Anne with an e- a new version of the story

Part 45- On Fire

GILBERT

The day had dawned white from the snow that had fallen the night before, and the whispering wind among the trees announced another cold morning. But despite the bad weather and the temperature that threatened to fall to zero, Gilbert remained in his room oblivious to everything, for he had so many more interesting things to think about than being irritated by the variation of the weather, so frequent in winter.

The memories of Christmas were still fresh in his memory, and thinking about it left him completely distracted. He tried to concentrate on other things with his usual energy and dedication, but his mind refused to let him forget. Anne, she was everywhere, every scent reminded him of her, every taste didn't compare to the taste of her kisses, neither the most beautiful rose in Mary's garden had the freshness of Anne's skin. She was so full of life that it infected him, for she had within her a boundless passion for exploring the world in her own way, regardless of what was to come. Gilbert had soon discovered that he needed this passion to feel alive, to feel whole, and without it he was sure to return to his old insipid life from before, where the future seemed uncertain and obscure. But at that very moment, Gilbert knew what he wanted and how he wanted his future to be, and he could no longer imagine himself living a routine of days all the same, after drinking from the fountain of life that existed in Anne, and without it nothing was worth it.

Even with that bad weather, he and Anne saw each other every day, because Gilbert couldn't stand the idea of not being with her, he would cross snow mountains just to find her, and would swim an entire ocean if it was necessary, because he had already understood that she was in his destiny and under no circumstances would he live without her.

While changing his position in bed, more Christmas memories came to him capturing the rest of his remaining consciousness. He then remembered everything he had lived with her that night, and the next day he arrived finding him still in her company. He couldn't go home because the snowstorm had gotten worse, and Anne had made an invitation he couldn't refuse.

- Why don't you spend the night here, Gilbert? Marilla and Matthew won't be back at Green Gables until tomorrow afternoon, and we have the guest room available. The weather is too bad for you to go home.

- Anne, do you think that's a good idea? Won't Matthew and Marilla be angry that I'm spending the night here? - he asked worriedly.

- Well, I think they'd invite you the same if they were home. Anyone can see that walking in this time is taking unnecessary risks. Besides, we have rooms left over in Green Gables, and I don't think it's a big deal that you stay with me.

- Fine, I'll stay here with you. Even because I wouldn't want to leave you alone tonight. - he agreed.

- I think I'll make some more hot chocolate. You want some?

- Yes, I do. - Gilbert followed her to the kitchen and saw her take off her shoes, climb on a chair to get the ingredients and make the drink. The closet was too high for her, and even with the support of the chair Anne could hardly reach it, needing to stand on tiptoe, and in doing so, much of her dress had risen showing her bare thighs. Gilbert had held his breath, swallowed it dry and disguised his excitement as best he could, and when Anne smiled at him in a special way, he left the kitchen quickly, because he feared they would end up on the sofa in the living room again.

When Anne had appeared with drink, she hadn't seemed to notice Gilbert's restlessness, talking to him with naturalness and animation. Soon after, she took him to the guest room next to hers. Gilbert had looked at Anne without believing it, but had not found in her face any expression that denounced it as purposeful. He had decided to trust her words when she told him that this was the best room in the house, and gave her the benefit of the doubt, trying with all his might not to think that she was deliberately provoking him.