AHEAD BY A CENTURY - ANNE WITH AN E

16. Of Course I love you, silly

At lunch time the youth of avonlea sat in a circle in the middle of the school room floor, desks pushed into corners along with there chairs.
To Anne's surprise, Marilla had tucked away a slice of sponge cake that she had baked last week, it was a sort of birthday cake just for Anne. She nibbled at it gratefully, savouring every emotion she felt as she ate it.
"So Anne," Josie Pye began, which startled Anne greatly, "since you're sixteen. You'll be having a party, right?" Anne despised the way Josie spoke, like everyone had to agree with her, Like it was a given that she was having a party.
"I think that's up to Anne, don't you agree?"
Gilbert added, protectively.
Anne gave Gilbert a thankful gaze, but instead of quick eye contact, their eyes locked and they couldn't help but get lost in each others eyes.
"Anne?" Diana brought Anne's eyes back to the room "what ever are you doing?"
Anne and Gilbert's eyes widened as they were about to be busted,
"Um, staring contest." Anne replied, to which Gilbert nodded in agreement.
———
"Marilla?" Anne begun, "could I have a-"
"Birthday Party?" Marilla interrupted,
"Not birthday party.. per-say" Anne said.
"I think Anne deserves a party for her first ever birthday in Avonlea, Marilla." Matthew butted in, he'd do anything to make Anne smile.
And so she did, smile that is.
"Well alright then." Marilla smiled, "we can invite your schoolmates on Saturday afternoon."
"Oh Marilla!" Anne squealed, hugging her.
Anne scurried to the door, without hesitation for her coat.
"Anne Shirley Cuthbert!" Called Marilla, "just what do you think you're doing?"
"I'm going to see Diana." Anne said as if it were normal to run off unannounced at nightfall.
"At this time? It's very late, Diana will most definitely be in bed, unlike you. And besides, you'd catch your death out there without so much as a coat" Marilla Scolded. Anne pouted mournfully. "You can go once you've finished your chores tomorrow." Marilla relented.
———
Anne raced to bed, planning to lie awake and plan her party.
First of all it would be held at green gables on Saturday, early afternoon of course.
Diana would obviously be there, Ruby too, I suppose the entire class should come, Gilbert too.
Gilbert!
Gilbert.
Gilbert?
———
The minute that the last glimpse of light in green gables was to turn dark, Anne cracked open her window and slipped through, onto her blossom tree and onto the the long strands of untamed grass.
———
Gilbert sat up in his room. He couldn't sleep knowing that Anne and him couldn't be seen together as a romantic pair.
Just as he resolved to fall asleep and forget about his strong feelings for Anne, which he never could do. A light knock could be heard from downstairs.
Gilbert's feet padded across the hall as he reached the door and discovered the most beautiful girl in existence, his most beautiful girl in existence, her features illuminated by the candle she clutched tightly. Her bold hair tumbling in waves, only just released from her braids, her eyes bright, hopeful, deep and meaningful.
She inhaled deeply and then began to ramble, "Do you love me? I need to know so that I can decide to love you or not. I feel that it's important that I figure it out while it's new so I can firmly make up my mind. So be honest because I can't be let down by false hope again."
"Anne. Slow down. Of course I love you, silly." Gilbert removed the candle from Anne's hand and pulled her inside.
"What brought this on?" Gilbert asked as they sat in the once asleep sitting room.
"There are Girls like ruby and Diana. Girls with calm, curls that dangle down their backs. With dimples and blue eyes and beautiful gowns and politeness, manners and no ramblings. And then there's me. Homely, ungrateful, red headed Anne." Anne sighed dramatically.
"I don't want Ruby or Diana. I want someone to keep me on my toes. Someone to challenge me. I can envision my life with ruby, all it would consist of is 'honey I'm home' replied with 'how was work darling, dinners ready' I don't want that. I want challenge, I want different, I want exciting. I want you." Gilbert clutched Anne's hand.

A/N
I'm so, so inactive I'm sorry. This is a short and long awaited chapter. I feel awful that it's been almost a year since I started this yet it's barely just begun. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.