Remains To Be Seen

Absences

Anne
I walked into school expecting to see Gilbert. But he never showed. He didn't show up the day after either. Diana insisted she talked to him. She didn't quite give me all the details until the fourth day that Gilbert didn't show up.

I was devastated.

As much as I thought I wanted to do it myself, I don't think I ever could have. I may have hated how Diana didn't tell me but she did me right. I never would've had the courage to break the news to him. It's not even news. It's my own selfish conscious. I know that now.
Diana kept her distance for awhile. I don't blame her. I'd keep distance from myself if I could. I couldn't bear the thought that Gilbert was falling behind because of myself. Falling off track from his studies. Then again he and I were ahead in the class.

Nearly ahead by centuries.

Miss Stacey kept giving me, of all people, his homework. She said I needed to deliver it to him. I've been putting it off for days. But the papers and books were stacking up. I had to get them to him eventually. As much as I dreaded the near trip, it was necessary.
Each day of school in his absence felt longer than the next. Each minute felt like an hour. Every lunch felt more and more lonesome. The girls kept their safe distance. I kept mine. Diana and Ruby were the only ones brave enough to eat with me. Though only every other day. If even that. Sometimes I only get the beginning of lunch before they are summoned by the others.
Ruby tried to keep me hopeful. She spent time with me outside of school ever so often. After helping save her house she and her family have treated me and the Cuthberts much kinder. I liked Ruby don't get me wrong. Sometimes though she can be quite naïeve. Diana had always been so proper. I found they never had quite a balance. One couldn't recognize what was worth crying over. The other refused to cry. She was taught not to. I know that we were all brought up differently but it still astounds me.
When Ruby stopped coming around that's when I noticed the stares and glares. Like they were cursing me too. Reminding me of what if felt like when Gilbert's eyes were on me. A constant nervous state of being. A guilt ridden hole carved into my chest. The feeling became normal.
It all stopped bothering me. Probably because I didn't care for anyone's company as much. I didn't like the lone either. I wanted Gilbert. And I hated every moment my mind would wander to his name. Curse myself every second my imagination would bring his face into the picture. Or remind me of the soft curls of his chocolate hair. Tea every morning would swirl like his eyes did. A soft brown with such depth. I long to stare in those eyes again. Even catch a simple glimpse of them. Or feel them watching me for a moment.

It was time to take Gilbert his homework.

Gilbert
I had been in Charlottetown for the last four days. It's been good. I've met a girl. Her names Winnie. I met her at a schoolhouse. We conversed over tea. She was gorgeous and kind. She had a kindred spirit like Anne's. A little less wild and free. Much more proper and a bit snobbish. But kindred as Anne called it. .
I decided I was to stay in town a bit longer than anticipated. I invited Winnie to the spring carnival in Avonlea. She was excited to see it.
Winnie grew up here. She was very.... Charlottetown. Very proper. She had a wealthy family and had good studies. Top of her class as I was. Still haven't clarified her age myself and that confuses me a bit. She desires to go back to Paris. She had lived there once before I believe. Or went to boarding there. She spoke of a medical university her father had connection to that was phenomenal in Paris. Sorbonne.
Winnie and I would go on an occasional stroll through Charlottetown. I'd meet her after her classes. I'd caught her once speaking to a skeleton. It reminds me of Princess Cordelia. Anne. I shook her name from my thoughts quickly. Winnie was on my arm. She was here and present. Potential. It could be a good life. Maybe not a fulfilled and happy one. But a good one.

I could settle for good.

A/N: So it's been a really good day so I'll probably be doing a double post. So enjoy this short filler of your Shirbert heart breaking. Don't worry it hers better ❤️ -L.A.