A Ruby story, in which we get to know her a little better.
After spending some alone time with Gilbert, Ruby realizes she is not in love with him after all. But perhaps someone else might be found of him. After befriending Gilbert and accepting that he is not the one for her, with Diana’s help Ruby is determined to make Gilbert and Anne be together, at least, to be in speaking terms again. But she really plays cupid, and perhaps her luck with love started to bloom once again.
What to expect: two years time jump. Ruby being her awesome self. Ruby insights in her life. Shirbert, of course. Study pals. Jealous!Anne. 'Damn boy you whipped'. Skimming and shenanigans. Denial!Shirbert. Oblivious!Shirbert. Ruby & Diana friendship. Ruby & Gilbert friendship. Diana & Anne friendship. A ball (Prom/Graduation night) with Cole and Aunt Josephine. There's a bit of Diana x Jerry.
Notes:
Hello! It's me, a Ruby stan! I just wanted to write this fic because I'm awfully worried of how Ruby acknowledging Shirbert is going to be conducted. I really do not want Anne and Ruby to end their friendship, so in this Ruby has actually a pivotal role in the situation. Also, I love my girl Ruby so much and I wanted more of her and her story. Thank you for thinking this story is interesting, I promise I'll finish this fic. Enjoy!
Chapter 1: A New Girl
Ruby had turned sixteen a few weeks ago, the last one on her group of friends to her displeasure. It was annoying enough to be the tiniest one, but she was also the youngest, hence she always feeling like a child and the last one to know or understand anything, not to mention that the girl’s teasing of her age and stature sure didn’t help. But now everything was different, she was settled to make things different. She was sixteen, she was a woman and as one she would behave. She made a list of the things she yearned for. Number one? Gilbert Blythe.
As long as she could remember the curly hair boy was always on her mind. She was certain it was love. She was in love with Gilbert Blythe and he... well, he was very polite to her. But she was Ruby Gillis, ‘Romantic - Girl’ as she was proud to say and she didn’t need much to know they were soulmates - “He is just too amiable.” she assured herself “Or maybe I’m a very good pretender and he hasn’t noticed.” but she laughed at the thought of it, one thing she was sure is that she hadn’t been discreet over the years and neither had Josie, he had to be aware of her feelings. “Oblivious much are we Mr. Blythe.” But again, he hadn’t made any kind of courting or heroic action in her behalf since her house caught fire, and this was years ago. “Perhaps, I indeed have been more subtle about it, I’ve been extensively focused on my studies.” She was determined then. She ought to be more straightforward than she had fancied to, if she wanted to marry the man of her dreams.
Monday morning couldn’t arrive sooner. The beautiful sun rays came through the thin curtains as the singing of the birds from the magnolia tree near her window woke her. “Oh, how romantic.” she thought to herself, it was indeed the perfect day to make Gilbert Blythe fall in love with her.
She was usually accompanied to school by Jane and Tillie and sometimes Billy would walk with them as he had to make the same path as his sister. But today her only companion was a little cream coloured rabbit that followed her for some of the path. She took that as a symbol of good luck, that everything was going to play out just as she needed them to.
When she arrived at school none of her friends had arrived yet and there were only some boys playing fetch by the side of the building, so she made her way into the school where He was already there, in the front of the class, by his study corner. The sight of him filled her with delight, he was indeed so handsome with his nose buried in a book as he was doing anything else. This was her chance, she would be her most adorable and interesting self he wouldn’t know what hit him. As she was making her way to the front of the classroom Miss Stacy entered the room “Oh good, you’re here. Miss Gillis, can I speak with you for a moment?” “Oh no, gone opportunity.” As she approached her teacher Miss Stacy began talking with a concerned smile in her face “Ruby, I know how hard you’ve been working on to get into Queen’s Academy, however I’m afraid with your recent scores in biology it won’t be enough to pass.” Ruby’s eyes began to water up and with a distraught voice she replied “Oh no, Miss Stacy, oh no, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I - I can’t just be a wife I have more qualities than that.” as she started sobbing her teacher put her hand on her shoulder in a comforting manner and said “Ruby, calm down, you’ve been excelling in every other subject, we just have to work harder in this one, that’s why Gilbert here will tutor you for the next month or so.” As she looked up, cleaning her tears she asked in a tone of surprise and confusion “Gilbert -” but before she could continue he was standing next to Miss Stacy and interrupted her “Yeah, Ruby. Miss Stacy thinks it’s going to be a good practice for me and I’m glad to help.” Oh, she couldn’t be any more content. Alone time with the love of her life? With his help she’d surely get into College, oh just the thought of them falling in love between study time and going to Queen’s together and getting married- “Ruby?” with the call of her name she realized she hadn’t responded to the situation. “I’m sorry, what?” and Gilbert started speaking again “Miss Stacy said we can use the room after class, with the others who are also going to be tutored, does that work for you?” “Yes. Yes, it does. Perfectly.” “Okay, how about every Tuesday and Thursday?” and with a little pitched noise she agreed to it, he just nodded at her while going back to his book. Sometimes she really could make a fool of herself.
Queen’s Academy assessment was in less than two months and all of those who were taking the test were starting to get nervous.Only a few of her classmates applied to do the exam. Which was good, less competition, but the folks in Charlottetown worried her. They were definitely a threat. She sure was thankful she had had Anne to help her and now she had Gilbert.
Anne Shirley Cuthbert really changed Ruby’s life. Before she befriended Anne her life options were dictated by her family interests, just like her sisters, she should marry for love, but he ought to be a rich lover. How foolish does this thought seemed to her now, of course she wanted to get married in the most romantic way, even more, if she dared to say. Specially since Anne explained to her the concepts of “life mates” and “a love bond”. She knew that that’s what she wanted, and she was glad for Anne, because before it such ideas as to become more than just a lovely doting wife had never crossed her mind. She felt robbed. How could she ever think of missing out in this great adventure; Spending the rest of her life with the man who would be her equal partner and neither of them were to renounce of their wishes. It couldn’t be any more romantic.
Anne gave Ruby a new perspective in life, and she was going to take full advantage of this new her. She was very proud to say she was going to be the first woman of her family to attend college, although it took some convincing on her mother’s side, but surprisingly enough her father couldn’t be anymore thrilled. “Finally! One of you girls have a better purpose in life.” she remembered him saying when she decided to ask for his permission. “Oh! don’t misunderstand me, my child, I love your sisters with all my heart and your mother. But now that we have only you in the house, I can see how sometimes she turns blue, almost spiritless. And I dare to think I failed her, had she not be so preoccupied with my needs and I’m afraid your sisters are all in the same path of emptiness.” Hearing her father be so vulnerable in that moment took her aback, he had always been a very caring father, how could he not, having five girls in the house and he was a good husband, how could he think such things. “Father, don’t be so harsh on yourself. Mother is far from unhappy and she certainly doesn’t regret this life. After all, she has everything she ever longed for.” she said, hoping it would ease her father’s mind. “Don’t worry yourself child, because you, you my darling daughter, will be different. You will have a career to fulfill you besides having a devoted husband and your many children.” She was glad her father was so supportive of her intentions, she wouldn’t know what to do if her wishes were to be denied.
Also if it wasn’t for Anne she could have never be among the best of the class. Not that Ms. Stacy controlled either instigated that type of behaviour, but they sure did. Of course Anne and Gilbert were always tied together at first, the years passed but their strife never stopped. Next there was Jane Andrews, who was truly set on making the new Andrews stance of educated wives swell. She was indeed focused on that, as she had skipped a year and now were in the same class as Ruby. Right after there was Diana Barry, who was excelling in every subject, even though her parents frowned upon her wishes to attend college. And in contrasting to Diana, there was Josie Pye who had to attend Queen’s, as her mother wouldn’t have any other way, and Josie definitely wasn’t going to disappoint. She and Ruby even studied together from time to time.
And as of Ruby, since last year she had proudly stolen Charlie Sloane’s spot. How dissatisfied he was with this new arrangement. He had gotten used to the glory of being the second most intelligent boy in class. So when Ruby started to best him in every subject, even excel in most of them, their classmates made it noticeable that he wasn’t that intelligent after all. Which for her, it actually didn’t make any sense, he was still the second best boy in class, she was just equalizing to it. In reality, she thought that kind of comparison to be cruel on her behalf, as if everybody just thought of her as pretty, nothing else. That’s why when Charlie started trying to reclaim his position she was mostly fierce of showing everyone she was just as good, no, she was better and definitely not just ‘pretty’.
First it was actually annoying. He was always challenging her, and he just had to be the last one to speak, but as she accepted the situation and was decisive to win it now, it had turned out to be an academic rivalry, a healthy one, she supposed; She really thought he would just give up, but it had been months and he sure was keen on getting his spot back. It was starting to bother her, he was just too persistent and impolite, he drove her up the wall. She even nicknamed him as ‘Charlie Sloathe’ as just of how much he annoyed her. But she wouldn’t back down and, afterall, if he aspired to become a doctor and enter Queen’s Academy he would just have to work harder, just as she had been doing, orelse he did not earned to be one. But nonetheless, their rivalry enticed her, despite loathsome-ing him most of the time, but it was one more reason to keep her focused on her goals.
