Anne couldn't stop blushing at the memory of Gilbert's kiss on her cheek. So gentle. So sweet. So, oh my! Billy! Suddenly she felt as if she betrayed Billy. She hadn't thought Gilbert would kiss her though. Oh, what should she do? Should she tell him? She needed to speak to Diana! Anne braided her hair and headed down to breakfast.

"Good morning, Anne. You look a bit flushed. Are you feeling well?" Marilla felt Anne's forehead for her temperature.

"Oh, I feel fine. Must just be warm. Now, remember that I will home later than usual because I bring Gilbert his school work. Also, did you make a decision about Wednesday?" Anne tried to take the focus off her blushing cheeks.

"Oh, yes. I spoke to Matthew about it and he agrees that it will be perfectly fine as long as he can drive you home. We don't want you walking all that way in the dark." Anne smiled and thanked Marilla.

Diana was waiting for Anne at their usual spot. "Diana, before we start walking, can I confide in you?" Diana nodded. "Yes, of course." she replied.

"Yesterday, after I dropped of Gilbert's schoolwork, well, he, um," Anne looked as if she could cry. "Diana, he kissed me on my cheek." Diana gasped.

"Oh, Anne! He didn't! What about Billy?" Diana took Anne's hand and squeezed it.

"Should I tell him? What if he breaks things off? I love him. Oh, but I really like Gilbert as well. Diana, help." Anne put her face in her hands.

"It was one little kiss, on the cheek. I hardly think it matters if he knows or not, right?" Diana supplied. She was right. Anne was just overthinking it. They continued their walk to school and saw Billy waiting for them at the pathway. He was talking to Josie Pye and Ruby Gillis.

She heard Josie and Ruby giggle at something Billy said. Annoyed at the girls fawning over her boyfriend, she walk over and kissed him square on the mouth. He read too much into it and pried her mouth open with his tongue, deepening their kiss and causing audible gasps from the girls and Moody who had just approached the scene.

"Good morning." he said in a silky smooth voice. Anne was blushing scarlet now. "G-good morning. That was...wow." Billy held Anne flush against him. They didn't even realize everyone had left toward the school.

"I had another dream about us last night." he smirked and waggled his eyebrows, "You are so beautiful, Red. Can't we just skip school and hide away in our little secret spot? I can warm you up real quick." Billy held her a bit tighter and kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose.

"As tempting as that is, I cannot skip out on school. Plus, I need to bring Gilbert his work, silly." Anne took his hand in hers and they walked to school, just making it before the bell.

Diana kept casting glances at Anne during reading hour. She couldn't stop thinking about how familiar Billy and Anne acted towards each other, acting as if they were grown. Kissing like that, in public! She would need to talk with her if she could get her alone. And, what about Gilbert Blythe? The poor boy actually thinks he has a chance against Billy Andrews? Anne is going to be in for a rude awakening.

"Anne, I need to talk to you," Diana cast a side long glance at Billy, "In private." She stared her bosom friend down until she sighed.

"Okay, Billy, why don't you go hang out with your friends. We won't be long." Anne stroked the boys arm and he nodded, walking away to where Moody and Charlie were sitting.

"Anne, you and Billy should not have been kissing like that. It was way out of lines and against your parents rules! You know how much of a gossip Josie and Ruby are! I don't know what has come over you lately. The both of you are moving into very adult territory, and I for one will not stand by and watch you become, well, a jezebel. You're going to do something that you cannot come back from." Diana was flustered after her grand speech. Anne looked aghast and on the verge of tears.

"A jezebel? Is that what you think of me? I cannot help the fact that both Billy and Gilbert like me. Besides, I didn't kiss Gilbert, he kissed me." Diana's eyes went as wide as saucers, and Anne winced when she heard a familiar voice.

"He kissed you?" Billy had come over because he'd heard Diana getting louder and could see Anne's firm slumping in sadness. Anne turned around and reached for Billy's hand.

"It wasn't like that, Billy, I swear! He kissed my cheek. I didn't know he was going to do it. We were saying our farewells and it just happened. It didn't mean anything." Anne's heart was breaking watching the boy she loved looking disgusted with her.

"I need to walk away, Anne, before I say something we'll both regret." Billy stalked off as the lunch bell rang signifying their return to class. Anne felt as if she couldn't breathe. What had happened?

After school, Anne waited for Billy so they could talk before she headed to Gilbert's to drop his work off. Diana didn't wait for her after Anne's look of anger toward her as they gathered their coats. Billy was speaking to Prissy and then walked over to Anne grabbing her hand and pulling her along. "You are not going there alone. I spoke to Prissy and she is going to cover for me. I will accompany you to Blythe's farm. I have some things to clear up with him. Do you understand?" He looked at Anne and she nodded.

"I don't blame you, Anne. He knows we are in a serious relationship. He may not like it, but that's not our problem." He looked over and noticed she was crying. Stopping by a tree, he pulled her into an embrace. "Hey, no tears, okay. I love you, Anne. You know that I would never do anything to hurt you. You are my everything." He kissed her forehead.

"I'm sorry, Billy, but I cannot let him take full blame for it. I didn't stop him. I should have backed away. I'm so ashamed." Anne buried her face into his chest.

"Stop that. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Red." he kissed her forehead again then wiped the tears off her cheeks by brushing them away with his thumbs. She reached up and caressed his cheek and he dipped his head down to kiss her softly on her lips. Anne instantly felt as if a weight had been lifted.

When they made it to Gilbert's house, Billy asked Anne to stay at the bottom of the porch steps while he knocked. Gilbert was smiling when he opened the door, but his face fell quickly at the sight of Billy Andrews standing there holding his books. "What are you doing here? Where's Anne?" Gilbert asked trying to look around Billy's body that was blocking his view.

"She's right there," Billy turned himself slightly so Gilbert could see an embarrassed looking Anne. "Can we talk?" he asked in a calm voice that unnerved Gilbert.

"Sure, let me just grab my jacket and put this stuff down." Gilbert disappeared for a few moments then appeared again in his cap and wool coat.

Anne waited for the inevitable punch in the face she'd expected from Billy, instead he climbed back down to where she stood and took her hand in his. "Listen Blythe, I know you like Anne. She told me about you kissing her cheek. But," Billy took a deep breath and sighed, "She's my girlfriend. You need to stop pursuing her. It's bad manners. We love each other." he looked deep into her eyes and they smiled at each other.

"Anne? Is this true then? You love him?" Gilbert asked, his dark yes pleading with hers. The poor guy, he was doomed.

"I'm sorry, Gil, but yes. I love Billy. He is mine and I am his." She looked away, tears threatening to form at the look the beautiful boy gave her. "Goodbye, Gilbert." With that, the couple turned hand in hand and walked away from Gilbert. They didn't turn around, they didn't see him collapse on the steps, they didn't see his head fall into his hands, and they didn't hear him sob as he realized he may have lost the girl he was in love with.

A/N: So that's that. Gilbert's heart is broken. Anne chose Billy. Diana is not going to take anymore of their open affection either. Next chapter will be up in a few weeks. Thanks for the favorites, follows, and reviews. XOXO