Avonlea High

Chapter 18

Gilbert
I sat beside Anne in our next class. She already had a pen out and ready. I smiled pulling my sleeve up. I pushed my hand towards her. She paused seeing what I'd filled in. She gazed at them for a bit before beginning. The drawing began to wrap around my wrist and inch up my arm. She was focused on doing it slowly. Her eyes inches away. Her breath warm on my skin as she made pen marks. She stopped drawing and went lower on my arm. I looked over. She was filling in the hearts like I did. They were scattered across my skin. As she finished the last one I took her pen. She almost yelped out of surprise. I grabbed her hand and drew to the best of my abilities. It was a spiral shape morphing into a heart. It was more geometric than the smooth lines on mine.

As I filled it in she leaned to look at it. I finished letting her see it. She brushed her hand over it lightly, happy with the outcome. She looked up at the summoning of her name. Her face flushed as she stood.
"Shirley! What is the shortest magnet of the universe?"
"The Umm- the neutron star?" She asked. "But that's not a Biology question sir."
"Correct, this time. Pay attention, final warning," he glanced at me as well.
I nodded. Anne grabbed my pen from beside my arm. I had her pen in my hand. We quietly took notes for the rest of the class.

"What is it?" She asked as she pulled her backpack on.
"A Tim Burton heart. Strictly by memory. It's not perfect," I laughed nervously and rubbed my neck.
"No it is perfect. Thank you."
"I'm no artist like you. But, you're welcome."
"Can we meet up after last period? I think we should check on Diana after school."
"I think that's a great idea. I'll see you later Red."
"Sure thing Gil."
Her bright auburn hair went bouncing off to her class. I just watched it go. I was entranced by the fact that we're back to nickname basis. It was feeling more normal.
After class I found the redhead outside. We saw Diana's hair sprinting away from the school. Anne handed me one of her earbuds. I took it and we walked to Diana's slowly.
"How were your classes today?" Anne asked.
"They were good. I could live without Mr.Phillips in history class though."
"Damn. You got stuck with Phillips. I'm sorry," she laughed.
"Are you laughing at my suffering?" I asked sarcastically.
"Maybe. But beside the normal day, how are you feeling about Charlie?"
"Oh. We're getting serious now," I paused trying to think of what I could say that described how I feel at this moment. "It's like the loss of a brother. I'm going to miss him. He's my best friend, he's my family. I don't remember a time where he wasn't just a ten minute walk away."
"Well, I'm sorry. If that means anything. And I'm here for you."
"I think Diana needs more support than I do. I know he will be alright. He'll be good. I'll see him again, I know it."
We came up to the Berry property. I tried walking to the front door. The earbud fell from my ear. I turned around seeing Anne taking her headphones out.
"She's going to be at the stable with Coco."
"Will she now?"
"Trust me. She's my best friend."
         "She's my best friend too," I claimed.
         "Girls have a different kind of friendship than those with boys, even childhood ones. Just follow my lead," she said heading down a path.
I followed like she told me to. Finding Diana with her horse. Taking her hand and leading us to the middle of a field. It was in the middle of the Cuthbert's large property. But it seems like a well loved place. One frequently visited. Anne stood close to Diana for a long while as the sun set. The wind whispering in our ears. Humming between the silence. It was almost therapeutic.
Diana took a step away from Anne taking a moment for herself. I had my hands dug into my pockets. I looked over seeing Anne. Her hair was illuminated by the sun. Refracting an Orange glow wherever it could. Golden shadows framing her face as she gazed at the lowering ball of light in the distance. She was as beautiful as always. Despite the situation that we were in, she was still astonishing. Gorgeous in every angle and light. Every inch of her perfection. And she had no clue about it.
She gazed across the open field. She shut her eyes just breathing. The gold light slowly fading. Diana finally vocalized snapping me out of my haze.
"We should go before dark," she said.
"Of course," Anne agreed.
Diana walked ahead of us on the way back. Anne was beside me. She ran her hand over her arm where. Her fingers skimming over the Tim Burton heart I drew. She glanced at me, seeing my stare. She jogged up and grabbed Diana's hand. They walked together ahead of me. They were mumbling and laughing back and forth quietly.
When we got back to the Berry's stables I headed out taking notice that they wanted to be alone. They were probably going to stay together and talk for a bit.
"Hey Blythe! Where are you going?" A fiery voice sputtered out.
"Home," I answered, turning as I took steps back.
"You don't want to stay for dinner?" Diana asked.
"I would love to," I looked at my watch and I remembered what day it was. "I have practice tonight. Game day is tomorrow."
"Can we come?" Anne asked.
"To practice?"
"To the game," she laughed off.
"Of course," I smiled. "I'll see you guys tomorrow!"
They waved dramatically back. Giggling and running off. I then began to jog back home. I was already running behind schedule. Literally running. I pulled my gear on faster than light bursting out the door as quietly as possible. Which was a failed attempt. I just hoped I hadn't woken Delphine up from her slumber. I booked it to the field still arriving late. Coach Dean was waiting on the steps.
"I'm sorry Coach I-"
"Don't explain it to me. I saw you leave with Anne. Just join the boys. We will talk after practice."
"Yes Coach," I nodded, running with my things to join the others.
Practice was bad. Not bad as in we sucked. It was just hard. It was probably my fault for being late. And missing practice when we went to the beach. I was surprised that Billy went that day.
After practice all they boys left quickly. I took my time switching to my nikes from my cleats. Coach Dean picked up my gear as I grabbed my bag.
"You didn't drive I presume?"
"Ran here today."
"Good. Come with me," he said walking to his car.
I did so tossing my things in his trunk. We climbed in and he began driving. He pulled off the road. There was nothing really around up. We weren't in Avonlea anymore. That much I know.
"Where are we Coach?"
"Get out," he said.
"What?"
"Come on," he closed his door after climbing out.
I was confused. His headlights were the only thing illuminating where he was. I jumped out going in front of the car.
"Now scream," he instructed simply.
I laughed nervously. "Uh why?"
"Scream Gilbert. Get it out of your system so we can really talk."
"I-uhh-"
His lungs then erupted with a low scream. A yell into the universe. A faint echo following...disappearing into the distant darkness. He looked at me now, it was my turn. I did as he said. I screamed. And it was exhilarating. I screamed until tears came. Until I couldn't say anything. Until my breath left me.
"I'll drive you home," Coach Dean said.
We climbed into the car. And I just felt compelled to tell him everything. That Charlie is leaving me. That Anne left me and I still want her. How everything seems to be falling apart. Nothing is getting better. How I'm tempted to go back to my freshman year habits. He stopped me there.
"Drugs, it won't do anything for you. It never heals anything."
"It makes it easier."
"Until it wears off. Look, kid if you want something or in this case someone, you go after it. Don't feel bad about it, don't have doubts. If you have doubts, figure them out. Don't be leading people on and pushing them away."
"I'm not trying to. It's not on purpose. I just-"
"You care. I know, I can see it in the way you look at her. It's like you're staring at the universe. The most beautiful thing in the room."
"She is the most beautiful thing in any room."
"You're not my kid by blood, but I've known you as long as your father. Me and John grew up together, you are what's left of him. I want to see you succeed like he wanted to see you succeed. Whatever form you see as success. Getting the girl or going to your dream college," he parked in front of my house. "You just need to want it bad enough."
"Like the win tomorrow?" I smirked.
"Damn right we're gonna win."
He rubbed my head, messing up my hair as we laughed. He pulled me to him. We sank into the hug for a moment. He was literally the father I never had. Well, I did have one. He was exactly like him. He was like the father that never left. He planted a kiss in my hair just like my father used to.
"Get some sleep. I'll see you at the game," he said.
"I'll see you Coach."