OSTRACIZE | GILBERT BLYTHE

68

"Bud, bloom, branch and bough is part of a greater whole. In fact, everything you see around you is entangled in a kind of symbiotic dance, and the uniqueness of each participant enables the forest to thrive." Miss Stacy said as everyone walked around the woods.

Ellis and Gilbert both walked around, arm in arm, pointing to the different flowers and trees with huge smiles on their faces. Whereas, everyone else in the class were talking about either the pair or the take-notice board.

"But if you wish to see the true genius and efficiency of Mother Nature, just look up at the trees above you. See the channels of space between the canopy? This mysterious phenomenon is known as crown shyness."

"Oh!" Tilly said as she pretended to fall.

"Each tree is aware of its boundaries. Which in tree-speak, means - No touching!" Miss Stacy scolded both the boys.

She then looked the Gilbert and Ellis who had their arms linked but were both looking up at the trees with smiles on their faces. She let out a exaggerated sigh.

"This kind of intelligence is not just limited to trees. We see it across all of nature, even with the birds and the bees." Miss Stacy continued.

"Finally!" Jane and Josie said with a giggle.

"Birds and bees?!"

"The bee collects pollen and nectar to feed the hive and create honey. The flower receives pollen, which it needs to bear fruit." Miss Stacy tried to ignore all the comments that the students were making.

"I thought we were gonna learn about the real birds and bees." Jane sighed.

"I assure you, the lesson will be illuminating all the same. And then we have the birds. Take the red-breasted nuthatch."

Ellis smiled as she saw a small rabbit pop it's head out of its burrow. Gilbert couldn't help but smile at the girl. She had hardly smiled since Mary's passing. He wrapped his arms around her waist and spun her around.

Ellis let out a quiet squeal causing the rest of the students and Miss Stacy to look at them.

Miss Stacy carried on walking and Moody tried to step on the rocks, causing him to slip and cut open his leg. He let out a scream.

"Oh, goodness me." Miss Stacy ran towards Moody. Gilbert and Ellis shared a look before running to help.

Ruby let out a high pitch scream once seeing the huge cut on Moody's leg. There was another scream.

"Indians!" Tilly shouted.

"We are surrounded by savages!" Josie panicked. Ruby then fainted causing Ellis to let out a light chuckle. She was glad that James and Carter forced her to go to school today. Gilbert playfully nudged her and shook his head, but he had a small smirk on his face.

"How is he?" Miss Stacy questioned as Gilbert looked at the cut.

"It's deep. There's nothing I can do here. He needs stitches." Gilbert said as he took a rag from Miss Stacy hand and applied pressure to the cut. "Put your hands here and apply a light pressure."

Slowly, Ellis nodded and obeyed.

"S-sorry." She whispered to Moody as she applied pressure to his cut.

"It's okay Ellis." He says as he took a deep breath.

"The Mi'kmaq village. It's nearby, they can bring help. I know the way. I'll be right back." Anne said as she handed her basket to Charlie and started running to the village for help.

Gilbert had just finished wrapping up the cut to prevent it from bleeding any more and Ruby had woken up.

"Is she going to be alright?" Diana questioned as she fussed over Ruby with the rest of the girls.

"She's in shock." Gilbert answered. "Give her some honey. It'll bring her energy up."

Anne had arrived back with some Indians, causing Ruby to faint again.

"This is the Mi'kmaq medicine woman. She's here to help." Anne said with a small smile.

"Who is dead? My son, he said someone died." Aluk questioned.

"Uh no one's dead. One of our girls has fainted and a boy is hurt. Alright everyone, let's move out of the way now. Thank you so much for your help." Miss Stacy said as the whole class backed up.

"Hello. The girl will be alright, but the boy needs help." Gilbert said to Aluk and he translated for the woman.

"No." Moody said as the woman tried to give him something to eat.

"It is from the weeping tree. It grows by the water." Aluk explained.

"It's for pain?" Gilbert questioned and Aluk nodded. Ellis looked at Moody and nodded, telling him it was safe.

"She needs that. Honey cleanses the wound. No sickness can enter." He explained and Gilbert handed Aluk the honey.

"Oh, God." Moody panicked once he saw the needle.

"It's alright, it's alright. Just breathe." Gilbert attempted to calm the boy. Ellis looked at the woman curiously.

Once the woman had finished tending to Moody, Gilbert and Aluk helped her stand up.

"She says you must be gentle. You will be well soon."

The woman tried to hand Gilbert back the honey.

"Thank you, keep it. I have so much of it." Ellis couldn't help but smile at the boy, his kind heart always seemed to surprise her and she stepped back with blushed cheeks.

She couldn't stop thinking about it, about him and his warm smile and kind nature and it was then that she started to get the urge to immediately tell him that she liked him.

She didn't, well not then, but she wanted to and so she planned that definitely some time in the future she would tell the boy of her true feelings.