Ahead By A Century

Lucky

Gilbert's POV

If I get to witness beauty like this everyday, then I am the luckiest man in the world.

She doesn't see me looking at her, nose buried in a chemistry textbook.

Her vibrant orange hair is freed from its usual braids; waves cascading past her shoulders. Bright blue eyes scan the pages, thoughtful and focused. She has her knees up, textbook resting on them. Every so often, she scribbles down something in her notebook.

"Are you staring at me?" She asks suddenly, peaking up from the book, smiling.

"You caught me," I smirk.

"Well, stop!" She throws a pillow at me.

I simply catch it, watching amusedly as she huffs in annoyance.

"We've been studying for hours, let's go do something," I suggest.

"I'm really stressed for this test, Gil," she frowns.

"Come on, it's Saturday. We can cram tomorrow. Besides, I already made a Quizlet."

The mention of Quizlet makes her eyebrows raise in curiosity. "Now you're talking."

I get up from the floor and hold out my hand for her to grab. She sets down the book and stands up, stretching her legs.

"Where to? Isn't it kind of late?" She asks.

I simply grab her hand and kiss it gently, replying, "It's a surprise."

•

I drive us to the destination while she leans her head against the window, casually singing along to Declan McKenna.

"We should see him sometime," I say.

Her eyes widen and she breaks into a vibrant smile. "That would be so cool!"

I keep a note in my head for future reference and see the sign up ahead, turning onto the narrow road.

"Gil..." She says, confused. That is understandable, it is 9 pm, dark, and we are driving somewhere she's probably never been on a sketchy ass trail.

"Trust me, Shirley. Just trust me."

I drive a few miles through the rugged terrain, until finally reaching where I wanted to go. I turn off the engine and the lights go out, surrounding us in darkness.

Quickly she grabs her phone and turns on the flashlight. "Jesus, it's dark."

All I do is laugh and exit the car, grabbing a blanket from my trunk and telling her to follow me. She grabs my hand as I lead her to the spot.

The foliage soon reveals a bench at the top of a hill. I lead her up the path, finally arriving to it.

"Wow, it's beautiful," she gasps.

From up here, we have a view of the entire city that is Avonlea. It's so small that the entire town is viewable from right here.

We sit down on the bench and I cover us with the fuzzy blanket. She is still marveling at the view, the city lights making her eyes sparkle.

"This is my favorite place," I say quietly.

"How did you find it?"

"My father showed me it before he passed," I tell her. I've never told anyone that before.

"Thank you for showing me this, Gil." She grabs my hand and squeezes lightly. The small gesture makes my heart flutter. Who knew something so small could make me feel so great?

"I wanted to share it with someone I care most about, as he did to me."

She turns her head and gives me a small smile. She places her small hand on my cheek and strokes it softly. "That means the world to me."

I feel vulnerable in her gaze. Sensing this, she slowly brings me closer until our heads touch.

"You mean the world to me," she whispers.

I answer her with a kiss. I pour all out all of my anxiety and replace it with care; for Anne, for this moment.

She pulls away. If only I could have bottled up that moment forever.

"Are you cold?" I ask, feeling the breeze pick up a bit more, especially since we're so high up.

She moves closer until our legs touch, resting her head on my shoulder. "Not at all," I feel her smile.

We stay seated there, watching the night life down below, basking in the simplicity of solely each other's company.

•

Anne's POV

Nothing could make this night more special. Gilbert showed me a new side of him that I never thought I'd see. The charismatic, always happy boy is not the only part of him. I cannot paint a picture perfect image of Gilbert Blythe, for he is a sum of many parts. I wonder what other stories he will share, I wonder if I will ever tell him about my past.

Not tonight, Anne. You're not ready.

I want him to know about my life. I trust him. Soon, just not now.

"This beats studying, doesn't it?" He says. I don't even need to look at him to know his smug expression.

"Yeah, yeah," I laugh.

"You know, we will never have a first week of school again," he muses.

"College is a thing, Gil." I laugh.

"That's different, though."

"How so?"

"I feel like college will feel different. High school is supposed to be your golden years or whatever, and pretty soon it will all be over."

"I don't think that's true. I don't want my peak to be in high school, that's depressing."

"I suppose so. But I met you, and I think that's the peak in my life."

"Smooth, Blythe. Smooth," I giggle.

He chuckles lightly but the sincerity in his tone makes my stomach flutter.

I've never felt so safe in my entire life. Being here with him, my head on his shoulder, hands together, legs touching; in our own little world.

I never want to leave.

•

A/N

this is probably my favorite chapter so far. idk. cute. Ok hope you have a good night/day :)