Ahead By A Century

Wait

Gilbert: I'm parked in the front lot, red corolla. see u after 7th (:

I send him a quick k and put my phone back in my pocket.

Anxious thoughts have been flooding my head ever since LA. I don't know why I'm so nervous, honestly now I'm just annoyed with myself. Lately it seems the only thing I've thought about is stupid Gilbert Blythe and we have hardly even talked.

The bell rings and before leaving, I check my appearance on my iPhone camera.

I'm unsatisfied with my appearance but what else is new.

When I eventually make me way out of Avonlea, true to his word, Gilbert is waiting for me beside his insanely gorgeous red car.

"Aw look, you match," he laughs, and it takes me a second to understand what he means.

I blush furiously. "Um, excuse me?"

His eyes widen. "I didn't mean it in a bad way... I— never mind. Let's just go," he says quickly and I slowly get in the passenger side.

I comb through my hair self consciously and look out the window. Does he think my bright reddish/orange hair is ugly or something? Surely he does, because he joked about it.

"I didn't think you would get upset. Honestly, Anne. I like my car, and I like your hair, so it just connected in my head. I'm sorry," he sighs.

That makes me feel a little better. "It's fine, I overreacted."

The drive is silent, but that comforting silence we always seem to be in. He turns the radio up slightly and Post Malone plays quietly in the background.

He pulls up to a small building called Wildwood Cafe. The fall air smelled faintly of coffee and it relaxes my nerves slightly. I love coffee so much.

He holds the door open for me and I smile, stopping myself from saying I don't need you to open a door for me, Blythe.

I start looking through the menu overhanging the cashier.

"What would y'all like today?" The cashier, a young girl with blonde hair and immensely strong southern accent asks us.

"I'll get an iced tea," Gilbert replies.

"And I'll get a caramel macchiato, please," I smile.

She tells us the price and I make sure to hand her my card before Gilbert can.

"No, Anne, it's my treat."

"Shut up Gilbert Blythe, I'm going to pay and that's final."

"Anne—"

"Shhh," I laugh, reaching up and covering his mouth.

I feel him smile beneath my hand and quickly pull away.

The cashier smiles and swipes my card. "You two sure are cute."

"We aren't—"

"Thank you," he winks at me and I blush before turning around and finding a table.

The café is pleasantly empty except for a couple sitting in a booth to our right.

I unzip my bag and grab my laptop as he does the same.

"So I think we've got a good start on it, we just need to bring all the notes together into one presentation," I say.

He runs a hand through his curly locks and sighs. "To be honest, I really don't feel like working on this right now." He laughs.

"Then why are we even here?" I ask confusedly.

"Let's just think of it as a... hang out," he chuckles.

Before I respond, the lady sets our drinks on the table and walks away.

That reminds me...

"Why did you say we were... together back there?" I ask, picking at my nails. Nervous habit.

He just gives me his infamous smirk. "Who knows?"

I roll my eyes and take a sip of my coffee.

He takes a sip of his tea and I giggle.

"What?" His eyebrows furrow.

"Tea."

He rolls his eyes and I giggle again.

The longer we sit here, the more at ease I feel. Gilbert is just... so easy to be with. I don't feel like I have to fake my personality, and it's honestly refreshing. But I just wish I didn't have these confusing feelings in my head, and in my heart. Because deep down, I know that we would never in a million years be together.

"What are you thinking about?" His eyes gaze into mine and for a second I feel like he can read my thoughts.

I clear my throat. "Nothing, nothing. So, I heard you and Ruby are a thing, huh?"

He scratches his neck. "Eh.. I guess, I don't really know."

"You can't tell her I told you, but she really likes you. You should go for it," the words just spill out of my mouth and I don't even agree with them.

"Maybe, if there wasn't somebody else."

"Who's the special girl?"

"I can't say," he smiles.

"Come onnnn, just describe her, maybe I know her."

"Fine. She's smart, compassionate, and beautiful. She doesn't pretend to be someone she's not, and always looks out for others. But the funny thing is, I've only known her for about a month, and it feels like I've known her my whole life. When we're together, it's as if you're the only two in the room because she's just so captivating. I wouldn't want to hang out with anyone else. Anne, I just want to be with you."

My eyes are glossy and I can't look at his face.

"Please say something..." he says softly.

The only words that come to my head are, "Is this real?"

He chuckles. "Yes. Incredibly real. You make me feel so, so, real, Anne Shirley."

I finally look at him. Gilbert Blythe, with his gorgeous curly black locks, hazel eyes, and perfect smile, likes me. A skinny, red headed, average orphan.

His eyes graze over my face, looking for a reply. But I don't know what to say. What the hell do I even say?!

I decide to do what I do best. Run.

"Um, it's getting late. I have to, uh— go. But I'll see you at school tomorrow," I quickly pack my laptop into my bag and grab my coffee.

"Wait, Anne—"

But I just smile sadly at him and leave as fast as my legs can take me, into the brisk cold night.

I run as fast as I can.

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Hiiiiiiii I'm backkkkkkkk and finally giving you some AnGsT