it was my fault

Chapter 4: the unexplainable pattern on her cheeks

Gilbert's perspective

two weeks later.

It's the day.

This special, magical and unreplacable day is finally here.

Finally.

Today we're arriving at Avonlea but Sebastian is guessing we'll be there by noon.

The journey was quite big and tiring that Sebastian and I almost immediately took a nap when we arrived. For the rest of the day we cleaned up around the house and took a look at the orchard.

The next morning we weren't expecting anyone but Matthew Cuthbert was a surprise we obviously needed. He adviced us and offered to help us with the orchard and he said he was happy to help.
So it was a deal, he would come several times a week to help us in the mornings.

When Sebastian and Matthew were about to take a first look at the orchard together, and I was going to organize my belongings, something stopped Matthew on the way out. I stepped behind him to see what was interrupting him only to see the worlds brightest blue eyes that of course belonged to Anne Shirley.

Her hair had grown a lot, so her braids were longer. Her red brilliant hair were still as red as I remembered, all golden and beautiful against the light of the sun. Her fleckes were the same too, all complicated, with an unexplainable pattern all over her cheeks.

When we glanced at each other it felt like time slowed down, and that this one second was way more than that.
She quickly looked away trying to avoid me, which surprisingly didn't upset me because I was too stunned and distracted by her breathtaking appearance.
While she was explaining something to Matthew, I tried memorizing her freckles from one side of her cheek, but failed miserably because it was nearly impossible.
Then, eventually, I had to stop myself because I realized I had to form a sentence. It was kind of difficult to stop admiring her for a bit to think. But I managed to come up with something to say by the time she was done talking. So I quickly said:

"Good morning Anne!" and my voice sounded a bit more excited than I expected it.

"Well, hello there mr. Blythe" she said with her recognizable voice that I knew so well.

The fact that she called me 'mr. Blythe' sounded funny to me but I didn't laugh. Matthew and Sebastian continued their way to the orchard while letting me and Anne completely alone.

"Well, I'm still Gilbert" I said, while I couldn't stop myself from giggling. Only looking at her made me so genuinely happy. The fact that she's finally in front of me formed a smile on my face.

She was looking down at her feet and before being too late I blurted out:
"Would you come in?"

She just nodded.

I offered her some tea, and we drunk that with the muffins she had delivered from Marilla.

"So, what's going on with school? I bet you're the best student in class! I really hope I can still catch up with you, Anne."
The smile that finally appeared on her face warmed my heart.

"Well, yes. I guess so, I am the best student in class." she answered while slightly blushing, probably without realizing it. The rosy color that quickly appeared on her face seemed to almost cover her freckles.

"What about you Gilbert? Did you like working on the docks?" She continued.

We started talking about our experiences while we were apart from each other.
I talked about my travels, trying to give Anne perfect descriptions of all the places, but I knew for a fact that if she was there with me, she would have found better words to describe them. She seemed really excited about all the places I talked about and specifically, she wished she could see them too (does this mean she wanted to be with me as well?).
Later I explained her who was Sebastian and how I met him. She, though, talked about stories from school. More things have happened than I excepted. Her describing and telling stories felt so right. Like it was what she's supposed to be doing. The way she speaks with such passion makes me so interested in what she's saying.
It could be anything, but if she's talking about it, I know I'll be excited to hear it.
I always had my full attention to her, maybe more than needed to understand what she's talking about.

Suddenly, the door opened and Matthew stepped in. The wide smile that appeared on his face caused both Anne and I to look down.

"I see you guys keep each other good company, right?"

At this point, I started feeling my cheeks burning, so I knew I was definitely blushing at that comment. But when I thought about it, it was true. And the fact that it was true, made me happy and I couldn't stop smiling to myself, although I didn't say anything.

"Anne I think we should go, Marilla will definitely be upset if we don't arrive soon. Also, Gilbert, I'll return tomorrow the same time as today and I'll help Sebastian while you're at school."

Mr. Cuthbert wanted me to start school and not help them with the orchard? I wouldn't except that. It would be extremely rude if I left them alone working on their own.

"Oh, no mr. Cuthbert I ought help you both. I should skip some school to be here to help."

"Sebastian thought that the best thing for you is to start school as soon as possible, so it won't get any harder in the way. But don't worry you can still help Sebastian when you finish school on the evenings."

They were right, I really shouldn't lose any more time and I figured I could still help on the evenings.

"Thank you very much mr. Cuthbert, I am forever grateful for your kindness and help."

"We should get going." Anne said quickly while rushing to the door. She seemed really anxious about the whole situation.

"I guess see you tomorrow Anne!"

"I hope you enjoyed the muffins!"

I sat there, at the dinning table, smiling to myself, still not over her hair, her eyes,
her freckles,
her.

It was then when I realized I missed her more than I thought.
Of course I knew I missed her, a lot, but seeing her again made it more obvious to me. She also seemed more grown up in a way. I really, really wish she was that friendly to me from the beginning.
Now we're friends, but when we first met, things weren't that way. I sometimes wonder why she had said she wasn't supposed to talk to me, I still don't understand. I know it was a long time ago but she still hasn't told me what she meant when she said it.

I'm excited to start school again, and see my friends and finally being able to be with Anne every day.

I can't wait for tomorrow.