Lavender - {G.B}

dix-huit

On our way to school, Gilbert told Alice about what he wanted to do as a career. He wanted to go to medical school. He was sure he wanted to be a doctor. Once he had told her, Alice agreed full-heartedly. She took note of how he rushed to Cole's aid when Cole fell off the ladder due to Billy. She remembered how he helped Billy when the prop fell to his head and how Bash told her that he helped a lady give birth to her child.

Gilbert was going to ask Mr. Phillips to go over the things he missed on his time away. Alice wasn't sure Mr. Phillips would, but let Gilbert try to convince him.

They took off their coats and set it on their hooks. Alice set her books down at her seat, the other girls surrounding it. She sat next to Gilbert's seat, watching as he walked up to Mr. Phillips.

"My father's dead, sir." Alice looked up at him with worried eyes.

Gilbert walked back, taking a seat next to Alice. He scowled at him. Alice looked around the room, making sure no one was watching. She placed her hands in his for comfort and he turned to her.

"I would say 'I told you so', but something tells me I shouldn't. What did he say?" Alice asked.

"He won't waste his time on me," Gilbert answered.

"Perhaps I can tutor you?" Alice suggested.

Gilbert was cut off by Mr. Phillips. "Alright, bright little minds, open your readers."

Alice stood up from the seat, giving it to Charlie. She sat back down in her seat, opening her book. "Let's pick up from where we left off."

-

Gilbert walked Alice home through the forest. The tall trees bare as all the leaves fell to the ground. They walked thorugh the snow as the combination of snow and dry leaves crunched below their feet.

"Gilbert, if medical school is what you want to study, go for it. I'm probably going to stay in Avonlea for the rest of my life as a simple shop owner. You're smart, really smart. You can get any career you want."

"That's not true. The part of you being a shop owner. I think you'd be a great writer, traveling all over the world." Gilbert looked down at Alice. "Or you would be a teacher."

"If I can be a teacher, perhaps I could help you study?" Alice suggested. "If Mr. Phillips can't, I could...with some help of Anne if you don't mind."

"Yeah, sure." Gilbert smiled. "But sometimes let's just have some tutor lessons to ourselves."

Alice laughed and looked up at Gilbert. "Anyway, I'm going to Josephine Barry's party. If you and Bash would like to come with us-"

"No, it's all right, however, I want to learn more about this wedding of Angelica."

"I'm going to be attending her wedding in Virginia. She's marrying this man named Fred Crawford. I'm ever so excited to meet him," Alice gushed.

"Wait, are you moving?" Gilbert asked in slight fear.

"No, I'm not. After the wedding, we're coming back to Avonlea," Alice assured him.

"Thank goodness. Spending all that time away from you was hard enough. If you left for good-"

"Don't think about that." Alice shook her head, stopping in front of her house. "I'm not going anywhere. There are so many things here. Memories, my parents, my friends, Anne, Cole, Diana. Bash."

"Forgetting someone?" Gilbert raised his eyebrows.

"No, I think that just sums it up." Alice nodded, stifling her giggles.