Chivalrous- A shirbert sTorY

-Chapter 5-

Anne raced out of bed and down to breakfast as soon as she awoke.

Anne had more of an appetite that morning and easily wolfed down her breakfast with pace. She wanted to get too school early as then their would be no way she would cross paths with Gilbert Blythe, although sadly this meant she wouldn't be able to walk with her bosom friend Diana. Gilbert really has found a way to ruin Anne's life, and she thought Josie and Billy were bad.

Anne walked slowly down the muddy path towards the woods, contemplating what horrors would await her once she arrived at school. She has always been excruciatingly fond of school but since yesterdays events she feels deeply unsatisfied that today is not Friday or Saturday or even Sunday.

Sighing loudly she entered the woods. The sun was only just beginning to rise, she smiled lightly as she watched the golden rays shine through the cracks in the leaves. Since she left earlier this morning she was able to experience a pleasure that she has only previously experienced through her gabled room windows. Oh how a window pane could make such a big difference- she was sure she had fully experienced the joys in the suns rising but now she was outdoors she could fully understand the sublime feeling of the sun on her pale skin and the view of it glowing through the trees.

Anne stopped in her tracks and gazed up at the sky, tilting her head back as she felt the warmth of the sun on her freckles and the morning breeze flowing lightly through the tips of her auburn tresses.

Suddenly she heard a twig snap from not too far behind her. She immediately snapped up to attention and whirled around. There standing not so far away, perched behind a tree, was Gilbert Blythe.

Her eyes narrowed at the boy. His black wool cap lay gently atop his dark black curls, he had a shy, nervous smile on his face and his eyes showed a mix of fear, joy and concern.

Anne spun back around and continued walking. A red blush lightened her cheeks at the idea of Gilbert seeing her in such an intimate moment with nature. Why was he even walking to school this early?

"Anne. Anne wait!" His husky warm voice called for her but she dismissed it. The pounding of boots against the leave strew floor alerted Anne that he had caught up to her.

He appeared in front of her, stopping the red head in her tracks. She gave him a gut wrenching glare.

"I didn't know you walked to school early?" He gave her a questioning look.

She rolled her eyes before looking back at the boy in front of her.

"I don't. I would normally walk with Diana but since I was trying avoid crossing paths with you Mr Blythe I decided to walk a little bit earlier and enjoy the nature. Obviously this hasn't fully worked out for me." She grumbled as she shoulder barged him before stumbling on.

Gilbert was bewildered, but shook it off and ran after the girl.

"Anne! I'm sorry! Hear me out please." He begged as he clamped a hand gently down on her shoulder and span her around to face him, guilt evidence in his eyes that were pleading like a lost puppy.

Anne huffed and nudged his hand off her shoulder.

"Sorry? You're sorry? Sorry for what Gilbert? For embarrassing me in front of the whole school? For mocking me? For destroying the cracked reputation I've worked so hard to rebuild? For giving Josie Pye and Billy Andrews another reason to endlessly torment me. Sorry isn't going to do it Gilbert, not unless you fully understand what you are apologising for." Her voice cracked slightly as tears began building up in her eyes.

"Anne....I..." pain etched across his face as the realisation how much he hurt her hit him. Anne, the one girl he never wanted to hurt- he hurt.

He sighed, wiping at his eyes that had started to dampen.

"You're crying?" Anne stopped the tears for a second when she saw Gilbert wipe his eyes. Gilbert Blythe, popular teen charming heartbreaker, was crying .

Gilbert shrugged as he met his glassy hazel eyes with her glimmering blue ones.

"I'm so sorry Anne. I'm terribly sorry. I didn't mean to embarrass you I was- I-" he stumbled over his words.
"I'm just so sorry. I won't let them tease you Anne and I hope you forgive me." He wiped his damp cheeks as he looked down at the shocked girl.

She sniffed and lightly nodded.

"Thank you Gilbert- for the apology." She murmured.
"I forgive you." She smiled weakly at the boy who's face just lit up.

His boyish grin slid onto his face in a second as he held his arm out for her too take. She rolled her eyes before giggling and weaving her arm with his. Intwining them.

"Shall we walk to school m'lady?" He nodded his head in a courteous mannerism.

She laughed lightly, brightness and happiness lighting her once despaired face.

"I think we shall young master." She nodded politely as they walked merrily towards the school house.

"So what are you doing walking to school so early Gilbert?" She questioned, glancing up at the older boy.

"My lessons with Ms Stacy of course, do you not remember?"

Anne wanted to facepalm herself. How did she let such an important key fact slip her mind. She shook her head subtly at herself.

"Oh yes, sorry I forgot." She chuckled nervously as Gilbert grinned down at her.

"Anne Shirley, forgot something?" He said in shock.

She elbowed him hard in his chest.

"Shirley Cuthbert." She corrected, nodding firmly at him. He just laughed back.

Anne felt happy. That very moment she felt beyond happy. Walking in the early morning sunrise with Gilbert Blythe was one of the pleasures in life Anne didn't know she had missed out on until this very day- and she was positive she wouldn't let herself miss out on any new experiences Gilbert Blythe had to offer any longer.