Authors Note: This is my first try at a modern high school AU

I hope you enjoy, and reviews are much appreciated!


The last day of school before summer vacation had finally arrived for the students of Avonlea High. The blinding June sun rays came leaking in through the blinds of the windows of Ms. Stacey's biology classroom, causing Anne Shirley-Cuthbert to groan, and bring a hand up to shield her poor burning eyes.

She already was quite distracted from the lesson, and the sun now attempting to blind her was really just another added aggravation. Yes, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert was distracted, and it wasn't even her fault! It was the fault of none other than Gilbert Blythe. The very same Gilbert Blythe who had pulled her braid and called her 'Carrots' in the 5th grade, who she had then slapped across the face with the heavy hardback copy of 'Pride and Prejudice' that the class had been supposed to be reading for literature. The very same Gilbert Blythe who had been her enemy and academic rival for years. The very same Gilbert Blythe who had recently become someone that she could call a friend, and a study partner. The very same Gilbert Blythe who she now realized, she was falling harder for every day.

She wanted to cry out in frustration. Of course, she should find herself, in the last class of the day, sitting right behind Gilbert. She literally had no choice but to stare right at the dark, shiny, glorious curly head that was straight in front of her. She willed for her fingers to stop yearning to touch those wonderful curls, to run her fingers through them, to stroke them, to see if they were truly as soft as they looked.

Desperate to keep her hands occupied, Anne awkwardly began to drum her fingers on her desk, in a soft but steady rhythm, which resulted in earning herself a few annoyed sideways glances from her fellow classmates.

Blushing, she stopped, and resented to merely clasping her hands together. The lesson seemed to drone on, despite the fact that it was quite illuminating and eyeopening at the same time. She tried to keep her eyes averted from the curls in front of her, and instead looked down at her desk. Although every few seconds, she found herself in the exact same situation as before, unable to look away.

Of all things that could possibly be distracting her, it just had to be Gilbert. Why, she had so many other things to think of.

She was just minutes away from summer vacation after all. She and Diana had been planning their summer of fun for weeks. They were to go shopping, (which Anne never really had a taste for, but Diana somehow managed to rope her into the idea.) get ice cream, go to the movies, and have many wonderful sleepovers, and Matthew had even promised to take her and Marilla to county fair that year, and perhaps they'd finally get to ride in the huge hot air balloon that Marilla had always managed to make up some excuse in order as to not go on. Even with all of these simply delightful things to look forward to, she couldn't bring herself to move away from her current distraction. Every single one of his curls seemed to be so intricate, so beautiful, so--

"Anne?" Ms. Stacey's stern voice broke through her thoughts. She flinched, and blinked, feeling a horrible flush come across her face. How many times had Ms. Stacey already called her without her realizing?

"Curls?" Oh no. Shoot. "Uhhhh, I mean, yes?" Anne wanted to kick herself.

"Anne, if you would kindly pay attention to the lesson? I understand that it's the last day, and I'm sure every single one of your classmates are anxious to begin their summer, but I really need you to be paying attention."

"Of course, Ms. Stacey, I'm so sorry." Ms. Stacey gave her a kind, but firm look and nodded. When Ms. Stacey moved her gaze back to the rest of the classroom, and resumed the lesson, Anne rested her head on her hand, propped up by her elbow, and blew a stray lock of hair from her face. It was going to be a long afternoon...


An excruciatingly long half hour later, the bell finally rang, signaling that the school day was over. The whole class hurried to collect their things, and surged out of the classroom door, some of them saying goodbye to Ms. Stacey, and thanking her, while others, specifically Josie Pye and Billy Andrews didn't bother to say anything at all. Anne and Diana were the last two students out of the classroom, and after giving Ms. Stacey one last smile and thanking her once more for being such a wonderful and inspirational teacher, and telling her that they were very much looking forward to having her again next year, Anne and Diana joined arms and made their way down the long hallways leading to the school's entrance.

"Anne," Said Diana, once the hallway had become quiet due to the lack of everyone's laughter and chatter while exiting the school. "What were you so enamored by in class? I mean, Ms. Stacey literally had to say your name three times, before she could get your attention."

"Three times?" Anne stopped walking, and groaned, dropping her friend's arm. "Oh, Diana, it was hardly even my fault! It was the fault of that insufferable Gilbert Blythe--"

"Did I hear my name?" A voice called from behind. Anne turned around in horror, to see none other than Gilbert Blythe trotting to keep up with the two girls.

"Wh-What are you doing here? Diana and I were the last ones out of the classroom. How did you- what did you..?" Anne stuttered, feeling her face flush for what seemed to be the hundredth time that day.

Catching up, Gilbert stopped beside them. "I had to grab something from another classroom, and I got a bit caught up talking to the teacher."

"Oh," Anne replied breathlessly. "Well, I hope you have a good summer Gilbert, and please be sure to say hello to Bash and Mary for me, and tell them that I am free to babysit Dellie whenever they need it." She looked downwards at her feet, finding it hard to look Gilbert in the eye after all of the fantasizing about him in class she had just done.

"Thanks, I'll be sure to mention it to them. Well, I'll see you, Anne, Diana." He have them a nod and trotted towards the door, his glorious curls bouncing with him.

"Oh, Diana...Why must Gilbert be so... so...?" Her voice trailed off, and she swallowed, gazing ahead at the door that Gilbert had just disappeared out of.

"My gosh, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert is lost for words because of a certain Gilbert Blythe!" Diana exclaimed gleefully. "I told you I always knew it! It's finally happening!" Diana had said for years how much Gilbert was infatuated with Anne, and Anne with him, despite the fact that Anne constantly denied it, following with a quote from Marilla-- fiddlesticks!

"Diana!" Anne scolded. "It's not like that. He's just a friend whom I admire, and... like to study with, and... someone who has the most delicate, shiny, lovely curls that I am simply longing to touch, and he's kind, and infuriatingly handsome, and..." She stopped to groan. "Alright, Di, you win."

"And?" Diana prompted in a singsong voice, raising her eyebrows expectantly.

"And what?" Anne scoffed. Diana began to tap her foot impatiently on the hallway floor. She hardened her gaze at Anne, causing Anne to shift uncomfortably. "Alright, for goodness sake, Diana! I. Like. Gilbert. Blythe. More. Than. A. Study. Partner." She huffed.

"Hmmph!" Diana hummed triumphantly. Linking arms again, the two continued down the hall and then out the door. The warm summer air greeted them, and a light breeze tousled their hair.

"So, are you going to tell him?" Diana asked, nudging Anne gently, as they walked along the sidewalk, about to turn onto the long dirt path that would eventually lead them to Green Gables, where the two would usually hang out after school.

"Di, how can I? He's... he's Gilbert Blythe for goodness sake. The handsomest boy in all of Avonlea, top of our class, after me of course. He's easily the nicest, kindest, most thoughtful boy in Avonlea as well. What could he possibly see in poor, orphaned, red haired, pale and horribly freckled, homely, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert?" She said with a little sigh. "I can't, and I won't tell him. I've always wanted to have a tragical romance, or an unrequited love, so I suppose this is my chance to do so."

"Anne, how many times do I have to tell you? You're not homely! I wish you would stop saying that. Besides, your appearance does not define you."

Anne turned to look at her kindred spirit, her eyes softening. "What did I do to deserve you?" She pulled her into a tight hug. Diana stepped back after a few moments to look Anne in the eyes.

"Will you tell Gilbert that you like him now? Because, seriously, watching the two of you, after all of these years pining for each other, and shooting heart eyes across the room at each other, and then not doing anything about it, is exhausting."

They began walking again, Anne staying quiet for a few minutes. Suddenly she took a sharp breath and said, "I won't tell him straight up that I like him. I need to know if he feels the same," Diana opened her mouth in protest, but Anne lifted her hand to silence her. "Tomorrow, I'll go to his house, and offer to take Dellie on a picnic. I can invite Gilbert along as well. Then, I can subtly ask him how he feels about me."

"How are you going to ask him how he feels about you? Or are you literally going to say just that?"

"I... don't know. I'll just take life how it comes." Replied Anne, tossing one of her long red braids over her shoulder. "And, thank you, Di, for your encouragement. It really helped."

Diana smiled, and nodded. "It wasn't just me. You just needed a little push to wake the confidence that already lives inside Anne Shirley-Cuthbert."


Anne lay in her bed that night, her red hair spread across her pillow, framing her head. Green Gables was very dark and still, the only noise that could be heard was the call of an owl, in one of the many trees outside. She squeezed her eyes shut, and rolled over to her side, willing for herself to fall asleep. But she couldn't. Too much was on her mind. She glanced over at the clock on her nightstand. 11:09pm. She reached for her phone to text Diana.

Anne: Are u awake?

Diana: Now I am...

Anne: Sorry! I can't sleep.

Diana: So that's what gives you the right to deprive me of my own sleep??

Anne: I said I'm sorry! I'll just text you in the morning when 'Diana the crank' is gone.

Diana: You know I'm just teasing :)

Anne: Well sometimes it's hard to tell...

Diana: True.

Diana: So what's up?

Anne: Ugh, I'm just overthinking and getting stressed about tomorrow. How did I let you talk me into this?!

Diana: You'll be fine. Trust me, that boy is head over his heels for you. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the one to ask you out first.

Anne: No, I can assure you that I will be the one to do it! I can't let him beat me in even that.

Diana: Go for it! Oh, and keep me updated pls. Nite Anne!

Anne: Night Di!

Anne: If all goes well, do you think I'll get to touch his wonderful curls??

Anne: Have you noticed how shiny and silky they look? And the way each curl is just so perfect?

Anne: I can't explain how much I want to run my hands through them. Have you noticed the way they seem to glow when the sunlight hits them just right?

Anne: Perhaps he'll agree to giving each other locks of our hair, to cherish 'till the end of eternity..

Diana: Anne. You know I love you, and wholeheartedly support you in this, but please, for goodness sake. Let. Me. Sleep.

Anne: Goodnight! :)

Anne: Ahhhhh curls curls curls


Anne woke the next morning, when Marilla's voice called her from downstairs at precisely 7:00am. Marilla had always said that whatever the season was, summer vacation included, was no reason as to not get up at a decent time in the morning. Sighing heavily, and rubbing her eyes, Anne crawled sleepily out of her quilt and slipped into her robe. She dressed, and washed her face before making her way downstairs to help Marilla with breakfast.

After a breakfast of eggs, waffles and fruit, and after a few chores, Anne glanced at the clock. 8:00am. Assuming that Gilbert and the rest of the Blythe-Lacroix household were likely still asleep, due to the fact that they were lacking in the presence of a certain strict, hater of sleeping in, Marilla, she decided to read to pass the time. She figured that she would head out to the Blythe-Lacroix home to take Dellie on a picnic around 11:00ish. She settled onto the couch with her heavily reread copy of 'Jane Eyre' and lost herself within its pages.


Anne: Good morning Mary! I hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering whether it would be alright if I were to take Dellie on a little picnic later this morning? I recently discovered a new flower meadow, and I need to share its beauty with someone, anyone, besides Jerry, who obviously has no taste in flowers. I'd keep a close eye on her of course. :)

Anne sent the text, and took a breath, wondering if she should text Gilbert and invite him along now, or do it in person when she went to pick up Delphine. She already knew that Mary would most likely say yes, as Anne already was Delphine's favorite babysitter, and it would give her and Sebastian a break.

Mary was quick in her response.

Mary: Good morning, dear Anne! How sweet of you to offer to take Delphine. She would love that. How does 11:30 sound?

Anne: 11:30 is perfect!

Mary: Wonderful! I'll pack the two of you a lunch.

Anne: Aww, you don't need to do that! But honestly, I couldn't possibly refuse your cooking. :)


Later that morning, at precisely 11:30, Anne raised a hand to knock on the door of the Blythe-Lacroix home. Hand still in midair, she paused, and brought her hand back down to smooth out her shirt and jeans, and made sure that both of her braids were straight. She didn't know who would answer the door, but there was nothing wrong with being prepared. Satisfied, she reached her hand up once more to knock.

Sebastian answered, and ushered her inside after his usual greeting of, Hello Queen Anne! Anne smiled after him and stepped into the living room. She saw Dellie sitting in front of the TV, bouncing and squealing happily along to the tune of a cartoon, a teddy bear clutched tightly in her little hands. Glancing over at the couch that sat in front of a sunlit window, she spotted the unmistakable dark curly head of Gilbert Blythe, bent over a book. Her stomach fluttered, and she quickly looked away. This is going to harder than I thought. She thought, fighting back a moan. I can't even look at him, let alone ask him how he feels about me, then proceed to tell him that I like him!

"Hello, Anne!" Mary called from the kitchen. She appeared, wiping her hands on her apron, having just washed them. She opened her arms to invite her into a hug. Anne went over to her, and happily accepted her warm embrace.

"I packed you guys a lunch; a roast beef sandwich and a pasta salad for you, and a banana and crackers for Delphine. Thank you so much for taking her, we appreciate it." Mary said, stepping away from Anne and walking back into the kitchen, then returning with a basket that contained the food. She handed it to her, which Anne eagerly took. "There's a picnic blanket at the bottom as well."

"Thank you! That all sounds divine!" Anne glanced once more back at Gilbert, expecting to see his nose still buried in his book, but blinked in surprise when she saw that he was already looking at her. Blushing a bit because she had caught him staring, he offered her a shy smile. She returned it, then gathered what courage she could muster, and quickly said:

"Gilbert, do you wanna come?"

He knitted his brows together for half a second, before a slow delighted smile crept across his lips. His eyes seemed to light up with joy. "Can I?" He asked her eagerly, almost not believing his own ears.

"Of course!" Anne replied. She glanced down at the basket in her hands, realizing that Mary was sending her with plenty more sandwiches than she could ever eat herself. Strange. She turned to give Mary a questioning look, but Mary had conveniently, found that one of the buttons on her blouse was looking very interesting at the moment. Shrugging, Anne turned back to Gilbert, who was now getting up from his spot on the couch, and moving a hand up to ruffle his already messy curls. Curls!

Anne waited by the door as Gilbert quickly put his tennis shoes on, with Dellie in her arms. They made faces at each other and Dellie playfully patted Anne's freckled cheeks. Laughing at a particularly funny face that Anne was making at the one year old, Gilbert soon joined them, and offered to take the basket from Anne.

After saying their goodbyes to Bash and Mary, and after a rather odd moment where Bash had suddenly pulled Gilbert back inside of the house, leaving the door slightly ajar, and Anne had caught a few stray words along the lines of: "Don't be a moke..." and "You and I both know it..." The three of them stepped outside and walked (in Dellie's case was carried,) towards the small woods that separated Gilbert's house from Green Gables. Even though she had walked through it numerous times before, Anne never failed to be amazed by the beautiful evergreen trees, and the chipmunks and birds that she would see scurrying and flying through the tall trees. Gilbert trailed slightly behind, unable to tear his eyes away from the gorgeous head of red hair in front of him. The sunlight that was leaking in through the gaps of the tree branches seemed to illuminate her vibrant hair even more.

They exited the small wood, and passed by the boarder of Green Gables, the white fence surrounding it in view. Anne then led them across a very large field of dry grass. The conversation between Anne and Gilbert was about as dry as the grass beneath their feet. Neither of them said much, besides occasionally commenting on a certain bird or insect that one of them had just seen, or Anne would turn around to assure Gilbert that they were nearly there.

All seemed to be going according to plan. Here Anne was, taking Dellie on a picnic, she had succeeded in inviting Gilbert along, and they were going to the most beautiful flower meadow that she had ever laid eyes on. The next thing she had to do, the thing that had been the origin of this whole outing- was to ask Gilbert how he truly felt about her, and attempt to confess how she felt about him. She took a breath to steady herself, feeling her nerves begin to once again become unsettled. The deed, she was beginning to realize was easier said than done. She slowly turned around to glance behind at Gilbert, whose footsteps against the dry crunchy grass remained steady behind her.

Eventually they came to a large flower meadow, where the sound of bees humming could be heard, and various yellow and white flowers could be seen swaying back and forth in time with the soft summer breeze. "Well," Anne sighed happily, when they had stopped walking and stood there at the edge of the meadow to admire the view. "Here we are! Since discovering it a few months ago, I've already spent a great deal of time here, reading under my favorite tree over there," She said, pointing to the far corner of the meadow, where a large willow tree grew, with a thick dark brown trunk, and it's many long thin branches creating a generously shaded curtain. "Other times, I'll just find a spot to sit down, in the middle of the meadow and make flower crowns," She laughed, gesturing to the entirety of the place. She turned to look at Gilbert, a playful smile growing on her pink lips. "That's what I was planning on doing with Dellie, by the way. And although you may refuse me, there is no way that this face," She raised Dellie up higher so that the one year old and Gilbert were equal in height. "...Could possibly allow you to deny us the pleasure of seeing you in a flower crown." It also may give me the most desired satisfaction of touching your blessed curls!

"Any objection I may have to the matter, I see has already been defeated." He laughed, his hazel eyes sparkling as he took a sharp breath in, and sucked in his bottom lip as he studied her. Their eyes met, and both teenagers froze, not breaking the connection.

"I guess we should set up the lunch and picnic blanket then," Anne said, blinking and looking away after a few long moments. "Are you hungry, Dellie? Does a banana and crackers sound yummy right now? Hmm?" She cooed to the baby. She took Dellie to the shade of the tree, and gently set her down on the cool grass so that she could help Gilbert lay out the blanket. Gilbert took the blanket from the bottom of the basket, and unfolded it, handing two of the corners to Anne. Their fingers brushed as she took it from him, and a soft blush came across both of their cheeks.

After the blanket was laid across the ground, and Delphine was moved to sit on top of it, Anne began to distribute the lunch.

Mary's scrumptious lunch was soon consumed, and Anne sat, looking expectantly at Gilbert. He swallowed his last bite of sandwich, and gave her a questioning look. "...What?"

"It's time to make flower crowns." She announced, picking Dellie up again, and motioning for Gilbert to stand as well. Gilbert stood, and Anne picked the blanket up so that they would be able to sit on it in the middle of the meadow. When the blanket was set down again, and the three of them were seated surrounded by the lovely flowers, Anne started her work, first creating a smaller crown for Dellie, out of the daises and honeysuckle, then beginning on a larger one for Gilbert.

Gilbert assisted by suppling her with each flower, handing her another whenever she was in need of one. While he was waiting to hand her another, Gilbert unfortunately made the mistake of smelling one of the daisies in hand. While he gagged and grimaced over the foul smelling flower, Anne did her best to suppress her giggles. "Gilbert!" She laughed, now failing to keep her laughter in. "Don't you know that you should never smell a daisy? They smell quite atrocious."

As Anne doubled over with laughter, Dellie smiled at her, confused about what was happening, but happy to hear Anne's musical laughter. Gilbert stopped his gagging, and gave Anne a sarcastic retort back. "Well, how considerably kind of you to let me know now." She saw the humorous sparkle in his eyes, and knew he was only teasing her.

"C'mere, let's try this on you," She said casually, tying both ends of the crown together, and scooting closer to him, standing on her knees. This is it. Curls, oh, his wonderful curls! Smiling, Gilbert bent his head down, offering her his chocolate curls and awaiting her touch.

She gently placed the flower crown on his head, almost disappointed that it fit perfectly, and it wouldn't be necessary for her to adjust it, and experience the joy of putting it on his head again. She let her fingers linger for a few seconds in his curls, marveling at how soft they were, and the way the sunlight seemed to bring out his dark brown hair, and she nearly squealed in delight when she saw a few lighter shades of browns mixed in as well.

"There. I hereby dub thee: Prince Gilbert." She sighed, pulling away and sitting back down. She studied him, as he smiled at her.

"How do I look?" He asked, looking up as he gingerly touching his crown.

Anne opened her mouth to respond but closed it as she tried to think of what to say. He looked very... attractive? Striking?

"Gosh, you're so handsome." Oh no. No, no, no. What had she just done? She paused, horrified. "I just said that out loud, didn't I?" She asked him, despite already knowing the answer, but still hoping that maybe, somehow, by some miracle she had only imagined saying it.

He gave her a wide grin. "Yeah."

Anne covered her face with her hands, and groaned. "Ohhh this wasn't how this was supposed to go! I was gonna ask you... to find out how... I was... needed to... curls, and thought of a picnic, to-- so, I like... argh!" She removed her hands from her face, and let out a quiet sigh. "I... I like you. I really like you, and I want to know if your feelings for me could ever go farther than just friendship. If not, I totally understand, and I'm sorry if I've just completely ruined our friendship, and if you never want to--"

Gilbert reached up, and touched Anne's beautiful freckled cheek. He caressed her gently, before leaning in to kiss her.

Anne completely froze, and her eyes fluttered shut at the contact of his lips suddenly on hers. All she had been thinking about for the past 24 hours was getting to touch his curls. She had never even dared to hope that this would possibly be the outcome. Then, she started to kiss him back. She pulled him closer as one of her hands moved to clutch the front of his hoodie, while the other went behind his neck, once again touching his curls. He scooped her up and pulled her onto his lap, never once breaking the kiss. Neither of them wanted to stop, but eventually the need for oxygen became too desperate, and the two pulled apart. Anne looked at him, still in disbelief. "So, you do...? I mean, my feelings are reciprocated?"

"I'm yours, if you'll have me, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert. My heart could belong to no one other than you. It always has been, and always will be, you."

Anne's heart felt like it was about to burst. She let out a delighted squeak, and threw her arms around him, and buried her face into the crook of his neck, breathing in his sweet scent. She felt him hug her back, and his hands stroking her back. She moved back, still seated on his lap, and he brushed a stray lock of hair from her eyes. "I believe, that you are still in need of a crown," he said, nudging her nose with his. She giggled. "Teach me how to make one?"

Anne got up, and gathered more flowers, and teasingly offered Gilbert another daisy to smell. He winced, and shook his head no, his eyes pleading. Laughing, Anne sat down once more beside Gilbert, and guided his hands, giving him instructions on how to weave the flower stems together. Soon, a rather lopsided, but nonetheless stunning crown was made, and Gilbert proudly placed it on his sweetheart's head. "I hereby dub thee: Queen Anne."

Anne smiled at him, her dimples on full display, and leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. She turned to Dellie, who was surprisingly keeping quiet, keeping herself occupied by pulling grass out of the ground by its roots, and then tossing it into the air. Dellie looked up, and smiled as she watched the grass fall back onto the blanket, slightly blowing with the wind. Taking her phone from her back pocket, Anne took a few pictures of Dellie in her flower crown, now with a few pieces of grass in it. She then turned to Gilbert and pulled him close to kiss him, then took a selfie. When she pulled away, Gilbert gave her an odd look, but then laughed when she explained that Diana wanted updates. Gilbert said that Bash and Mary likely will as well.


Anne: *one image*

Diana: oh my gosh yessssss!

Diana: I knew it. I called it. ;)


Anne, Gilbert and Dellie finally headed back to the Blythe-Lacroix home a little after 2:00pm. When Anne and Gilbert had come into view in front of the house, Gilbert holding Dellie in one arm, and holding Anne's hand with his other hand, Bash spotted them approaching from the kitchen window, and his hollers and whoops of joy could likely be heard from there to Charlottetown.

Anne and Gilbert were now together.

There was now an Anne and Gilbert.

A Gilbert and Anne.

There always would be.