Strings of the Heart (Gilbert Blythe)

Double Stop

The next morning, I wore a deep pink dress. One that the same seamstress had made, but it was less elegant in my eyes. No need for me to show off every day, after all.

Over that night, I had thought more about my instrument. Maybe if I can talk my Mutter into it that afternoon, I can get her to conversate with the town folk and try to earn me a location to play. I would treasure that.

I woke up Adam, fixing him breakfast whilst he got dressed. Mother wasn't home, she was off in the town looking for journalist jobs. Her higher education allowed her a similar offer out in Germany. We didn't need the money, but she preferred to keep busy rather than waste around the house.

After we had both eaten, I gathered my things and we started on the walk to school. Conversing on what had happened yesterday together.

It was colder today, the air sharper as the wind knocked leaves around on the ground. A light fog dusted the air, but we knew our way and it didn't hinder our talk. However, as I listened to our shoes crunch the leaves and Adam talk about his teacher, I heard something out of the normal. Another pair.

I placed a hand in front of my brother, halting his words and actions. He went to ask me what was wrong, but suddenly Billy walked out from the trees.

"Hayden the foreign girl. You and me, we gotta talk" I shielded my brother behind me, not noticing the boy's questioning gaze. Billy didn't even look at Adam, walking towards us, "You embarrassed me yesterday, calling me a dog."

"You were the one barking" I retort, not daring to take a step back as he moved forward. I was tempting a beast, and I knew that, but there was nothing that could back me back down from a man. No matter how beastly, I'd handled it before.

 "Barking?" I heard Adam ask, making me internally cringe. I hadn't told him about that part, and hadn't planned on it.

He pointed to me, "Is that why Josie was laughing at me? Why she ignored me all day and paid attention to the new girl? I won't let you and your affairs get in the way of my life. Maybe I should teach you and the kid a lesson. Because everyone knows how dogs can bite-"

"Hey Billy!"

My head perked, thank the lord above.

"How's it going?" The person approached, so I had time to look at my brother behind me. Checking on him as he hid from Billy, clearly scared. Until one thing hit my ears.

"Hey Gilbert" Gibert. Gibert Blythe. As I turned back to look at them, Gilbert had made his way next to Billy. Talking about how nice it was to see him. Though the tone of his voice wasn't exactly... inviting.

"I see you guys uh.. playing a game or something?" He said, glancing to me and Adam. I noticed something in his eyes before that look hardened into a glare as he turned his gaze back to Billy. "Looks fun, but we should probably get to school, eh? Hate to be tardy. Mr Phillips sure gets his dander up about that."

The tension in the air was so thick, I swore I could cut it with a knife. Looking between the two boys before I felt my bother hold my hand tightly.

"Yeah, I was just about to get going," Billy replies, looking at me with hatred. "See you there."

A shiver went down my spine as I saw him walk away. Fading into the light fog. That couldn't possibly be good.

Once Billy was out of earshot, Gilbert watched as I turned to my brother, the child's worried expression facing Billy. I knelt down to him and gently said, "It's alright, just a nasty boy. Let's get you to school." Fixing his coat with my free hand and standing up to continue the walk to school.

"You sure you're alright, Miss?" Gilbert asks, walking beside me and my brother, who still hasn't let go of my hand.

I nod, "He frightened me, but we will be fine. He is just a bother"

"He has always been a bother... You are Hayden, correct?"

"I am," I replied, feeling my bother's eyes on me again, an examining look that passed by quickly when he spoke in a cheerful tone. "And I'm Adam!"

Gilbert smiled turning to my bother, "Oh yes, how could I neglect you! You're a very brave young man." Those words made Adam let go of my hand, holding his head up high. Goodness child.

"I sure am, very brave. I would've saved my sister from him if you hadn't come around," Adam retorted, and Gilbert sent me a look, a raised eyebrow and a small smile. To which I sighed.

"You should thank Gilbert, Adam," I express to him, tapping the front end of his hat so it goes down to his eyebrows. I glanced at Gilbert, whose head was tilted slightly as he examined my expression, I realized I didn't even ask his name before I said it. Out of slight embarrassment, I turned back to Adam quickly as the boy huffed, fixing his hat while a grin appeared on my face, his refusal amusing, "Fine, thank you, Gilbert."

We walked to the child's schoolhouse, Gilbert and Adam making most of the conversation. Seemed to me that Gilbert liked Adam's talkative attitude, something I couldn't compare to. At least people like Anne spoke of sensible things, Adam talked in circles and ovals but would move on before its completion.

By the time we made it to Adam's schoolhouse, he had discussed more than I thought possible. Hugging me before rushing into the building. Leaving me and Gilbert.

I continued my pace, noiseless as Gilbert quickly strode beside me, so smoothly it was mildly infuriating.

"He is a sociable kid, eh? Couldn't guess he's your sibling though. You two are like black and white" Gilbert says. Making a sigh come from me.

"He talks of anything and everything, and to himself. Other people listening doesn't matter, for it is incomprehensible."

Gilbert nodded a bit, I could feel the puzzlement in his words as he replied, "I've gathered that much..." Maybe I misunderstood him, after all, me and my brother looked nothing alike; I have more of my father's features and he has a contrast of my mother's. Or maybe I was too blunt, I tend to become confrontational when being assisted, as my mother commented numerous times. 

Realizing I was questioning myself over the thoughts of a man, I hushed my mind and looked ahead. Watching the fall leaves tumble off the trees. Nonetheless, seeing that we are approaching the schoolhouse, Gilbert added, "It was lovely meeting him, and you, Hayden."

He walks a little quicker, opening the door for me. The girls' words about him being a gentleman had flooded my mind but were overtaken by Anne's words of his annoying actions. 'Gentleman', I mumbled to myself. 

I don't even look at him as I walk in, taking off my hat and placing my lunch in the first room before trekking over to the other girls.

I could've managed that boy just fine, if anything, he just made the next few days of my life worse.

PS- a double stop is a term for playing two notes at the same time on different strings. Hopefully ya'll get why I used it.