Broken Wings, But I'm Ready To Fly!

F I V E

It was now time for supper and the Cuthberts, plus a Blythe, went down to the table to set up. Gilbert, of course, offered to help in any way possible. Anne took this up as a challenge and did as much as she could, her eye for perfection really jumping out of her during this time. Matthew watched with a small smile plastered on his face at the two who looked to him like small children who were racing to be the first to get a treat. Marilla was too busy gathering the food to notice at all, but she could feel the air change to something lighter.

Of course, Anne was limited to helping with only one arm that was useful, but her determination never quit. She caught up to Gilbert in pace and with a smirk, put down the final plate and sat down in her seat. Gilbert chuckled and sat in the seat parallel to her and gazed at her with those beautiful eyes of his and a slight tilt of his head-- like he was studying her somehow. A chill went down her spine when she made eye contact and she immediately looked away. When she looked back, he was looking down at his plate, his ears tinted a bit pinker than normal...Not that Anne stared at his face that often, of course.

Marilla set the food on the table and everyone dug in. Matthew stayed quiet for the most part, so it was only the three of them who were doing the chatter. "So, Gilbert," began Marilla, "How are you and Bash doing so far in Avonlea?"

"Ah, well, I'm already very accustomed to the cold since I've lived here for a big part of my life. However, Bash is...well, he believes the very air we breathe is trying to catch his death." Gilbert smiled playfully and induced a laugh from the whole table. "Speaking of which, I do hope he's okay. He must've taken all of the comforters and hid in them to keep warm."

"Gilbert," Anne interrupted, "Do you mind--since you'll be staying the night--Do you mind helping me catch up with the class?"

"Of course, Anne. Anything for you," he replied, an unfamiliar sensation passed through her chest from the look he gave her. "I'll need the competition and I would always want my rival to beat me fair and square."

Anne blushed, "Beating you fair and square is my plan. I'm so confident in my academics that I believe I'll go so far that even you won't catch up."

"Well, that's a challenge I just have to accept."

"Well, now," said Matthew, finally, "I believe that it's time for you two to go to bed, eh?"

They both nodded and put away their dishes, washing them together then going upstairs to get ready. Anne set down some extra comforters onto the floor and grabbed an extra pillow and blanket from the closet. "If you get cold or anything, don't hesitate to wake me up. I won't mind."

"Okay. Anything you say, Carrots."

"How many times do I have to tell you not to call me that, Blythe." Anne glared at him through the candlelight. "I'm still very cross at you for that insult."

"You can't still blame me for that--"

"Actually, yes. I can."

"You were ignoring me! It was the only way for you to notice me!"

"Was it necessary for you to yank my hair?"

"Okay, I guess that was a bit extreme, but what else was I supposed to do?" Gilbert let out an exasperated sigh and sat up to look at her.

Anne stayed silent for a moment, a huff escaped her lips and she leaned to look over at the intelligent boy. "The only reason why I ignored you was because I didn't want everyone to hate me."

"Hate you?" Gilbert scoffed, "How so?"

"The boys already labeled me as a lunatic orphan and I gave the girls a bad impression when I walked through the doors with you. They told me never to talk or look at you and so I did."

"Yet, here we are..."

They sat in comfortable silence, Anne's "grudge" for him completely melted away and she believed that this would be the start of a budding friendship. Friendship--nothing more--just a friendship. Gilbert had that soft expression he had when he looked at her if they weren't bickering during these moments. Anne liked when he gave her that look, it made her feel warm inside but she wouldn't admit it to anyone. Not even Diana. She couldn't accept these feelings. Never.

"Anne?"

"Yes, Blythe?"

"When do you think you can come back to school?"

"I'm trying to convince Marilla to let me go back, but right now it's not looking so well."

"I'll ask her to-morrow, if that's alright with you."

Her eyes filled up with hope, but then disappeared. "I-I can't write like this..." She looked down at her wrapped wrist and wilted with disappointment. "Mr. Phillips will just torment me and I won't be able to do any work."

"I'll help you. I promise, Anne."

"Thank you, Gilbert." She relaxed onto her back and stared at her ceiling trying to wish away the unknown sensations in her chest and stomach. Her eyes started to droop and she mumbled a quick goodnight to the curly haired boy sleeping on the floor next to her. The boy who she might have feelings for...

She'll figure it out one way or another, she always did.

For now, it was nice to fall asleep with the notion of another person to... Admire.