Nothing New | Gilbert Blythe

Chapter 1

'So I'll love you till my lungs give out,'
                 - All your'n by Tyler Childers

'The golden beams of light streamed in through the open window of Alice Lawrence's room. The dust danced with the light in the Spring air, the bite had gone from the wind and had left behind a warmth signalling the beginning of Summer. The blossom tree swayed in the light breeze outside her window occasionally tipping off the glass eventually awakening the sleeping girl.

Her emerald green eyes full of sleep began blinking in the warm light of the morning. She rose from her slumber as if it had been many years since her last awakening but really she had just been up reading the newest edition to her collection 'Pride and Prejudice' until all hours.

As the light beamed off her hair, the honey-brown locks knotted in every way imaginable, she came to her senses and realised she was late.

The girl had never been one for timing and it seemed nothing had changed as she rushed about her cramped room, in an attempt to find the dress she had laid out the previous day. The dress was mint green in colour, to not stick out too much from the girls in school but also as she rather liked the colour.

The sleeves were slightly puffed and cuffed at the bottom. The white lace detailing at the cuff and the bottom of the skirt contrast with the green perfectly, the intricate design pairing well with the crisscross sewing across the whole dress. The skirt reached just below her knee.

She decided wearing her black boots was the most practical decision for the short trek to the Blythe's residence. She scoured her room in search of her matching ribbon to tie her hair back with no luck, panicked she dashed down the stairs, glancing at the clock shocked by how late it was she hurried even more.

Her gaze searched the kitchen which was dusty and in need of sweeping, it would have to wait until her return. Just as she reached the door she spotted her ribbon on the side table beside the door.

There wasn't any time to spare in putting it on so she simply grabbed it and put it in her wicker basket and sprinted out the door.

She ran the entirety of the short journey to the Blythe's residence and because of this needed a break to catch her breath on the creaky porch she loved ever so much.

As she raised her hand to make her presence known the door swung open and there stood John Blythe. He was out of his bedclothes and dressed in clothes suitable for their travels. A wide smile made its way to his face at the sight of the still slightly out-of-breath girl on his porch.

"Good morning John, I thought I'd missed yous" Alice said with a grin on her face.

"Oh we could never dream of leaving without a goodbye from our favourite girl" John laughed welcoming her in.

Alice Lawrence had known the Blythes her entire life. They had been there for her countless times and she was forever grateful to have them.

Her late father Joseph Lawrence and John Blythe had been best friends their entire lives. They had stuck together on their travels and both decided to settle down in Avonlea, because of this both families, although small spent every holiday together her brother, Andrew, was there occasionally when his job working on the steamboats allowed it. However, this all stopped with the death of Joseph Lawrence.

The siblings had been told he'd taken a heart attack, and that heart problems had run in the family which was no comfort to them. Alice was 9 when he died and Andrew had just turned 17. Despite her age, Alice was completely aware of the happenings around her and so was Gilbert.

Gilbert Blythe was her support throughout the months following his death, as Andrew began taking longer stretches working on the steamers to help keep a steady income in the family, Gilbert was there. Gilbert had no idea what the girl was feeling and couldn't imagine her pain. He wished with all his might he could take all of her pain but he knew he couldn't so he stuck with her. When Alice returned to school she wasn't prepared for all of the looks and comments she'd get but Gilbert made it easier.

John Blythe had taken her in no questions asked as he'd promised Joseph he'd protect her no matter what. He tried his best to comfort the girl but knew even if he couldn't Gilbert could. He knew the empty farmhouse in which Joseph used to occupy was now shrouded in a cloud of grief and told Alice when it all became too much she'd always have a place to stay, which she took on board and stayed there constantly to the joy of both Blythes.

Alice set her basket down on the kitchen table, which was bare matching the rest of the room as everything had been packed away for their trip west. Despite the lack of items around the house it still felt like home to Alice.

"Hey Violet, you're here early" Gilbert Blythe's sunny smile greeted her as he walked into the kitchen after his father. Sarcasm dripped from his tongue poking fun at the girl's timing.

He'd always called her by her middle name, Violet, she had no idea why however he claims it's because her other nickname, Allie, was too widely used.

"That sounded quite sarcastic, Mr.Blythe" She smiled back.

In truth, Gilbert was going to miss the girl. Despite the trip only being a week long he knew he'd miss seeing her every morning.

Gilbert pulled Alice into his arms, her head resting on his shoulder as he held onto her.

"You'd think we were leaving forever" Laughed John, watching the pair as a smile rested on his face. He knew his time was short so he was glad to see the care they held for each other and know that his son would be taken care of when he was gone.

Alice laughed shaking her head at the older Blythe as he left the room to go get his bags while breaking away from Gilbert.

As she moved away Gilbert saw her basket on the table and gestured towards it.

"What did you bring your basket for if you just came to say goodbye?" He asked, his questioning gaze falling on the girl whose face had been overcome by realisation.

"I almost forgot!"

She rooted through the discarded items left in her basket until she found one of the two things she had been searching for, her ribbon.

"I didn't have time to put on my ribbon this morning but, I also brought a gift"

As she continued to dig through her basket Gilbert began tying her hair up with the mint green ribbon. He wasn't particularly talented when it came to doing hair, however, she had taught him one hairstyle that he could do quite easily now.

"Here!"

She handed Gilbert a book.

A confused expression crossed his face as his eyebrows pulled together.

"I just thought since the journey might not be the most exhilarating experience you would want something to keep you occupied"

He grinned at the thought behind her gift and pulled her into a second hug.

"Thank you, I'll bring you back something I promise" He paused listening to his father calling out telling him to pick up the pace or they'll miss the train.

They split apart again as Alice went to collect her basket from the table.

"I'm going to miss you, Violet"

"It's only a week calm down Blythe" She laughed making her way towards the door the boy following her like an eager puppy.

She hugged John as he told her to be careful and to keep herself busy while they were gone. He knew she'd drown herself in farmwork to keep herself occupied.

Alice hated the eery quiet that echoed through the halls of the farmhouse which was once full of life and laughter so she opted to work outside on the farm. The sounds and the smells occupied her senses from the loneliness she felt. She wasn't the type to complain, she never did but Gilbert Blythe noticed everything about her and he knew, as much as she wouldn't admit it, she'd miss him.