scope for the imagination //awae//

nine

"How do we rewrite the stars? Say you were made to be mine, nothing can keep us apart cause you are the one I was meant to find."

Anne was floating on air. Every step she took had a certain spring to it, every breath filled her with new and endless possibilities.

She was wandering through the creek near her house, on her way to the secret treehouse to meet up with Ruby, Cole and Diana. She knew it was slightly old fashioned, and that they were probably too old to be sneaking off and discussing their plights in a treehouse of all things, but Anne couldn't love the spot more. Ever since the trio started their meetings in junior high school, they knew in their hearts that they would never cease to meet in their tiny, yet homely nook.

After Cole had joined them the past year, it was even more special. It was no longer just a space for them to vent their feelings, but a place where they could be themselves without fear of judgement from anyone.

Anne stepped into the quaint room, carefully moving the fairy lights above her head. She glanced around, immediately spotting a new work of Cole's. She hopped out, and called for him, relieved to see a mess of blond hair pop up around the back.

"Hey Anne," he spoke gently.

"Cole! I've missed you so much," she leapt into his arms, catching him off guard.

"Woah woah woah, slow down Anne," he laughed. "I saw you five days ago."

"Oh but Cole," she cried. "How treacherous it has been to be apart. Surely you agree that five days is still too long."

He set her down on the ground, leaves crunching beneath her worn, gray boots.

"Of course, but I'm here now aren't I? Now let's go inside and wait for the girls to arrive." he grabbed her wrist and scurried up the short ladder.

The pair settled down, with Cole immediately flipping to a crisp, new sketchbook page whilst Anne opened her journal.

For a while, the only sounds heard were of sharp graphite streaking across a page, or smooth pen strokes dancing along the marked lines.

Suddenly, the plinking of wood disrupted their serene state, and Cole stood up abruptly, almost hitting his head on the roof.

"It's done!" he marveled.

Anne peered over his arm, and caught a glimpse of a portrait of none other than Gilbert himself.

"What is that?" Anne exclaimed.

"I figured I should study male faces instead, and well let's just say I also figured you'd appreciate this one," he hinted suggestively.

Anne blushed, "I don't like Gil, Cole. And even if I did, it's not like he could ever like me back."

"Mhm, whatever you say Anne," Cole nodded.

"I'm serious, Cole!" Anne all but shrieked.

"Look, all I'm saying is that it's clear as day to everyone that he's in love with you! Why can't you see it? Plus, you didn't deny it when I said you'd 'appreciate' this sketch." Cole smirked.

Anne relented, still blushing profusely, "It just doesn't happen in real life, Cole. This isn't some teen movie where the popular guy falls for the plain girl and they live happily ever after. Just let me live in my bubble of sulking because if I actually said that I like him it'd be real and I'd have to live with that. I'd rather deny any chance than hope and be let down."

Cole went silent, trying to find a way to reason with her.

He took a deep breath before stating, "That's no way to live your life Anne. I know it's scary. But this isn't the Anne I know. The Anne I know hopped a train to save her teacher, risked her life to save her best friend, I could go on and on. But most of all, the Anne I know has never not been unequivocally herself. And denying that part of your feelings—yourself, well it's just not you, Anne."

There was a lengthy pause before Anne finally sighed, "But what do I do, Cole? Of course I like Gilbert, but I have no idea how to even know if he likes me back. And the thought of asking, well I don't even want to think about that!"

Cole pondered for a moment before replying, "Hmm, well you could try hanging out with him? And see how he acts around you? Maybe even flirt a little bit." Cole waggled his eyebrows goofily.

"Cole! Be serious!" Anne giggled.

As the pair burst out laughing, Ruby and Diana quickly filed inside.

"What are you guys laughing about?" Ruby asked.

"Nothin—" Anne bursted out.

"Anne's crush on Gil—" Cole said simultaneously.

Anne's wide eyes caught Cole's frightened ones as he mouthed an "I'm sorry" to Anne before staring at the ground.

"What did you say now?" Diana raised an eyebrow.

"He didn't say anything! In fact I think we should just all forget it—," Anne rambled.

"Oh my god, I can't believe you!" Ruby rolled her eyes as she interrupted Anne.

Anne swiveled her head towards Ruby, braids swinging before explaining, "Ruby I am so sorry!—"

"I can't believe I owe Diana ten bucks now!" Ruby harrumphed.

Anne blinked slowly, frantic thoughts still swirling in her mind.

"Wait, hold on a second what's happening?" Anne looked at Ruby and Diana.

"Well after I got over Gilbert, Diana and I made a bet to see how long it'd take you to confess that you liked him," Ruby explained.

"Wait, you're over Gilbert?" Anne asked, shocked at Ruby's passive tone.

"Well," she chewed her bottom lip, "I sort of knew I didn't have a chance a long time ago. I had already given up hope, I just had to cry it out for a bit. Plus, I realized I could do much better, like with a guy who actually liked me for me."

"Like Charlie..." Diana waggled her eyebrows.

Ruby immediately turned beet red before she stuttered, "I-I don't know what you're talking about!"

"Anyways," Diana rolled her eyes, "We made a bet and I won, so pay up Ruby!"

"Yeah yeah yeah," Ruby muttered.

"Well, as weird as that was, I'm happy for you Ruby. You deserve the world, and more." Anne smiled sincerely.

"So now that this is all in the open, what will you do about Gilbert?" Cole piped in.

As if the universe couldn't be more clear, Anne's phone buzzed with a new notification from Gilbert himself. But, before Anne could sneakily check it, Diana and Ruby lunged for the phone and shrieked as they read out,

"Hey Anne, Bash wanted to know if you'd like to come over to our place for some dinner? It's alright if you can't though."

"You have to go!" Cole, Ruby, and Diana yelled simultaneously.

"C'mon Anne, this is your chance to finally make a move!" Diana relented.

Before Anne could even think, her mouth seemed to move as she huffed, "Alright, I'll go!"

A moment passed of sheer excitement before Anne gasped, "What am I going to wear?!"

a/n: this is part of a double update!! Next chapter will be just as long and updated on Wednesday :)) remember to vote and comment !!