Chapter 36

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Fate Gives Second Chances

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Florence was getting ready for school one fine morning in her bedroom. She felt ready to confront everything, dressed in a gorgeous daffodil-coloured dress with her hair in a crown braid. She slowly made her way out of her room and down the stairs to the kitchen, holding her lunch basket in one hand and her books in the other. Florence smiled at her grandmother as she sat at the dining table with her sewing machine (a common occurrence).

Elizabeth got a good look at her grandchild and gave her a thumbs up. "If I hadn't known it was a school day, I'd have assumed you were getting ready for the ball."

"In a way . . . I suppose you could say that." Florence sat down across from her. "It is indeed a very special day. In more ways than one."

"Oh?" Elizabeth slipped off her reading glasses, but still held onto them. "May I ask why?"

"That is for me to know and you to wonder about," Florence explained with a playful smile. She rose from her seat and prepared to leave for school. "I should be on my way."

"Of course. Have a great day, dear." Elizabeth waved at the younger girl with a polite smile and shooed her away.

Florence decided to take a detour from the path that would lead her to the schoolhouse and continued straight ahead as she walked through the woods. When she arrived at her destination, she went down the stone path and knocked twice on the door, her palms sweaty from nerves. What if she's already on her way to school?

It had been a long time since anyone had answered the door. Just as she was about to knock again, the door swung open, and she was surprised to see Billy Andrews on the other side. He had a serious expression on his face before it seemingly disappeared right before her and was replaced with a little surprise.

"What brings you here today, Florence?" His words seemed more like an inquiry. His confident demeanour returned with a shake of his head. "Were you missing me?"

"Not nearly as much as you missed me, I'm sure," she replied sarcastically.

Billy made a sneering remark. He leaned against the doorway, his arms crossed. "At least I wasn't the one that showed up at your place."

"Who are you talking to, William?" Mrs Andrews appeared at the door moments later. She peered at the girl, attempting to recognize her, and Billy quickly straightened his posture. Her mood altered negatively when she realized who it was. "Oh, you're Priscilla's . . . friend."

"It's, um, a pleasure to see you again, Mrs Andrews," Florence said with as much politeness as she could muster, and Billy tried hard not to laugh. When did she become so nice?

"Likewise . . ." Mrs Andrews looked like she didn't want to be there. "I assume you're here to see my daughter?"

Florence sighed. "Yes, actually. Is she still at home?"

"She's in her bedroom. Make it quick. Don't you both have school in a while?" The older woman cast a look between the two teenagers. "William, take her to your sister."

"Of course, Mother," Billy responded as his mother promptly left the room. Reluctantly, he opened the door wider so Florence could come inside. He shut the door behind her just as she went inside, but trapped her between him with one of his hands on the door. He drew closer, using a mocking voice. "Better make it quick, Florence."

"Exactly my intention, but I suppose I can't since you're so attached to me," she said, referring to their close proximity.

"And what if I am?"

Billy's words caught Florence off guard. They were unable to look away from each other as they stood in that compromising position. She was stunned at the time, unaware of his admiring gaze. The remaining gap between them closed when he leaned in, and their lips connected in a kiss. She slowly shut her eyes, immersed at the moment.

He drew away a few seconds later, chuckling softly as Florence grew completely flustered. He discreetly leaned in again and whispered in her ear, "Wouldn't you say this was a better kiss than the one we shared during that stupid game?"

She pouted. "That was not a kiss."

Billy stepped away from her. "This one was, and the way you reacted to it leads me to assume that you feel the same way." Winking at her, he left the room.

Florence stood there, her eyes owlishly blinking as she struggled to make sense of what had just happened. She could still feel her cheeks heating up, and she despised the way she was feeling so shy. Her lips tingle slightly, something she hated as well. Did it really mean what she thought it did? Was Billy Andrews secretly in love with her, or was he just messing with her again? Oh, gosh, this was all so confusing. He only ever sent mixed signals. And she wasn't sure how she felt about him herself.

That was it; the next time she came across Billy, she would ask him straight out if he had feelings for her. If he doesn't deny it . . . Stop blushing, Florence!

Florence took a deep breath and continued mounting the steps after regaining her composure. The Andrews' house was spacious and elegant on the inside and out. The dark wood and vintage walls complemented the polished floor wonderfully. Given the Andrews' and the generations before theirs' wealth, it was only natural to be living in a house that seemed like more of a mansion to her.

She wandered the corridors until she came across Prissy's room, which she recognized. Despite the fact that the door was shut, she knew the young girl was still at home, based on what Mrs Andrews had informed her earlier. When she knocked on the door, she heard her best friend's calm voice say, 'Come on in!'

Florence gingerly opened the door, but Prissy was too engrossed with brushing her hair in the mirror to notice her presence. Florence took a quick look around her bedroom and found some luggage on the floor. In a few weeks, Prissy was due to depart for Charlottetown.

"Is there something that you needed, Mother?" Prissy asked, attention still on the mirror. When there was no response, she glanced at whoever had entered the room and her eyes widened slightly from surprise. "Oh, Florence . . . I didn't know you were here."

"I only came to apologize." She fidgeted with her fingers, her face flushed with shame as she avoided meeting the girl's stare. "I'm sorry for everything I've done to you. I knew I should've told you about the letter straight away, but I was too preoccupied with doing what I believed was right to bother."

"Oh, Florence . . ."

She didn't notice Prissy's attempt to talk and continued rambling, her fingers moving up and down her arm like she often did when she was nervous. "Prissy, please accept my heartfelt apologies. I am possibly the worst friend on the planet for making you feel that way. If you don't wish to continue our friendship, I understand. I also want to confess that even if you happen to forgive me, I promise to be a better friend and not hide things from you from now on. I also promise to⸺"

"Florence!" Prissy screamed, attempting to get her attention, which she successfully did. Florence fixed her gaze on her, expecting an explanation. "I'm not upset with you. At least not any longer. I now understand that you acted in my best interests, and I am grateful for that. I'd also like to apologize for how I reacted on that day. I was just so worried that I couldn't think straight."

Without a single word, Florence ran up to the girl and pulled her in a tight embrace. Prissy hugged back with a relaxed smile. The two best friends were relieved to be on speaking terms once more.

"I lied," Florence said as she let go, feigning sadness. Prissy furrowed her brows. Was she lying about her apology? She then smiled widely and added, "I didn't come solely to express my sorry. I also came to walk to school with you just in case you end up forgiving me, which you have."

Prissy's face visibly relaxed, and she picked up her bag from on top of her bed. "Well, you're in luck. I'm all dressed for the day."

As the two girls made their way out of the bedroom and eventually out of the house, Florence's next words had utterly halted Prissy in her tracks. "Your brother kissed me."

"What?"

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