[2] LOOK AFTER YOU ( gilbert blythe! )

09 | CRASHING DOWN

⎾09 | CRASHING DOWN ⏌

AS GILBERT BLYTHE SLAMMED his books on the table, Samantha followed him inside his house and closed the door. The girl took off her coat and hung it on the hook, while Gilbert paced back and forth. Turning to the girl, his face was hot with anger and disappointment. Neither of the two knew what to say first — the tension spreading like wildfire.

Samantha shook her head, "If you would have let me know you were coming back, I would've told you at the right time so I could explain-"

"Just tell me it's not true," Gilbert muttered under his breath, placing both hands on the table. "Tell me you and Billy Andrews are not together."

"We aren't!" Samantha immediately replied, her eyes searching his for any sign of understanding.  "Well, we are, but-"

Scoffing, Gilbert turned his head up to face the ceiling, "I thought we were in this together, you and me. I thought you loved me."

"Gilbert, I do love you!" Samantha defended. "How could you possibly think for one second that I don't!"

"I don't know, Samantha," Gilbert replied, turning to face the girl. "Maybe because your dating a boy who made your life miserable two years ago!"

Searching for words to say...Samantha had none. This made Gilbert Blythe even more hurt than before. Walking closer to the girl, he spoke, "You do remember when I defended you? When I punched him? That was for you."

"And I thank you for that everyday, Gil!" Samantha spoke, her eyes pricking with tears. "That's why I need to explain why I did this!"

"No, save the explanation," Gilbert snapped, his innocent eyes growing dark.

"No," Samantha spoke, ignoring his request. "I deserve an explanation. You could have told me you were coming!"

"Well, I thought it would be better to surprise you," Gilbert replied. "I wish you would've told me in your letters that you were seeing someone else."

"Gilbert, I'm not seeing someone else! I don't even like Billy Andrews!" Samantha defended. "I am with him because if I wasn't, then people would find out about us!"

Looking up at her, Gilbert scoffed, "And would that be such a bad thing?"

"Yes!" Samantha cried. "Do you remember what happened two years ago when I only talked to you? Do you know what those girls did to me?"

Walking over to the living room, Gilbert paced back and forth — Samantha following just behind him.

"So you're telling me that you are only together with Billy because you're afraid that the girls will hate you if they found out you were with me?" Gilbert asked.