Strings of the Heart (Gilbert Blythe)

Chords of Defiance

It was about a week later when something interesting happened, and even this wasn't that interesting. Me and Adam were on our morning walk, the boy being more tired than what was typical so we were later to leave than usual. Meaning we ran into Gilbert on the way.

"Fancy seeing you two here, eh?" He joked, strolling up to us to walk beside me. "You two are usually earlier than me."

"Adam stayed up playing with his toys and is tired" I teased, sending Gilbert a look as I held up mine and Adam's baskets.

Gilbert smiled, nodding a bit before looking at me. We chatted a while about school, the quiz we took the day earlier, and how interesting Mr. Phillips had been acting lately. It was just so to have a conversation with him in moments like this, without the burden of the girls watching.

"I heard he's trying to pursue Prissy before spring," Gilbert remarks, "but I'm not one for gossip."

"Not one for gossip? I didn't even know he had relations with her."

"That's because you don't pay attention, I'd say it's blatantly obvious by the vocabulary he uses on the spelling bees."

I roll my eyes, "Canadian schools are boring, plus I spend that time trying to spell."

"Do do all that but you fail, most of the time," he counters, making me huff and roll my eyes as he added"So you saying I don't?" raising a brow at me, crossing his arms.

"Not saying you don't, but not implying you did, Blythe. You tend to just stare."

We had, unknowingly, approached the children's hall. Meaning the conversation was cut off as Adam hugged me, grabbed his basket, and said goodbye.

As he left, Gilbert watched him and questioned, "Does he always hug you before school?"

"I don't suppose he notices. However, it is a common occurrence unless he is angry at me." I reply, walking with him to our schoolhouse.

He hummed, hands in his pockets. After a moment, he murmured, "You have such a peculiar way of saying things"

"Whatever do you mean?"

He didn't even hesitate, his voice a little more audible but not as level as usual, "Your accent, it's charming."

Charming? I'd never heard anyone describe it as charming. Annoying, odd, fascinating, and peculiar were the normal words. Which didn't even compare to charming.

"You truly think so?" I ask, incredulously. My ears felt a little warm, but I couldn't say as to why.

"I do, it's refreshing."

I grin at him. "Why, thank you, Gilbert. That's one of the loveliest things someone's said about it."

He returned the smile, seeing the schoolhouse in the distance. He did the same thing he had done back when we first met. Speeding up to open the door for me. Yet this time, I made a point to thank him before I walked over to take off my hat and coat.

***

Safe to say that by lunch I was subjected to another lecture by Josie. Filled with empty threats and slight glares from most girls, other than Diana and Anne. But this time, I was done with being scolded over a simple conversation.

"Why does it bother you so much?"

She huffs, looking to Ruby, "Because it's her man-"

"Last I check, liking and owning are two different things. You always say you're so mature, but you must uphold this idea? I know of no modest lady that would tell a man who they cannot and can be with unless it's their mother."

Now that shut her up. Looking like a startled hen as she huffed and crossed her arms. So I just continued. "Now, I won't allow myself to be treated like this over such a simple conversation, one that has no emotional relations."

I got up, grabbed my lunch, and brushed off my dress before adding, "I did say men were stupid and so was love, I have said. Whatever makes you think Gilbert will change that, you are clearly mistaken."

I pulled back the fake curtain, walking out of the little cult they had secluded from the boys. No amount of explaining would help me get as to why Anne and Diana liked those girls. Not that is it my problem at that moment as I stepped over to my usual desk to eat.

Feeling great satisfaction, knowing that I'd taken away the only power Josie had over me. That power being influence. Openingly leaving the group, destroying that on my own terms and not hers fills me with great pride. 

A few minutes later, I heard two people walk over and move chairs to sit with me, a smile spreading on my face.

"It's about time, I've always just been scared of the way I would say it, she makes me unbearably angry," Anne.

"If she is the representation of maturity, then I never wish to grow older than my current self," and Diana.

I chuckle, looking up at the pair, "You two are ridiculous, ruining your reputations like that over me?"

They looked to each other before Anne piped up, "We prefer your audience over theirs, you are a kindred spirit... they... not so considerably."

With that, we giggled and ate our lunch.

***

I'd become really close to them over the next few days of eating with them. They had such vast understandings of the world around us. (Although mind you, English is my second language, so Anne's words were quite confusing). They'd invited me over to write stories with them, and I was very surprised to see Ruby there.

Apparently, she wasn't as mean as Josie and was just exceptionally emotional. So she apologized, and I'd learned to tolerate her. By the end of the evening when I went home, I didn't suppose I cared for her previous actions, and maybe I even enjoyed talking to her.

Now I see that I had unconsciously learned two things that day.

One, love ruined all relationships between people. Real or perceived.

And Two, Anne and Diana were the absolute best.