fortune to her" James deep voice was heard faintly. "She always seemed to have a soft spot for her" I heard Margaret. "Or she just wasn't sane enough to realise what she was doing."

"She is not returning" the man spoke. "Who will she stay with?" my sister asked after a few short moments of silence. "We can not take her in, I can't have a girl like her ruin my reputation. The only solution is sending her to a finishing school" James answered.

"Mrs. Harrison" she whispered in realisation. "She'll be taught how to be a proper lady there, as she would have been taught by your mother years ago" he continued. I stepped away from the door not wanting to hear anything else.

There was no way I would go to a finishing school. Even if they want me to they won't be able to. I'd be long gone by the time they wake up tomorrow. 

Author's Note: And yes Anothony's character is
portrayed by Cory Grüter-Andrew, also known as
Cole Mackenzie in Anne with an E.