A/N: My thanks go again to everyone reading and reviewing. And to Maud for these characters.
Anne found herself growing more nervous as the final week's classes flew by and the party drew inexorably closer.
Gil had stopped coming to rehearsals early, often arriving with Fred and Diana. He neither sought nor avoided Anne, talking to her pleasantly and courteously during rehearsals, but their camaraderie seemed to be gone entirely and she felt it keenly.*
As the word spread around the Redmond campus that Gil Blythe and Ruby Gillis had broken up, the groups of girls following Gil had grown bolder in their attentions to him. Whenever they saw him striding across the campus on his way to class or football practice, one or more of the girls would hurry over to his side and attempt to strike up a conversation with him. Gil was invariably polite to them, but never seemed to show any particular encouragement or interest.
On Saturday, AVIS were to arrive at the Pyes' early, to set up the equipment for the band, and Roy had offered to drive Anne over.
"That'd be great, Roy," Anne had smiled brightly when he suggested he drive her. "Could you take Prissy and Stella, too?"
"Oh, um, yes of course," Roy's face fell a little at this arrangement.
"You can pick us up around four okay?" Anne said as she reflected to herself that she must have learnt a few things from Phil this term.
The girls had all dressed carefully for the party. Anne was wearing her favourite dress of pale green muslin, which complemented the milkiness of her skin and rich tints of her hair. When Anne started to braid her hair in its usual style, the other girls protested.
"No, Anne, you can't wear your hair in two braids tonight!" Priss exclaimed. "Di would never forgive us."
Consequently, Stella had braided the front of Anne's hair, so it resembled a diadem and held the remainder of her hair off her face, with her soft curls tumbling down her back.
"You look like a queen!" Stella looked pleased with her efforts. "Phil's gonna love this."
The Range Rover pulled up promptly at four o'clock to collect the girls. Anne was so nervous she hadn't eaten since breakfast.
"Hi, Roy!" Stella and Priss waved excitedly as they crossed the road.
Anne thought Stella and Priss were more excited about the ride in Roy's car than the party.
"You really should've eaten, Anne," Priss had scolded her as Roy pulled away from the curb. "We're going to be playing until late, you know."
"I couldn't, Priss," Anne moaned. "The butterflies in my stomach haven't left any room for food."
"Well, if you faint on stage, it's your own fault then," Priss teased.
"Don't!" Anne's face was contorted in misery. "That's another thing for me to worry about."
"Anne, you're going to be fantastic," Stella relented, stroking Anne's arm comfortingly. "Besides, the Pyes always have loads of food at these things."
Josie and Gertie's parents owned a huge property on the outskirts of town. The house was ostentatious, and the grounds were enormous, with a row of tall pine trees running along the back perimeter. When Roy parked the Range Rover out the front, there was already a line of vans and trucks in the driveway and a flurry of activity as catering staff and workmen rushed around, setting up for the party. Roy and the girls walked around to the back of the house, where the party was to take place.
There was a fully stocked bar placed close to the back of the house and the centrepiece of the catering table featured an ornate silver fountain about four feet high that the bar staff were filling up with punch. A huge white marquee had been set up in the back yard, with fairy lights strung up all around it. Behind that, a stage and sound system had been set up for the band. Music was currently blaring out of the speakers, although nobody else had arrived yet.
Josie and Gertie were flying around in a frenzy of excitement.
"Hi, Roy." Gertie immediately grabbed Roy's elbow as she steered him away from the girls. "I'm so glad you could make it. Let me get you a drink."
"That dress is rather becoming to you, Anne," Josie remarked condescendingly. "Really, you look almost pretty in it."
"How kind of you to say so, Josie," Anne replied.*
"Is Gil with you?" Josie asked, looking around hopefully.
"No, he's coming with Fred and Diana," said Stella.
"There they are now," Priss nodded to the path behind the bar.
Gil appeared from the side of the house first, with Fred and Di walking close together, just a little behind him. Fred was carrying his guitar case in his left hand.
Gil was wearing a faded, plaid shirt which was frayed around the edges and draped loosely over his broad shoulders with only the last two buttons fastened. His well-muscled chest and abs were plainly on display as he sauntered towards them. Anne steadfastly kept her eyes away from his torso, groaning inwardly when she noticed he was wearing the leather pants again.
"Hi, Gil!" As soon as Josie saw Gil she sprang towards him, slipping her hand through his arm. "You look good enough to eat."
"Hi, Josie," Gil immediately slid his arm out of Josie's grasp. "I'd better go and set up for the band."
Gil's eyes flickered momentarily towards Anne before he stepped away from Josie to stand in between Stella and Priss. He placed one arm around Stella's shoulders and the other around Priss, turning with them and walking over towards the stage.
Diana grabbed Anne's hand and they moved towards the stage, too, leaving Josie standing alone in the centre of the marquee.
Ruby and Herb were among the first to arrive, with their hands linked together and Ruby's blue eyes sparkling as she gazed dreamily up at Herb. Anne was surprised when they immediately walked over to Gil and spoke to him for quite a few minutes. They seemed relaxed and jovial together and after Ruby and Herb wandered over to the bar, Anne made her way over to Gil.
"Was that a bit awkward for you?" she asked.
"Not at all," Gil was sincere. "I'm really happy for them. Herb's a good guy, and he'll be great for her. He even asked me if I minded before he asked Ruby out."
"Well, I'm glad it's okay," Anne said. "It would be a shame if you and Ruby couldn't stay friends after all this time."
"Hmm," he nodded absently.
Anne had opened her mouth to say something else, when Gil interrupted her.
"I like that colour on you," he blurted, then immediately looked as though he regretted it.
Anne's cheeks burned scarlet as his eyes met hers suddenly. Before Anne had a chance to decide how to reply, Gil was speaking again.
"Um, there's Charlie and Sophie," he said quickly. "I'd better go check they're okay."
He strode briskly away from her towards where Charlie and Sophie were passionately kissing each other in the middle of the dance floor. Anne grimaced at them, then turned back towards where the rest of the band had gathered by the stage.
Less than half an hour before AVIS were due to play, Anne was so nervous, she was trembling all over. Adrenaline was coursing through her body and her heart was hammering in her chest.
"Oh, what if I fail before the Pyes?" she wailed. "They'll never let me live it down."
"You won't fail, Queen Anne," Phil was rubbing her palm in comforting circles on Anne's back. "You've been awesome at all the rehearsals. I just know you're going to be great."
"What if I can't remember any of the songs? What if I fall off the stage? They'll laugh at me."
"Fred and Diana will be right in front of you, honey, just keep looking at them. I'm behind you and Stella and Priss will be right next to you. Just focus on us and don't look at anyone else. Remember, everyone will be looking at Gil anyway. Now, take some deep breaths with me, honey."
Obediently, Anne breathed in deeply and blew a breath out through her mouth as Phil held her hand.
"You're shaking like a leaf!" Phil exclaimed. "I'm going to get Gil. He'll know what to do."
"No!" Anne gripped Phil's hand tighter to stop her, so that Phil peered at her curiously. "Don't bother Gil. I'll be okay, Phil, really."
Phil reached into her furry leopard skin bag and produced a silver hipflask. She held it out to Anne.
"Here, honey, you need to take a couple of fortifying slugs of this to calm your nerves."
"I don't know if that's really going to help, Phil," Anne looked dubiously at the flask.
"It'll help you to relax. You definitely won't be able to play if you're like this."
Anne took a sip and swallowed, screwing her eyes closed and gasping as she felt the liquid burning her throat before it settled into a comforting warmth in her stomach.
"Have another one," Phil encouraged her.
Anne did as she was told, shivering as she felt a slight buzzing sensation through her limbs.
"Thanks. I can see why Roy does everything you tell him to," she smiled as she handed the flask back to Phil. "You're very bossy, you know."
"I know, honey," Phil said cheerfully. "But it's only because I know what's best for everyone. I'm going to talk to Jo before we start, I'll see you in a minute."
A few minutes later, Anne was sitting nervously on the side of the stage. Diana and Fred were standing together in front of her, smiling encouragingly. She was comforted by their presence and smiled back at them as she took some deep breaths.
"Just focus on your playing," Fred said, nodding towards the guitar. "Don't worry about anyone else, okay?"
"Thanks, Fred," said Anne breathlessly.
"And don't hyperventilate," Diana added, letting go of Fred to rub one of Anne's hands between hers.
Gil strolled up next to Fred and Diana.
"Who's hyperventilating?" Gil asked.
Anne glanced up at him, avoiding looking anywhere but his eyes. Which now she thought about it, seemed to also be making her uncomfortable as they gazed much too closely into her own.
"No, really I'm not," she shook her head slightly, trying to clear her head. "I do feel slightly better after the couple of bourbons Phil just made me drink."
"Yeah, Phil always says alcohol relaxes her and improves her drumming," Gil's voice sounded amused. Then he turned to peer into Anne's face more closely. "Bourbon, hey?"
Anne's face flushed a little under his scrutiny.
"Phil said it would help calm my nerves. I've still got a million butterflies rolling around in my stomach, but they're not as bad as they were a few minutes ago."
"You should jump up and down a few times to loosen up," was Gil's suggestion. "It's called pronking."
"What?" Anne and Diana both stared at him dumbfounded.
"Pronking," he repeated, as if everyone should know what he was talking about. "It's what gazelles and antelopes do when they're threatened. Trust me, Anne, it works for people, too."
"He always does this before a gig," Fred looked amused.
"I don't know, Gil," Anne looked dubious.
"You'll feel better, I promise," Gil started jumping around on the spot, so his brown curls were bouncing crazily on his head.
Reluctantly, Anne started jumping with him, looking uncomfortable.
"Shake your arms out, too," Gil grinned as Anne flopped her arms around self-consciously. "That's it. See, it's fun."
After a few more springing leaps, he stopped.
"How do you feel now?" Gil asked, studying her face.
"Actually, I do feel better," Anne smiled up at him, surprised. "Thanks, Gil."
"Okay, then. Where's Charlie?" Gil looked around. "We'd better get this show on the road before Anne sobers up or the pronking wears off."
Wrinkling her nose slightly, Anne indicated over her shoulder with her thumb to the side of the stage where Charlie and Sophie were kissing each other passionately and noisily. Gil's eyebrows shot up in amusement when he caught sight of them.
"I see," he smirked. "Looks like I'd better go and break that up."
Gil approached Charlie and Sophie, clearing his throat loudly to no avail.
"It's time to go, Charles," Gil said eventually, tapping Charlie on the shoulder. "We really should start soon. Excuse us, please, Sophie. You're in for a treat, observing Charlie's bass skills."
"Oh, I know!" Sophie squealed, as she clasped her hands together in front of her, her blonde curls bobbing up and down and she bounced on her toes in excitement. "I can't wait to hear him!"
Priss and Stella strolled over and stood one on either side of Anne.
"Come on, Miss Shirley," Priss said, taking Anne's hand. "It's time to show everyone here what an awesome guitarist you are."
"Oh!" Anne cried. "What if…"
"It's too late now, Anne," Stella interrupted, grasping Anne's free hand. "Don't worry, everyone just drools over Gil anyway. Nobody will even notice you're there."
"Let's go, girls," Phil said as she raced past them on to the stage, finally coming to a halt behind her drums.
Phil smiled at Jo, who was standing at the corner of the stage closest to her, before she smiled sympathetically at Anne.
"You're going to be great, honey," Phil declared. "And Stella's right. No one is even looking at us while Gil's singing. Except Jo, of course. Ooohh, I just adore him." She blew him a kiss.
Anne carefully placed the guitar strap over her shoulder, willing herself to focus on the chords of the first song and not daring to look up at the audience, even though she knew Diana and Fred were standing right in front of her. She took some more deep breaths, closing her eyes as she tried to relax.
She was so busy concentrating on playing that she hadn't noticed the cheering from the audience growing louder at Gil's entrance from the other side of the stage. She looked up involuntarily as he started to sing. He was sauntering across the stage towards her, his hips swaying in time to the music, watching her closely and smiling. As her eyes found his, he winked at her before he spun to face the audience, tossing his head to the side as he flicked the curls out of his eyes.
Anne had grown a little more accustomed to hearing Gil's singing in rehearsals, so her responses to him had abated slightly in recent weeks. But now, her senses were so heightened that she was hypnotised by him again, just as she'd been that first night she heard him at Patty's Place. Gil's singing voice was sending jolts of nervous energy up and down Anne's spine, so she forced herself to focus on her guitar, and barely dared to look up during the first few songs.
At the end of the first set, they played the song Gil had written. Anne was concentrating intently, staring at her guitar. It was the song she was least confident playing, because they'd had far less time to rehearse it, so she hardly dared to move her eyes at all.
Anne hadn't been listening to the lyrics because she was concentrating on her playing. But when Gil sang the lyric 'There's another, not a sister',* she felt a shiver course through her body and it made her glance up. She was just in time to catch a glimpse of him turning his head away from her, his brown curls bouncing.
After the song finished, Anne was so relieved she couldn't move for a few seconds as she listened to the loud applause and cheering from the crowd. Finally, she blew out a long breath and turned to carefully put Fred's guitar away in its case. Phil was standing up behind her drum kit as Stella and Priss rushed over to Anne. Sophie had already clambered up onto the stage and was embracing Charlie enthusiastically, bass guitar and all.
Stella and Priss were hugging Anne as Phil skipped around her drums to join in, the tassel on top of her furry leopard skin fez dancing as she went.
Fred and Diana had climbed onto the stage as well.
"Oh, Anne, you were amazing!" Diana gushed, hugging her friend delightedly. "Fred and I couldn't get over it."
"You really were fantastic, Anne," Fred agreed.
Gil was returning his microphone to its stand, and Josie had immediately rushed over to him, grabbing the tail of his shirt to get his attention at the same time that he was turning to move towards Anne and the girls. There was a loud ripping noise as Gil's threadbare shirt was torn almost completely in half. He stopped and twisted his body with a look of astonishment, first at his damaged shirt, then at Josie, whose eyes lit up when she saw the additional skin on his back revealed by the tear.
The girls all gasped as they turned to see what had happened.
"Oh, Gil, I'm so sorry," Josie said insincerely.
Without even bothering to give Josie a reply, Gil turned and strode over to where Anne and the other girls were still gaping at him, his ruined shirt fluttering behind him.
"Gil! Your shirt," Phil was horrified as she lifted the back of his shirt where it was torn.
"Don't worry about it, Phil, it's an old shirt. Wasn't Anne great?" Gil was smiling and standing so close to Anne that she felt his arm brushing against hers. "I think the pronking was the key."
"That new song of yours, though," said Anne. "I was so nervous about it. I'm glad we played it in the first set, or I'd still be worrying."
Diana and Fred both looked at Gil closely, and he suddenly seemed fascinated by the floor in front of him, tracing a pattern on the stage with the scuffed toe of his black boot.
"Oh, hmmm, yeah, you played it very well, Anne," Gil mumbled a little inaudibly.
Anne couldn't decide if she was more baffled by his sudden nervousness, or Fred and Diana's sudden curiosity in Gil, but she didn't have a chance to comment as Roy approached them.
"Well, I'm sure you must be relieved that's over, Anne," Roy stood close to Anne, placing his hand possessively around her waist and pulling her away from Gil slightly. "You were really excellent."
*Adapted from AotI, Chapter XXV, 'Enter Prince Charming'.
*Josie's comment and Anne's reply from AotI, Chapter II, 'Garlands of Autumn'.
* As mentioned previously, Gil's song was inspired in part by 'Bingen on the Rhine' by Caroline Norton.
