Authors note: thank you so much for your comments!! I loved reading them, they make me feel so good!!:)))

Also today's story has a little bit of Josie Pye and Billy Andrews in it,so I hope you enjoy that!

P.S sorry for the late update, am currently working on the next chapter so hopefully I'll be able to update sooner

CHAPTER EIGHT

Being around the house was starting to feel strange to Anne. Anne woke up to the smell of breakfast set already at the table, without Anne having to set it. She sat down at the table silently, not knowing what to say. Marilla seemed to feel the same way, sitting across from her without saying a word. They both ate quickly and in silence.

Finally, when Anne finished she spoke. "If you won't be needing me today, I think I want to take a walk." She told her, "I just need to clear my head."

"Sounds alright to me." Marilla said, still eating.

Anne paused, thinking of something to say. Something that might make this situation a little better for the Both of them. When she found nothing, she nodded slightly and left the table to get her coat. Anne wondered if it was always going to be like this. Not being able to enjoy breakfast as she did before. Anne desperately hoped it wouldn't. She loved Marilla, and didn't want to make her feel like she didn't appreciate her every bit as she did Matthew, as she still appreciates Matthew.

But she knew that she was still hurting over the loss of her dear father, and as much as she wanted to make sure Marilla didn't feel unloved, she knew she couldn't just forget him. Not that Marilla would ever expect her to, but how could she ever be the same ever again with the person she loved so dearly gone forever?

Anne was surprised at herself when she found herself walking towards Gilbert Blythe's house. It just came to her unconsciously, without thinking. It wasn't like she walked to Gilbert's house often. So why was she so drawn to it? She remembered how safe she felt with him around, and she figured she was just looking for some comfort, and she knew she would be able to find it here.

Anne was already at the door, she took a deep breath before reaching to knock at the door, then stopped. What was she doing here? Her father had just died and all she could think about was Gilbert? What would people think of her? What would Matthew think of her? Anne dropped her hand and turned around before she could change her mind.

"Anne?" She heard Gilbert say just as she was stepping off their porch. She felt almost instantly better hearing him say her name. She smiled slightly, still facing away from him, But then quickly cleared her throat, the smile disappearing from her face as she turned slowly to face him.

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Gilbert couldn't hide his happiness to see Anne. He'd been thinking about her since the funeral. He had selfishly gone to see her three times since, but decided against it. He figured it would be very insensitive of him to see her when she'd been grieving.

But there she was, standing there in all her beauty. He fought the urge to pinch himself to see if it was really her, and not just his imagination, as that would happen to him a lot when he was in Toronto. She was standing there with her hair in braids, the way he loved. He then decided that they were his absolute favorite.

"Anne." He repeated, not able to wipe his smile off his face "I didn't expect to see you so soon."

Gilbert watched as her expression instantly fell. "Well, I-" she stammered, "I should go. I'm sorry I didn't mean to disturb you, I'll take my leave."

Gilbert closed the distance and without thinking, wrapped his arms around her. He felt her ease out of her shock and melt into him. Her breathing was finally beginning to slow, as he held her tighter. He told himself this was for her, and not at all because he just loved the way she felt in his arms.

Anne squeezed her eyes shut, as she pulled out of their hug, not able to look him in the eye. Gilbert lifted her chin to face him and gazed at her. It was hurting him so much to see her in so much pain. He wanted to do something to be able to make this better for her.

"Maybe," Gilbert started, "We could spend the day together, help you take your mind off of things. I want to be able to help. But only if you want to. I understand if it's too soon."

Anne looked away, seeming to be contemplating his offer deeply. "Or I can take you home." He offered. " whatever you prefer."

Anne shook her head slightly. "No… I'd like to spend time with you." She told him. " But I should get home, Marilla will be waiting for me."

Gilbert nodded slightly, trying his best to hide his disappointment. He had missed Anne. And selfishly, was looking forward to spending time with her this Christmas break. But He loved Anne, and he knew Anne needed her space right now.

"But maybe tomorrow?" She asked him. Gilbert's eyes lit up, and let himself smile, but only slightly and for half a second.

"I'll come by Green Gables tomorrow at noon." He told her.

Anne frowned, seeming to be wondering whether she made the right decision, then nodded.

It took everything in him not to pull Anne into a kiss right then in there. Oh how he'd missed her lips on his. But settled for lifting her hand up to his lips and kissing it lightly.

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Diana wasn't even thinking about Jerry when she walked up to Anne's house, in hopes to see her dear bosom friend. She brought Anne's favorite flowers, marigolds. She knew she would be absolutely devastated at the loss of Matthew, and she wanted her to know that she'd be there for her whenever she was ready. Those were her only intentions when she arrived at Green Gables.

She definitely wasn't expecting to see Jerry at the door. "Jerry?" She asked confused, "What are you doing here?"

"Uh… I work here." Jerry replied, also surprised to see Diana.

"Right." Diana said nervously, "of course."

"Anne's gone out." Jerry told her after a long moment of silence.

"I see." Diana said. She stared at Jerry for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing at the awkwardness between them. Jerry looked at her very confused. "Diana?" He asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm so sorry." She said, still laughing. "I don't know what's come over me. I just-" she said before bursting into another fit of laughter.

Jerry couldn't help but smile back at her. As much as he wanted to fight it, he liked to see her happy, even if he couldn't understand why she was acting the way she was. He realized the only thing he liked than seeing her happy, was being the one to make her happy.

Finally, Diana took deep breaths and regained her posture. She took a good look at him. He looked good. He'd always looked good to him, even when they were kids, and he'd shamelessly flirt with her in french. But even then she knew she could never be with him. Well, her parents would never allow it.

But now things were different. She wasn't as afraid of disappointing her parents as she was then. She was ready to take risks, and be herself no matter what her parents have to say about it. She felt she owed it to herself and not to anyone else.

"Anyway." She said gazing at him.

"Anyway." He repeated.

She bit her lip slightly and cleared her throat, "Can I ask you to give these to Anne when you see her?" She asked him, gesturing at the flowers.

"Of course." He said, taking them from her. Diana looked as if she was going to say something else, then thanked him and started to walk away. She was approaching the gate when she heard him run up to her behind her.

"Diana!" he called after her. Diana turned to face him, intrigued by the fact that he had actually called her name, and not just let her walk away. Maybe he wasn't so angry at her anymore.

"I just thought I'd let you know that," Jerry said, fidgeting nervously with the flowers, "I'll be staying here… I mean you might see me here more often…. In case… maybe you-"

"Thank you, Jerry." She said, "That's good to know."

Jerry smiled at her and tipped his hat off to her, then turned around to walk back to Green Gables. He thought about how great it was to see her again. She looked positively radiant as she always did. It was hard to stay mad at someone so enchantingly beautiful. But it still made him sad that he would never get to be with her the way he wanted to be. Even though he knew he wasn't good enough for her, He decided he would work hard to be the man she deserved.

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Josie Pye was surprised to be thinking of Matthew that day on her daily walk. She didn't know him that well, but from what she heard at his funeral, she could tell he really loved her, and would do anything for her. She admired the way he always stood by her, no matter what. It made her think of when her own parents pushed her to marry Billy Andrews even after what had transpired at the fair. She remembered how scared she was of him, of what he would do to her. She was so scared that she'd have to marry him after all, and spend the rest of her life in fear.

Just then she heard steps creep up behind her. The day at the fair had made her more jumpy than she used to be. As much as she tried to talk herself into convincing herself it was nothing, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

She took a deep breath of confidence and turned around to face her stalker. "Who's there!" She yelled out into the woods. " I know you're there, I heard you!"

She gasped in surprise when she saw Billy Andrews leave his hiding spot behind a tree very slowly.

He fixed his posture and cleared his throat. "Good day, Josie" He greeted her, as if it was perfectly normal for him to hide behind a tree to watch her go on her evening walk.

Josie wanted to scream and yell at him. Finally say all the things that she'd been thinking about every time she saw him. But she couldn't find the words to say. She had never seen him the way he looked today. He looked completely humbled. She was at complete loss of words.

She quickly snapped out of it and straightened her posture and turned away from him saying "I have nothing to say to you." which was half true. She had plenty to say to him, just couldn't seem to say it.

"Well that's good." He said running nervously after her, "Because I have something I would like to say to you."

Josie kept her eyes fixed on the path ahead of her, not even offering him a sideways glance. "I regret not being able to truly apologize for what I did to you." He told her, walking briskly at her side. "It took me a while to get there, but I now realize that what I did was wrong. And I'm very sorry."

Josie finally stopped and glared at him "Did you Billy?" She asked sarcastically, "You realized what you did was wrong? It was more than 'wrong', Billy, It was cruel. Just plain EVIL. And that's not even your first offence! You've been making lives at school miserable since we were kids! You've always been the same selfish, awful, ABOMINABLE man you are today! Men like you deserve to be behind bars!"

"I know!" He yelled back. Josie's face softened when she saw that Billy's eyes were starting to water with tears.

"I know." he repeated, "I've been beating myself up about it for a while now. I can't believe or explain how horrible I was, not just to you but to everyone. I want to make it right. I'd do anything to make it right."

Josie scoffed, not ready to let down her guard, "And I'm just supposed to believe you?" SHe asked him, mockingly, "after everything?"

Billy sighed, "Well, no." He said, "Of course not." He thought for a moment, staring at the ground, then lifted his eyes to her face.

"I know it'll be difficult." He started, "But I'm prepared to prove my… feelings…. for you, one way or another. Even if it means starting off as friends first."

Josie was shocked. She had no idea he still felt something for her, after all this time. She didn't know someone could hold onto someone for so long. It must've taken a lot of pride for him to admit that he still liked her, even though she seemed indifferent to him.

"Besides," He said looking into her eyes, "Anything worth having takes work."

Josie became breathless for just a second, Then quickly snapped out of it, turning around and continuing her walk.

"I'll see you around, Miss Pye." Billy said before leaving.

Josie allowed herself to turn around and watch him as he walked away. She thought for a moment. He seemed genuinely sincere. And it wasn't like she was always the nicest person either. If she could change, why couldn't he?

"Men like Billy Don't change." She reminded herself. "I'll never let myself make the same mistake again."

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