Autumn Kisses

Chapter 16- I'm mature enough

~ANNES POV~

Anne had just woken up. She was up bright and early so she could finish her chores as quickly as she could. You see, she would go at Diana's house to have tea with her and all the other girls. She also convinced Diana to invite Josie too as they were really close now. Josie was a sweet and loving person, she just was hard in showing it and she needed time.

"Anne are you ready yet?" Marilla asked from downstairs.

"Yes I'll be down in a minute" she answered.

"Okay child I'll go at the barn and start working. You eat your breakfast and come help Jerry to wash Belle, okay?" Marilla said as she placed a toast and a glass of milk on the kitchen table.

"okay" Anne simply said as she fixed her everyday tight braids. She then went downstairs and did as Marilla said.

"Hey Anne" Jerry said with a smile and Anne smiled back.

"Are we going to wash Belle or what?" she said laughing and Jerry laughed back, motioning for her to start.

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Anne had just finished her chores. She was exhausted but she wouldn't miss Diana's tea for anything. She quickly took a shower and redid her braids. She wore her classic brown dress and her black boots.

"Marilla are you sure you don't want me for anything else" she asked as she ran down the stairs.

"Yes Anne you can go to Diana's. Be home early, you have school tomorrow" Marilla said and shook her head at her over excited adoptive daughter.

"Thank you Marilla! Bye!" Anne shouted as she wore her coat while closing the door behind her.

Once Anne arrived at the Barry's residence, she gently knocked the wooden door with her knuckles.

"Anne! You made it! I'm so happy to see you!" The raven haired girl squealed as she opened the door to her dearest friend. The two girls hugged each other tightly.

"I'm ever so happy to see you too my beloved Diana" Anne squealed back, squeezed thed other girl a bit more, making her let out a chuckle.

"Anne! Girls Anne is here!" Ruby said who saw the redhead standing outside the door. All the girls came to hug Anne as well. Anne saw that behind Tilli, Jane and Ruby was standing Josie, with a soft smile on her pink lips. Anne hugged all the girls and gave a huge hug to Josie as well, who hugged back sincerely. All the young girls sat down and started discussing while drinking their tea and taking a bite of a cookie once in a while. As the other girls talked about something related to school, Anne tilted her head and whispered in Josie's ear.

"So how things are with you and Billy?" she said as quietly as she could so the other girls wouldn't be able to hear what she was saying, in case Josie didn't feel comfortable with telling them yet.

"I know there is no possible way to have perfection in your life, but the first time I feel like mine is completely perfect. It's unbelievable how comfortable and safe I feel when I'm with him. I'm starting to see another side of him I've never seen before. A very sincere and caring and giving one. I started opening up to him as well and it feels so good. We talked about what's bothering us and we helped each other with our problems. Oh, Anne if it wasn't you we would never talk to each other, so thank you." Josie said sincerely. Anne had never seen that sparkle in her eyes ever before until her and Billy finally admited their feelings to each other.

"Josie that's nonsense! I didn't do anything! I'm ever so happy for you!" She said and Josie gave her a teeth-showing smile. Their discussion was interrupted from Ruby who had now her curious eyes fixed on Anne.

"So Anne, how are things between you and Gilbert?" She said as all the other gilrs glued their eyes on Anne as well, as if her answer would give them life.

"I want to believe we are perfectly fine. He is always so sweet and protective. I also had the chance to spend more time with him recently as I went to his house whenever Mary and Bash went to Charlottetown, and I help him take care of the baby. It's sincerely from the most pleasant things I have to do. Time flies so fast as we talk and just relax. He's grown inside of me" Anne said with a huge grin, her eyes soft with only the thought of Gilbert. All the girls squealed and giggled.

"So are you in a courtship?" Jane asked. Anne was taken back. She hadn't thought of that yet. I mean, she would always think it would be nice to start a family with him, but she was only 15 and him 16. Wasn't it soon?

"No we aren't. I don't know if I'm mature enough to be courted yet" she said with a serious expression.

"Anne you are the most mature girl in our age!" Tillie said and all the girls nodded in agreement.

"Yes Anne, what is the matter?" Jane asked again.

"Well.. What if he doesn't want to get in a courtship with me? What if that's why he has never mentioned it?" Anne said looking down.

"Anne that's nonsense! Gilbert truly loves you! Of course he wants to get in a courtship with you" Ruby said reassuring her friend.

"Well then maybe I should just talk to him" Anne said receiving a lot of gasps from her friends.

"Anne what are you saying? He is supposed to bring it up, not you!" Tillie said as the other girls agreed with barely audible "yes's".

"So what? Why can't I just tell him? We are both going to be in this courtship, so if I'm ready why can't I just say it?" Anne said now looking around to see their faces filled with concern and confusion.

"Maybe you're right Anne, but I don't know if I would ever be able to start a conversation about such things with a boy" Diana said. Anne loved Diana endlessly, but she disagreed. Girls have equal rights with boys in every sector of life. Plus, her and Gilbert's relationship was totally different. There was a different kind of communication between them. She decided she would talk to Gilbert about it at any given chance. For now, she didn't feel like talking about it with the girls so she just changed the subject and they simply followed. Even though the were now talking about totally different things, Anne's mind was stuck in Gilbert and the courtship thing. It still would be for the rest of the day and generally every minute she spent without getting it off her chest and talking to him.

It was now time to go back home and Anne had managed to get a bit distracted as she had fun with her friends. During her walk back home she kept on thinking without noticing a familiar figure approaching her. Her head down, not looking in front of her, she bumped into the person.

"Anne, are you ok? Let me walk you home" the person said and Anne finally looked up, her eyes wide as she sat on the ground.

"Oh sorry. Yes thank you, that would be very kind of you Gilbert" said she as she accepted his extended handed to help her.

Ok my friends I don't know if that's interesting but if you don't like it I can go a bit faster and go to another subject. I have a lot of homework these days so it's hard for me to update and post on instagram. Just give me some time and I'll try to not let you down

Mel, xoxo<3