Diana was nervous about college, but as the first few weeks went by it became easier. She had come a long way since her time in Avonlea. The raven-haired girl was going to be sent to France for finishing school, but she fought against her parents. They had finally allowed her to come to Queen's College. Diana didn't plan to go into a huge career but would go for her generals. She would room with Anne, her bosom friend. To wrap the endless surprises, it turns out Gilbert and Anne had finally proclaimed their love to each other. Diana was glad they had finally shared their feelings, of course, she did have a hand in it.
Anne had often spent lots of time at her desk writing to Gilbert. He was in Toronto attending college. Anne and he were pen pals. Diana would sometimes watch her stare at the paper in candlelight for minutes before finally deciding what to write. Anytime a letter came from Gilbert, Anne would shut herself in for the night and read it multiple times before starting the process over again. Diana recalled when Gilbert had gone to work on a steamship, and Anne had refused to give Ruby the letter he sent to her. Anne had insisted she had no feelings for Gilbert, but obviously, that was proven wrong.
Diana was now walking with her bosom friend in the courtyard. Their arms linked together. It was mid-afternoon, and some couples were sitting together and eating lunch. When Anne got the sight of them, she sighed but didn't say anything. "You're missing him?" Diana asked.
"Dreadfully. I feel as if I'm in the depths of despair, but I know he thinks of me every day. He's told me so many times in his letters. Although I am grateful to have you here. My bosom friend." Anne sighed again. "What is a romance without its tragedy? I always thought that I would be the bride of adventure, so I guess I'm lucky to have someone who is actually interested in me."
"Charlie was," Diana reminded. "He even put you on the notice board, remember?"
"I suppose you're right," Anne nodded. "But then he also said that a women's thinking can cause her to be barren. That's ridiculous. It made me appreciate Gilbert even more than before though. He would never discourage my forever-running thoughts. I suppose we should try out other things before we settle. I'm just glad I didn't have much heartbreak." They both sat down on a blanket spread over the grass with their lunch baskets. They continued to chat about classes and events coming up.
"I thought I could smell strawberry tarts," Tillie's voice came from behind them. As she sat on the blanket the gust of wind blew over the courtyard. "My, it's getting colder by the day."
"I've always loved autumn," Anne proclaimed. "I don't feel so alone with the leaves turning red. I'm so glad to live in a world with Octobers."
"I think it is a beautiful season," Diana took a breath of the cold air. "And so is your hair." Anne smiled at her, which she returned.
"There you are," Jane plopped down next to Tillie. "I almost went walking around the school like a duck before I saw you guys." They all giggled softly as they divided their lunches. It made Diana feel like they were back in school. They all went around chatting about their day.
"So," Tillie took a bite of strawberry tart. "Did you guys see the flyer of the dance coming up?"
"Tille," Jane furrowed her eyebrows, "That isn't for another couple of months."
"It's never too early to start looking for a partner," Tillie grinned. The girls laughed, but Diana's smile faded away for a moment. She recalled the last time she danced. At the county fair, with Jerry.
"What's all this laughing about?" Josie's voice seemed stern. They all turned to look up at her and Ruby. "Without us? How dare you?" The laughter continued as they settled themselves down.
"We're just talking about the winter ball." Diana tried to push the memory of Jerry from her mind.
"And dates to go with," Tille giggled as she said this. Tillie and her romances.
"I think you mean suitors," Ruby raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah," Anne grinned. "I'm sure Moddy will be glad to take you."
"Maybe he'll be playing," Ruby smiled to herself.
"Oh no," Josie shook her head, "This is classical kind of stuff. No more jumping up and down folk music. We're in college now. Things are starting to get real. Think of more classical piano and violin. Everyone dancing the same step. This time it'll be with only one partner though."
"So it looks like Tillie will have to choose one man," Jane nudge her friend. Tille blushed as they giggled.
"Diana," Anne looked at her. "You should try to play."
"No, I-" Diana shook her head. "I don't exactly like that kind of music to play. It's very hard. I'm not that great."
"Well of course you are," Ruby encouraged. She shook her head, and the girls continued to chatter. Diana thought of her Aunt Josephine's party. The professional player had asked her if she wanted to play piano for a career. She was so confused about what she wanted then. She was still confused, but at least she knew she didn't want to do that for the rest of her life.
"I assume you'll write to Gilbert straight away, Anne?" Jane asked, packing up her lunch.
"I just sent a letter a few days ago, so I assume a response will be coming next week, then I may mention it." Anne seemed to be hiding her excitement. Wind raced through the girls. Diana felt her hat fall off of her head. She tried to catch it, but it kept rolling away. She got up and chased it. Many attempts she made to get it, but another hand snatched it before she could.
Her eyes followed the strong hand as it lifted her white-rimmed hat from the grass. Another hand came into view and wiped off the dead leaf from its hiding place under the blue ribbon. Diana's brown eyes looked up to meet another blue pair. She studied his face carefully. A square-shaped face lined with dark hair, but lighter than hers. He was very handsome.
"This seems to be yours," his voice was deep, but Diana recognized it.
"Fred Wright?" Diana raised an eyebrow.
"Hello, Diana." He had looked so much different than before. He was no longer lanky in shape but filled out. He was in her class all of these years, and she had never noticed them.
"I didn't know you were coming to Queen's," Diana didn't take her eyes off of him.
"Yes I didn't truly know myself until a couple of weeks before class," Fred smiled, "It's good to see you, Diana." He held out the hat to her, and she took it from him, but her eyes remained on him. He was just so handsome
"Yeah," Diana snapped herself out of her daze, "You too. Much obliged for catching my hat before the wind would take it into the pond." He nodded and continued on the sidewalk. Diana turned and watched him walk. She was so surprised to see him this way. Normally, she wouldn't give him a second glance, but here she was now staring at him. She put her hat back on and quickly walked back to the girls to see they were packing up their lunches.
For a moment nobody said anything. "Who was that?" Anne was the first to speak. She handed Diana her lunch basket.
"Fred Wright," Diana looked back at him. He was nearly a dot to her vision, but she couldn't take her eyes away.
"I didn't know he was going here," Jane stood next to Diana and watched. "I used to have the biggest crush on him when we were about Minnie May's age." Diana somehow felt offended by this.
"Maybe he'll take you to the ball, Jane. And rekindle your love." Tillie teased.
"Oh stop it, Ms. Romantic," Jane nudged her.
"Well, dances are quite romantic," Anne said in a dreamy voice.
"I'm sure he's courting with someone," Diana said abruptly. What was she thinking? She didn't know anything. "I mean, if we haven't noticed him for the whole first month we were here he must be spending his time with somebody."
"I'm sure Moody would have mentioned it by now," Ruby shook her head. "I'm sure he would know since he's friends with him."
"You can only tell so much when you're stuck in the parlor for two hours to talk," Josie shrugged. She was mentioning the suitor rule Mrs. Blackmore had for them. Diana couldn't figure out why there was such a small time limit. She supposed Mrs. Blackmore didn't want any trouble.
"That's not the only time we talk," Ruby defended. The two started to go back and forth, but Diana tuned them out. She continued to watch Fred go up the stairs into the library. Something was different about this Fred Wright than the one she knew in grade school.
Later that night, Anne was sitting in her room. She clipped the golden half heart necklace from her neck. "You know Diana, I think I will always cherish this the most. They symbolized how far we've come. Diana?"
Anne looked over to the bed covered in a blue comforter with white decorative lace. Diana sat on it, undoing her bun, and letting her raven locks fall. She was looking at the candle on her nightstand. Anne studied her eyes. They seemed to be in a daze. "Hmm?" Diana said, but she remained in the same state.
"What are you thinking about? Are classes troubling you?" They only had a few classes together. With Anne wanting to be a teacher and Diana doing generals, Anne did have to go through a teaching degree course.
"No," Diana turned her gaze to Anne. Her skin lit up by the small flame. Anne took in the beautiful color of the flame light had projected on Diana's hair. A deep orange that reminded her of leaves in the light of the sunset. "I was just thinking of home."
"What do you miss from home?"
"Not much," Diana shrugged, "Mother. Father. Minnie May. The small shack. Dare I even say it, the schoolhouse." Anne knew what Diana was really thinking of. Any memories that gave her a glimpse into what Fred Wright was like.
"I miss the lake of shining waters," Anne laid back on her bed and closed her eyes. She imagined standing in the warm sun, seeing the light bounce off the lake. "The peacefulness and the birds. Of course, I like it here in the city, but sometimes it's hard to think. It's a different kind of scope for the imagination."
"Yeah," Diana yawned. "I'm sure you miss Green Gables."
"Oh, don't even get me started." Anne was now imagining it. The white house with the green roof. Marilla standing there at the door, ringing the bell. Matthew coming up from the barn. Jerry going home to his family with some sort of baked good from Marilla. Anne was sure to tell Marilla to make Jerry something every day. To make it something Jerry could remember her by. "I miss everyone, but this a new chapter of our lives. We can't miss out on opportunities."
"Yes," Diana said softly as she climbed into bed. "Oh my. It's five after ten, better get to bed before Mrs. Blackmore catches us." She blew out the candle. Anne turned down her lamp as footsteps were echoing down the hall. With the door creaking open, Mrs. Blackmore saw the girls asleep and closed the doors. After a few moments, Anne heard Diana whisper. "Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams, my dearest Diana."