[1] YOU FOUND ME ( gilbert blythe! )

08 | DON'T GET TOO CLOSE

⎾08 | DON'T GET TOO CLOSE⏌

MY HEAD POUNDED with the aftermath of the fight—a relentless, throbbing ache right where the older girl's fist had struck my face. I traced slow, careful circles on my temples, desperately trying to ease the pain, but nothing helped. Every few minutes, sharp, electrifying stabs shot up my leg, forcing a wince from deep inside. I felt completely shattered.

Before I could gather my thoughts, Gilbert Blythe burst into the shed. His usually calm face was creased with worry as he rushed over, clutching a well-worn blanket and a small pouch of assorted medicines.

"Sorry I took so long," he apologized breathlessly. "My father needed some help."

I managed a small smile despite the pain.

"What did he need help with?" I asked as he gently wrapped the blanket around me. His touch was careful as he handed me a bottle of medicine. I noticed the way his eyes darted away for a moment, as if to hide the strain beneath his composed expression.

After swallowing the bitter liquid, I set the empty bottle aside. Gilbert then sank down onto the floor across from me, rubbing a hand over his face.

"He's really sick, and he's not getting better. I had to make him some food," he explained softly.

My eyes widened and my stomach plummeted. "Oh my gosh, I...I am so sorry.

Gilbert reached out and gently brushed my hand. "No, it's okay. You didn't know."

I let out a shaky laugh, trying to lighten the heaviness of the moment. "Goodness, you must think I'm awful. I know I'm often rude to you, yet here you are, always so kind to me."

The boy smiled, a soft, forgiving smile, and handed me a warm mug of tea. "You're not rude, Samantha," he said. "If anything, I was. I kept bothering you even though you asked me to stop."

I began, "It's not like I minded it—" but halted abruptly when the truth of my own words caught me off guard.

Gilbert tilted his head, his eyes searching mine. "What?"

Taking a deep breath, I sighed. "I need to tell you why I've always struggled to talk to you."

"Please, do," he replied, taking a careful sip of his tea as if bracing himself for what was to come.

Here it goes.

I cleared my throat, gathering the fragments of my past. "So, I moved here from Kingston, a place where nobody knew my name or my story. I saw it as a chance—a clean slate, a new life. I moved in with my cousin Diana and her family. You know how close Diana is with Ruby Gillis and Josie Pye. On my first day, I tried so desperately to fit in." I paused, raising an eyebrow as if daring him to recall a memory. "Do you remember when you helped me out when Billy was hitting on me, and I awkwardly pushed you away instead of properly thanking you?"