Chapter Text
Amy hadn’t noticed how often Laurie had begun to loiter around her school until she started hearing whispers of his name. From the professors, from the students, even from the other staff. Amy hadn’t really noticed his presence making an impact because she grew up with him literally imposing on her life in every aspect, not that it was a bad thing of course.
It had started off small, with Laurie and his car appearing at the school. Ever since they had reconnected in Paris, he had taken to picking her up from school like he used back when they went to Concord Academy together. Amy was usually one of the last to leave the school, or she’d usually leave during a lecture hour and no one took notice that Laurie was usually there for her.
She had been sitting in a lecture on art history, staring at Laurie’s car through the window, counting the seconds until she could leave. He had looked up for a moment and caught her eye, not a second later she received a mocking text from Laurie telling her to pay attention. She responded dryly and tucked her phone away, listening to her professor drone on.
By the end of the lecture, she was slowly packing up her things, and that’s when the topic of Laurie had come up. Most of the class was loitering in the room, complaining about the professor and discussing their upcoming exams when one of the girls, Stephanie, mentioned the car.
“Look, you guys, that car is here again.” She’d said, pointing it out from where it was parked at the front of the school. Laurie wouldn’t have been so noticeable if he bothered to park in the parking lot, but he claimed it would take Amy forever to find him and that would cut into time he thought was better used for exploring France. At the time she had just laughed and brushed it off.
“Have you seen who drives it?” Another one of the girls said, Amy thought her name was Olivia. “He’s gorgeous.”
“Really?” Their other friends exclaimed, clambering over each other and peered out the window, trying to get a glimpse of Laurie.
“Does anyone know who he is?” Henry, one of the guys asked.
“Theodore Laurence. His family and mine had been close when he used to live here.” One of the other girls, Lola, mentioned. She had tone that Amy had come to recognize, one that only used by girls who took an interest in wanting to date Laurie. Whether it was for him or the money. Amy recognized her as well though, she was from one of the influential families in France. Sometimes Laurie, his friends, and Amy would attend soirees thrown by the rich and powerful, and she’d seen her there before, but never interacted. “His parents died a couple years ago and he moved to America, but I heard he’s back for a while. He’s the only heir to the Laurence fortune and set to inherit a billion dollar company.”
“That’s insane.” Stephanie said, staring longing out the window. “But that does explain the expensive car.”
“I wonder what he’s doing outside an art school.” Olivia murmured.
The second time Laurie had caused a great stir in her school, it wasn’t even a result of him, it was because of her, indirectly at least. Word of Laurie’s name and fortune had quickly spread through the school and everyday without fault, there were people looking out the windows waiting to see if Laurie would ever exit his car. Amy had taken extra care to leave school a little later or slip away when most people were in lectures in order not to be seen. In all honesty, she liked the game, and so she played along. Although, with so many eyes and chances, it wasn’t long before someone caught a glimpse of her getting in the car.
It caused a stir of rumors fabricated by her classmates, and Amy felt as if it was going to be a repeat of her first day at Concord Academy. Amy was sure they’d all seen her face, and she had prepared herself for the speculations and rumors, but that morning when she showed up at school, no one had said a word to her. At least not directly about her. After a little eavesdropping and well timed questions among her classmates, Amy had realized they did in fact not see her face, but a glimpse of her blond hair.
Europeans liked to talk, and the tales of the blond and the mysterious car had slowly spread its way through the school until even the professors were speculating. It amused Amy to an extent, watching her classmates throw accusations towards each other.
Most of the speculations were being catered specifically to the rich social elite, because in all honesty, it made all the more sense. Laurie himself was a part of that society whether he liked it or not. It was also part of the reason why people weren’t so suspicious of Amy being the mystery girl. There were many other more likely blond candidates, and unlike at Concord, where everyone knew Amy’s aunt had money to fund her life, people at her school weren’t aware of Amy’s family life.
By the end of the week, when the speculations had finally come to a settled, everyone believed the mystery girl to be Lola, and Amy didn’t say a word.
“I think you need to stop picking me up.” Amy decided one day, pulling out her sketchbook and a pencil. She started with a few basic lines, and Amy wasn’t surprised to find herself tracing the lines of Laurie’s face as he focused on the road. Sometimes her hand has a mind of its own, and even if her head would deny her Laurie, her body wouldn’t.
“Now why would I ever do such a thing, Raphaella?” Laurie teased, using his index finger to turn her head towards him. “Deprive myself of you? I think not.”
“They talk about you.” Amy said dryly. “But you must like that.”
“Well, you think I’m beautiful don’t you?” Laurie teased. “Why not let them talk.”
“They all want their chance at the billion dollar heir to the Laurence fortune.” Amy mocked lightly. “Trust me, it’s the money they want, not the man attached to it.”
“Ouch.” Laurie laughed, throwing her a look. She childishly stuck her tongue out at him.
“You don’t understand,” Amy stressed, flipping to a new page in her sketchbook, “it’s like being back at private school in Concord.”
“You loved Concord Academy.” Laurie deadpanned. She rolled her eyes, but smiled sweetly in his direction.
“I’m supposed to be making a name for myself here, Laurie.” Amy sighed, slamming her sketchbook shut. “Aunt March pays a lot of money for me to be a part of society here. The connections I make and the elite I’ve immersed myself with know who I am, what my intentions are despite what pretty words I mask them behind. Art school is for me.”
“Your art will create its own story for you.” Laurie promised, reaching across the console to grasp her hand, conveniently ignoring her quip about having to marry someone better than her own social standing. “Fret not, dear Raphaella.” He ran his fingers along the inside of her wrist in a constant motion. “Would you be ashamed to be associated with me?”
“Of course not, Laurie.” Amy replied without hesitation. “It’s not about you even, it’s my insecurity over my art.”
“Let’s go to the opera.” Laurie decided impulsively.
“The opera?” Amy laughed lightly, the hidden heaviness of their previous conversation slowly fading away.
“Yes.” He replied, eyes twinkling in her direction. “I need inspiration for the one I’m writing.”
“How could I deny that, then?” Amy played along. He tightened his grip around her wrist reassuringly, and she patted his hand in return. They were dramatic, and blunt, and when they talked it was just the same with brutal honesty. But they didn’t always need words to communicate.
Later that night, when Laurie was walking Amy up to her apartment, neither of them had noticed her sketchbook laying forgotten in the back seat of his car.
Amy couldn’t quite shake the feeling that something was missing. She’d gone through her whole morning routine multiple times, but there was nothing wrong. She woke up, she got dressed, she stopped Dominique and Gabby from bickering to save Lottie the trouble, and she left for school. She couldn’t imagine that she’d left anything behind, and it wasn’t as if she would know.
It wasn’t until her last class of the day till she’d realized exactly what was missing.
Her professor had been talking adamantly for most of the lesson but everyone was about ready to leave and it was noticeable in the way they all were fidgeting.
“Alright everyone! The lecture is over, but don’t forget to leave your final sketches on my desk please.” She announced and waved vaguely in the other direction.
Amy reached into her bag, rifling around for her sketchbook until she realized it wasn’t there. It wasn’t panic that was setting in her chest, but dread. Because if her memory served her right, her sketchbook was exactly in the last place she’d left it, Laurie’s car. Lucky for her, his car should’ve been right on the curb waiting for her to get out. Except a quick glance out the window started to make her panic. Because Laurie’s car was not in front of her school as it usually was.
Now, had Amy taken the time to look, she would’ve seen that Laurie’s car was in fact at her school, just in the parking lot, with him not in it.’
Everyone was slowly filing out of the room, dropping off their last assignments on their professors desk.
“Oh, professor?” Amy called, smiling politely as she stopped in front of her professor. “I seemed to have left my sketchbook at home, along with my assignment. Is it alright if I drop it off at your office early tomorrow morning?”
“That’s fine, Amy.” Her professor responded kindly, but it was followed by a pointed look.
“Thank you.” Amy replied gratefully and packed up the rest of her things. Just as she was walking out the door, she was stopped by a small gathering of people outside the classroom. In fact, there were small groups of people gathered together throughout the hallway, whispering to each other.
“Excuse me.” Amy murmured, trying to get past the people around the door. “What’s going on?”
Olivia, one of the girls who’d first noticed Laurie’s car, answered her. “It’s Theodore Laurence, he’s down at the entrance.”
“He’s what?” Amy asked, a little wide-eyed.
“Everyone’s waiting to see who he’s here for.” Stephanie interjected.
It wasn’t hard to get past all the people. They were mostly waiting around the banister in the entrance, unashamedly watching Laurie. There were others as well, at the stairs and in the first floor hallways. It felt very much like a cliche, but people liked to talk, especially at Amy’s school. Scandals, rumors, and gossip caused conflict, and there was nothing better than conflict to spark inspiration for the artist that walked the halls.
Laurie himself was unbothered, but that didn’t surprise Amy. He wasn’t the most attention seeking type, but there was just something about him that had people lured in by his presence. It was the same back in Concord, people who wanted an in with the Laurence family, people who wanted Laurie, and of course those who wanted to be Laurie.
He was standing in the entrance, hands folded behind his back with a pair of dark shades over his eyes despite being inside. He was dressed in dark pants and a white button, presumably coming from lunch with his grandfather who had been in town that week. Despite his nonchalantly appearance, there was a small smile on his lips and that reminded Amy exactly why she’d been in love with him, why she still was in love with him. He was Laurie, the boy next door, the boy who saved her life, and unfortunately, the boy who was in love with her older sister. But Jo wasn’t there, and for a moment, Amy had realized he had grown up even if he was still wallowing away with gambling and alcohol. He was put together in a way she’d only seen during their late night dinners and drives through Paris.
Before Amy could make her way to Laurie, it seemed that Lola had made it there first.
“Theodore.” Lola smiled, brushing her blond hair over her shoulder. “It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”
“Laurie, please.” He laughed. “No one calls me Theodore anymore.”
“I didn’t know you were back in Europe?” Lola said, leaning towards him.
“I moved back a little while ago.” Laurie responded politely. After all, they had technically known each other as kids. Laurie was also sure his grandfather wouldn’t be happy if he said anything to jeopardize the business that had been going on between their families for generations. “And art school? I figured you’d be set to take on the family law firm.”
“Not for a few more years.” Lola shrugged. “Predestined life hasn’t kicked in just yet. And if I’ve heard correctly, it hasn’t for you either.”
“No, no, not yet.” Laurie agreed. “My grandfather is being lenient though.”
“Oh, Laurie,” she exclaimed, “you should come by the family manor sometime this week. My parents would love to see you again.”
“That sounds lovely, Lola.” Laurie smiled charmingly, but Amy could tell by the slight down turn of his lips that he in fact did not want to have dinner with her parents. Probably because it would be reason enough for his grandfather to berate him about not being in the business and Laurie honestly tried to avoid societal dinners unless he had to attend or he was sure it wouldn't be boring. “But I’m busy this week, I have plans with my old Concord family friend.”
“Oh?” Lola asked, masking her disappointment with a mask Amy was sure she’d had to perfect over the years being a part of such an important family. “Who?”
Amy took that as her que to descend the rest of the way down the stairs and it was Laurie that spotted her first. He walked to greet her halfway. “Hello, Raphaella.”
“Laurie.” Amy couldn’t help but smile as she drew out the syllables and rolled on the balls of her feet.
“Amy?” Lola said, the surprise blatantly in her voice, though it wasn’t unkind, just curious. “I didn’t know you two knew each other.”
“We grew up across the street from each other.” Amy explained vaguely.
“We also went to high school together back in Concord.” Laurie added, his eyes never leaving Amy. “You left something in my car last night.” He said, pulling her missing sketchbook out from behind his back.
“You two are close?” Lola interjected lightly, eyes darting between the pair. “That’s nice of you to pick Amy up everyday.”
“We are.” Laurie replied, accidentally shifting a loose paper out from Amy’s sketchbook, it was one of him, the one she’d drawn of him at the beach. If Lola saw it, but she didn’t mention it. “Besides, I used to pick up and take Amy home from school back in Concord, and she was patient enough to put up with my fencing practices everyday.”
“I never minded, you know that.” Amy scoffed. “It gave me time to sketch.”
“Right, how could I forget the charcoal stains?” He teased her.
“How did you know I needed it?” Amy asked, ignoring his quip.
“I remember you talking about your assignment, Amy.” He responded with a wide smile. “Besides, I was already here, might as well have dropped it off anyway.”
“You could’ve waited for me to come get it.” She scoffed mockingly, hands on her waist.
“And deny myself this moment?” Laurie asked, tucking a blond curl behind her ear and let the baby blue ribbon in her hair twirl around his finger.
“Theodore Laurence.” Amy said sternly in a very Marmee-like impersonation.
He placed a hand over his heart. “Full name? Am I in trouble?”
She patted his cheek childishly. “You wait here, I’m going to turn in my assignment.” She turned to Lola, who in all honesty had gone quiet watching their interaction. “Excuse me, Lola.”
“Right.” She smiled politely at Amy, but she looked both like she was struggling and slightly confused. “Well,” she cleared her throat, turning back to Laurie. “It was nice to see you again, and please, if you have the time, stop by the manor. You’re always welcome and my parents would love to catch up.”
“Of course.” Laurie responded politely, his eyes softened and lips curved up. It was at the moment Lola realized he was in fact just placating her and nodded politely because of the formality. She backed away to join her friends who’d been watching the interaction as everyone else had, looking slightly dejected.
Amy smothered a laugh and shot him a pointed look. “I’ll be back in a second.”
“Wait, that doesn’t answer my question.” He laughed as she plucked her sketchbook from his hands, but she was smiling and her tone left no insinuation that she was upset in the slightest. “Dinner?”
“Do I get to pick?” She replied. They’d been compiling a list for the last two weeks of all their favorite restaurants in Paris. The night before she had picked the restaurant, and they’d been alternating, so technically it was his turn.
“Whatever you want, Raphaella.” He promised, sliding his sunglasses off, leaning close to her and smiling.
She tilted her head and fixed him with a blank stare. “I’m going to turn in my assignment.”
“Wait,” he called, grabbing onto her wrist and pulling her back towards him. Then he placed a light kiss on her cheek that definitely left her blushing. “Too much?” He whispered lightly, only for her.
Amy pursed her lips into a small smirk. “Never one for subtlety are you, Laurie.”