Hope everyone is well and staying safe out there. As for me, I have been writing and writing to calm my nerves. This world gets scarier every day, let's escape. Enjoy!*

Two weeks of home schooling and Marilla was ready for Anne to go back. Finally better, she made Anne a new dress in a color other than brown. "Oh, thank you, Marilla. Hmmm." Anne's face went from smiling at the blue color of her new frock to dismay. "What is it, child?" Marilla asked out of concern. Anne sighed then explained, "The color is beautiful, but, oh, I really had wished for puffed sleeves. Puffed sleeves are all the rage right now." Marilla pursed her lips at the silliness of the girl.

"Really, Anne. You mustn't be so vain. Put it on. You'll see that this color will go beautifully with your red hair." Anne smiled then put the dress on and ran to the mirror. She gasped, "Oh! Oh, Marilla! I could just cry!" and then threw her arms around the older woman. "You were right! Oh! I don't feel quite as melancholy as I did before. Blue is definitely MY color! Thank you so much!" Marilla shook her head at the girl but couldn't quite hide the satisfied smirk on her face. "Yes, yes, now get your coat and school things and go on to the schoolhouse."

Anne happily skipped as she made her way down the path to school. Diana met her on her way. "Diana!" Anne gave her bodom friend a tight squeeze. "Oh, Anne! I am ever so happy you are well again. Was it horrible?" Anne told her of Gilbert Blythe coming to Green Gables to bring her schoolwork, and of Billy Andrews coming to see her. She did not tell her of their kiss, but she needed to. She couldn't keep it from Diana, her bosom friend. "So, two boys are vying for your affections? I think I should get pneumonia." Diana laughed but Anne only smiled shyly.

"Gilbert is... okay. I mean he's smart and a lovely person, but Ruby likes him." Diana looked at Anne waiting for her to continue. "And what about Billy?" she asked. Anne's cheeks blushed a deep crimson color. "We have agreed to be friends. If I tell you something, swear on our friendship that you will not say a thing?" Anne asked her, and Diana nodded her head. "I swear it, Anne. What is it?"

So, she told her everything. The confrontation in the woods, the forceful kiss, the apologies, the fight with Gilbert and Billy over carrying her school things, and Billy climbing in her window. Diana Berry sat there with a dumbstruck expression on her face, mouth agape. "Then, he told me he thought he loved me and wanted to be with me. I told him we should be friends. He went to leave out the window and, well, I let him give me a real kiss, a new first kiss. Am I awful?" Anne finished her woeful tale.

Diana had to take a moment to digest what Anne just told her. They were getting closer to the school now. "Umm, well, how was it? The kiss?" she asked the redhead. Anne stopped and closed her eyes for a moment before beginning to walk again and answer, "Much better than the woods. Sweeter and softer and...oh, I shouldn't say. It's too scandalous." Anne bit down on her fist in dramatic fashion.

"Hey, Anne! Diana! Wait up!" Speak of the devil, Anne thought to herself. Billy Andrews broke apart from walking with his sisters to catch up to Anne and Diana. "Good morning, Billy." Diana looked as he put his arm around Anne's shoulder. "Anne Shirley Cuthbert? And how are you this beautiful morning, dear friend?" Anne couldn't fight the blush that crept to her cheeks. "Wonderful, Billy, and eager to get to school. You really shouldn't put your arm around me. People may get the wrong idea."

Billy laughed and whispered in her ear, "I hope they do. You look beautiful, by the way." Then he took his arm back and ran ahead to open the schoolhouse door for the girls. "Thank you, Mr. Andrews." Anne and Diana said at the same time, giggling at their timing. Billy tipped his hat to them then continued holding it for his sisters Jane and Prissy. Anne took her coat and hat off then hung them and walked to her desk. "Oh, Anne! That color is exquisite on you." Diana exclaimed causing everyone to look.

It didn't escape her notice that Gilbert and Billy were both staring with equal looks of awe. Billy saw Gilbert staring and could feel his anger beginning to surface, but then he remembered that Anne doesn't like that side of him at all, so he sat down and counted to ten while breathing slowly. "Anne Shirley? I see you are back in my classroom, please try to control yourself of any outbursts and maybe we can have a decent morning." Mr. Phillips still sounding as snide as ever came strolling in the room. "Now, everyone focus. Eyes front!"

The school day went very well. Anne had no incidents and the girls invited her back on their group at lunch. Ruby's mom baked mini apple tarts, so she shared them with each girl. Then end of the day came and it was time to walk home. Diana had to rush home for an etiquette lesson, so by the time Anne gathered her things, she was gone. Gilbert Blythe was taking his sweet time collecting his things as well. Anne turned to leave the school and he opened the door for her. "Oh, thank you very much, Gilbert."

He grinned at her and tipped his hat, "Anytime Miss Shirley Cuthbert." Anne smiled politely then made her way to the path. "Hey, Anne. Could I walk you part way? I mean, do you mind if I accompany you?" Anne gave him a slight nod, and they began to walk. "You really do look lovely in blue if you don't mind me saying." he complimented with a shy smile. "Thank you, Gil. Is that okay? Can I call you Gil?" He smirked and chuckled softly, "I like that. Yeah. You can call me Gil, but only you."

They walked for a few minutes before Billy stepped out from behind a tree. "Anne, oh, hey, Blythe. What are you doing?" Anne looked from boy to boy, her stomach twisting. "I ask Anne if I could accompany her home and she agreed." She saw the hurt look in his eyes. "Why don't you join us, Billy? It is a beautiful day." Anne asked trying to keep the peace. Billy smiled, thinking to himself, "He's nothing special. Just someone to walk with. She invited me!"

Billy got on the other side of Anna, fighting the urge to hold her hand. The walked in silence most of the awkward walk to the path split before Green Gables. "I can walk her the rest of the way, Blythe. Say hello to your father for me." Gilbert looked at Anne, worry on his face. "You sure?" he asked looking at Anne. "Of course. I am in very capable hands." He looked disappointed and turned down the path to his home. Anne watched him sadly as he went. "Poor, Gil. Must be do hard for him going to school, taking care of the farm, and helping his sick father."

Billy didn't really think of that. "Geez. That does put a damper on my wishes he'd go away." Anne playfully slapped his arm, "Billy Andrews, I am appalled." He looked ashamed. "Sorry. I can't help it sometimes. I know I shouldn't say things, but they just pop out of my mouth." He was looking at his feet. "Hey, it happens to me too." she said attempting to make him feel better. He looked at her with those big, blue eyes and she could feel herself pulling towards him.

"Anne? I don't want to mess this friendship up, but I can't help but feel I want to kiss you again." Anne felt it too, the urge to kiss him. She shouldn't, but it was hard to fight the feelings. "Then, don't." she simply said. He looked at her expectantly. Anne brought her hand up to touch Billy's cheek and he closed his eyes. Anne went up on her tiptoes and felt his lips brush lightly against hers. "I like you so much, Anne." he whispered causing her to smile. "I like you, too." He pulled her in for a hug and she wrapped her arms around him. She felt him nuzzle her neck and smile. "Be mine, Anne. Be mine." he pleaded. "I'm yours, Billy Andrews. I'm yours."

*Rut-Roh! Short chapter, I know! More to come soon!* Be kind!