Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 11

"Which district comprise the Praries? Gilbert?" "The Districts of Athabasca, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Assinobia." "Now that is a clever student. Anne, which provinces comprise the Atlantic Maritimes?" I slowly looked over my shoulder and closed my eyes cringing at her look of absolute dread. "I'm sorry. What was the question?" I sighed seeing her place her hands behind her and looked at the map up front. I really shouldn't say anything anymore. No one seems to listen. "Could you not hear me? Was I not speaking loudly enough?!" I gripped my chalk and felt it break as I stared Mr. Phillips down. "I'm sorry, I just..." "The Atlantic Maritimes? Sometime today." I could see she couldn't focus when I looked again but I was relieved when he made her sit.

"Worst day ever." "Anne. I told you and you still panicked. Maybe I should just stop giving out advice if no ones going to listen, even when they ask." I pulled my coat on none to gently and almost strangled myself with my scarf. "Nice boys never say people eat insects." We both looked at Gilbert. Anne with disdain and me irritated. "What?" I asked once I loosened my scarf. "It's a mnemonic device. It helps you remember things, right? That's, uh, the Maritimes. New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI." I looked away for a moment. "That actually makes sense." "Lydia, can you please tell Gilbert Blythe that I don't need his help!" I looked at the floor sighing. "Why don't you just tell me yourself? I'm right here." "I believe I just did." I stood in front of and blocked her view of Gilbert, which showed how much she didn't like him. "Yes, you did. And now." I grabbed her hat and put it on her head pulling down hard and grabbed her school supplies pushing them against her stomach. "And now we must go." "Anne. I'll walk with you outside." Diana walked her out and I watched then grabbed my own hat and looked at the wall very tempted to hit it.

"What's up with her?" I turned to face him taking deep breaths. "Her tempers flaring up. Just like me, she can be competitive. But hers is on a whole different level. She doesn't think she needs help or advice apparently." I pulled my hat on covering my eyes before fixing it." "Is your temper flaring up too?" He had a grin. "I guess you could say that." I grabbed the strap for my school supplies and lunch basket. "Going to hit me with your slate again?" I walked to the door and pointed a finger at him when he still grinned, a bigger one. "That was a one-time thing. And I did say I was sorry." "You did, and so did I." My fingers curled into a fist when he teased. "You... thanks for trying to help. Now we all know 'nice boys never say people eat insects'." He nodded. "Glad to be of service." "Be happy I saved you from even attempting to slay a dragon." "You saved me?" He chuckled. "Oh yes. Trust me. That is one dragon you don't want to mess with." "I would attempt it if you were the damsel in distress." I stared at him waiting for him to laugh at the joke but he never did. He just smiled keeping eye contact. "See you tomorrow." "It's the weekend tomorrow." He chuckled. "I knew that." I walked away feeling flustered. Why would he say that? He had to be teasing, he had to.

"What were you doing talking to him? Ugh! He is insufferable." "He's not that bad." She stopped me at the porch. "Do you like him? Please say you don't." I looked at the door. "He's nice." "He pulled your hair and called you carrots!" "And he apologized for it. The other boys are immature, but he's not." She stared at me like I just hurt her. "You like him?" "I never said that." "You're defending him." "Anne, stop." "Just admit it." "I don't need to admit anything." "Lydia. You have to tell me. How can you possibly like someone like him." "I don't know!" I finally yelled at her. "What?" She asked quietly. "I don't know, Anne. I don't. And don't you dare say this to anyone. You already couldn't keep you mouth shut about this." I waved my hand over my abdomen and went inside. I put my stuff down and quickly pulled my hat, scarf, and coat off. "Lydia. I didn't mean to." "Just don't." I grabbed my school supplies and rushed to get to our room. I shut the door and stared at the furniture in the room. What she asked kept repeating itself. Did I like him? I never treated him like the other girls did and I wasn't going to. I wasn't like them that became obsessed over a boy. I refused to be like them. Things were going to be just as they are now.