Amy and Laurie: mon amour.

Chapter II

Amy POV 

I spent the rest of the day talking to Jo about how Laurie left me. She quietly listened-surprisingly since she always talked-and didn't interrupt. It felt uncomfortable for her to not be talking.

"Jo?" I asked seeing her staring into space.

"Yes?" She responded, "sorry Amy, I'm just thinking about something.

"What?" I asked, scooting closer to her in the chair. 

"Well, I met this boy in town and I've become quite fond of him even though I've only talked to him once." She sighed, "but there's another girl who is always near him waving her stuck up fan over her face to say she wants to coire with him?

I remembered Jo telling me and Laurie once that coire was the matin word for serious relationships. Mother told he off for telling me but I was not at all bothered by it. I knew I wasn't keen on having children. I wanted to have a career first and find a loving husband-like Laurie could be-if it ever was possible, I may have one child but I was not sure if I would be able to care for a tiny living being.

"Jo. In my responsible sense, I think you should show this boy how you feel if this attraction is that strong. Remember the letter father sent? He is so proud of us and can't wait to see us, imagine how happy he'll be if you find a boy good enough for your extremely high standards!"

"My standards are high because of books Amy."

"That's odd, even for you." I joked. 

"I don't care Amy, and besides, I'm not interested in marriage, I want to write stories and books. Become successful to help Marmee and father in their old age and have an impactful and fulfilling career."

I smiled, "I want many of those things too Jo. But I understand that I will not be seen highly of if I do not marry a successful man. And I believe I will find a man worthy of my beauty."

She laughed, "you're so vain Amy."

"I'm not vain!" I said contradicting with her, "I just don't look at myself in a poor way, I see myself as a beautiful young woman that'll have all the men awaiting me in Paris!"

"Paris, really?" She said.

I frowned at her and stuck my tongue out, "yes Jo, Paris! I have been practicing my French with Laurie and if my art sells well, I may be able to buy a house there!"

"Good luck with that dream sister."

"Thank you." I said gleefully pushing my hair dramatically down the back of my shoulder as I walked out of the sitting room to the kitchen to have some tea.

Jo POV 

I was conflicted, I despised lying it my sister, but how was I to tell her I had a crush on her non-romantic acquaintance. I know Amy so well, I'm sure she would give up her dreams of being with Laurie for me. Even though it sounded wonderful, I was not going to be the one break my little sister's heart. I wish I didn't feel this way. I wish I didn't want love, I wish all I wanted was to become a writer, not a wife or even one day a mother.

"Jo are you alright darling?" Asked Marmee coming through the door with a bag of vegetables.

"I'm alright Marmee, just tired." I said whilst wiping my eyes to convince her.

"Well Jo, I think you should drink some tea or lie down."

"I don't like tea Marmee."

"Nonsense!" She exclaimed, "you must like tea, everyone drinks it and you must accept it when offered."

I sighed, "but what if I do not want anything to drink when offered?" 

Marmee said, "then you say no thank you and you don't ask them later."

"I really don't like these ridiculous manners you make us do!"

"Hush Jo, your father will want to see you be wed one day, and you will never if you don't start acting like your age."

I snickered, "well good! I do not want a husband. I may even go off with a woman!"

Marmee said nothing but I saw a tiny smile on  her face as she headed towards are white washed kitchen. I leaned back on the chair and opened my book. The book was probably my favourite, a young woman who takes her father's place in the army since he is too old for to fight. Some girls in town call her odd for wanting to help my father in the war. But if I did, I would be seen as equal to all the stupid men in this country.