Remains To Be Seen

The Piano

**two months later**
Anne
     "Since when did you play the piano?"
His body seemed relaxed on the bench of the piano. I was curled up by the fireplace as he was placed near the wall. He had just pressed a few keys that were incredibly melodic. Beautiful mixes of tones what could've been a song in of itself.
      "My father taught me. I just haven't played since his passing," Gilbert said as he found his hands on the long white keys. "And Mary-"
I sat next to him as he pressed the keys softly. Almost as if he was nervous to play. He wasn't sure if he was going to do it right. And he always wants it to be perfect. He expects it to be that way. But never of me. He thinks I am the epitome of perfection. That in his eyes I am perfect as I am. Which totally contradicts his standard of perfection. Diana would be perfect. Ruby would be perfect. I am far from it.
He then began to play. To really play. At first he only did a simple song. But his passion twisted into the music and it came out elegantly. I watched as he was solely focused on the piano and it's keys. Listening to the notes fly out of the musical instrument.
His song came to a close and he let out a breath putting his hand to his eyes. It was very much overwhelming. The piano is.....was one thing he had shared with his father and Mary both.
       "I'm sorry," he apologized for his tears.
       "Don't be. You miss them still. That's okay, good even."
      "It's good to miss your dead family Anne. Really?" Gil barked standing violently from the piano. "I -why do I even try to play this stupid piano. It's worthless and all it brings is pain."
      "Gil-"
      "Just leave," he said stepping to the window.
      "Gilbert I.."
      "I said go!" he yelled.
I cowered backwards running into the piano. My hand catching my near fall with the keys of the piano. The notes sounding startling him. He turned quickly. His anger faltered in his face seeing me so scared. He looked afraid of himself.
       "Don't worry Blythe. I'm leaving for good," I said harshly running out of the home.
       "Anne!"
I kept running until I returned to Green Gables. It was barely noon by the time I got there. I was supposed to spend the whole day with Gilbert. But that came to an end quite quickly. Marilla was shocked by my presence rushing past her. Her shrill voice calling my name as I escaped up the stairs to my room. Falling onto my bed I clutched the pillow to my face. Why must I cry over a stupid boy. Why must him yelling at me hurt more than when Marilla does. The look on his face made me sad for him. Sad for us. What has our friendship turned to. So much more but it's like we can't even be friends.
I heard his voice downstairs. I creeped out of my room. I wanted to see why he was here. I sat at the top stair and Marilla asked him to leave me be. And I was so very grateful for her resilience. I was dying to speak to him but also couldn't bear doing that to myself. I needed to recover and get to school tomorrow morning. I refuse to let him win. He was my competition in school. No matter our situation.
I went to bed early and skipped dinner. Even after Marilla's scolding she let me take the night early. But I woke many times because of the stupid piano song that kept being played in my head. And the image of Gilbert wouldn't go away.
I kept trying to put myself to sleep until it was time to get ready for school. I took my hair out of my plaits and left them curly. I pulled my dress on and tied my pinafore around my waist. Lacing up my boots I went downstairs to see Marilla sitting in the kitchen with a hand on her temple.
       "Morning Marilla. Are you alright?" I asked.
       "Yes child. Let me serve breakfast up," she said in an attempt to stand her knees fell weak and she sat back down.
        "I got it. You just sit until Matthew comes in."
I continued to slide a plate for Marilla on the table and served myself. Ringing the bell for Matthew I laid out one more plate and it was filled heartily. I scooped the rest of the food into my mouth grabbing my basket with lunch already prepared in it. I kissed Marilla on the cheek and told Matthew to assist Marilla. Then I darted out the door with my hand over my hat as I ran to catch Ruby and Diana. They smiled seeing me but had a look like something was wrong.
       "What is it?" I asked.
       "I thought you walked with Gilbert now?" Diana giggled.
       "Well today I'm walking with my two truest friends."
       "Why not walk with Gilbert?" Ruby asked confused.
       "Because I don't want to walk with him. I don't even want to talk to him or about him today. Let's just go to school and have a good day."
They both looked weary but then proceeded to smile and rejoiced. We all giggled and skipped through the forest as the day was just beginning. I smiled at the sight of the schoolhouse. Today had to be a good day. But as it started worry filled me. No matter how much I despised him. I worried. My attention drawn to his empty seat. Where had he gone. He mustn't have done anything. He knew we had school. He knew I'd be going no matter what.

Where was Gilbert?

A/N: this was one of my favorite chapters to write! Filler chapter but still a good one❣️