bloom ; moody spurgeon

02

"I heard you have a new girl in your class." Elizabeth paused where she was, a piece of toast halfway to her mouth as her mother continued. The other day at school had proven Anne to be an eccentric spirit. One whom most people, unfortunately, did not understand. If her mother had heard anything about her, she doubted it would be positive.

"I ran into Mrs. Andrews the other day in town. Apparently this new girl, Anne, has been spreading some rather upsetting information."
Elizabeth set her toast down on her plate and took a breath. She knew exactly what Anne had been saying.

"About Prissy and Mr. Phillips?" Her mother nodded her head. She wasn't entirely sure about the mouse thing, but Elizabeth had seen Prissy and Mr.Phillips together just as clear as Anne had. Still, she knew better then to tell her mother that.

"Yes, well." Her mother rose from her seat and began to collect empty plates and silverware from the table. "There is no need to talk about it anymore, I am sure the poor Andrews are mortified. Dwelling on it will do no good. Just be careful of that new girl, Elizabeth. I know you leave soon but there is no telling what that girl can do in that time."

With that, her mother left the room. Elizabeth couldn't help but feel guilty. She wanted to stand up for Anne. Her words may have cause harm, but she did not intend to do so. She was only sharing what she had seen. Even if she agreed to keep her distance, it would be a lie. Her mother was right about one thing, however. Dwelling on it won't do any good.

She stood from her chair and made a start to collect her things.

"We should head to school now, grab your books, Lillie." Although her back was turned to her sister she still heard her long, dramatic sigh. But soon after she heard scraping wood and her shoes on the floor.

"Elizabeth." Upon hearing her name, she turned to look at her father who was the last to stand from the table.
"Before I go, I have some important information. I received word from your aunt, Sylvia. She has paid for your ticket already, the train leaves in ten days."

Ten days? It seemed so soon. The day had only just begun but it was already turning out awful. Elizabeth forced a smile as she tighten her grip on her bag

"Thank you for telling me, father"

"Of course. Now you girls better be on your way, I don't want you to be late."

Elizabeth nodded, trying to ignore her sweaty palms and buzzing head. She called to her sister, and the two of them headed out the door.

As they walked, Elizabeth noticed that the weather seemed to match her mood. Grim and foggy. Her thoughts continued to swirl in her mind when she saw a familiar figure up ahead.

"Charlie!"

The tall boy turned around to look for the person who called his name. As soon as his eyes landed on them, he broke into a wide smile and planted his feet so the two girls could catch up.

"You don't want to walk to school with a boy" Lillie complained as they grew closer. She clutched her sisters dress and spoke sternly, "they're infested with all sorts of diseases." Elizabeth chose to ignore her.

"Goodmorning Beth"

Lillie huffed and crossed her arms. Boys may be infested with diseases, but a goodmorning still would have been nice. As Charlie started to walk again, making his pace with the girl besides him, he could sense that something was wrong.
"Are you alright? You look worried about something."

"I leave Avonlea in ten days"

"I thought you were excited about leaving. You said you'd be attending a very good school, didn't you."

Elizabeth couldn't help but smile because he had remembered. She had told him and Moody about it one day after school had let out. They had showed some interest, saying that they'd miss her. But mostly, they had just seemed distracted.

"Yes, it is a good school. But ten days is so soon, and I'm going to be gone for so long. I don't think I'm coming back here, Charlie. Not for good, anyways. I'll come to visit of course. I'll stay longer for summer perhaps so I can help my parents in the fields."

"Your sister isn't going?"

Glad to finally be included, Lillie quickened her pace from where she had previously been grumpily trudging a few steps behind her sister.

"She's only going for school, isn't that so boring? My friend Clara told me if I want be well off in life, I just have to marry well" she said, very matter of factly. This caused Charlie to throw his head back in laughter.

Elizabeth furrowed her eyebrows and gave him a small slap, "be quiet Charlie you're only encouraging her" she then turned her attention to the small girl, who was now walking closely besides the two older children. "I thought boys had diseases, how could you ever marry one?"