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___ Marigold Abbot walked side by side with Anne as they walk to school.
"I'm happy that you're going to school, Anne. I know it's going to be tough, but I'm right by your side and I wouldn't let anyth- where are you going?" Mary trailed off when she saw Anne walk off the path, "Anne? Where are you going?"
"I'm not going to school," Anne yelled back.
"Okay, so you're still on this," The blonde replied as she followed after her sister," You're going to have to go at some point."
"No, I can teach myself."
"I much as I would love to see this blow up in your face, I have to be the responsible one and get you to school."
"You can't make me. All everyone is going to do is torture me, why should I put myself through that?"
"Why are you denying access to education? Some kids aren't as lucky, Anne. Some people don't have the option for school. Look at Jerry, for example. He can't go to school because he has to work to provide for his family. He doesn't have an option, but if he did, I think he would be more than willing to go to school because he wants to learn."
Anne was silent, refusing to look Marigold in the eye.
"Look, Anne, I get it. I been an outcast all my life. I dealt with the whispers, the stares, the rumors, but I ignore them. I focus on more important things like school, my friends, my family. Anything that actually matter in life than petty people."
"I-I'm sorry, Marigold, but I can't."
"Fine, I'm going to school. If you change your mind, know that I'll be there to protect you, but I can't protect you if you lie to Marilla and Matthew. They've done so much for me and I pride myself to not lie to them. I hope you can do the same." With that, Marigold continued down the path towards school, leaving her sister to ponder her actions.
___
Throughout the day, Marigold spent the majority of school looking back and forth from the door to the windows to see if Anne would change her mind. During lunch, she barely ate due to her nerves causing a lack of appetite.
"Why aren't you eating?" Gilbert asked as they sat on a log by the pond.
"I'm just not hungary."
"What's on your mind?"
"Anne. She lying to Marillia and Matthew saying she's going to school when she's not. I don't want her to get in trouble, but she stubborn."
