The autumn leaves never looked more delicious on this crisp fall afternoon. A true scope for the imagination. A single red leaf falls swiftly to the ground, much as my worries of my red hair fades. The decaying leaves swirl with the wind, and I look down below the oak bridge to see what looks like my dear friend Katie, reflecting off the smooth ripples in the Lake of Shining Waters. She looks much older than the last time we met, face to face. Much as I too, had changed. It brings be back to the golden days of Green Gables, when there was hardly any space between one adventure and another. Between dying my hair green as watercress, or an evening tea with Diana, which unfortunately had to end early; I will always think back on Avonlea with the fondest affection. I'll never forget the comfort that Katie gave me in those weeks of being shunned, cut off from Diana's world.
Katie was there for me in the depths of despair, and as I hope I shall never face a 'Jonah day' again, it is always good to see a familiar face. A face that doesn't roll an eye at my fountain of words, as well as bringing me comfort at times I was drowning in my own sorrow.
Dear Diana and I reunited in the break of my last year at Queens, where she was married as quickly and painlessly as she got engaged. I can't say that I enjoyed it the same. The day was beautiful, sure. The wedding was nearly perfect... that is until Gilbert came along, a ring in his hand. It's hard enough to have a bosom friend taken away, but to know you caused a dear friend an amount of pain you may never be able to overcome... that has been the ache of pain that's sat in my stomach ever since. The moment haunts me, replaying over and over in my head. Each time, I do my best to imagine if things had gone differently. But I fear Gilbert's haunting words will stay with me forever, beyond the grave.
"I hope he breaks your heart... whoever he is."
... if only he knew...
Trying to get rid of the noises in my head, I write vigorously supplies needed for Diana's welcoming party. Lost in thought, the pencil that once rested between my teeth falls down in the deepest part of the Lake of Shining Waters.
"No, no, no, no, no!" I stammered, getting on all fours to salvage what's left of the pencil. As I reach out my hand down the cool water, a familiar voice calls out to me.
"Anne? What on earth are you doing?" I turn my head, looking towards the voice, to see a nice pair of black leather shoes, just below a firmly pressed pair of sleek dress pants. My eyes finally reach the face of the figure, making a smile appear on my face.
"Roy... I was only getting a list ready for Marilla. What are you doing here?" I ask, my cheeks hot red from my embarrassing position. I slowly get up, my eyes locked on his.
"Marilla said I'd find you somewhere along this bridge. She wrote me last week with a ticket attached, said you needed a break from your own imagination. I thought It'd be best to come visit you before this town drives you over the edge of insanity." He smiles softly. Something about Roy made me feel so wonderfully happy, I couldn't help but blush as red as my hair. His hand reaches my face, slowly brushing his thumb across my cheek. The other full with a bouquet of roses. I take the bouquet, my arms embracing Roy in the warmth of the dying daylight.
Walking together, hand in hand, I stop to take in all of Avonlea's beauty, as I keep in mind the sentiment Miss. Stacy once put into my heart.
"Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet."
I turn toward my back, soaking it all in, when my eye is caught on a strapping boy with familiar kind eyes, just behind the bridge. The boy wore a solemn expression, gripping onto somewhat of a flower crown. We lock eyes, only for a moment, when his face falls to the grass below.
Tomorrow cannot come soon enough.
...
Hello, everybody! Please understand that as this is not the word for word books/movies/series you have come to know, my goal isn't to recreate something so perfectly done by Lucy Montgomery. I don't want to take away from her work, but I also want to make this story fresh for you to read. As far as how you picture Anne or Gilbert looking, that's all up to you and your imagination, I'm only here to expand on a series I love dearly.
I've updated in the past, but due to some questions, I wanted to clear things up.
1. During this time, Anne is in her Junior Year at Redmond. She'd just come back for the summer, only to find some of her old wounds reopened.
2. This will be mostly based within the gap of Sullivans 'Sequel' and 'The Continuing Story'
Again, thanks for reading! I hope to bring a bit of scope for your imagination each time you revisit this series. With all my love,
Janaya
