Annals of the Lily Maid
by aircompass
Chapter 1: Gaze
DISCLAIMER: Many thanks to LM Montgomery.
I wrote this story, but she owns everything else.
I remember seeing her for the first time. It was an awkward stage, being
thirteen years old and struggling to be a man for my father, but still very much
a child. I was immature to begin with, and fully equipped with raging teenage
hormones and horror for responsibility beyond my years. She sat across the
aisle, a tender eleven years, overwhelmed by the luck of finding a home with
people who would love her. As it would turn out, we had a lot in common. Growing
up before your years was rather terrible thing, but it was something we both had
to deal with considering the circumstances fate had sent for us. But of course,
I had not known that at the time. All I was told was that the new girl would
prove to be stiff competition, and her name was Anne Shirley.
She sat, wholly absorbed in doing her sums, but every so often pausing to
whisper to Diana Barry. They would giggle and resume their arithmetic.
Anne Shirley seemed a pale fragile thing. But for all the warmth she held in the
mass of red hair braided down her back, I believed that Anne was much, much
more. Her eyes spoke of whispered fancies and fantastic dreams. Of course, at
the time, all I had seen were the extraordinary eyes that I had never
encountered before in my life, that I was sure I would never meet again. Unless
they were hers. They were large and subdued silver-green, very much like pale
green stars.
She was...cute, in actuality. I decided that she was of acquired taste, but very
cute, nonetheless. Very much ignoring him, indeed.
She wouldn't look at him and no other girl had ever pointedly ignored me and all
my ploys to gain her attention. I never
actually had to employ a way to catch that attention, because no girl had been
able to resist my charms. Not that I had actually
wanted the attention of anyone at school. At least, not until this new girl.
Some girls were actually very nice, Diana, Jane Andrews
or Katie Boulter were generally sweet girls. They wouldn't throw themselves, or
fawn over me and the other boys in an absolute show of foolishness. But some
others, Josie Pye or Julia Bell made me cringe repeatedly. Who on earth had
started the "TAKE NOTICE" signs anyway?
Ugh, I think as I am reminded of it. Josie specifically, would stare attempting
to look beguiling as it would seem, and bat her lashes.
She only made me nauseous. I hated being stared at, and I hated especially for
Josie to stare. Hadn't the Pyes taught their offspring that it's bad manners to
stare?
But then, a little voice piped up. You wouldn't mind very much if those bright
inquisitive stars would look at you... it taunted.
Indeed, there was no protest to be made. If I could just find a way to catch her
eye...
EUREKA! Attempts at diversion earned me a look of disapproval. I had pinned Ruby
Gillis' hair to the seat and winked at Anne
hoping she'd share in the mischief. But, I had not thought of teasing her...Pull
a long red braid...CARROTS!!! CARROTS!!!...And CRAAAAACK!!!! We have contact...
Her eyes had flashed a furious green briefly, then ebbed into rather wounded
grey clouds. I had not felt so evil in my whole life.
At least, until Mr. Philips called her attention. I felt downright wormy and I
had to do something...
"I-It was my fault, sir. I teased her." I declared. I felt the need to
be severely punished for destroying my own chance and being
incredibly insensitive...not that I had thought so, but that's what she seemed
to think...
After school, I waited for her outside. I worried as soon as she walked out the
door onto the porch. Her head was held high and she marched stiffly and briskly,
attempting to get away from me as soon as possible. I could tell.
Dearest Lord, I prayed. Let my skull stay strong for another slate if it isn't
in your plan to forgive me...I wanted nothing better than to be friends with
Anne Shirley. She had proven herself a worthy opponent, and I was looking
forward to her company. She seemed quite interesting. Of course, that was if
she'd forgive me.
"I'm awful sorry I made fun of your hair, Anne. Honest I am. Don't be mad
for keeps now..." I held my breath a little. She would not even grace me
with a glance.
At least she dropped the slate-smashing, skull-breaking method, I thought
in rather bitter humor. Extremely troubled, I made way for her to walk away. A
sinking feeling sat at the pit of my stomach. But, being the lad I was turning
into, I kept a mask of serenity
and nonchalance.
----------
Charlie Sloane watched the short exchange. He had, himself, been rather enamored
with Anne Shirley and was glad there was obvious dislike for Gilbert Blythe
behind her. Not that he hated Gil, they were friends. It was just that he had
always felt rather small beside the Blythe boy.
He was the one who always got the attention. It was obvious that he had
certainly inherited a massive amount of physical blessedness. The combination of
his hazel eyes, dark hair and extremely infectious personality won him serious
points with the girls. Gilbert was an extremely kind person as well. Nobody had
ever seemed to dislike him. He was, besides being handsome and kind, reliable,
responsible and intelligent. Well, all liked him except Anne.
And this seemed to Charlie, a small victory that he would be able to cherish.
After all, at least Anne Shirley conversed with him
every so often.
"You shouldn't have done that, Gil." Charlie told his friend
reproachfully. "You hurt her feelings. She's a bit sensitive about
her hair you know..."
----------
I nearly smacked Charlie Sloane. Did he think I was stupid? Obviously her hair
was an intense subject, and it was clear I had hurt her feelings. I knew that.
Anne Shirley wasn't like the other girls, she seemed more fragile, yet stronger
at the same time. But to admit this, to Charlie Sloane? I would rather eat a
fly.
"Naw...since when did you care Charlie? Do you LIKE her?" I teased,
proud of the brilliant solution I had come up with. Play like I
didn't care at all.
"She's nice, Gil! And she isn't like a lot of people..."
DUH, Charlie. If she was, the slate she broke on my head would still be okay.
And so would my skull. And my guilt. I said nothing, and raised an
eyebrow.
"Oh alright. But did you have to use her hair?" he reprimanded.
"Maybe Carrots WAS too much..." I decided. Charlie nodded, as if he
was glad I saw the light through his 'goggle-eyes'. He turned away, and ran down
the schoolhouse steps. My face broke out into a grin.
"You're right Charlie!" I called.
"I should've gone with the freckles instead!!"