Angélique (Theodore Laurence x OC)

Chapter 5: College and Selling Hair

It was now the beginning of autumn. Jo and I were helping Laurie get ready for college. We were currently going through his books to decide what he should and should not take.

"No, I don't want them," Laurie said.
"Keep the music too. You need your books in college, Teddy. Here's Dombey and Son," I said while handing him a book.
"Honestly, I won't need all of Dickens at Harvard," he said.

"No, you'll have more important things to read," Jo said.

"Nothing's going to change, girls," Laurie said.
"I wish I could go," Jo said.
"I wish you could, too," Laurie said.
"You'll come back knowing things I don't know, and I'll hate you," Jo said.

"As it happens, I already know something you both don't know. About Meg and a certain former tutor, soon to be employed at Laurence and Laurence. Has Meg mislaid a certain personal article, such as...a glove," Laurie asked as he hid behind a book.
"Teddy! Mr. Brooke has got it, and you've known all this time," I exclaimed.

"Come on, Abby. We're leaving," Jo said while dragging me away from Laurie.

"Goodbye, Laurie," I said as Jo pulled me out of the room.

Jo and I headed home. I was a bit angry, and I'm sure Laurie was confused about why Jo dragged me away like that. I have a feeling that Jo doesn't want Mr. Brooke to take Meg away from us.

"Jo! What's gotten into you? That was very rude," I said.
"I don't want anyone taking Meg away from us," she said.
"It's bound to happen one day. We'll all settle down and get married and have families of our own," I said.
"Not me. I'd rather be hanged than be forced to marry," Jo said.
"I'm sure you will find your true love someday," I said as we walked inside to find Hannah and Meg kneading dough.

"John Brooke stole your glove," Jo said.
"What glove? The white one," Meg asked.
"He's had it forever. He keeps it in his pocket," Jo said.

"Don't you think he must return it," I asked.
"What I think doesn't matter," Hannah said.

Then, Marmee came in. I could tell something was wrong. I hope it has nothing to do with Father.

"A telegram from Washington Hospital. Your father's been wounded," Marmee said.

Later that evening, we were helping Marmee get ready to head to Washington.

"Look in on the Hummels for me," Marmee said.
"I will," Beth said.

"Where's Jo," Laurie asked while walking in with Mr. Brooke.
"Battling Aunt March for Marmee's ticket," I answered.

"John...Mr. Brooke," Meg said.
"I Will escort your mother. Cook packed supper, and there's a bottle of spirits for Mr. March," he said.

"Mr. Brooke is here," Marmee said.
"I'm no longer a tutor. Mr. Laurence
has work for me in Washington. We couldn't let you travel alone," Mr. Brooke said.
"How kind of you," Marmee said.
"We'll take the six o'clock train," Mr. Brooke asked.

"Yes, I sent Jo...Finally...$25! Can Aunt March spare it," Marmee asked.
"No, it's mine honestly. I couldn't bear to ask her, for I only sold what was my own," Jo replied while taking off her bonnet to reveal her hair looking much shorter.

"Oh, Jo," Meg said.

"Jo, how could you," I asked.

"Your one beauty," Amy said.

"She doesn't look like my Jo anymore, but I love her dearly for it," Beth said.

"It doesn't affect the fate of the nation, so don't wail, girls," Jo said.

"It suits you," Laurie said.

"Tell Father that we love him," Meg said.

"Tell him we pray for him," Beth said.

"I shall miss my little women," Marmee said before leaving with Mr. Brooke.

Then, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy left to do their own thing. It was just Laurie and me.

"Teddy, I'm quite worried about Father," I said.
"I'm sure he'll get better, Abby," he said as he hugged me.
"I hope you're right," I said.
"You know, you and Jo are the only ones who call me Teddy," Laurie said.
"Do you not like it anymore? Do you wish to be called something different," I asked.
"No, no. I still enjoy being called Teddy. It's just that I love hearing it from you and Jo," Laurie said, which caused me to blush.
"I...I should be helping Meg and Hannah prepare dinner," I said before walking away leaving Laurie confused.

Later that night, I had woken up to hear crying. I got up to see where it was coming from and saw Jo sitting in a chair crying.

"Are you thinking about Father," I asked.
"No, my hair," Jo answered.
"Don't fret, Jo. It'll grow back. Come to bed. Sleep will do you some good," I said.
"You're right," she said before getting up and walking to bed with me.

What Laurie said to me today kept repeating in my mind. 'You and Jo are the only ones who call me Teddy'. It's quite obvious he fancies Jo and not me. I guess I'll have to live with being second to Jo when it comes to being loved by Laurie. He'll never love me or think of me that way, I suppose. I figure this idea of me being in love with Laurie is just a little school girl crush.