₁.₀ SUPERCUT; gilbert blythe ✔

052.

News travel fast, they say.

Marianne has no idea how this happened, but the whole town seems to know about the engagement now. Despite the fact that both her and Gilbert shared the news only with their families, the moment she steps through the door of Miss Stacy's house, she's approached by a group of squealing girls. Marianne can barely make out the words of congratulations as numerous pair of arms are thrown around her neck. Even though all the attention being directed at her makes her feel quite uncomfortable, she cannot help the smile that steals its way onto her lips.

Breaking away from the embrace, she makes her way over to Gilbert, their shoulders brushing together as she stands on the tips of her toes to whisper into the boy's ear. "Did you have to put up with this, too?"

"I, uh, let's just say boys have a different way of wishing one happiness." He smiles, head motioning to the part of the room where Moody stands, said boy wiggling his eyebrows in a rather suggestive manner. "Well, I suppose you see what I mean now. Although I can ask them not to do, um, that..."

No, actually, Marianne should probably suspect Mrs. Lynde of making the whole town aware of their engagement. Or the fact that their whole class, however intoxicated its members were, bore witness to the whole situation.

"No, I don't think I mind that much anymore."

"You don't?"

Marianne's hand searches for his, their finger entwining. "I would be a fool to allow such a small thing to cast a shadow over my happiness."

She might have said something more if it wasn't for Miss Stacy's arrival. Everyone steps closer, anxiety written all over their features; she knows well enough that her own face must be a mirror image of theirs. Of course she worries, for she had so much on her mind lately... She would hate to learn that her recent worries had a negative effect on her academic results - to be honest, Marianne didn't even take into consideration the possibility of not getting into Queens. It downs on her now that she has no other plan whatsoever, and she can't help biting her lip nervously, her fingers squeezing Gilbert's in a gesture that cannot be pleasant.

Miss Stacy places the list on the table, her movement sudden as she cannot contain her own excitement. "Storm the castle!"

"Oh, my God!"

"Let's see!"

"Diana got in!" Tillie is lucky enough to have taken the best spot to read their results. "Gilbert and Anne tied for first! We all got in, Marianne!"

Marianne has no real interest in knowing her exact score. It's impossible to deny that it would be nice to find one's name high on the list, certainly, but it's the general effect that matters. To feel relief for passing the exams is enough to satisfy her, even though it takes a moment for her body to become less tense.

She directs her smile at Gilbert, unable to contain her feelings. "I truly am proud of you."

"I believe it would be more fitting to say that you are proud of us both. And I-"

"Congratulations," Anne chimes in, having pushed her way through the room. There's something about her expression that causes Marianne to suspect the the redhead is still feeling cautious; after all, even though the two girls talk in their usual way, they never really addressed what had happened in the barn.

"Thanks."

"So you'll be attending Queens after all?"

Gilbert shakes his head. "I, uh, I'm still going to Toronto."

To say that Anne seems surprised would be an understatement. Puzzled, her gaze switches between the boy and Marianne. "Oh. I thought... Now that you two..."