Nothing New | Gilbert Blythe

Chapter 2

"The most she will do is throw shadows at you but she's always a woman to me,'                               
              -She's always a woman by Billy Joel

It had been a week since the Blythes had taken off on their trip to Alberta and it had been a day since school started.

Alice had decided not going to school on the first day back was a lot better than going back without the company of Gilbert Blythe.

It wasn't that she didn't like school, in truth she loved school. She loved learning and her favourite things in the world are books but she hated the people at school.

Mr Phillips her teacher was quite possibly the worst teacher she had ever seen. He didn't care whether the students learned or not and constantly shouted at Alice for her daydreaming.

The boys were horrible to her, especially Billy Andrews who used any opportunity to remind her she was now an orphan and give her grief for it. The girls just didn't like Alice. She was unsure why because she was kind to them and helped Tilly, who sits beside her in class, with Mathematics all of the time. However, Alice had a sneaky feeling it had something to do with her friendship with Gilbert Blythe as rumour had it that Ruby Gillis was in love with him.

Her absence yesterday meant that today was her first day back at Avonlea school. A moment she had been looking forward too as it meant Gilbert was back.

As that thought struck her she began to ready herself for school. She started getting ready early today as she wanted to stop at Gilberts house to walk to school with him and hear all about his trip.

She brushed her hair, pulled on her lilac dress and secured her pinafore over it before rushing downstairs to put on her shoes and collect her books.

She was out the door and on the way to the Blythes house with much time to spare.

Alice believed that was the fastest she'd ever gotten ready, her eagerness to hear of their travels powered her forward and she was on the creaky porch in no time.

The door had been left open as if they'd already knew she'd be early today.

As she set her books down at the door Gilbert walked out of the kitchen with a bright smile gracing his face. He immediately enveloped her in his arms gripping on to her like he was never going to let go.

"I've missed you too" The girl laughed at his antics.

While Gilbert released his hold on the girl, keeping his arm around her waist, he walked her into his fathers room.

"You're early today!" The older Blythe said in shock.

"Hey! I'm never actually late!" The girl protested as Gilbert laughed from her side knowing she was late almost every time they walked to school.

"How was Alberta? Tell me everything" Alice smiled at the pair eagerly.

"I was very glad to be back, nothing has changed" John smiled reminiscing his time

He told her all about the stunning sights the pair had seen and how they'd visited the same places he and Joseph had visited. Gilbert watched Alice and how she gave her full attention to listening to the tales about her father and John that he'd been told throughout the journey to and from Alberta.

His eyes travelled to the clock on his fathers bedside table and he realised how time had ran away from them and they were on the brink of being late.

"Very sorry to interrupt but we're going to be late" Gilbert motioned towards the clock.

"We'd better be going then, see you later John" Alice waved leaving the room.

Gilbert waved at his father before following the girl who was now at the door picking up her books.