PHILEO | Shirbert

One ~ I Wish Gilbert Looked At Me

Gilbert sat alone in his desk during lunch break -he was not alone in the classroom tough, a group of girls were eating their lunch in a corner of the class- He was reading a book he borrowed from Dr. Ward, it was common seeing him reading most of the times. He had fallen behind in class due to being away for almost a year, but he caught up quickly. Now, Gilbert spent most of his lunch breaks reading books about human anatomy or any other book about medicine Dr. Ward lent him. Gilbert was happy to be back in Avonlea, coming back home felt right although he did not know why, it just did. It might be because of a certain redhead's face appeared in his mind every time he thought about home.

In the corner of the classroom, said redhead was uncomfortable. Anne did not like that Gilbert Blythe started to spend his lunch breaks inside now, she could feel the tension in the air -so did Gilbert- Ruby acted out everything she said trying to get Gilbert's attention and failing miserably each time. It seemed like he could not care less about what they were doing and/or talking about -which is not entirely true, he did care, but not about what every girl in the group- he would glance at them sometimes, because he constantly felt this unsettling gaze on him, Ruby's. Gilbert would look up and see her watching him, he would give her a nervous smile, and then continue reading his book.

Ruby's staring was annoying Anne 'can't she be more subtle? Wait. Why do I even care? I don't' she thought. Either way, that was not the only thing that bothered her about Gilbert staying in the classroom, she felt that with him being there she could not express herself how she would like, she felt restrained. For some reason she could not understand -nor admit -, what Gilbert thought of her was important for her, she did not speak as much since he started staying inside during, she feared she might say something he could though wicked and scared him off.

Josie Pye enjoyed the company of this quieter, newer version of Anne. Her being quiet meant Josie could choose the topic of the conversation -even though the only ones invested in her topics were only Tillie and Jane-.

"I wish Gilbert looked at me" Ruby sighed, looking at him.

"He does look at you, Ruby" said Diana, trying to be a good friend, not really believing in what she was saying.

"He only looks at me and half smiles" she cried "how are we supposed to get married if he hasn't even made a move and talked to me? Look at his lips, so full and pink" she touched her lower lip with her hand and sighed.

"I think I can help with that" Josie said, smiling mischievously.

"Help with what?" she responded.

"I can get Gilbert to kiss you" Josie whispered so that Gilbert could not hear her.

"You can?!" said Ruby way too loud "You can?" she repeated lowering her voice and Josie nodded. "How?"

"We could play Spin The Bottle" she smiled.

Anne, who was not paying any attention to the conversation, was suddenly awakened from her daydream when she heard the words 'Spin The Bottle'. Her heartbeat started to rise at the memory of the last time they played Spin The Bottle, how Cole saved her in front of everyone. She did not want to play that stupid game again, Cole was not here to save her this time. During this internal walk through the memory land Anne was having, the girls came up with a plan on how the game would go.

"Hey, Gilbert!" Josie said approaching him, Ruby following close behind.

"Hi" he said marking the page of the book he was reading and closing it.

"Wanna play a game?"

"A game?" he said, confused 'aren't we too old to play games?' he thought.

"Yes, Spin The Bottle" Josie said. Just as those words came out he moved his gaze from Josie to Ruby, who was smiling flirtatiously -or so she thought-, and it hit him.

"Oh, I'd love to-" Ruby's eyes shined with hope "but I have to finish this book before Saturday. I have to give it back to Dr. Ward and I'm barely halfway through" he tried to sound as disappointed as possible that he could not play.

"Well, if you change your mind, we'll be in the supply room" said Josie and Gilbert nodded. She turned and left, Ruby following her, trying not to cry. "It's ok, Ruby. I'm sure he'll reconsider his decision in a few minutes and come play with us" she whispered and opened the door of the supply room, where everyone was, sitting on the floor and waiting for the game to start -well, not everyone-.

"Are you sure you don't mind?" said Diana.

"Yes, for the thousand times," said Anne, letting out an exaggerated breath "go have fun. I'll just stay here doing some homework" she waved her hand telling Diana to go.

"Ok, ok" Diana shrieked with excitement. She hugged Anne and ran to the supply room.

Now, there were only too people in the classroom, Gilbert and Anne -how convenient-.