"Roy, it's truly wonderful of you to come all the way over to Avonlea. You have no idea how happy this makes me." The wagon moves along the bumpy road, passing by the most beautiful blooming trees I've yet to see this Summer.
"Anne, I would travel by foot to Avonlea if it meant I got to see your beautiful face once more before returning to Nova Scotia. It's hard to believe that after Spring Break, you only have three weeks left of being a student. Are you ready for it? There's a big world out there."
"I am. But I don't know how I'll be able to leave Marilla. She's a kindred spirit. You wouldn't think it from looking at her, but after all these years of putting up with me, she must be. I'll be back in a few short weeks, but it's hard to separate from those you love."
"I know how you feel." He smiles, looking deep into my eyes as if he can see straight through my soul. My heart beats uncontrollably fast, as he'd never confessed his feelings for me so strongly. It's hard to concentrate, with his longing eyes wanting me to reciprocate his feelings.
"I lo—" I stop my train of thoughts, hearing a sudden scurry from behind the wagon, a sound I've grown accustomed to. Fearing the worst, I immediately turn to God for strength, murmuring a small prayer. "Dear gracious, Heavenly Father, please keep the nosy minds of others out of sight from—"
"You who! Anne!" A nasally voice cries out.
"Oh, dear..." I murmur, pulling away from Roy's close proximity to see a plump old woman running for dear life to catch up with the moving wagon. Roy pulls on the reigns on the horses ahead, pulling the break on the wagon with his other hand. I, preferably would have sped up rather than slow down, but Roy is too nice for his own good. He'll surly learn one day how to politely escape from the likes of Mrs. Lynde.
"Anne Shirley. Oh, Anne, it's nice to see you here, and with a man, too! Look at you, Anne, you've certainly grown up. I admit it, I was worried — a motherly concern of course — but you've grown out of your rather less fashionable state and came back as a woman! And that hair! I thought the color would never change. It just proves that the Lord answers prayers, that's what." I heave out a slightly annoyed chuckle, only to receive an attitude check by Roy, elbowing me softly at the waist.
"Roy, this is Rachel Lynde, a dear friend and houseguest. Rachel, Royal Gardner." Roy takes Rachel's hand politely.
"I've heard many things about you, Mrs. Lynde." Roy smiles, giving me a discreet wink.
"All good, I hope." Rachel smiles in return.
"Indeed, Mrs. Lynde. It's come to my understanding that without a certain apology, Anne would've never ended up where she is now." Roy charms the old woman as she nods, taking in every bit of praise.
"Well, I'm glad I could be of help. You two go along now, the party won't wait." Rachel heads off in the direction of Green Gables, assumingely to do what she does best: gossip. Just as she disappears from sight, I turn to Roy apologetically.
"Rachel Lynde - she takes some getting used to, but she has the best intentions, as she's stayed at Green Gables in my time away. She means well, and is a wonderful friend to Marilla. Especially now that Matthew's gone." With this said, Roy doesn't utter a sound. Instead, he takes my hand in his, an action worth more than words. After a moment of silence, Roy breaks the tension.
"So... you never did tell me about what this party is for." Roy looks ahead keeping an eye on the road, still managing to hold my hand in the other.
"Well, once a year, the town gathers together to celebrate the warmth of Summer we've been given. A ball that represents a new beginning to a beautiful season that breaths life into Avonlea. But it's much more than a ball. There are games, plays, recitations, and to end it all, a fair bidding game, where all the proceeds go to a good cause." I smile, looking at the soft sunset that hovers just above the mountain tops of Avonlea. The colors within the sunset seer into my brain, a beautifully pained canvas to start a wonderful evening.
"It sounds like an evening worthwhile. Will you be reciting anything, Anne?" He smiles, giving me a wink.
"I might, do long as everyone plays fair, no nicknames of course..."
"Why's that?" Roy's eyebrows furrow, confusion clearly spread throughout his facial expression.
"Oh, it's nothing, at least, it doesn't matter anymore I suppose, just some meaningless memories of the past." I swallow the lump that weighed heavily on my throat. I'd never lied to Roy before, but the thought of the past warms my cheeks, and for a moment I couldn't tell if my heart was beating faster in anticipation of the time with Roy, or the tension of past memories that toyed with my heart so.
"What will be the good cause I'll be bidding for?"
"This year, it'll finally be put towards the schoolhouse. It needs some fresh paint, to brighten it up. We are asked to each bring an item that meant a great deal to us as children in school, where we then bid off the items to go to the schoolhouse." I smile, reminded of Gilbert's kindness in letting me stay in Avonlea to help Marilla.
"What did you bring with you?" Roy asks softly.
"A broken slate."
...