▷ Single - The Neighbouthood

«When you're in the room you get my eyes, you open your mouth I'm hypnotized»

___

January 11th

MATTHEW CUTHBERT used to spoil her daughter with all kinds of things: vinyls, albums, boots, dresses... He always went to a shop downtown that's been Anne's favorite choice for clothes since she entered her teenage years. Somehow, the old man understood her style, and every once in a while walked home with a box that contained another pair of combat boots or a brand new skirt.

Anne leaves that exact same store on a cold Friday afternoon after having bought a long-sleeved velvet wine-red top that will go perfect with her black leather skirt. She's putting on her gloves when he sees him walking her way — dark grey coat, black scarf and a beanie that can't cover all of his dark curls.

Apparently, Gilbert Blythe has a habit of bumping into her.

"Shirley" he breathes out, scanning her face. She's clearly happy to see him — it's the same expression she wears whenever they run into each other: crinkled eyes, a smile that creeps up her face.

"Gilbert! What are you doing here?"

"Just some grocery shopping" he holds up a bag of mixed fruit and vegetables. "You?"

"Just bought something for tomorrow's party" she mimicks his actions, holding the bag with her left hand. "I wanna look pretty"

"You're pretty anyway" he blurts out, suddenly regretting his honesty impulse.

"Thank you" she blushes, not expecting his words. "Are you going?"

"Oh, I can't" he says. "It's movie night with my dad"

"Oh, another time maybe?"

Fuck. She really wanted to see him tomorrow. But she understands that he wants to spend time with his dad. Movie night. Sounds amazing. Her mind drifts to her movie nights with Matthew, how he loved cowboys and John Wayne's movies and how they always ordered their favorite pizza from their favorite pizza place. Pepperoni and extra cheese.

"Shirley?"

"Oh, yes, sorry, I doze off" she shakes her head, trying to remind herself not to drift away like that. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you wanted to take a... photo?" his hand is holding his phone now. "We don't have any together"

"Sure!"

They take their photo and when he's about to tag her, he asks, "I've always wondered. Why Cordelia? Why itscxrdelia?"

"Oh, it's my middle name"

"Anne Cordelia Shirley-Cuthbert"

He never calls her by her name, but some reason, she loves how her full name sounds when he pronounces it.

"Exactly"

"Well, Shirley, I should get going" he says. "I'll see you" he puts his beanie back and gives her a quick hug. Classic Gilbert Blythe.

"See you" she says, and when she's already turned her back to him and starts walking, she hears his voice again.

"Enjoy the party!"

"I will!" she says, waving goodbye at him and giving him a last smile before making her way home.

___

liked by dibarry, sloaneboi and 128 others
drblythe i ran into a bag of freckles today

tagged: itscxrdelia

rubyg again??? must be fate
dibarry ^^^
itscxrdelia do u have a radar or something like that?

___

January 12th

It's a back-to-school party after Christmas in some old yet fancy building downtown. Everybody seems to be enjoying themselves — except from a raven-haired princess who kicks her right leg nervously against the dancefloor.

"He's not coming" the girl says, eyes fixed on the door. "He left me on read and he ignored my calls"

What did I do to deserve such an asshole?

"Di, don't worry. I'm sure there's an explanation for this" Anne tries to calm her friend down. Apparently, Diana's date with Fred went pretty well, although she hasn't shared much details — the thing is, she told him to come to this party, and he hasn't showed up yet.

Diana sighs, rubbing her temple. "He didn't want to come — he didn't want to see me" the girl is in the depths of despair and neither Ruby or Anne know what to do to comfort her. It's the first time Diana's ever gone on a date and she probably wasn't expecting this disappointment. "I just- I kissed him and he freaked out! I'm sure"

"You kissed him?!" Anne and Ruby scream in unison, sharing a surprised look. That was not a Diana Barry move, that's for sure.

"I did, and I shouldn't have. He probably thinks I'm desperate for love or something like that"

"Don't say that, you ninny!" Ruby grabs Diana by the shoulders and shakes them  effusively, making the raven-haired girl roll her eyes. "It's pretty clear that he likes you, I saw sparks fly between you two!"

"Stop it with the Taylor Swift references!" Diana hisses. Anne just snorts a laugh.

"I can't help myself"

"Anyway" Diana says. "Let's just party. There's more in life that stupid boys!"

Although she really, really misses that stupid boy. Stupid Fred Wright.

___

January 12th
11:32 p.m.

John Blythe's nurse checks his pulse again whilst the man watches TV. His son his watching the nurse do all these tasks with all his concentration, trying to learn and memorize such things for when he needs them — when he finally becomes a doctor himself.

"Everything seems to be alright" the nurse says with a happy grin. "I guess I'll leave you two to the movie"

"Thank you, Bash" Gilbert says. Bash is an old friend of the family — he's also a nurse and he's the one who's taken care of John since he was diagnosed with his illness.

There's a knock on the door. "I'll get that, don't worry" Bash walks to the door and Gilbert and his father share a confused look since they don't usually receive many visitors.

"Blythe? There's someone here for you!"

Who could it possibly be, being this late?

"I'm sorry, I didn't know where else to go"

___

"Would you stop looking at the damn door?" Diana makes Ruby turn around as she dances to the best of a popular pop song. "I told you, he's not coming"

"I know your Fred Wright's not coming!" the blonde shouts over the loud music. "I was wondering what's become of Jerry, that's it"

"He's probably with Billy and Moody"

"Oh, that's good" Ruby says after taking a sip of her vodka lemon.

"Why?" Anne asks.

"Why... what?"

"Why this sudden interest in my brother?"

"He's cool. Actually, he's super cool"

Anne and Diana share a eyebrow-raised stare. Jerry's definitely not Ruby Gillis's type, but truth is they've become closer over the past few months.

"What?" Ruby asks, realizing the look on her friends's faces.

"Nothing" Anne says, crossing her arms over her chest with a teasing smile on her face. "Just curious"

"I just want to get to know him better!" Ruby pouts. What? She doesn't like him, honestly. But he's a great guy and he seems to listen to her when nobody else does. What's the matter with that?

___

That night, the lights are off in Gilbert Blythe's room. He's lying on a mattress on the floor, wearing his Simpson's pajamas. His bed is being occupied by a tall figure curled up on top of it, wrapped in blankets. The figure is wearing a borrowed Star Wars pajamas.

Silence reigns over the two of them, until the figure speaks.

"Hey, Gilbert?"

"Yea?"

"Thank you. For letting me sleep here"

"Anytime"

It's Fred Wright. He'd showed up at his door about two hours ago, a guitar case in his hands and his clothes completely soaked because of the rainstorm outside. There was a grim look on his eyes that alarmed Gilbert — the other boy didn't say a single word, but Gilbert could tell that there was something wrong and he needed help. And Gilbert Blythe always had a helping hand. For anyone.

A hot shower, a borrowed pajamas and a cup of tea that Fred politely declined later, Gilbert got to know how the boy had gotten into a terrible fight with his parents, which ended in them kicking Fred out of the house. Gilbert listened quietly to the boy's brief story.

Fred explained later how he had seen Gilbert park his car there weeks ago — that's how he knew where he lived. "I know we don't know each other that much, I'm sorry for coming" Fred had apologized, although Gilbert assured him there was no problem at all.

It was at that moment that Fred Wright knew that he could always come at Gilbert Blythe's door for help.

And there they were, having some sort of unplanned sleepover as id they had been best friends their whole lives. But no — three months ago, Fred Wright was just a stranger.

"She kissed me" Fred whispers, eyes fixed on the ceiling and a foolish smile on his face.

"You and Diana, uh?"

"Yeah, it was great. She's amazing" Fred whispers. "I'd like to officially ask her out when I fix all this shitty situation with my parents"

"That's great, man, I'm happy for you"

"What about Anne?"

Crap.

"She'll be happy that you two like each other" Gilbert says, praying that Fred's content with his answer.

"That's not what I meant"

"Then what do you mean?" he tries to act as if he doesn't know what Fred's talking about. But he does.

"I know you like her"

And I kinda know she likes you a bit too, Fred wants to say. But he can't just do that.

Gilbert sighs, crossing his arms under his head. Just when Fred is about to fall asleep, the boy opens his mouth to say the words he's been fearing to admit for a while now.

"I'm not even sure she has a clue about how whipped for her I am"

"Who knows" Fred replies. His voice is serene and soft as if he's about to fall asleep — the boy hasn't had a good sleep in months, hell, probably in years.

"Yeah, who knows" Gilbert whispers, turning to lay on his side. Sooner than he expects, he drifts into sleep with a certain redhead on his mind.

___

January 13th

Fred Wright opens his eyes in a comfortable bed that's definitely not his. It takes his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the light that enters the room through the window. Then he remembers — it's Gilbert's room. He turns his head to his left, but the mattress on the floor is empty now.

The boy takes some time to study the room. It's painted navy blue, and its decoration is very minimalistic; the walls are naked and the only thing that calls Fred's attention is how massively crowded the bookshelf is. It occupies half of the front wall, and most of the books are medicine enciclopedias.

Rubbing his eyes, the boy sits in bed when a luring smell enters his nostrils.

He walks down the stairs to find Gilbert making breakfast. His father is sitting in the kitchen table, eating a bowl of fruit porridge. "Morning, Fred" Gilbert says, batting eggs in a bowl. "I hope you like scrambled eggs"

Breakfast? Is he making breakfast? For him? Fred can't even remember the last time someone made breakfast for him.

"I do, yeah" he says. "Thanks"

He plays with his hands nervously, eyes to his feet. For a moment he asks himself what on Earth he's doing there. He's slept in a house of someone he doesn't even know, that person, well, Gilbert, allowed him to sleep in his own bed and now he's even making breakfast for him.

I don't deserve this, he thinks.

"Why don't you sit down, son?" the older man's words snap him out of his thoughts. Fred does as he says, taking his seat in front of John. Fred, however, remains silent.

Gilbert places a toast and some scrambled eggs before him. "Coffee?" he asks, holding the coffee maker in his hands.

"Oh, y-yeah, please"

John Blythe shakes his head between his laughter. "What an extremely polite friend you've got there, Gil" he says.

"Yeah" Gilbert chuckles as he bites his toast. "Friend" he says as he winks to Fred, making the other boy smile under his cup of coffee.

___

Half an hour later, they're back to Gilbert's room. Fred's clothes are clean now, and he's changed back to them. "I can't tell Diana about my family situation" Fred says as he pulls a scarf borrowed by Gilbert. "I don't want her to pity me. I just applied for a job and I also want my band to work out"

"You have a band?!" Gilbert says with excitement.

"Yeah, my grandpa got me a guitar about three years ago. He was the only one that supported my... ambitions. My parents hate it"

"Sucks, dude" Gilbert pats his back. "I'd like to hear you play some day"

Fred looks at his guitar case, leaning against Gilbert's closet. "Can I leave this here?" he asks. "I'd be safer with you"

"Sure, man" Gilbert nods. "Also, you can stay for as long as you need"

"Thanks" Fred says, standing up from Gilbert's bed. "But I should go back to... where I live. Can I ask you one more favor, though?"

"Anything"

"Can you drive me to Diana's?" he asks. "I need to apologize"

___

Gilbert sits inside his car, watching Fred's knuckles knocking against Diana Barry's door. It's not Diana the one to open the door, but a certain redhead that is definitely not a morning person, because she's just slapped Fred Wright's face.

Shocked expression plastered on his face, Gilbert gets out of his car. "What are you doing, you crazy?!" he yells as his footsteps creak against the snowy pavement. The girl looks at him, really, really confused and a bit embarrassed.

"Gilbert?! What-?"

"Did you just slap the poor boy?" Gilbert stands in front of her, hands in his hips and a disappointed look on his face. "Have you lost your mind, Shirley?"

Fred just stands there laughing — Anne hasn't even hit him hard, but he realizes know that it would be better if he didn't pissed her off. Just in case.

"What are you even doing here?" She mimicks Gilbert's posture.

"What are you doing here? As far as I'm concerned, this is not your house!" Gilbert asks. Fred's eyes go from Anne to Gilbert and then Gilbert to Anne, as if it was a tennis match.

"Sleepover, maybe?" she says. Gilbert takes now a closer a look at her. Breakfast club pajamas. He tries not to smile, failing miserably.

"Are you laughing at me, Gilbert Blythe?!"

He is. "No, it's just that pajamas — it brings back so many memories"

"You better run for your life, because I'm about to slap you twice as hard as I slapped Fred!"

Gilbert takes a few steps backwards, pretending to be scared of her. She runs after him with her pajamas and her slippers on.

"I'm terrified!" he says, running. He realizes now that being alone with her is a mixture of excitement and terror. Excitement because every moment with her is different and even better than the last one. Terror because he's starting to like her a lot. A lot, lot. He knows that he's losing control over the situation because every damn song he listens to reminds him of her — and that can't possibly be healthy.

I don't know if we should be alone together
I still got a crush, that's obvious
If nobody's around, what's stopping us?

Fred is watching the scene in amusement when he feel somebody tapping on his shoulder, making him turn around.

"Diana" he scans the sight of her. She's wearing a baby blue winter pajamas that makes her look... beautiful. Her hair is down and a bit messy — she tries to fix it desperately and Fred realizes know that's one of her many nervous habits.

Diana's eyes travel from Fred to Gilbert and Anne, who are involved in a snowball fight in her front yard. "What are you doing here?" she asks as her eyes go back to Fred. She tries to sound harsh, because she's truly disappointed and a bit embarrassed as well.

"I wanted to see you" he says.

"You could've" she says. "Yesterday"

"I know, I'm sorry, something came up and..."

"Why didn't you just text me and tell me?" she doesn't even want to listen to his stupid attempt of an explanation.

"I'm sorry"

"Answer my question"

He sighs. "I can't tell you, it's complicated"

"You can't tell me but you can tell Gilbert?"

"Look, I need you to trust me. I like you a lot, I do, but... there's some shit in my life that I don't want you to be part of. Would you please, please trust me on this?" he begs, and suddenly her face softens. "Because I really had fun in our date and I want to go out with you again because you're amazing and I really want to kis-"

"Diana?" There's a voice coming from outside the house that doesn't let him finish. "Who's this?"

Crap, my mom, Diana curses mentally.

"Sorry, mom. This is Fred, we're doing our English project together. He came to ask something about it, right?"

"Yes!" he says. "I wanted to know if Juliet does eventually meet Romeo again or not?"

Diana hesitates for a few seconds, considering her answer carefully. "Yes, she does. She told Romeo he'd hear from her via Mercuccio"

"Perfect" Fred grins like an idiot and Mrs. Barry wonders why this boy might be so invested in a Shakespearean play. "Thanks, Diana. Pleasure, Mrs. Barry"

The boy walks towards Gilbert and Anne's direction. Diana is watching him leave when her mother speakers again.

"I've never seen him before"

"He's new at school too" Diana lies. "He's Gilbert's friend"

Mrs. Barry furrows her eyes brows, not fully believing her daughter's words. Gilbert and Anne wave from the snowy garden — there's snow in Anne's braids and she's laughing as something Gilbert's whispered in her ear.

___

January 14th

"... And none to aid him in the stormy strife:
Companion of the sea and silent air,
The lonely fisher thus must ever fare..."

Gilbert has decided now that English is his favorite subject at school. It used to be Biology, for obvious reasons — he wants to become a doctor. But right now, watching a certain redhead stand up by the blackboard, reading, well, reciting with such passion has made him change is mind.

"Without the comfort, hope,—with scarce a friend,
He looks through life, and only sees—its end!"

Yup, definitely, English is his favorite subject.

"That was a great choice of a poem, Anne. Thank you for sharing that with the class"

Anne nods.

"Anyone else wants to share the poem they chose for this week?"

No one raises their hand and it's no surprise at all. Anne is probably the only one that has done this week's assignment. Gilbert has, too, but there's no way he could even compare to Anne. The way she reads.

"Gilbert?" Ms. Stacy calls him, but he's too distracted looking at Anne. She's making her way back to her desk — her hair is down and is bouncing up her back. Wow.

"Gilbert Blythe?"

"Uh? Yes? Sorry?"

"Would you like to share your poem with us?"

"Oh, sure" he stands up, grabbing a piece of paper from his binder and walking up to the blackboard. The teacher nods, allowing him to start. He clears is throat — his voice is not as passionate as Anne's, but rather soothing and calm. Most of the students check their phones or look out of the window, but a pair of blue eyes are fixed on him, and he knows that he can't mess this up.

"Passing stranger! You do not know how longingly I look upon you,
You must be he I was seeking, or she I was seeking, (it comes to me as of a dream,)
I have somewhere surely lived a life of joy with you"

Anne recognizes the poem immediately, it's one of her favorites — another thing she has in common with Gilbert.

Walt Whitman.

She watches him as he keeps on reciting.

"All is recall'd as we flit by each other, fluid, affectionate, chaste, matured,
You grew up with me, were a boy with me or a girl with me,
I ate with you and slept with you, your body has become not yours only nor left my body mine only,
You give me the pleasure of your eyes, face, flesh, as we pass, you take of my beard, breast, hands, in return,
I am not to speak to you, I am to think of you when I sit alone or wake at night alone,
I am to wait, I do not doubt I am to meet you again, I am to see to it that I do not lose you"

The class goes silent for a few seconds. Anne wants to clap, to stand up and congratulate him, but she just keeps watching him in amazement. "That was beautiful, Gilbert. Thank you" Ms. Stacy breaks the silence. "Anyone would like to comment on the poem Gilbert chose today, class?"

Anne raises her hand in the most Hermione Granger way.

Of course.

"It's about soulmates. The author knows that he can't be with his beloved one now — yet he feels like they've met before. The chemistry between them makes it feel like there's something familiar about the person he talks about in the poem... that's why he feels like they've met in another life"

"That was a really interesting reflexion. Thank you Anne" Ms. Stacy thanks her before looking back at Gilbert. "Maybe you'd like to add something else, Gilbert?"

"Me? Oh, no" he says, making his way back to the seat and taking his spot next to Anne. "Anne's explanation was more than satisfactory"

Anne. Anne. Anne.

He's called her by her name again.

___

A/N

This chapter was soooooo long, I'm so sorry! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it (it's one of my favourite chapters)

I was reading Whitman's poetry today when I realized that poem was kinda suitable for Shirbert 💘

Any thoughts of this story so far? Tell me!

ALSO THE AWAE S3 TEASER GOT ME DEAD