HIS EYES (Gilbert Blyth - Anne with an E)

Ch 5: Season 1 Episode 4

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. 

With school off, he did not have any excuse not to lend a hand at the Gillis house, to help rebuild the damage. They could see that most of the fire had damaged the upper floor and roof. Which meant that they would need to rebuild sections of it. Working together with everyone from the area, Blyth was reminded of why he loved living in Avonlea, moments like this, where everyone stopped what they were doing to help families in need. The Gillis family was separated into different houses, and he was shocked to have heard that Ruby had been staying at Green Gables with Anne. It was thanks to Anne, that their task was not as daunting as it might have been. He hoped at least Ruby had decided to be more agreeable because of it.

As the thoughts of Anne and Ruby filled his mind, he heard her voice emerged from below the trees "would you care for a scone?" Anne Shirley had asked. The two girls carried a heavy basket and gave away baked treats. He had been working silently with Billy all morning, determined not to speak to him for a long while. It wasn't until Andres opened his mouth to yell, was Gilbert reminded of his distaste for the man.

"Hey look, if it isn't bigfoot and her twin sister" from the look on the idiotic boys face, he must have felt like a real genius for coming up with that himself. Gilbert didnt even realise what he mumbled in detest, as he watched Ruby Gillis tumble into a fall. Andrews continued his bullying, and Blyth did not want any part of it. He had taken it too far. They had been kind enough to bring them scones, and after working hard all morning it was exactly what every man needed at this point. 

Anne stood her ground as Gilbert watched the interaction, he knew her to be strong headed and able to stand up for herself. "What is wrong with you?" but he would be a coward if he stood back and allowed Andrews to be hurtful for no reason.

"Headline, they already did" Gilbert pointed. Andrews was even more of an idiot than he gave him credit for. Gilbert claimed down the wooden ladder to the sound of Anne's rebuttal. He had to hide the small grin that rose on his cheeks as she continued to put Andrews in his place. For some reason, this girl, in which he knew very little about, made him proud. Walking over to Ruby, he leaned down and assisted her up with a sad expression. Anne seemed cable enough to handle herself, but it was clear that Ruby did not possess the same qualities. Her puffy cheeks and tear-filled eyes were evidence of that. For the second time, Anne was there for Ruby, and after everything that had occurred, he could not see why. Had she always been this kind?

Even then, helping Ruby up, cracking small jokes. Anne refused to meet his eye. He had stood on her side, did that not scream that 'he had forgiven her for hitting him with the slate'. As Mathew Cuthbert approached the girl's, he noted how she continued to avoid his eye. Even so, pushing the basket into Mathews's arms and spurring away. For someone as brave as her, she had a tendency to run away when things became difficult. 

Jealousy bit at his stomach, she was able to stand up for herself with everyone else. But for him. What was it about simple, mop-headed Gilbert Blyth, that caused her to run away at every single possible cause? He had stood up with her more times than he had known, and yet she didnt seems to want to do the same. The mystery that was Anne Shirley continued to play in loops in his mind. Mathew offered him a scone, and from the feal of it, they were slightly warm still. The sweet smell of sugar and butter met his nose as he took a bite of it. He usually didnt like scones with currents in them but found these to be the best-baked goods he had, had in a long while. 

The prospect of not seeing Anne of him was apparent, as he zoned into the mechanical movements of hammering and placing boards. While the men and boys marvelled at their work, Gilbert retreated and clambered himself home. With every passing day, Mr Blyth became more sickly. It was heartbreaking as he returned home to see him. Today he had brought him a scone, but apart from a bite, the old man was unable to eat anymore. With the cold outside and inside his heart, he found it difficult to look forward to anything anymore. Somehow he felt it difficult to plaster on a brave face when he left his home to run errands. To sit through the pained coughs of his father, and the whispy sound of his laboured breaths as he read to him in the evenings. Gilbert had never felt so alone in his life. It was almost as if darkness was eating him up, and he couldn't see the otherside. He had spent his nights crouched against the wall of his father's bedroom, sitting and listening to the soft breaths and creaking house. Sleep was not something he knew anymore. 

Finally, school was starting again. Mrs Kincannon returned to mind his father and house. As Gilbert walked out, plaster on his brave face, he couldn't help but wonder if she would ever return. He didn't see her on the way, and the class began to fill with people. Almost when he lost hope of the thought, he had been too busy rolling his apple across the desk to notice. But suddenly the class went quiet. He noticed Josey Pye looking back towards the door and followed her action. There standing tentatively stood Anne. Before a second passed she was surrounded by speaking girls. She had done it, whatever it was. She came back a hero. 

Gilbert couldn't help himself but smile softly. She sat determinedly in her seat, and he felt curious as he wondered what adventures this version of Anne might bring.