Chapter 3-
"We'll split the hall into sections, each decorated as one of the places on Odysseus' journey," Gilbert was saying to a group of fifteen or so freshmen. The Classics lecture had ended, and Gilbert assembled the group for an "impromptu meeting" to discuss Dr. Alfred's retirement party.
Anne rolled her eyes. Enough about this retiring Classics professor already! What was making her more irritated: that the Odyssey theme was far too excessive and ambitious for a professor they barely knew, or the attention that Gilbert- the natural-born leader- was getting?
Gilbert.
He chose that moment to announce "And Anne suggested a lovely selection of poetry to be recited by the three Sirens".
Gilbert Blythe, how dare you bring me into this, Anne thought angrily as a couple of heads swerved in her direction. I want no part in it.
As soon as the meeting adjourned, Anne briskly exited the classroom, smoldering.
"Wait up, Anne. Yoo hoo! I'll see you girls at the Autumn Ball tonight?" Gilbert called after her.
Anne did not dignify him with a response.
The Autumn Ball was the first freshman dance of the year. Campus was abuzz with excitement for a week.
Phil Gordon came over to the boarding house at St. John's Street to get ready for the dance with Pris and Anne.
"Pris, the bow is too low … my hair is supposed to curl over my ear, not under it," Anne could hear Phil squeal from across the hall.
Anne had separated herself to gather her thoughts. Why was she still feeling agitated - so vexed in spirit? She took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. This was an approach she started to practice recently when she felt her temper rise to a boiling point. She knew that this time it would not be enough to soothe her troubled soul.
Gilbert.
Lately he has become insufferably arrogant.
The redhead continued to scowl all the way to the dance as her two chums chatted gaily. Once they arrived, they joined a group of freshmen. Conversation promptly reverted to "Gilbert Blythe's Genius Odyssey Concept".
This is going to be a long night. Anne feigned a polite smile, and nodded at the appropriate times. Gilbert was deeply involved, popular, and an unavoidable topic-it seemed- in freshman gossip.
Excusing herself, Anne made her way to the punch table. She filled her glass generously.
She was unaware that it was spiked.
"Anne!"
Oh great. There HE was.
With a forced smile over clenched teeth, Anne made her way back to the group.
"Mr. Blythe," Anne responded curtly.
What…?
Anne: Look at those silly girls. They don't bother disguise the adoration in their eyes, and even the boys revere him here.
Gil: She is upset. Why is Anne upset?
He came closer to her and commented in low, intimate voice "don't you just love the beauty of autumn? This is my favourite time of the year. The leaves are ablaze, brilliant reds and oranges…" his voice trailed off.
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Something is bothering her. She wouldn't tell me what is bothering her if I asked. Judging by how she's looking at me, my attempts at cheering her up probably won't succeed, wise Gilbert thought mournfully. He felt helpless in these situations. He just wanted to see Anne smile.
Anne helped herself to another drink. Anne doesn't know there is alcohol in it, he reasoned. He knew, having seen a couple of fellows from the football team do the deed. Oh dear. She has very little inclination to drink, and I'm sure she isn't even accustomed to it effects.
Anne returned to the group just as they were discussing the English quiz they had written that very morning.
"17b was a trick question, unfair," Pris protested loudly. A few others nodded in agreement.
"O Pris dear. They always ask that question on English exams. It's not so much about the passage itself as stylistic convention" Anne drawled, her voice a couple of pitches higher than she had intended.
"What a delightfully easy exam," she continued. "It is as though he is giving us an early Christmas present. "
"You seem to be in more cheery spirits, Anne-girl," Pris laughed.
"Look over there, it's the Sloane dance" Phil cried out. Indeed, Charlie Sloane was doing his characteristic sway, which caused the girls to elapse into giggles. Poor Charlie, always the butt of every joke, no matter where he was. It came with the Sloane name.
"Eyes pop out, hips sway in," Phil commented.
Anne found herself swaying, too. "Come, let us all do the Sloane dance" she squealed, dragging her two chums towards Charlie.
Gilbert Blythe watched, awestruck.
After the song ended, Anne declared,"whew, I am parched! Excuse me, I'm going to pour myself another glass of punch". She was, suddenly, rendered lightheaded. "Oh dear. That was too vigourous for me". She stumbled over to the punch table, which, at that moment, seemed to be much further than she remembered it to be.
This time, she filled her glass to the brim and gulped it down rather quickly.
I desperately need to use the lavatory.
Undergarments seeming to weigh a tonne, she managed, in the nick of time, to relieve herself. What a relief it was! Anne sighed. She felt purely content for the first time in weeks.
Other than her increasing disorientation, and having her fingers fumble a couple of times before succeeding to unlock the door, Anne was relaxed.
"Gil!" Anne called when she spotted him close to the dance floor.
"Yes, Miss Shirley?" he inquired playfully.
He extended his arm to steady her.
"Would you like me to walk you home?" he asked simply.
"Thank you, Gil"
They made their trek through the woods. Anne raised her head, tilted her chin skywards, to soak-in the glorious fall foliage. Brilliant hues enveloped them both in a regal canopy. Gilbert stole a few glances at her, overcome both by her erethral enchantment, and vulnerability in that moment.
She hiccupped a few times, hard.
Anne wouldn't want anybody to see her in this state. The most important thing, right now, is to help her maintain her dignity. Anne is a strong woman, any semblance of losing control would embarrass her deeply.
Gilbert, of course, in his determination to protect Anne and her sense of propriety, entirely neglected to consider that HE was seeing her in this state.
So few word had been exchanged that Gilbert was surprised when she stopped abruptly in her tracks. She spun around. Facing him, she wrapped her arms firmly around his neck.
What are you doing…
She embraced him closer. They swayed on the spot. He never dared to get this close before. Should he?
As though hearing his thoughts she breathed "it just feels…right. Like we belong."
"Anne. If it's meant to be, it will happen in the future." Stupid, stupid, stupid.
What do you mean, Gil? Don't we belong together now?
"Come now, Anne. We're almost there."
Back at the boarding house, Gilbert followed Anne to the parlor, and adjusted the cushions on the sofa. Knowing that there was an extra woolen blanket in the closet near the entrance, he went to fetch it for her. When he returned, he found Anne sprawled comfortably. Gilbert gently tugged off her boots and gingerly placed the blanket over her.
I mustn't stay here longer.
As he closed the door behind him, Gil murmured "I love you, Anne. Sweet dreams."
