(A/N Hello! I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to get another chapter posted!)
Anne woke the next morning at Green Gables simply ecstatic for the upcoming competition. Not even having to rub sleep from her eyes, Anne swiftly pushed back her blankets and hopped out of bed. She brushed a stray lock of her red hair from her face and walked over to the window of her bedroom with a dreamy sigh.
She reached up to open her window and grabbed hold of it firmly. Struggling a bit, she tried to pull it open. (the window was known to get stuck every now and then. Marilla had offered several times to have Matthew repair it, but each time Anne profoundly refused, saying that it showed so much more character leaving it how it was. One could see how much it had been opened and closed throughout the years, and how loved it was. There was no way she could ever allow for someone to change that.)
After managing to pry it open after a moment, Anne sighed in satisfaction and stuck her head out. Closing her eyes and smiling contently, she breathed in the crisp December air. Opening her bright blue eyes, Anne reached out a pale slender hand to stroke her beloved blossom tree, whose bare branches nearly reached inside.
"Morning, my dearest Snowqueen," She murmured softly. "Wish me and the girls luck today. We're going to be competing against Gilbert and Moody and-- argh, Billy." Anne rolled her eyes at the memory of Billy strutting out of the schoolhouse the afternoon prior, to let the girls know that with him and Gilbert on the same team, the strongest boys in school, they didn't stand a chance.
Well, Moody, Billy has said would be like an extra bonus point in the girls' favor, considering he was quite known for dropping things with a usual result of damage. He also managed to fall himself a great deal. Anne scoffed. She knew that her and the girls would most likely beat Moody.
Nothing against him, he really was a nice boy, but Anne had to agree- he probably would end up breaking something one way or another.
Gilbert, Anne knew would either beat her fair and square, or she him, so she wasn't really concerned. Although Billy on the other hand... she knew he would have something planned. And that something was not good.
"Anne!" Marilla's sharp call from downstairs broke through her thoughts. "Oh, uh, coming!" Anne turned her head and shouted in response. She turned back to her Snowqueen and blew a kiss. She stepped away from the window and walked a few steps over to her new closet. Matthew and Jerry has worked hard she knew, carving and perfecting each and every detail. When Matthew had asked her what color she would like it to be painted, oh how loved and special she felt!
She couldn't resist requesting robins egg blue, the color she had always found herself to be partial to. Opening the door to her closet, Anne pulled out her brown dress that she had worked hard on; embroidering it with pink flowers and green leaves connecting them on the collar and cuffs. Quickly, Anne dressed and then braided her hair in her usual two plaits tied with ribbons on the ends.
After checking the mirror on her dresser to make sure both braids were straight and even, Anne looked down at her dresser adorned with various pinecones, dried wildflowers, small shells and birds feathers.
Her hand drifted to wear her locket lay, the long golden chain curled around itself with the half heart locket laying in the center. Like a bird in its nest. She picked the necklace up and clasped it around her neck.
She didn't wear it all of the time. Diana didn't either. The two had decided to try and be more consistent in wearing them, but most days in the rush to get to school on time, the lockets lay forgotten.
"For luck today." Said Anne, giving the locket around her neck a little pat.
Anne made her way down the hallway and clambered noisily down the stairs into the kitchen, much to Marilla's dismay. "Oh for goodness sake, Anne!" Marilla scolded looking up from the piece of toast that she was buttering. "Must you always make such a racket coming down the stairs?"
"I'm sorry Marilla, but I can hardly contain my excitement!" Anne laughed. "Well please do try, to contain it." Replied Marilla in her usual stern manner. "Come now, this table isn't going to set itself."
"Yes, Marilla." Anne nodded, and walked over to the cabinet where the Cuthbert's kept all their dishes and silverware.
After a hurried breakfast, Anne was about to make a dash for the backdoor, after grabbing her coat and hat, but was stopped by Marilla. "Anne? Where in heaven's name do you think you are going?" She questioned, dishrag in hand.
"I don't want to be late for the competition today! Miss Stacey said to be there precisely at noo-- oh..." Anne's gaze wandered over to the grandfather clock that was ticking in the corner of the kitchen. The clock's hands were barely at eight o'clock, which meant that there were still four long hours remaining until noon.
Anne sighed, then mumbled. "I suppose I'll just go and do my chores then." Marilla nodded and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Not to worry Anne. This afternoon will come soon enough." Anne nodded her head slowly, then a smile lit up her face.
"This'll be the perfect opportunity to think of a plan to beat Billy and the boys most forcefully..." She said dramatically, starting to button up her blue coat. Marilla's smile disappeared. "What?" Marilla asked wrinkling her eyebrows. Anne's eyes widened and she stuttered. "I- uh... s-said that this is an absolutely wonderful time to concentrate immensely on my chores, and to give them my fullest, devoted, most efficient effort."
Marilla gave her a suspicious look, then nodded, finally satisfied with her answer.
"I'll be back inside in a while!" Anne shouted, slamming the backdoor rather hard behind her, leaving the few pictures hanging on the wall rattling.
Stepping outside onto the porch, Anne marveled at the lovely December morning, all blanketed in white. It brought her such joy to see Green Gables as a beautiful winter wonderland. She made her way to the barn, the snow crunching under her boots and the leaving the ankles of her stockings damp.
The chilly air nipped at her nose and each breath she made came out in a visible puff. She approached the barn and was surprised to find that the door was ajar. Usually the door was kept shut tight to try to keep as much warmth in as possible. (Not that it got very warm in there.)
Stepping closer she heard a distressed voice with a French accent groaning. "Ohh, Ms. Cuthbert's apples! She's sure to--"
Anne nudged the door open wider and peeked her head inside. "Jerry?" Inside, Jerry flinched in fear at the the sound of her voice, and whipped around to look behind him, eyes wide. "Oh! Anne!" Relief flooded across his face when he saw that it was only the redhead peeking in. "Is everything alright?" Anne asked stepping inside the barn and turning around to close the door behind her.
She turned to look at him, and what a sight she saw. "Oh, Oh my!" She gasped, gaping at Jerry who was standing near the wall over broken shards of glass that were scattered across the dusty barn floor, and apple- well, apple mush now, splattered all over the floor and even on parts of the horses stalls. "Marilla's apple preserves! Wha... what happened, Jerry?" Anne asked him staring at the floor in horror.
Jerry fought back a sniffle. "Well," he started rather thickly. "I- I was milking the cow and- I don't know what I did to mess it up this time, I- I've done it right so many times before... I had filled up one milk bucket, and I got up to get another and... Pride... she-she kicked me from behind and I stumbled back and fell into Ms. Cuthbert's box of apple preserves. And... well, mess." He managed to say, pointing to the tipped over box and burlap covering that had been on it.
"Pride... Pride kicked you?" Anne asked in disbelief shaking her head and walking over. "Are you alright? Are you hurt?" She began to grow anxious. "Did flying glass cut you anywhere? What about where Pride kicked y--"
"I'm alright, mostly." Said Jerry with a grimace, rubbing his back. "Lucky I had this big coat on, to keep glass outa me. And the kick... I think it mostly just caught me by surprise. It wasn't very hard, it just scared me."
Anne sighed in relief. "Well I'm glad you're okay. Oh, let me help you clean this mess up!" She said. "I'll fetch a broom." She walked over to Belle the horse's stall, and grabbed the broom that was leaning on the gate.
"Do you think that Ms. Cuthbert will be very angry?" Asked Jerry with a quivering voice. "Uh..." Replied Anne, "I don't think she'll mind... too much." She walked back and began to sweep up glass shards. "I can't imagine why these preserves were here in the first place."
"Ms. Cuthbert said that it was a good temperature in here or something..." Jerry said, grabbing a rag that was hanging on a hook on the wall. He got on his knees and started to wipe up the preserves. "She'll be very cross, won't she?" He groaned.
"I'm sure that she will understand that it was an unfortunate accident." Anne said soothingly. Jerry nodded, comforted. Anne stopped sweeping and looked at Jerry. "You're sure you're not hurt at all?" She asked him, very concerned for the friend that she had started to care for as a brother.
"No, no, I'm okay. I'm sure I'll just be a bit sore." He said and looked up at her with a joking smile on his face. "But who wouldn't be, when they just got kicked by a cow into a box of glass?" He chuckled to himself, and Anne seeing that he was truly okay soon joined in.
The two of them cleaned up the remaining mess quickly, working together. After the last piece of glass was swept up and last drop of apple preserves was cleaned, Anne went to put the broom back in its place.
Returning to where Jerry stood rubbing his hands on his pants and looking satisfied at the clean floor, an idea suddenly came into Anne's head. Smiling, she turned to Jerry. "Jerry?" She asked. "Do you and your siblings ever build snowmen?
Jerry looked at her with a surprised expression, that soon turned into a smile. "Oui. Yes. Lots of times. Mostly just me and my younger brothers and sisters, but sometimes everyone in the family will work together to make one big one. Why do you ask?"
"We're having a competition at school. It's girls verses boys." She squealed. "So, I was wondering if you might have tips or something on how to make a better snowman." Anne said eagerly looking at him with begging eyes.
"I want to everything in my power to ensure that the girls and I win." Anne exclaimed passionately. "I'm afraid I don't have too much to share... Just one ore two things I've learned over the years." Jerry said haltingly. "Oh, Jerry, I'd be much obliged to hear anything that you would be so compassionate enough as to share with me." She breathed.
"Alright." He agreed. Anne grinned, and grabbed a bucket to turn over and sit on. Jerry sat on the floor and smiled, amused at how seriously Anne was taking all of this, with her hands propped under her chin to listen.
"The most important thing I can offer you is to pack your starting snowball tightly. Otherwise, when you start to roll, it might begin to crumble." Instructed Jerry, using his hands to form a pretend snowball and showing her how he moves his hands to pack it together. Anne nodded, her face dead serious with the understanding that one small mistake like incorrectly packing a snowball, could cost her and the girls the competition.
After sharing a few more words of advice, Jerry looked up at the barn door to see Marilla open it and step inside, wrapped in a green coat and grey knitted shawl. "Anne?" She said. Anne turned to look behind her and quickly got up off the upside down bucket. "Marilla! I-"
"You've been in here for quite a while, so I decided to come see how your chores were coming along." Marilla said. "My chores... oh my chores! I'm so sorry Marilla, I-" Anne gasped. A knowing look came across Marilla's face. "You've forgotten to do them again, haven't you?" She asked. "Yes." Anne groaned. "I'm sorry. Jerry got kicked by the cow, and then we had to-"
Marilla's eyes widened in alarm. "Jerry got kicked by the cow?! Mercy me, are you quite alright?" She looked down at Jerry who still sat in the floor where he had been talking with Anne. "Yes, Ms. Cuthbert, I'm quite well. Although... I'm sorry to say I can't say the same about your..." Jerry's nervousness suddenly returned. "...Apple preserves..." He whispered. He looked down at the floor, not looking at Marilla's face and an embarrassed flush coming across his face.
Seeing that Jerry was feeling bad again, Anne stepped in to explain. "You see Marilla, your apple preserves, you know, the ones that you had stored in that box over there covered with burlap?" Marilla nodded, confusion all over her face. "Well, when Jerry got kicked, he stumbled backwards into the box, and broke the jars. Not to worry Marilla, we've cleaned up the mess, it's just a shame that your preserves... didn't make it." Anne took a sharp breath, and stepped back, worried about Marilla's reaction.
Marilla's eyes found the turned over box and glass shards that had been swept into a neat little pile in the corner. Her face softened, and she shook her head, tutting. She walked over to where Jerry sat, on the dusty barn floor and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Now, now, Jerry. I want you to know that I don't blame you one bit. Accidents happen, and there is nothing that we can do to control them. I'm just glad that you're not injured." Jerry looked up at her, a soft smile on his face. "Yes, Ms. Cuthbert. Thank you." He said standing up and dusting himself off.
"How would you like to go on inside for some tea and biscuits?" Asked Marilla. "Yes, Ms. Cuthbert, I would like that." Jerry replied. "Good." Marilla smiled. She turned to Anne. "Now, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, don't you have some chores to do, and eggs to collect?" Anne gave her a sheepish smile. "Yes, Marilla. I'll get them done right away. "Alright then, off you go." Anne skipped outside, braids swinging behind her. "Good luck with the contest later, Anne!" Jerry shouted after her. "Thanks Jerry!" She shouted over her shoulder.
A good two and a half hours worth of chores later, Anne was finally on her way to the schoolhouse, a basket packed with a lunch of bread and cheese in hand. Anne replayed Jerry's instructions in her head, over and over, determined not to forget them in the excitement and stress of the contest. She just had to win this for her and the girls. She just had to. To show that no good Billy Andrews that girls can do anything a boy could do, and more.
After walking a ways in the white snowy woods, Anne met Diana at the fork in the path. "Afternoon, my Diana!" Anne cried, waving her hand in greeting. "Anne!" The two kindred spirits pulled each other into a tight hug, despite the fact that they had seen each other only yesterday. "I remembered my locket today!" Diana exclaimed, stepping back to pull her gold chain out from her many layers of clothing. "Ahh, me too!" Anne exclaimed, and pulled hers out as well. "I figured it would bring me luck today." Diana smiled. "I'm sure it will." She agreed.
The two started to walk down the path leading to the schoolhouse, arm in arm. "Oh, Diana, how I wish that it was your name that had gotten selected yesterday! But no, of course it just had to be Josie Pye. Knowing her, she probably won't even want to touch the snow, let alone make a snowman." Anne moaned. "I'm sure Ruby will be of help though. I'm glad she got selected." Said Diana. "Yes. As am I." Anne replied.
As they neared the schoolhouse, Anne turned to look behind her because she thought that she had heard running footsteps through the snow. Seeing no one, her and Diana kept walking. *splat!* Anne let out a shriek as she felt something hard and cold smash against her shoulder. She whipped around already glaring at whoever was behind her. And to her surprise, there stood none other than Gilbert Blythe, with a sheepish grin on his face. Anne gasped in shock. Gilbert never threw snowballs at his classmates, let alone her! This was so very... un-Gilbert-ish.
"Gilbert Blythe, how dare you!" She shrieked, but with a playful gleam in her eye. Releasing Diana's arm and handing Diana her basket to hold, Anne bent down to gather snow together to make a snowball. It was time to test if what Jerry had said about packing snowballs really worked. "It is so on, Gilbert Blythe." Anne said, already grinning.
After completing her snowball, Anne charged at Gilbert preparing to throw but stopped when she saw that he was just standing there with his arms out. "What are you doing?" She asked him, lowering her snowball. "I hit you with a snowball when you were defenseless, and unknowing, so it's only fair that you get me back." He replied, grinning. "But that's no fun if you let me throw a snowball at you." Anne complained. "Just do it Anne. Besides, you and I both know that if we had a real snowball fight, it'd go on for hours because neither one of us would want to give up." He was right about that. "Fine..." Anne sighed, and flung the snowball at his shoulder.
Gilbert cowered over in pain slightly then chuckled. "Gee, Anne, what did you do to that snowball? That felt like a rock." "I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?" Anne asked already feeling bad. "No, no, it's fine. Serves me right for throwing snowballs at pretty unsuspecting girls. Well, see you inside." Then Gilbert was gone, hurrying inside the schoolhouse. Anne watched after him, a confused expression on her face. "Wait... pretty?" She said to herself.
(A/N okay, so I know that Jerry should have gotten a bit more hurt because he was kicked by a cow, but just go with it okay? It was so much fun to write this chapter! Again, I'm so so sorry it took so long to post a second chapter! I am a beginner at writing, so sorry if this wasn't very good.)