Broken (Gilbert Blythe)

chapter 12

Little to say, John enjoyed the company. His condition worsened since the last time Nova had seen him. Nova couldn't help but feel horrible for John and Gilbert. If John were to pass, Gilbert wouldn't have any family left. His mother passed and now his father is close to it. Maybe that's why Gilbert wants to be a doctor, so he doesn't lose anyone else he loves and cares about. Nova's heart ached at the thought of these things. She couldn't bear the thought of losing her family, even though she's not as close with them as Gilbert is to his father.

Nova made her way back home. She walked through the front door with a heavy heart. "How was your day?" She looked up to see her mother. Nova took a small deep breath, "It was good." She replied with a small smile. "Thank you for letting me go over there. I had a splendid time." Her mother nodded her head, "Did you eat dinner?"

"I did." Nova nods. "Okay." Her mother walks back into the kitchen. Nova walks up the stairs and goes to her bedroom. She opens the door to see Jane. "Hey Jane." Nova gives her a small smile as well and walks to her bed and leaned her back against the headboard, grabbing her journal. Jane gives her small 'Hey.' back. Nova opens her journal to the net fresh page.

'I saw a glimpse of sadness today. A glimpse of what life will be like for you. My heart aches for you, I want to make it better, but I can't. I know it's going to be hard. I know you'll push everyone away. But I'm here no matter how much you try.

I can't imagine the feeling of losing someone you love so dearly. I think the hardest part of losing someone, isn't the goodbye, but learning how to live without them. You will try your best to fill the void, but all there is left is the emptiness in your heart. I know you won't be the same after. But I promise, and I know it sounds like it won't happen but it will, that you will be whole again.'

-The Next School Day-

The snow hadn't stopped, the ground was covered. Nova made it to school with her books in hand. She took off her coat and hung it on the coat-hooks. The class was gossiping among themselves. Nova sat in her usual seat beside Ruby. Anne was about to sit down when Mr. Phillips walks up and put her box of things on her desk. Nova looks to Mr. Phillips and he has a serious look on his face, "You are not to fraternize, or exert undue influence." He looks to Ruby. "Ruby, switch places with Anne." The class gasps as Nova just sat in her seat, confused. Anne looks to Diana, squeezes her hand and grabs her things to move to her new seat.

Nova watches Anne as she sits down, she furrowed her eyebrows. "What happened?" Anne just shook her head, not wanting to talk about it, with small tears forming in her eyes.

-The End of the Day-

Nova was getting up to leave class, just to look over and see Anne smacking erasers together to get the chalk off of them.

"Anne. Take these lessons to Gilbert Blythe. He'll be missing class for a time, and I don't want him falling too far behind. He's my best student." he said handing the books over to the red-head.

Nova couldn't help but almost rolled her eyes at the comment, 'my best student'. Her and Gilbert were always close to each other in first and second in the class. But Gilbert always took first. Nova walks and grabs her coat, walks out onto the front steps and waits for Anne.

Anne finally walks out of the schoolhouse. "Anne." Nova smiles at her, with no return. She looks down at the books, "What are those for?" She points at the books, pretending she didn't hear Mr. Phillips before she walked out. Anne rolls her eyes and huffs, "They're for Gilbert. Mr. Phillips can't fathom his favorite student falling behind." Nova nods. "Would you like me to take them? I wouldn't mind and you look like you've had a rough day."

Anne looks at Nova and sighs, giving her a small smile. "Would you?"

Nova nods, "Of course I would! That's what friends are for, right?"

Anne smiles and gives the blonde girl a hug. "Thank you." She says quietly.

Nova made her way to Gilbert's house, with the snow falling and doesn't look like it was going to stop soon. She made it to the Blythe household, finally able to stop and take a breath. Nova knocked on the door, but no answer. She knocks again, seeming there will be no answer. Her feet start making her way to couple of stairs on his porch when she heard the front door open. Nova turns around to see John Blythe, standing in the doorway, with his breath heavy. 

She gave him wide eyes, "John! What are you doing out bed? I'm so sorry!" She rushes over to him. "Nova." He says with a chuckle. "What a pleasure." Nova sighed, "You should be in bed, here let me help y-" He shakes his head at the blonde. "No, no. I'm okay. Are you here for Gilbert?" John said in between breaths.

"I am, I have his school work. I don't want him to fall behind." She says, looking at the books in her hands. "Your son is very smart, Mr. Phillips says he's his best student." She smiles sadly. Footsteps approach behind the girl, "Dad, what are you doing? You shouldn't be walking." John looks over to his son and sees him lying some wood on the porch, then back over to Nova. He chuckles, "My son worries too much. It seems Nova has some urgent business with you." He smiles at his son, Gilbert looks over at Nova then back to his dad.

"I'll go inside now." Gilbert was quick to respond. "I'll fetch your chair." John stopped his worried son. "No, I-I-I'll go on my own." He said, patting Gilbert's chest. "Thank you, son." John looks over to Nova before he goes back inside, "It was so nice to see you, Nova. I hope to see you soon for tea?" He smiles at her. 

Nova nods, "Of course!" She gives him a smile back. John made his way back inside and Gilbert watched for safe measure then turned back to Nova. He looks at the books in her hands, "Those for me?" Nova looks at the books as well and smiles. "Yeah they are." She says with a chuckle. 

Nova couldn't help but take in Gilbert's appearance. He had a oversized beige sweater on, he had snowflakes in his hair, his cheeks and nose were red from the cold weather.  

"Mr. Phillips doesn't want his top student falling behind, otherwise I would catch up with you." Nova says with a playful eye-roll and a smirk. He laughs, "I don't either. But if you're gonna beat me, I want you to do it fair and square." He smirks as well. "Fair and square, huh? You won't let me get ahead by a little?" Nova said teasing. He laughs again. "Of course not, what's the fun in that?"

Gilbert couldn't help but notice how beautiful Nova looked, she had snow on her hat, in her curly, blonde hair. No makeup, she was naturally beautiful. He snapped out of it. "Um...thank you for bringing me these." Nova nods, "It's no problem. I had nothing else to do." She giggles. Nova internally cringed at herself, 'Did she just giggle?'. "But I have to go, the snow seems like it won't stop anytime and if I wait any longer, I might get stuck." She said jokingly. He smiles at her, "Understandable." He laughs nervously, 'What if she noticed him admiring her? What if she thought it was weird or creepy?'' 

"I'll see you." She smiles. He smiles back before closing his front door and sighing, 'Well, I blew it.'. Gilbert thought to himself. Little did he know, Nova was, sadly, thinking the same thing.

author's note

hey guys! sorry for the late update, with Christmas, New Years, and everything else, it has been a little hectic! but I'm back! I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter! please don't forget to vote and comment what you would like to see or your theories on what's going to happen next! thank you!

~ mack :b