Pen Pals? ~An Anne With an E continuing story~

➳ 9. I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve

          Diana awoke from her long and much-needed rest in her bosom friend's childhood bedroom. She turned to see Anne still passed out beside her. It was very early, so Diana assumed that everyone was still asleep.

        She walked to the window to admire the beautiful snow queen who was already losing her beautiful blossoms. She smiled as she recalled when she and Anne had sworn their friendship to each other for the second time. Her gaze shifted from the tree to the barn when she heard some noises. Jerry was tending to the horses.

        Without giving it a second thought, Diana quickly put on her boots and ran downstairs to grab her coat. She heard the boys in the kitchen so she decided to sneak out through the side door. She walked outside and made her way to the barn. It was quite cold outside but she was determined to talk to Jerry and knew that now might be her last chance.

        She walked up to the barn door. "Jerry, we need to talk," she said, "and I won't allow you to turn me away this time." Jerry turned to look at her with an awkward expression on his face. "Jerry, will you please speak to me?"

        Jerry cleared his throat in reply, and that was when Diana looked down and realized she was still in her night garments. "You have a lot of sisters, so this can't be the first time you've seen a girl in her nightgown."

        "Yes, but none of them are..." he hesitated, "as mature as you are." Diana blushed awkwardly at this statement. Jerry replied with a chuckle which turned into an audible yawn.

"Jerry, did you get any rest last night?" Diana asked worriedly.

"I fell asleep on the hay for a while," he replied, scratching the back of his neck.

"You should get some rest," Diana insisted.

"There's still so much work to do," he added.

        "I understand you're under a lot of pressure right now, but—"

        "No, Diana, you don't," he interjected. "You have no idea what it's like." Jerry was now in tears.

        "I'm so sorry," Diana said as she wrapped her arms around him. He hugged back as tears continued to roll down his face.

*   *   *

        Not long after Diana left, Anne awoke. She got up and made her way to open the window. "Good morning dear Snow Queen," she smiled as she reached to touch her branches. "Isn't it so depressing that your beautiful blossoms will most likely be gone when I see you next?"

        She closed the window and started to get dressed in her clothes. Once she finished, she looked in the mirror at her undone, red hair. She pushed her hair behind her ears and examined herself in the mirror for a moment. She sighed, grabbed two ribbons, and started braiding her hair. Just then, there was a knock on her bedroom door. "Come in!" she shouted.

       The door swung open to reveal a beaming Gilbert leaning against the door frame. "Good morning, Anne," he smiled.

        Anne turned her head slightly to face him. "Good morning, Gilbert," she replied, returning the smile.  "I'm just finishing up my braids, but I'll be down soon."

        "Braids?" Gilbert questioned with his eyebrows furrowed. He walked over to her and picked up her finished braid. "Why don't you just leave your hair down?"

"It's just better this way," Anne replied.

"I thought we both agreed that your hair was beautiful and unique," he said in confusion. "You said it reminded you of your mother, so why not embrace it?"