Hello all! I am back! This chapter has been a long time coming lol. In all honesty, I've been writing it a couple of lines at a time and that's why it's taken so long. Hope you enjoy!

"Why Anne! Whatever is the matter?" Phillipa lowered herself to a kneel in front of the quivering mass on the chair, "Something awful must have happened to have Roy rush out of here almost as soon as he'd come, huh? Please tell me dear."

"Oh, Phil. I've made such a fool of myself," Anne muttered, glancing up at her with a soaked handkerchief in hand, "I know I shouldn't have lost it in front of him. He probably thinks me a sentimental goose now."

"Never, Queen Anne. Now, tell me what's on your mind."

Anne sat a little straighter, gathering her skirts together and bringing them straight over her tangled legs. She finished composing herself by pushing her auburn tresses out of her eyes with shaky hands. "Roy's English Literature short story was based on Gilbert and I," leaving Phil gaping, trying to articulate a sentence, Anne continued, "I don't know how he knows anything about either of us, but he was so right Phil. He told me that he can tell that… I… love Gilbert… just by the way we look at each other. Even if it is just wistfully when we pass in the corridor. Oh, Phil. I love him! I've never said that out loud before, doesn't it sound so refreshing on the lips?"

Phil snapped out of her daze, gaping once again at Anne, "You love him?"

"I don't know when or where it came from Phil. One day it hit me, but I don't think I truly realised until Roy pointed it out right in front of my eyes. I suppose Gil wouldn't be so interested in me anymore…" Anne's eyes once again flitted with small droplets as she thought of the love she had lost over two years ago in that orchard. She bit her lip and shifted her eyes to her fumbling hands that twirled around the soaked handkerchief.

"Now, Anne. Surely you ought to tell Gil? Trust me when I say this, he wants to hear all your news. He asks me everyday in Math how you are. He does care, love," Anne began to shake her head once more, but Phil kept going, "No, Anne. He does. I know how many times he's almost asked to escort you to one of the dances, but he doesn't want to hurt your feelings. He knows now that you weren't ready-"

"Tell me that's not true Phil. Gilbert Blythe wouldn't dream of asking to escort me with all the different girls he has hanging on his arm. It's worse than seeing him with Josie Pye during our school days. Every dance, a different girl each prettier than the last. I know Gil doesn't see me in that light anymore – it's been two years." The tears that had gathered once more began to drip steadily onto Anne's sky-blue skirt.

"Well, maybe he only wanted to ask you once… But that doesn't mean to say he doesn't ask about you because he does… all the time. I've almost gotten in trouble talking about you with him during the lecture." Phil chuckled slightly, but Anne's face didn't brighten up any further and she continued her vacant stare into the unlit fireplace in front of her. Phil sighed. What was she to do about this lonesome girl, who had broken the heart of her only love all those years ago? Shaking her head, she rose from the chair, "How about we take a long walk through town?"

"Oh, alright. I better get cleaned up first." Phil merely nodded and ushered Anne upstairs with waving hands.

Anne and Phil made their way through the cobbled pathways of Kingsport. Anne's eyes caught glimpse of the various stores as they passed, taking notes of the ones she still hadn't visited in the almost four years she had been there. The sky was a gorgeous sunset, illuminated by the white sunshine that gleamed just above the horizon line. She smiled at the many colours that meshed together, vibrant reds and oranges, fading into soft pinks and purples. It was Gilbert's favourite time of day. When they were friends, even if propriety may have prevented it, he'd often wanted to take Anne to the shore and just stare at the golden hour. It was a time to get lost in, he'd always said. And she'd agreed but had always returned home in the twilight to the tutting lips of Rachel Lynde. Phil glanced at Anne whose mouth hadn't budged since they'd left Patty's Place. Where could she be in that head of hers?

"What are you thinking of, Anne?"

"Just memories that I shouldn't have thoughts of, really. Memories of those days when Gil and I were the very best of friends; when we'd tell each other everything. I never knew the privilege I had with that until it was gone," she sighed.

They continued on that stretch for a while, until they reached the shores of Kingsport looking out towards the beloved island Anne called home – although there was no trace of it on the horizon, just the meshing of blue and purple in the twilight.

"So, tell me really Anne. You do love Gilbert? It's really true?" At the nod of Anne's head, Phil continued, "Oh, dearest, I've longed to hear those words leave your mouth since that day in the orchard. I always knew there was something more between you two than what you called 'kindred spirits'."

"Phil, I'm so very confused and overwhelmed at all these feelings – don't you think it's strange that I could be in love with the boy I've barely seen in two years? Gil was only ever a friend, but I know now that I was running away from something that I shouldn't have been. In all honesty, it scared me. Knowing that there was really someone who loved me for all my flaws, particularly someone who knew every intricate detail about my past. I told more to Gil than to anyone else, even Marilla and Diana. But, he still poured every emotion into me – he loved me despite the things he knew about me…"

"And I'm sure he still does. In fact, I'm positive. Did you know that all the girls that hang off his arm at the balls, weren't even asked by him? They latched on as he walked through the door and he was powerless to stop them – he's too much of a gentleman. And yet, every single ball, he only had eyes for you. You would walk into those halls beaming, and always looking beyond beautiful, and, I've seen it many a time, Gil's jaw would drop, even in the middle of conversation. He always recovered quickly, of course, but I saw the same thing every single time you walked into a room, because I believe he's never stopped loving you."

Anne sniffled slightly, "Really?"

"Yes, darling. Now we'd better get back before it gets really dark. How about some tea when we get home?"

"Sounds lovely." And as the girls began the long trek back to their home, Anne felt for once that she may have the love she'd always longed for still within reach.

I hope you all enjoyed that little chapter – Anne finally knowing for sure that she's in love with Gilbert. But what's next? You probably won't find out for a while as I have 4 exams in the next month that I should really be studying for right now haha. But I promise that in a month's time I have a month of holidays, and I'll try my hardest to produce quite a few new chapters for you during that month. Thank you so much for reading x

~ laketrout