constellations [DISCONTINUED]

lynx

Photography was kind of pointless. We received forms and forms and more forms to give our parents to sign and Mr. Porter kept talking about how he wanted us to really get the theory and the functioning of the camera before actually shooting, and rephrasing that about a thousand times in case any of us didn't get it.

When the class was over, I texted Diana and Ruby if they wanted to have lunch together, and I got two texts back asking to get pizza. I rushed out of the photography room, having a quick look behind me to see Gilbert scribbling something in his notebook.

We went to the closest pizza place nearby and sat down at the table outside.

"So, Ruby, Anne, how's everything?"

"Oh Diana, Gilbert said good morning to me today, he even smiled! I think he's starting to really see me."

"Oh really? Oh my God that's great, I'm happy for you, right Anne?"

"Oh, yeah absolutely. Although, I really think you could do better than him."

Ruby dropped her pizza on her plate harshly, turning over to look deep into Anne's eyes.

"What do you even have against him?"

"Well, he's just

Nothing is so necessary for a young man as the company of intelligent women.

too full of himself,

Calm down, princess.

he has such an ego,

It's like the universe is getting back at me for spending so much time away from you.

he's not even that cute,

Freckles as drops of an early morning coffee that dripped on his nose and slightly splashed on some bits of his cheeks.

I mean his hair's

brown curls laid over furrowed brows

nothing much,

the sun flirted with his eyes. It made the green on them glimmer and it swirled and mixed the honey with the light, the colors dancing on every layer of his iris.

he's tall and whatever but that's not a good criteria. He thinks he is so

Your hair looks pretty, by the way. I like what you did with the flowers.

special, but you're much more special than him.

I really wanted to hear an apology from your pretty mouth.

That's it."

My brain wandered between all the images and preconceptions of Gilbert in my head. It's not like he was ugly or too annoying, it's just that that was what he was to me. I could tolerate him, for sure, but I could never imagine myself being in Ruby's position, for example.

"Anne, I think you're wrong. He's so hot!"

"I-I-I beg your pardon?"

Diana and Ruby giggled and I felt my face go red.

"Well, what I mean is, since he got back from traveling he doesn't look like a kid anymore."

"Well, um, I suppose, I suppose I didn't notice that. Wow, you guys really do pay attention to him, huh?"

"I think" Diana started, and I was hoping that it wasn't one of her smart comments "that you are the one who hasn't been paying enough attention to him. It is pretty obvious he looks different, you're just too stuck with your memories of him."

"I am not! I just don't notice Blythe that much."

"Really? You don't notice your project partner? Your photography classmate?"

"That is correct, Diana. So, Ruby, why don't you ask him out?"

This time, Ruby blushed. I don't think she ever considered the real possibility of her and Gilbert actually going out.

"Me? Ask him out?"

"Yes, I mean, you think he's hot, kind and whatever, plus you guys are talking more now. Maybe going out with him is a good move."

Ruby pondered on the topic, sipping on a can of coke like she was an old stock broker thinking over a whiskey and cigar. With the last loud sip, she seemed to have made up her mind.

"That's smart Anne! I'll do that, for sure. Next week, I will be going on my first date with Gilbert Blythe!"

I drew a soft smile and drank my sprite.

"So" There was Diana again to break the ice "Josie was telling me she's throwing a party this weekend, her parents are out of town and she thought she needed to experience the classic High School Movie party experience and take us down with her. You guys plan on going?"

"Oh, I didn't know she was doing that." I said

"Yeah, me neither." Ruby replied

"Oh, I know, she's gonna invite you today after class, but I couldn't keep my mouth shut! If you guys don't go I will kill you."

"Gee, thanks for the support." I giggled "Speaking about class, bell's gonna ring soon, shall we?"

"Absolutely, my dear Anne!"

"Most esteemed Ruby, lady Diana, please, allow me to guide you!"

We laughed on our way back, under one of the last sunny days of September.