Of New Beginnings - Anne with an E Fanfic

Queens- Anne

"Oooh, I'm so nervous!" squealed Ruby, fiddling with her gloves nervously as the girls walked to school that morning. "I do hope all of our teachers are nice, and that none of them are terribly ugly."

Diana gasped. "Ruby! How could you say such a thing? I'm sure all of our teachers will be very nice, and we mustn't comment on their looks! It's not proper."

Ruby shrugged. " I know, I just don't think I could pay attention half as well if the teacher was some old coot, rather than a handsome young man..." she trailed off, and looked into the distance, imagining a dark, mysterious teacher fellow whom she could entrance with her charms. Then she sighed. "Sadly, a handsome mystery man isn't quite as appealing as it used to be, now that I've got a beau."

Josie Pye groaned and rolled her eyes. "We know, you're in love with Moody, never look at another man again, blah blah blah."

Ruby sniffed and examined her gloved hands with a superior air. "You're just jealous that I have found love, and you're still alone."

Josie snorted. "I'd rather have no love then be in love with Moody Spurgeon."

Ruby gasped, and pointed a small but mighty finger accusingly at Josie Pye. "You take that back right now, Josie Pye, or I'll- I'll-!" Diana touched her shoulder gently, trying to calm her down.

"You'll what? Call Moody and tell him to deal with me?" She crossed her arms, and looked at Ruby down her nose. "I'd like to see him try."

This time, Diana had to hold Ruby back as she lunged at Josie, fists clenched. "Come on, Josie," chided Diana. "Be kind."

Josie rolled her eyes again, and turned on her heel with a flick of her hair and marched off without another word.

"Oh, that Josie Pye's got it coming. She's always so rude! One of these days, somebody'l smack her upside the head and give her a good talking to," spat Ruby, glaring after Josie in such a way nobody could have expected from sweet, timid Ruby.

Tillie frowned, and looked after Josie. "I should go talk to her. We are her only friends here, after all."

Diana shook her head. "No, give her time to cool off first. When she gets into moods like this, the best thing to do is let her calm down, then apologize sincerely."

Tillie nodded, but still looked after Josie.

Anne had been uncharacteristically silent during this whole exchange, just keeping her head down, trailing behind the group, and walking in a straight line.

Diana slowed down until she was walking next to her, glanced over at her, and whispered, "Are you alright, Anne?"

Anne looked up at her, and murmured something unintelligible. Diana leaned in closer to catch her words...

"I've lost my voice," Anne rasped, her voice hoarse and quiet. Her eyes were wide and tinged with sadness. "My life is so full of tragedy at this very moment. I feel as though my soul was coated in tears and then boiled over the fires of hell. I...(she paused for effect)... am in the depths of despair."

Diana sighed, well familiar with the woes of her drama inclined friend, and knew the best course of action was to let her have a good cry, just to wallow in her "depths of despair" for a while, and get it out of her system. But as this was not an option, Diana handed her a flask of tea with honey she had brought for Anne, for she knew her well, looped her arm through Anne's, and, with a kiss on her flushed cheek, said

"Oh, Anne, that is horrible. But we must go to school today, the first day is the most important, and you just can't miss it on account of a cold. Just keep quiet and try not to raise your hand."

Anne nodded solemnly, resigning herself to a silent day filled with misery and despair, and walked dejectedly on.