Remains To Be Seen

As A Little Girl

Ruby
When I was a little girl, I was taught to find the perfect husband. I didn't have to like him or even love him. He just had to be suitable. Ideally wealthy. That's what my parents always told me. In my parents' eyes Gilbert Blythe was the ideal husband. So at the schoolhouse I called dibs. And I had it for four years. I called him two years before Anne showed up. The minute she arrived with him by her side I knew I had no chance. He had a desire for Anne.
At the time I would've insulted her and called her a stupid orphan like the other girls used to. All besides Diana. Whom I came to like alongside Anne. They were my two closest friends. And Gilbert who I still desired stood up for her repeatedly. I hated Anne for it.
I despised Anne until my home caught fire. She saved our house. Even despite the hate I held for her, that changed everything. I began to be nicer to her.
Soon enough that's when we were best friends. The three of us had story club and such. Spent a lot of time together until graduation. That's when Diana was sent to finishing school against her will. Anne and I got into the Queens Academy, as did Diana, but her parents wouldn't let her come. Though Diana ended up happy in Paris. She told me she was coming back to go to Queens Academy with us next semester. Another surprise for Anne. As was me coming to Diana's Aunt  Josephine's home. Jerry was picking me up. It was a whole big plan between Gilbert, Marilla, and Diana for Anne. She had been down in the dumps for a few months.
Jerry had picked me up and we began our ride. It was quiet between us as we made our trek to the Berry household.
       "Do you have a clock on you?" I asked.
       "Un quoi?" Jerry spoke in French.
       "A watch. Pocket watch. Clock. Time?" I asked again.
        "Non Mademoiselle."
       "What time would you say it is then?"
       "I've got no idea Miss Ruby," he began to hum a song.
I sighed and looked around.
        "How far are we then?"
        "Relax. We will get there. I got to you early anyways."
        "Will we be there by morning?" I asked brushing the blanket that covered my legs.
        "Yes of course. You can rest if you'd like. I'll wake you. Promise."
        "If you get tired wake me okay Jerry. I don't want to go off roading."
        "Of course madam. Goodnight," he said softly going back to his hymn.

Diana
       "She's late," I tapped my foot against the wooden floors.
I glared out the window. Anne has already left. The train should arrive soon. Ruby was supposed to be here. So was Jerry. I stomped my foot and stormed down the stairs to the door. Aunt Josphine was just answering it. I was stampeding my way down. Cole jumping in my path slowing me down as Aunt Jo moved to show my very late best friend.
         "Goodness Ruby! Get inside before Anne and the others get here!" I said harshly pulling her inside.
        "Calm down dear Diana, I'll say it will take a bit longer for the others to get here. Anne hasn't seen dear Gilbert since your school fire," Jo said.
         "We're here alright. What's the plan?" Ruby questioned.
         "We wait," I said.
So we did. They arrived an hour later. Much longer as Aunt Jo anticipated. They arrived. Our favorite teacher Miss Stacey and Sebastian. Then Anne and Gilbert. You could feel the tension from here. And exactly as you'd predict they went off to speak in private. I think we all knew this coming in. Knowing of the plan Gilbert made. No matter if he had told her he was coming back or not, they needed to speak.
Aunt Jo helped get everyone settled. Ruby was staying the night with me in my room. Sebastian and Miss Stacey surprisingly sharing a room with Delphine. Anne was to stay with Ruby and I. Gilbert was to get his own. That's what Aunt Jo set up. I helped of course. I wanted to have a sleepover with my two best friends to finally break the news to Anne that I was staying for good.
        "What's for lunch?" Ruby asked.
        "Let's go find out!" I smiled.
        "Guys!" Cole burst into our room. "Hurry come on!"
He yanked us both to his room. His art plastered all over walls and tables. He nearly dragged us to his window over the garden. He pointed at the farthest point from his window. Anne, her red hair as recognizable as her Lapis blue dress. Gilbert's dark form equally recognizable. Enclosed in each other's arms. Cole was drawing in his sketchbook glancing to the two close friends of ours.
           "They literally just kissed. You guys missed it. But luckily I am an amazing artist," he said turning his quick drawing to us.
It was barely what you would call a doodle. A line of flowers on the bottom of a letter is a doodle. This was nearly a photograph zoomed in.
         "Cole McKenzie!" I gasped.
         "Anne will surely kill you for seeing that romantical scene!" Ruby giggled.
We all laughed. Then dragging ourselves to the kitchen. Sebastian already at work preparing a special meal. At least that's what he told Aunt Josephine. It smelled ever so filled with spices. Joy and laughter thrown in even. Bash was stirring the pot as Cole pulled me to the piano. He insisted I play a song. After plenty of begging I began an upbeat melody. Bash leaving whatever he was making to dance with Miss Stacey. Delphine was with Ruby happily pulling at her gold curls. Cole drawing ferociously. Aunt Jo admiring with a smile. This was probably one of the most lively moments she's been apart of in awhile. I remember her talking at the Winter Soiree about her one true love. A woman, but still her true love and best friend.
The door squeaked open with the last to members of the celebration. The two most important members. The two forbidden lovers. Well, not anymore forbidden. They finally got their happy ending.
That's all I wanted as a little girl. To have a happy ending. And hopefully I'll be soon to have it. Hopefully my little sister Minnie May will have the same opportunity as Anne and not need to start a fight to disobey our parents.

Anne
When I was younger, a few years ago, I remember vividly of a time where my dreams were dark. Where all I ever wanted was untouchable. Unimaginable. For a girl with a pretty large imagination that was pitiful. That was painful. I remember the longing I had to feel anything. To imagine anything that was lighter than the abyss. Lighter than the asylum and it's darkened nightmares. Darker than the darkest corner of any room.
When I came to Avonlea, I'd never imagined I'd be here. Gilbert in my touch. His feelings matching mine. My heart belongs to him and his to me. It was what I wrote about. Stories I'd tell before the safe haven of our story club was destroyed. The same stories I'd dream of and imagine. Nothing I would ever think true.
If I could, I would go back in time and tell the old me that everything turns out okay. Before it didn't seem like it. I was told I'd never be loved or seen as anything more than an ugly orphan. But I can say now, without a doubt that I am.

Just because I wasn't loved back then did not mean I was not worthy of it, I just hadn't found it yet.