scope for the imagination //awae//

four

"But if you feel like I feel, please let me know that it's real. You're just too good to be true, can't take my eyes off of you."

Anne had thoroughly given up. She wanted someone to talk to, but with Diana and Cole not responding to her texts, she wasn't sure what to do.

She tried to bury her head back into Jane Eyre and forget the world like she usually did, but to no avail.

So she spent the night alone with her thoughts, and stayed like that until morning. She ended up getting caught up in the beauty of the sun rising, and watched in awe, forgetting the troubles she was facing. But, it inevitably came to an end, and so did her trance.

Having not slept one wink, it was safe to say that Anne Shirley Cuthbert was in a horrid mood. She couldn't care enough to comb her hair, let alone braid it. Anne was usually the type to dress "plainly pretty" as Diana had once dubbed her style, but the sleep deprived girl had no motivation whatsoever. However, a small voice in the back of her mind told her she should dress nice for Gilbert.

As soon as the thought entered her mind, Anne banished it. Now, she did have a motivation.

A motivation to get over Gilbert and assure herself that she was perfectly fine without him.

So, she forced herself to get up, and put effort into her outfit for once. She couldn't have anyone—especially Gilbert and Ruby knowing she had an infinitesimal crush on Gilbert Blythe.

Out of all people, why him? she thought to herself.

Pushing away those thoughts, Anne headed out for Avonlea High School. She made sure to text Diana and Cole not to wait for her, and walked out into the frigid day.

Meanwhile Gilbert, for the first time in his life, was stressed out because of a girl.

Anne was so confusing. One minute she was an open book, easy to read but the next moment she was cold and closed off.

He could only dream of knowing what went on inside her head. He'd always wondered if she thought of him as much as he did of her, but now it felt like he'd never know.

Gilbert wasn't one to give up, but with Anne it felt like if they made two strides forward, she'd always make sure she left him one step back.

But this time, Gilbert was determined to catch up to her once and for all.

—————

Anne rarely ever actually saw Gilbert during school as he was a year ahead of her. However, they did have one class together, which was AP English Lit. Although, their interactions in that class were more combative as they always competed to be the top student.

Miss Stacey, their teacher enjoyed the rivalry quite a bit, as there was never a dull day in class with the two in it. But, as Anne and Gilbert both filed in the class, even she could tell Anne seemed hellbent on avoiding the boy who was chasing her like a lost puppy.

They took their seats, close to each other but in separate tables.

The class drudged on, both Anne and Gilbert too busy sneaking glances at each other to truly pay attention. When the bell finally rang, Anne dashed to meet Diana, Cole, Ruby, and the other girls for lunch.

Gilbert tried to race after her, but being stopped by Moody and the other boys caused him to lose sight of her.

He sighed, clenching his hands tighter around his leather messenger bag.

"Hey Gilbert, do you wanna come out and hang with us?" Billy called out after him.

"No thanks Billy, gotta catch up on AP Lit work," he replied hastily.

Gilbert pushed past Billy as he made his way down to the library for some peace and quiet. While he may have worked in a library 24/7, he still never got tired of them.

As he browsed the shelves mindlessly, he stumbled upon Jane Eyre and it reminded him of Anne all over again. He decided to check it out, hoping it would help him with his dilemma with Anne somehow.

"Are you just going to stand there and daydream Gilbert, or do you need to check that book out?" asked the librarian, Mary.

Mary was Bash's wife, and worked as the school librarian as well as helping out at Avonlea Library during the weekends.

"Alright alright Mary, I'm just determining whether or not to check it out," he held up the novel, waving it slightly.

"That's the book that girl you like always checks out," Mary teased.

Gilbert's eyes widened as a faint blush appeared across his face.

"Is it that obvious?" he sighs.

Mary's brows shot up at that. Gilbert had never actually admitted his feelings for Anne before, and she took a second to process that he was finally accepting them.

"Dear it's been obvious for years that you two were in love. The only two people who didn't know were you and her. Why are you asking, though?" she took a seat across from Gilbert.

"It seems like something is wrong. One minute we're fine, the next we're not...I just don't know what to do Mary," he trailed off.

"Maybe give her some space Gilbert. She could be dealing with other things in her life. Anne is a headstrong girl. When she's ready to talk to you, she'll come around." Mary offered assuringly.

"Yeah, maybe," he forced a small smile. "Well I should get to class now, but thanks for the book—and the advice."

Once Gilbert left Mary simply shook her head and muttered to herself, "Kids" before moving on to close up for the day.

a/n: sorry it's mostly a filler, but I wanted to give insight into Gilbert's mind + include Mary who is totally #1 shirbert shipper after Bash. Anyways don't forget to vote and comment feedback!