Chapter 4 – Welcome to the University of Toronto

It had been a long trip to Toronto, Gilbert was exhausted from the trip, but there he was, he had finally arrived at his destination. It was in front of the university campus, it was so impressive and so big.

Buildings as far as the eye could see, but it was also a charming place, there was greenery, lots of trees, flowers.

It was so flowery, that he thought that Anne would probably appreciate the sight, it was still one of those excuses to think of the person he loved so much. Because yes, on the way to Toronto, the young man had already taken the initiative of writing to the object of his affection during a short stopover. He wanted to be the first to begin their correspondence, so he mailed his letter during one of his stopovers. He smiled, thinking of the little attention he had slipped into his envelope.

Gilbert then continued on his way to the university campus, he seemed a little lost.

Thanks to the help of Miss Stacy, his former teacher at the Avonlea school, he was able to get a place at the University of Toronto. A room was also waiting for him at the campus, but he did not yet know who he should share his room with.

He finally arrived at the dormitory, and he saw a young man arguing with his trunk, apparently he had broken the handle on the way, and now he was bothered to carry it to the threshold of his room.

Gilbert headed towards the young man in difficulty, "Hmm! Need some help?". The individual turned around and nodded.

He then helped him carry his big trunk, "So this is your room? It looks like we're roommates then! My name is Gilbert!" He reached out his hand once the luggage was on the ground to greet his new roommate.

The young man hesitated for a moment, then imitated his gesture, "I'm Jack! Sorry I'm a little sweaty, I've been struggling with this trunk ever since I got to campus!". Jack was quite small, he had the hair of a fiery redhead, his face was filled with freckles, he looked like a rather introverted person.

The two roommates were then in their new room, Gilbert asked him, "So, what are you here to study?". The young boy with red hair, replied, "Medicine! This is my first year, I admit that I am a little apprehensive and you?" He said nervously.

The face of the young brown man lit up, "Oh but so am I! Then we can help each other! I can't wait to get started!". On these words the young man dropped himself on his new bed, and placed his two hands behind his neck, a dreamy air slipped over his face.

Later in the evening he took the time to write a letter to Bash to Avonlea, his dearest friend, his brother, so to speak. He hurried to tell him about his arrival in Toronto, as well as his little stopover in Charlottetown, although not in the details, he held somewhat close to his secret garden.

The next day was his first day of school, and unlike his new friend, he was not anxious at all, he was eager to learn. The two young men settled in the amphitheatre, when the professor of human sciences made his entrance, he is a man of quite advanced age, he was at least sixty, round with gray hair, and wear a pair of round glasses. He seemed harmless, but when he spoke, it was quite different, "Well, I see you're all settled, we have no time to waste, and I don't want to hear one person chatting behind my back, otherwise it will be the door without warning."

Gilbert, who was until then playful, was a little shaken by this first impression. As for Jack, it reinforced his anxiety even more.

The end of the classes had come, the two students were on their way home, when a group of students called them, "Hey! We're talking to you! We are recruiting new members for our brotherhood, you want to apply?"

The new student scratched his head and said, "I'm not sure what that would be, but I don't think I'd have much time for that. Thank you for the proposal anyway!" he said, expressing himself as courteously as possible. His acolyte did not flinch, he merely acquiesced to go in the direction of his roommate.

They were about to resume their march, when the young man who was at the head of the group of students called them again, this young man probably came from the bourgeois class like the majority of the students here, but this one had a more than adequate air.

"Then your time is more precious than ours, who do you think you are?" He exclaimed in a more than contemptuous tone, no doubt, he had been offended that he was given this kind of answer, he should not be used to being told no.

Gilbert turned around to face the young man, "I think I'm free, I think I've declined very politely so far.". The young man of Avonlea began to have a habit of standing up to such young bourgeois, especially when they proved to be most unpleasant. He threw one of his darkest looks at him, which said a lot, and finally resumed his path. The leader of the band of students found himself short of words and thus remained silent.

It was on this note that ended the first day at the University of Toronto, the young man suspected that he would be confronted with all kinds of individuals, especially of this type.