No Strings Attached | Moody Spurgeon

6

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Ansley wakes up to unfamiliar surroundings. Forgetting she had moved yesterday. Once she woke up she smelt delicious eggs and pancakes cooking. She followed where her nose took her.

"Ansley dear, could you set the table?" Her mother asked, still cooking the eggs. Ansley smiled realizing she was home with her parents and agreed. As she set her table her father came out from the study.

"Eggs and pancakes my favorite." He chuckled walking towards the table. "So, what are your plans today Ansley, i was hoping for some family time since we couldn't yesterday?"

Ansley frowned realizing she already had plans today, "I had plans to go to Gilberts then school for the newspaper club." Looking down at her food in sadness.

"Oh it's fine, we don't have to do so now. Your father and I will get settled in first, go along, get dressed and spend the day with your friends" Her mother smiled and waved her off. Ansley hugged them both and got ready for the day.

Ansley was off her way to go see Gilbert and Mary, mostly Mary. As spring was approaching Mary fell terribly ill so the Cuthbert's and Ansley have been helping Mary and Bash and Gilbert with their needs.

As Ansley made her way to the door it swung open. The person was Marilla. "Oh good morning Ansley, Anne is inside with Mary. Why don't you go say hello" Marilla greeted.

Ansley walks inside and goes to Mary's room. "Good Morning Mary, how are you feeling?" Ansley says.

"Better than yesterday, how's the new house?" Mary replied, Ansley just nodded and said it was fine. Anne shortly came in with soup.

All three of them talk for a little then Mary reminds us of school, so Anne and Ansley are both off to school. As they both arrive at school they walk inside and see everyone part of the newspaper surrounding by a big hunk of metal. 

"Farmers Celebrate New... Gilbert" Diana says looking displeased with the last word, "Again, Ruby?" everyone laughs.

"Don't look at me like that!" she replies in a straining tone, "I'm preoccupied. Why isn't he here?" she continues complaining. 

"He went to fetch the Charlottetown doctor." Anne replied to her remark. "Bash's wife isn't well" Ansley spoke after.

"Oh, Lord have mercy. You don't even know that colored woman" Josie snaps, crossing her arms.

"Mary is a smart, lovely woman, But you'd know that if you ever said two words to her" Ansley snapped back. 

"Gilbert is so heroic" Ruby starts to cry, "Here Ruby... for your poor eyes" Moody says handing HIS handkerchief to her. Right then Ansley felt is sharp pain in her heart. Confused on why or how, but she felt it, not knowing what it was.

"Oooh...!" Tillie responde.

"Are you 'taking notice' of this, Diana? I certainly am." Josie snarked, glancing at Ansley a little.

Diana looks displeased and looks at Ansley for a quick second and see's she's hurt. "Don't you have common sense Josie, It's clear Ansley likes Moody. No need for you to say that" Diana snapped back. Everyone looks at Diana for a moment some are in shock then they all look at Ansley.

Ansley is just frozen. Not speaking, just staring down at her shoes. "Ansley, I didn't-" before Diana could finish Ansley took off. Embarrassed, her face is most likely as red as a tomato. 

Ansley didn't go home, she couldn't. So she went to the one place she could be alone. The lake that was once frozen during winter. She knew she couldn't skate, but only could bring comfort. That was the spot that changed everything for her. 

Although not long after Ansley left, Moody left after her. He told Ruby to keep the handkerchief and that he will get a new one. He lost sight of Ansley a little after she took a turn. But he wouldn't stop until he found her.

Ansley sat on the grass not carrying if her dress got dirty and green. Then she heard a twig snap behind her. She immediately gets up and dusts her dress of any dirt marks and extra grass. She turns and see's Moody. She wanted to smile, just seeing him makes her smile. But she wouldn't, couldn't, shouldn't. Not in front of him anymore. his new muse is Ruby, Ruby Gillis. 

She breaks down, crying. She doesn't care at this point if he see's her like this. She falls to her knees with tear stained cheeks, getting stained more and more by crying. Moody runs up to her and wraps her in his arms trying to comfort her. To make her stop crying. 

Moody brings her back to her feet and wipes her skirt of any dirt. He walks her home, more or less she leads the way and he follows. They walk up to the door and walk a bit back from each other. Moody sticks out his hand for a shake and Ansley shakes it. Before Ansley pulls away Moody brings her in for a hug. They stood like this for a good 30 seconds then let go.

Ansley walks inside not saying a word to anyone and just going to her room. She instantly falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillows. Not caring anymore, not about her dress, Moody, his stupid handkerchief, her feelings, that 30 second long hug, none of it. She just wanted rest.

A/N

Hey, sorry for the long wait! Like about a month long wait. My bad! I was sick and was busy with school. Hope you enjoy this semi-long chapter. You got some Moody angst, what you have alllll been waiting for. I promise new chapter either tomorrow or in the next two-three days! Take care! (P.S. Unintentionally parallels to chpt. 2 if you noticed)