Are We Really Just Friends? a Shirbert short story

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕆𝕟𝕖

   Anne descended the staircase of the Cuthbert home slowly, her auburn-hair styled in low pigtails, wearing one her regular jumper dresses over a dark green, long sleeve top. Her eyes were bleary and tired, and she stifled a yawn as she made her way over to the kitchen, grabbing a few slices of bread and butter before sitting down to eat. Silently, she spread some butter on the bread, eating like a tired dinosaur as she sighed.

Marilla watched this from a few feet away as she was pouring some fresh milk into a pitcher and poured a glass for Anne, setting it down on the table beside her.

"Maybe it's her flowering month?" Matthew murmured to Marilla who pointedly elbowed him in the shoulder with a frown.

"Hush. A woman's time is nothing that should ever be discussed by a man" she chastised her brother sternly, making him be quiet as he went back outside to do some farm work.

Marilla was a bit concerned by Anne's silence, as she was almost always chatty in the mornings about dreams she had, what she was working on at school, or a new idea she had for a story that she and Diana and her other friends usually discussed.

"Anne, anything on your mind?" Marilla asked carefully and the auburn haired girl, glanced back at her, blinking a few times as if she wasn't quite sure where she was.

"Hm? Oh I'm sorry Marilla, just had a bit of trouble sleeping this past night. I'm sure I'll feel like myself later on" she said with a small smile, trying to reassure her.

Marilla looked a bit wary about this but nodded.

"Alright, run along to school now. And remember what Miss Stacy said about gossiping" Marilla reminded her.

Anne nodded, and grabbed her books and her lunch satchel.

"I don't gossip, Marilla! I'll be back later!" she called before leaving the home, rushing to school.

As she arrived at the schoolhouse, Miss Stacy was greeting everyone, and ushering them inside the classroom with a smile.

"Good morning everyone! Good morning Ruby. Good morning Charlie. Good morning Tilly. Good morning Diana. Good morning Anne, you're looking a bit out of sorts, how is everything?" she asked Anne in a quiter voice and Anne smiled at her apologetically.

"It's a long story ,Miss Stacy. I am excited to hear about our project of course." she said and Miss Stacy smiled back with a nod, ushering everyone inside.

"Ah Gilbert, you're five minutes late" Miss Stacy said, after she had already started going over what they had learned yesterday in class.

Gilbert apologized and took a seat at his desk, taking out his writing slate and chalk along with his book from his book bag.

"I'm sorry, Miss Stacy. I was a bit caught up helping Sebastian with-- anyways, that's no excuse. It won't happen again" he said sincerely.

Miss Stacy nodded, setting her chalk down on her desk and dusting her hands.

"Even so, you know the rules, Gilbert. I would like you tell us five facts from yesterday's lecture and then we can continue" she asked him firmly but kindly.

Everyone turned to look at Gilbert and he cleared his throat, nodding as he stood up to recite some facts.

"Well, we discussed the Mayflower Compact, which is very important. It's considered to be the first governing document for Plymouth county, and was written by puritans, adventurers and tradesmen, the passengers of the Mayflower. 41 male passengers signed the document. It is a social contract to follow rules and regulations for contacts of survival. It's considered to be a spiritual covenant" he explained carefully, furrowing his eyebrows slightly as he recited.