[1] YOU FOUND ME ( gilbert blythe! )

09 | STANDING UP

⎾09 | STANDING UP⏌

THE NEXT DAY AT school felt like stepping into a battlefield. As soon as I walked through the door, the air seemed to thicken. Everywhere I turned, eyes were on me. I could almost feel the weight of every judgmental stare, like invisible fingers pressing down on my shoulders. My heart raced, and I forced myself to look straight ahead, not daring to glance at anyone.

I pulled my hair carefully across my face, hiding the bruise along my left cheekbone. I wasn't ready to explain it to Diana and Anne. I wasn't ready to talk about what had happened.

I quickly hung up my coat and hat, and grabbed my books, feeling like I was moving through thick mud. Every step felt like an eternity as I made my way to the back of the room. The desk felt like a safe haven, a place where I could disappear, at least for a little while. I sank into the chair and pulled a book from my bag, burying my face in its pages.

It wasn't much, but for a few moments, I could pretend I was somewhere else. Somewhere where I wasn't the center of attention.

"Gilbert, where were you yesterday?" Josie's voice broke through the silence.

I could almost feel the weight of her question, like she was trying to peel open his secrets. I held my breath, silently pleading that Gilbert would lie.

I peeked over the edge of my book, keeping my head low, just enough to watch the conversation.

"I was taking care of my father," Gilbert explained, glancing over at me then quickly turning back to Josie. "He needed my help."

"Oh!" Josie exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief. "I thought you were hanging with that filth."

"Josie, that's enough." Ruby muttered, tugging on her friend's arm.

I could tell Ruby was uncomfortable with this entire situation. And by the look she was giving Josie, I could tell she was scared and did not want this to get any worse.

Josie tugged her arm back, and turned back to Gilbert, "I swear she could be an orphan for all we know. What kind of people would want her?"

As she said this, I dropped my book on the table and stood up. I stormed over to Josie and looked her dead in the eyes. She looked scared, which made me even more confident in what I was going to say.

"You know what, Josie?" I said, my voice strong, "You're right. I am an orphan. But I don't need to explain myself to someone like you. You think you have the right to judge me? To talk about my family like you know anything?" I leaned in closer, feeling the heat in my chest building with every word. "The only thing I'm sure of is that people like you are the reason the world's broken. You don't see me, you don't see anything but what you want to."