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___ "Put your backs into it, boys!" Marigold Abbot heard as she, Anne, and Ruby walked towards the construction site of Ruby's house.
"Afternoon, Minister," Anne greeted the man, "I'm learning to bake. Care for a scone?"
"Well, don't mind if I do. This is some heavy work."
"Hey, look, it's the freaks and their new twin sister," Billy laughed on top of the house.
"As long as they bring food, I don't care if it's Quasimodo," Gilbert told him. Ruby, ever distracted by the boy, tripped and fell to the ground.
"Ruby!" Anne and Mary called after her as Billy's laughter fill the air.
"That was great!" He sneered.
"Ruby, are you alright?" Anne asked her as the young girl started to cry.
"Girls are so useless. Guess you should've stayed home in the kitchen, eh?!"
"What is wrong with you?!"
"Go home and bake cookies!"
"Headline: They already did," Gilbert added.
"This is Ruby's property, or did you forget?!"
"Why don't you shove off and leave the men to their work?"
"What men?" Mary yelled, "All I see a freeble little boy who has to talk big in order to make up for the lack of size somewhere else." Gilbert had to stifle a laugh.
"Why don't you give us that hammer and we'll finish the job ourselves, if you're too busy being a bully to get it done!" Anne shouted. Gilbert climbed down the latter and help Ruby up from the ground.
"Hey, here. You alright?"
"Thank you, Gilbert," Ruby stated dreamily.
"Yeah, of course. Thanks for, uh, coming by to help feed the beasts."
"Much obliged," Matthew interjected.
"You're welcome. Matthew, will you please bring the basket home later?"
"I'd better, if I know what's good for me."
"Come on, Ruby, let's get you home," Anne told her friend as she walked past the minister. "You were right, Minister, honesty is the best policy. And it's also very satisfying."
"Well, I..." He stammered. Marigold giggled as she turned to face Gilbert, who was already looking at her.
"What?" She questioned.
"Nothing," He looked away with a blush on his cheek," Um... that was awesome what you said to Billy."
"He had it coming. Someone definitely needs to put that boy in his place."
"Well, I'm glad it was you," Gilbert turned towards the minister, "Minister, is it alright if I take a break now?"
"Yes, but be sure to come right back." As soon as he was given the greenlight, Gilbert grabbed Mary's hand and dragged her towards the woods. Matthew watched the two kids run off with a smile on his face.
Laughter filled the air as the two friends ran through the trees, hands intertwined.
"Gilbert! Where are you taking me?"
"Patience is a virtue, Ms. Abbot."
"That doesn't apply to a situation where you taking me in the middle of the woods, Mr. Blythe. How do I know you're not plotting to kill me?"
"Why would I kill the only good thing in this town?" A blush was casted onto the girl. They finally stop when they made it to a fallen tree. He sat down, guiding her to sit next to him, their hands still intertwined.
"So why did you drag me out here?"
"Because it's quiet and quite frankly I had to get away from Billy before I strangle him."
"If you did I would be more than happy to be your alibi."
"Aren't friends supposed to talk each other out of bad ideas?" He laughed.
"What are you talking about? That's an amazing idea!" Marigold got up and started to walk away, but due to her hand still interlocked with Gilbert's, she was pulled right back. They crashed into each other and broke into a fit of laughter. After a minute or so, they calmed down.
"Hey, I got you something," Gilbert said, still out of breath from the laughter they share. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a chocolate bar. The blonde's eyes lit up at the sight.
"Chocolate!" She cheered as she ripped the candy from his hands and unwrapped it. He chuckled at her child like behavior as she dove into the chocolate.
"You got a little something," Gilbert told her as he pointed to the side of his cheek, indicating she has a bit of chocolate on her face. She reached up to try and remove the mess, but ultimately missed. He reached up to do it himself, smudging the candy off her face. When it was all gone, however, his hand didn't move from her cheek. They looked at each other, neither of them daring to more. Gilbert's eyes went to her eyes to her lips. She did the same. Slowly, the two leaned in, holding their breath as they got closer to each other. The lips brushed against each other, about to finally connect, until....
"Gilbert?!" The minister's voice called out, causing the two friends to jump away from each other, "Your break is over, son."
Gilbert stood up from his spot on the tree, looking back and forth from the direction of the minister's voice to Marigold, before walking back to work, mumbling a quick apology and goodbye.
