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No, I've not given up.
Title: Irritation
Original work: Enid Blyton - Malory Towers series
Pairing: Alicia/Betty, very slight Belinda/Gwen
Rating: PG
Since that evening, Gwendoline was in a singularly awkward position. Like Mary-Lou some years before, she had become a third wheel to an established pair of special friends. Even though Belinda and Irene clearly did not mind her presence, but Gwendoline was constantly second guessing all her actions. She did not want to risk getting estranged from Belinda by trying to separate her from Irene.
Gwendoline did not actually mind the arrangement. Not only did it provide safety from any plans by Alicia and Betty, who were still ominously quiet, but it was also nice that there was someone in the school who acknowledged Gwendoline in more than just basic courtesy.
True, her plan has got more complicated, but for now, protection from Alicia and Betty was most appreciated. Now, Gwendoline was regretting that she did not take her revenge in a more low-key way. Alicia deserved every bit of it, but the constant threat made Gwendoline nervous.
Two weeks had already passed since Gwendoline, Belinda and Irene had entered their new arrangement. When she was again locking Belinda’s studio after its owner forgot to do so, Gwendoline was suddenly seized by two pairs of hands, which turned out to belong to Alicia and Betty. Gwendoline did not struggle as they led her to an empty classroom and made her sit down, after all, both Betty and Alicia were much stronger than her.
“Listen, Gwendoline Mary Lacey,” began Alicia, “I’ve seen enough of what you’ve been up to lately, so I should tell you that if you do anything to hurt either Belinda or Irene, we’ll both make the rest of your time at Malory Towers a living hell.”
She paused, but clearly did not end her speech, “And, if you even try, to do anything to Betty, I’ll gladly get expelled for thrashing you thoroughly and I’ll never regret that. Do you know why?”
Gwendoline wanted to say it was because Alicia was a silly goose, but she knew better than to anger Alicia in this situation. “I guess I do,” she said.
“I doubt it,” said Alicia, “I doubt you’ve ever thought about anyone except yourself.”
“One more thing,” said Betty,” Just so you know, I’ll be happy to get expelled together with Alicia.”
After saying that, they both left Gwendoline in the classroom to fume over this outrage. How dare they? Not the threats, that was to be expected from someone so unladylike as were Alicia and Betty, but the insult. How dare they say that Gwendoline never thought about anyone except herself? If she didn’t think about other people, she wouldn’t have known how to act around Belinda and Irene and how to make her mother and Miss Winters do whatever she wanted. And did they really think she wouldn’t be able to see that Alicia loved Betty? It was plain as day, anyone could see it. Just because that Gwendoline cared about Belinda right now, she wasn’t blind, for goodness’ sake.
Still angry, Gwendoline made her way to the common room. The only other girl there was Irene, busy with her equations, and since Gwendoline did not want to disturb her, she just found a chair for herself. Now that Alicia and Betty made their threats clear, she felt rather relieved. She was confident that she could make their life so much more miserable than they could make hers. After all, she had years of practice in being miserable at Malory Towers.
Gwendoline smiled, now the way was almost clear to find her way into Belinda’s heart, leaving it broken and empty. And then, her revenge on Irene would be complete.
Irene did not notice Gwendoline until Belinda entered the common room and greeted them both. Gwendoline handed over the studio key with a reproach that one day, Belinda would doubtlessly lose the key. Belinda smiled and thanked Gwendoline, who couldn’t help but smile in return.
It seemed as if the withdrawal of the constant threat of Alicia and Betty had also encouraged the clouds to withdraw, as the weather took a drastic turn for the better. The snow of few weeks ago was only a memory, the sun was shining and the air felt almost warm. As such, Belinda decided to go sketching outside and Gwendoline, eager to seize a fortunate opportunity, offered to accompany her.
Having obtained permission, the two of them left Malory Towers. Even Gwendoline had to admit the weather was perfect. The clear winter sky was, well, sky blue and the sun was shining so intensely, that the day felt more like spring than winter.
Walking together with Belinda was not the chore Gwendoline expected it to be. Without nobody to make her go forward, Belinda was constantly stopping to sketch an interesting rock formation or a bush or a flower, so there was plenty of time to rest. When they finally reached Belinda’s chosen destination, Gwendoline was not very tired.
Nevertheless, Gwendoline lay down on the grass, which was already green again after the brief time under snow cover. Belinda settled down to draw a sketch of the coast. While Belinda worked, Gwendoline was watching her. Belinda was so intent, eyes daring between the sketchbook and the view, not minding the few strands of hair that got free and were now flying in the wind around Belinda’s face.
When Belinda’s pencil stopped for a moment, Gwendoline sat up, reached out and tucked the loose hair behind Belinda’s ears, letting her hand linger on the soft skin of Belinda’s cheek. Was it just her imagination or did Belinda blush a little? It didn’t matter.
“Are you bored, Gwen?” said Belinda.
“No, I like watching you work,” said Gwendoline. It was nice, not having to lie.
“Good,” said Belinda and returned to work.
Gwendoline lay down again and closed her eyes. She didn’t sleep, she just enjoyed the feeling of lying on the warm grass and listening to the scratching of Belinda’s pencil. There was her plan, of course, but it could wait.
She couldn’t have rested for long, for when she opened her eyes again, the sun in the sky did not seem to have moved. Belinda had actually noticed her sitting up and turned to her. She flipped to a previous page in her sketchbook and wordlessly offered it to Gwendoline.
The sketch was that of Gwendoline, lying on the grass, eyes closed and smiling. Gwendoline frowned. Was she really smiling at that time or was it just Belinda’s addition?
“You don’t like it?” asked Belinda upon seeing Gwendoline’s reaction.
“No, it’s lovely,” said Gwendoline, smiled and handed the sketchbook back.
When Belinda was about to start sketching again, Gwendoline spoke again, “Why don’t you take a break? You don’t have to work all the time.”
“Do you feel lonely when I’m drawing? I told you, you didn’t have to come,” said Belinda.
“That’s not it,” said Gwendoline, “but you need to have some fun, not to work all the time.”
“But this is fun,” protested Belinda, “it’s just as fun as being with Irene.”
Seeing an opportunity, Gwendoline took it,” What about me? Am I less fun that drawing?”
“Or than Irene?” said Belinda, “Don’t be jealous, Gwen. You’re not as bad as I thought and I rather like you, but nobody can compare to Irene.”
Was she really so obvious? Not as bad as Belinda thought. That was not enough. “Sorry, Belinda,” said Gwendoline.
“But I can still take a break,” said Belinda, returning to the original subject, “I’m not going to neglect you, just because I may like drawing better.”
Gwendoline smiled much wider than she had thought possible. When Belinda set aside her sketchbook and pencil, Gwendoline hugged her, though she quickly regained her composure and drew back.
Gwendoline resolved to prevent Belinda from returning to her sketching. She tried her best to be charming and jolly, chatting and laughing with Belinda. She even suffered all the admonishment Belinda had for her, after Gwendoline started to complain about the mistresses, in good grace.
When the time came to return to Malory Towers and Belinda’s sketchbook was still where she first put it, Gwendoline felt happy and victorious. It was delightful, to score a win over Belinda’s love for art, just like winning against Irene. Feeling exultant, Gwendoline took hold of Belinda’s hand and when Belinda did not object and they walked back to Malory Towers, hand in hand, Gwendoline’s joy increased tenfold.
Original work: Enid Blyton - Malory Towers series
Pairing: Alicia/Betty, very slight Belinda/Gwen
Rating: PG
Since that evening, Gwendoline was in a singularly awkward position. Like Mary-Lou some years before, she had become a third wheel to an established pair of special friends. Even though Belinda and Irene clearly did not mind her presence, but Gwendoline was constantly second guessing all her actions. She did not want to risk getting estranged from Belinda by trying to separate her from Irene.
Gwendoline did not actually mind the arrangement. Not only did it provide safety from any plans by Alicia and Betty, who were still ominously quiet, but it was also nice that there was someone in the school who acknowledged Gwendoline in more than just basic courtesy.
True, her plan has got more complicated, but for now, protection from Alicia and Betty was most appreciated. Now, Gwendoline was regretting that she did not take her revenge in a more low-key way. Alicia deserved every bit of it, but the constant threat made Gwendoline nervous.
Two weeks had already passed since Gwendoline, Belinda and Irene had entered their new arrangement. When she was again locking Belinda’s studio after its owner forgot to do so, Gwendoline was suddenly seized by two pairs of hands, which turned out to belong to Alicia and Betty. Gwendoline did not struggle as they led her to an empty classroom and made her sit down, after all, both Betty and Alicia were much stronger than her.
“Listen, Gwendoline Mary Lacey,” began Alicia, “I’ve seen enough of what you’ve been up to lately, so I should tell you that if you do anything to hurt either Belinda or Irene, we’ll both make the rest of your time at Malory Towers a living hell.”
She paused, but clearly did not end her speech, “And, if you even try, to do anything to Betty, I’ll gladly get expelled for thrashing you thoroughly and I’ll never regret that. Do you know why?”
Gwendoline wanted to say it was because Alicia was a silly goose, but she knew better than to anger Alicia in this situation. “I guess I do,” she said.
“I doubt it,” said Alicia, “I doubt you’ve ever thought about anyone except yourself.”
“One more thing,” said Betty,” Just so you know, I’ll be happy to get expelled together with Alicia.”
After saying that, they both left Gwendoline in the classroom to fume over this outrage. How dare they? Not the threats, that was to be expected from someone so unladylike as were Alicia and Betty, but the insult. How dare they say that Gwendoline never thought about anyone except herself? If she didn’t think about other people, she wouldn’t have known how to act around Belinda and Irene and how to make her mother and Miss Winters do whatever she wanted. And did they really think she wouldn’t be able to see that Alicia loved Betty? It was plain as day, anyone could see it. Just because that Gwendoline cared about Belinda right now, she wasn’t blind, for goodness’ sake.
Still angry, Gwendoline made her way to the common room. The only other girl there was Irene, busy with her equations, and since Gwendoline did not want to disturb her, she just found a chair for herself. Now that Alicia and Betty made their threats clear, she felt rather relieved. She was confident that she could make their life so much more miserable than they could make hers. After all, she had years of practice in being miserable at Malory Towers.
Gwendoline smiled, now the way was almost clear to find her way into Belinda’s heart, leaving it broken and empty. And then, her revenge on Irene would be complete.
Irene did not notice Gwendoline until Belinda entered the common room and greeted them both. Gwendoline handed over the studio key with a reproach that one day, Belinda would doubtlessly lose the key. Belinda smiled and thanked Gwendoline, who couldn’t help but smile in return.
It seemed as if the withdrawal of the constant threat of Alicia and Betty had also encouraged the clouds to withdraw, as the weather took a drastic turn for the better. The snow of few weeks ago was only a memory, the sun was shining and the air felt almost warm. As such, Belinda decided to go sketching outside and Gwendoline, eager to seize a fortunate opportunity, offered to accompany her.
Having obtained permission, the two of them left Malory Towers. Even Gwendoline had to admit the weather was perfect. The clear winter sky was, well, sky blue and the sun was shining so intensely, that the day felt more like spring than winter.
Walking together with Belinda was not the chore Gwendoline expected it to be. Without nobody to make her go forward, Belinda was constantly stopping to sketch an interesting rock formation or a bush or a flower, so there was plenty of time to rest. When they finally reached Belinda’s chosen destination, Gwendoline was not very tired.
Nevertheless, Gwendoline lay down on the grass, which was already green again after the brief time under snow cover. Belinda settled down to draw a sketch of the coast. While Belinda worked, Gwendoline was watching her. Belinda was so intent, eyes daring between the sketchbook and the view, not minding the few strands of hair that got free and were now flying in the wind around Belinda’s face.
When Belinda’s pencil stopped for a moment, Gwendoline sat up, reached out and tucked the loose hair behind Belinda’s ears, letting her hand linger on the soft skin of Belinda’s cheek. Was it just her imagination or did Belinda blush a little? It didn’t matter.
“Are you bored, Gwen?” said Belinda.
“No, I like watching you work,” said Gwendoline. It was nice, not having to lie.
“Good,” said Belinda and returned to work.
Gwendoline lay down again and closed her eyes. She didn’t sleep, she just enjoyed the feeling of lying on the warm grass and listening to the scratching of Belinda’s pencil. There was her plan, of course, but it could wait.
She couldn’t have rested for long, for when she opened her eyes again, the sun in the sky did not seem to have moved. Belinda had actually noticed her sitting up and turned to her. She flipped to a previous page in her sketchbook and wordlessly offered it to Gwendoline.
The sketch was that of Gwendoline, lying on the grass, eyes closed and smiling. Gwendoline frowned. Was she really smiling at that time or was it just Belinda’s addition?
“You don’t like it?” asked Belinda upon seeing Gwendoline’s reaction.
“No, it’s lovely,” said Gwendoline, smiled and handed the sketchbook back.
When Belinda was about to start sketching again, Gwendoline spoke again, “Why don’t you take a break? You don’t have to work all the time.”
“Do you feel lonely when I’m drawing? I told you, you didn’t have to come,” said Belinda.
“That’s not it,” said Gwendoline, “but you need to have some fun, not to work all the time.”
“But this is fun,” protested Belinda, “it’s just as fun as being with Irene.”
Seeing an opportunity, Gwendoline took it,” What about me? Am I less fun that drawing?”
“Or than Irene?” said Belinda, “Don’t be jealous, Gwen. You’re not as bad as I thought and I rather like you, but nobody can compare to Irene.”
Was she really so obvious? Not as bad as Belinda thought. That was not enough. “Sorry, Belinda,” said Gwendoline.
“But I can still take a break,” said Belinda, returning to the original subject, “I’m not going to neglect you, just because I may like drawing better.”
Gwendoline smiled much wider than she had thought possible. When Belinda set aside her sketchbook and pencil, Gwendoline hugged her, though she quickly regained her composure and drew back.
Gwendoline resolved to prevent Belinda from returning to her sketching. She tried her best to be charming and jolly, chatting and laughing with Belinda. She even suffered all the admonishment Belinda had for her, after Gwendoline started to complain about the mistresses, in good grace.
When the time came to return to Malory Towers and Belinda’s sketchbook was still where she first put it, Gwendoline felt happy and victorious. It was delightful, to score a win over Belinda’s love for art, just like winning against Irene. Feeling exultant, Gwendoline took hold of Belinda’s hand and when Belinda did not object and they walked back to Malory Towers, hand in hand, Gwendoline’s joy increased tenfold.