Baker - G. BLYTHE

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-ˋˏ *.·:·. [ THREE DAYS LATER] .·:·.* ˎˊ-

EACH DAY SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE HOUSE RELIEF FLOODED THROUGH HER VEINS WHEN SHE SAW A SMILE ON GILBERT. The smile meant that John was still alive, he was still in this world and she could wait to have to deal with his death. She couldn't imagine how it would affect Gilbert, she barely got through the death of her Father. The only thing that helped her through was her family and if John died, he wouldn't have any. Charlotte vowed to be there for him, to go with whatever he wanted for the painful months after his death, whatever would make him happiest. She made that vow to John himself and had absolutely no intention of breaking it. Though seeing Gilbert so happy did have its consequences, knowing that one day in the near future his happiness would come crashing down and she would have the job of making life not seem so terrible. That's what friends are for though and she wouldn't have changed their friendship for all the time in the world.

Charlotte and Gilbert took the trek through the forest to school like usual only this time they didn't speak. On some days the two would come up with new things they could do on the way to school to keep things interesting, today Charlotte had suggested that they remain quiet and listen to the noises of the forest. The crunched snow underfoot somewhat drowned out the sounds of bare trees in the wind, some trees still had leaves and you could just about hear them moving around. There were no birds, no sounds of wildlife and suddenly the forest seemed more scary than usual for Charlotte. She found herself edging closer and closer to Gilbert with each step she took, Gilbert noticing this decided to make her feel more comfortable with a joke. He extended his arm for her to take, which she did with a soft laugh. The two walked to school this way, not caring that this was something you would do with a prospective romantic partner. He was just trying to make her feel safer and she was just trying to feel safer. They simply just worked. 

The school day dragged immensely, Charlotte however sat with Anne for a change. The girls quite often shuffled seats in their group, each wanted to sit next to a new person each day and usually Charlotte was left out of this. So when Diana offered to include her in today's rotation a happy feeling spread all the way to her toes, after so long of only having Anne and Tillie the idea of a group of friends was one she liked very much. Sitting with Anne was different to sitting with Tillie, she now sat a row in front of Gilbert so it was more difficult for them to have mouthed conversations without being caught. She much appreciated the help Anne gave her through the lessons with math or spellings she had gotten slightly incorrect and Anne loved helping her.

Thankfully lunch came and just as she was about to head to the spot where she normally ate alone, the group of girls welcomed her into the sort of camp they make for lunch. She sat in between Tillie and Anne, feeling most comfortable there and quickly learned that all the girls shared all of their lunch. She wasted no time taking out the strawberry tart she had taken from the bakery for sharing. Lunch was interesting, Anne had gotten her womanly flowering time and had loudly made it known that she completely despised it. A view which Charlotte completely agreed with, it was a very inconvenient thing. Josie Pye made an interesting comment about her being more mature which had Charlotte nearly choking on a piece of her apple, Josie Pye was anything but mature.

Tillie and Ruby had worried Anne with a story about a girl who leaked right through the back of her dress and everyone saw since she had to go up to the board. During the next lesson Anne seemed more worried than focused because of that story, Charlotte found herself helping her more than before. When Mr Phillips called upon Anne to answer a question Charlotte could practically see the colour drain from her face. Anne stood in a daze and incorrectly answered the question with her hands trying to cover the back of her dress. Charlotte wanted nothing more than to tell her she hadn't leaked through at that moment, but because of the completely silent classroom opportunity never struck.

After school had finished, Gilbert and Charlotte each packed up their things for the walk home. Diana and Anne soon joined the two and a short, rather rude conversation was had between Gilbert and Anne when he offered her some help. This had Charlotte vexed, she had no idea why she was so rude to him and Charlotte desperately wanted to say something. Gilbert, noticing this, took her by the arm and guided her through and out of the school house making sure she didn't ruin one of the three friendships that she had. During the walk home Charlotte cooled down and began analysing what had happened in that conversation and she came to one conclusion, Gilbert and Anne both liked each other.

"What was that little interaction with Anne in the coat room?" Charlotte asked in an accusatory voice, one which had her laughing on the inside. The reason for bringing this up was unknown to her but she felt drawn to mention something, if anything she would get an entertaining conversation out of it. "Romantic, I think."

"Interaction?" Gilbert questioned with his eyebrows knitted in confusion. He was technically confused, he wasn't aware of anything different between him and Anne. Why Charlotte would choose to bring her up was a complete mystery to him.

"It's a mnemonic device,"  she mocked making a talking mouth with her gloved hand. "Gil, come on, it's obvious," she sighed, slightly rolling her eyes as she couldn't imagine someone being so oblivious.

"I haven't a clue what you are talking about Lottie," Gibert responded without a hint of a smile on his face, this was done to try and trick her but she was having absolutely none of it. She continued to give Gilbert a knowing look, then once she realized she wasn't going to get anything out of him (yet), the two fell into a comfortable silence much like the one that morning. "Speaking of romance, Moody keeps asking about you," he teased nudging her slightly with his elbow - he was trying to change the subject as whatever was going on with Anne was something she didn't want to discuss, especially with her. Charlotte turned her head sharply stopping in her tracks. Gilbert however just kept walking with a smile on his face, he had never seen her think so hard, he had never seen the look of absolute mortification on her face.

"Moody Spurgeon? Oh, I wouldn't- You must promise that if he ever asks to walk me home you will somehow divert me away!" she snapped out of the deep thought and quickly ran up to him.

Gilbert placed a gloved finger on his chin as if deep in thought, he struggled not to laugh as she grew more frustrated and pink in the face by the second. "Oh I'm not sure I could do that, he is quite fascinated with you," he shook his head and continued walking only to stop in his tracks when he realised they were at the place where they usually split off on the walk home from school.

"Gilbert, please! I cannot say no, it's rude!" she replied after finally catching up to him, she looked directly at him and hoped that the mortification would be written all over her face, maybe that would convince him. He was aware of the mortification and chose to ignore it, it was funner this way.

"Have a good weekend Charlotte!" he quickly announced then ran off in the direction of his house, hoping to make enough distance that she decided not to run after him.

"I loathe you, Gilbert Blythe!" she yelled after him, cupping her hand around her mouth making sure he could hear (even though she was kidding.) Gilbert struggled to keep his footing as he laughed and looked back to see Charlotte staring at a falling leaf as she walked home.