Chivalrous- A shirbert sTorY

-Chapter 4-

"Anne Shirley Cuthbert, please eat your dinner." Marilla looked at Anne with a stern expression scattered amongst her face.

Anne sighed as she gripped the fork and used it to scoop up a chunk of carrot, she placed it in her mouth before swallowing with a wince.

"For heavens sake Anne, what is the matter, why are you finding eating such a task this evening?" Marilla questioned with a hint of concern in her eyes.

"I'm in the depths of despair Marilla." Anne replied as she wiped a tear from her already damp eyes.

"What happened now Anne?" Matthew piped in as he swallowed a lump of mashed potato.

"I have been utterly humiliated and embarrassed and it's all because of Gil- a boy." She spat, not even daring speak his name as she would sure it would send her over the edge.

"Oh..." Matthew replied as he glanced at the despaired redhead with sympathy. Marilla just shook her head at Anne who was now prodding a slice of meat with her fork.

"Care to tell us what absolutely embarrassing thing this boy did to you?" Marilla pressed- in hopes that if Anne spoke about it she could give some possibly useful advice on the matter.

"Well..." Anne began "we were doing a spelling bee and h-h-he was told to spell the word ca-carrots." Anne stuttered as tears began filling up in her already bright blue eyes.
"And instead of spelling out carrots, he spelled out Anne!!! In front of everyone! Even beloved Diana and dear Ms Stacy!! It was horrible! Utterly humiliating!" Anne exclaimed as tears began pouring out of her eyes.

Marilla and Matthew glanced at each other, eyebrows raised. Marilla took a slow sip of her milk as she looked at the girl who was now bawling her eyes out.

"Heavens Anne, you're hysterical." Marilla was flustered as she sat opposite the distraught 15 year old.

Matthew got up slowly before going to Anne and tapping her lightly on the shoulder. She paused- mid weep- and glanced up at him her watery eyes showing a glimmer of confusion. Matthew smiled shyly before opening up his arms. Anne's eyes widened before her freckled face lit up. She quickly wiped her damp cheeks before bouncing up and throwing herself into Matthews warm embrace.

She buried herself deep into his scent of mint and sawdust as Marilla began cleaning up- watching the pair in the corner of her eye.

"It will be alright Anne. I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt you." Matthew reassured Anne as he gently rubbed her back to soothe her.

Anne nodded lightly, her face still buried into his clothing.
She pulled away- her arms still wrapped around the man- and glanced up as his crinkled warm face.

"You're right, I suppose it will all blow over soon, however Matthew I'm absolutely positive that boy had rather hellish intentions."  She states firmly before reburying her face back into his hug, sniffling quietly.

***

As Anne lay in bed that night she watched the blossoms flow lightly in the night wind as she listened to the rustle of the leaves. She imagined all the nocturnal animals scouring the woods looking for shelter- she smiled lightly.

Her smile vanished soon after as her thoughts drifted to Gilbert Blythe and the horrendous events of that day.

She would never forgive him for completely destroying Anne's reputation and bestowing complete mortification onto her already shredded image.

What will Josie Pye say tomorrow morning? Or Billy Andrews? She'll never hear the end of it.

Oh how she wished Cole was still in Avonlea- he would understand what it's like. He's such a kindred spirit, Anne missed him terribly.

Anne smiled as the thoughts of Cole and Josephine Barry overtook the memories of that horrid day.

She snuggled deeply into her duvet as her eyes fluttered before closing.

Then the tired red head slowly fell to sleep as the wind came to a halt.