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All the girls knew that Anne started her first menstrual cycle, mostly because she was being too dramatic and everybody found out.

That's why, during lunch break, of all subjects, they were discussing periods.

"Shhh. Not so loud, I got mine three months ago and I feel extremely mature." Josie Pye stated with a smug look.

Victoria still wondered how she and Josie could stay in the same room together, since neither did seem to like the other.

"You seem mature." Diana said, continuing to Josie's statement. "I think the boys are taking me more seriously, too." Josie continued.

Anne looked at Victoria mortified and then looked at the others with the exact same look. "But they can't tell. Can they? Can tell?" Anne asked and Victoria shook her head. "Of course not, they're too thick to notice."

"Not tell per se. But I'm not a little girl anymore, and I believe that's noticeable. My bosoms are growing." Josie boasted.

"They're not that noticeable." Victoria whispered to Anne underneath her breath which caused the latter to smile.

"Yet another reason why this is inexplicable." Anne muttered more loudly for the others to hear.

"I got mine last year." Diana added to the conversation. "Me too." Tillie said.

"My father has started opening the door for me. It's sweet." Diana continued with a smile.

Suddenly all smiles were gone when Ruby started sniffling. "Ruby, what's wrong?" Victoria asked as her attention turned towards the crying girl.

"I'm not a woman! Why don't I have it?!" She pouted and Anne quickly stopped her. "Trust me, if I could give you mine, I would. This is so inconvenient!!!" She complained.

"Keep your voice down Anne!" Diana shushed. "No one's supposed to know. A woman's cycle is a shameful thing."

"Why?" Anne asked.

"It's 'unmentionable' that's why." Diana added. "That's not a reason."

"Why don't you ever understand anything?" Josie said in a bitter tone.

Victoria opened her mouth to say something but Anne stopped her. She knew that Victoria would not hesitate to talk back.

"Marilla said it's God's plan, so doesn't that make it good? I mean, we can make a whole person. Where's the shame in that?" Anne said as she clutched her stomach with a smile.

"Am I the only one who thinks she's out of her mind?" Josie asked everyone in the circle.

"It is good Anne. But let's keep the making children for later in life." Victoria told Anne with a wink.

"It's a secret, Anne. That's just the way it is." The way Diana explained was very gentle in contrast to Josie.

"Do boys have to contend with anything like this?" Anne asked as she tried to peek out of the window. "Boys have their own problems." Diana continued.

"Why are they doing that?" Ruby asked in confusion as she stood up. Both Victoria and Anne went to look out of the window as curiosity took over them.

Outside, both Billy and Moody were using sticks to beat the ground and rocks surrounding them.

"There's a question for the ages." Josie stated. "They've completely lost the plot." Victoria told Anne.

"Absobloodylootely." Anne said which caused Victoria to turn and look at her with a smile.

"When I get mine, I stay home from school, because I don't want to have an 'accident.'" Tillie stated. Anne sat down and looked at Tille with horror in her eyes. "Accident?"

"There was a girl a few years ago who bled right through the back of her dress." Ruby explained, her face was now clear of tears.

"Oh, I would die of mortification." Tillie added. "The teacher called her up to the blackboard and everybody saw." Ruby said as she finished her story.

"I would just die." Josie exaggerated.

Victoria was about to scoff at the extra dramatics that Josie was adding when she saw the worrying look that Anne had.

The bell finally rang and all the girls stood up. It didn't take long till Mister Phillips and the boys started entering the classroom.

"Listen, Anne," Anne turned to look at Victoria as the latter placed a hand on her arm. "Don't let what they said get to your head. It won't happen. And if it does and I see it, I won't hesitate to tell you."

Anne nodded but Victoria knew that Anne was anything but reassured.

"Which districts comprise the Prairies? Gilbert." Mr Phillips asked once the students barely settled down.

"Um.. the districts of Athabasca, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Assiniboia." Gilbert replied and Mr Phillips smiled.

"He's so smart." Ruby whispered though Victoria could still hear her clearly. "Now that is a clever student." The teacher praised.

"Anne. Which provinces comprise the Atlantic Maritimes?" He asked again but Anne didn't seem to have heard him. Victoria saw the problem and quickly nudged Anne which finally grabbed her attention.

"Sorry, what was the question?" Anne asked. As she stood up, she gave Victoria a side glance and the girl quickly knew to what she was referring to.

Victoria glanced discreetly and nodded, indicating that everything was fine.

"Could you not hear me? Was I not speaking loudly enough?" Mister Phillips continued as he raised his voice.

"I'm sorry, I just-"

"The Atlantic Maritimes! Sometime today." Mr Phillips scoffed and rolled his eyes when he saw that Amne was not going to answer.

"Edwards, let's see if you were paying attention. Which provinces comprise the Atlantic Maritimes?"

Victoria looked away from Anne and cleared her throat. "Alberta, Assiniboia, Athabasca and Umm.. what was it? Oh and Saskatchewan."

The teacher nodded. "Good, good."

Victoria smiled scarcely. She turned to look at Anne who looked as if she wanted to die.

"Worst. Day. Ever." Anne said to Victoria and Diana as they were putting on their coats.

"Nice boys never say people eat insects." The three girls turned around to look at Gilbert. All of them were equally confused.

"I beg your pardon?" Diana asked him

"It's a mnemonic device. It helps you remember things. That's, uh, the Maritimes: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI. Nice boys-"

"Victoria, could you please tell Gilbert Blythe that I don't need his help?" Anne interrupted him.

"Why don't you just tell me yourself? I'm right here." Gilbert shot back as he put on his own coat.

"I suppose I just did." Anne said which caused Victoria to chuckle.

"Mnemonics is spelled with an M. Not that you need my help or anything. Anyways, Victoria Edwards?" Gilbert said with a charming smile.

Victoria looked at him confusion. "Umm.. Gilbert Blythe?" She continued.

"I noticed that your brother didn't come today. Do you want me to come with you so that I can keep you company on the journey home?" Gilbert asked as the grin grew on his face.

Victoria was speechless and she looked at Anne and Diana. "That's very kind of you but I won't be alone. Anne and I always walk together."

"NOO!" Victoria felt herself jump as Anne shouted in her ear. "Pardon me?" Victoria asked as she blinked a couple of times.

"I have to stop by the market and buy something for Marilla. I guess I won't be able to walk with you. Goodbye, have a nice weekend Victoria!" Anne sprinted out of the school house with Diana right behind her.

Victoria sighed. "I've been played and not in a good way." Victoria said as she looked at their retrieving figures.

"After you, mademoiselle," Gilbert said in a french accent which caused her to laugh at him. "Merci, monsieur." Victoria stated as she playfully rolled her eyes.

Victoria walked out of the school house first as Gilbert held the door open for her and followed right after.

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