Hideaway

Chapter 06

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Spring 1862

It was hard to believe it was still springtime with how warm and sunny it had become. Monica was not complaining, however. She loved the sunshine just as much as the flowers blooming in its glorious light.

With such a perfect day, how could anyone not take advantage of it?

That was exactly what Monica thought as she traveled alongside the March sisters. Laurie and his grandfather had been hosting a British family, and wanting everyone to meet, the boy had invited the girls to the beach for a day trip. Monica was thrilled to be invited out, glad she could spend this beautiful day in the sun with her friends. Despite her joy, she was also surprised she was asked to join. Sure, she had gotten used to being invited out with Jo as much as she had, but even she knew her last encounter with the Laurence boy was not the most pleasant.

When she practically rejected him...

Monica shook her head slightly, ridding herself of her thoughts. Since the girls had just arrived at their destination, the last thing she wanted was to ruin her time already with past lamenting. Today was about soaking in the sun and spending time with friends. Besides, Laurie asked her to join regardless of what had occurred, and she was grateful the boy did not seem to hold any grudges. Perhaps they were truly on the same page after all, and that was a good thing.

Or at least, that was what Monica kept telling herself.

"Monica."

The dark-haired girl looked up to see Jo looking at her quizzically. "Hmm?"

"You've been staring off all day. Is everything alright?" The strawberry-blonde was concerned.

Blinking, Monica nodded, knowing she had to craft her words carefully. "I am. I'm just... worried about getting a sunburn."

Jo chuckled, shaking her head as she grabbed her sunhat and placed it on top of Monica's. "That's what our hats are for. Stop your worrying."

Monica couldn't help but chuckle too. She went to speak again but was interrupted by Amy's shouting. "I see Laurie! I see Laurie!"

And Amy was indeed correct, for Monica had spotted the boy shortly after her bellowing. Laurie stood next to three other people in the distance, one the poet recognized as Mr. Brooke. Monica fixated on the Laurence boy, smiling to herself as she and the March sisters quickly approached him.

Laurie greeted the girls with a smile, making sure his eyes did not linger on the dark-haired poet. With his thumbs loosely draped in his suspenders, Laurie looked over to the family he was hosting. "This is Fred Vaughn, and his sister Kate." He looked over at his tutor now. "Of course you know Mr. Brooke." He then transitioned to speaking to his guests. "This is Meg, Amy, Beth, Jo, and Monica."

"So pleased to meet you." Fred greeted the girls, revealing one of the finest British accents Monica had ever heard. She smiled at how he sounded.

It seemed Amy had the same thought, as she immediately stepped out of line and approached the gentleman. "Oh, how elegant." She extended her hand for him to shake. "I'm Amy March. You remember that name. I'm going to come find you one day in London."

Fred shook her hand with a grin. "Oh, I certainly will."

Looking toward one another, Monica and Jo stifle their giggles at the sight. It seemed like Amy had a new crush.

The day continued, and everyone was certainly enjoying themselves. Kites were flown in the ocean breeze, stones were skipped in the crystal blue water, and walks were shared among friends and lovers. Monica watched the various scenes unraveling in front of her as she relaxed in a folding chair with a novel. To her right, a giddy yet observant Amy was sketching up some drawings, a genuine smile on her face.

Glancing over at the blonde, Monica smiled alongside her. "How are your drawings turning out?"

Amy looked over at Monica, still smiling as she held up her sketchpad to reveal her latest work. "What do you think?"

Monica's face subtly dropped as she studied the drawing, realizing quickly that it was a sketch of none other than Laurie. She blinked, holding in a sigh as she nodded her head. "That certainly looks like Laurie..."

Resting the sketchpad back on her lap, Amy chuckled. "I'm glad you can tell. I've been practicing drawing more realistically since Mr. Davis saw my caricature of him." She looked toward where Laurie was. "Isn't he just the finest model?"

Monica looked over just in time to watch Laurie approach Jo as she strolled along the shore. Her frown unknowingly deepened, watching her best friend and crush once again. "I-I guess I can see that."

Amy went back to sketching, finetuning what was in front of her. "Perhaps I should give him this sketch when I am done. Maybe then he'll pay attention to me for a moment and not focus on my sister for once."

The poet blinked, looking back at the artist in surprise. "Y-You see it too?"

"Of course I do," Amy answered matter-of-factly. "Everyone does..." She finally frowned. "It's unfair."

"Unfair?"

"Yes," Amy simply nodded. "He gives all his attention to Jo and no one else."

Monica looked back at the couple in question, only to see Laurie playfully grab Jo and have her push him off of her. As Laurie walked away, Monica looked back up at Amy to see her frown still plastered on her face, watching the same scene play out. She could tell the girl was deep in thought, similar to how Monica had been since meeting the Laurence boy. Perhaps those two could relate to one another. "I-I wish I could disagree..."

"You wish?" Amy questioned, looking at Monica. "What do you mean?"

Monica blinked, her cheeks turning pink. She didn't want to reveal her feelings for Laurie, especially not to Jo's little sister. "I-I mean... you're right. Laurie and Jo spend so much time together, I barely see Jo nowadays." It was the truth, and saying it out loud made her heart ache in a brand new way.

Amy sighed, leaning back in her seat and allowing her eyes to wander the beach. Eventually, her eyes landed on Fred Vaughn's figure, seeing he was deep in conversation with his sister Kate. Amy smirked. "At least Jo isn't talking to Fred. Oh, do you remember how polite he was earlier?"

Relieved by the change of subject, Monica breathed easier as she chuckled at Amy's words. "Sounds like someone has a crush."

"Oh, maybe I do. And I certainly won't let Jo take him away."

"Perhaps you could go talk to him? Get a word in before Jo can?" Monica suggested, playing into Amy's stance.

Slowly but surely, Amy nodded profusely, putting her drawings down and standing up. "You're right." She looked down at Monica. "Thank you, Monica. I sometimes feel like my sisters never listen."

Monica smiled wholeheartedly. "Anytime, Amy."

And with that, Amy walked toward the Vaughn siblings, determination in each step. Eventually, Monica watched the two accept Amy into their conversation, the three laughing over something she said.

As Monica settled into the solitary, she looked around again, restudying the scenes playing out in front of her. She didn't mind being by her lonesome, but it seemed that everyone had someone to talk to. Monica absentmindedly searched the crowds for Laurie, only to find him back by Jo's side, just as she had predicted. She sighed, shaking her head as she refocused on her novel.

If only she was as brave as Amy, mustering the courage to join another's conversation. But Monica willingly held herself back, not wanting to interrupt her best friend and crush. Instead, she thought over her conversation with Amy, reminiscing over what the youngest March had just admitted to her. If everyone could see how close Jo and Laurie were, perhaps Monica had made the right decision in rejecting Laurie.

She just wished she had her own Fred Vaughn to make conversation with.

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Fall, 1862

A glorious summer came and went, much to Monica's demise. With the end of summer came a beautiful crisp fall, but as the leaves changed, so did the temperature, and how Monica hated the cold.

Nevertheless, Monica made the most of it, sitting at her desk as the autumn sun shined into her bedroom. She took the flowers she cherished this past season and pressed them into her journal, one she had kept since she was little. As she finished with her botanical artwork and browsed through previous years, a knock could be heard from downstairs. Hearing her mother greet the unannounced guest, Monica stayed in her room. However, her peace was short-lived.

Her mother frantically knocked on her door. "Monica? Sweetheart? I need your help."

The girl in question blinked, putting her journal back on her desk as she stood up to answer the door, her mother wearing a frantic look.

"Hannah was here. She's informed me that Mr. March is ill."

Monica's eyes widened as she froze. She knew Mr. March all too well. Her father was great friends with him after all. If he was sick, she could only imagine the panic the March family must be enduring. It is most likely the same panic Monica and her mother felt when her own father lost the battle.

Snap out of it Monica, your best friend's family needs you.

Mirroring her thoughts, Lydia placed a gentle hand on her daughter's shoulder, helping her return to reality. "We have spare medicine. It should go to him."

Monica nodded, able to move once again as she hastily followed her mother downstairs to find their medicine. It took a bit of time, but once they did, they packed it up and made their way to their neighbor's house.

It seemed they were not the only ones informed of Mr. March's current state, as the Laurence's had arrived at the same time as the Elwein's. Monica noticed the small box in Mr. Laurence's hands, assumably filled with something to help the sick man. As the two families walked into the house, Laurie made eye contact with Monica, both wearing the same nervous expressions on their faces. Despite everything, they both cared for this family a great deal, and it was showcased through their current actions.

Enter the March house was like entering a madhouse. Everyone was moving all over the place and talking over one another, all to help Marmee pack for her sudden and needed trip. Beth stood by the doorway, close to tears. Monica's heart broke at the sight.

Laurie reached out to the girl and wrapped her in a supportive hug. When he pulled away, Monica jumped in and received a hug of her own, Beth shaking slightly as she held her tight. Walking further into the house, Laurie and Monica kept protective arms around Beth, Laurie speaking up. "What can we do to help, Beth?"

Marmee saw the three, smiling sadly at her neighbors as she opened her arms to them. Both Laurie and Monica reached out to hug her. "Thank you so much for being here."

"Of course." Laurie and Monica said in unison.

As the two guided Beth past her mother and further into the house, Monica looked around, seeing no immediate sign of her best friend. She retraced her line of sight. "W-where is Jo?"

"W-we have not seen her. Marmee sent her to Aunt March's and she's yet to return."

Once again, Laurie and Monica looked at each other, the same worried expressions on their faces. Monica knew how much Jo disliked her aunt, so she could only imagine the conversation that might be happening now. Laurie must have been thinking the same thing, as he began to pace around the room.

While Marmee finished packing alongside everyone, she looked up at her girls. "While I'm gone, Hannah is in charge. Remember to check on the Hummel's. It will be a difficult winter for everyone."

Jo ran into the room, holding out a wad of cash for her mother. "Will this be enough for the train?"

Marmee took the money and swiftly counted it. "... twenty-five dollars?" Jo simply nodded. "It's not like Aunt March to be so generous."

"Oh, I didn't go to Aunt March. I couldn't bear to." Jo responded as casually as she could. Everyone looked up at her with confusion.

"Where'd you get the money?" Marmee questioned.

"Well, I only sold what was my own." And with that, Jo took off her hat, revealing a shocking pixie cut to everyone around her.

Monica gasped, placing a hand on her heart. She had not expected this in the slightest, but simultaneously, she was proud of her best friend for doing something so bold. As the room erupted into gasps and snarky comments, Jo smiled to herself. "Well, It doesn't affect the fate of the nation, so don't wail."

Monica and Lydia looked at one another, their arms around each other. "You have an amazing best friend," Lydia said softly to her daughter.

She nodded, smiling as she looked at her newly transformed best friend. "I know..."

After a loving embrace, Jo broke away from Marmee to see her two friends in the house with everyone. She smiles widely at them. "Oh, Teddy..." Jo quickly walked over to him, the two hugging one another affectionately as he lifted her in the air. They pulled away and Laurie tried to ruffle Jo's new hair as she moved away with a smile. She then approached Monica. "Monica..." The two girls finally embrace, Monica sighing with relief.

"I am proud of you," Monica whispered as the two pulled away slightly.

Jo nodded. "Thank you."

And Jo went over to her sisters and mother, who were huddled together in a group hug. As Jo joined their hug, Marmee spoke up once more. "My girls... I love you more than words can say. Be good to each other, pray for Father's recovery, and I'll be back as soon as I can." The girls kissed their mother's cheek, all saying their final 'I love you's' for the time being.

And as Monica watched the scene unfold in front of her, she couldn't help but silently pray for Mr. March's recovery. She knew what it was like to lose a father to an illness, and she desperately hoped Jo and her sisters did not meet the same fate. The March's did nothing to deserve that, and Monica knew it. She just hoped she soon would see the day of Mr. March's return to his wonderful family.

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Author's Note

Long time no see! I hope everyone has been doing well! 

This chapter was a bit of a filler chapter, but I enjoyed getting to write it and showcasing some more relationship dynamics. For me, it was nice to see Monica interact with more than just Jo and Laurie, even though those two are the main focuses of her story. 

I also wanted to update you all and let you know I added another warning to the introduction. Since this chapter hinted at someone being sick (and made me realize what's to come in the story), I have added sickness as a warning. 

As always, thank you for reading! I will see you next time! 

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