And that of her Romeo

Anne's favourite part of the day had come. English literature! And today to make it even better they were character studying Romeo and Juliet.

"I want to do something a little different today" The teacher had announced. "We're going to be working in pairs. Each team will get two different characters one male and one female and to make it interesting, you'll be working in a girl boy team. I think the perspective of the opposite sex may be helpful when it comes to critiquing." She paused. "I'm going to give you all a number whoever gets the same number as you, you shall work with, I'll then hand out the assignment. You will discuss the two characters, give your opinions, then your team member's opinion then come to a conclusion about them."

Yes that seems fair Anne thought As long as I don't end up with Gilbert. As the numbers were allotted gave the numbers out they seemed quite at random, so dread filled her as Gilbert's number matched hers. Okay that's fine I can work alongside him its fine, she thought as she sat down next to him, her eyes fixed blankly on him as she sat. As long as we don't get Romeo and Juliet.

Gilbert was trying his best not to grin as she sat down beside him. He was trying to ignore the rise in his heartbeat to have her so close to him. He avoided eye contact with her, preferring to look at his knees. The assignments came round, there was only one left by the time it reached them.

"Ah, the couple themselves!" The teacher said looking at the paper she held in her hands rather than her two students. "Romeo and Juliet!" She said handing Anne the piece of paper which had those names she now dreaded "I expect great things from you two!" she added.

Anne rolled her eyes and let out a huge sigh! Great she thought, he's going to spoil the most romantic story ever!

They didn't speak for about 30 seconds when Gilbert broke the silence between them. "I think we need to talk to complete the assignment Anne." He paused before continuing. "You can go first if you like. Tell me what you think of Juliet?" She didn't speak for a few seconds. So he tries again to get a response. "Don't you think she's a bit young to be running round after love?" He asked.

"No I don't!" Anne replied, Gilbert smiled. She had taken the bate and was continuing. "You're never too young to know love to experience love. "She was quiet and innocent; any girl would be swept off her feet by a Romeo. Rescuing her ." She sighed heavy "She's clever and intelligent, she's most definitely sincere in her love for Romeo. She cares for him. Yet she's defiant and strong. Wouldn't it be romantic if someone was willing to commit themselves to death for you?"

"No." Gilbert said chuckling a bit. "What use is love if you're dead?" He saw Anne's face turn angry.

"She wasn't really dead." Anne pointed out

"Yes but Romeo thought she was dead, the sap was so weak, he actually committed suicide to be with her."

"It's romantic." Anne objected.

"It's pointless. What did he achieve?"

"Would you rather live without the person you loved, or die to be with them?" Anne asked him.

He paused for a moment. Had she just asked him something as an equal scholar rather than in distain at him? He wanted to answer the question carefully.

"I'd rather spend all my days loving one person, raise a family, and know that person loved me in return. I would do anything to make that person happy every single day." There was a heavy pause between them.

"They didn't have that choice Gilbert. Wouldn't you rather die than not be with the one you loved?"

He felt that question cut him. He was almost seventeen; he knew he had fallen head over heels with Anne Shirley a long time ago. Would he rather die than not be with her? "They barely knew each other Anne, yet she marries him and I know the story tells us it's all romantic but we have to remember that Romeo had committed himself to another girl before he met Juliet then falls in love at a tip of the hat and soon forgets about Rosaline. Who's to say he wouldn't leave Juliet at the next set of pretty eyes that flashed his way? That's not love. He doesn't seem like a strong character a real man doesn't give up on the one he loves so easily."

There was another pause. "Maybe he wasn't really in live with Rosaline, maybe he did love Juliet on first meeting her he did say 'Did my heart love till now?' when he first met her."

"Men don't always say what they mean Anne, especially upon meeting a pretty stranger. I didn't mean to hurt your feelings that first day of school but I did."

They paused again "You're not Romeo." She pointed out. Gilbert felt the coldness of her words.

He looked down. "No I guess not." He managed to contain rest of his feeling on this subject and returned to the study in question. "Anyway we had started talking about Juliet and our attention was turned to Romeo too fast."

"Well tell me what you think of Juliet then?" Anne asked him.

"Well you were right in what you said. She's very spirited for a 13 year old girl. Although she was very young to get married…"

"it wasn't like that then." Anne commented. "The thing which speaks through the ages is that at 13 you believe love is forever. If you had fallen in love at 13, wouldn't you have thought it was for forever?"

Wow this is turning out to be a painful assignment Gilbert thought instead he continued without commenting "I like it when they are real characters you know with some oomph behind them, silly pretty girls are boring and have no opinions of their own, she fights back against what everyone wants for her because that's not who she is. Yes, in my opinion the object of her affection is far beneath her but it doesn't change her. She's committed to him, she believes in him. She's innocent but I think that works in her favour. I don't think these are bad qualities, if I managed to marry a girl like that..." He said looking at Anne "I would be very happy." He blushed slightly then diverted his eyes away.

"I think we have enough material now." Anne said to him. "Should we work on the presentation?"

All he managed was a nod.

Their presentation was flawless, they'd worked together well their arguments were well formed and insightful, the only thing missing was their friendship. "Anne and Gilbert A+."

Class had ended for the day. The class was dismissed and everyone was leaving. Gilbert caught up with Anne.

"I really enjoyed working with you today Anne. I found your insight really helpful." He looked at her, he though he saw her face soften a little but she quickly turned to stone again and nodded she carried on walking. "Anne wait." He said. Holding her arm gently "Look, we could be really good studying partners can't you see that? No one else got an A+ in that room today but us. I know you don't need my help, but it would be really nice to spend some time with someone who can stretch me." He paused a realized he still had her arm. He let go but let his hand brush down her arm "Just promise me you'll think about it."

She felt her stomach knot a little. As much as it would be nice to connect to someone intellectually like that she simply nodded then walked away.