Anne Shirley had arrived at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia the night before, quivering with anticipation. Here was where her dream would start. University had been calling her name and now she was there and her best friend was by her side. Diana Barry had been assigned to be Anne's roommate; maybe it was random, maybe it was the eleven emails Anne had sent to the Residence Society before coming. Either way, the girls could not be more excited. After a full day of orientation and unpacking, Anne and Diana were in their room, looking forward to their first taste of university nightlife.
"Anne are you even getting ready?" Diana had spent the better part of an hour manipulating her curls to be smoother and trying to get even, smoky eyes. Anne, on the other hand, had spent that same better part of an hour with her nose buried in The Handmaid's Tale, a book assigned for her ENGL100 class.
"Hmm? Oh. Yes. When do you want to leave?
"I told you! In half an hour! The Facebook even says it starts at 9 and it's already 8." Diana had not yet learned that, in university, the Facebook event start times were nowhere close to their actual start times.
"Diana you darling you know I'll be ready" Her grey eyes flickered with affection as Anne looked at her life-long 'bosom friend'.
"Anne you don't understand- Josie said that Gilbert Blythe will be there"
"Who? Also does that mean Josie's going to be there?"
"No Josie is still at that dance competition in Charlotte town. She doesn't get here until Sunday night. She was just texting me today about Gilbert Blythe- he used to go to our school in Avonlea before you got there. His dad got sick and they moved to Calgary because there was a specialist there but he's also starting at Dal this year!" Anne could see a faint pinkness starting up Diana's neck.
"Why Diana Barry, were you sweet on this boy?"
"Ugh I wish you had met him- then you'd get it. EVERYONE was 'sweet on' him. He was so smart and funny and super good looking." Diana picked up her phone and started scrolling through it until she found what she had been looking for. "Here" she said, throwing her phone at a not-ready Anne who squeaked as she nearly dropped it
"DIANA! Warn me next time!" she shouted as she looked at the screen. Diana had pulled up Gilbert's Facebook page. Anne saw a very handsome, cheeky grinned (evident) athlete smiling up at her. She scrolled through a never ending parade of laughing Gilberts. Gilbert laughing with his football teammates, Gilbert laughing in the middle of a group of girls, seven more of Gilbert laughing with different girls in different groups, Gilbert laughing at a highschool spirit event, Gilbert laughing having just finished a marathon.
"Isn't he cute?" Diana was trying to gauge Anne's reaction but it was difficult
"I guess… wow he literally never stops smiling"
"That's just social media- he's actually so smart and likes learning. He can be serious too." Diana had given up on the anti-frizz cream and was trying to use a straightener to smooth down her fly-aways
"Diana how long has it been since you've actually seen him? Couldn't he be really different?"
"I guess he left the year before you came so like seven years? Whatever- I guess we'll find out tonight!" Anne handed Diana her phone back (gently) and was absorbed in her book again after a couple of seconds.
Five minutes later Diana could hardly contain it anymore. "Anne! Please start getting ready, you're stressing me out"
Anne laughed. "Fine but it's just a kegger Diana, people will hardly care what a couple of frosh look like"
While Diana was going all out with the smoky eye and a really tight sequined dress that hugged her curves and came barely to her mid-thigh, Anne opted for a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and a flowy, forest green spaghetti strap that left just the thinnest strip of midriff showing.
"How on earth do you manage it, Anne? I spend an hour getting ready and I still feel like I look like a backwater hick next to you."
Anne had put a bit of colour on her lips and mascara on her lashes but there was a vibrancy about her that made her exude beauty. It was rare that she would be considered the most beautiful girl in a room but she had an undeniable quality that made heads turn and curiosity pique.
Anne only laughed in response "Diana Barry you're a heartbreaker and you know it. If I had an ass like yours I would wear that dress but if I tried I would look like a little girl playing dress-up. Get your purse and let's go!"
She noticed the blinking light in the corner of her phone.
"Oh! Stella's invited us over for a pre in her room. She's in the hall next door. Let's go to that before the party!"
Anne had met Stella in a summer camp hosted by Queen's University in Ontario. They had been randomly assigned as roommates during the program and had become fast friends. Anne was thrilled at her luck that her friend had also decided to go to Dal. Pricilla was also from the program and was Stella's roommate. Between those girls, Ruby, Jane, Diana and a few boys from their school, Anne had yet to feel homesick. Having a premade social life soothed any anxiety she had about leaving home.
"Oh. Okay. Yeah that will be good." Diana was a little hesitant about meeting Stella and Priss. From what she had heard of them they were more like Anne in that they loved to learn and debate; Diana was feeling a little insecure about being at Dalhousie. She had barely made it in, making the waitlist and was convinced she was one of the last students let into their year. Even her parents had pulled her aside when she applied and told her to lower her expectations. They had suggested she apply to the local college or aesthetician school. Hanging out with braniacs was not her idea of a fun way to spend the night. She would have much preferred to stay with Jane and Ruby but there was a terrified part of her that worried Anne would drift away to hang out with her smarter friends at university. She would have to make an effort for sure.
"Do you mind if I invite them to Billy's party?" the party was being hosted at Jane's brother Billy's house.
"Yeah, sure, that should be fine" Diana said, stomach sinking.
A short 5 minutes later they were out the door and on their way to Stella's room.
"Oh! Let's invite Jane and Ruby to the pre! That way we can all go together. Can you text Jane? I have something in my eye." Anne opened her front-facing camera to try and get whatever it was out of her eye.
One of the knots in Diana's chest loosened as she texted Jane.
They finally got to Stella and Priss's room and Diana felt super uncomfortable for a moment as the door was wrenched open and they were met by a wall of screaming "AAAAAANNNNEEEE YOU'RE HEEEERRRE!" After a couple of minutes of jumping and shrieking, Anne calmed down, laughing and said "Girls, this is my best friend of all time, Diana." The other girls had not quite calmed down yet and let go of Anne to immediately hug Diana in a too-tight sandwich hug. "HIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" they shrieked, and although it was uncomfortable, Diana relaxed right away and found herself laughing like normal.
A couple of minutes later Jane and Ruby arrived and the whole process was repeated over again. They played a few games and were quite buzzed by the time they set out for the kegger, all together, feeling the immediate kinship of being new students in a new city.