oblivious [anne x gilbert]

Chapter 7: Love Is In The Wood Room

Note: The 'back'  or 'wood' room in this story refers to the room behind the door to the right of the desk in the front of the classroom. I believe this is where Cole and Mr Phillips share that weird moment and Ms Stacy enters from on the occasion!  I hope this didn't confuse you even more haha! Enjoy :)

Detention. A normal kid's worst nightmare, but luckily Gilbert wasn't a normal kid. To him, this meant a whole extra half an hour alone with Anne, maybe he could even talk to her about that moment they shared. Secretly, for the first time in his life, he was thrilled to go to detention. Barely containing his excitement and nerves by the end of the day. While everyone else packed away their things he said goodbye to Charlie, Moody and Cole and walked up to greet Mr Phillips. He saw Anne out of the corner of his eye say goodbye to Diana and walk towards him.

"Good luck Anne, try not to break him, or kiss him!" said Diana hugging Anne goodbye.

" I can't make any promises about the breaking, you know how I feel about him!" Anne huffed in response and broke away from her, looking solemnly into Diana's eyes.

"Don't have too much fun!" Diana called after Anne with a wink as they both left in separate directions.

Gilbert and Anne met each other in front of Mr Phillips desk, as he abruptly stood.

"Ah yes, my top two troublemakers... what shall I ever do with you?" he sneered. Gilbert shot a nervous look towards Anne. She rolled her eyes at him in return.

'She is literally perfect'

'He's an idiot'

"Gilbert, begin bringing wood from outside into the back room and while he is doing that Anne, you can wipe off the chalkboards and shake the dust out of the erasers." he smiled, obviously very proud of his profound talent to assign punishments.

They both quickly set off to their tasks. He thought it could've been a lot worse, he could see Anne every time he came back inside and it's not like this would take long at all. They were both efficient and diligent workers. She finished before him, however, and she knew that Mr Phillips would have another task for her even though they had less than ten minutes of detention left.

"Um, I'm finished cleaning the chalkboard and erasers..."

"Sweep up the dirt your friend tracked into the wood room," he said his voice piercing the still air and he didn't even bother looking up from his papers to meet her gaze.

She grabbed a broom from the coat room, walked into the small room and began to sweep. Unluckily for her, she had her back turned towards the door and didn't hear Gilbert approach the doorway. She turned around and bumped right into him.

'Shoot!' How could he be so foolish? Gilbert had stood in the doorway for a moment listening to the song Anne was softly singing, a cute little song about her favourite character; Princess Cordelia. And upon realizing this seemed very creepy, he had stepped forward to move around her and drop off the last few pieces of wood when she turned right into him.

He dropped all the wood on the floor and quickly bent down to begin to pick them up. Anne made a small squeak, clearly flustered and bent down to help. They each gathered a few pieces and both reached for the last log.

Time slowed. Their fingers brushed as they both went to pick up the last log. The room was quiet and still as if anticipating this exact moment. Everything seemed to be holding their breath. They slowly raised their eyes and looked at each other. He realized how close their faces were. Her hair swayed with her shallow breath, a few strands dangling in front of her face. Her cheeks were tinged pink and her pupils were dilated, barely showing their natural bright blue hue. He felt a little awkward in this tin room alone with her staring into each other's eyes, but he couldn't muster up enough strength to tear his eyes away. This was his opportunity. For one of the only times in his life, he did something without thinking, he let his instincts take over. He decided to do something so reckless it would surely backfire but he figured he had 50/50 chance of this going well. He was willing to risk it.

Slowly, painfully slowly, he moved closer to her. He raised a hand under her chin and ever so gently tilted her head upwards. He slid his other hand on the side of her neck, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. His eyes flickered with concern for a moment as if asking for permission. She didn't do anything, she didn't punch him, she didn't scream, she just gazed into his eyes, telling him all he needed to know. With less than three inches between them, he moved to close the gap. He saw her eyes flutter shut before he closed his own.

He wished he had kissed her.

"Blythe! Shirley! Are you done in there? I'm leaving, get your stuff and get out!" he huffed, you could almost hear his eyes rolling.

They sprung apart, eyes now wide with shock. Gilbert scooped up all the wood and placed it in the pile as he heard Anne run out with the broom.

"Sorry Mr Phillips," he muttered as he left the room, averting his eyes.

'He almost kissed Anne Shirley-Cuthbert...' he couldn't believe it. He wouldn't have believed it actually happened if his heart wasn't racing and didn't see Anne persistently avoided his gaze as he entered the coat room.

She put on her coat and hat at lightning speed and bolted out of the school leaving the door wide open, books tightly clutched in her hands. She hadn't spoken a word to him and left him alone in the doorway looking at her run away.

But he refused to let the girl he loved get away from him. 

-

Aaaah! What do you think! This chapter was a rollercoaster to write, I wanted them to kiss so badly (and if you want I can post the draft of this chapter where they actually did) but I needed some drAMA lol. I keep forgetting to say this but please feel free to tell me about any mistakes I made and I will correct them, because fun fact: I write almost all my stories at 12 am or later and publish them the next day or day after that... haha, see you all soon :) 

Tell me what you think and if you want to see more like this. Where do you want this story to go? I'm always open to new ideas! Don't be a silent reader! Comment and vote! You are beautiful and loved! Eat something, drink some water and smile!

Delilah

8/14/18

10:07 pm