Another one finished

[hafl]

Title: Unbroken, Chapter Five
Original work: Malory Towers
Pairing: June/Felicity, Alicia/Betty
Rating: PG

June almost immediately wrote a letter to Alicia, telling her that she and Felicity were friends once again. Alicia deserved to know, she thought, after all, she worried about it, even though June had declined to tell her the details. However, she didn’t allude to Betty in the letter, knowing better than to pry into her cousin’s privacy.

 

Life at Malory Towers was once more fun, now that Felicity was talking to June again. It was so nice to have Felicity again, laughing and playful, as if the rift between them, now filled, had never existed. No, it wasn’t like that. Both June and Felicity were a bit more careful around each other. Felicity was careful not to lecture June about her behaviour and June was attempting to watch herself around Felicity, knowing that the consequences of another row could mean a definite end.

 

Sometimes, when Felicity went somewhere with Susan, June retreated into some private spot and sank into a brooding mood. Somehow, she decided that being friends with Felicity was not enough. She thought of Alicia and Betty, so close to each other, even long after they have both left the school. They mentioned kissing each other, didn’t they? What would kissing Felicity be like? She thought that she wanted to experience it firsthand, but the fear that she had thought subdued appeared once again, the fear of rejection. When she came upon that thought, whatever courage she had had deserted her. She couldn’t bear losing Felicity again, yet she knew that their current friendship was not enough for her. And what about Susan? Maybe she and Felicity were already… No, that couldn’t be. June shook her head to rid herself of that idea.

 

Felicity. June now felt guilty whenever she looked at her lately, realising how selfish it was to want Felicity all for herself. Again, June felt the acute need for action, but managed to overcome it. Why shouldn’t she be content with what she already had? Yet, the more she tried to convince herself that she was content, the more doubts she had. In the end, she decided to write Alicia and ask for help. Was that the right course of action? Maybe not, but after what she witnessed during the Christmas at Alicia’s home, she wasn’t sure she could trust anyone else than Alicia in this.

 

Alicia,

Sorry that I’m bothering you, but there’s something I want to ask about. It’s about Betty. How did you two get together? No, you’ll figure it out anyway. It’s not about Betty; it’s about Felicity. I’m quite sure that I am in love with her. Tell me, what should I do. I do not know.

June

 

After she sent the letter, June could do nothing else but wait. Soon, doubts again assaulted her. When did Alicia suddenly become someone, June asked for advice? When did she even start asking for advice? June was always proud of how independent she was, how in the end, when time came to make a decision, she did not have to rely on anyone but herself.

 

June’s pride was wounded. Alicia’s advice, whatever it would be, suddenly seemed unwelcome. She had to deal with this alone, before she received a reply from Alicia. By then, she might act against the advice, out of sheer defiance and contrariness. In one brief, mad moment, she considered sneaking some alcohol into Malory Towers to get a bit drunk before talking to Felicity. However, that foolish idea was quickly banished.

 

There was one, absolute certainty. She had to act and act soon. Before she could act though to meet Felicity alone. Even Susan, especially Susan, would be an unwelcome audience. But what would be the appropriate place? Not the First Form classroom, too much had happened there already and it was Felicity’s space. The school grounds? No, too open and June was afraid that someone might see. Where then? Finally, June had decided. When June asked Felicity to join her on a night walk to the pool, Felicity looked surprised, but agreed quickly enough and did not even caution June that it would be breaking the rules.

 

It seemed like ages before the other girls fell asleep and June and Felicity could sneak out of the school. They were even further delayed by gathering and putting on some warm clothes. Even though no snow lay on the ground, it was still winter and the nights were cold, almost freezing.

 

June’s romantic senses, dulled both by the regime at Malory Towers and her own disposition, could still appreciate the moonlit, wintry landscape, illuminate by the crescent moon and countless stars. That night was exceptionally cold, clouds of steam were rising from June and Felicity’s breathing, and the pool was freezing over. Felicity did not protest, when June did not stop at the pool. June took Felicity’s hand and they walked together without a destination, except maybe for that dark silhouette of bare tree, rising against the moonlit sky. Neither one of them spoke, not until they were far enough from Malory Towers that they could see both the completely dark school building an, in greater distance, Bill and Clarissa’s riding school, where one window still shone into the night.

 

“June,” said Felicity, “Why did you ask me to come?”

 

June took a deep breath. The cold air had a calming effect on her, since when she spoke, her voice was not trembling, as she was afraid it would. “I wanted to tell you something.”

 

“You had taken me all the way here just because you wanted to tell me something?” asked Felicity, “Then it is important.”

 

“It is,” said June, “Felicity, I love you.”

 

“I know,” said Felicity, “You didn’t hide it very well.”

 

“I did not try to hide anything,” said June, for lack of anything better to say in face of Felicity’s declaration.

 

“You were still obvious,” said Felicity, “But you’re also lucky.”

 

“You mean…” said June.

 

Felicity nodded. “Why do you think I never gave up on you? If anybody else was as obstinate as you, I would have left you alone long ago.”

 

“So why didn’t you say anything?” asked June.

 

“I wasn’t sure,” said Felicity, “I suppose I was afraid.”

 

“You pushed all the responsibility on me?” said June.

 

“Don’t be like that,” said Felicity, “I really wasn’t sure.”

 

“It doesn’t matter now,” said June, “Everything’s settled, isn’t it?”

 

“Yes,” said Felicity, “Yes, it is.”

 

“It’s cold,” said June, “Shall we go back?”

 

Felicity nodded and extended her hand to June. Even through the gloves, Felicity’s hand felt comfortingly warm and so hand in hand, the two of them started back to school, even though June, with each step wanted to return less and less. It may have been beastly cold, but in the night, the world seemed to belong to June and Felicity alone. By returning to school, they would return back to the ordinary world. Would the words said during this night disappear upon returning?

 

It was a silly fear. Felicity always meant what she said. There was no way she would ever change her mind. Still, June wanted to be sure. When they entered the school building and removed their winter caps, June leaned in and kissed Felicity. Felicity did not draw away. June was reassured.

 

After the kiss ended, neither June nor Felicity said anything about it. Without a word, they returned to their dormitory and to their beds. It did not take long for June to fall asleep, completely contented and without worries.

 

The next day, there was a letter for June, from Alicia. Although whatever advice it might have contained was no longer needed, June still looked forward to reading it. The first free moment she had, she opened the envelope.

 

Oh June,

I have no idea what to say to you. You probably have little idea about what kind of trouble you could have. I can’t even say anything to dissuade you, Heaven know nothing would have dissuaded me from Betty.

Anyway, Felicity is a good girl. You’re smart; you’ll know what to do. Just don’t get too smart, that was always your biggest fault.

Alicia

P.S. I’ve burned your letter. You should do the same with this one.

 

There was not much else to do. She destroyed Alicia’s letter, just like the previous one. She knew that if that letter got to Alicia’s father, it could end up in a disaster. In reply, she only wrote a short note to Alicia, simply thanking her and saying that everything went great, without providing any details.

 

When Felicity saw June after she had read the letter, she seemed surprised at how dispirited June looked. However, June buried all her worries about the future deep inside herself, kissed Felicity and arm in arm, they walked out of the school to enjoy the first, feeble signs of coming spring.