That Part|Gilbert Blythe

Chapter 2| Dog days are over

'leave all your love and your longing behind. you can't carry it with you if you want to survive.'

I pulled my jacket closer to my small body cause it was slightly cold seeing as it was almost winter and it was fall and the leaves were falling making the trees look naked without their coats of color on them.

"don't you love fall Mother," I asked my mother and she laughed a bit.

"yeah I do it's my favorite season of all four," she said and I giggled liking my arm with hers as she continued through the forest along the path that was nearly faded leading up to the giant house.

I saw a house similar right next to it but still a little ways away and I smiled maybe they had kids I could be friends with.

"how about we bake some cookies to bring to the neighbors and introduce ourselves, huh? how does that sound?" my mother asked me and I perked up I loved cooking and baking my mother taught me everything I knew.

"That sounds like a scrumptious idea Mum," I said my accent coming through.

we arrived at the house and it was fairly big, it had two stories and a barn on the side for livestock.

"go open the gate will you?" my mother asked me as she came to a stop and I hopped off landing on my feet steadily the leaves crunching underneath them.

I ran to the gate and unlatched the latch careful not to pinch myself and opened the gate wide enough for my mother and wish to enter with the carriage.

I helped my mother put Wish away in a stable getting her some hay and some water before we both headed inside to start on the cookies.

"why don't you go wash up while I start on the cookies?" my mother said and I nodded running up the stairs to claim my bedroom.

I saw one with a window that showed the front yard and where there was a ledge on the roof perhaps I could open the window and climb out to see the stars at night, that's what I have been most excited about since moving to the countryside, not as much pollution and black smoke above the city to cover the stars.

I opened the window to let some cold air in since it was hot inside.

I washed up quickly and got dressed into one of my favorite dresses but not too fancy just a simple dress.

I walked down the stairs humming a song my mother and I used to sing together.

I made it back to the kitchen and my mother turned around after finishing mixing the batter slightly for the cookies.

"here let me help brush out your hair," she said grabbing a silver brush out of one of the boxes that was sent to our house days ago.

she let my hair go once she was done and sighed."beautiful." she kissed my forehead and got up.

I walked up to her side and started helping her with the cookies.

the timer went off telling us that the cookies were done to keep us busy while we were waiting my mother had been putting away some things and cleaning up around the house while I was sat in an armchair enjoying a book from the library I had found while exploring.

"Okay, are you ready, I think we can walk it's not far," she said holding the basket with the cookies placed neatly inside it I put on my hat sweater and gloves.

"ready," I said linking my arm with hers as I carried the basket for her with the other one.

we talked about me going to school on our way over, I was excited I went to school back in England but I wondered what It would be like here, I was one of the best in my class though.

we arrived at the door and my mother lifted her gloved hand to the door and knocked softly.

we waited as we heard the lock on the door click and a woman opened the door." hello, I don't think I recognize you two. Are you new here?" the woman asked and my mother nodded smiling at her.

"yes, we just moved from England we just moved into the house next door and wanted to bring these."my mother motioned for me and I lifted the basket for the woman to see and opened the flap revealing the cookies.

"Oh, how lovely. do come In. it's freezing out here." she opened the door more to invite us in and she led us to the kitchen and also the dining room." would you like some tea?" she asked us and I looked at my mother and nodded.

"yes that would be lovely." my mom's British accent came through and the woman gasped.

"oh, how I love your accent, it's beautiful," she said grabbing the kettle and putting it on the stove.

"Why, thank you. my daughter's can be a little tricky to understand but when you are around her constantly you get used to it." my mother explained and I blushed slightly.

"It's lovely to meet you both, my name is Amber Gillis," she said and my mother stuck out her hand.

"It's lovely to meet you too, I'm Gemma Hope, and this is my daughter Lexi Hope." my mother said and the woman stuck out her hand to me which I shook politely.

"It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Gillis," I said politely and she smiled at me.

"It's nice to meet you too, Lexi. I hope you and my eldest daughter could be friends you two should be going to the same school too," she said and I perked up.

"oh, that's wonderful i was hoping I would have a friend." I smiled at her and she nodded.

a man walked into the room." sweetheart did I hear you talking to someone." the man said, this must be Mr. Gillis.

"yes, you heard correctly, darling, these are the Hope's, this is Gemma and her daughter Lexi."Mrs. Gillis introduced us and we both smiled at him.

"It's nice to meet you both, I'm Charlie Gillis." the man introduced himself as a girl my age came running in.

"Mother could you help me with my hair," she said and turned to us she looked a lot like me just with blonde hair and different colored eyes I smiled at her and waved and she smiled back and waved.

"Ruby, this is Lexi Hope and her mother, they are our new neighbors." her mother explained grabbing the brush from Ruby's hand.

"It's nice to meet you both, I'm Ruby." she smiled mostly at me.

"how about we have some tea and then you two could go on a walk and talk?" her mother suggested and my mother nodded excited that her daughter would have a new friend.