wondrous • gilbert blythe

calm before the storm

The next day had come, and Adelaide was lucky enough to escape her house before anyone had awoken.

She pondered on where to go. School was out of the picture, strictly because she knew that Ruby would question the yelling coming from their household last night.

The familiar brown eyes appeared in Adelaide's mind, and going to Gilbert's home didn't seem like such a horrible idea. She quickly took off towards the Blythe house before she could convince herself not to.

Running through the fresh snow, Adelaide thought of the events that had occurred the previous night. Her mother had actually cared for her the entire time?

Adelaide knew that George was a terrible person, but she didn't know that he would be low enough to threaten both his wife and step-daughter at the same time. How could a person be so cruel?

Nothing, absolutely nothing, would ever trigger Adelaide King enough to become so hateful to another person.

As her thoughts carried her feet faster, she soon found herself at the doorstep of a certain curly haired boy. She knocked on the door before rubbing her hands together to try and keep them warm. The door opened to reveal the blonde nurse. She had tired eyes with dark circles underneath, but a smile still etched onto her face when she saw that it was Adelaide at the door.

"Sorry to bother you ma'am. I just came to check on Gilbert." Adelaide gave a half smile when his name left her pink lips. The nurse opened the door wider and motioned for Adelaide to come in. She knocked the snow off her boots before entering.

"Gilbert! Your girlfriend is here!" Adelaide blushed profusely when she heard those words come out of her mouth.

"We are not-" Adelaide started, but was interrupted by Gilbert coming down the stairs. She smiled at the sight of him, even though he looked exhausted.

"Adelaide, hello." He says breathlessly. The nurse leaves them and the two go to the kitchen to sit down.

"Sorry if I am interrupting your time with your father, I just didn't feel like going to school and wanted to check on you."

Adelaide glances up from the table to meet his eyes. His gaze makes her cheeks heat up and she tears her eyes away again.

"No worries, I wanted to see you." He replies.

"You did?" She questions him. It still hasn't quite registered in her mind that people actually like her.

"Of course, Adelaide. I'd be spending every moment with you if I could, I just have so much going on with my father right now." Adelaide's heart warms up at the sentence he spoke. She never knew how much she could love someone.

Adelaide's eyes widened as she realized what she had just thought. She said she loved him.

"Adelaide?" Gilbert asked her when he noticed she had zoned out.

"So, how is your father doing?" She asks him abruptly, trying to change the subject in her own mind.

"It isn't looking too good. He isn't getting any better."

"Oh, Gil, I am so sorry. You don't deserve to be going through this right now." Adelaide frowned.

He didn't respond, he only stared at the beautiful, yet broken girl in front of him. A sad smile is all he gives her, and she is back to being quiet. After a few moments of silence, she stands up.

"Well, I suppose I should leave you be." Adelaide says and goes to grab her coat. Gilbert stands also, and puts his hand over hers to stop her. She pauses and turns to face him.

"You can stay-" He starts, but is interrupted by Adelaide giving him a quick hug and a kiss on the cheek. She picks up her coat and exits his house before he can object. She knew he was tired, and figured dealing with her was the last thing he needed right now.

Clenching his jaw, Gilbert watches her leave the premises before going out to the barn. He knew that he was completely infatuated with her, but he didn't know how to explain it to Adelaide without her completely shutting him out.

Adelaide knew that she had to open up, but she didn't want to be a burden to people. She traveled back home on these thoughts, praying that George would be gone by now. She needed to have a serious talk with her mother about what they would do.

Opening the door, Adelaide walked into the kitchen to see her mother swallow some tablets before turning to her daughter.

"Hello, darling." Alice spoke. Adelaide was stunned by the appearance of her mother. She had completely cleaned up, and a fresh coat of red lipstick covered her lips. She wore a nice satin dress and had her hair pinned neatly to her head.

"Mother, you look.. nice." Adelaide managed to stutter out. The painted lips upturned, making Adelaide return an uneasy smile.

"Where is he?" Adelaide asked. Something flashed in Alice's eyes, but she quickly covered it up with a grin.

"I told him to leave, so he went to his brothers house. Easy as that." Alice replied. Adelaide furrows her brows in confusion.

"Easy as that? He just left everything behind?"

"Well, he told me he'd return soon to get his belongings, but we won't have to worry about him after that, honey." Alice placed her hands on her daughters shoulders and kisses her cheek.

"Alright, mom, I'm going to do my schoolwork." Adelaide responds and trots up the stairs, taking one last look at her mother. The woman now stared at a small white bottle, a large frown etched onto her face. Adelaide shakes her head and goes the rest of the way upstairs.

Stepping into the bathroom, Adelaide grimaces when she sees the red lip outline on her cheek. She licks her hand and smears it off. Now staring at the red on her hand, Adelaide questions herself.

What the hell had gotten into her mother?