ALLURING ━━ winifred rose

15. anne's perspective

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
ANNE'S PERSPECTIVE

ANNE LOOKED AT the horizon, blue submerging with pink and red, clear tears falling down her cheek. She knew the way she had treated her best friend - well, former best friend - was unfair, but she did not want to lose her. Her former best friend was moving to a place full of hope and full of dreams-the city of love, laughter and light. And Anne was stuck in Avonlea. The town of backward thinking and old fashioned ways. She was alone. She had absolutely no one.

Gilbert would probably never speak to her again, after the way that she treated his beloved sister. Anne sighed, rubbing her temples slowly, letting the tears fall faster and faster. She felt numb. She did not feel like a person anymore. Saltiness strained upon her cheeks, she looked towards the horses, seeing her familiar mare: Belle.

"Hello there Belle!" She cooed, while sniffling, hugging her favourite horse. Belle had always had a fondness for Cora, she was the only one other than Anne that the horse had allowed to sit upon her. So, it was no surprise when the mare neighed, as if asking Anne where her bosom friend was.

Anne smiled at the horse weakly, "She isn't here, Belle.. I-I completely messed up. Cora is moving to Paris in two days.. I will miss her dearly but I d-doubt that she'll do the same for me.." Belle nuzzled against her hands, neighing softly in disagreement. Anne smiled at the horse, feeling tears trickle down her cheeks to her jaw. Taking a hand to wipe the stray tears, she laughed hysterically at the realisation. Cora Blythe was leaving. And she would never see her best friend again.

But Anne had pride. Cora had said extremely hurtful things to her too, so why should she apologise? It was not Anne's fault in any way or form, she was just concerned for her bosom friend. Anne Shirley Cuthbert would not admit that she was jealous of her friend's success. Paris had been her lifelong dream, yet Gilbert did not care enough to ask her what she wanted in the upcoming future. It would always stop at Avonlea. And Anne hated Avonlea. "Stop blaming this on Gilbert." She scolded herself internally, and went back to basking in her utter misery.

"Do you t-think I should apologise, Belle." Anne asked. The mare had fallen asleep, Anne stroking her soft brown fur. "I guess we'll never know now, won't we?" Anne chuckled dryly, salty tears forming in her eyes once more.

She sobbed herself awake in the dead of morning, hugging her asleep horse and staining Belle's brown fur with tears.

━━━━━━ ⋆ ✧ ━━━━━━

"Cor you need to get up sometime, don't you? We need to pack." Gilbert shook his groaning sister awake.

"No." She muttered and pulled her blanket upwards. "Sleeping away the pain won't change anything, dear sister." Gilbert breathed out, and that caused Cora to shoot up. "For the last time, I'm not in pain!" She exclaimed frustratedly, and Gilbert frowned. Her face soon softened as she collected herself, and she spoke once more, "I-I'm sorry Gil.. I'm just frustrated. Maybe I am in pain.."

"I don't blame you Cor, she was your bosom friend after all. You just need time to move on." Gilbert reasoned out, hugging his sleepy sister. "Weren't you supposed to meet Winnie's parents for dinner today?"

That very sentence caused Cora Blythe to wake up immediately, gulping a glass of water and dragging Gilbert outside her room. "You stay right here while I go look at options to wear." She warned her brother, and he chuckled at her antics.

She changed into four different outfits before Gilbert finally chose one: a silky pastel green outfit with a sweetheart neckline, having lace on top of it to cover her cleavage. She matched it with an elegant hat and white gloves. "You look incredible, Cor. Winifred's parents shall love it." Gilbert said truthfully as Cora changed back into an everyday outfit.

Cora smiled, "Thank you Gilly, I ne-"

"Don't call me Gilly!"

"As I was saying, I need to go meet with Diana in about half an hour so I shall see you later. Maybe Anne will be there, and we can finally make up!" Cora chuckled. "Gilly." She added as her brother began to protest to the nickname he loathed.

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

"So Anne.. isn't here?" Cora asked, startled when she only saw Diana at the tea. "She declined after I told her that you were coming... I'm sorry, Cor, I should've known better." Diana looked at the ground, ashamed.

"It's alright Di, but I leave for Paris the day after tomorrow.. And that means I won't ever see Anne again.." Cora breathed out sadly.

"What about Wilber? Your beau? Wouldn't he be upset that you're leaving the country?" Diana questioned curiously while sipping a cup of tea.

Cora's mind raced. Should she tell Diana her secret, or should she keep it on the low? After all, Diana was to follow her to Paris in a matter of months.. It would benefit both the parties if Diana knew. She was an open minded woman and she supported Cora in all her endeavours. She decided to tell Diana.

"Actually I-I uhm.. there's no Wilber. There is, however, a Winifred, who is coming to Paris with me. We both love each other dearly." Cora started nervously, playing with her fingers under the table.

"Platonically, right?" Diana said instantly, and firmly. Cora gulped in nervousness.

"Would it be alright if it wasn't just platonic? Hypothetically of course." Cora inquired softly. Diana's face widened in a grin, "Of course it would be alright Cor. I know what you're trying to tell me, and I accept you and Winifred with all of my heart."

"Di, you almost gave me a heart attack.." Cora chuckled as Diana embraced her tightly, "I shall always accept you Cor, always."

"Always." Cora repeated with a smile, happy that another one of her friends accepted her for who she was.

─ ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ─

( 1009 words )

authors note:
diana and cor have THE best friendship ever and i'm so here for it🤸🏻 anyhoo big things will happen in the next few chapters, we're going out with a bang. don't forget to vote and comment if u enjoyed it, love u guys sm <3