Crimson

‚Dear Gilbert, I regret that I will be unable to attend the White Sands concert with you. Sincerely, Anne Shirley.' Gilbert read silently to himself. Disappointed and confused he shook his head.

Then he looked back at the girl who brought him this unpleasant message and tried to look as untouched as possible.

Diana gulped uneasily as she noticed his clenched teeth. "I'm sorry, Gilbert…" she rubbed her arm nervously. "Should I… tell her something from you?"

The boy in front of her shook his head, "No, thank you, Diana. There's no need for that. Thank you for bringing it to me."

"Alright…" she smiled faintly at him before turning around, "Goodbye Gilbert."

"Goodbye."

Anne felt like a queen in her castle as she had the rare opportunity to run the household one afternoon completely by herself. Marilla had driven into town to purchase some necessary things, while Matthew was on the field, fixing the fence together with Martin.

There was a little knot in her stomach as she asked herself if Diana had already given Gilbert her letter, but she decided to simply ignore it and put some sugar to the pastry instead. She wanted to bake a plum cake and surprise Marilla later.

A knock on the door startled her, and Anne wiped her hands on the apron she wore as she made her way cheerily to the door.

Who could possibly be visiting? Maybe Misses Lynde who didn't know Marilla was gone? No, Anne rolled her eyes, Rachel Lynde always knew everything. So maybe Diana who-

The smile on her face froze as she opened the door and realized who was standing on the other side.

Was this a dream or something? And if it was, could somebody please wake her up?

Thunderstruck she looked at him, "G-Gilbert?"

For a moment he simply fixed his gaze on her with an expression which could hardly be called friendly, before he lifted the letter in his hand.

Shocked she looked down at the white piece of paper and gulped. She had thought the matter was closed! She had hoped she could simply forget all of this!

Why could this boy never understand anything?

„I came because of this", he simply stated and continued to stare at her while she felt smaller and smaller under his piercing eyes.

"I want an explanation, Anne Shirley. I thought you forgave me. I thought we started being friends. Do you really hate me so much, that you can't even bear the thought of going somewhere with me? And do you loathe me so much that you can't even tell me that face to face? Because if that's the way it is, then I won't ever bother you again from this day forward."

Anne didn't know how to react first. She was totally caught off guard, a flush was creeping to her face, she was embarrassed and at the same time angry that he would make a scene in front of her. It was her who was allowed to make scenes in their relationship!

Not that they actually had a relationship.

"I don't hate you, Gilbert Blythe", she hissed, afraid somebody could witness their conversation and read even more into it.

"So then what's all about that?" he asked still angry.

"I, I…" she wrung her hands but forced herself to withstand his glance. He certainly shouldn't think that he was able to create feelings of any kind inside of her. "It's too complicated…"

"Well, if you'd try to explain it, maybe I would understand", he replied with a tang of sarcasm.

She sighed annoyed and rolled her eyes, trying to hide her own nervousness. She'd wanted to avoid broaching such a topic with him under any circumstances. That had been exactly the reason she'd sent Diana over to him in the first place!

"Well… you see… Rachel Lynde saw us together… that day in your buggy. And then she told Marilla about it."

Gilbert looked expectantly at her, thinking there was more to come. But this seemed to be her whole explanation. "I don't understand, Anne. So what?"

"She… toldherweheldhands", she rushed to say and dropped her gaze immediately.

Confused he watched her. His anger had melted into puzzlement by now.

He just wasn't able to understand this girl. Sure, he didn't really understand girls in general, but of Anne Shirley he just couldn't make any sense at all.

"She... told her we held hands?"

Anne only nodded.

"And then Miss Cuthbert wouldn't let you go with me anymore?"

"No. Yes. I mean. No. I…" She lifted her head to meet his gaze, desperation visible in her green eyes. "Marilla was angry about that rumour and I didn't want to upset her even more."

"Oh." He pondered about it, "Don't you think she would have understood once you'd explained it to her?"

"No. I mean yes. I suppose… But. Well."

"Yes?"

"I just didn't want to give everyone something to gossip about!" She finally blurted out.

"Since when do you care so much what other people say?"

"Gilbert", she sighed, "Can't you just… ask Josie? I'm sure she'd love to go with you!" a weird sort of stomach-ache followed the delight of her idea.

"If I'd wanted to go with her, I would have just asked her!" Gilbert wrung his hands desperately. Was everything always so complicated with her?

"But why did you even ask me in the first place? You're the one who said 'being smart is better than being pretty'!"

How did she get to know that? Like a fish his mouth opened and closed while he searched for words, "S-so what?"

"You don't even deny it?!" angrily she glared at him.

"W-what? Why should I?"

"Because it's the polite way to tell someone you think she's ugly!"

Gilbert looked dumbfounded at her. "W-wha- Anne Shirley! Just because I said you're the smartest girl in school doesn't mean I don't think you're the prettiest too!"

Oh no. Did he just say that aloud? A blush crept to his cheeks and slowly made its way to his ears. Gilbert lowered his head as fast as he could.

Now it was Anne who looked dumbfounded at him. Did he really mean what he'd just said?

Judging by his reaction – definitely.

"You… think I'm the prettiest girl in school?" she whispered.

He shrugged without looking at her, "You are."

"Gilbert…" her heart pounded madly in her chest. When had all of this gotten so complicated? This boy made her crazy! "Can't… can't we just go on being good enemies?"

Confused he met her eyes, "What?"

"Everything used to be so easy. Can't we just go on being enemies? I always knew how to behave around you back then."

"Yeah, you ignored me."

"Well, you confused me!"

"Like how?"

"L-like… I, um…" once again she started wringing her hands and dropped her gaze. But her blush was still faster than Anne.

Hopefully Gilbert made a step towards her. With one finger he gently lifted her head. He couldn't have misunderstood. This glance. And if he had misunderstood, he simply didn't care any longer. He had lost way too much time just dreaming about all this.

Before his courage could leave him, Gilbert bent down to press a small but ever so sweet kiss to her lips.

"Like that?" he whispered.

Anne didn't dare to look at him, but stared down at her boots while trying to gather her composure.

"It isn't good manner to kiss a girl without asking first", she finally said in a whisper.

A very handsome grin started spreading on Gilbert's face, "Since when do enemies consider good manners?"

The red-haired girl looked feigned indignantly at him, "Oh!" and gave him a push.

He captured her hand before it could fall down on her side again. "I will pick you up Saturday at 4 o'clock. And I don't accept any letters, Anne Shirley."

With these words he gently squeezed her hand before releasing it, and left the girl who blushed crimson and tried to tell her pounding heart to finally be quiet.