when tragedy strikes ☾ shirbert

chapter 04: apples to apples

a/n: please don't be a silent reader!

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Gilbert blinked twice, 'Oh- she's talking to me.'

He was far too busy elsewhere, in what place he didn't know, but Anne's scattered freckles were certainly captivating. They were like the little spots you'd find on the shell of a dainty red ladybug, or like sprinkles drizzled on a buttercream frosting.

"What was that?"

Anne narrowed her vision in on him, slightly judgmental at the boy's pathetic attention span. She leaned against the bumpy tree bark, adjusting herself until it was decently comfortable.

"I said sorry, and figured we could be friends," She said, rubbing her wet ginger lashes dry, with her knuckles. "I was so blinded by the fact that you saved me, I never properly thanked you."

"There's no need," Gilbert replied, easing to sit on the forest's carpet. That's how he was, quick to forgive- at least when it came to Anne.

Sebastian always poked fun at him ever since he shared the slate incident, on the steamer. Bash teased every letter that was exchanged between the two, and after he first met the Cuthbert's, it was clear that the boy favored her (though Gilbert denied it).

Anne scoffed, "You always say that."

"Hm?"

"The times I've tried to apologize, you won't let me."

She sighed as his expression was still in perplexity. "Remember, years ago before you left for Trinidad? I was so inconsiderate at your father's burial. Later, after meeting outside the antique shop, I tried saying sorry but you were so dismissive."

He did remember, quite well in fact.

Trudging through the piles of dirtied snow, to escape a house full of strangers in thick black suits, nearly tripping when he heard Anne running after him. His indignancy led him to storm off and not even try to understand her point.

"I was harsh," Gilbert's eyes fell to her shoes, shortly focusing back on her face, "No matter me grieving, I never should've raised my voice at you like that."

"But I was fully deserving of it," Anne crossed her arms tightly, "You had absolutely every right to put me in my place, it was inexcusable how heedless I was! I couldn't have expected you to be remotely understanding of my selfishness, yet here you are, saying it's your fault. Ridiculous!"

"Can we not argue about this?" The creases of Gilbert's face tingled into a smile.

"Right," Anne mumbled, "I have a way of doing that, as I'm sure you know."

Being of a bright nature, she was always a step ahead, if not many. She could forever speak her mind fueled by the fervor in her roaring heart. Yet, her passion was sometimes too much, as it often leads her into trouble. Although she would never apologize, she does regret it.

Gilbert was left in the quiet, observing the lingering thoughts that made her forehead fold in worry. Much like Diana, he too wondered what went on up there. It was probably a whole new world, surely one day, he'd be able to understand her.