Disclaimer: I do not own the wonderful characters of Felicity and Pippa.

I really like this chapter. I hope all of you do as well. Thanks for reading. It means a lot to me that people are taking the time to read my writing.

Felicity mentally prepared Pippa for what was to come, but did not know if her advice was effective at all. She only knew that Pippa's small face was paler than usual that night before bed. They undressed for bed in silence. There was none of the giggles and squeals that usually accompanied the pair when they were left alone.

When all the lights were out and Felicity was nuzzled underneath her warm sheets, she decided to break the uncomfortable silence. "There is no need to be scared," she said staring only at the ceiling. "You won't get caught as long as you are quiet."

"I'm not afraid of getting caught." Pippa paused and swallowed a thick lump in her throat. "There are gypsies in the woods. And what it something happened inside the church?"

"What could possibly go wrong inside the church?" Felicity asked confused.

"What if I…I fell down and stubbed my toe? Or what if I feinted?"

"You won't feint or fall. I promise." Felicity finally rolled over and looked at her dark-haired friend. Pippa's eyes were wide open and shiny from the tears she was holding in. "And there were no gypsies out when I walked back last night."

"Can't I refuse to do it? I don't need to be friends with them."

"I want you to be," Felicity answered. "I miss you."

"I miss you too," Pippa agreed with a sniffle. The tears had finally begun. Felicity crawled out of bed and ran across the cold floor over to Pippa's sobbing side. She wrapped her arms around the small child and soothed her the way a loving mother would. Felicity did not know where she learned this trick because her mother had never done it. But she knew that something felt right about protecting Pippa. She silently promised herself to make sure no one ever makes Pippa cry again.

Minnie showed up outside their door sometime later. The girls hastily put on their shoes and cloaks. Together Pippa and Felicity marched up toward the church. The other girls were a few feet ahead full of laughter and merriment. When they reached the church, Minnie turned her knowing stare on the two youngest girls in the group.

"I would assume Felicity told you what your task is," Minnie stated coldly. "Do you have any questions?"

"Has anyone ever gotten hurt doing this?"

"Only a few," Minnie answered with a snicker. "I'm sure you will be fine." With a small shove, Pippa fell into the church. Felicity watched her disappear into the darkness before the door slammed behind her. Minnie, Emily, and Ruby pulled the door shut and held tight for a few silent minutes.

"Who has gotten hurt before?" Felicity demanded when Minnie turned and started to lead her group back down the hill.

"No one," Minnie laughed. "A little fear builds character."

"She's really scared!"

"If she is too scared, then she is too young to be in our group. We can go get her now, if you want that."

"She can go back to her own friends," Allison added to the argument.

"She's fine," Felicity scoffed. "She will be just fine."

"That's what I thought," said Minnie with no warmness in her gaze. Felicity walked back to Spence in silence. She had no desire to speak to Minnie or any of her incompetent friends.

When she got back to her room, Felicity sat on her bed and waited for Pippa to return. When an hour had passed, she slid her cloak back on and slid out her bedroom door quietly. Felicity was much too worried to wait any longer.

It was cold outside as Felicity ran toward the chapel. She was fast and quiet as she weaved in and out of rocks on the ground. Other people would have fallen on these small obstacles, but Felicity was a born athlete. When she got to the chapel doors and still had not found Pippa, she began to worry. She wondered if Pippa had been stolen by the gypsies.

Then Felicity heard a soft sniffle coming from behind the chapel doors. With one arm, she threw the doors open and stampeded in. Pippa was curled up against the far wall with a bottle in her hand. Tears streaked down her perfect little face. Felicity's heart wrenched at the sight and she herself fought tears.

"It's me—Felicity," she announced since Pippa most likely could not see. "I've come to walk you back."

"You came for me?" Pippa mumbled as she stood from the spot on the ground.

"Yes. Now come on." Pippa jumped into Felicity's strong arms as soon as she could actually see that it was her. Felicity stumbled back a few steps, but held onto her pretty friend. "I'll always protect you," she whispered into Pippa's silky hair.

Pippa squeezed her friend closer before pulling away. There were no other words to be said. The girls wandered back to school with their arms linked. They were happy as could be. For the first time in a long time, Felicity felt warmth inside her stomach. Tomorrow was a new day; Felicity knew it would be a new chance to be happy.

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