It was November 22nd and Anne was talking to Diana about their latest English assignment.
"When is it due exactly?" Asked Diana. "Monday." replied Anne with a sigh. They had so many assignments lately they felt as if they had no time to themselves anymore. They finished their homework around an hour later. Neither had any other classes the rest of they day so they changed into some nicer clothes and headed out for a small bookshop that Anne had been dying to show Diana for some weeks.
The bookshop wasn't too far from their boarding house they started walking towards the quaint little store. It was quite bleak outside that day. It looked as if it were going to start racing on them so they each brought an umbrella. They stepped foot outside their hostel and were met with the cold dreary day.
As soon as they got into the store, it started pouring down rain. "Well, at least we aren't soaked." Anne huffed. "Hello," said the store clerk, "Do you girls know what you're looking for?" "We just came here to browse." Replied Anne. "Alright, let me know if you need any help!" "Certainly." Said Diana.
They spent around an hour or so in the store and came out with two books each. Anne came out with a copy of Little Women and Jane Eyre, and Diana with Anna Karenina and The Picture of Dorian Gray.
By then the rain had almost stopped, with just the little pitter-patters of raindrops outside. Diana suggested that they stop at the corner bakery on the way home and Anne agreed.
They stepped into the charming corner shop and immediately the sweet smell of fresh pastries and bread filled their noses. The chef greeted them and asked what they would like. They each picked out a puffed pastry to eat on the walk back. They paid, thanked the woman, and headed homeward.
When they were a block away from their boardinghouse, they were met with a familiar face. "Anne, is- is that… Jerry?" Diana said it with much confusion, Anne was convinced she was joking. "Diana darling, you know I can see right through you. I know your just doing that to make me-" Diana took her bosom friends shoulders and spun her around. "It…it is Jerry." She said slowly. "What's he doing here? Come on Diana let's go ask." "No, Anne. He looks like he's hiding something." She pointed to a small parcel that he was holding. It was November. It wasn't any of their birthdays. What was he doing?
But he walked off before either of the girls could do anything else. "Do you think we should follow him?" Diana asked carefully. "No, he'll be fine." Anne said with a wave of her hand. "And besides, we told Josie we would be back by two for one of her odd plans."
The girls continued on toward their lodgings. But something was nagging in that back of Anne's mind; Jerry never went into town unless Marilla or Matthew sent him out. He was also carrying a tiny box. What was her brother hiding?
She had to hold that thought because Josie had scheduled for all of them to go to afternoon tea at a fancy tea room.
When they got to the tea room, it looked like nothing Anne had ever seen before. There was gorgeous floral wallpaper lining all of the walls, stunning dark maple furniture, and intricate lace tablecloths on all of the tables. It was beautiful.
They were sat at their table with their tea and pastries while Josie was talking about all the things she heard from students. "…And Florence Thompson said that she saw Margret Jones and Earnest Brown holding hands in the park yesterday!" Josie exclaimed. "Ever the gossip aren't you Josie." Anne said with a roll of her eyes. "Well no one else has anything to say, do you girls?" Josie retorted with a sly look in here eyes.
"Actually," Diana said, "Anne and I saw Jerry on our way back from our outing earlier today." "Jerry? Jerry? The one that Anne hangs out with when she's not kissing Gilbert's face off? That Jerry?" Teased Josie. "Josie!" Diana exclaimed. "I'm just saying what I see." She said slyly. Anne's face flushed.
"Well anyway. But yes it was my brother Jerry." "Well which way did he go Anne?" Asked Ruby. "He was going down…the...the one that the park is on? Doesn't it start with an A?" Anne told her. "Aberdeen Avenue?" Said Jane. "Yes! I'm bad at street names." Anne replied embarrassed.
"Is everyone done with their tea?" Asked Josie. They all nodded. "I'll pay, and then off to Aberdeen Avenue!" She finished. "But Josie," complained Ruby, "We're still in our good dresses!" "Ok, I'll pay, we go change, and then off to Aberdeen Avenue !" "To Aberdeen Avenue!" They all replied in unison. "To Aberdeen Avenue." Anne whispered. "Jerry, what are you doing?"