That Fateful Night

Chapter Fourteen

Anne's POV

The school bell rings loudly as class is dismissed, Miss Stacey clapping her hands together quickly to grab the student's attention before they leave for the day.

"Class!" She yells, still clapping her hands wildly. Billy whistles, causing everyone to quiet down and look to the front of the room where Miss Stacey is standing. "Thank you, Billy. Now, one more announcement before you all hurry home. I believe that we should all indulge ourselves in one more outdoor day before it becomes too cold to be travelling to places. I would like for you all to return with a signed note from your parents or guardians saying whether or not you may go, and we will decide on the destination tomorrow before school. You are dismissed, have a safe walk home everyone."

The class is bubbling with excitement as they filter out of the schoolhouse doors, chattering amicably about where they would like to go for their school trip. A million thoughts whir around in Anne's mind as she packs up her books and places them atop her slate, ready for the walk home. She would much enjoy a trip to the beach where they can learn about ocean tides, or the different creatures living in the sea. Her imagination conjures up an image of mermaids riding on dolphins, their beautiful sparkly tails splashing against the water as they sing songs of their underwater kingdoms. She imagines being turned into a mermaid herself, her long red hair flowing behind her in luscious waves and pinned with a sea star and pearls, her royal blue tail adorned with shiny and sparkling gold beads. 

Diana is beside her on a light grey dolphin, her raven hair swept into a bun adorned with a shell crown, her light blue tail shimmering like a million diamonds under the sun. 

She's caught up in her daydream as she rises up from her seat, not paying much attention to where she's walking.

"Ouch," yelps a male voice as Anne walks right into him. Anne freezes a moment, realizing who she's run into.

"I'm sorry, Charlie," she apologizes as polite as possible, "I didn't see you there." 

"It's quite alright, Anne," he replies, "I-"

"Have a nice walk home, Charlie," she nods curtly before stepping around him, not wanting the conversation to continue.

"Anne! Anne- wait!" he calls after her, taking long strides to catch up.

Anne doesn't turn around.

Just keep walking. If you ignore him long enough maybe he'll give up.

"Anne!" he calls again, his voice sounding desperate. It makes Anne almost turn around. Almost. She fights back the urge to roll her eyes as Marilla had deemed it socially unacceptable and rude behavior.

"I have to catch up to Cole, Charlie!" Anne calls back to him, not bothering to turn around, "Him and I always walk back home to green gables together!"

"Anne please! I just want to talk. It will only take a minute, I promise!"

Anne whips around, seething.

Can this boy not take a hint?!

"Sure, Charlie!" she fakes a smile, "What would you like to talk about?"

"I-"

"Oh, I know! Why don't we talk about your goals and aspirations as a man, hm? Do you still enjoy belittling women because we should be at home baking and cleaning? I would love very much to talk about what a mistake it was going on a date with a man so full of his own toxic masculinity that-"

"Anne," he interrupts, his bright brown eyes pleading with her, "I wanted to tell you I'm dreadfully sorry about what I told you on our date. It's not that I don't enjoy baking, I do. I just know it isn't a career that any of the men in my family would be proud of me being in pursuit of...." he trails off, biting his lip, his eyes downcast. He takes a deep breath, his eyes still on the ground. "The recipe wasn't even my moms.... It was mine.... I just wanted to look- I just wanted you to think-"