"You mean hateful boy." Crack went Anne Shirley's slate on Gilbert Blythe's head.
Later that Day
"Anne I didn't mean to vex you."
"You meant it Mr. Blythe. You meant it."
She left him in the dust and it would be a very long time before he forgave him.
FOUR YEARS LATER
"Children, I have an announcement!"
The room previously filled with chatter quieted at Miss Stacey's words.
We will be putting a concert to raise money for a new school bell."she looked over at Tommy Alexander Pye who broke the bell with a rock last month then continued. "The play will be on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. We will need some volunteers to play the main roles."
Slowly two hands were raised. The hands of Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. Anne looked over and blanched as she saw Gilbert's hand raise after hers. She didn't have time to put her hand down though because, Diana Barry pushed her to the front and Fred Wright pulled Gilbert up next to her. Ms. Stacey smiled at the thought of rivals playing lovers. "It looks like our volunteers have finally managed to get to the front hmm class." A burst of giggles filled the room. She handed the scripts to them and class was dismissed.
"Why did I raise my hand, why?" she question Diana later.
" Because you wanted to play the role when the rest of us did not, but you should have seen Josie's face when she saw Gil would be playing Romeo."
"Well, she may have the role if she likes."
"No Anne, this will be good for you."
"If you call being forced to kiss the bane of you existence, then yes I suppose your right."
"Oh Anne you will see what I mean."
The next day Anne went to school but when it came to practicing with Mr. Blythe Anne ignored everything but what she was doing. She acted as if Gilbert was not there while they practiced their lines up to the party scene until class was dismissed. Whereupon Miss Stacey instructed them to stay.
" It looks like you two need extra practice."
"I assure you Miss Stacey we do not need extra practice."
"Actually Anne I think we do you didn't even look at me while we practiced and we didn't even get to the end of the script."
"Then it is set you two just pick a location for your meeting spot for everyday while I go out to pick some um daffodils. Yes daffodils."she takes a few bounding steps and leave to pick her "daffodils".
"Gilbert Blythe look what you got us into! We did just fine and you know it. Why must you do this to me all I ever did to you was not talk to you. That's all. And now you make it so I have to talk to you. Well that's just cruel and mean and hateful."
" I did not get us into anything. We did not do as well as we could of and I didn't do anything to you but call you carrots. You on the other hand have snubbed me, gave me the cold shoulder, the silent treatment, everything in the book, and cracked your slate over my head. And I would like it if you talked to me so that's an added bonus to me."he straightened up and walked over to her so that there was almost no space between them.
"What is it that you want then Mr. Blythe?"
"Your love."he said so quietly she almost didn't hear.
"M-My love?"she queried
"Yes. I love you and you know it. I've loved you since you cracked your slate over my head and it takes so much effort to not kiss you every time I see you."
"But I never- I mean- I didn't know you felt that way."
"But I do."
She blushed as his gaze deepened. He knew she was only fifteen but... he had to know she would be his so he moved just a little closer and kissed her. She was so shocked she didn't even pull away. He put his hands on her waist she didn't shrink away. He deepened the kiss she put her arms around his neck. He invaded the inside of her mouth with his tongue she only kissed back. Then Miss Stacey walked in and at the site of the two she just slowly closed the door. She would not shatter their realm of love. When they finally broke apart Gilbert whispered "Meet me at the big oak tree over by your Lover's Lane okay?" She could not object nor could she accept so she only nodded.
She meet him at five o'clock at said tree. "Should we start with the script, or do you just want to talk?"questioned Anne
"How about we pick up where we left after Miss Stacey left to pick daffodils?"he answered
"Alright." she took out her script. "No practice this."he took her script and kissed lips lightly. "I think we have that well in hand Mr. Blythe. Besides we've done enough of that."she said between each kiss.
"No, I can never get enough of you."
He kissed her deeper and a moan escaped her lips. Encouraging him to do more, make her feel more, but he could not do to much Lover's Lane wasn't exactly the most secluded spot in the world. So he enveloped her in his arms and pressed her tightly against his chest. Laying her down on the ground he said, "I Would do more but Lover's Lane isn't the best spot for this nor is it the right time." They finished practicing their lines and Gilbert walked her home. It was late and Marilla would be furious.
A MONTH LATER
"Okay class last night's play was a wonderful success and the bell will be installed next week thanks to our wonderful actors and actresses."said Miss Stacey "As for my Queens class don't let your success here distract you from your extra lessons." There were a few giggles from the students. "Class dismissed!"
The children left and the Queens students settled in for their lessons. Anne took out her Queens Packet sneaking a glance at her beau, Gilbert Blythe. She loved the way he took out his packet and immediately began working he was so ambitious.
Then Miss Stacey began the lessons and Anne provided her undivided attention to her teacher. (Well maybe slightly divided between Miss Stacey and the boy sitting across from her, but only slightly) "Today we will be working in pairs. Josie you and James, Moody you and Ruby, Gilbert you and Anne. Come up with a story of any kind except about the time you and John Little crawled behind the girls and spook them half to death James, now get to work."
"Alright Gilbert what should we write about?" Anne asked "
How about a two sided account of the time a brown haired boy called a red headed girl carrots?"he replied
"Very funny Gilbert Blythe, but just because you suggested it we will do that."
"Okay I'll write my side of the story you write yours, and we'll make the title together plus a way to transition between the first and second account."
"Deal."
I was adopted by Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. However I was not who they sent for because they wanted a boy. Since Matthew liked me I was granted a trial period of which I would be able to stay if they could handle me and go to school. Unfortunately my first day of school did not go so smoothly.
I sat next to my bosom friend Diana Barry and across from a boy who winked at me at the Barry picnic, so of coarse he would have to be taught a lesson before I would even be his friend. If he even wanted to be my friend. Right? I don't know what it was about me that interested him, but he threw small scraps of paper at me. I wouldn't look at him no matter what he did. I guess he didn't like that because the reached boy whispered " PSST, PSST, CARROTS." When I pretended not to hear and he yanked one of my braids. I lost my temper. I couldn't control my self. I yelled " You mean hateful boy. Unfortunately for him I had broken my slate over his head and it gave a satisfying crack. Mr. Phillips, who was from what I was told, smitten on Prissy Andrews and " helping her" for the last twenty minutes, came over saying "Anne Shirley what is the meaning of this!?" I am no tattle tale so I would not tell. The boy who's name I later found out was Gilbert Blythe tried to say it was his fault, but Mr. Phillips didn't listen. I was made to stand in front of the black board and write" Ann Shirley has a very bad temper." one hundred times can you even imagine misspelling your name ONE HUNDRED TIMES! I certainly couldn't so I put an e in the sentence that he wrote, but that didn't make the punishment any less bitter. I had vowed in my head never to forgive to That Boy as long as I lived.
~ Anne with an e Shirley
I was a very improper and vain boy. I thought I could tease any girl I wanted and not get a thing but a blush and a giggle. I had seen the most beautiful girl at the Barry picnic. I being me gave her a wink. She did not blush or giggle not even whisper "Who is that?" To Diana Barry. I made up my mind the next time I saw her I would get her to blush AND giggle.
I didn't have to wait long because the next day she was sitting right across from me. She looked even prettier up close. I tried to get the red headed girl to look at me. I tried everything even throwing little pieces of paper. Finally I was drove to desperate measures before I even thought it over I whispered Carrots to her. She still wouldn't look so I yanked one of her braids. That was the biggest mistakes I ever made. She jumped out of her chair, her face was redder than her hair, and said "You mean hateful boy!" She cracked her slate over my head and Mr. Phillips punished her even though I took the blame. Her name I found was Anne Shirley. It was apparent she had sworn vengeance because she wouldn't even look at me. I can never look at a carrot the same way again.
- Gilbert (Gil for short) Blythe
"I'm done."said Gilbert
"I've been done Mr. Blythe."
"Okay Ms. Shirley let's tie it together."
Maybe we couldn't avoid each other or maybe Ms. Stacey helped friendship find it's way by holding The Avonlea School's recently successful adaption of Romeo and Juliet, but we are friends.
"Is everyone done?"
"Yes Miss Stacey."
She walked down the isles and picked up each paper. The papers were graded and handed back. At the bottom of Anne and Gil's paper was written "Sheds a lot of light on that mystery. Very we'll written but I plan on sharing these papers and you may not want some of these thoughts to be shared. Make changes if needed."
The class was dismissed. Anne and Gilbert walked to their favorite spot the garden of Hester Gray. Then took a seat under the big apple tree
"Well that concludes the day."said Anne
"Not quiet."
"What do you mean Gil?"
He put his arm around her waist and brushed her lips with his moving in and braking every barrier of her will. She fought his advances but at last she caved giving him full control over her. He slowly brought her down to the ground. He had been progressing quite a bit in what he did to her. Once he got started it was hard for him to stop. This was no exception.
"Gil."
"Anne."
"I love you."
"and I you my dear."
"We really got to stop doing this though. Marilla's getting suspicious because I always come home tired." "I make you tired my queen?" "Tired but I always feel loved." "Because you are and always will be. Anne?" "Yes Gilbert?"
"You know I love you?"
"Yes."
"And you love me too?"
"Always and forever."
"I guess what I'm trying to say is even though your only sixteen will you promise to be my wife?"
She didn't know how to answer his question so she leaned over and kissed him.
"Is that a yes?"
"Yes, but can't we wait awhile? I mean there are so many things I want to do still."
"Of course I need to save for schooling and that will take years. That should be enough time for you to cross some of the things off your list."
" Oh thank you."she gasped
"Anything for my girl."
"Well the exams are in a week. Let the best scholar win."
"Yes, lets get you home Anne.
ONE YEAR LATER
"How's my Anne-girl?"
"Alright I guess."
"What's wrong?"
"You'd never believe it Gil. I asked the children to write a paper on anything they wanted. Well Tommy Bell, he wrote... I once saw Miss Shirley with Mr. Blythe from the Carmody School. I think their friends, but I guess I was wrong because when I saw them he was holding her way to close and she just put her head on his shoulder. Maybe their engaged."
"Well I think he guessed the thing the rest of Avonlea's doesn't know."
"Well he is incredible at guessing then."
"Yes, that he must be."
They walked the rest of the way to Green Gables in silence. Then at the porch Gilbert asked" Do you think we should tell Marilla and my Mother about our engagement now?"
"Well Mrs. Lynde would probably find out from Tommy anyway and once she knows everyone will know."
"Alright let's tell."
"Marilla, could you come here a second?"
" Yes Anne? Oh hello Gilbert."
"Now Marilla please don't be cross, but Gil and I are engaged and we have been for a year now."
"E-Engaged?!"
"Oh please don't be mad Marilla."
"I'm anything but mad child. In fact I can't express how happy I am for you both."
"Really?"
"When's the wedding?"
"Not for a number of years I want to make something of myself."
"Okay."
"Anne could we go over to my house and tell my Mom and Dad?"
"Marilla?"
"Just go child!"
At the Blythe Household
P"Why hello Anne. I didn't expect to see you today."
" Hello Mrs. Blythe."
"Mother could I talk to you privately?"
"Alright."
They walked over to the kitchen.
" I am engaged to Anne."
"Your what! You could of had any girl, like that nice Gillis girl, but no you pick the Red Headed SNIPPET! Your always out with that girl you never seem to be home. If I want to find you I don't go to the fields. I GO TO GREEN GABLES."
"She is no red headed snippet Mother. She is an angel with the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. I do spend a lot of time at Green Gables but that is only because she is there. I love her and I always have. If you payed more attention maybe you would know that we've been engaged for a whole year now! But Dad knows because he PAYS ATTENTION!"
"Well if I don't pay attention it's because ALL I EVER HEAR IS ANNE SHIRLEY This ANNE SHIRLEY that and it gets old!
"Sorry if my main figure of happiness is getting old mother."he said with a twinge of anger threatening to burst.
Back in the living room
"So, you love him?"
"Yes, more everyday."
I GO TO GREEN GABLES.
" I take it Margret doesn't like that you two are engaged."
"Marilla acted differently. I can tell you that much."
" So she approves."
"Yes, yes she does."
" Well as long as my boy's happy. I'm happy."
PAYS ATTENTION!
"That means a lot Mr. Blythe."
"Yup."
"Well I better be going you'll have your hands full with those two, and Marilla might be getting worried."
ALL I EVER HEAR IS ANNE SHIRLEY this ANNE SHIRLEY that and it's getting old
"Oh no Anne please stay. I'll send the hired boy to tell Marilla your staying here."
"That's very kind of you but I can tell when a person doesn't want to see me and Mrs. Blythe does not want to see me anywhere near the place, it's a shame because I always liked her. Thank you anyway Mr. Blythe."she said with a crack in her voice.
She stood up from her seat and went toward the door. Her head tilted up in dignity and then she was out the door.
"MARGRET, GILBERT! Would you stop bickering and see what you've done."
The two had been at each other's throat's all evening and at the window they could see the distant figure of Anne Shirley heading for Green Gables.
"She couldn't take the yelling anymore. She said that she could tell when someone doesn't want to see her, and that you Margret definitely did not want to see her anywhere near the place. Even said she always liked you Margret after she heard all of those insults even."
"Oh no I didn't mean for her to hear that."said Margret
"Seems to me you meant plenty."said John
Gilbert went out the door in a flash running after the red headed girl.
"Anne please slow down."
"I see you've calmed down."she said as she picked up her pace.
"Anne, ugh would you just slow down a second."
She stopped and waited for him to catch up.
"I'm sorry you heard all that."
"Don't be I just need to get home and I'll be fine."she said her tears threatening to break.
"Anne."
"I'll be fine I just need to get home and cry."she said as tears began to trickle down her cheeks.
"Oh Anne, come here you can cry right now if you want."
"If you weren't here I would, if we were not on the main road I would, but since both are true I think I'll cry in my room."
She picked up her pace. Not caring if she left Gilbert in the dust, but Gilbert grabbed her hand and pulled her into him.
"I love you and you can cry in front of me."
She buried her head in his shoulder and felt his arms circle around her. She cried for a moment and then stopped. Enjoying the warmth she felt when ever he held her it was impossible to cry more than a few minutes when he held her like he did.
"Better?"
"Much."
"Now would you come back with me?"
"Only because you want me to."
"Anne I'm sorry I said those things I should learn to keep my opinions to myself."said Margret
"Well I'm glad I heard those things because now I know how you feel about me.
"No honey that is not how I feel about you I just got mad because you two kept it such a good secret that not even Mrs. Lynde knew."
" Well we did fool you huh."
"Yes, yes you did."
THREE YEARS LATER: Redmond
"Gilbert Blythe" the man at the front called
Gilbert received his diploma.
Anne Shirley
She did the same.
They were now college graduates now and Anne would be teaching for three years in Avonlea. Gilbert would be studying for a doctor's degree the only way his education would surpass her own. In three years they would be married.
"Anne looks like I'm a college graduate before you by five minutes."
"Only because they went in alphabetical order."
"Your going to convocation are you not?"
"No. I don't really want to I think I will just stay at Patty's Place for the evening."
" Would you mind if I stayed the evening with you Anne-girl?"
"Not at all."
Patty's Place
"So you are sure you don't want to go?"
"Quite sure."
"Nothings bothering you?"
" Nothing."
"Okay."
He put his arms around her and kissed her.
"What are you doing Gilbert?"
"I'm not going to stop until you tell me what's wrong. Don't you dare say nothing I can see it in your eyes."
"Fine I'll tell you just let me catch my breath already.
He smiled at her. She should know by now she could tell him anything.
"I know I should be happy right? But I'm not I had planned to go here and sulk for a moment then I'd be alright. Once I had said that I loved bends in the road but now I don't know because we won't be going around this one together. We've done almost everything together since we were children and I guess I just can't bare the thought of being away from you for so long."
"It will be alright Anne-girl. We can write each other and even if we don't go round this bend together there will be plenty more where we do."
"Okay if you think so I won't think about it anymore but I still don't want to go to convocation."
"Anything you say Anne-girl."
FIRST YEAR
Dearest Gil,
Do you know Anne Cordelia came up to me today and said "Miss Shirley, Mommy says you's really miss Mr. Blythe. Is dat true?" What was I supposed to tell her? Yes Anne Cordelia, Diana knows because I tell her when ever she asks about Mr. Blythe. Never would I let her know that. So I said " You know your Mother and I are best friends and anything you hear from her about me is correct ninety nine percent of the time."
Then Mrs. Lynde she walked up to me when I got home and said "Minnie May Barry was over here said that Diana's been talking scandalously about you. Said that you openly share things about your personal life with the children." Can you believe her? Diana would not talk scandalously about me nor do I share every detail of my life with the children. That is exactly what I told her and I fear some roamers about me will be circulating for weeks.
I miss you Gil. You have no idea how much and I have to stop now because I have written this for fifteen minutes trying to figure out how to word this letter. Marilla is scolding me for taking so long to write one letter to you.
I love you,
Anne Shirley
My Anne-girl,
Your pupils ask the oddest things. Why in the world Anne Cordelia asked you that in the first place I do not know. As for Mrs. Lynde let her talk she's just an old narrow minded gossip.
My classes are interesting. It seems all I have to do is take the one year coarse and I will be done in no time. I hope you haven't made a three year contract because I am taking that coarse. Doesn't it remind you of how we got our teacher's license's?
I Love You so much. Don't forget that Marilla and Rachel mean well.
I miss you,
Gilbert Blythe
Gil,
Just so you know my contract is one year at a time. It does remind me of how we got our teacher's license's. Those roamers have been on the loose for weeks. I can't even go down the road without hearing whispers from behind me.
Yours,
Anne Shirley
My love,
I am unable to come home to you on Wednesday. My train was cancelled and I have to wait until Friday. The good news however is that I am officially a certified doctor.
Gil
Anne knew he would be coming home, but to wait two extra days! She couldn't do that. But she could not avoid it. So she went about the day regularly school was out so she took an afternoon walk down Lover's Lane.
"Gilbert Blythe we weren't expecting you until tomorrow."said Marilla
"Well I wanted to surprise Anne."
" You just missed her she's down in her Lover's Lane."
"Thank you Marilla."
In Lover's Lane
"The days ware on endlessly when he's not with me."said Anne to her sister birch.
"I guess I'll have to live with it huh?"
" I'm sorry I have to leave Layla, Marilla expects me home by supper"
She walked a few steps before she ran straight into Gilbert Blythe. She stepped around him murmuring "Only my imagination he's not here until tomorrow,"but Gilbert whirled her around and looked straight into her beautiful green grey eyes.
"I'm really here Anne."
"No, I must be imagining this."
"If I were your imagination could I do this?"
He pulled her close and kissed her lips.
"N-no"
"Then I must be real."
"Oh Gil you have no idea how much I've missed you."
"And I you my love."
"Now did you know you could make it because if you did I don't appreciate being—"
He captured her lips again.
When he released her she breathed "Lied to."
"I didn't lie the train was cancelled so I switched over to the Carmody Station and walked from there."
"You walked?! You could of called Fred and Diana or your mother and father or Marilla and me, but you walked!"
"Yup."
"Oh Gil you silly goose."
"But I'm your silly goose."
"Oh Gilbert you don't know how much I love you and your incorrigibleness."
TWO MONTHS
"Do you Gilbert Blythe take Anne Shirley to be your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you both shall live?"said Reverend Allan
"Longer."
Do you Anne Shirley take Gilbert Blythe as your lawfully wedded husband for as long as the Sun and Moon shine up in the sky?"
"Until every star burns out and much much longer."
"You may kiss the bride."
And that he did.
