mon ange {t. laurence}

chapter 13: 'plans'

Teddy.

He looked down at his ex-lover, and Abby saw it, she saw the conflicting thoughts in his eyes.

What she didn't know was that the exact thoughts in his mind weren't about toying with her, or leaving her for good, only thoughts of regret and sorrow, for he knew Aunt Marches plan would consume the poor girl soon.

There he was, dancing as if nothing had set them back, but he seemed off, and as soon as he had started dancing with Abby he left her again, as if realising the impact of his actions.

...

Later on, everyone was still dancing joyously, except some had began talking in groups and admiring the beautiful sunset.

Abby noticed Joseph and Aunt March talking over a cheese platter, so out of curiosity, she waltzed over to them.

"Hello my girl." The old lady sneered. "You've met Joseph? correct?"

Abby smiled and nodded, realising that Joseph's family probably would have known Aunt March, all the rich people were quite tight knit around where she lived.

With the exception of Mr. Laurence and Laurie.

Laurie didn't like rubbing elbows with the fancy people.

Though her last interactions with her Aunt were disagreeable, Abby continued to smile and stay neutral with her opinions, because this lady was a ticking time bomb, and could explode at any minute, regardless of the setting.

"Oh well that's good." Aunt March said, shifting in her chair. "I wanted to see if you had taken time to get your head straight about Europe? After all, Amy is quite excited and i've just learned that Joseph is headed to the same places as we. Will you come child?"

She was lying, for she already had known Joseph was going to Europe. As wicked as it was, she needed to find a distraction for Abby.

Abigail, however, was more confused than ever, Amy? Amy was going too? and she already knew about it! Abby couldn't possibly fathom why Amy would keep something like this from them.

And Joseph, he hadn't told anyone about these plans of his. Abby looked at the young boy, he wore a guilty expression, as if he knew that she knew, he knew that she had realised that he had kept this secret on purpose.

Abby thought, and silence was brought upon the three, the boy, the aunt and the March girl.

Because of all of these confusing thoughts clouding her mind, Abby could only come to one conclusion.

The only way to escape my heartache is leaving this place.

Though it sounded crazy, it almost had a different meaning to Abby, a new start is exactly what she needed.

"I will." She said with an unreadable expression. It looked like she could easily go pack her bags that instant or simply burst out crying, it was an expression she had read on Laurie many times, but it was only now that she had copied it.

Aunt March was quick to yell out the news, Meg looked surprised, Beth looked sadly at Joseph, Amy jumped for joy, and Jo and Laurie looked just as heart broken as each other.

Abby was quick to look for Laurie's face in the sea of surprised expressions, only to be met with a sad and angry one of his, he looked mad with himself as he walked away.

Abby couldn't believe the commitment she had just made, she was leaving.

...

Jo had followed Laurie out to the paddocks.
Unaware of the fact that he knew this would happen.

"I'm so sorry Teddy." Jo put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You know what Jo," He hesitated. "Let's just run away together."

"Laur-"

"No! I'm being serious Jo!"

"You're in denial! Abby's leaving, okay! and there is nothing you can do about it! You love her Laurie! and you screwed up." Jo had just about had enough with her own best friend, and as far as she knew, she would always be on her sisters side.

"I've tried so hard for so long to convince myself I didn't feel it, but now it all has collapsed on me in such an overwhelming way!" Laurie ran his hands through his hair.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's means I love her Jo! and i've just about ruined everything! Screw Aunt March! I just wanted you guys to be safe."

Jo's mouth dropped open.

"You knew about this." She faltered.
Jo couldn't pass the idea of Laurie conspiring with Aunt March.

"She threatened me...and you guys!"

"Same old Laurie only thinking about himself!" Jo mocked.

"It's not like that."

"My family's falling apart because of you!" Jo cried.

"How is it my fault!"

"John is YOUR tutor, is he not? Now he's taken Meg away! Abby and Amy are leaving us, and Beth is heartbroken! All because of you and that stupid party!"

Jo ran back to the house, in tears, only knowing half of the story. She didn't know about the threats of her wicked aunt, she just knew that everyone was leaving along with the terrible concept that was adulthood, and Laurie was at the centre of it all.

...

(Hey lovelies! Things are starting to get interesting aren't they? What do you think will happen next? Let me know!)