Avonlea High

Chapter 17

Diana
He was leaving. Why was he leaving? Why did he have to break my heart to do so. I could've gone to visit. He could come home every once and awhile. We could have worked out something. But, he just ended it. He couldn't even wait until it was inevitable. He did it the day before. It broke my heart. The day went by in a blur. And I ran home in tears. I instantly went to my horse.
I tried desperately to hold in my sob. I put my hand to my nose as my horse came into view. Coco. His name was originally chocolate. That's what my seven year old brain thought was perfect for him. His dark brown coat reminded me of the sweet candy. His demeanor matched it too. He was the sweetest horse in the stable. I pressed my forehead to his. My tears rumbling down. Stroking his fur trying to calm myself. He moved a bit but let me just be there with him.
This couldn't be happening. I couldn't be losing Charlie. He was the person I loved the most. He was my one true love. What was I to do without him? Our bond of love was severed. I couldn't let him suffer knowing I was destroyed. But I couldn't live with myself if I just forgot him.
A knock fell onto the wooden structure of the stables. My long haired redhead best friend stood beside the tall curly haired boy. Anne and Gilbert. Anne stepped forward, extending her hand towards me. She motioned next to join them. I grabbed her hand and she pulled me to her side. We walked for a bit. She stopped and we turned sideways.
All three of us in a line looking out on distant rolling hills. Fields of gold. Green trees lining the crops. And held onto my arm closer and leaned her head on my shoulder. And we just watched. For what seemed like minutes, turned into hours. Watching the gold sun turn orange as it set beyond. Gilbert had his hands in his pockets keeping his distance. I squeezed Anne's hand taking a step away for myself. She nodded understanding.
I took a moment to breathe. To accept this feeling. To accept that I wasn't going to be okay. But that I would be. Everything happens for a reason. That's what Anne always says. That's what she believes. She believes in so much. That people are born good, all they do is make mistakes. Each day is a new start, one with no mistakes in it yet. That the world is beautiful and puts us in these situations for a reason.
That's how we survived all of her shit. All that happened before it was me in her place. Though, Charlie was the one who broke my heart. And I wasn't fighting back. Not like Gilbert did. I would, but I know he has to do this for his family. I couldn't force him to sacrifice his family's well being for me. For a highschool relationship. That's not reasonable.
I just hope Charlie is able to achieve what he desires. I hope he makes it work. Makes what he needs to keep his family safe. It is how it has to be.

Charlie
It wasn't right. Doing what I did this morning. I knew it was coming inevitably. I guess it just came out better in my head. I didn't really register the words that came out of my mouth. The day went by especially slow. It was like the minutes couldn't pass quick enough. The seconds were too slow. It was unbearable. What was worse was the end of the day.
I was just about to head home after grouping up with the boys to say farewells. A dark blur of hair flashed by in the distance. I watched as she went dashing away. I held it in. The hurt that rang through me.
This sucked. It really did. Leaving everyone. But I had to. I have to do something. Do better. Better than my dirtbag father. Hell, anything was better than my dad at this point. I just wish it wasn't this way. I wish it could've been different. But this is how it has to be.

Anne
Gilbert left for his home. I stayed with Diana. She said we would have dinner. But due to the current state of both of our lives neither of us were very hungry. We sat on the floor of Diana's room. Sheets pinned up to create our own safe little fortress. We giggled about other things to distract us from what we were facing.
"I missed this," Diana said looking at me. "I missed you."
"And I missed you Diana," we looked to each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.
"I'm sorry about everything."
"Me too. We both really messed up."
We embraced. Diana pulled away and held her pinky up. I did the same. She locked our pinky's together and then was looking at my arm. She grabbed my wrist to get a better angle.
"What's that?"
She was pointing at the drawing on my arm. Not the usual ones I would do everyday. This one wasn't my style. It wasn't normal. Diana would know. I would draw lifetimes all over my skin. Despite Marilla's warnings that I'd get skin cancer because of it.
"It's a uh-a Tim Burton heart," I answered.
"Tim Burton, as in Gilbert's all time favorite movies Tim Burton?"
"It's just a drawing. I drew on his arm, he drew on mine. Its that simple."
"Simple my ass!"
"Diana, stop it please. It's just a drawing."
"Well it's a heart-"
"Diana come on," I begged.
"Fineeeee!" she grumbled frustrated with me.
She stood and went to sit on her bed. I followed suit. Diana sat doing something on her phone. I lied back dramatically. A loud sigh sounding. Maybe she was onto something. No she's not. There is no way.

Gilbert  and I are just friends period.