Eudaimonia (A GIlbert Blythe Love Story)

Chapter Seven: Even New Friends Fight

Theodora went back into the class and found the girls sitting near a window and she took a seat with them. Sitting in the group of girls, she began to unpack her basket of food. She was not really paying any attention to what was being said between them before she heard her name.

"Theo, what was that with Gilbert?" Josie said. At least Theo thought that was her name. Josie's face was all twisted up and Ruby looked like she was about to cry.

"Oh we met whilst he was in Trinidad. I was also a passenger on the steamer he was working on so we saw each other on the ship and talked so we were just catching up, I guess" Theo attempted to explain rather nonchalantly.

"You can't talk to him or even look at him. Ruby has dibs. She has liked him for nearly five years." Josie said rudely to Theo. Theo looked at her with confusion on her face.

"I didn't think you could have dibs on a person. But more importantly I don't like Gilbert like that. He is just a friend, nothing more." Theo was even more confused after seeing the girls in the group. Josie glared at her while Ruby broke down and sobbed into Tillie's shoulder. Theo gathered her basket of food, got up and walked out the building. She sat on a rock and watched the snow fall. She didn't even notice she had forgotten her coat until she began to shiver. She kicked the snow that was gathered on the ground as she listened to the yell at one another as they played a game.

"I brought your coat" She heard Gilbert voice behind her as a coat was put over her shoulder.

"Thanks, Gil," She said, looking at him as he took the seat on the rock next to her.

"So why are you eating out in the cold?" He asked looking at her as she took a small bite of a teacake and handed him another.

"The girls, mainly Josie and Ruby, are upset that we are talking or that I'm even looking at you" she explained, "I was growing tired of the conversation"

"Why exactly?" he looked thoroughly confused.

"Oh something about Ruby having dibs" She said looking down at her hands, picking at the skin.

"Dibs on what?" she looked up at him and furrowed her brows.

"On you" Theo laughed realising it sounded insane.

"I didn't know you could have dibs on a person" he said joining her in laughter, "Well I'm not entirely surprised"

"I didn't either but why aren't you surprised?" Theo wondered

"When Anne, you've met Anne right?" Theo nodded, "When she first came to town the girls said she couldn't so much as look in my direction. She wouldn't even accept an apple I tried to give her. It was quite funny." She smiled and laughed.

"I can believe it," She said, "I have a feeling that to some, those girls are quite frightening."

They spent the rest of lunch talking about random things. From Gilbert's farm to Theo's favorite books to her life in Trinidad and his before his travels. By the end of lunch, when the school bell rang, Theo's face hurt from smiling. Her and Gilbert got up and gathered their things. Gilbert grabbed her basket from her hand and walked her to the door before opening it for her and putting the baskets away while she was taking off her coat the two walked to their seats. Theo spent the rest of the day in silence as the girls except Anne and Diana glared at her and Ruby who still sat next to her just sniveled and acted like she was about to cry the whole time.

The school day finished quickly which Theo was thankful for she gathered her books and went to where the coats and her basket were. She grabbed her coat and put it on before turning and opening the door. She had not even finished walking down the stairs before a voice spoke out behind her.

"Wait up" Theo turned to see Gilbert just walking out of the door to the school and walking toward her, "I thought perhaps, if it okay with you, I could walk with you for a bit"

"Of course Gil" the two smiled at one another, "So Bash is living with you?"

"He is actually my partner now, on the farm and when I go off to college he will take over" GIlbert looked over at Theo as she gazed off in the distance.

"College to be a doctor?" Theo asked

"Yes, How did you know?" Gilbert's brows furrowed.

"Bash called you doc on the ship" Theo pointed out.

"Right, Sebastian did" GIlbert nodded his head.

"His name is Sebastian?" Theo laughed as Gilbert nodded.

"Theodora" a voice called out from behind them. Theo turned around a little too quickly and lost her balance, almost falling before she felt two hands grabbing her and stopping her from falling.

"Theo, Are you okay?" Gilbert asked, his hand still holding her arm.

"Yes, Gil, Thank you" She said, while she straightened out her dress.

"Anne, Diana" Gil said as the two girls walked closer to the pair.

"Gilbert" Anne responded as Diana just smiled.

The walk from there became a bit awkward until they came to the point where they went their separate ways.

"Goodbye Diana, Theodora" Anne said.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Theo. Goodbye Diana." Gilbert said before the three split up as well.

"Bye Gil" Theo waved as she began to walk in the opposite direction arm in arm with her cousin.

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Delphine is still sitting in Gilbert's lap listening to every word that Theo says as she tells her story Gilbert looks at the woman as she takes a break from the story to look at the two. Gilbert smiles at her as Theo says, "Any chance you can tell a little while I go and prepare dinner? The two of you can come and sit and tell it to me and Delly."

"I guess I can give it a try but I don't think it will be half as good as you telling it" Gilbert stands up and pulls the small girl off his lap and carries her to the kitchen as Theo follows behind him. Theo begins preparing ingredients for their dinner as Gilbert begins to talk, "Where were we?"