"How was your first day, Anne?" Marilla shouted from the kitchen, in response to the front door being slammed shut.
"And watch my door!"
"Oh Marilla, today was splendid. We had English, I have the most amazing teacher-"
"Oh, right. Miss Stacy. I met her at one of the meetings once. She seems lovely."
"Oh she is, and-"
"Anne, dear. I am so sorry but I really need to continue cooking, I need all the food ready before the guests arrive for dinner."
"Guests?"
"Yes, a lovely young couple just moved in the house at the end of the road. I met them briefly so I invited them to dinner. They have a friend that lives with them too, he's a few years younger, though. He's probably around your age actually."
---
Anne ran up the stairs and into her room after a quick chat with Marilla. She did her English homework and started her history project, before jumping in the shower to get ready for her guests. She was looking forward to meeting them, it was a chance to make more friends.
I changed into my favourite casual summer dress since it was quite warm in jeans at school today.
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I walked over to the mirror and looked at my reflection. A year ago, I would have seen an scrawny redhead. Now, I see a girl that resembles her mother. My eyes drifted to my nightstand.
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Language of Flowers. #
My favourite book. Marilla and Matthew found it while talking to one of my previous foster families. I carefully opened the page that had a single dried poppy in it as a bookmark. A delicate sketch of my mother with her radiant red hair, drawn by my father. I single tear escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheek. This truly was my most prized possession.
The only thing I had left of them.
I set the heavy book down again and walked back to my vanity. I brushed some mascara onto my long lashes, accentuated my high cheekbones with some natural highlighter and applied some clear gloss onto my pink lips.
Satisfied with my appearance, I went downstairs to help Marilla. As we were to be eating outside, I set the table to my taste in the garden.
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"Anne! Come greet the guests!"
I rushed in through the back door. Three friendly faces greeted me, one of which I was already familiar with.
"Gilbert?"
"Anne? You're our neighbour?"
"Uh sorry.." I broke eye contact first and averted my gaze to the couple in front of me. I smile warmly and outstretched my hand. Hi, it is lovely to meet you Mrs...-
"Call me Mary. Lovely to meet you Anne. This is my husband, Sebastian."
"Oh Mary, stop with the formalities.", smiling warmly at his wife. "I'm Bash, it's a pleasure to meet you Anne.", his foreign voice sounding unfamiliar in Anne's ears.
"Oh my! Your accent is ever so intriguing and lovely and- pardon me, I hope you don't mind me asking, but where are you from?"
"Anne!" Marilla audibly tuts at her curiosity.
"It's quite alright. I am Trinidadian, actually."
"Oh, how exciting. You see, I would love to travel the world one day, and Trinidad will most definitely be added to my list of places to explore and-
Marilla chuckled at Anne's blabbering.
"Right, would anyone like something to drink? We have lemonade, water, or perhaps some wine..." Marilla offered, ushering everyone into the living room.
"Well, Anne, seeing as you already know Gilbert, why don't you show him around while Matthew and I talk to Mary and Bash?
"Sure"
I looked at Gilbert, to find him already looking at me. I walked over to where he was chatting with Matthew. Although Matthew was a man of few words, he seemed do be having a great time with Gilbert.
"Um... Gilbert?"
"Anne", he smirked.
That feeling again. Compose yourself Anne!
"I was wondering if you'd like me to show you around?
"Sure, excuse me, Mr Cu- oh sorry, Matthew."
"That's alright. have fun you two", Matthew spoke, softly.
"I see, you wanted some alone time with me did you?"
"God Gilbert, Marilla was asking me to be polilte. Let's not make your ego inflate even more.", I half-yelled.
I was so sick of this boy.
"Okay, listen. Anne, did I cross a line helping you with Billy this morning? If I did, I am truly sorry. I just don't understand why-"
I interrupted him.
"No, don't apologize. I really don't know what got into me. Well, I thought that you were only helping me to seem like the hero, and then I thought you were rubbing it in my face at lunch. That's why I was angry in English. I'm sorry. I was treated you like shit for helping me. I guess I'm just-"
"Independent?"
I chuckled gently.
"Yeah, well, or stubborn."
He laughed. Properly. He threw his head back and his pillowy lips stretched into a grin. His eyes sparkled as his soft curls bounced. That laugh was contagious.
"Let's start over.", he said, suddenly serious.
"Okay..."
"Hi, I'm Gilbert. Nice to meet you...?"
"Anne. Nice to meet you too, Gilbert."
"Friends?
"Friends."
---
okayyy...
anne and gilbert are friends!! how are we feeling so far? pls give me feedback, i am so interested in hearing how you think it should go and what you like (or don't) about this so far.
I have also tried something new by adding pictures during the chapter. is that good or should i not do that?
