While working on my other story, "Without Anne (which can tend to get a bit heavy)," this fun, fluffy idea came to me on a whim and formed itself into a chapter. I have a couple ideas for more chapters, so we'll see where it goes! My apologies if this has been done before! Regardless, I hope you enjoy :)

All thanks and rights go to L.M. Montgomery for her incredible characters and creation of Redmond College.

Anne gave a chaste twirl and skip through the fallen red maple leaves that lined the Kingsport curb, crunching them delightfully under her feet.

"In the deep fall

don't you imagine the leaves think how

comfortable it will be to touch

the earth instead of the

nothingness of air and the endless

freshets of wind?..."*

Anne quoted as she picked up a perfectly formed deep red maple leaf that fluttered her way from a passing car. She held it to the sun, marveling the glowing orange that passed through it's gentle veins.

Gingerly placing the leaf into her bag, Anne felt her phone vibrate.

I'm here at the shop studying! It's super cute!

Anne glanced at the time, then looked around at the surrounding shops and street signs. This was Diana's kind way of reminding her she was 30 minutes late to their coffee date, and Anne realized she hadn't been paying attention to where she was going. She had become so enraptured by the turning trees she had wandered far beyond her destination.

Finally finding the shop after hurriedly running down the street, she blustered through the door that gave a tinkle as she closed it to the crisp air. She gave a merry wave to Diana, already seated, and took a moment to catch her breath.

"What could I get for you today?" A kind voice queried.

Anne turned towards the voice and gasped out, "Just a moment." She took a look around. The shop was a quaint little thing, with cheery yellow walls decorated with local art. Littered about were comfy, inviting chairs and couches, along with mismatched dining chairs that crouched around small patio tables. It looked like an eccentric's living room, and Anne smiled cozily at the sight of it.

Anne remembered what Diana had said about the place, 'Ruby Gillis says it's the most darling little place, and we have to go to it. They play really calming music and have the sweetest little pastries and she says the whole place just feels happy.'

If Ruby Gillis says you have to go, then "Thus saieth the Lord," as Mrs. Lynde would say, Anne thought with a chuckle.

Anne approached the counter, wincing slightly as she took off her hat that revealed a mess of red curls. It never did do well in wind.

"You ready?" The barista with the kind voice asked.

"Yes," Anne replied, placing her order, noticing acutely just how good looking this barista with the kind voice was.

"What's your name?" He asked with a smile and a twinkle in his eye, like he was up to something.

"Anne. Anne with an E," she added, just in case they wrote her name on the cup. It always aggravated her to take home a cup labeled "Ann." She felt to be drinking a stranger's coffee.

While waiting for her order, Anne turned towards Diana and embraced her dear friend.

"Oh Diana, isn't this the perfect day? The air is just chilly enough to burrow into a sweater, and as I was walking here I felt like a queen with the maples lining each side of the street, so majestically red overhead fanning out their branches like exotic plumes, each leaf that was let down a luscious treat. And this place! I feel as if we are friends already."

Diana nodded, used to Anne's ramblings but never quite sure what to say. "I'm so glad Ruby told us about it," she replied.

"Anne with an E!" The kind voice called out.

Anne picked up her cup only to stop abruptly short, eyes narrowing. Instead of her name scrawled across it, as she had so clearly described, was written "Carrots," and a smiley face beside. She looked up, finding the barista turned towards her, wiping out a mug and smirking. As their eyes met he gave her a wink.

In return, Anne gave him her best glare and turned away with a huff.

"What's wrong?" Diana asked, seeing Anne take her seat moodily. "Get your drink wrong?"

"If only," Anne said darkly. "That insufferable barista decided to get a laugh for himself by making fun of my hair." She turned her cup towards Diana. "See?"

Diana giggled, but abruptly stopped after Anne pointed a glare at her this time. "Oh, but Anne, it is a little funny. He probably likes your hair. Haven't you ever heard that? Boys tease girls they like."

Anne let out an annoyed breath. "Yes, of course I've heard that, but I'm pretty sure that only applies to boys who are prepubescent. What is he, 14?" She rolled her eyes.

Diana looked up at the counter, gave a little gasp and gripped the table, "You didn't tell me it was Gilbert Blythe. I didn't know he worked here!"

Anne wrinkled her nose "Gilbert? Who's named Gilbert these days?"

"I know, right?! I thought the same. But once you meet him you'll totally change your mind. It's totally cute on him." Diana assured.

Anne knew Diana and her differed on these things and was not convinced.

Diana continued in a hushed tone, "I can't believe you've never met him. He's a senior, pre-med, and everyone loves him. In the Lambs frat, but like, not a douchebag, class president, and he's captain of the football team."

Anne sneaked a quick look back at him. "But he looks like a hipster?"

"He kind of is! But not in a bad way. Everyone loves him, because he's the perfect mix. Not too jockey, cause he's smart, and he's so funny, and really cool too. And hot-"

Diana's eyes widened as she stared past Anne's head. She leaned forward and hissed, "He's walking over here!"

Gilbert placed two plates in front of them that held a pastry each, "I thought you two might need something to go with your drinks. Don't worry, it's on the house." He said with a smile, turning to look at Anne. "How's the tea? I haven't tried that one before."

"It's fine, thank you." She replied curtly, nose upturned.

He gave another smile, paused momentarily as if it to say something, then turned away. As soon as he had gone, Diana leaned her head in again. "Anne," she chided, "He wanted to talk to you! You should have said something more. That was so nice of him to give us these." she took a bite of the fluffy chocolate cake. "Oh my God, that's good."

Anne sighed. She had a tendency to be a little bit judge-y when it came to men. "He just seems like one of those guys who knows he's perfect and is really into himself and can get away with anything. You know? I don't think he's really my type."

"Anne, I don't think we've known anyone who is your type. You have such high standards." She sighed, and they both thought over the list of cringeworthy boyfriends Diana had encountered over the years. "I should probably have higher standards."

"Diana, you are perfectly sweet, that's why just about every man falls for you," Anne reassured her. "There's so many perfect examples of literary men, I just don't understand why more guys don't model after them? It would do them a lot of good."

"You're probably right," Although Diana wasn't sure she wanted a stuffy man from the 1800s to step into today. Anne did have the weirdest ideas sometimes.

"Anyways, do you think you're going to go to the party tonight? It sounds kind of fun but I don't know..."

Anne knew Diana was dying to go. Philippa Gordon, Redmond's resident diva, was hosting a party with a 1920's theme and the invitation online was titled, 'Be classy.' Though Anne had never met her personally, she felt as if Phil would be quite the character to know.

"Let's," Anne said with a warm smile, and Diana's face brightened, "It'll be fun to dress up."

"Oh I'm so glad you said that," gushed Diana. "I have this dress that's perfect for it..."

After Diana rambled about her potential outfit for the evening, and Anne ranted about a poor mark she had received in statistics, the two friends reluctantly hunkered down for an afternoon of studying.

On their way out to leave, Diana stopped by the counter and Anne continued to walk past her toward the door, uninterested in giving the barista more attention than he obviously needed.

"Hey Gilbert! You going to Phil's tonight?"

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." Anne took one look back, just in time to see Gilbert send another wink her way.

Anne pushed through the door with a scowl. Just who does he think he is?

*Poem by Mary Oliver, "Song of Autumn"

Thanks for reading! Oh how fun college is...am I reliving my college days via this fanfic? Maybe yes...;) wow that makes me sound old...