𝓐 𝓑𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓮 𝓸𝓯 𝓐𝓭𝓿𝓮𝓷𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮 || 𝓖𝓲𝓵𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓽 𝓑𝓵𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓮

Off-Limits

In a perfect world, Flora would have been able to walk Anne home that afternoon. Perhaps she would try to cheer Anne up after the events during lunch. But Grandmother wanted her home early today to help with chores and dinner. According to Grandmother, young ladies weren't supposed to dawdle. Especially when they had responsibilities at home. And there were so few excuses that she would accept for Flora not being home for said responsibilities.

Walking Anne Shirley-Cuthbert home would not be one of those excuses. Flora knew that much for sure.

The afternoon was like every other; from nearly as soon as she and the twins arrived home, Flora was occupied by cooking. Tomorrow, she would have to ask ahead of time if she wanted to play with her friends after school. Otherwise, she would be right back here, doing all of this again.

No fun at all.

That evening at dinner, Flora's thoughts were still preoccupied by what happened during lunchtime. Flora could not help noticing how harshly Anne was judged by her peers -- both today and during the church picnic. She was treated far more harshly than Flora and her brothers ever were upon first arriving to Avonlea.

It didn't make her feel lucky. It just made her feel incredibly guilty -- for what must have been the thirtieth time today.

"So, how are the Blythes fairing?"

At the sudden question from Father, Flora nearly choked on her bread.

"They're doing well enough. John seemed happy to be home." Grandfather replied. "They say many "thank you's" for the vegetables."

Grandmother nodded. "I'm glad to hear it. I plan to pay a visit of my own, soon enough."

Flora cleared her throat weakly. "...Th...They're back..?"

"Returned late this morning." Grandfather had a bit of a knowing smile on his face. "Gilbert will be back at school tomorrow."

The news only worsened Flora's mood. She pressed her lips together tightly, pushing her beans around her plate. Today hadn't been the greatest of days, but not having Gilbert Blythe there may have been the one and only bright side. Now, that was over -- and she certainly was not looking forward to school tomorrow.

Father turned his attention to the twins and Flora. "I trust Mr. Phillips wasn't too hard on any of you today?"

Lucas reached for a bread roll. "Well, I believe he was too preoccupied to mind any of the rest of us."

"Preoccupied with what?"

Flora saw the twins share a glance. She knew her brothers very well. When they did that, they were more often than not keeping things to themselves.

"Ah," Liam waved his spoon. "It's not for us to say."

Grandmother furrowed her brows. "Why mention it just to decide not to tell us?"

Lucas shrugged. "I thought we didn't spread gossip in this house?"

Ducking her head down, Flora did her best not to snort. That certainly wasn't something she wanted to do in front of Grandmother.

"...See, Olivia?" Grandfather was unable to fight a chuckle. "Did our son not raise good children who know their manners?"

Grandmother simply forced a small smile. "Hm."

Father laughed, too. "Gossip aside; did anything else happen today?"

Flora hesitated to speak. But she knew she that had to when she saw the twins look her way. "Um...I got to meet Anne Shirley-Cuthbert."