Broken (Gilbert Blythe)

chapter 19

Nova?

The blonde felt all of the air leave her body. She knew that voice, the voice she couldn't get out of her head. She slowly turned around just to meet his beautiful hazel eyes. With her mouth slightly agape, trying to find words, they just wouldn't come out. Their stare felt as if it would last an eternity.

Gilbert finally broke the loud silence. "What are you doing here?" He said as he admired her beauty. She had a yellow dress on with a black coat, which you could see the snow falling on her. Her hair was in her usual curls with a yellow ribbon tied in, pulling her hair back, out of her face.

"I'm here with Anne." She paused, her heart pounding, wondering if he could hear it too. "How-"

Nova was cut off by a female voice. "Gilbert. What a pleasure to see you." The female walked up and stood beside Nova, showing herself to be Anne. "Hey, Anne." He said with a slight smile, looking at Anne then immediately back to Nova. Anne looked to Nova, feeling the tension between the two, "I'm going to find Jerry and have him walk with me to the jewelry store." She said with a smile and walked toward the stables. Nova nods her head, smiling at her.

Gilbert takes a small step forward, "Would you like to join me for tea?" Nova nods.

They made their way to the small café and took their seats. 

Nova looks at her cup of tea, nervous to speak.

"H-How has everything been? Do you like working on the docks and everything?" She said, looking back up and slightly stuttering. Gilbert nods, "It's a means to an end. I hope I get hired on a steamer soon." Nova couldn't help but feel this pain in her chest, an ache for him. "Well I'm sure someone would love to have you work for them. You've got a knack of being persuasive." Nova let out a small giggle.

Gilbert smiled, "I honestly want to be able to see some of the world. If I were to come back to Avonlea, I want it to be my choice, not by obligation."

Nova bit the inside of her cheek, slowly feeling the tears in the back of her eyes. She noticed his form of words, 'if'.

"It's what my dad would have wanted."

Nova nodded at his statement, "Of course. I know you've always wanted to travel." She said with a sad smile. "I heard about Mr. Cuthbert taking sick and all those troubles." Gilbert pointed out with a frown on his face.

Nova nodded, "I was there when he collapsed, hence why I'm here. Anne and I heard a rumor about the Cuthberts losing everything and we went there, and there he was. I feel horrible for them and them not being able to do anything about it. They just sold their... everything. I can't imagine." Nova shook her head, staring at her cup of tea.

"He's a good man. He offered to help with my land come spring."

"Even though we're not blood related, him and the Cuthbert's have been more than good to me and have been more of a family to me than my own. I can't imagine if something..." Nova stopped herself. She cleared her throat and shook her head. "Can we talk about something else?" She gave a small smile. Gilbert nodded his head, "Of course."

Nova took a small breath, "I heard you came by my house before you left." The hazel-eyed boy nodded, "I did." Nova looked him in the eyes, "I was going to say goodbye, I wasn't gone out of coincidence. I came to your house to say goodbye and you weren't there. I thought you had left without even telling me." Nova said, trying not to have her voice crack.

"I genuinely thought my person had left me." Nova looked away, closing her eyes, not letting any tears fall. Gilbert couldn't help but feel his heart skip at her words.

Nova looks back at Gilbert, not knowing what else to say. They both look at each other longingly. Little do they know, friends don't look at friends the way they do.

A fake smile came across Nova's face to cover the sudden weight she felt on her chest. She shook her head slightly, "Anyway..."

Gilbert couldn't break his stare, "Nova, I'm-"

She shook her head again, "No. It's fine. I'm sorry for saying that. It was good to see you, Gilbert." Nova got up and started her way to the door before a hand grabbed hers. She looked back to the brunette, who is now standing, with tear filled eyes.

"Gilbert, I can't do this. I can't say goodbye, goodbye is always such a final thing. Like I'm saying goodbye forever, like you're never going to come back to Avonlea. Which you're probably not. I just-"

Gilbert cuts her off her rambling, "Nova, look at me." She hesitated to make eye contact with him but when she did, she felt her heart rate rise. "It's not certain when I'm coming back but I will come back. I'll write to you, hopefully you'll write to me too. You haven't lost me."

Tears fell down from her eyes, Nova sniffled. Gilbert took a small step towards her, with his thumb, he wiped her tears. She leaned into his hand, closing her eyes. But the sweet moment was cut off too fast by a small knock at the window, they both looked and saw Anne, smiling ear to ear. Nova looked back to Gilbert, "I should probably go." She says while wiping the remaining tears away from her porcelain face. Gilbert nods, "I'll walk you out." As soon as Gilbert walked out, Anne spoke up. "Gilbert! I'm glad we got to see you. I know Nova was happy to see you." She said with a big smile, nudging Nova, making her blush. He smiles back, "Good to see you too, Anne." Gilbert looked over at Nova, noticing the blush on her face, making him smile at the sight. 

Nova looked down at her feet, not noticing Gilbert.  Anne noticed this and hid her smirk. "I'll give you guys a moment. Nova, I'll be near the stables with Jerry." Anne pointed toward the direction she was going. Nova nodded and looked to Gilbert. "Please be safe and don't think too much about Avonlea, I think we can make it." She let out a small laugh. Gilbert smiled and nodded. Nova spoke again, "And make sure to write about your experiences. I would love to hear about them when you get back and I'm sure you would love to have some sort of souvenir to tell stories about." He smiled at the beautiful girl in front of him. "I'll make sure I do that and I'll write to you, okay?" Nova nods and engulfs him in a hug. She nuzzled her head into the crook of his neck. Gilbert did the same, smelling the perfume she was wearing.

Nova was the first to pull away. She looked up to Gilbert since he was a little bit taller than her. "It was good seeing you, Gilbert." Nova took one last look at Gilbert, taking in and made her way to the stables.

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY - mackaroni :b