Tell Me What?

Anne with an E inspired fan fiction by Cheryl C. Malandrinos

Disclaimer: I do not own the Anne with an E television series, the Anne of Green Gables book series, or any of the characters.

Anne stood outside the mansion wondering why Winifred was acting so strangely. All I am trying to do is be friendly. She seemed so nice when we met at the fair.

After a few more odd statements and something about unrequited, Anne decided to leave well enough alone, so she wished Winifred and Gilbert a happy life and turned to go, raising her parasol onto her shoulder.

"Wait," called Winifred. "You really don't know."

By the time she had said "know," Anne had turned back around.

"Gilbert didn't tell you anything?" Her beautiful face, covered by a stunning blue straw hat trimmed with ribbons and feathers, scrunched into a look of confusion.

This conversation became stranger by the second.

"Tell me what?" asked Anne, her mouth gaping open.

Winifred clasped her hands in front of her and released a sigh. "I have a few moments before I head to the ferry landing. Let's sit down."

She led Anne to the large wrap around porch. Winifred's poise and elegance made Anne green with envy. Oh, how she wished she could be as beautiful as the young woman who had captured Gilbert's heart. But, no, she was scrawny, red-haired, freckled, and when she cried her entire face turned red. Why would Gilbert choose her over Winifred, or Winnie as he fondly called her?

Winifred extended her arm out to the white, wicker chair next to the matching love seat with its floral seat cushions. She sat on one side of the love seat, placing her handbag and gloves down next to her. Anne perched at the edge of the chair cushion and laid her now closed parasol across her lap. The lace of the beautiful dress Marilla had made seemed to tighten around her throat.

What could she possibly tell me? The pieces of the torn-up note from Gilbert she put back together said they were parting ways and that he didn't love her…with her own fountain pen he had crushed her hopes and dreams into little bits, like when Marilla used a mason jar to crush peppermint candy to sprinkle on Christmas cupcakes.

"I'm sorry for my rudeness, Anne. I thought Gilbert had spoken to you."

She could see this conversation was not easy for Winifred. Were those tears glistening in her eyes?

"No, I haven't really seen him…other than the last day of school."

Winifred smoothed her skirt, though it had not a wrinkle in it. "Two weeks ago, Gilbert paid me a visit. Foolishly, I thought he came to ask me to marry him." She blinked several times. "So many people expected our engagement."

Anne could barely breathe. Is she saying he didn't propose? Her hands squeezed her parasol. What happened between them?

Winifred turned her head away, the fingers of one hand rubbing the fingers on the other. "He came to break it off with me."

Anne's mouth dropped open. What! "I'm—I'm so, so sorry."

By the time Winifred faced her again, the beautiful blonde had regained her composure. "Don't be." The ringlets cascading along the sides of her face bounced when she shook her head. "What kind of life would I have with a man whose heart would never belong to me?"

Anne slouched against the chair's back. "I don't know what to say."

Winifred shrugged. "There really isn't much to say. You won." Her gaze wavered. "Gilbert loves you."

"But, but, but he doesn't," sputtered Anne. "He, he, he couldn't." She clasped her cheeks in her hands. They felt hot. Was she blushing? She hoped not. Then she would look like a big, red cherry. "I wrote him a letter telling him I loved him, and he never responded. He never said a word about my letter. Not that I blame him after—"

Winifred smiled. Anne's words had trailed off. "After what?"

Anne closed her eyes and exhaled. She leaned in because she knew her voice would come out barely above a whisper. "After he showed up at the ruins the evening of our entrance exams to Queens."

She hesitated to speak of it. Gilbert came to her that night because his heart struggled. If only she hadn't been afraid of making the wrong choice, though she wasn't in her right mind after the moonshine. If I could only turn back time and tell Gilbert that I love him.

"Why did he go?" asked Winifred with eyes appearing to beg for understanding.

How could Anne break her heart even further by telling her Gilbert came to the ruins that night to admit the one thing standing in the way of him accepting Winifred and a future brighter than he would ever have in Avonlea was her?

Anne glanced over at the driver sitting atop the coach waiting for Winifred. A few seconds later and she would have missed them. Anne pointed at the coach. "Where were you going?"

Winifred raised her chin. "Paris. My parents have a flat there. I thought I would finish my studies abroad."

Running away, thought Anne. Well, at least the likelihood of Gilbert bumping into Winnie and questioning what she told her was slim. "All the students who took the entrance exams went to the ruins to celebrate. Gilbert showed up later. We talked about him pursing his dreams and attending the Sorbonne."

Winifred raised her eyebrows. "Is that all?"

"He mentioned your father gave his permission for Gilbert to propose."

Winifred's cheeks turned red. "So, I am made a fool of," she said in a horse voice filled with emotion.

Anne reached out and clutched her hand. "Not at all. Not to me."

Winifred stood. "I really need to go. They won't hold the ferry for me." She picked up her gloves and her bag.

Anne stepped out of the way and walked side-by-side with Winifred down the stairs. They stopped in front of the coach. "I'm glad I saw you before you left for Paris. I hope you enjoy studying there."

Winifred raised a finger in the air. "Will you do me a favor, Anne?"

"Of course."

"Find Gilbert and tell him that you love him."

Anne's eyes must have widened so much that her eyebrows might have disappeared under the rim of her blue hat. Every part of Anne's body tingled with nervous energy. Does Gilbert really love me?

"Tell him you love him and make him happy."

Without another word, Winifred stepped into the coach. Anne watched as the driver prompted the horses and the coach pulled through the white metal gates. She glanced down the road to make sure Winifred couldn't see her and raced down the street. I have to tell Gilbert I love him!