To all of my previously ignored fans, I have returned! \o/

Yes, I know it's been over two years since I last posted here but I've had a LOT happen in those two years! Please forgive me for being a total jerk and letting this story collect dust. It's been about two years since I've even looked this story over so I'm kind of re-releasing it like a George Lucas film: Revised grammar and sentences that don't work well are being re-written. I've learned that art is only art if it's done like you really care about it. It shouldn't take us long to get back to where we were though because I still have all the files and I can edit fairly quickly. I'll also include a lyric from a song that applies to the chapter, but if you guys think that's cheesy please tell me. ;)

And with that being said, you can now reach me on Twitter! My Twitter name is tjbarber09, so please review this story and then if you're on Twitter please send me suggestions, tell me the story is awesome, or tell me I'm full of crud. I've also changed my pen name from ulimatelifeform22 to tjbarber09, so it's all consistent. Either way, I hope you enjoy the story and God bless! =)

I saw the autumn leaves peel up off the street,
Take wing on the balmy breeze and sweep you off your feet.
You blushed as they scooped you up on sugar maple wings,
To gaze down on the city below, ablaze with wondrous things.
Downy feathers kiss your face and flutter everywhere.
Reality is a lovely place but I wouldn't want to live there.

~ "The Real World" by Owl City

Chapter 1:

Gilbert Blythe sat on his seat and stared blankly at his reflection in the window as he felt the soft bumps of the train against the tracks. He was finally returning home.

"Home... Finally..." Gilbert whispered to himself quietly enough so that nobody could hear him (lest they think he was a lunatic). It had been four years since he had slept in a bed he could call his very own. His father had been diagnosed with a bad case of consumption when Gilbert was only twelve, causing them to leave their home and go live with Gilbert's grandfather on the far side of Prince Edward Island near the ocean. The doctor's told his father, John Blythe, that the fresh air would be good for his lungs.

Well, John Blythe was now as jumpy and active as a ten year old boy and was quite ready to return home. Gilbert was excited and a bit nervous because he had not been attending school regularly ever since they left, causing him to be far behind in his studies compared to a normal sixteen year old boy.

The train gradually started slowing down as it got closer and closer to the Avonlea train station. Gilbert knew that their journey was finally coming to an end.

"Gilbert, are one of my hand bags behind your suit case?" Gilbert's mother asked as they started collecting their luggage once the train had come to a complete stop. The last few moments of hearing the lumbering iron monster chug along were agonizing as Gilbert looked on at people he would soon be calling his neighbors.

"Yes, mum. It is." Gilbert responded to his mother's inquiry after a quick glance behind his suit case.

"Be a sweetheart and hold onto it for me, won't you dear?"

Ugh. Those words. He never really did enjoy being called those ewey-gooie sentimental names. It made him sound like some kind of baby. He was sixteen years old and had the natural sixteen year old boy's desire to be treated like a man. However, there was nothing better for Gilbert to do except brush away his fleshly contemplation about the childish nickname. He brought his thoughts back down to earth and focused on working his way out of the train.

"Yes, mum, I'll be glad to."

Gilbert didn't really didn't pay much attention to what happened around him once they got off the train. Instead, he focused on the beauty of the things around him. He had never really known that the little humdrum town called Avonlea was so beautiful! All his life he took this indescribable beauty for granted, and now it came rushing upon him like a flood.

Thank you for this beauty, Lord. He quickly prayed as he looked upon his surroundings in awestruck wonder.

Gilbert had heard from his mother that one of his cousins (probably twice-removed or something) was supposed to pick them up in his horse and buggy from the train station. The same cousin had been keeping the Blythe farm running for them while they were gone, but he wasn't exactly what you would call the most inspirational character. Gilbert was polite when he arrived, said hello, and then returned to his deep thoughts.

What if the other kids at the school laugh at me? I'll probably be three grades behind what I should be, and they'll talk about how stupid Gilbert Blythe is. Well, I won' t care what they say. I'll just show them how good I am at three-legged races.

Gilbert had always been quite proud of how he could beat anyone in a three legged race, even if he had the lousiest partner on this side of Halifax. He thought that if he got paid a dollar for every three-legged race he was in (and if there were enough three-legged races), he might become the richest boy in all of Canada. The only thing he was prouder about than his skill with races and balance were his good looks. Every girl in Avonlea would give their right arm if Gilbert would only walk them home from school or prayer meeting... At least he thought they would.

Ok, honestly, he really hoped they would.

It didn't take long for the Blythe family to get settled in their home again, especially since that cousin-whatever-his-name had taken good care of the farm and the cherished strawberry-apple orchard. The house was in need of a good dusting, but besides that it was also in good condition.

The house was quite beautiful with its brown doors and shutters. When you walked into the back door (which was the door they commonly walked into. Gilbert always wondered why you had a front door and a back door if you never used the front one) you went directly into the kitchen near the family table that was made out of maple, which gave it a beautiful color. At the end of the table and to the left there was the small kitchen that his mother adored. On the right side was the den, and it was Gilbert's favorite room in the house.

He always loved being in the den when he was younger because you always saw how gorgeous the sunsets were in their sparkling array. The sun would slowly sink into the West and give its encouraging and gentle warmth to Gilbert, which made that room the most fun to read an adventurous novel in.

Many old friends came to greet the Blythes, one of them being Mrs. Lynde. Now Mrs. Lynde was the kind of person that knows about everything and everyone in Avonlea, and she certainly didn't mind telling people about it.

In plain words, she was the town's gossip.

Gilbert's mother and Mrs. Lynde were very happy to see each other (and of course, Mrs. Blythe needed to know about all the events that occurred in Avonlea during the past four years), even though they had had a few arguments with each other in their past. They didn't really get talking until Mrs. Lynde had been told all the news about Gilbert, commented about how handsome he was, and "did declare he looked near a half-foot taller!"

Honestly, Gilbert didn't pay much attention to Mrs. Lynde and his mother as they chewed the fat for near an hour. He didn't when he was younger and he had no reason to do so now, but suddenly Mrs. Lynde said something that perked Gilbert's interest:

"Marilla Cuthbert had adopted an orphan. I told her she was crazy and didn't know a thing about raising children, that's what. She such a homely looking little thing, with hair that's red as carrots! Oh, and such a temper!"

Gilbert looked out the den's window. A green house. Green Gables. Mr. Matthew Cuthbert's house! They would see each other everyday driving the cows back in! And Marilla Cuthbert was his sister! Memories started rushing back into Gilbert's like a flood.

Will he even remember me?

This girl that Mrs. Lynde was jabbering on about continued to interest Gilbert, even though he made himself look like he couldn't care less. When Mrs. Lynde started talking about how this little creature talked her head off, used words she probably didn't know the definition of, how she lives in her own little world, and how she "never keeps her mind on solid ground". Gilbert thought that this little girl must be either absolutely crazy or just plain misunderstood.

Probably crazy. Gilbert thought to himself.

Mrs. Lynde and Mrs. Blythe continued talking as Gilbert zoned out and started thinking about the changes that had been made in his life so far. As the minutes past, he began thinking of the new adventures the next day could bring him.