Someone Will Remember Us | Diana Barry & Anne Shirley

Chapter Nine | Goodbyes

It was a busy day in the town centre of Avonlea. Stores and sidewalks were filled with people in different errands, who struggled their way forwards on the ground which was muddy and slippery from yesterday's heavy rain. This day was dry, the sky had no tears left to cry. Though you could sense the humidity rain leaves behind itself.
Carriages pulled by horses occupied the road, and in one of those carriages sat Diana. She was on her way to the station to catch a train, a train that would take her to a harbour where a boat waited to set course to France.
Her parents had stiffly said goodbye at their house, so Diana was on her own from here. She didn't mind, her parents wouldn't have made much company anyways. They hadn't spoken much at all since that day in the kitchen when Diana had learned about her new school. Diana hadn't spoken much to anyone really.
Some, like Ms Stacy, Ruby and most of the girls, had come by the Barry's house to say goodbye. However they never got to meet Diana - it was Mrs. and Mr. Barry who had thanked them, who had explained that Diana wasn't too well and that they would pass on their messages. They never did, but Diana (having nothing much to do) sat by her window and eavesdropped from her room (if you can call it eavesdrop when the message is meant for you).
The Cuthberts had also paid a visit, but Diana didn't know if Anne had joined them. As soon as she recognised Marilla and Matthew she had left her window, remembering something - suddenly very urgent - that she had to do.

Diana was left at the station. She took her bag and thanked the coachman before she walked to the station. At the counter, Diana showed her ticket to a man who nodded slightly at it before he gave it back to her. Now all she could do was wait.
She thought she might as well wait for the train to leave on the train than on the station, but as she was about to get on the train she heard a familiar voice yelling her name:
"Diana, wait!"
Diana stopped and turned, but she had also recognised the voice.
It was Anne.

She walked slowly towards Anne. They stood there, silent. After having forbidden herself to do it for the past few months, Diana allowed herself to look at Anne. Her red hair was caught up in its usual two, neat braids. They reached down to her chest now. Perhaps her blue eyes, that were framed by a freckled face, looked a little sadder than they used to. Other than that, she was her usual bright self. Diana smiled.
"I, I wanted to say goodbye." Anne finally broke the silence.
Diana just nodded, still smiling. Anne studied her friend. She hesitated before she spoke again:
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Diana opened her mouth, but didn't say anything. What would she say? She also suspected that Anne knew. Sometimes we ask questions we already know the answer to.
Diana hesitated, before she leaned in and gave Anne an innocent kiss on her cheek.
"I'm sorry." Diana felt her cheeks grow hot.
Anne chuckled happily. "What for?"
Diana laughed with her. Had she just kissed Anne?
"Oh, I almost forgot!" Anne exclaimed, beginning to dig in her pockets. She took out a package, neatly wrapped in old newspapers, tied in place by a simple string. It wasn't fancy at all, but it was so very Anne. Diana smiled at the thought.
"Here," Anne said as she gave Diana the present. "But don't open it until you're on the train!"
Diana took the gift and studied it. It was heavy, and rectangular shaped. She weighed it in her hands.
"Something to remember me by." Anne added, with a small and slightly insecure laugh.
Diana looked up.
"Oh Anne," she said, suddenly serious. "I could never forget you."
Tears started rolling down Anne's fair, freckled cheeks. She pulled Duana in a desperate hug.
"It's so unfair." Anne cried. "I'll miss you Diana. So very, very much."
Now Diana was crying too, silent tears painting her cheeks. "I'll miss you too Anne."
Anne pulled away. "You were my first ever friend, and I can't imagine ever having a better one than thee." She wiped away a tear from her face. "I'm so incredibly grateful, you can't imagine."
"I can." Diana smiled.
"I'm sorry I couldn't give you more." Anne suddenly said, clearly disheartened.
"That's okay." Diana said, surprising herself by feeling she told the truth. "It's not your fault."
"But you'll find someone." Anne smiled, knocking lightly on the package Diana held in her hands. "And I'm sure it'll be worth the trouble."
Diana laughed, of relief. All the anxiety, grief, insecurity and hopelessness she'd felt this past few months suddenly felt more distant. It was like the weight that had pulled Diana down now eased. Anne was by her side, helping her hold it. Diana didn't feel as sad anymore, about everything with Anne. She'd got to do a lot of thinking, and it made her realise that the thing that had saddened her the most was that she and Anne had become so distant. She hoped, in her heart, that they one day could go back to that.
"Thank you," Diana said. "For everything."
Anne smiled.
"Goodbye for now," She said. "I'm certain we'll meet again."
Diana smiled too. "I hope so."
"I know so Diana." She leaned in then. "They can never take away your hope."
The train's whistle blew, telling Diana it was tile to leave. She felt her stomach tighten, but Anne grabbed her hand and everything felt a little easier. They shared one last hug before Diana went on the train. She waved goodbye to Anne, who waited at the station until the train left, and found her seat.

The whistle blew one last time, as the train slowly began to move. It left the station, quickly picking up a fast pace. Diana cried silently, but right now she felt more happy than sad.
She looked down at the present from Anne, and opened it.
It was a book.
Diana recognised it but couldn't quite place it. Opening the book, she found a written message on the first page:

"To my Gertrude.
Someone will remember us, I say,
even in another time.
Forever, you have my heart.
Jo"

Underneath it someone had added a message, recently written:

"To my bosom friend
and kindred spirit, Diana Barry.
You have my heart forever as well. Don't let them kill your lovely spirit.
Anne"

Diana felt herself tearing up again. A woman seated nearby checked on her to see if she was okay. Diana assured her that they were happy tears.

The train pulled the breaks, making a sudden and harsh stop. People flew forward in their seats, and some luggage fell onto the floor.
Diana looked out the window. It didn't look like there was a stop anywhere nearby. Everyone started muttering, wondering what had happened. Some people opened the door to go out and see what the problem was. Out of curiosity, Diana followed.
"There's a horse in the way!" Someone yelled out and pointed towards the front of the train.
Diana was standing on her toes trying to see over the crowd. Her heart jumped in her chest. She recognised the horse, it belonged to—
"I'm sorry, gentlemen and gentlewomen! That's my horse."
Everyone turned their heads, Diana as well. Aunt Josephine, tall as ever, stood before the crowd, looking smug.
"I lost control of it and it just ran." Aunt Josephine said, widening her eyes dramatically as she innocently shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, get it away from the tracks!" A man from the crowd yelled, clearly irritated. "It's stopping our train!"
"Pity." She said, looking down at Diana with a sly smile.

[This is the last chapter of this story. It's been a fun experience working with it, and of course sharing it with you. So thank you for reading, I hope you found it a pleasant experience!]