DISCLAIMER: I do not own Jo and I do not (sadly) own Laurie. But I DO own Josh Groban :)

Chapter 30

LAURIE LEAVES

Laurie was going back to college. There was nothing unusual about this. Laurie had gone to college and come to visit for the school breaks several times already, popping in and out of the March's lives (though always connected through the correspondence Jo and Laurie kept in their letters to one another).

So why was Jo in such a mood? Maybe it was because she suspected that when Laurie had gone off and Jo sent her next letter to him, he would be wishing the letter to come from her sister instead. Jo did not understand this strange envy that engulfed her heart at times. Nor could she comprehend the ache she suddenly began to feel each time she looked into those dark eyes.

But - she realized - it had not begun suddenly. For when Jo looked inside herself she found it had always been there, only silenced. What had brought this feeling to life was the founded love between her beloved Bethy and her dear Teddy.

True, her foundations were not entirely stable, but she felt they must be true ( for why else had Beth suddenly gone into a state by the window sill on the memoriable day of Jo's discovery, if not for Laurie's passing by at that moment?).

So Jo had hidden her feelings, and beat them into a dark corner of her heart.

...

It was a beautiful day. Somewhat chilly, but Jo could feel the faint sunshine on her face. She closed her eyes to drink it in.

"Why Jo, you look rather like an apple blossom." said a familar voice.

Jo opened her eyes and smiled "Laurie!"

Laurie smiled back, and went to embrace her.

"Do you know why you look like an apple blossom, Jo?" he said.

Jo shook her head "No. Why don't you tell me, dear?"

"Because your face is white like the petals..." Laurie traced along her jaw with his finger, "And your nose is as pink as the center." he tapped her nose lightly.

Jo blushed a little and smiled at this.

"And now your cheeks are the same colour. Be careful Jo, or you shall turn into a poinsetta!" Laurie said, grinning.

Jo playfully swatted Laurie. "Mischevious boy." she said lightheartedly.

But eventually both stopped smiling as they realized the real reason for this meeting between the grand pair.

"Well I'm off again Jo. Off to finish my schooling. And when I graduate you shall be so proud you will burst at the hems!" said Laurie.

"I'm already proud of you. But I know that in your time spent among those beautiful and wealthy young ladies, you will forget about me and I shall be left without my boy." Jo said in a light tone, not daring to show the hurt behind her words.

Laurie touched Jo's cheek softly and looked down into her face. "I will not forget you so easily, Jo. Mark me on this." he said gently.

Jo felt a stutter in her heart. She put her arms around him. "Do well for me, Teddy. Come back soon."

Laurie returned the embrace. "I will, Jo, I will." he said.

After this the March family and Lawrence family went to the train station. Just before Laurie got on Jo said, "Whatever am I to do while you're away? I swear I'll be bored enough to turn to stone!"

"You'll take care of Marmee and Beth for me, of course. Now goodbye, dears!" he said.

Of course he wants me to take care of Beth. thought Jo with sadness.

But she smiled and waved at him for as long as she could see his dark head hanging out the train's window.

Jo thought she had hidden her emotions well enough.

But they came back to haunt her.