Author's Note: Thank you for all the reviews. I had only expected 2 at most when I began, and then here I look at the count. 26 lovely reviews. Sorry it took so long but high school is demanding and I couldn't get this chapter to sound right. I still don't think I have it yet either. Here you go anyway though.
Anne tripped into the stables where Matthew was grooming Midnight. The new mare he had gotten from Carmody a month ago. It had a sleek dark charcole black coat,dark blue misty eyes, and a slight bit of moonlight white hair that went from an inch above her stately hooves and ended just before them. Matthew never named a horse before. He never cared to, but Anne had insisted that the creature have a name. She had said that her fur seemed the color of black the sky was at midnight, and Matthew using what little imagination suggested the name. Immediately Anne went into an absolute rapture at it.
Matthew was lost in his memories of the red haired girl. He mindlessly brushed the mare's fur.
"Matthew." Anne said quietly.
He looked up startled. Matthew never expected her to actively seek him out and with good reason. He hadn't really talked much with her recently. She was always out doing something and only coming home for meals. He missed her talking so much. It hadn't occurred to him how dismal it was without her chatter filling every room of the large gabled house.
"Watchya doing out here Anne?" Matthew asked.
"Could I ask you something?" Anne asked.
"Anything you like." He said setting down his grooming brush down.
"Before I ask I might as well tell you everything. Starting from the beginning of this predicament." She said quietly.
"That might help." Matthew said quietly.
"Okay. So I guess it started when most of the class got stuck in the old Sloane Shed. We were all a little shaken. Gilbert was so calm and kind. I guess it just kind of happened..." Anne started.
"What happened?" Matthew asked slowly. Knowing full well what she was about to say.
"He kissed me... Then when we went back to school a few weeks later I tried to forget it ever happened." Anne finished the last sentence in a whisper. She looked down at her boots.
She took a deep breath and decided to continue although he had not replied to what she thought was a shocking confession. After all Matthew understood her better than anyone, and even if he didn't at least she'd get it off her chest."I was not very.. Nice to him to put it lightly."
Matthew nodded his head.
"Well he talked to me when he ran into me on the way to school. I once again was mean. In school Ms. Stacy had us discussing Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen. Specificly Darcy and Elizabeth's relationship. We started bickering about it when we each were addressed and I remember what he said before he stormed out. "I thought we were friends, Anne Shirley." Of course I went out after him. I caught up to him pretty soon. It was resolved to say the least." Anne paused to take a breath.
" Then everything should be alright." Matthew reasoned aloud. Not understanding what could be so wrong for her to reveal so much in one breath.
"But it isn't! Oh I don't know what to do anymore. That is why I wanted to talk to you. Gil and I are" she gulped " a couple. We wanted to tell Marilla, his parents and you. Gilbert and I almost told Marilla, but she couldn't believe he was in the house. I'm so mixed up Matthew. What if I am making a mistake?" She nearly cried.
Matthew hugged her close.