Chapter 10
"Ring, ring bananna phone, " Anne's phone rang out as Gilbert caught up to her on the quad on his way towards his class.
"Hullo Anne," he said grinning. "You weren't trying to avoid me where you?"
"Hello Mrs. Lynde," Anne said answering the phone and ignoring Gilbert.
"Mrs. Lynde?" Gilbert mouthed in horror.
"Yes. He's actually here right now, Mrs. Lynde.- Of course, I'll put him on," Anne said and then smirking at Gilbert she said sweetly, "Mrs. Lynde wants to talk to you," enjoying his horrified expression.
Gilbert warily took the phone from Anne and said, "Hello Mrs. Lynde."
"Hello Gilbert," Mrs. Lynde said. "I was quite pleased to hear from your mother that your father was better and you would be returning to college. Imagine my surprise though when I got back from my summer trip to find out that you are friends with Anne. Now you've grown into a good boy, so I know you won't mind my asking you to keep an eye on Anne. Remind her to eat her veggies and not to take candy from strangers. And to get plenty of rest so she doesn't get peaky looking. How does she look? Is she getting enough sleep?"
"She looks real pretty," Gilbert said grinning and relaxing.
"Well make sure she stays healthy. It won't do for her to kill herself in pursuit of an education. Marilla assures me Anne brought vitamins with her so remind her she needs to take them."
"I'll make sure Anne takes her vitamins," Gilbert promised.
"And for goodness sake tell her to stay away from strange boys!" Mrs. Lynde admonished him to his amusement.
"Got it," he said. " Is there anything else?"
"It is going to get cold soon. I'll be making her a new scarf for this winter. I'm not sure that last one I made her will be warm enough over there on the mainland. Make sure she wears it. I've got to run, I'm off to my bridge meeting, best put Anne back on."
"Here she is," Gilbert said handing the phone to Anne.
"Yes, Mrs. Lynde.- I'm sure he is," Anne said sarcastically. "No Mrs. Lynde that wasn't sarcasm.- I will be sure to do so. – Sloanishness? That's a thing?- Yes, I'll take your word for it.- Great friends? With Gilbert? " Anne asked gritting her teeth. "Yes. Mrs. Lynde.- Thank you Mrs. Lynde.- Alrigth, Bye Mrs. Lynde," Anne said hanging up.
"Mrs. Lynde really improves with age," Gilbert said grinning at Anne's disgruntled expression.
"I thought you said she hated you," Anne accused him.
"Well it certainly seemed that way in middle school," Gilbert said shrugging. "So Plastson Hall?"
"I don't need you to walk me to class, Gilbert," Anne said with a sigh.
"I know you don't need me too. I just want too," Gilbert said honestly, uncaring if walking her to class made him a little late to his own. "If that's okay with you? I don't want to make you uncomfortable or feel like-"
"You don't make me uncomfortable, Gilbert," Anne assured him seeing his ernest expression.
"I like the way you say my name," Gilbert said suddenly, surprising Anne.
"You like the way I say your name?" Anne asked in confusion.
"Yea. I do," he said grinning at her. "So can I walk you to class?" he asked returning to the original topic.
"I'll see you later," Anne said shaking her head at him and then after a pause she deliberately said, "Gilbert," before walking away.
"After class?" Gilbert called after her with a smile since she had used his name on purpose after he told her he liked the way she said it.
"Goodbye, Gilbert," Anne called back.
"You know I'm taking that as a yes, don't you," he called out to her retreating figure.
"I know," Anne responded with a shrug, unwilling to admit that she did enjoy his company.
…
A few days later, Gilbert knew he would have no choice but to finally introduce Anne to Ronald and Mick, unless he was willing to give up the opportunity to see her when she had free time at lunch. Which he wasn't. Seeing Gilbert repeatedly glancing at one of the classroom buildings, when a good looking red headed girl appeared, Ronald let out a wolf whistle, drawing her attention to them.
"Anne I assume," Mick said as she caught sight of them, and seeing Gilbert narrowed her eyes.
"That wasn't me," Gilbert hastily explained hurrying towards her. "Though you do look lovley."
"Hi, Gilbert," Anne said with a sigh of resignation, unwilling to acknowledge the twinge of happiness she felt upon seeing him as usual waiting for her.
"This is Mick and Ronald, fellow Lambs," Gilbert told her, by way of introduction, gesturing to the two guys with him.
"Nice to meet you. Anne with an E," she said extending her hand which Mick promptly grasped to shake.
"So your Gilbert's Anne," he said grinning, letting her hand go as Ronald reached out to shake it as well.
"I'm not Gilbert's anything. Other than the unfortunate person he has decided to annoy."
"Come on Anne, I'm not that bad. I stopped with the pick up lines you didn't like," Gilbert protested.
"And I really do appreciate that," Anne said as she rolled her eyes taking a step closer to him and further from Mick and Ronald.
"How bad were these pick up lines?" Ronald asked.
"Skeezy bar worthy," Anne told him.
"Unlike a skeezy bar line, I meant them. There was true sincerity," Gilbert protested.
"They were awful," Anne said with a grin. "Though they were funny in retrospect."
"Are you studying or do you want to eat with us?" Gilbert asked her.
"I'm meeting Phil later to study so I can eat now," Anne said eyeing the three warily.
"Good," Gilbert said grinning. "Did you see Charlie's get up yet?"
"Unfortunately," Anne said with a laugh. "Someone really should tell him he cannot pull off pleather pants. Why is he wearing them?"
"He has decided he was meant to be a rock star," Gilbert told her grinning.
"A rock star? He plays a tuba according to Diana," Anne said with a giggle.
Gilbert noticed that Anne chose to sit by him when the four found a table without any effort on his part for once, and couldn't help but grin throughout lunch because of it. She had started out tense but seemed to visibly relax during the meal. To his disappointment though he was unable to convince her to let him walk her to her next class.
"If you get sick of striking out, I want to have a go at her," Mick said in appreciation after Anne left.
"You are not having a go at her," Gilbert said frowning. "I told you, she just needs to get to know me. And she's not your type."
"She's hot and she's feisty. If I had a specific type I think that would be it. I like her," Mick told him grinning. "Good luck. She seems perfect for you."
…
Gilbert watched Anne look down at her notes in confusion and then back at the PowerPoint presentation perplexed. With a sigh she closed her notebook and packed up her bag.
"I'm a bit of a wizard at geometry," Gilbert told her. "Maybe the two of us could meet up and I could help you out and if you just so happen to thank me with a kiss for each answer you get right on the next assignment, well I won't object," he told her with a wink.
"Kisses? That's the going rate of pay for your tutoring services?" Anne said with a laugh. "I think I'll pass. Did you forget, Phil's a math genius."
"Well the kisses could be negotiable," Gilbert said with a shrug. "Can't blame a guy for trying. But seriously I'd be happy to help you."
"I've got Phil," Anne said shaking her head.
