Mirabelle with an E

Chapter 1

I sit in my bedroom reading a book. It's harvest so thankfully we don't have school. I've started talking more.

Mostly at home and sometimes when I'm with Ruby Diana and Anne. Still nothing at school. But baby steps.

I havent been able to stop thinking about Gilbert since our last conversation before he left.

I I know why. I guess I'm worried...

But for now I guess I'll shove these thoughts out of my head. It's time for dinner.

"I wonder what's become of Nate. Well I guess we should make a start." the door opens and he walks in.

"My apologies so sorry I'm late." he ssys washing his hands.

"I got lost in my work again." "we were getting worried is all." Marilla states. "please don't hold it against me." he sits next to me and Marilla.

Kill me. This guys faker than Josie Pye. Everyone may be fooled by his charm and good looks but that man's a good for

"Shall I say grace?" He asks with a fake smile. "My it's been a long time since we said grace in this household." "It does seem like there's an awful lot to be grateful for especially now at harvest time." Anne adds.

"Grace would be very nice."

He better be praying I don't find out what he's up to. Because when I do...ohhh when I do...

"Belle" I look at Anne. "Oh right." I grab Nate's hand holding back my scowl.

"Dear lord we thank you for-" "oh could you please say: gracious Heavenly Father?" Anne asks. "Anne." Marilla scolds. "It's sounds so much more romantical." "I wouldn't mind the first time I participate in grace to be...romantical." I say in a sad voice. I stare at Nate with innocent eyes.

"Gracious Heavenly Father please bless this table and the Cuthberts for taking us into their home. We give thanks to you for this food and for the hands that have prepared it. We ask your blessings upon this meal that it will nourish our bodies and refresh our souls. Bless those who are here and those who are in our hearts. And all those who are not as fortunate on this day. Amen."

"Amen."

I walk into Nate's room without knocking. "Hope I'm not disturbing you." I state. "Just about to head out." "You think I could maybe tag along? You know see how it all works. I've already finished my chores so it shouldn't be a problem. It's been terribly boring since schools been out." I say looking at a cup of dirt on the window sill. "I dont think you'd find digging through dirt all day very interesting." He states.

"Then you clearly don't know me. When I got here my sister marveled at the red roads. If you hadnt come to stay she wouldn't know why they're red. I've learned more from your stay than I have at school."

"For a girl who doesn't talk you sure do talk a lot." He states.

"Your voice is music to my ears." The boy says inching closer to me. He locked us in a classroom. "St-stay back!" I shout. He covers my mouth. "Sh sh Kelly said you're a screamer when she hits you. I wonder what else would make you scream." He touches my waist.

"Ya well I barely know you and it's easier to talk to a complete stranger than someone who you trust." "You don't trust me?" He asks.

"I didn't say that." "So you do?" "Didn't say that either." I state.

He stares at me and I smile. "You know Miss Marilla will have my hide. I can't steal you away right when there extra work to be done." "I just I'm free." I state.

"Tell you what...if you read this you'll know everything I know and more. Hm?" He hands me a book. "Cool...a book...about rocks..." I say disinterested.

"Don't be too late coming back Nathaniel." I say walking out of his room. I go into me and Anne's and wait for the door to close. I crack my door open and see him walking away.

I follow him until I get to the stairs and stop and listen.

He clears his throat. "Oh my word!" Marilla says startled. "Sorry did I...scare you?" He asks. "I- I- I thought you were gone. I would never have-" I peak around the corner and see him walks to the door.

"I had a small red haired delay." He turns back around. "My my your hair smells as fresh as a summer breeze." I look between them.

"Well I'm off. Sorry for the intrusion." I tune back in disgust.

Marilla likes Nate! Oh hell no not my mom!

This bastard really tried to distract me with a book. Well I'm not as stupid as people seem to think.

I go downstairs and sneak out the back. I go over to Anne while she's getting water. "Here." "What is it?" She asks.

"Geology book. Nate seems to think I'm interested which I'm not but I thought you'd be so here." I hand it to her. "Wow...thanks Belle." "Don't mention it. Now if Marilla asks say I'm bleeding again and I'm laying down." I state. I back to the house and head upstairs.

I check for any peering eyes and head into Nate's room.

I came back the next to look for anything I missed. I must've been here longer than expected because I hear his footsteps coming towards the door

"Shit!"

Think

Think

Think

I grab the magnifying glass and place a rock on it. The door opens and I pretend to be looking at it.

"You don't see me barging into your room whenever the mood strikes me." "Sorry. I guess I got carried away. I let Anne see the book when I got finished with it. In case you were wondering where it was-"

"DAMMIT!" I stop talking. He sighs heavily. "I'm sorry. It's just I'm in a moral quandary. I'll know soon what to do. I...I want above all to do the right thing. You understand that?" "Ya sure..." I state.

"I-I..." he takes my hand. My eyebrows furrow. "I need you to hold a good thought and don't say anything to anyone...until I figure things out and end this turmoil in my heart. Can you do that for me?" He asks gazing into my eyes.

I nod.

"Shhh."

Once I leave his room my hearts beating rapidly. This guys fucking disgusting. Did he really just try to charm his way out of this?

I sit in the clubhouse with Ruby Diana and Anne. "So just write another Bert story."

"Another Bert story?" "You always write versions of the same thing." I state. "No I don't." "About a dashing hero named Albert Herbert Rupert Pilbert-"

"Pilbert?! That's ridiculous. I would never write a story about a boy named Pilbert." I chuckle.

"It's not like we can't tell-" "you always murder everyone you can't figure out what to do-"

"Heeeey!" They look at me.

"We get it you get morbid when you can't can't think. And you have a thing about guys with that names end in Ert." I state. "How else am I supposed to deal with the fact he's been gone for eight months and three days and he may never come back?!"

"Ru." She looks at me. "He's fine. Don't worry. Now enough about that subject. I f you want an idea ask Anne." I suggest. "How about....a tragical tale of sad and handsome scientist who one day stumbles upon a secret that could save the world?" "Oh Anne! However do you think of such amazing things all the time?" Diana asks.

"I draw from life Diana." "She got the brains I got the brawn." I state.

"Oh I almost forgot I have a letter from Aunt Josephine. She's very keen to read some of our stories! Let's only send her our very best." "Well then see should send her all of Anne's." I chuckle.

"She's right you're amazing at writing."