Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 21

"Lydia! My mother gave me some dresses. Oh, I didn't mean to scare you." I had jumped when Diana bounded unto the room happily. "How is your next book coming along? You must read some of it to me." I smiled at her. "It's almost done, and yes, I will read you some. You can be my first ever read aloud audience from the author themself." "Book?" I stilled seeing Cole and Anne. "Lydia is an official author. Whenever you're in town, you should pay a visit to the bookstore and ask for her name." He looked surprised then smiled. "You can become a wonderful artist and everyone will want the beauty you produce for the world." He smiled more becoming even more bashful. "All right. Let's try on these dresses." Anne and Diana squealed giggling. "Here. Tell me what you think." I sat next to Cole handing him one of my books. Anne had held up a blanket by my bed for Diana to change. "Hurry Diana! I can't wait to see it!" "All right." I turned and waited with bated breath, but I stared at the beautiful dress she was wearing. "A tiara?" I looked not even noticing it. "Diana, you look like real fairy queen!" "Very similar to the one in my book." "See!" Diana looked happy when Anne brought her to the mirror and she looked surprised at her reflection. "Would you like to try it on?" She tried to put it on Anne but she stopped her. "No. No, Diana. Not... not like this." I could only watch sadly when Anne looked in the mirror but looked at Cole with a smile at what he was doing. "I couldn't possibly..." "I'll try it on." I was finally able to giggle when he was wearing a dress. "Oh, goodness." I stepped up to him taking his hand bowing. "You look exceptionally magnificent my dear Cole." I looked over at Anne as she put on his hat. I chuckled as Anne bowed and he attempted a curtsy. "You're both crazy!" I couldn't hold it anymore when he put on the tiara. Marilla came through the door and walked away speechless.

I stayed by Cole ready for when he needed paint and I looked away trying not to cringed hearing Minnie May and the other young kids singing the Twelve Day of Christmas. "Well done that's enough for now. Off you go." I almost praised the Lord Mrs. Lynde stopped them. "Can I have some more green please?" I held up the pail for him while he used his paint brush to get it on the palette. "Yes you may." I set it back down watching him bring the painting on the fabric to life. "Lydia. It's time to go." I looked away from Cole's hands. "I do apologize to leave you. I hope you enjoy the children when they start practicing again." I giggled when he gave me a very unamused look.

"I've spent so many hours admiring the trees of Avonlea, but to actually be one... it provides so much scope to the imagination." He glanced around while Anne, Matthew, and I headed toward the buggy with extra clothes Marilla was making into costumes. I requested not to be in any play or singing. "They'll not let you play, uh... girl?" "It's not because of my hair. Or lack thereof. Mrs. Lynde says that the tree is a pivotal role." "And, uh, you Lydia?" "No. I politely declined." "Matthew, when you were younger, what part did you play in the Christmas Panto?" "Oh, no, I didn't play a part." "Did you sing carols?" "No. Now get in." I let Anne get in first before squishing her between me and Matthew. "Matthew? Did you have a happy childhood?" I smacked her arm. "Anne! Don't pry." "It was, uh... it was a long time ago." I held the blanket on my lap tight when we started moving.

I looked away after putting my manuscript in my satchel. "Lydia?" "Yes Marilla." "Will you go with Anne and Jerry to Carmody? She is still worried about her hair." "It will grow back. If she doesn't want to, I'll go instead. I don't think we want her being more dramatic than she already is." She nodded. "Perhaps you're right. Though I find it strange she is partaking in the Christmas play and can go to school but not town." "Town is very different. It's full of everyone, not like school." "I suppose. Here's the list. Brown sugar, not white." "Of course. Hard to mess that up."

I smiled that Anne decided to join us. She told me what Matthew said and it made me happy. "I'd like us to agree that any conversation about my hair is off-limits." "I already saw your haircut." "And I'm saying I don't wish to discuss it." You're the one talking about it, not me." "Touche. One point for Jerry." I got a grin from him. "Hush." She sighed. "Fine. So then drop it." "I never picked it up." "Another point for Jerry." I mumbled and giggled a little.