Chapter 3: Starting Over

A week had passed since Diana and Fred's wedding, and the frenzy that surrounded Anne and Gilbert had died down. It was time for Anne to start off new and to make her presence known elsewhere. At first she was hesitant about accepting a position as a teacher of an all girls school in Kingsport, but because of the traumatic events in her life the past couple weeks, she embraced the challenge. While the thought of leaving Green Gables saddened her, she felt that it was something she needed to do.

On the morning of her departure, Anne took a long hard look around her room and the rest of the house. It would be a year until she would experience the comforts of home again, and she wanted to savor her last moments in it. Marilla had taken the liberty of making Anne a hearty breakfast and packed her food to take with her on her trip because she absolutely dreaded the thought of Anne blowing her money on abominable fast food.

It was finally time to go. Anne all ready put her suitcases in the trunk of her car, and all that was left was for Anne to say her goodbyes.

"I'm going to miss you so much!" Anne cried as she hugged Marilla.

"I'll miss you, too," Marilla said as she reluctantly let go of her adoptive daughter. "Call me once you get to Kingsport."

"I will."

"Avoid any suspicious looking drivers on the freeway, and try to get there in one piece."

Anne laughed. "I'll try."

"Stay out of trouble now, you hear?" Marilla advised with a slight grin.

"I promise."

"And call me if you need anything or just want to talk." Anne nodded.

The two hugged again. "Goodbye!" Marilla watched as Anne got into the driver's seat and drove off into the distance. She prayed that everything would be all right.

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The drive from Avonlea went pretty smoothly most of the way. Two-thirds way into the trip Anne decided to stop for gas after seeing how low the gauge was and remembering Josie Pye learning the hard way that "E stands for empty, not extra ten miles."

After filling up the tank and paying for the gas, Anne turned the ignition back on only to have it not turn on. She tried it again, and it still wouldn't start. She took the key out and put it back in, hoping that somehow the ignition would miraculously turn on. It didn't. Anne got out of her car and propped open the hood; she stared at it not knowing what to do.

I wish Matthew was still alive, Anne thought. He could have taught me a few things about cars.

Meanwhile a man had been watching Anne having her car troubles. He was tall, dark, and handsome and was minding his own business until he noticed a pretty little redhead walk past him to pay for gas. She was unlike anyone he'd ever seen before. All the girls that he had been associated with were high maintenance blond and brunette types, but this girl was something else. Seeing that she had no idea what to do with her car, he decided to go over to her to help her out.

"Need a hand?"

Anne looked over her shoulder and saw the stranger standing behind her. "No thanks. I can handle it."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "Do you know what you're doing?"

"Of course I know what I'm doing!" Not. "I'm just going to check the radiator."

"And where is that?"

"Umm...right there." Anne pointed to it.

"Actually, it's right there," he corrected her by pointing to the correct location.

"Oh." She blushed in embarrassment. Dang it!

"Why don't you just let me help you?" he asked.

"I'm on my way to Kingsport, which isn't too far from here, I guess. I think I can get it on my own and make it there on time."

"Suit yourself." He acted as if he was going to walk away while she turned towards the car.

Kingsport? Refusing my help? This girl really is something, he thought.

Anne, what are you doing? She asked herself. He's just trying to help you out, but I think I can do this myself...yeah right. Who am I kidding? I'll be here until midnight, and I'll be in the same exact spot I'm in now.

Anne turned around again to see the stranger still standing there.

"Actually, I'd love your help," she admitted.

He just smiled. "It's about time." He moved his car from his parking spot to where Anne's car was at the pump. He walked around to the trunk where there were jumper cables and propped up the hood to his car. From there he hooked one end to his engine and the other to Anne's engine.

"Try it again," he said.

She put the key into the ignition and tried turning it on again. It still didn't work.

"NO!" she cried. "I'll be here 'til midnight!" She put her head on the steering wheel.

"It's okay," the stranger reassured. "Let me adjust the cables, and we'll try it again."

Anne turned the key one last time, and to her delight if finally worked.

"Yay!" she exclaimed. "Thank you so much. I couldn't have made it without you."

"You're definitely welcome," he said as he walked towards the driver side door. "I'm glad I could help."

"Sorry I don't know your name..."

"It's Jack. Jack Garrison."

"Well, Jack, I'm awfully grateful for you."

"Thanks, Miss..."

"Anne. Anne Shirley."

"I hope I'll get to see you again sometime."

"I have to get going. I have to get to Kingsport in time so my new boss won't get jump on me. Thank you again!"Anne gave him a smile and drove off.

Jack sighed. He stared straight ahead and wondered.

So...do you have any plans today? No?Have any plans for tomorrow? No? Do you want to take yourself on a little road trip? Absolutely.

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Anne finally arrived in Kingsport in the late afternoon, and as promised she called Marilla to assure her that she was okay. Her next task was to arrive at Kingsport Ladies College and to meet the principal Katherine Brooke. The school was not an actual college but a private high school for young girls. The school's history had gone way back, and the Board of the school refused to change the name. Anne had been warned by many people that Kingsport would be a tough town. The people were notorious for looking down on outsiders and flashing their wealth and ostentatious attitudes. Ms. Brooke also had the reputation of being an army general; the girls at the school had secretly nicknamed her "Hitler." While the stories Anne had heard were to make her feel intimidated, she was determined not to let it get in her way.

She made it to the school and found herself in Ms. Brooke's office. Anne wasn't feeling nervous before, but now she felt a few butterflies in her stomach. Ms. Brooke had her back turned to Anne before she heard her enter her office.

"Ms. Shirley, I presume?" Ms. Brooke began.

"Yes," Anne managed to stutter out.

"Welcome to Kingsport."

"Thank you for having me, Ms. Brooke."

"Don't get excited too easily. Kingsport is a tough town, and here at KLC, we do not break from tradition." Her stern look and voice had Anne feeling uncomfortable. "We have rules that have been set ever since the founding of this school, and we do not intend on changing it anytime soon. Therefore, our methods and policies and remained as well, and I intend on keeping it that way." Anne nodded, but before she could say anything, Ms. Brooke continued. "I expect every aspect in that English class of yours to be perfected. Do you understand?"

"Yes." That was all Anne could say.

"Good. You will begin your class tomorrow; you may head off now. Goodbye."

She turned around again, signaling for Anne to leave. As soon as she walked out of KLC, she immediately thought, What did I get myself into? xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It had been a long day, and it was time for Anne to catch some sleep. As a part of her contract, KLC had made arrangements for Anne to stay at an apartment near the campus. The rent for each month would automatically be deducted from her paycheck, so that would be one less thing for her to worry about. To her surprise, the apartment actually looked nice. It wasn't filthy or infested with rats like she expected, and it was a nice size for her to relax in. Before heading off to bed, Anne decided to climb up to the roof to gaze at the stars.

Once she was up there she noticed that she wasn't alone. A man was standing near the ledge of roof to gaze at the stars as well. Like Jack whom she met earlier, he was tall, dark, and handsome, yet there was something else about him. He had that suave sophistication that Jack didn't have.

Refusing to let herself be caught up with her recent trend with guys, Anne went to the ledge of the roof and was taken aback with the starry sight.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

The man walked over to her. "Do you like to watch?"

Anne smiled and nodded. She noticed a slight grin on his face but turned to look at the stars. He definitely was handsome, and she was glad it was dark so he wouldn't see her blush.

"I haven't seen you here before. Did you just move here?" he asked

"I did. Today's my first day," Anne replied.

"What do you think of Kingsport?"

"It's not Avonlea, I can tell you that!"

He laughed. "Hang in there. Don't let those snobby Pringles tell you what to do. I'm usually not in town because of school, but if you ever need anything, let me know."

"Thank you for the offer."

"I'm Roy Gardner, by the way."

"Anne Shirley. Pleased to meet you." She held out her hand.

"Me, too." He took it.

"If you'd excuse me, I have to get going. My first day at KLC is tomorrow, and I have to be punctual or else my head's going in the guillotine."

"Okay. Good night!"

"Good night."

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Tomorrow would be a busy day, and Anne needed all the rest she could get. Before going to sleep, she looked at the pictures she had brought with her: Green Gables, Marilla and Matthew, and her with Diana and Gilbert as kids. Things weren't going to be the same anymore, and she knew she had to get used to that somehow.