HIS EYES (Gilbert Blyth - Anne with an E)

Ch 3: Season 1 Episode 3

Disclaimer: All original dialogue and character names are property of Anne with an E on Netflix. Everything else is the original work of this author. 

Gilbert Blyth watched as Diana Berry struggled to read an extract of the book. It seemed like such a simple task, having read countless pages of texts to his father. It felt painful to hear her struggle and mumble over words, he knew her to be a well-spoken girl. Worries must have caught onto her and latched onto her tongue. "New girl. Up. Continue" Watching from across the room, he felt certain if anyone in their class would be able to make her way through the text it would have been her.

Anne stood confidently and began to recite the words. She placed emphasis on the words which seemed to bring them to life, in fact, she seemed completely emerged into the words as she continued. It seemed like she had been doing this her whole life. Laughter erupted around them, but Gilbert Blyth found his mind completely attached to every word. So, she was cute and smart. He thought to himself. She let out a soft laugh as she sat down again.

"Sweet merciful lord" Mr Andres mumbled, Gilbert watched the laughter continue around them, and slowly he noted how her attitude had fallen off of a cliff and into a saddened expression. As Josey Pye continued to recite the words in a bored tone, he couldn't help but feel sorry for her. The people he had grown up with had become horrible people, and if it weren't for Diana Berry beside Anne, he would have been saddened to see that she had fearfully become alone. The rest of class continued to drone on, and having read the text prior to class, Gilbert couldn't help but keep glancing towards Anne.

When lunch break approached, all the girls seemed to rally together, and Anne stood up silently picked up her basket and went outside into the cold. Away from the fire-warmth and closed doors and into the icy cold. He noticed how she preferred the cold weather to the cold shoulders she had received. Clutching his apple in his hand, he slipped out of the classroom and walked towards the stream towards her crouched figure. No one would have known her to be here if he hadn't gone out to look for her. "Hey, uh I, uh, thought you might like to try one? They are from the orchid they are really sweet" he started. After their encounter this morning he wasn't entirely sure how to approach her. But he wouldn't have forgiven himself if he didnt at least try.

She mumbled some words silently, "I beg your pardon?" he tried again. After her apology this morning, he thought she would be more inclined to talk to him. It appeared he was mistaken. she mumbled again. "I am sorry, I a?" he started. He had heard her voice, she had a beautiful one. It was surprising that she wouldn't use it.

"I am not supposed to talk to you!" she started, it took him by surprise. 

"Uh, why not?" he asked. He was asked why he had spoken to her in the morning, but it seemed that she had gotten the same ridiculous notion. He was a free person, he could talk to whomever he pleased. She left him standing as she did that morning. Blyth found himself confused at the idea. He had just learnt her name, he was told she was an orphan and that she was living at the Cuthberts. But how was he supposed to get to know someone who would always run away from him? She didnt seems to be the fearful sort, in fact, he presumed her to be strong at heart. 

The rest of the day, Anne was silent as a mouse. If it weren't for her bright red hair one would have forgotten that she was there. Mr Andrews droned on into the class about the importance of handwriting, and ever so often would study the classroom to check if anyone was distracted. The uneaten apple sitting on top of his bag, was a sad reminder, that Gilbert Blythe no longer understood anything. Everything was the very same, the class still smelt of sweat and smoke from the fire. The one window on the back door still had a crack in it from when Moddy threw a ball and broke it. And his bench still had a wobble in it, from years of continued use. And yet, everything was completely different. He couldn't focus on a blasted thing the teacher had said. His day had turned into a mess, and reminder of his sick father at home beckoned Blythe out of the classroom and into the cold air. 

Not bothering to wait for anyone, he strode off quickly. Somehow guilt built up in his bones. He had promised himself to pour himself into his studies and make his father proud. However, he hadn't learnt a thing, and more so, he was not in the mood to return the next morning. Ms Kincannon had made stew and potatoes for their supper before hurrying out the door. "Father, I am home" Gilbert's voice came out small as he watched his father smile softly. There was a chair that he had brought in from the dining room, and placed next to the bed. Pulling the chair closer he sat down and observed his fathers face. He was not getting better.

"How was school son?" he whispered. 

"Same old, the Cuthberts have brought in a girl, she is in my class now" Gilbert added, his father loved to hear about adventures, and knew that any story he told him would ease his mind from his sickness. It seemed like the least he could do.

"The Cuthberts ey?" the old Blyth smiled. "What is she like?" the man asked, Rachel Lynd had explained her as headstrong, but from his son's reaction, he was glad of it. He had been in love with a headstrong girl as a boy and had been all the better for it.

"I am not sure. Billy Andres was teasing her in the woods this morning, I put a stop to it. But she doesn't seem to want to acquaint herself with me." It felt strange to voice this aloud. He had spent all day thinking about this interaction, it felt petty to admit to it.

"Perhaps she needs time. Your mother was the same" the man added, before letting out a soft string of coughs. Gilbert's mother was not someone they talked of often, but he knew that she had loved the Rocky Mountains, which was why his father was so determined to see them.