As soon as lunch was called Gilbert quickly put his workbook in his desk and pulled out his books and reached and linked arms with Anne. She smiled as she realised, yes it was because he loved being with her but also out of fright of Josie. Anne finished putting away her own items and looked at Gilbert. Josie who was lingering dangerously close on Gilbert's side so they looked at each other and both slid out of Anne's side of the desk. Re-establishing arm contact as soon as possible. They walked out the door with Josie stomping just in front of them and again went under the tree together.
"What you in the mood for?" He asked her. "Chaucer? Tennyson?" Gilbert asked sitting next to her.
"I want something a bit more... playful... do you have treasure island with you?" she asked him.
"Oh no I don't but..." He pulled out another book, "will Dickens do the trick?" he asked.
"Pickwick!" she exclaimed nodding taking the book from him and opening it, he smiled and took out a sandwich sat back on the tree closed his eyes and just listened and nibbled at his food for a couple of Paragraphs then swapped with Anne, they then feasted their food and the beginning of the novel.
"What on earth do they talk about?" Josie said to some of the other girls "they have nothing in common!" she proclaimed.
The statement confused everyone around her male and female alike.
"I don't know what you mean Josie?" Jane said practically, "they are everything alike."
"I know you put Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe together well no one understands their conversation but them." Ruby agreed.
"Charlie agrees with me." Josie stated. "don't you?"
Well although Charlie was a little hurt from Anne's rejection, she never implied they were anything but friends and he often wished Gilbert was there while she talked to translate! "well I dunno Josie they are both extremely clever and seem to be on the same page by the way they think."
"oh rubbish Anne had done nothing but flirt with you all year." Josie rubbed in, "I don't know how you can defend her?!" Josie exclaimed.
"She has not been flirting with Charlie!" Diana defended. "No offence Charlie." She added.
"Oh you would say that, she's your best friend, or is she? Stealing Gilbert from under your nose."
"Josie stop and be reasonable." Jane said calmly. "Anne had done nothing of the sort."
"We all have liked Gilbert." Ruby said cautiously. "he's a perfect gentleman and a pretty beau to boot, but he's never had heart for any of us Josie."
"And anyway haven't they always studied together?" Jane asked looking at the pair.
"and they've always been chummy, whispering and laughing together at things I don't even begin to understand!" Ruby said
"So the only thing that is new is that they were linking arms and walking close." Diana said settling the matter only herself knowing how long things had truly been going on for.
"And they have often walked together anyway... maybe we should have seen this coming." Ruby said sweetly then she smiled at Jane and Diana "lucky Anne!" the three giggled.
"Lucky Gilbert." Charlie added, Diana gave sympathetic look. Charlie shrugged. "Anyway it's not as if it's set I'm stone they were only linking arms." He added.
Everyone seemed satisfied with the conclusion of the group conversation, except Josie.
"Well I bet you are all on the edge of your seats for the last mock queens results." Miss Stacy told her queens class when the rest of the class were gone, both Anne's and Gilbert's heads shot up, Anne's hand found its way into Gilbert's lap which upon finding it there he clasped his hands in hers without thinking. "joint first: Gilbert Blythe and Anne Shirley." They sighed in relief and gazed at each other smiling. They suddenly realised their hands in each other's and let go in shock. They might be open about them being more then friends but holding hands as such they would be accused of a promiscuous scandal!
Gilbert's face blushed. Much like the day Mr Phillips had sat Anne next to him for punishment, he was suddenly acutely aware of her presence and it was right next to him! He suddenly felt like fourteen year old him he battled between his relationship now with Anne and the nervous wreak when he had found himself next to her that day. He closed his eyes. "fate smiled on you mate." He told himself. He felt Anne's hand slide between them on the seat and sweep itself parallel with the outside of his leg. He physically shuddered at her touch, She was playing with fire, he glanced at her, her eyes and body language were focused forward but her mouth told another story. A small grin played at the edges of her mouth. She knew what it was she was doing! He swallowed and looked back to her hand the back of which rested on his outer thigh! His body unable to assist in removing her hand from him because he was just enjoying it to much! The mixture of love and the possibly of being caught was thrilling and so appealing! Was it a rub off from keeping them a secret for close to 2 years, or was it something else entirely?
Anne initially had been shocked in the outburst blushing as much as Gilbert, but that closeness was wonderful! Oh she wanted it again and now, but how? She knew how close they were sitting and she was sitting on his right side to do with her left hand whatever she could. She slid her hand between them, as she did she did remember her surroundings and kept her face and attention forward as she stroked up his leg, she felt him shiver at her touch!
My what a thrill! She thought.
She could sense his eyes on her, she remained focused in front of her as a smile played on her lips. Yes this was dangerous! And she liked it! The back of her hand now rested on his outer thigh!
Both their thoughts were interrupted by Miss Stacy "Let's hope we all fair as well in the exams."
