When we were young // Anthony Bridgerton

Chapter 4

- You know, you didn't have to stay - Anthony said, taking the wickets off the ground one by one.

Belle, who was picking the mallets and their respective balls, answered:
- I know, but it wouldn't cost me anything to give you some help. Besides, less as far as this field is concerned, we're a team aren't we?

He nodded in appreciation.
- Yes, we are.

Then he took a deep breath, and started:
- Belle, I...

She quickly quirked her head up.
- Yes?

- I just wanted to thank you.

- Thank me? - she frowned in confusion - If that's about me staying here helping you, you really don't have to. It's the least I could do after all you and your family has done to me.

- It's not for that. I mean, thank you for that too but...I wanted to say thank you for being here, it really means a lot to me...and my family. I missed you.

He smiled at Belle. But not his' normal mischievous and cocky smirk; it was a pure, wholehearted and genuine smile. And that smile...it just won her over. Anthony Bridgerton's smile always won her over. Every single time.

- I missed you too.

Then their eyes connected, and they just stayed there staring at each other - never daring to break eye contact.

Anthony then awkwardly coughed, before saying:
- Well, I think I'm finished here - be concluded, showing the six wickets to the Whitmore girl - We just have to put this all in the cart and put it back in the shed.

- I think you're forgetting something. Your pink ball is still in the lake - Belle remembered, pointing to the Blue Lake.

Damn. The pink ball. This bloody ball was really a rock in his' shoe.
- And how the hell are you planning to pick that ball?

- Well, we're going to have to get inside the lake.

- Get inside the lake?! - Anthony exclaimed, looking at her as if she had just murdered his' puppy.

- Don't tell me you're afraid of a bit of water, Anthony - She provoked him, making her receive a glare from the Bridgerton boy.

- I'm not. But, it's not like the day is getting any lighter. Soon it will be night - Anthony said pointing to the sky, who in that moment had a beautiful pinkish color, since it was close to the sunset.

- But the ball is probably in the shallow. It's not as if it landed in the middle - she added - It just rolled in. It's probably right by the edge. If we grab it now, we can go away before the sun goes completely away.

- This water is probably freezing!

- Well, if you don't go, I will - Belle announced, leaning down to start to take off her shoes.

- No, don't be silly. I'll go. But if I catch an Hypothermia, It will be on you - he pointed at her, accusingly.

- You'll live. And I can make you a chicken noodle soup to warm you up.

Anthony, against all his' senses, reached the edge of the lake and entered in. And God, how right he was; the moment he walked in he already felt goosebumps - the water was freezing. It made him wonder how that water still hadn't become ice. But for his' luck, the water of the lake was so clear and the pink ball was so brightly colored that it showed through the water, since, as Belle deduced, it had settled at a shallow enough level.