Chapter 15: Heart to Heart

After searching the Redmond campus for Gilbert, Christine finally found him sitting on a bench at the park nearby. He was alone and looked discouraged, so she took a seat next to him.

"What's the matter, Gil?" Christine asked.

"Nothing," he replied, looking straight ahead.

"It's Anne, isn't it?"

Gilbert just sat there and didn't say a word.

"Don't lie to me, Gil. I know it's her. I can see it in your eyes whenever you or anyone else talks about her." He turned and faced her. "It's also the way you avoid Roy when you're outside the dorm and clinch your fists whenever anyone talks about him."

"Well..."

"I remember when you took me to Diana Barry's...excuse me...Diana Wright's wedding. I heard whispers all around me about you and her, but I just pretended that I didn't hear anything. Then Anne walked down the aisle, and you looked back at her. There was a clear connection between you two even if it wasn't for very long. That's when I grabbed your hand and smiled. I knew you loved her, and when she looked away and avoided you all night, I knew you were hurt. I know she thought I was a threat to her, and in a way I guess I blame myself for not saying anything at the time."

Gilbert sighed. He went back to that fateful night back in the summer and relived it all over again; it hurt as much as it did back then.

"Gil," Christine said. "Go back to her. You need her."

"But what if she rejects me again?" asked Gilbert. "I already asked her twice, and she turned me down both times!"

"You never know if you don't try. Having her go to Kingsport was a good thing because it forced her to grow up and mature outside of her comfortable surroundings."

"That's what Phil said."

"Well, Phil's right. No matter what happens you two will at least be good friends. I'm not too sure you can say that about Roy, Jack, and that old guy who was there that night at the dance last semester."

"Morgan?"

"Umm...sure. I saw a connection between you and Anne on that night, too. The way you guys were dancing...well...let's just say 'good friends' don't dance like that." She gave him a wink.

"That was to scare off Jack, that little stalker!" He growled.

"See? Look at your reaction to Jack; you want to kill him, don't you?"

"Well, I don't want to kill him, but I want to get him away from Anne."

"Because you love her?"

Gilbert nodded and finally admitted what he truly felt after compressing his feelings for so long. "I do. I love her more than anything."

"Then hang in there. Don't give up on her." Christine patted him on the back. "I gotta go. I have a recital in half an hour, and I have to get ready. Tare care of yourself."

She left, leaving Gilbert on the bench. He felt better after talking to Christine. In a way, he was glad her older brother Ron had asked him to look after her; he had gained a new friend because of it. After sitting for a few more minutes, he decided to go back to the dorm only to discover that Roy wasn't there. Gilbert thought he was still recovering from his rejection the night before, so he took the opportunity to check his e-mail. He found an e-mail from Phil sitting in his inbox and opened it.

Dear Gil,

It's me. Sorry for scaring you off earlier. Anne just freaked out, but I promise you that I'll have it all straightened out later when I can get the chance. The reason why I'm writing this to you now instead of calling or running out to find you like Christine did is because Jo came by after you left to surprise me. We're going to elope! It was so sudden that I didn't even have a chance to plan out what I was going to wear or pack. It's nothing against you or my other friends, but Jo and I really want to savor the moment of getting married for ourselves and not let our families bicker over tiny little details that don't even matter.

Anyway, I want to tell you that you should go back to Anne. You're truly meant for each other, more than any other couple I have ever known, and you both deserve nothing but happiness. I remember the night when I helped save Anne from the chaos and commotion at the dance last semester. She stayed over at my place, and I took her home. We talked on the way back to Kingsport, and she had nothing but good things to say about you unlike the other guys. I don't know if I should really be bringing this up or not in fear that Anne would get mad or me or something, but we had a little points challenge with the four of you guys on the different aspects of your personalities and what you've done for her. I'm glad to say that you were the winner of that. Good job, my friend! Okay, I know that's a bit off topic here, but I just wanted to let you know that. Try again, Gil. I'm sure you won't regret it.

Phil

aka the future Mrs. Jo Blake

P.S. You have to tell me what happens! That's an order now, ya hear?

Gilbert smiled at the end of reading that e-mail. After Christine's talk and Phil's e-mail, he definitely regained the confidence to talk to Anne, and with that hopefully he could get the courage to ask her again. He made the decision to go back to Avonlea as soon as final exams were over, and maybe he could meet up with her soon after that. Finals were only a month away, yet he couldn't wait to get them over with. For the first time in a long time, Gilbert Blythe went to bed happy and had sweet dreams about home.