In the Woods When First We Met

69. See You Then

Anne was glad it was Friday.

Even though she'd gotten to eat lunch with Diana, and Billy hadn't even glanced in her direction all day, she still felt exhausted.

The snow helped, though. It really did something to lift her, and she was grateful for it.

She was slow about getting ready to leave school. Gilbert headed off to the woods, and Anne met up with him once school had mostly cleared out.

She was glad to see Gilbert.

Ignoring him at school was an unhappy thing. But it had to be done, if she was ever going to have girlfriends again.

But Anne liked being friends with Gilbert, too.

As they walked, they talked about their geography lesson, and then that conversation led to telling each other about all the places they wanted to see.

"I want to see them with my eyes, not just my mind," Anne said happily. "I feel as if I've already visited lots of places, but I won't know for sure if they're like what I'm imagining, until I see them. Things can sometimes be so different from what you've imagined! Before I saw a diamond in real life, I always imagined a diamond to be a most beautiful lavender color. But then I saw a real diamond and I found out they're just see-through. I was so happy when I saw Marilla's amethyst broach because that's what I'd imagined a diamond to look like. I know diamonds are much more valuable than amethyst, but I think amethyst is so much more beautiful. I wonder if I'll ever have one. I suppose not, but if I had the money, I'd rather buy all the books I could ever read, than spend it on a stone to wear. If only I could have both, though, that would be divine. But if I had to choose, I'd still choose books. After all, books can take you all over the world, and an amethyst just sits on your dress."

Gilbert liked listening to her talking. He never knew what she was going to say, and when she talked on and on- because she did talk a lot- he felt as if he were getting a tiny, precious glimpse into an endless expanse of something rather mysterious and wonderful, something he couldn't quite pinpoint, but something no one else seemed to have.

We aren't an item, Anne thought, after she'd finished talking. That's ridiculous. And he doesn't like me, he's just being nice to me. We're friends now, but we only became friends because he wanted to help me. He's a good person. That's all it is. We can enjoy talking to each other without it being romantical. Besides, we have...we have academic discussions, Anne thought.

They came to the edge of the woods.

"I guess I'll see you Monday, then..." Anne trailed off, not wanting to say goodbye.

"...yeah," Gilbert agreed, looking as if he didn't want to say goodbye either.

They'd been together so much- and so bonded by necessity- that it felt as if a weekend apart would be a very long time.

They looked at each other.

Then Anne had a thought: "Do you go to church?"

"Yeah," Gilbert said, looking at her sort of surprised.

"Oh I didn't mean to say that I thought you wouldn't," she rushed to explain. "I just thought- with your father..."

"Oh. He used to go, but lately anymore he can't get out much, and now...well, with the weather beginning to turn...it's best for him to stay indoors and not venture out into the cold."

"I'm sorry he isn't doing well..." Anne said softly, biting her lip.

Gilbert said, "Thanks. I'd rather just stay with him, but...he wants me to go. So, I do."

"We'll see each other at church, then," Anne said brightly. "Of course, I suppose we can't really talk there..." she realized. "But I'll be glad to see you just the same, even if it's only from across the room, and even if it's only for a few minutes."

"Me too," he said, brightening up at the thought.

"Okay...well, I'll see you then." Anne said.

"See you," Gilbert said, and he watched her walk away.