Theodore Laurence was the man that lived next door in the house that each and every one of the March sisters gawked at as they were walking by. A few years ago, you didn't know him, nor did your sisters, until Jo happened to run into him at a party, and he offered her and Meg a ride home when Meg sprained her ankle. That should've been the end of it (you weren't exactly thrilled to be interacting with a boy that surely was pompous and spoiled by his riches beyond belief), but Jo enjoyed his company so much that slowly, that one meeting turned into accidental encounters, until eventually leading to purposeful hangouts.

He was even invited into the club of you and your sisters— the one that you had all insisted would only be for the March sisters when you all were younger. But Jo and Amy simply stated that times had changed and it'd be wonderful to have a fresh new member into the club. Your sisters all liked Laurie so much, annoyingly so, and though you still were sure his true colors would show sooner or later, you knew you had to at least try to play nice with him so the whole group didn't fall apart.

But you two bickered. It'd start off innocent, playful, but of course, it'd escalate into actual arguments, carefully concealed under gritted teeth and frustrated huffs. You couldn't stand him. That smile he'd get when he knew you were irritated, or the way his nose would scrunch up when he laughed... God, it was all so obnoxious.

Yet, at some point a year ago, Laurie was the one you turned to when your sisters weren't understanding you. He was the only one that would truly understand what it was like, you justified, seeing as he knew your sisters. And he allowed you to talk, to let out every last frustration, without interrupting or defending the others. He just listened. He was a good listener, you suppose. That's the highest praise you can give him. Well, that and the way that he makes your heart feel light when he offers you a grin.

Before long, you'd call him often, at night (he wasn't the soundest sleeper either) while sitting in bed, just to talk. You'd argue still, yes, that's inevitable, but it stopped being real and started being playful, blanketed by soft smiles and teasing tones. It was during one of these late night calls, talking about ice skating, that things changed in your mind about Theodore Laurence.

"I'd skip another one of my studies, of course, to come join you guys, but I'm sure if I did, my grandfather would board me into the house until I learned something," he joked softly into the phone, and you could hear the smile on his face, gentle and bright and so, so captivating. You furrow your brows slightly at the words, wanting nothing more than to see Laurie, but you know you won't convince him to slip out of his house to join you.

Years ago you'd be annoyed with Laurie showing up at your outings with your sisters. And now his absence feels like a loss, and you wonder why do it at all if Laurie won't be there? And that's when it hits you. You care about Theodore Laurence. No, not just that... you love him. Somehow, through the complicated journey that is your relationship with him, you fell in love. And you don't think you can go a single day more without showing him that.

"Can I come over?" You mutter into the phone, and the silence that follows is a confused one, before his voice shows up again.

"It's three in the morning, {{user}}," he says back, but he doesn't sound reluctant at all. In fact, there's a lilt in his voice that makes you think he wants to see you too.

"I know," you say in response. Another silence.

"Yes," he says finally. Certainly.

"Okay," you say back, your lips curving into a smile, your stomach full of butterflies, and you hang up the phone, standing quickly from your bed.