ETERNITY {Little Women}

02.

Arriving at the March household, puffs of air were seen leaving the mouths of the four individuals as the door swung open revealing a lovely Marmee. She held a book in one hand while her other was doused in flour along with her apron. As she took in the sight - Meg being held up by both Jo and Aurelia- she let out a laugh, a smile forming on her face.

"Goodness gracious, what have you done!" she beamed, stepping aside and allowing the girls entrance, Laurie following close behind. The thumping and creaking of wooden stairs echoed through the doorway, the youngest March sisters coming into view. Both attacking the older girls. Amy took Jo's place aiding Meg in her walk towards the nearest chair.

Leading the way, Jo took the perfect time to fall into her theatrics. "Here, make room, Meg is a wounded soldier!" she cried, a sheepish smile formed on the eldest siblings face.

"I sprained my ankle dancing!" the older girl stated, answering the unspoken question. After aiding Meg in siting down, Aurelia took a step back and chuckled watching as the Eldest March was immediately cornered in endless questions about the evenings dance. What it was like, whom she danced with. Any question that would give Amy all the information she needed to feel like she was there with them. The younger March sister was always complaining about how she couldn't attend events like the one tonight - always begging her sisters endlessly leading up to such festivities. She rarely got to go.

"Oh Meg," Marmee sighed smiling, "you'll kill yourself for fashion one of these days. Hannah, we need ice!" she yelled softly, calling out to the aid.

"I told you so-" the middle March girl began bumping into Jo, who snickered as she made her way back towards Meg. Hannah came within seconds ice in hand, shaking her head with a smile at the injured girl, who chuckled sheepishly in return to the gesture. Walking over to Beth, who sat on the floor right near the injured ankle, the youngest March asked how the music was.

Bending over to be levelled with the younger girl Aurelia whispered, "It was fantastic, you would've loved it. I kept it all up here for you" she motioned to her head "I'll sing you some tomorrow". The pairing shared a smile before Marmee took notice to the Laurence boy who stood awkwardly in the door frame of the room. He seemed unsure of what to do, awkward - yet somehow content with watching the March's from afar. It was chaotic and unfamiliar - but it was also beautiful, comforting. Marmee greeted the Laurence boy with her cheerful and caring nature.

Jo called over the chaos, stating the she would call him 'Teddy' from now on. It was meant to be a question, but the fiery March would've continued with her nickname even if the proposal was denied.

Even among the chaos, Aurelia felt it humorous how Amy still found a way to make herself known to the Laurence boy. She watched as the younger March girl smiled up at him, eyes wide with admiration - or perhaps it was with ardour.

"I'm Amy" She introduced, causing Laurie to shift his gaze. Even though his interest lay elsewhere, he still gave the girl a quick hello returning a small smile. Aurelia watched the encounter, making note of his small gestures of kindness. She also couldn't help but notice his eyes, how they danced around the chaoticness of the room - almost full of admiration for the scene that played out before him. She thought it was odd, how he seemed to have longing to join them - but still kept to the edge of the room.

As she watched the boy she realized they had yet to thank him. Her eyes darted towards Meg, making sure she was in good hands before shuffling towards Laurie. By now he held a pastry in hand, given to him by Marmee.

Laurie took note of the approaching March girl. He had yet learned her name, but that wasn't the main thing to occupy his mind that night.

"I wan- we wanted, to thank you for your aid tonight Laurie" Aurelia corrected, hands crossed as she stood before the boy.

"Oh, it was my pleasure. I'd hate to see her walk all that way on a bad ankle" he nodded toward Meg, who's ankle was now doused in ice.

"It could've ended in a catastrophe, perhaps one day she'll stop breaking her ankles for other people" The middle March stated, eyes growing as she realized what she had said. Mentally recounting Meg's earlier warnings about speaking unladylike.

"I mean- you have got to take care of yourself too!" A sheepish smile grew on her face. "It's been a pleasure Mr.Laurie" she added shuffling off into the kitchen. A soft chuckle erupted from the Laurence boys chest, his mouth stretching upwards in a smile.

As the night dimmed, the chaos inside going along with it, Laurie walked away from the household. Nearly reaching the end of the March's front path he turned to face the house, to intake the last bits of lingering chaos that seemed to hang out from the windows.

His eyes immediately caught the movement of Jo, whose frame paced back and fourth in the attic window. Parchment in one hand, a pen in the other- that worked vigorously- scribbling down the ideas that were running through her mind. His eyes than briefly drifted over the younger March girl- who's name he couldn't quite remember. Before turning away for the night and continuing his journey home, on the farthest side of the house Aurelia caught his eye. A book in her hand as her frame was wedged in the windowsill. She seemed almost out of place among the rest of the March's movements. Nonetheless, he left the house behind continuing his walk across the way with only one girl in mind. That girl was the writer in the attic. The only name he dare cling to from that night.