Gilbert was running through Kingsport! He was tired had studied constantly but he was elated at this moment! His results in hand and some news which meant! Oh at least one of his dreams could come true!
"GilBERT!" a voice stopped him in his tracks. "What on earth is making you run through the streets of Kingsport like a child! Have some dignity!" it snapped.
"Christine sorry but I really must!" Gilbert said with the biggest smile on his face Christine had ever seen.
"Well come on then out with it." Christine said deadpan.
"I've came first in my class Christine, and I've got the Cooper prize! Christine I can go to med school!" He said the smile still on his face.
"The Cooper prize? That's impossible! That hasn't been taken for FIVE years!" she looked at him in amazement and disbelief. "Well where were you going in such a rush?" She continued deadpan.
"To find Anne of course." He said confused.
"Anne? What does your old girlfriend have to do with this? Why would she want to know?" She snapped.
He opened his mouth then shut it again. He had thought moments ago, the first person he wanted to tell was Anne. She would be so proud! Like she had always been proud of him! His smile faded as he thought on what Christine said. "Oh." He said. "I just thought…" he said confused. Was he on auto pilot? Would Anne care to know?
"You silly boy, thinking she would care about this. It's not that important."
Gilbert felt a sting enter his chest "Not that important? Christine this means I can fulfill one of my dreams."
Just as he talked he saw Anne, alright so it was with Roy which hurt a little but she would want to know! She would.
"Anne!" He called.
He looked to Christine who looked rather crossed, he couldn't understand her problem, Roy was his problem not hers.
They came over together Anne smiling at them as she approached.
"Gil." She said with a smile. "We were just heading into the college for our results have you been already? is that it?" She asked looking at the paper.
He nodded and smiled. "Here, you read." He said his heart leaping again.
Anne smile went to full at the results. "First in your class with highest marks, Gil, this is wonderful!" she said.
"Look at the other sheet of paper." Gilbert said his smile widening.
"Dear Mr Blythe… we hearby award you…" Her face widened to a smile then looked at him with a glimmer in her eyes he swore was reserved just for him. "This has to be a hugging moment!" she said. "Please say it's a hugging moment?" she asked him.
"I think so." He said his own grin widening. She handed the papers to Roy as she and Gilbert embraced in a close hug.
"I knew it! I knew you would do it!" she said in the embrace.
"Honestly its not that important." Christine muttered loud enough for Roy to hear.
"You did?" he asked her pulling back out the hug addressing only Anne.
"Of course I did! You amazing man! You can do it! Oh Gil you can go to medical school just as you always wanted, I'm so proud of you!"
Roy who had looked at the paper he had been handed. "The Cooper Prize!" Roy looked to Christine "Come now Christine that's a prestigious achievement, give the boy a break." He said genuinely but couldn't help but see the jealous look in Christine's face. "Surely we can give them this moment, they've known each other a long time, of course they want to share it together." He looked to Gilbert "Gilbert congratulations!" he exclaimed a little in shock, "That hasn't been claimed in five years! That's extraordinary."
"Oh thank you." He said to Roy as he took the letter again and let Anne stand back in her previous position.
Roy smiled "Tell you what? Christine and I shall walk with you both, but why don't you escort Anne to her results Gilbert, I'm sure she can share the good news with us all at the same time."
Gilbert looked to Roy, did he know their romantic history? He thought Anne might have told him but if he knew this was a little unusual. "That's really thoughtful."
"Are you sure Roy?" Anne asked him.
Roy smiled at the pair. Anne and he had become very close over the last six months in particular. He was on the brink of proposing to her any day. She had been a lot more lively since she had made up with Gilbert, despite there no longer being a romantic attachment there it was obvious at least to him they still cared deeply for each other, they deserved to celebrate what they could together. "It's not as if Christine and I will be far behind, isn't that right Christine?"
Christine looked angry but didn't speak instead took Roy's arm Gilbert and Anne linked arms in front of them, Christine couldn't tell but the two talked so animated to each other it was obvious a bind was still there, they walked laughing and joking together.
"I suppose you were right Roy." She said to her companion. "We can give them the results at least." She smiled. "I'm surprised you're so liberal considering their past."
Roy felt unsteady, not because of their past he knew their past but why would she bring that up now? "Well we must find exceptions; I don't think anything untoward happened between them. And look now its innocent enough."
Christine stormed inside, he knew already? "No, I suppose he's still an eligible bachelor and by extent she an eligible maiden." She said knowing she wasn't going to go far. "I'm glad of that; he will make an excellent husband one day." She said planting the seed.
"Do you mean?" Roy asked her. "Do you think he shall ask you?"
She grinned satisfactory. "The timing would make sense aren't you going to?" she asked him.
Roy blushed. "I must confess I was planning on it yes. But don't tell Anne I want it to be a surprise."
Christine smiled in satisfaction. "You can depend on me."
Once Roy and Anne had parted ways Christine held Gilbert's arm and looked to him. "I should apologise." She said to him.
Gilbert looked confused. "What for?" he asked.
"My reaction to your news, I just couldn't believe it, I was in shock, I am proud of you." She told him.
"Thank you." He said quietly.
"She's a lucky women," Christine said shaking her head lightly.
"Hmmm?" he said only half listening.
"Anne, having such a nice beau." Christine said. "I wish them every happiness when she says yes."
Gilbert stopped and looked at her. "What?" he asked not believing his ears.
Christine looked to him as if it was common knowledge. "Come now Gilbert they've been constantly with each other, I'm surprised he's waited this long."
Gilbert felt his new found energy drain from him. His fears were turning into reality. Anne was going to be proposed to by someone else and she was bound to say yes this time. An empty hollow hit his stomach he felt what was left of his colour drain from him.
It was over.
