I'll Be Happy For The Both Of You

chapter 14: ball preparations

The whole world smelled of candles, powder, perfume and freshly-baked cakes of all sords. Cheerful music could already be heard from the room where the ball would take place at precisely 4 PM, which Mrs. Lynde was sure to take care of.

The atmosphere in the small white room at Green Gables was tense, to say the least. Anne was sitting by her window, which was open to allow the cold air to hit her pale face as she looked at the trees, the flowers, the small brown bird which just sat down on the branch. She wished desperately to be just as free as it was, to be able to fly away, to fly anywhere and have all the time in the world. She wished this often, but especially on this stressful day.

Who would've thought that Anne, of all the girls, who always dreamed of a romantic ball, would be so unhappy just two hours before it?

A sudden knock awoke her from the daydreams and she turned her head to the door. Marilla walked in with a warm cup of tea, which was unusual, since it wasn't time for it yet. And Marilla always kept her strict schedule of the day's rituals. But looking at Anne today, she couldn't help noticing the change. Her always-rosy cheeks were now colorless, her always-smiling face void of any expression. That's why she was now holding the delicious herbal tea she prepaired with all the love her big, but for long years carefully-concealed heart contained.

"Anne, for all heavens, cheer up! You should be excited for this lovely occassion." Marilla sat on the bed and looked at the freckled little girl curled up next to the window.

"Oh, Marilla, I really wish I could be excited! But that boy! Oh, that boy! I sometimes think the devil himself must've sent him to torment me!" she exclaimed, sadness and passion fighting in her eyes. But she wanted neither to win.

Marrila shook her head and smiled, ready to say what she originally came to say. She first handed her the cup, though, which Anne gratefully took and started sipping on.

"Try to hear me out now, Anne. Please do listen, because I really think you need to hear it." Marilla looked her deep in the eyes and breathed in and out.

"I know you think Gilbert teases you out of dislike, or maybe hatred even, but I really dare to disagree. Quite frankly, I actually think the opposite. You know, boys... they do tend to use the most unlikely of ways to get your attention when they..."

"I must stop you there, Marilla! I really must! What you were about to say was too absurd and untrue to even be thought of, let alone say out loud." Anne stood up and took a step towards Marilla. "Even though I know you meant well."

Anne placed her head on Marilla's lap, a gesture which took Marilla so much by surprise that she barely found the courage to speak up again.

"Anne..." She hesitated before continuing. "Anne, I truly think you misunderstand boys in a few ways, Gilbert especially. Boys can be foolish, they can seem cruel and ignorant, but I really, truly believe Gilbert Blythe to be a delightful exception."

Anne sat up and turned to face Marilla. "Oh, how wrong you are there! I don't blame you, Marilla, but you're so very wrong in this matter! Gilbert Blythe is the very epitome of a foolish, cruel boy!"

Marilla laughed and gestured Anne to put her ginger-haired head back on her lap. When Anne happily obliged, Marilla started brushing her soft strands of hair tenderly. Such displays of affection were so scarce for this old lady, yet they seemed to come naturally all of a sudden. And she just couldn't help and enjoy them fully, treasuring them deep in her soul.

"You are wrong here, dear girl, I think I know Gilbert enough to know you're being unfair to him. He's a kind, smart fellow. Indeed quite like his father was. I was prone to such misjudgments of his character as you are to Gilbert's, which I must sadly admit." Marilla sighed. "I used to lie to myself not in too different a way than you are doing now."

And adding with some significance...

"Perhaps to hide my feelings."

This short sentence startled Anne more than all that was said before and she yet again stood up from Marilla's warm embrace and looked at her with pure anger and disbelief.

"Are you really suggesting that I, of all the wide variety of feelings I am able to feel, have any positive for Gilbert Blythe?! Anything other than hatred and disdain and indifference?!"

"Anything but indifference, Anne!"

"Marilla!" Anne was all red from mortification, her heart beating frantically in her chest. She didn't seem to be able to get even a simple sentence out of her mouth. Small explosions and fireworks forming up inside of her, feelings, that she could not yet express by words.

"Oh, Anne, how I wish you didn't realize it as late as I did."

With this, Marilla Cuthbert, the to some people seemingly insensitive and detached, cold woman, walked out of the room with tearful eyes and a small smile, leaving her most beloved of all the world's creatures to contemplate on some of the deepest, most complicated problems of her current life.
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Hello, everyone!
It's been so so long, and I was quite convinced I'll say goodbye to this story. And yet.. here I am!
I hope you enjoy this longer chapter and let me know your thoughts. I just felt the need to continue all of a sudden :)

-K