What Gilbert Blythe Thinks

Chapter 1- Carrots

*Gilbert*
"Hey, Billy, you two, uh, playing a game here? Sounds fun but, you know, school?" I said. Billy Andrews looked at me then nodded in agreement. He headed off. "Are you alright, miss?" The lady picked up her books and didn't even cast me a glance before she walked away. She had lovely red hair, blissful blue eyes, and an abundance of freckles. "Miss? Are there any dragons that need slaying?" She didn't turn round. "No! Thank you!"

*at school*
I caught up with her. "What's your name?" She didn't answer. "What? You can't tell me your name or something?" She shook her head. I walked ahead of hear then opened the door. "There you go, miss." She muttered a brief "thank you" then proceeded on hanging her coat. "I'm terribly sorry if I was rude, I'm Anne. Of Green Gables." So she was the orphan. "I'm-" "Gilbert!" The boys screamed. "How was Alberta?" "Is your dad better?" " What about the rocky mountains?" While I was bombarded with questions, Anne left the room and went outside. I looked at the window and 5 girls went out with Diana Barry. I recognised they were Jane Andrews, Josie Pye, Tillie, Mary Joe, and Ruby Gillis. Ruby Gillis was crying. "How dare you talk to Gilbert Blythe?! Ruby has liked him, for three years. She's got dibs." Josie Pye demanded. Anne stood up from her seat by the pond. "I didn't mean to. I was walking and... he was there." Anne answered reluctantly. "I promise it won't happen again." Not true. I'll be walking with her. "You better," Josie said. "I'll go, and see if I can smooth things over," Diana Barry said. Anne cried in her seat.

*recess*
Anne was back in her seat by the pond. "I was wondering if maybe you'd like an apple? They're from our orchard, and they're real sweet." I said. "Go away. I'm not talking to you." She said through clenched teeth. "I beg your pardon?" I turn round and the girls were looking at us, their mouths dropped and bread hanging. "I beg your pardon," with this Anne stood up and screamed, "I can't, won't, and wouldn't talk to you! So leave me alone and enjoy! Your! Life!" I was taken aback, and the girls, except Diana, who had a worried expression and ran towards Anne, laughed menacingly. I gave them a glare.

*class*
I threw a crumpled ball of paper towards Anne. She stopped what she was writing, but composed herself quickly. I threw my chalk. Again, she paused briefly, but didn't look my way. I picked up the apple, went to her side of the room, placed the apple on her desk, said "oops" then pulled one of her braids and said, "carrots!" And with that she stood up, glared at me, and slapped her slate unto my cheek. "Shirley! What a display of temper. Come up here! At once!" Mr. Phillips says. Trembling, Anne walked forward. Mr. Phillips wrote on the board, "Ann Shirley has a bad temper." Then Anne slowly walked away then broke into a run. I followed after her.

She entered the Cuthberts' farm and hugged a boy. "Oh, Jerry! Why is my life so wrong!" She sobbed into his ear. "There, there, madamoiselle, it's okay." He said. He must be French. He rubbed her back. That should've been me! "Oh Jerry! He's there!" Anne shrieked. Jerry gasped. Then he walked toward me. "Bonjour, je m'apple Jerry Baynard." Said the boy. "Hello. I'm Gilbert Blythe." He looked at me curiously. "Did you hurt Anne? Because if you did, you will have Marilla Cuthbert to answer to. Anne's very sensitive." He sighed. "I kinda sorta teased her, and she smacked my cheek with her slate." I mumbled. "Well, you'll expect to see her not tomorrow or any of the following days." And with that he walked away.

*at home*
"Why did you do that, Gil? I'm sure she's ashamed." My father said. I heaved a sigh.

*at school the next day*
"Wh-where's Anne?" I asked Diana. "Oh, she's not here. Jerry says she may not be attending class for a few days." She sighed. "Why are you asking for Anne? You've got Ruby Gillis." Josie Pye said. Now I sighed. Ruby Gillis. Ruby Gillis!

"Mr. Blythe. Spell tremendous." Mr. Phillip said. "T-R-E-M-E-N-D-O-U-S. Tremendous." I grinned with gusto.

*at the Cuthberts'*
I knocked on the door of Anne's home. "Hello. Are you here to see someone? My, you don't say! It's Gilbert Blythe!" Marilla Cuthbert said. "I wanted to see Anne, please." Then she invited me in. "Anne! A friend is here!" Marilla yelled. "Is it Diana? 'Cause she's my only fr-" Anne paused and glared at me. "You're the reason why I am in the depths of dispair! Dispose of him, Marilla. Please." Anne shouted in rage. "Go on up, Anne. I'll just... talk to Gilbert." Marilla calmly answered.

"Gilbert, do you know what she talks about?" I nodded. "I-I-I teased her on her 2nd day of class, I'm terribly sorry." Marilla heaved a sigh. "You should be. Poor Anne's been doing nothing but teach Jerry Baynard what she knows." Jerry! "May I speak with Jerry?" She nodded. "Of course. He's at the barn."

"She teaches me. Tells me what I might not be able to learn. She's a great girl. It's been nothing but nightmare knowing my parents can't afford to send me, even to a year of class." Jerry says. "Oh well. Anne's coming." I looked up. Indeed Ann was coming. "Jerry, I've got my books. Are we ready?" Anne asked. "Oui. Au revoir, Blythe." Anne nodded vigorously. Jerry followed suit. "So, scrumptious means delightful, delicious, or, simply, tasty. Now,......"