DISCLAIMER: I don't own Fred, or Amy, but I own Alrick. And Josh Groban. And Topher Grace. And Matthew Lewis (I can't say Neville now can I?)
Chapter 35
OUT IN THE RAIN
Amy sat in Fred's carriage, gazing at the landscape without really seeing it. All she could think about - no matter how hard she tried NOT to - was Alrick. This wasn't like her. Amy was so used to being the one in control, and she didn't know how the boy had taken over her mind like this. Worse yet, she couldn't even be mad at him (though she desperately wanted to). In fact, she missed him in such a horrid way. Not even Fred could take away the unhappiness she felt.
Amy snapped back to reality, and tried to pay attention to what Fred was saying.
"You know, Amy, I've been thinking."
"About what, Fred?" she asked politely.
"About my future. I'll be needing to marry a nice girl who will be a good mother and a splendid wife. A woman who can make me proud. What do you say, dear?"
Amy blinked. Was that a proposal?
"Well I'm only 17, Fred, darling." she said patiently. Did she have to remind everyone of this?
"Yes, I suppose I'll have to wait for that. But I'll manage. What do you say, in any case?" he said with a mixture of confidence, bemusement, and just the edge of eagerness.
Amy looked at Fred. Something deep down inside of her was screaming at her to say no. Not that Fred was a particularly bad person, as he was Laurie's friend after all. But that jolly young lad had disappeared, leaving a man as prim and proper as...as...
As her.
And suddenly Amy knew two things:
One:
That she didn't want this life...
Two:
And that she loved Alrick more than any amount of money or riches in the world.
She was more certain of this than she had been of anything in her life.
And so she turned to Fred and point-blankly said "No."
Fred was so taken-aback, Amy almost laughed at the look on his face. But the situation was far too serious for that.
"I'm sorry, Fred. But I just don't love you." she said, and promptly got out of the carriage.
And without caring about appearances or social graces, Amy started to run.
It had been raining, but Amy hardly noticed when the rain turned to a downpour, soaking her to the bone and mudding her dress till it was utterly and completely ruined.
She didn't care.
All she could think about was getting to Alrick. She prayed it was not too late.
When she finally arrived at the dormitory, drenched with rain and mud, her hair matted and disarrayed, she started shouting.
"Alrick!" she cried.
She didn't know which dormitory was his. Her eyes searched the windows, hoping to see his face.
By pure luck Amy saw him.
"ALRICK!" she shouted at the top of her lungs in the most unladylike way possible.
Thank heavens Alrick heard her and looked down out of his window.
He disappeared, and Amy's heart fell.
But then he reappeared at the door.
"I'm sorry, Alrick." Amy cried. "I promise I'll change! Please have me! I need you. I love you."
Amy broke into sobs.
Suddenly she felt arms encircling her.
"Hush my darling. Don't cry." said Alrick, holding her to him.
"Alrick I'll change. I swear I -" Amy tried to plead.
"No." Alrick said, cutting her off. For a brief second, Amy thought he was refusing her again. But then he continued. "It is I who has need of a change. I said the most horrible things to you. Can you ever forgive me, love?" he said with heartfelt sincerity.
"Of course!" said Amy "But you were right. I was vain and foolish."
Her blue eyes met his. "You've taught me so much." she whispered.
"Perhaps we can learn from one another, Miss March." he said with a smile, brushing the wet strands of hair out of her face.
The stars could not have shined such as Amy. "I would like that very much, Mr. Wesley." she said.
And so, in the middle of the rain, the two kissed.