Because I dropped your
hand while dancing

Left you out there standing
Crestfallen on the landing
*

:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

CHARLOTTE'S MOVEMENTS FLOWED WITH A DAZZLING GRACE that took away the breath of every person in her audience. She could feel her soul become one with the music and she unleashed her emotions into her dance. She needed this as badly as she needed to breath. Her entire being moved with a purposeful clarity. With each stride she made, it became more painfully obvious how much heart she put into her routine and how punishing it was for her.

When Charlotte flowed in dance it was as if it were the only way her body truly knew how to speak. Verbally she was guarded, physically she would shrink and fade into the background no matter where she was. On the floor her personality, her sensuality burst through into the most vibrant picture of a beautiful soul.

Laurie watched her move to the music that was filling the room from the grand piano. As she turned her eyes caught her brother standing there, him less adept at hiding in the shadows than she. He dropped his eyes momentarily before looking, his head tilted to one side and a hopeful smile playing on his lips begging his sister to keep him company. However, he was already in the company of another girl.

Charlotte carried her dress as she made her way throughout the guests towards her brother and his new companion.

The girl was blond from root to tip, born to bring more golden sunshine into this world. It showed too. It showed in those soulful blue eyes as bright as any glacier yet so very warm.

"Charlotte, there's someone I'd love to introduce you to." Laurie began as he took his sisters hand and led her over to the woman he just had the pleasure of meeting that night. "She come's on a little strong, pretty unorthodox opinions. She's a rebel at heart, not one to ever play by the rules. Miss Jo March."

Undoubtedly, Miss March saw the shock register on Charlotte's face before she could hide it. A small smile played on Jo's lips, and Charlotte assumed her brother had become very fond of her after only being in her aquantence for a few hours.

"I'm Jo March, it's a pleasure Miss Laurence." Her voice was soft-spoken and mellow, yet Charlotte could tell from her handshake alone that she was a bold, outspoken girl, yet principled also.

"Please, call me Charlotte."

"Are you here alone tonight, Jo?" Charlotte asked before she could stop herself. Her head cocked to the side, eyes shifting from the ground to Jo.

"I'm here with my older sister, Meg." She said. "She sprained her ankle and Laurie offered to take us home in your carridge."

"Wonderful." A courteous, charming smile took place upon Charlotte's face.

"Absolutely wonderful."

Snow danced in the light, a choreographed ballet conducted by the gentle wind. As Charlotte watched from behind her sibling and their two new friends, her eyes grew that tiny bit wider, as open as when she was five years old and saw the street had become as a fresh new page awaiting her playful feet and mittened hands.

Both Charlotte's and Jo's houses were covered in a thick blanket of white, trees peeked out under their new white caps, footsteps and paw prints crisscrossed each other around the labyrinth of paths. Aside from the brown of the denuded trees, the only other color was the vivid saffron staining around the base of each lamppost, tree and shrub.

"Goodness gracious, what have you done?" Spoke an older woman who opened the door and ushered the four into the home.

All four teenagers couldn't help admire the nascent fire that played amid the kindling like a child with a new toy, it's flames leaping in excitement, it's quiet crackling like so much giggling in the woods. They appriciated the heat from the flames more than they thought they ever would.

"Make room, we have a wounded soldier!"

Charlotte appeared in the room from behind her brother with the winter snow billowing around her skirt. Most would pay attention to her beauty as she waltzed on with an effortless saunter. However, the March family was quickly distracted... Except for one.

"I sprained my ankle."

"Meg you'll kill yourself for fashion one of these days."

"Oh come in, come in." Beckoned the older woman once again. "Apologies for the chaos. I enjoy baking in the middle of the night. And don't mind the clutter Mr and Miss Laurence."

"Laurie, please."

"And I'm Charlotte!" The young girl couldn't help interrupt.

"Can I call you Teddy and Lottie?"

Charlotte giggled with delight. "Only if I can call you Josy!"

Her eyes scanned the room, but when her they met those of a girl staring at her from the chair she smiled. So beautiful it was like the stars themselves, decided to rest behind the soft cushion of her lips.

"I'm Amy."

She gave Charlotte a smile that just seemed so genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness, that unexpected warmth rushed through her. That smile was the prettiest thing Charlotte had seen in a while, for it extended to the girls eyes and deep into her soul. She was the gentle touch, the honesty that is a purity, her childhood innocence so vibrant and free.

"Hello."

A moment passed by as she directed her gaze and studied Meg, as Jo and what Charlotte could assume was her other sisters attempt to help her ankle.

"You're very beautiful." She heard the girls voice again.

"Thank you..." She offered timidly, bashful from the compliment she had received.

"So are you." As Charlotte looked into her eyes she knew, all the beauty of the universe could not even hope to compete with this simple thing: passion. Passion turned her eyes into orbs of the brightest fire, and in them Charlotte read clearly that she would fight to the very last tear for her life. She would not let the world break her. Sure she could cry, but she would never let them take her true self from her. She clung to it with passion. Passion that made her beautiful.

Charlotte couldn't help but let her smile grow as she saw Amy blush. It was the blush of roses, that peek of champagne pink. The colour infused cheeks dimpled with the blossoming smile and her eyes shone in a way that only deep happiness can bring.

She was beautiful The way her lips lifted upward. The way her one dimple crinkled. The way her teeth were perfectly aligned. The warm glow her happiness gave.

"Charlotte sweetie how are your ankles, do you need ice?"

She grinned softly before shaking her head. "No, thank you Mame."

"Just call me mother or Marmee, everyone else does."

In that moment Charlotte's smile was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. Anyone could see how it came from deep inside to light her eyes and spread into every part of her.

Nevertheless, as she and Laurie
discreetly left the March family home without saying goodbye, Laurie could almost feel the joy radiate from Charlotte.

"She called me beautiful."

Laurie turned to his sister. Happiness was evident in the crease of her lovely brow and the down-curve of her full lips, while her cheeks were blanched from the cold and her eyes partially obscured with dark hair.

"Who did?"

"Amy did." She said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Amy March said I was beautiful."

𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 !
just a bit of back story
to amy and charlotte