Soon the teacher rung the bell to the schoolhouse to allow the students to leave. She helped the younger ones get ready and made sure they all left before making sure the older students were ready. Edmund and Blaire sat with their bags on, waiting to be dismissed. When the teacher came up to their desk she gave Blaire a strange look, thinking back to the empty seat just an hour or so ago. Shrugging it off, because she was late for some appointment, she let them go.
Edmund smiled and ran out the door. Blaire walked. He quickly ran back and grabbed Blaire’s arm, dragging her along again. This got some looks from his friends and the other schoolhouse kids. The little ones giggled at how close their hands where to touching and the older ones shocked he was touching her. After a moment Blaire coughed and snapped her arm out of his grasp. Edmund stopped, turning back to look at her. Blaire stood still and crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently.
“I can walk perfectly fine.” She said and walked swiftly past him.
“You gotta take a left…” Edmund yelled after her. Blaire turned on her heel and went down the dirt road.
Edmund laughed to himself and ran up to walk with her. They walked in silence. Edmund trying to make small talk and Blaire lost in her own world. After a few minutes Edmund laughed a little to hard at a joke he made and fell into Blaire, knocking her down once again. As she began to get sit up and gather her things Edmund saw a carriage coming. If was moving faster than he liked. Before he knew it it was only a few moments away. Away from hitting Blaire who still laid on the ground.
Edmund yelled and grabbed Blaire’s waist, swinging her to the side. Blaire screamed in return and grabbed Edmund back. In a second they had switched positions. Blaire didn't dare hesitate and grabbed his outstretched hand. With all her might she yanked him up. They both tumbled back and the carriage passed by harmlessly.
After a minute they got up and quickly walked to Edmund's house. Blaire stopped and examined it in awe.
“You...have two floors?” She asked in a whisper. He looked at her strangely.
“Yeah… it’s becoming the new big thing ya know?” He said and laughed “the stairs aren’t too tall, only five steps come on!” He opened the door and the two were greeted to an empty house.
“Where’s your mom? Your dad at least?” Blaire asked, following him in.
“My mom works in the bakery and my father works at the blacksmith. Mothers working is also a new big thing going world wide. I hope it stays!” Edmund said and grabbed a glass of milk and two cookies from the cupboard. Blaire sat stiffly at the table in the dining room. They ate and Blaire opened up, just a little. Edmund now knew she only had her mom to live with and she worked all day. Blaire ate the cookie carefully but desperately wanted more.
“Why were you so impressed by my house having two floors?” Edmund asked abruptly. Blaire jumped a little and stared at him, her glare returning. She sighed a little.
“I...live in an older one” she quickly lied “can’t take the extra”
“Can I see?” Edmund asked, his eyes lighting up. He sat on the chair on his knees. Leaning closer. Blaire’s face paled and she looked away. Edmund’s smile dropped. Blaire suddenly stood and walked to the door. She stopped, her hand hovering over the door knob.
“Thank you for supper” she whispered before swiftly leaving.
Edmund smiled to himself, watching her walked down the long dirt road through the window.
The smile slowly melted as her last words sunk in.
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