A/N : Chapter 5 is finally here ! *cheers* I'm a little disappointed that the storyline timeline doesn't match our actual timeline but it's okay. I had a hard time writing this chapter I'm not a 100% satisfied with it. Hope you enjoy it !! please review


It's been two days since Anna confessed her feelings for John to herself and Mary. She didn't know how to deal with her feelings. She had denied her feelings for too long and now she was completely lost. She was sure of one thing, though : she was in love with John. She recalled every moment they had together since she met him in the parking lot before the school year started. She had liked him from the start but she wouldn't have said she was in love with him. Now, she would. Anna felt so safe when she was with John, the way he cared for her and looked at her made her feel loved. It's been a while since she felt something like that. Since him, she has closed her heart. Anna wasn't a cold person but she didn't let herself get caught in feelings anymore. She was friendly but never got too deep except with Thomas, Mary, Gwen and Mrs Hughes, whom she considered like the proper family she never had. But she had let John get into her heart. She had let him see who she really was. She wasn't afraid of that prospect like she should be. She trusted John, he wouldn't hurt her…at least not on purpose.

However, she felt anxious about the next step. Thomas had told her John felt the same but she didn't know. John was a secret man. He wasn't really the kind of person to wear his heart on his sleeve. He behaved like a very loving friend, that was it. They were very unsuited. He was a forty years old divorced man and she was a twenty-five years old woman who had only had one serious relationship. He was tall and large and she was small. He was an introvert and she was an extrovert. They were not meant to be together, yet, she felt like they were.

Anna was sitting on her sofa, a random TV show playing in the background. She was sipping a glass of wine, consciously avoiding Mary's texts and calls. Her best friend had tried to contact her all weekend without results. Anna wasn't ready to get lectured by Mary about what she needed to do. She knew she would tell her to act upon her feelings but Anna was still frightened. Tomorrow, she'll have to go back to school and face Mary…and John. She didn't know how she'll manage. She didn't want her feelings to create an odd mood between them.


On Monday morning, Anna parked her car in front of Downton Abbey. She gathered her wits and went to get out of her car when she noticed John, getting out of his car at the same moment. She backed out, hoping he hadn't seen her. She felt ridiculous, hiding away from one of her best friends. It wasn't something grown up adults did.

John saw Anna backing out and frowned. He thought it odd but didn't search further. He made his way to the teacher's entrance where he met Thomas, who greeted him in a more friendly way than usual. John greeted him back, confused. He wondered why everyone was acting weirdly today. He passed before the kitchen which was beautifully decorated with Halloween ornaments. There were pumpkins, ghosts, witches and black cats everywhere. John had never really cared about this holiday, even though he used to go out trick or treating with his friends when he was in middle school in Ireland. He smiled with nostalgia at that memory. He suddenly thought back to a conversation he had with Anna about Halloween where she had told him she loved it. She always decorated her and Mary's flat greatly. He smiled even more, recalling her face illuminating when she told him about her love for pumpkin carving, pumpkin spice lattes and other Halloweeny things.

He greeted Mrs Patmore and Daisy, who were cooking today's lunch. He smelled multiple autumnal scents : carrot cake (one of Anna's favorites), pumpkin soup, beef stew… Halloween was next Monday and everyone was getting in the mood and preparing the school for its annual Halloween Party. Mary told him it was a big event, on the Saturday before the holidays which all the teachers attended. John was the introvert kind, this sort of event wasn't really his type but it would be fun to go with his friends, especially Anna. She must be excited, knowing her love for the season.

When Anna set a foot in the school, she noticed all the Halloween decorations and had a small smile. With what happened, she had almost forgot how much she loved this holiday. She let herself be soaked up by the smells she loved so much. She entered the teacher's room where she was met by a smiling John, who was sitting at the table with two cups of what she guessed was pumpkin spice latte and two slices of fresh-made carrot cake.

"Hello, Anna. I've saved you some carrot cake. I know how much you love it" he said in a soft voice that made Anna's heart skip a bit. Why did he have to be so thoughtfull. No wonder, she had fallen for this man. He frowned and she realized she hadn't answered him yet.

"Hi John. Thanks, you shouldn't have." She said, clumsily. He smiled and she couldn't help but do it too. Her heart was having a hard time beating at a normal rate. She sat and ate it, without looking at John.

"Is everything alright ?" He asked

"Yeah, why do you say that ?" She waved off, still not looking up.

"Well, you won't look at me and I'm pretty sure you avoided me earlier in the parking" he replied and Anna blushed. He had seen her. She felt stupid for behaving this way. Yet, when she looked up and saw his beautiful hazel eyes, she couldn't help herself. She would make things awkward between them with her feelings.

"I have not… I think Mary wanted to see me" She said suddenly before standing up and leaving the room.

"Anna ?" John called.

She quickly climbed the stairs and walked to her class when she encountered Mary, who was looking at her with a dark look.

"Anna May Smith" she said firmly and Anna knew she was screwed.

"Mary" she replied.

"Why haven't you answered any of my texts or calls this weekend ?" She questioned.

"No more battery", she tried but Mary's look told her this was serious.

"What's up with you ? You told me you loved John and then-" Mary began to say but Anna almost jumped at her.

"Shh" she tried to hush her. Mary rolled her eyes.

"And then, you act like nothing happened. Let me guess, you didn't tell him ?" She asked and saw Anna looking away.

"Of course not… I don't want to ruin our friendship" Anna replied in a whisper.

"Bullshit !" Her friend told her.

"Mary, don't start," she pleaded.

"No, you don't start. You told me you loved him. Why won't you give yourself a chance to be happy ? " Mary was in disbelief at her friend's stubbornness.

"What if he doesn't like me back ?" Anna's voice wavered slightly when she asked this. Mary tried to comfort her with a smile.

"He likes you back," she said.

"He shouldn't" she mumbled, tears gathering in her eyes.

"Anna…"

"I'm not made for nice men like him…" She stated, her voice breaking. Mary knew why her friend was saying that and her heart broke for her friend. She wanted to hold her in her arms but decided against it and just said.

"That's not true"

The bell rang and Anna decided it was the end of their conversation and slipped into her classroom, leaving a bemused Mary in the corridor. Mary sighed, her best friend believed she wasn't worthy of John and it pained her.

Later that day, when the kids were on a break, Elsie went to Anna's classroom, which brightened her a little. She had been thinking about John all day. She didn't like to make things complicated but being near him was hard at the moment. She loved him but wasn't ready to risk their friendship. Elsie was like a mom to Anna. She had a very bad relationship with hers so she acted as a surrogate mother for her.

"Good morning Anna"

"Good morning Elsie"

"I have to know something" Anna tensed up a little at that sentence. For sure, Mary hadn't told Elsie about Anna's feelings for John ? "Are you still taking care of the Halloween party decoration's committee ?"

Anna sighed in relief and gave her a smile. This was her occasion to focus on something else than her confused feelings. She just hoped that John hadn't volunteered as well. She knew it wasn't his style but she still asked "who's with me ?"

"Joseph, Sybil and Matthew," Elsie told her. Anna was relieved.

"Yes, I'm still on board," Anna nodded and smiled.

"Thank you, love," the Scottish woman replied with a strong accent, before leaving the room.

At lunchtime, Anna joined the other members of the committee to decide how they will decorate the room for the party. She told Thomas and Gwen, she couldn't come have lunch with them but she didn't tell John.

He entered the room and sat in front of Gwen and Thomas. They both greeted him with an empathic smile and John wondered what was wrong.

"Anna hasn't arrived yet ?"

"She isn't coming." Gwen uttered with an awkward face.

"What do you mean ? She was here this morning.." John said, confused.

"She's on the decoration committee and she told us she couldn't come at lunch today" Thomas explained. His face seems to show compassion for John, which was rare.

"Why didn't she tell me ?" John was dazed. It seems like Anna is avoiding him. No, you're overreacting Johnny, she's just busy, he tried to reassure himself but deep down the feeling persisted. The others didn't answer his plea and they just ate, chatting randomly about movies and football. John decided to send a message to Anna, to be sure everything was alright between them.

Hi, Anna. Why didn't you tell me you weren't coming for lunch today ? Are you mad at me ?

Anna winced at the message. She was making the situation worse than it already was but she couldn't face him. She was so frightened to confess her love and she couldn't ignore her feelings for John. She decided that avoiding him was the best solution until she knew what to do.

I told Gwen so she could tell you.

John was hurt by her answer. He thought she considered him like one of her best friends. But it seems that she couldn't even tell him things directly. His heart broke a little. He liked Anna a lot. Bollocks, he was in love with Anna and the last thing he wanted was to lose her. Maybe she had learned about his feelings and was repulsed. She was so beautiful and young, she probably already had a boyfriend and this was awkward for her. John hoped it wasn't the case because he wanted to have Anna in his life, as a best friend or as a girlfriend but being without her was making him feel awful.


The next day, Anna still avoided John. She had lunch with the members of the committee. John's expression grew more sad. Even Rose coming into the library to have her usual chat with him didn't lighten his spirits.

"You look sad, Mr B.", Rose stated as she was helping him place books on their shelf.

"I'm fine," he shrugged.

"Are you sure ? You won't jump off a cliff, right ?" She said and he managed a chuckle.

"No, don't worry. It's a seasonal sadness" John knew he sounded fake but he couldn't display his whole love life in front of one of his students, no matter how close they were.

"Well, I hope you'll brighten up for Friday's meeting because right now you look like a sad teddy bear," she replied with her usual brightness. She was so like Anna sometimes, no wonder the two women got along so well.

The school was getting more Halloweeny as the days passed. The committee had been working hard on ideas and had found how they wanted the party to look like. Anna felt giddy for the first time since the start of the week. She almost forgot how her heart was torn with her sentiments for a moment. She was excited to be at the party, it had always been her second favorite moment at Downton Abbey (the first one being the Christmas party). Though, she knew John would be there and it would be harder to avoid him while at a party where people were expected to chat and have fun with each other. But she'll see when she gets to that moment.

She met Elsie in the corridor and stopped for a little chat.

"How is everything getting on with the party ?" She asked.

"Oh, we're managing splendidly. It'll look really good" Anna replied.

"I'm glad you're happy about it. You looked dreary at the start of the week" Elsie told her. Anna's face fell. Of course, Elsie had noticed she wasn't feeling well. She was like her mother and a mother knew when her daughter wasn't happy.

"I…"

"What was it, kid ? I may not be your mother but I know you. Has a man broken your heart ?" Anna looked surprised that Elsie could read her heart so easily.

"I'm afraid, it's the other way around, Elsie," Anna confessed in a small voice. She missed John deep down. She wanted to get back to how things were before but now she had screwed up everything and couldn't go back. She was so afraid of making a move, fearing it would end up badly.

"Oh Anna…" the older woman hugged her and Anna wanted to cry. She was being awful to the person she loved the most and it was hurting her as well. She felt like a monster.

"I don't know who that person is" Elsie began though Anna suspected that she did. Her other friends had known, it was more likely that Elsie knew too. "But I do think honesty is always the best policy"

"Thank you Elsie," Anna said, giving a hug to the lady.

Anna felt bad. She didn't want to hurt John but she felt like it was better to put some distance between them. He probably didn't like her back and she would just feel like a fool. Though, she was starting to wonder if it was worth ruining their friendship. He probably resented him now and she deserved it. But she kept persuading herself it was a good thing to do.

Later that day, Gwen entered the library where a sad looking John was unpacking a box of newly arrived mangas.

"Hello, Johnny boy" she greeted him with a smile. He didn't look up from his box.

"Hello, Gwen" he said with an uneven voice.

"You don't scold me for the nickname. Are you sick or something ?" She asked, as she got near him. He looked up and Gwen's face grew worried when she saw his sad expression.

"John, what is wrong ? Tell me, you know i'm your friend"

"Anna's been avoiding me" he blurted.

"She's just really bu-"

"She's avoiding me, Gwen. I don't know what I did but she doesn't want to talk to me or see me. I thought we were friends…" he interrupted her.

"You are friends, John. Anna likes you a lot. I'm sure whatever the problem is, it will solve itself soon" she tried to assure him but John really looked desperate.

"I love her…You were right, I love her" he confessed looking down.

"It's going to be okay, mate" Gwen comforted him, patting his shoulder. John seemed really hurt and Gwen was sad for her friend. She decided she would go and talk to Thomas to know what was going on.

At the afternoon break, Gwen went to the gym. She found Thomas in his office, scrolling through his phone. He smiled at her when she entered the room.

"Gwenie !" He exclaimed joyfully.

"Hey, Thommy. Can we talk about something ?" She asked seriously.

"Do I have to worry ? Are you very ill or pregnant ?" He wondered.

"No ? It's about Anna and John" She huffed.

"Oh. What do you have to say ?"

"They're pathetic. Anna's been avoiding him for a few days and John is desperate" she informed.

"Straight people…" Thomas rolled his eyes.

"You cried a whole week when Jimmy first rejected you" she retorted.

"Shut up" he chided her.

"Anyway, do you know why she's avoiding him ? I thought she was in love with him" she wondered.

"She is. But my little best friend is stupid and probably believes she's not deserving of a relationship" he explained.

"She has suffered a lot…" she tried to argue

"I know, Gwen, but I think she's suffering even more now…" he said, sadly.

"How do you make that out ?"

"She's rejecting the one she loves…and it's making them both suffer. She needs to realize that soon" he stated.


The next day, Anna sent a message to the Book Club to tell them that exceptionally their meeting on Friday would be cancelled because of the installation of the party. John looked at the message and sighed. She hadn't even discussed it with him beforehand. He felt his heart break a little more. It has been almost a week since she had last talked to him and he missed her so much. Each time he would catch a glimpse of her, she would fly away as fast. He had tried with messages and calls but he had no answers so he quickly stopped. She was mad at him, he didn't know why and he could only witness it. He didn't hate her, he just wanted to know why she was mad at him.

At lunch, Albert, Rose and William were eating together when the topic of Anna and John came up.

"It is so weird," Rose stated.

"I agree. I feel like my parents are divorcing." William gasped dramatically.

"Don't be ridiculous. They can't always be together" Albert chided him.

"But these days, they're never together and Mr B. looks so sad," Rose said.

"They weren't actually a couple, right ?" Albert asked.

"No but you see how perfect they are together. I don't understand why they're not already married" William told him.

"You're such a ninny", the other boy argued.

"I am not. I just find them romantic" William said, offended.

"At the moment, they're not very romantic," Rose retorted.

"What do you think happened between them ?" Albert wondered.

"I don't know but I don't like it !" Rose whined.

"Do you think we should help them reconcile ?" William questioned.

"No…Miss Smith is our teacher after all, she wouldn't want us to meddle in her private life", Rose said.


On Thursday late afternoon, the committee was painting the banner for the party. Anna and Joseph had been assigned to the task. They were both tracing letters with their brushes, chatting casually about what they loved the most about Halloween. Anna suddenly felt a tinge of sadness hitting her when she thought about how she used to have that kind of discussion with John. She was missing him more, though, she knew she was the one who purposely avoided him when he had done nothing wrong. She tried to chase that thought away and focused on the task.

When she was finished, she scratched her cheek and managed to get it covered in paint. Joseph, seeing this, quickly picked a tissue out of his pocket and whipped the paint out of Anna's face. She smiled at him and thanked him.

"You're welcome," he replied shyly and then added "A-Anna…I…erm"

"Do you want to ask me something, Joe ?"

"Yes…Erm, I was wondering if…erm… y-you could be my date at the Halloween Party ?" He stammered.

"Me ?" She looked at him to see if he was kidding.

"Yes"

"You want me to be your date ?" She asked, embarrassed.

"If you don't have one already" he explained, unsure. Anna thought about it. A week ago, she thought she would go with John, as a friend of course but with the actual situation, she realized there was no way they would go together. But at the same time, she knew she couldn't accept Joseph's proposal because she was in love with John. She wanted to go to that party with him.

"I was planning on going with someone else…" she half-lied. Joseph looked down, disappointed.

"I'm sorry, Joe. I just…You're a great guy and I like you very much…as a friend"

"No need to explain, Anna. Your heart belongs to someone else. I understand" he dismissed. His words registered with Anna. Yes, her heart belonged to someone else. Her heart belonged to John. John whom she was currently avoiding because she was a coward.

"Exactly," she replied.

Around 9 pm, as he was watching football on TV, Robert heard a knock on his door. He cursed under his breath whoever was disturbing him right now. When he opened the door, he was surprised to see his best friend looking dishevelled. He had been crying and by the smell emanating from him, drinking too. Robert looked at John, confused.

"She hates me !" His friend yelled. Robert winced and quickly shoved him inside before he woke the old neighbors.

"John, are you drunk ?" Robert asked, trying to prevent John from tumbling.

"I've messed up everything. She hates me now" John cried. He looked pathetic.

"Who are you talking about ?"

"ANNA !" he yelled again which caused Cora to get down the stairs.

"Marigold and Edith are sleeping, be quiet. What the heck is going on, Robert ?" She asked her husband when she took on John's state.

"He's drunk and whining about Anna," Robert explained to his wife.

"I've screwed up things. She is repulsed by me now !" John whined.

"Mate, what are you talking about ?" Robert tried to understand what John was going on about.

"She's been avoiding me aaall week. It's because I love her. She doesn't want an old drunkard loving her" he cried

"John, why have you been drinking ?" Cora asked softly but with a worried expression on her face.

"I love her, Cora. I love Anna but she doesn't love me back. Like Vera." He said, falling dramatically on the couch.

Cora and Robert exchanged a worried look. John hadn't been drinking since he divorced Vera. They didn't know what was going on between Anna and John but it was being serious. Their friend's health was impacted and it wasn't good. They helped him sober up with a huge cup of coffee and let him sleep on the sofa.


The next morning, John was awoken by Cora, with a big headache. He was surprised to find himself on Cora and John's couch.

"What am I doing here ?" he asked Cora, who was next to him.

"You came here drunk last night" she told him.

"I don't remember drinking", he ran a hand over his face, groaning.

"You looked bad, mate. You were whining about Anna not loving you back" Robert informed him.

"Oh, crikey", John cursed.

John went back to his flat to shower and get himself ready before heading to the school. He felt ashamed that his best friends had seen him so low. If this came to Anna's ears, he would look like a fool…a pathetic fool.

Anna arrived earlier than usual to make sure she wouldn't meet John on her way to work like she had all week. She entered the room and went into the teacher's room where she was met by Mary, who had been there since 7 this morning. Mary was looking at her with the same look she had the day before.

"Are you the only one here ?" Anna casually asked.

"Matthew's in his office, Papa and Gwen as well, the Carsons and the cooks are here as well" Mary replied coldly.

"What is the matter ?"

"The matter is that you're a bloody egoist !" Mary spat.

"What have I done ?" Anna rolled her eyes.

"You're hurting John ! He came to Papa's house yesterday and he was drunk" Anna gave a worried look at what Mary just told her.

"I…I… that's not what I want but I can't Mary…I just can't" She cried.

"I talk as the school psychologist but you have a trauma to heal"

"This is not about Alex…" Anna uttered silently and Mary gasped at the name Anna had just mentioned.

"If this is about your stepdad…"

"It's about every man in my life, Mary. I always attract weirdos, I'm afraid I'll turn him into a bad man if I let him in" She interrupted Mary.

"He won't hurt you," Mary assured her.

"I know that but I…I really love him, I don't want him to waste his qualities with me" Anna tried to say with an uneven voice.

"Anna Smith, you're the kindest, smartest, loveliest person I've ever met. You're not bad. You met horrible men who thought they could abuse you but that doesn't mean you're unworthy of love. I love you, Thomas and Gwen love you, the Carsons love you and John, he adores you"

"I don't want to hurt him anymore… I want to be with him" Anna's voice wavered.

"You should tell him what you feel, love", Mary suggested.

"But I've been an absolute dick to him. What if he doesn't want to forgive me ?" Anna wondered.

"He will, now go and get your man"

"Thank you, Mary ! You're a good friend to me", she thanked her friend.

"You're welcome, Anna"

Anna looked at her watch and realized John had probably arrived at the school. She ran to the library. She had to make her excuses to John. She hadn't realized how much she had been hurting him. She felt guilty, knowing that because of her he had been drinking. Her feelings didn't matter at the moment, all that mattered was him. He was the man she loved but before that, he was her best friend and she couldn't live with the knowledge she was ruining his happiness and health that way.

When she reached the library, she wondered what she was going to say. She was still frightened to confess her love for him. She still felt unworthy of the love of this sweet man. She decided she would apologize first and think about what to do after that. She knocked on the library door and came in. John looked up from his computer and his breath hitched in his throat when he saw her.

"Anna" he breathed.

"John"

"What are you doing here ? The Book Club is cancelled, remember ?" He said a little harsher than he intended to. Anna noticed and it felt like a stab in her heart. He was angry with her. He had every right to be.

"I came to apologize" she enlightened him.

"What ?" He stopped what he was doing.

"I've been an absolute dick these past few days and you didn't deserve that. I've not been myself lately but I should have never avoided you. I..I act stupidly sometimes. I hope you can forgive me" She apologized.

"I thought you were mad at me", John told her with a little voice.

"Why would I be mad at you, John ?"

John was taken aback by her question. She didn't know about his feelings then. He was relieved of that but now he felt anxious about what to answer. Should he confess ?

"I was mad at myself. I could never be mad at you, John", she assured him.

"I'm glad of that" He gave her one of those smiles which made her weak on her knees.

"I'm so sorry I made you feel bad. It wasn't my intention"

"I never believed you could purposely hurt me, Anna"

"You're not angry with me ?" She asked.

"I am not but please don't ever avoid me again. It hurts" he replied genuinely.

"I promise. Say, the Halloween Party is tomorrow. Do you want to go with me ?" She proposed, shyly.

"As your date ?" He asked and she blushed a little.

"If you want to call it that" she teased.

"Yes, I'll go with you"

"Perfect" She risked a quick kiss on his cheek. How she had missed the feel of his skin under her lips. She reddened and tried to gather herself.

"I missed you, Anna," he told her softly.

"I missed you too, John," she replied before leaving the room.


It was Saturday afternoon, Anna and Mary were at their flat trying on their costumes. Anna had told her best friend, she had apologized to John and was going to go to the party with him. Mary was very happy for her friend. Anna revealed that hadn't confessed yet. Mary encouraged her to do so during the party.

Mary was a lovely vampire wearing a bright red dress with a cut showing her leg. She had fake vampire teeth, painted with red paint falling down under her bottom lip. Anna was dressed as a dark angel. She had a knee-length black dress. The skirt part was covered with black feathers. She had matching feathery wings. She had thought about Mary's idea and decided she would confess during the night. She wanted to look perfect for this occasion. Anna still was afraid that John wasn't feeling the same for her but Mary assured her he did. It was the time to be brave.

At half past seven, Matthew and John arrived at the same time. Matthew had a warlock purple cape and a wand. John had fake paws and mouton shops so Anna suspected he was a werewolf.

"Wow, girls you look burning hot ! Don't they, John ?" Matthew slapped John's arm lightly for his confirmation but John was stunned by the sight. He had eyes only for Anna at the moment. A real angel in front of him. A dark angel.

"They do," he stammered.

"Thank you", the two women replied.

They climbed into Matthew's car and drove to the school. Downton Abbey was beautifully decorated. There were loads of pumpkins scattered on the floor, along with human sized skeletons, witches and other creatures. The walls were also covered with fake spider webs and spiders. The building looked like a real haunted manor. They exceptionally entered by the main front door. The great hall where the party was going to take place was greatly decorated too. The committee's hard work could be seen. Anna was congratulated by her friends. She felt proud because it really did look splendid. There were fake spider webs, pumpkins, ghosts, witches garlands pinned on the walls. There were fake candles attached on the ceiling (which had been a hell to install). Many Halloweenish candlesticks were lit on the mantelpieces, as well as many little pumpkins.

They were met by Joseph, in a Dracula costume. Some colleagues were disguised : Gwen was dressed as a witch, Sybil was dressed as a zombie nurse, Cora wore a nineteenth century gothic widow black dress -which was scaring Robert, dressed as Frankenstein, a little-,Thomas was Jack Skellington, Tom was dressed a big pumpkin, the Carsons were dressed as ghosts, O'Brien was a monster (well chosen), Daisy was a zombie bride, Mrs Patmore was dressed as Mrs Potts from Beauty and the Beast, Jimmy was a skeleton and Edith was a mummy, she had Marigold in her arms in a matching baby mummy costume.

"I love your costumes ! You're really beautiful Anna" Joe said and Anna felt embarrassed. She thanked him shyly and looked at John who was boiling inside.

The party was going well. Everyone was dancing, chatting and eating. Mrs Patmore and Daisy had prepared Halloween treats : broom pretzels, ghost crisps, spider mini pizza, cheese covered with ham which looked like a hand… There was pumpkin spice punch as well. Tom was the DJ, he played some Halloween songs like Thriller by Michael Jackson, This is Halloween from A Nightmare before Christmas…

Anna's friends were really happy to see her and John as friends again. John and her were chatting in a corner and Mary, Thomas and Gwen looked at them from afar.

"I'm so happy she finally came to her senses. John was really feeling down lately" Gwen stated.

"I hope she'll confess. They're perfect together" Mary said, hopeful.

Seeing her friends' look on them, Anna and John came closer to them. Anna dragged Thomas to Charles' office, which was nearby.

"Spying on us, I see," she said playfully.

"I'm glad you're friends again," he said. She knew it was genuine.

"I'm going to confess, tonight" she blurted. Thomas' face was split in two by a smile.

"Really ? What made you change your mind ?"

"I'm still frightened but I prefer being rejected than hurting him anymore" She said, looking down.

"Good girl," he said playfully.

"Shut up" she chastised him.

"So, you like him ?"

"I do. I love John" she said.

"Go get your man, girl" he encouraged her with a chuckle.

"I will," she said, pressing a kiss on his cheek.

They resurfaced in the great hall a few minutes later. Anna saw John looking in her direction. He looked a little jealous. She smiled and he smiled back. She started to realize her friends were probably right and John shared her feelings. She'll have to see for herself.

The song Tom was playing switched and the first notes of "I don't want to miss a thing" by Aerosmith started playing. John loved this song, Anna knew it so she decided it was her moment. She came closer to him and held out her hand in front of him.

"Want to dance ?" She asked with the prettiest smile John had ever seen.

"Isn't the man supposed to invite the girl ?" He joked.

"You haven't invited me" She replied in jest.

"Fair point, Miss Smith" he smirked and took her hand. They walked to the center of the room where the dance floor was installed. When they were among the others, Anna put her arms around John's neck. He blushed a little but circled her waist with his arms. They were pressed flush against the other. Anna could feel John's heartbeat quicken. She pressed her head against his shoulder, swaying slowly to the song.

"John ?"

"Yes ?" He replied, without looking down.

"I'm sorry for avoiding you this week" she apologized.

"It's okay, you're forgiven" he offered.

"I didn't know what to make of my feelings" she explained nevertheless.

"Your feelings ?"

"My feelings for you" she looked up to meet his eyes. "I avoided you because I didn't know what to do. I was afraid I was fooling myself"

"I don't follow you," he said.

"You're really important to me, John. I didn't want to lose what we have" John's expression showed his confusion so she added "I love you John. I'm in love with you. It's okay if you don't feel the same -"

"I love you too Anna"

"D-do you mean it ?" She asked but John didn't reply with words. He bent a little to kiss her. She closed her eyes when she felt his soft lips on hers. This was the best thing she had ever experienced. Their mouths fitted together like they were meant to be. No one had ever kissed her like this. His mouth felt wonderful and soon she deepened the kiss and could taste his tongue with hers. The feeling was heavenly. It was as if the whole world around them had disappeared. Anna let a little moan escape her mouth. John loved her back. She feared that this was a dream but his hands on her waist comforted her in the sentiment that this was real. Unfortunately, they had to pull away for oxygen. As they did, their gazes locked together. Anna couldn't help but smile and John mirrored her. Everyone around them starting to applause brought them out of their little cloud. They whispered i love you's to each other. John pressed Anna closer to him in a hug.