? o, dreamer || gilbert blythe x reader ?

Weeks had passed since that afternoon by the lake, and you had now grown very comfortable in your new home. Ms. Cuthbert had come around and now allowed you to call her Marilla, and they even let you take their last name- you were now known to the world as Oliver Wood-Cuthbert. 

You sat in the den, as you usually did this time in the afternoon, sprawled across the loveseat with a copy of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy. This was your favorite time of day, the little lull before you and Matthew went out to feed the animals again. The wood-burning stove crackled quietly, staving off the crisp autumn chill that was beginning to settle in over Avonlea. Ms. Cuthbert could be heard in the kitchen, a soft clattering of pans and creaking cupboards every now and then as she prepared dinner. Matthew, sitting across the room from you in his armchair, puffed on his tobacco pipe as he idly leafed through the daily newspaper. Over the past few weeks, you and Matthew had become quite good friends; you two always chatted as you helped him around the barn, and sometimes you'd make up stories to pass the time. You were really at home. 

That night at dinner, Marilla was very chatty- this usually meant that she had something to say, and was figuring out just how to do it. Finally, it came.

"Oliver," Marilla cleared her throat, placing her fork down onto her plate and folding her hands. "Matthew and I have been talking. And-," she looked to him, as if for reassurance, and he nodded at her. "Well, we think it might be a good idea for you to begin attending school." 

You shot up out of your seat, overcome with excitement. "Really?" 

They both nodded, and Matthew chuckled at your reaction. "We thought you might like that."

While you were overjoyed at the notion, your happy expression began to fade and you lowered yourself back into your seat. "I can't do that."

"And why not?" Marilla raised an eyebrow.

"I can't abandon my responsibilities. There would be no one to help Matthew around the farm." Your looked down at your plate, poking at your food with your fork. 

"Well, we think if you're willing to get up extra early and just do the feeding before school, then it should be fine. Matthew and I can handle the rest." Marilla's featured softened into a small smile, but she quickly returned to her practical self.  "That being said, I want you to work hard in school. You're a smart boy, I want you to apply yourself."

You looked up in awe, your eyes growing watery. "Oh, thank you so much!" You sprung from your seat, making your way to the other side of the table and enveloping Marilla in a big hug, followed by Matthew. You had never been able to regularly attend school, and now you would finally have the chance. 

 The next morning you rose extra early, getting all your farm chores done while it was still dark outside. After cleaning up, you put on your best set of clothes; a long-sleeve white button-up, and oatmeal-colored knit vest, with dark brown pants, suspenders, and a tweed cap. Tucking your books into your school bag, your quickly descended the stairs. Marilla was already awake, presumably making her morning cup of tea, and she handed you a packaged lunch and wished you luck as you left.

The walk to school was a considerable distance, and a bit chilly. The leaves had changed, and the soon-to-be-bare trees no longer had their crisp white blossoms like they did when you first arrived on the island. You were lost in your own thoughts for a while, wondering and worrying about all the new experiences a school day would entail. What if no one wanted to sit with you? What if you didn't know the material? Somehow you hadn't thought about any of this before. It wasn't long before your destination was upon you, and you could already see other kids hiking up the hill to the schoolhouse. Taking a deep breath, you did the same.