Katherine Brooke was standing in the doorway, her hair pulled back in a tight bun as usual. She was wrapped in a loose, sand-colored shawl, and her hands rested on her hips, demonstrating her dominance. She glared at Anne and her rather mysterious escort, whom she did not officially know the name of, though she had her suspicions. They did look rather adorable together, she admitted to herself, but she took pride and enjoyment in putting other people in uncomfortable situations.
"What have we here?" Katherine probed, squinting he eyes superiorly and lifting her chin with confidence.
Anne tried to gain her composure and stood up straight and tall, preparing herself for Katherine's typical bitterness. Gilbert cleared his throat awkwardly.
Gilbert had not yet encountered this woman during his little time in Kingsport. He was unsure of who exactly the woman was and what she was doing in Anne's bedroom at such a late hour. "If it's another Pringle..." he thought to himself, "I will go insane."
But it wasn't another Pringle. It was Katherine Brooke, the headmistress of Kingsport Ladies College.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Brooke. This is not what it seems, I assure you..." Anne appeared quite flustered, her cheeks as red as her hair.
"Nothing is what it seems, now is it, Anne?" Katherine raised her eyebrows. "This is exactly why we discourage such young people from taking positions at Kingsport Ladies College."
Ms. Brooke? The headmistress? Gilbert was alarmed. What a way to make a first impression! However, whatever punishment he must endure for such scandalous actions would be worth it for having been so close to kissing Anne.
"And you must be the infamous Gilbert Blythe." Katherine smiled slyly.
"...yes..." Gilbert stumbled.
"For future reference, my room is directly next door. This dreadful old building has very thin walls. In fact, I could hear your entire conversation."
Anne looked down to the ground, unable to make eye contact with Katherine.
"I ensure you that nothing of this sort will happen ever again," Anne promised.
"You do?" Gilbert blurted out.
Anne shot him a glare.
"Yes, she does," Katherine responded. "Ms. Stacey told me that you two were acquaintances, not in love with one another."
"We are not in love, Ms. Brooke!" Anne said, her temper flaring.
Gilbert's expression suddenly turned sad at Anne's statement, which didn't go unnoticed to Anne.
"Well, judging from what you guys were doing, it did seem like it to me," Katherine concluded.
"Like I said, there is nothing between me and Gilbert, and even if there were, it would be our business and not yours!" Anne was practically screaming now.
"Ah, so our temper shines through, does it, Ms. Shirley?" Katherine inquired. "And you know, it really would be my business, considering that all teachers are ordered to act appropriately on school grounds, and both of you have violated that rule."
"I was only trying to give Anne a kiss goodnight after our evening out at dinner!" Gilbert said, attempting to defend himself one last time.
"Does that mean that you went to dinner in your pajamas?" Ms. Brooke laughed smugly.
It wasn't until Katherine Brooke's comment that Gilbert realized that he was wearing pajamas and Anne was wearing a nightgown! Though they weren't sinful pajamas, they still were pajamas.
"You two will both be punished for this affair," Katherine informed them.
Anne cringed at the mention of the word "affair".
"However, I do not know what your punishment will be yet," she continued. "I must first consult with Ms. Stacey to make the final decision."
"Ms. Stacey?" Anne and Gilbert said in shock simultaneously.
"Yes. She is the one who recommended both of you for coming here to KLC," Ms. Brooke reminded them.
Words could not describe how mortified Anne and Gilbert were.
"Now I am going back to bed. You two are keeping me from my precious little hours of sleep I get at night. We shall resume discussing the state of affairs in the morning. Gilbert, you are to return to your room at once. And Anne, you are not to follow him. If I catch you two together again, then your consequences will be much worse."
"Yes, Ms. Brooke," Anne and Gilbert both said obediently.
With that, Katherine Brooke twirled around like a queen and strutted out the door with an air of superiority.
"I've got to go, Anne," Gilbert whispered as he turned around. How much he just wanted to stay and enjoy being with Anne...
"Bye, Gil," Anne whispered back.
Gilbert turned around one time to get a final glance at Anne. She looked beautiful in the dim lighting from the lantern on the nightstand next to the bed. He was tempted to lean in and try to kiss her again, but with his luck, Ms. Brooke would walk back in again.
Gilbert turned around, walked out the door, and slowly made his way back to his room, trying to process everything that had just happened. He, Gilbert Blythe, had almost kissed Anne Shirley. He couldn't help but smile at the thought.
After Gilbert left, Anne remained standing at the door, immersed in her thoughts.
Did she want to kiss Gilbert? But it couldn't be. She had hated him since she could remember. Or had she? Thoughts bounced around in her head and she couldn't get them to stop.
"Oh, Gilbert..." she muttered as she collapsed onto her bed, "maybe I like you after all..."
A/N: I hope everyone who is reading this is enjoying the story so far! And, if you have a few seconds, please just click on that little button down there that says "Review This Chapter" and tell me what you're thinking! And to everyone who has reviewed so far, thank you! Your reviews keep me wanting to continue writing. Expect a lot of chapters coming up starting on Friday; I will be on spring break for two weeks so I'll have time to focus on the development of this story! :D