Hopes and Fears

nineteen // a sweet dream in a wide world

"I will remember these moments however fleeting they are."

Anne peered into the mirror one last time, smoothing down her light-blue dress and checking her hair.

She picked up her bag with an excited smile. Today was going to be a good day. Anne set off downstairs, holding the bannister tightly. Her leg was still not completely healed but she could walk on it. It had been five weeks. The time had flown by as she spent more time studying for the exams with Gilbert. He was needed less and less with the fever as it died out and he could focus more on school and seeing certain people he missed.

It was one of the last days of Summer, the sun shining as brightly as it could before disappearing behind a veil of cold for winter. There was some heat in its rays too, which was gratefully felt as Anne stepped out onto the porch. Taking a deep breath of the fresh air, Anne looked out to see her friends waving at her from the double gates at the bottom of the yard. Diana, Ruby and Cole had driven over using his cart.

Marilla touched her shoulder before she left. "Be careful. Don't forget, don't be home later than six. I mean it - I won't be kept up all hours of the night worried sick whether you're somewhere in a ditch. Don't give me that look, Anne - it's been known to happen."

That concerned look never left her eyes now but she attempted to conceal it with a smile.

"Oh, and have fun. No doubt you deserve to relax after --" Marilla hesitated. She settled with, "After your hard work studying."

Anne resisted rolling her eyes. "I'll be fine, Marilla. It's only the beach."

"Alright," Marilla sighed. She added briskly, "Oh! Don't forget your hat, you mustn't get heatstroke. Make sure Diana and Gilbert and the rest take good care of you."

Anne rolled her eyes then. She was used to Marilla's fussing but when her friends were watching it was a tad embarrassing, especially since this was the first time Anne had been out without the Cuthberts since her injury, since everything... Marilla handed Anne her hat and gave a cheery little wave. Matthew appeared at the door next to Marilla.

"Have a wonderful time." He said softly with twinkling eyes.

"I'm certain I will. I do so love the ocean!" She softened and grinned, excitement kicking in. "Besides, I can swim now - thanks to you."

Matthew smiled at this. Shy but pleased. Anne waved and set off down the porch across the yard.

Diana, Ruby and Cole were visibly excited, grinning just as wildly and brandishing their own bags. Anne walked slowly down to the gate, the uneven ground difficult to navigate even though her injury as mostly healed it was still very stiff and twinged sometimes. Diana jumped down from the carriage and ran to Anne, offering her arm to help support her in her journey.

"Thank you, Di." Anne smiled, grasping her friend's arm. "Can you believe it? I'm finally allowed out of my tower! Oh what a trial it's been, trapped here for weeks... I feel so liberated to finally step out and have an adventure."

The truth was as Anne had spoken, yet she didn't speak of the lingering fear that sprang up at the thought every shadow and strange figure who'd haunted her dreams. The paranoia that something would happen - it had to happen, it always did - clung to her happiness, tinging it like the burnt edges of a paper as it smouldered on hot coals.

Diana jolted her from her thoughts.

"I'm so happy for you, Anne." Her friend smiled. "It's nice to spend time with you, to go on one last adventure before--" Diana stopped, her heart sinking. Smiling sadly, she continued. "Before we head our separate ways. Not long now, can you believe? A few more weeks... All those years seemed to fly by."