cruel summer

ten

i wanted you, but you didn't want me.

was summer really over? anne had been wondering herself where the time had gone. in just a few days they would all be going back to college to start their second year, but to anne it felt so different than the previous year. she knew why it felt different, because this time she was on good terms with a certain curly haired boy.

"do you really have to go?" asked matthew as they worked in the barn. anne smiled at him, her eyes beginning to tear up.

"oh, matthew. you have no idea how much i miss you all when i'm gone. but you're the one i miss the most. i wish i could be closer to home. i miss marilla's cooking and i miss helping you work in the barn and i miss sitting in front of the fire watching old movies with you both." she said, watching a sad smile appear on his face.

"i know you have to go. you have no idea just how proud we are of you, anne." matthew said, stopping what he was doing and taking her hands. "i know marilla has a funny way of showing it, but she loves you just as much as i do."

"i know. i love you too." said anne, wrapping her arms around her adoptive father. anne never felt as safe as she did whenever she was in matthew's arms, she didn't know what she would do without him.

——

later that day, gilbert blythe paced his room. he had made a decision weeks before, a decision that was going to change everything. he had told everybody already. well, everyone except for anne. he had made them all promise they wouldn't tell her, as he wanted to be the one to tell her himself. he wondered how he was going to tell her. it wasn't that big of a deal, was it?

he made his way to green gables, cutting across the fields. surely she would be happy, why wouldn't she?

he approached the door, but before he even raised his hand to knock he heard a voice behind him.

"gil?" her soft voice said. he turned around, the sight of her bringing the biggest smile to his lips.

"hey." he said, making his way down the few steps of the porch.

"what are you doing here?" she asked, taking a seat on one of the steps. he copied her, sitting down beside her. he froze for a moment, suddenly remembering why he came here. if only he had made this stupid decision a year ago.

"i....i have something to tell you." he said. she noticed he seemed nervous, and she couldn't imagine what was making him act that way.

"okay..." she replied, gesturing for him to go on.

"well..i really don't know how you'll react to this. i already told everyone else and they all seemed so happy about it so i just hope you're okay with it too because-"

"gil....you don't need to ramble. you can tell me anything, you know that right?" she interrupted, a small soft laugh escaping her mouth. he took a breath, nodding his head. she was right. he could tell her anything.

"well...i've chosen to leave harvard." he began. her face dropped, he could tell she was wondering why. "but, i'll be continuing at queens. i'm staying."

now it was anne's turn to freeze. she didn't know what to say, of course she was happy, but she was intrigued to know the reason why. why would he leave a college like harvard, to go to queens? harvard had everything he needed, everything he wanted in fact.

"anne? are you okay?" he asked after she didn't respond. she blinked, before bringing herself back down to earth.

"that's amazing, gil. i want you to do what makes you happy. but i do have to ask...why would you leave harvard? that school was everything you wanted. it was the perfect place for you, why do you suddenly want to stay here? what's keeping you...here?" she questioned, she was of course happy he was staying. the thought of him leaving again caused more pain to her than she would ever care to admit. gilbert looked at her intently, a small smile forming on his face.

"just one thing." was all he said, and anne's face began to burn. she convinced herself he wasn't talking about her, but the small part of her that knew he was talking about her caused butterflies to rage in her stomach.

"i'm happy for you. i truly am." said anne, a smile on her face. she then wrapped her arms around him, squeezing him. he immediately wrapped his arms around her torso. it felt safe, like home. they seemed to fit together perfectly, and neither one of them wanted to let go.

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I AM SO SORRY !!!! i know it's been forever since i updated. i feel so bad i know you've all been waiting :( forgive me !!!!
i'm gonna try and upload more often but pls be patient !! i'm going back to university soon and may have even less time :( but anyways !!
i really hope you enjoyed this chapter????? i know it was kinda short and kinda boring but it was cute !!!
i miss u all
hope ur all staying safe and having a good day!!!!