The Darling Of Avonlea. (jerry baynard)

the first day

''I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THIS'' Juliette told her older brother as they stood outside the tall doors to the schoolhouse. She had earlier ushered her brother to hurry up so that she could see her friends, but now that she stood outside of the schoolhouse, she felt unsure.

Gilbert noticed her hesitate and placed a hand on her shoulder as a form of reassurance to assure her that he was there for her. ''I'm sure Diana is excited to see you, Juliette.'' he smiled at her and gave her a side hug, ''to be fair, i'm sure everyone is excited to see us again'' Juliette laughed at his comment and shook her head as she walked inside the schoolhouse, with Gilbert following behind her.

As soon as the siblings walked inside, their friends quickly noticed them and dragged the two siblings away from each other. ''Julie!'' Diana brightly smiled and hugged her friend ''Diana, you're hugging me too tight!'' Juliette reminded the girl who quickly released her, ''Oh! i'm sorry, i've just missed you so much.'' She apologized, smiling. Diana Barry, the one friend Juliette held dearly ever since they were children.

The Blythe siblings had previously been gone from school for a while to take care of their ill father. It took a lot of convincing from their father to make them even go back to school. They were already worried about leaving, but school just made their worries worse for the both of them.

All of the girls gathered with Diana and Juliette.

The girls each shared a hug with Juliette, until Prissy Andrews stood left. Prissy had always been adored by Juliette, she was like a sister to her.

''Hey Andrews.'' Julie smiled.

''Hey Blythe,'' Prissy smiled and gave her a hug.

''God, it's been so long.'' Prissy sighed into the hug.

''Way too long.'' Juliette continued as they both smiled at each other.

Julie felt her worries about her father disappear for a moment. Her friends made her feel better, everything went better for Julie considering she hadn't felt okay in multiple weeks, but, that was until Ruby opened her mouth.

''I was really worried about you and Gilbert, why were you two gone for so long?'' Ruby asked.

oh no...

Juliette felt her stomach churn in the worst possible way, she felt sick as she turned to look at Ruby. She didn't know what to tell, or even how to get the words out without bursting into tears. Julie's words were nonexistent as the silence continued.

Diana was quick to notice that Ruby had brought up an emotional subject. Diana nudged Ruby,
''How insensitive of you!'' she warned the small blonde.

Thank you Diana.

Juliette zoned out as the two girls bickered, and she looked at her brother across from her, who had been quick to notice.

''I'll be right back.'' Juliette spoke in a quiet manner and walked towards the door, oh how she wanted to get out of there. But standing by the door was an unfamiliar redhead. She met the gaze of the stranger, she smiled sadly at the redhead, and so did she.

Just this simple gesture blossomed new opportunities.

She walked outside so that she could be alone for a while. The quiet wind brushed gently through her brunette locks, and she felt herself relax. Being alone gave her space to breathe, to quiet her thoughts.

That was until she heard the door behind her open, expecting her brother, she spoke;

''Gilbert, i just need some space right now.''

''Clearly.''

She quickly turned around, and there, Theodore Laurence stood. As handsome as ever. He had gotten much taller since the last time they'd met, back when they were children.

''Theo..'' She felt like she was dreaming, ''I thought you moved away?''

He smiled, isn't this a dream?

''My parents moved away, i moved back to see you again.''

''You did?'' She looked at him like he was bluffing, but in return he smiled at her, admitting it.

''I thought you would have forgotten about me, i mean you started a whole new life and grew up, new opportunities, why waste it?'' She questioned.

''Not a day had gone by without me thinking about you, Juliette.''

He pulled her into his arms, and for once she felt safe. She felt herself tear up even.

She didn't know why she would in that moment, but she had been over the edge for so long. It was tough without him, and now that he stood there in front of her without it ending in a last goodbye, she was overly emotional.

''I really missed you,'' She said as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.

''How did you know i would still be here after all these years?''

''Your brother sent me letters, he wanted to do something good for you,''

of course he would.

''I moved back to be in Avonlea again, to catch up with what i've missed but most importantly, to be a part of your life once more.''

Juliette could have sworn her heart melted right there, he always spoke to her in a way that made her feel like she mattered.