Play the Love Away

John Blythe

"Spell amorous."

Elise stood in the front of the class, waiting for her next word. She, Anne, and Tillie were the only girls remaining while the boys had Moody and Gilbert.

Tillie took a moment, "Amorous. A-M-O-R-U-" "Ah wrong! Sit down. Spell gorgeous."

Moody looked up in thought when he started, "Moody Spurgeon:G-O-R-G-I-" "Argh! Sit down, you butcher of beauty. Ostracize?"

The boys cheered Gilbert on as he spelled slowly, "O-S-T-R-A-C-I-Z-E." "That would seem to be correct. Haughty."

"H-A-O-" "No! Elise respell."

Elise almost yelled when Anne got the word wrong, she usually won these games. She started to spell, watching Anne go back to her seat, defeated. "H-A-U-G-H-T-Y"

"Callous." "C-A-L-L-O-U-S."

They yelled for Elise, "You can do it!" "Penitent." "P-E-N-I-T-E-N-T."

"Intentions." "I-N-T-E-N-T-I-O-N-S."

"Persevere." "P-E-R-S-E-V-E-R-E."

Mr. Phillips took a momen, "Engagement." "E-N-G-A-G- M?" Mr. Phillips stopped him, "That is incorrect. The spelling, not the sentiment."

Anne and Diana ran over to Elise as she shared a glance with Gilbert. "Elise, you won!"

Gilbert shuffled through them, shaking his head, "Congratulations, Ellie. I should've added an E."

Elise got lost in his eyes as she smiled, "Better luck next time." He looked down with a smile and walked back to his seat. Gilbert Blythe was smart too.

~~~

Gilbert bounded over to Elise, who almost approached the schoolhouse. "Elise! I'm sorry, I had things to do at home."

The snow fell all around them, creating a perfect scene around them. Gilbert took a mental picture. She looked more beautiful in the snow, more than she usually did. Her hair was decorated with small white flakes and her nose was extra red. She wore a bulky coat with her books in a bag. She was so cold.

She smiled and shrugged, "Its alright. Cmon, we can't be late."

Elise stole faxes at Gilbert, who was very much distracted today. She wondered what had happened at home to make him so late. He was always on time for her.

Josie brought her back to the conversation, "Shhh. Not so loud. I got mine three months ago and I feel extremely mature."

"You seem mature," Diana added. They were talking about a woman's cycle, another subject that Elise didn't really want to discuss. She had gotten hers about two months ago and it was interesting watching her dad throw a fit.

"I think the boys take me more seriously, too," Josie smirked. Anne's face fell to panic, "But they can't tell. Can they can tell? That would be awful." "Not tell per se," she shook her head, "But I'm not a little girl anymore, and I believe that's noticeable. My bosoms are growing."

Anne looked down at her chest in disgust, "Yet another reason why this is inexplicable." "I got mine last year," Diana commented, Tillie agreed. Diana looked at the floor with a smile in imagination, "My father has started opening the door for me. It's sweet."

Josie looked at the girls, "I can't wait until I can wear my hair up."

Ruby started to sniffle as Elise looked at her, worried. "Ruby, what's wrong?" She asked.

"I'm not a woman! Why don't I have it?!" She cried. Anne gave her a look, "Trust me, if I could give you mine, I would. This is so inconvenient!" "Hush, Anne!" Diana scolded.