"I want you to bring it all on,

if you make it all wrong,

I'll make it all right"

Amelia sat on the high stool, her short legs dangling as she waved them about, watching her friends bake or cook something, which was meant for Gilbert. The reason she did not participate was because she was terrible at cooking or baking. She could do the basics, but that was all. She would try and participate, as it seemed something that would cheer Gilbert up, but she just couldn't.

She was dreading having to go to Gilbert's home to deliver the pie, seeing as she hadn't spoken to him since they fought back at the funeral. She felt guilt, how she had walked off, knowing that Gilbert was hurting. But she hadn't had the chance to talk to him again, and she tried to postpone it as much as possible. Seemed as today was the day. "If the key to a man's heart is through the stomach...then we have to make sure that this is the best shepherd's pie that Gilbert has ever tasted." Ruby said excitedly, mixing ingredients together in a bowl.

At the sound of his name, Amelia snapped her head up, looking at Ruby with curiosity. Ruby still didn't know Amelia's feelings about Gilbert, but she just didn't know how to tell her. Ruby was very sensitive, and would easily break down. "I don't see why cooking is so important to men." Amelia commented, watching as Anne came through to the table. "I agree. It's not a very romantic attribute if you ask me. I'd like to be noticed by me, not my dinner." Ruby got closer, and Diana looked at Anne. Amelia giggled as Minnie May scoffed some crumbs in the bowl.

Diana and Ruby laughed, and Amelia frowned. "You're so funny, Anne." Anne looked at them confused, and so did Amelia. "I wasn't meaning to be funny." Amelia quickly changed the subject, hopping off her stool. "So, what's on the list of romantic attributes?" Anne stopped folding the dough and looked up. "My brain, Amelia. My personality. As in, who I am." Anne paused, and looked down. "I like to believe that's what truly matters."

"That is, if romance matters at all. Which it doesn't." Amelia mumbled, and looked out of the window to stare at the snowflakes falling down from the sky. Amelia zoned out of the conversation, thinking how it would be best to approach the situation. Should she talk to Gilbert as if nothing had happened? Or should she apologise? She pulled her hair, frustrated, and snapped out of it when she heard the girls scream of laughter. Amelia turned around just as Miss Josephine entered the kitchen. "Cackling hens, Lord, help me." Amelia giggled, seeing as she was the only one not making too much noise. "Well ma'am, tell them, I was being as quiet as a mouse." Amelia said cheekily. Josephine looked at her out of the corner of her eye.

Josephine analysed Amelia, under the sunlight that shine through the window. She was by far one of the prettiest things ever seen. "You were the only one, then." Josephine paused, before turning to the rest of the girls. "Take the boy the godforsaken pie before I suffer a mental collapse." Josephine noticed that Amelia had winced at the mention of the certain boy. Her emotions were not easily hidden on her innocent face. Her pain was evident in the crease of her lovely brow and the down-curve of her full lips.

Diana mumbled out an apology, and they continued finishing their pie.

"There's nothing wrong with saying I'm sorry for your loss, Ruby." Explained Diana, exhausted as she bickered back and forth with Anne and Ruby, trying to come to the conclusion of what to say to Gilbert when the delivered him his pie. Amelia wasn't really listening, her thoughts jumbled in her mind. Maybe I shouldn't go, I mean I didn't even help with the pie and he probably doesn't want me there, and-

"You'll just make it worse!" Squealed Ruby, glaring at Diana. It was obvious she didn't want Gilbert offended, truly believing that Gilbert will like her because of a pie. Anne nodded, intervening. "He might still be overly sensitive about the whole thing, and if we mention it, he might break down." She argued, and Diana rolled her eyes as Ruby nodded overenthusiastically. Amelia trailed behind them, slowing down her pace. She tightened her coat around her, seeing as it was freezing because of the snow. A few snowflakes dropped on her head, little drops of water running down her neck, making her shiver slightly. "That's what people say when someone dies." Argued Diana, and Ruby looked away, annoyed. "I don't want you to upset him." She snapped, pulling the basket from Diana, who pulled back.

"He's already upset because his father just died!" Ruby looked ahead, ignoring the tall brunette next to her. Anne, this time agreed with Diana, saying it would probably not harm the poor boy to say some kind words. Ruby stomped her foot, and turned to Amelia, who was far in her own world. "Amelia, please tell Diana that it's not okay-"

"I should go home now. My father is probably waiting and I don't think I should take credit for the pie, when I hardly helped, you know." Amelia looked sheepishly at the girls, who looked at her as if she had grown three heads. Anne took her by the arm. "Don't be silly, we're nearly there." Anne dragged her, and all four of them held hands. "I'm so nervous!" Squeaked Ruby, and Amelia nodded, because she felt the exact same way.

Completely nerve racked.

Gilbert inspected the pie, as the four girls stood in front of him. Ruby had a wide grin on her small childlike face, her freckles spread out like confetti. She was stood most in front, her chest pushed out, in a self-proud pose. "We're sorry to intrude, but we wanted you to have that." Diana stood next to her, a few inches taller than the small blonde. Her hands were folded one on top of the other, in a gently and elegant poised way, her dark hair contrasting her pale skin tone.

When Gilbert simply nodded, quite speechless at the four ladies standing in front of him, Diana continued. "We're sorry for your loss." Ruby snapped her head at her and glared, but Diana did not move.

Anne stood a bit behind the girls, a shy smile on her freckled face. She got along with Gilbert quite well, but was not as infatuated with him as the other two blondes. He was quite charming and kind, and Anne thought he was a kindred spirit. Her long red hair was pulled back in two tight braids, and her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. "It's a shepherd's pie that we made for you." Chirped in Anne. Ruby kept on talking, mostly to herself seeing as Gilbert was too distracted, looking at Amelia.

Amelia was hidden behind the other three girls. Gilbert couldn't quite see her face, as she was hiding behind her long curls, her face mirrored down as she stared at the snow on her shoes, trying to find comfort in anywhere else but here. Gilbert couldn't quite help admire her from afar, seeing as he hadn't spoken to her since the funeral. Guilt consumed him, just like her. Gilbert thought he had been completely unfair to her, acting like a rude child while she was only trying to help.

"Thank you." Gilbert managed to say, when he realised Ruby and Diana were awaiting for an answer. But Anne hadn't fail to miss the looks Gilbert was giving Amelia, and smiled upon herself. She nudged Diana, and whispered in her ear, while Ruby continued to talk to Gilbert. "We should go, and leave Amelia by herself with Gilbert, so they can talk things out." Diana nodded, and picked up Ruby's hand.

"Well, we shall be on our way." Ruby frowned, not in the secret plan between Anne and Diana. Amelia sighed in relief, thanking god she could escape the awkward tension. As the girls went to exit, Diana announced "Amelia, why don't you help Gilbert with his pie?" Amelia gaped at her like a goldfish, stood frozen by the doorway. Ruby started to moan, but let out a squeal when Diana pushed her out. "See you later!"

Amelia stood frozen, before turning around and staring at Gilbert in shock, who was already staring at her.

"So...want some pie?"

———

Hi guys! New chapter!

I can't believe I haven't updated since December, I'm such a mess! I lacked inspiration, and I paused this book and my other stranger things book (if you like stranger things, go check it out!) but I'm back!!

I've got one good ideas for new books, and good ideas for new chapters, so I will try to upload once a week from now on.

My sincere apologies, and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Until next time