I should have added an 'E'

26. Ready for the road sweetheart?

Anne was already wide awake sat up in bed when her alarm sounded. She practically flew out of bed, bouncing across her room to the clothes she had laid out the previous day.

She had to be at school by 6:30am in order for them to get to New York by early afternoon. It was going to be a two hour bus drive to the airport and a five hour flight to get to New York. The thought of spending that much time in close quarters with Gilbert makes her stomach flutter.

The 5am sunrise and the chirping of the birds greeted her as she opened her bedroom window to allow the cool breeze to swirl around the room. She carried her clothes to the bathroom to have a morning shower.

After she had dried her hair and washed, she got changed. Since the day will be spent travelling Anne decided that it would be best to wear comfortable clothes. She wore an large baggy black hoodie with white roses swirled up the sleeves. She paired this with leggings and black vans. She pulled her hair into two loose plaits before skipping down to breakfast.

Thankfully Marilla and Matthew were used to getting up in the early hours for farm work so when Anne came down at 5:45am breakfast was in the works.

Matthew smiled warmly at her from the head of the table where he was reading a book on crops.

"Excited for the trip Anne?" Matthew mumbled as she began setting the table.

"Beyond excited, i feel a sense adventure ahead of me. I've never left Canada in all my seventeen years on this earth and i cant wait to see what the rest of the world is like. I imagine there is so much possibility and imagination that i have yet to see and that makes it all the more glorious." She babbled as Marilla laid their plates on the table.

"You do have a knack for finding imagination in the dullest of things Anne so i'm sure New York won't be much of a task." She spoke as they began to tuck in.

"I will miss you both dearly but i will ensure to message you both daily, remember to charge your phone and check it." Anne reminded them as she bit into a piece of buttery toast.

"I don't see the point of having such devices when we can merely talk face to face, however i now understand how it can be useful." Marilla admitted reluctantly.

Anne had practically forced Marilla and Matthew to buy a phone. They share one together as they barely use it and Marilla claimed it would be a waste of money to buy two phones.

They ate breakfast in all but silence as Anne couldn't stop talking about New York and how she will be sat next to Gilbert since Diana ditched her. Marilla and Matthew have learnt to accustom to Annes chatter so they didn't complain, except from Marillas odd shake of her head.

They decided that since she will be going away for two weeks, they will drive her in.

At 6:10am they left the house, hauling Annes heavy suitcase along. Anne also had a black backpack which she put in a spare clothes, food and drink and all necessities she may need.

As they drove along Anne was oddly silent, her mind was racing more than usual.

***

"Stay safe when you are wandering around the large city, heaven knows what danger you'll attract." Marilla warned as they stood in the car park. Anne could see out the corner of her eye, the coach parked not to far away. People were already starting to crowd around and wait with all their suitcases and joy filled faces.
Anne didn't know if she was looking for someone in particular as she scanned the crowd in anticipation.

"Anne are you listening to me?" Marilla snapped, her head shaking at Annes ability to drift off mid conversation.

Anne nodded, a grin wide on her face.

"I will take care Marilla, i promise. I'll be back sooner than you know it. Ill miss you both dearly but i'll keep you updated on all my adventures." She practically squealed as she hugged them both goodbye and dragged her suitcase along with her toward the bus.

"Anne!" A familiar voice called as she approached the crowd. Her eyes scanned the crowd but she saw none of her friends.
"Anne!" Called several more voices and she finally saw them all waving right at the back.

Gilbert, Diana, Ruby, Josie, Cole, Charlie and Jerry were all waving at her, laughing at her cluelessness. She gave them the middle finger before walking over.

"Good morning little miss lost." Cole joked as Anne shook her head.

"I can't help that there were twenty students in front of you! i don't have x-ray vision!" Anne retorted as they laughed. Diana and Ruby hugged her in excitement and Josie gave her a smile.

"By the way i am sitting with Jerry on the bus, if that's okay." Diana said and Anne tried her hardest not to roll her eyes.

"Yes i'm aware, Gilbert informed me last night. Thanks for telling me last minute Di!" She laughed as she nudged her bosom friend who flushed a little.

"So you and Gilbert talked last night?" Diana whispered as she, Ruby and Josie laughed at Annes face blushing.

"It's not like that and that and you know it." Anne said, thankful that Gilbert was too busy chatting with Charlie and Jerry too listen in.

"Sure Anneee." Cole teased as she rolled her eyes.

"Where is everyone else anyway?" She changed the subject briskly.

"They are on their way, i got a text from Moody five minutes ago saying he, Jane and Tilly are nearly here." Gilbert informed her.

"Anyway, are you excited for our little trip together Anne?" He joked, wrapping his arm around her shoulder and squeezing her tight. Anne felt her cheeks go vibrant red and her knees buckle.

She watched as Tilly, Jane and Moody walk up to the group and join in with the others who were watching the pair knowingly.

"You are all idiots." She rolled her eyes grinning as she pushed Gilbert off. She saw a flicker of hurt in his eyes but it was quickly diminished by a overruling smirk.

"Love you too carrots." She pushed him slightly as he laughed at her annoyance.

***

After Ms Stacy had informed them of all the need to know information, and they had placed their suitcases in the lower section of the coach, they began to board.

Anne could feel Gilbert's eyes watching her as she boarded. She felt her heart pound and she wasn't sure whether it was out of excitement or annoyance. Why would she be excited that Gilbert was looking at her?

Her and her friends were the first on board so they all swarmed to the back.
Anne slid in to the window seat, Gilbert following behind.

The smell of his cologne gave Anne a soothing feeling within herself and his body squeezing next to hers sent a warmth sliding over her. He felt like... home.

Anne brushed off the unusual feeling just as Gilbert turned to her with a bright charming grin.

"Ready for the road sweetheart!" He winked as she laughed lightly.

"Well this is going to be funnnn." She said sarcastically as she noticed Diana and Jerry laughing at them from across the aisle.

"I brought my laptop so we can watch netflix, they have the movie adaption of Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre on currently which will last us til we get to the airport." He smiled kindly at her, the morning sun rested on her cheeks from the nearby window and Gilbert felt his voice halt in his chest.

He had never seen anyone as beautiful as Anne. Not in his many months on tour or any before.

"Gilbert, how can you be such a sweetheart at times and yet so annoying as well. It's quite confusing." She laughed as he flicked on Netflix.

As the film started the coach began to drive and pull out of the parking lot. Gilbert and Anne shared the earphones, one each. As the opening credits rolled Anne rested her head on his shoulder.

She could get used to this.