A/N: Hey everyone. Sorry I haven't been too diligent with updating recently, I have a lot of online schoolwork to catch up with. As usual, stay safe and healthy, and enjoy!
The beginning of the school day had gone fairly well, with no interruptions nor any fumbles on the part of Anne. The children were having their lunch now, and Anne sat at her desk in the back, fiddling with her fountain pen. She'd peeked out at the children earlier to get an understanding for the cliques her students had made, and noticed William sitting off in the front of the room, alone. At first she was concerned, seeing as he was not with anyone, but then she noticed the content look on his face and the book in his hand and all her concern melted away in an instant, replaced by nostalgia of her days in the schoolhouse, seeing Cole sketching off to the side. With this she returned to her office, not wanting to disturb her students, and began her own lunch. Once she'd finished, the butterflies in her stomach quelled, and all that was left was her excitement for the lesson she had planned.
At the end of lunch the students promptly returned to their seats, each giggling and exchanging looks about the conversations they'd had during lunch. Anne stood at the front of the class and pointed to the myriad of jars that were sitting atop her desk. Some students craned their necks to see what was inside, others simply looked confused. So, she began to explain the lesson.
"Here in my hands I hold a book. This book contains exciting information about each and every different plant or flower or branch inside of these jars. As you are all already sitting in pairs, I'm going to have you each work with your partner to sift through these books on my desk and find your plant. You will then write a short paragraph about it - in your own words of course, and present it to the class. I will provide you with the correct book for your specimen, but you must find the information and cultivate your presentation on your own." Once she'd finished explaining, she began to hand out the books, placing one on each pair's desk. She then handed out the different plants and flowers according to the books, and said, "Begin!"
She smiled, as she saw each student seemed genuinely interested in the assignment, and seemed to think it was a new, exciting, and unusual project. Once the day was up, she got the attention of her students once again.
"Good job everyone. I'm proud of all the work you've done. If you're not finished, meet your partner today and complete the project. Have it ready by tomorrow afternoon - you may also work during lunch tomorrow if you cannot meet today. Now everyone, have a good day! If you're being picked up by a parent please follow me." She led the four students being picked up by parents to the front of the schoolhouse where four parents - among them Gilbert - waited for them.
William raced to Gilbert, and began to enthusiastically retell the day's events as Anne spoke briefly to each other parent. By the time he'd finished, Anne was in front of Gilbert.
She was finding it difficult to make eye contact without seeing the distraught, intoxicated version of him that had stumbled into her home quite a few times after her parents' death, speaking without a filter and passing out on her couch. But she mustered up the courage to try and send a message that she did not want to be anything other than William's teacher - no long conversations, and certainly no unannounced visits.
"William did well today. He seems to be having trouble making friends - but I wouldn't worry. He seems bright, and I'm sure he'll be just fine." With that she looked at him with a look she hoped told him she wanted nothing more to do with his life.
"That's great news. The lesson you taught seems interesting." She knew he was attempting to stall the conversation, so tried her best to curb it. "Yes, well please ensure he completes it if he hasn't already." With that, she began to walk away, not bothering to say goodbye to him although she so wished she could be civil towards him. As she walked back, however, basket in tow, she noticed he was walking behind her. She decided that this was because they walked the same direction back to the schoolhouse, so she simply quickened her pace and did not turn around.
When she returned to Green Gables, however, she could no longer contain her happiness about how the day had gone. No matter if Gilbert would be there each day, she still had many wonderful, bright children she was privileged to teach.
Cole laughed as she excitedly retold the day's events, but was very happy for her. He didn't tell her he'd gone to see Diana. Nor would he tell her that Diana had said that she wished she'd never met Anne, or that she'd yanked off the friendship necklace hanging from her neck and threw it on the ground. No, he would not tell her any of this. He couldn't stand to see her upset, and if it was avoidable, he would avoid it at all costs.
He closed his fist around the pendant of the necklace he'd picked up, sighing. He was confused and upset by what Diana said. But if he could help it, Anne would never know what that was.
