AWAE Oneshots !

Nothing Left to Say but Goodbye

Anne Shirley woke up to the warmth of the sun shining through her window on a beautiful summer day. She sat up and looked at all the boxes in her room. It was her last week at Patty's place and although she was beyond excited to be back at Green Gables, she knew she would miss this place. It had been a great few years and she had made some wonderful friends. After reminiscing for a few minutes, Anne got up for the day.

*********

At around 7 o'clock that night, there was a knock at the door. Anne opened it to find her beau, Royal Gardener. He handed her a bouquet of roses with a smile.

"Care to go for a walk, my love?" Roy asked.

"Okay," Anne replied with a forced smile and a feeling of dread.

Roy was Anne's childhood ideal come to life. She thought she would be happy with him but lately she was having doubts.

The two walked down the shadowy path for some time before reaching their destination. Roy asked Anne to marry him in the little pavillion on the harbor shore where they had talked on the rainy day of their first meeting. Anne thought it very romantic that he should have chosen that spot. And his proposal was as beautifully worded as if he had copied, as one of Ruby Gillis' lovers had done, out of a Deportment of Courtship and Marriage. The whole effect was quite flawless. And it was also sincere. There was no doubt that Roy meant what he said. There was no false note to jar the symphony. "nne felt that she ought to be thrilling from head to foot. But she wasn't; she was horribly cool. When Roy paused for his answer she opened her lips to say her fateful yes. And then—she found herself trembling as if she were reeling back from a precipice. To her came one of those moments when we realize, as by a blinding flash of illumination, more than all our previous years have taught us. She pulled her hand from Roy's.

"Oh, I can't marry you—I can't—I can't," she cried, wildly.

Roy turned pale—and also looked rather foolish. He had—small blame to him—felt very sure.

"What do you mean?" he stammered.

"I mean that I can't marry you," repeated Anne desperately. "I thought I could—but I can't."

"Why can't you?" Roy asked more calmly.

"Because—I don't care enough for you."

With that Anne left a heartbroken man, more confused with her life than ever.

*********

Anne arrived back at Patty's Place and went up to her room to sit alone with her thoughts.

A few minutes later, Phillipa Gordon entered the room and sat at the edge of the bed, realizing something was not right.

"What's wrong, my dear?" she asked comfortingly.

"Roy asked me to marry him...and I refused him," Anne replies shamefully.

"You-you refused him?" said Phil blankly.

"Yes."

"Anne Shirley, are you in your senses?"

"I think so," said Anne wearily. "Oh, Phil, don't scold me. You don't understand."