Meant To Be (Anne and Gilbert)

4. Unexpected Relationships

A/N: Sorry for being so slow at updating. If I'm being honest, I'm just lazy as fuck teehee. Please don't stop reading ahaha

Cole and Anne had been together for about an hour, Anne showing him all the delightful details of Green Gables. He was a surprisingly good listener, and let Anne ramble for however long she pleased.

"Alright, I think I've talked your ear off for long enough. Shall we go to town?" Anne suggested.

"I would quite like that, Anne," Cole said, offering his arm for her.

Anne took it with flushed cheeks. She wasn't quite used to being treated like a lady. Especially not by cute boys. Not that Cole was cute... sort of.

They arrived in town and immediately looked around shops, Anne trying not to talk too much. However, Cole was a relatively quiet person, which just made Anne talk more. Cole didn't mind Anne's nonstop chatting, though. He actually quite enjoyed it.

Cole reminded Anne of Matthew, which only excited her more. Kindred spirits were rare to come along, and Anne had a feeling Cole was a new one.

They made their way to a restaurant, sitting opposite each other. They ordered food, and Anne immediately started asking Cole questions.

"So you just recently moved to Avonlea?" She said, her blue eyes wide with curiosity.

"That's right. We moved here from America, actually."

"America?" Anne said with great excitement. "What's it like there?"

"In the area I grew up in... pretty similar to here. Bitter cold winters and mild summer's. I did live near a big lake though, which I do miss a lot." He admitted, ruffling his golden hair.

Anne nodded, resting her chin on her palm. It was quite interesting to hear him talk about America and the similarities to Canada. She prodded more stories out of him, and he finally seemed to relax around her. He told her about his little brother, and how he wanted to live up to his father's expectations.

"It's just hard sometimes, you know?" He finished, looking down at his hands.

"Yes, I understand. The people in this town cast me out and labeled me a weirdo. But I don't let their comments bother me because I know who I am. And that's all that really matters." Anne said with a gentle smile.

"You're truly something special, Anne," Cole said with a bright smile.

She blushed and looked down.

"Shall we make our way back towards Green Gables?" Anne said after they were finished.

"We shall indeed." He replied, and they walked out of the restaurant.

They made it back to Green Gables right as the sun was going down.

"Thank you for today. You're the first friend I've made in Avonlea, and I feel much more comfortable now with a friendly face." Cole said as they stopped at the front door of the house.

"Of course, Cole. I'm very glad to have met another kindred spirit." Anne said with a grin.

Cole smiled back and they said their goodbyes, Anne walking into her house.

What a lovely day, Anne thought as she marched upstairs and readied herself for bed.

~

The next day at school, Cole sat with Diana and Anne at their table before class started. Pulling up a chair next to Anne, he smiled kindly at the girls.

"Good morning, Anne. And...?" He looked to Diana with a questioning look.

"Diana." She said, smiling with her kind face.