Work Text:
Darrell Rivers opened her desk to take out her French book, smiling at her best friend Sally Hope. Alicia Johns noticed the smile and hid her scowl behind her workbook. It wasn’t that she was friendless herself—Betty was her best friend, but Alicia knew she was popular with most of the form—and yet it somehow wasn’t fair that Darrell liked Sally more than her. Sally knew this and obviously found it amusing; Darrell herself was clearly oblivious.
From her seat behind Darrell, Alicia had a good view of the way her short, dark hair flicked up in one spot—a small cowlick that Darrell had obviously missed when she had brushed her hair that morning.
She poked Darrell on the shoulder. Mam’zelle Dupont had not yet arrived, but Darrell was frowning as she turned around.
“What?” she whispered.
“Do you still want my help with mathematics in prep tonight?” Alicia asked, for lack of anything more interesting to say.
Darrell’s frown turned into a smile. “Yes, please! It’s awfully good of you, Alicia. I just can’t quite get the hang of it.”
Now it was Sally’s turn to frown. “I thought you’d figured that out already, Darrell.”
“Well, I…” Darrell began, but at that moment Mam’zelle walked in and all conversation stopped.
***
Alicia tried not to smirk as Sally glowered at her and Darrell from the armchair by the fire. Darrell was getting on well with the mathematics, but was still uncertain of her own abilities, meaning that, although Alicia could have reassured her, instead she played slightly on Darrell’s insecurities so she could spend longer tutoring her.
They ended up spending a good half of prep time together—not longer, as they had French prep to do as well—but by the end Alicia was almost sure she could see smoke coming out of Sally’s ears. If Darrell was going to need more tutoring, the rest of the lower fourth would indeed be fun!
***
The years passed, and before any of them knew it, they were heading into their final year of university. It had taken Alicia a number of years, but she had finally figured out the restlessness under her skin when Darrell was near. She had thought that Darrell and Sally might… but although Sally would obviously have been receptive to any sign Darrell might give her, Darrell herself remained totally and completely unaware of the effect she had.
Alicia refused to ever do anything that could be considered cowardly, and so had decided that when they went back to university she would say something to Darrell about how she felt. At least then she could say that she tried, even if Darrell was unreceptive.
She didn’t see Darrell until her second night there, and received the hug the other girl gave her with pleasure. But Sally and Betty were there too, and what Alicia had to say was something best said in private.
Try as she might to get Darrell alone, she could not. And she knew precisely why. Sally barely left Darrell’s side the entire evening, and watched Alicia like a hawk when she joined them. However, toward the end of the night, Alicia managed to corner Darrell while Sally was out of the room.
“Darrell, may I speak to you outside?” Alicia asked in her forthright way.
“Of course!” Darrell replied, and led the way outside.
When they were standing out in the garden, Alicia’s courage almost failed her. But she girded her loins, and took a deep breath.
“Darrell, I love you,” she said in a rush.
Darrell looked at her, confused. “I love you too, Alicia. You’re one of my oldest, dearest friends.”
“No, I mean… I mean I’m in love with you.”
Darrell’s eyes widened. “Oh,” she managed. “I see.”
“It’s been this way for as long as I can remember,” Alicia added, taking hold of Darrell’s hands, “and I wanted to know if perhaps you could learn to care for me too?”
Darrell gave her a soft, regretful look, and Alicia pulled back her hands as though burned. “I wish I could, Alicia. But I don’t feel that way about you. I don’t really feel that way about anyone, I’ve been so focused on university.”
“Are you sure there isn’t anyone else?” Alicia asked quietly. “Not even Sally?”
Darrell blinked. “Sally? Sally’s my best friend, and I love her dearly, but…” She frowned. “I mean, I never thought… I didn’t…”
The dawning realisation on Darrell’s face made Alicia feel as though there was a knife through her heart.
“Oh, Alicia, I’m so sorry,” Darrell said quietly. “I didn’t know.”
“It’s alright,” Alicia replied, smiling bravely. “I had a feeling that was the case, but I had to try.”
“There’s no guarantee that Sally feels the same way about me, though,” Darrell said.
Alicia snorted inelegantly. “You’re so oblivious, Darrell. You’re also too modest, given we’ve both been quite obviously head over heels for you since school.” She paused. “We can still be friends, though?”
Darrell hugged her. “Of course.”
Alicia hugged back, then went inside, passing Sally on the way in. “She’s all yours,” Alicia muttered,
Sally shot Alicia a querying look, then carried on towards Darrell who was staring at Sally with something like wonder in her eyes. As Alicia shut the door behind her, she turned to see Sally and Darrell embracing, and fought the tears which welled up in her eyes.
***
The following day, Alicia was sitting waiting for Betty to arrive for lunch when a beautiful young woman with dark curls and snapping blue eyes sat opposite her.
“I’m sorry to interrupt you,” the young woman said, “but I believe we have psychology lectures together and I wanted to come over and introduce myself while I still had the chance. My name is Jennifer.”
“Alicia,” she responded, shaking Jennifer’s outstretched hand.
“You look like you’re waiting on someone just now, but would you be interested in going for a drink on Friday night? Just the two of us.”
Alicia smiled. “I would like that.”
Jennifer smiled and they exchanged room numbers, agreeing to meet at the university bar at seven on Friday. By the time Betty arrived, Alicia felt much brighter. She had been unknowingly carrying a torch for Darrell for so many years that it hadn’t even occurred to her to find someone else. But now she knew where she stood?
The world was her oyster.