☁ o, dreamer || gilbert blythe x reader ☁

chapter III: the picnic

You rose early that morning, and set to work immediately on the chores. Farm work was hard, but nothing you couldn't handle. Being able to wear pants was definitely a plus- far more practical. You were already brushing out the coat of the third and last horse when you heard Matthew come into the barn with buckets of slop for the pigs.

"Morning, Oliver." He nodded to you, opening the pig pen and dumping the feed in the trough.

"Good morning sir." You replied. Being called anything other than (Y/N) would take some getting used to. You took a step back to admire your work. 

"She's looking good," he grinned softly, making his way over and giving the horse a pat on the neck.  "After you're finished here, Marilla asked if you might like to come up to the house for breakfast. Make sure to wash up first, though, she's a real stickler for that." He nodded, and even chuckled a bit, then left you to finish up. 

After cleaning up a bit, you descended the stairs of the rustic little house down into the dining room, where breakfast was waiting for you on the table. "This looks divine, Ms. Cuthbert." You said quietly, having a seat opposite her. 

She looked at you for a moment, then grinned softly. "Thank you."

Breakfast was very quiet. These people seemed nice enough, but weren't much for conversation. It was different, but a good sort. You enjoyed the peace. Back at the orphanage, you had become accustomed to constant noise. This was a pleasant aberration.  

"There's a town picnic at the lake this afternoon," Ms. Cuthbert began, cracking an egg with the back of her spoon. "Since you're part of this family now, we wondered if you might like to go with us."

You couldn't stop a huge smile from sliding across your face. "Yes!" you exclaimed, probably a bit too eagerly. Clearing your throat, you tried again. "That's very kind of you. I would very much like that." Part of the family now. That was the best thing you'd ever heard. 

"Everyone is going to be there, so I expect your absolute best behavior. Understand?" Her tone sounded stern, but her features were soft. She could tell you were excited.

"Yes, ma'am. Of course." You found it difficult to stop yourself from smiling, looking down at your plate. After breakfast, you collected the plates and rinsed them for Ms. Cuthbert, and hurried upstairs to get cleaned up. You'd always wanted to go to a picnic- it was like something right out of a Jane Austen novel. Fine foods and teas, discussion of literature and political science, the girls with their frilly dresses and parasols and the boys in their Sunday best. You felt a bit disappointed as you remembered that you couldn't wear a beautiful dress, or put ribbons in your hair. You sighed, taking one of your favorite books from the vanity table in hopes of at least accomplishing some light reading betwixt intelligent conversation. Your stomach twisted slightly- this facade was coming naturally so far, but now you'd actually have to convince your peers. 

The ride to the picnic was wonderful- you'd never seen such a beautiful landscape in your life. Rows of apple trees cast a blanket of white blossoms on the ground, and the wildflowers were in bloom, soaking up the last rays of summer. The dull roar of the distant ocean was enveloped in birdsong. It was bliss. As you approached the lake, Matthew drew the reins back and you hopped first from the wagon seat to offer Ms. Cuthbert your hand to help her down. You'd always been polite, but now you'd have to make a point to be chivalrous, too.

There were already a lot of people here, and you could immediately feel dozens of eyes on you. Your heart began to pound- somehow you weren't prepared for this. Matthew seemed to pick up on your nervousness, and placed a hand on your shoulder for reassurance. A group of girls sitting in the grass giggled as you walked by, and you quickly looked away, feeling the heat of an embarrassed blush in your cheeks. A group of boys about your age stopped their roughhousing to look at you as well. The twisting in your stomach came back.