Bosom Friends


Diana and Anne were strolling down Lover's Lane, their arms hooked into one another. They haven't spoken much ever since Diana came to pick her up, but that was quite alright.

The ravenblack woman knew what occupied her best friend's mind. That was the reason she'd given little Fred into her mother's custody and wanted to spend some time alone with Anne.

Two days had passed since Anne got to know from Gilbert's illness. Yesterday she went to see him and hadn't been the same ever since.

Diana didn't know what would have ever happened to Anne if Gil would have… She shook her head. No. Today Anne had finally heard that his fever broke. Gilbert would be alright.

"When did you know I was in love with Gilbert?" Anne suddenly spoke into their silence.

Diana turned her head startled to look at her bosom friend with an open mouth. But Anne just stared down at the ground. "What?" Maybe she had heard wrong after all.

"When did you now I was in love with Gilbert Blythe?" Anne repeated her question slowly and quietly. It obviously was difficult for her to say those words aloud for the very first time.

Diana had to fight her urge to jump into the air. How long she'd waited for that moment! She forced herself too look as calm as possible.

"Well… I don't know. It's hard to be sure about other people's feeling. Even if it is your bosom friend."

Anne smiled lightly, but continued looking at the road beneath her.

"…The first time I started thinking about it was rather soon. I was very confused about your anger, Anne. I only knew you as a caring and loving person, not as someone who would hold grudges against others. And even though it certainly wasn't right of him to tease you, he did apologize right after and even took the blame in front of Mr. Phillips. But you just wouldn't forgive him and I couldn't understand your reasons. That was the first time the thought crossed my mind that maybe you felt something for him."

Diana paused to look at Anne, who maybe wanted to say something about it, but as her friend remained quiet, she continued. "But every time we talked about him, you declared how you hated him and I knew you would never lie to me. So for some time I dropped that thought. But… I don't know exactly when, but… at some point I realized that you really didn't lie to me, but you simply didn't know what you felt for him."

"And why didn't you tell me, Diana?" Anne now looked for the first time into her best friend's eyes as her grey-green ones were glistening suspiciously.

"Oh Anne, I did!" they had stopped walking by now. "And I tried so many times to make you see it. But every time I talked about him that way you would just push it all away. I knew how stubborn you could be…"

She caressed Anne's cheek and smiled at her. "I figured you just need time to realize it yourself…"

A tear rolled down on Anne's cheek. "And what if it is too late by now, Diana?"

"He will get well Anne! My moth-"

"I know he will get well! And I know he called the wedding with Christine off! But how can he possibly love and forgive me after all the things I did to him?!"

"Oh Anne, you silly goose. Just like he forgave you that you broke a slate over his head. Because he loves you and nobody but you. This is Gilbert Blythe we're talking about! He's dead gone on you! He could have had every girl of Avonlea if he wanted to, but he chose you the very first time he laid eyes on you! You are destined to be together!"

She took Anne's hands and smiled encouragingly at her. Anne tried to return the smile, but it came out rather faint and a bit of bitter…

"Oh Anne! I can't believe it!" Diana was now completely lost in her euphory. "You don't know how long I've waited for this! You two are THE dream-couple of Avonlea! There's so much to plan! The flowers and the weddingdr-"

"Hold on Diana!" Anne interrupted her, "He didn't even propose to me! I mean… again. And who knows he ever w-"

"Oh Anne, stop it! Now that you FINALLY confessed your feelings I won't rest until I see you two together! And if you won't tell him, I will write it to the Avonlea Newspaper! Just so you know! 'ANNE SHIRLEY IS HAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE WITH GI-'"

"Are you crazy?!" Anne wasn't able to contain her laughter as she silenced Diana with her hand. "Be quiet! I will tell him! And I will kill you if you tell anyone about this, Diana Wright née Barry! Not even Fred!"

"You can't kill me, Anne Shirley soon to be Blythe. I need to plan your wedding!"

She winked at her and they started laughing again.