Meant To Be (Anne and Gilbert)

6. Fearful School Games

Anne hadn't stopped thinking about Gilbert for the rest of the weekend. They'd been apart since the dance, and Anne couldn't wait to get back to school to see him. She was so excited, in fact, that she was ready twenty minutes earlier than usual.

Marilla noticed, of course, the shift in Anne's mood since coming home from the dance on Saturday night. She had a sneaking suspicion for why Anne was in such a good mood, but didn't confront her about it. Anne would tell her in her own time. This didn't stop her from scolding Anne for being distracting, however.

Anne accidentally burnt some of the eggs Monday morning while dreaming about the kiss. Marilla thoroughly scolded her and told Anne to just wait at the table for breakfast, and then she would be off to school.

When breakfast was over, Anne rushed out the door to meet Diana. Diana wasn't aware of what happened on Saturday, and Anne was bursting with the urge to tell her. Anne spotted her best friend at their usual spot, and sprinted to her.

"Diana! You'll never guess what happened on Saturday!" Anne squealed as she caught up to her bosom friend.

"Charlie kissed me." Diana blurted out right as Anne was about to launch into her tale.

"What?" Anne sputtered, totally stunned.

"Yes. Right after we all left, he walked me home and then kissed me! Mind you, I kissed him back, but it was wondrous, Anne!" Diana swooned, her eyes going starry.

"Diana, Gilbert kissed me." Anne said with the biggest grin.

"What?" Diana repeated the exact thing Anne had said.

"It's almost the same as you and Charlie! He walked me home and when we got to the gate of Green Gables, he leaned down and kissed me! It was the most marvelous thing that's ever happened to me, Diana! And to think, we both had our first kisses on the same night! We truly are kindred spirits!" Anne rambled on with the same love-struck look.

Both girls swooned and recounted every last detail of Saturday night as they walked to school. Diana couldn't get over the fact that Gilbert had finally gotten the courage to kiss Anne after his years of pining after her.

When they reached the schoolhouse, they put their milks in the stream and took their coats off, ready to see their boys. Anne's eyes immediately found Gilbert as they always did, and he seemed to have been watching her ever since she walked in. Her cheeks flushed and she waved shyly at him with a soft smile. He returned the gesture and made his way over to her and Diana.

"Hello, Diana." He greeted kindly, then looked to Anne. "Anne."

"Hello, Gilbert." Anne greeted with a beaming smile.

Diana just waved politely, her eyes obviously searching for Charlie. She found him and excused herself to go greet him. Diana squeezed Anne's shoulder excitedly as she made her way past Anne. Anne looked back up to Gilbert, who still had his boyish smile.

"So, what've you been up to?" Anne asked as she clasped her hands behind her back.

"Just the usual. Helping Sebastian with the farm." Gilbert said, staring into her eyes.

"Oh, Sebastian! I must meet him at some point!" Anne exclaimed, realizing she'd never met him.

"You can come over for dinner tonight, if you'd like."

"I may take you up on that offer, Gilbert Blythe." Anne smiled again.

Gilbert grinned, and Miss Stacey came into the room. As they turned to head to their desks, Gilbert's hand lightly brushed Anne's and he wrapped his pinky around hers. She did the same and smiled down at her feet. They broke apart when they reached their desks, but gave each other smiles before letting go.