AN: Hi Everyone, Many thanks for the reviews so far, they are much appreciated and thank you all for favoring and following too!.. I never take on little projects do I just big ideas.. Anyway as always anything from the text is in bold. A little off topic I'm using Microsoft Word 2010 to write these and for some reason the first time I copy and paste it over to the edit document its always copying in the html language with it and saving it like that... but then when I copy and paste it again it doesn't. Is anyone else having (or had) a similar problem? Does anyone know how to fix it, feel free to PM me if you want. Anyway here is the next chapter

Gilbert had been surprised when he had beaten Anne at everything that day at school, and he wasn't afraid to admit it. He'd beaten her at spelling and mental arithmetic.. She was making it easy on him and he didn't like it one bit! Their friendly rivalry in school had always made him rise he felt jolted without it. He'd seen less of Anne over the last month, when he did see her she's brought Diana with her, except when it came to them studying together… still once a week was hardly the same as the 3-4 late afternoons they used to spend together. Oh he wasn't jealous exactly, just bored. He caught up with her at lunch time

"Anne what's going on?" he asked. "Why are you letting me win?"

"I'm not really letting you win its just Diana has invited me to go with them to the debating Club Concert tomorrow and I get to sleep over at Diana's. I'm so excited I can barely contain it!" She suddenly felt a jolt of guilt. In feeling such an emancipated joy with finally being able to be Diana's friend she had forgotten the one who had supported her throughout her time of trial.

"Oh Gil, I'm sorry." She said to him "I've been neglecting you haven't I?" she said to him.

"Oh it's not that." He told her softly. "I'm glad you have Diana back, honest I am, its just nothing is any fun like it was with you. Not even beating you at spelling. I guess I miss you."

"Will you be there tonight?" She asked him.

"Yes actually I'm giving a recital ." He said.

"Why Gil that's wonderful why didn't you tell me?"

"Maybe if I had you alone for two minutes I might have been able to tell you!" he said mockingly.

"Ok, I deserved that!" Anne told him. "I'll look forward to your recital; you're looking at your biggest fan."

"Anne!" She heard behind her, she turned to see Diana and the other girls beckoning her over.

"Oh I erm.." she started.

"its okay, just go." He said to her. "I'll go and be a boy and play some football I guess."

Anne came through the door , Gilbert thought his heart was going to leap out his chest, her hair had been done differently her crimson hairstyle beautifully up in the back in a loose French plait. She wore a plain dress, he had never seen before but the green colour against her hair made it glow further. Her cheeks were a glow with colour her eyes glowing green. She looked stunning. He was rendered completely speechless as he tried to ignore the complete feeling of admiration he felt. He moved towards them. "Diana, Anne." He said smiling at them both. "I'm glad to see some friendly faces in the crowd, I don't think I should be half as nervous now you are here."

"Thank you Gilbert." Diana responded politely, she turned towards one of her cousins. He stopped closed to Anne. "You look lovely." He told her.

She blushed a little at the compliment. He'd finally made her blush! That only took 6 months longer than normal. "Thank you" she told him "You're looking dashing yourself." She returned.

"Oh don't say that I'm self-conscious enough as it is, everyone will be looking"

"You've done this before though yes?"

"Yes but, people always say I do well but I never feel it. Hundreds of eyes on me" He said. She looked at him surprised, she'd never thought of Gil being self-conscious." Any last minute words of encouragement?" He asked

"You can do this." She told him.

"I can do this, yes, yes I can." He said straighten his tie.

"You'll be the best up there, remember your number one fan is watching!" She said as Diana pulled her away.

"How did I do?" He whispered to her as she was collecting her coat.

"Oh you did wonderful Gil." She turned and hugged him "Congratulations." She let go before anyone saw their embrace.

"oh thank the stars! I thought I had messed up the 5th stanza for sure."

"Oh no that was the most beautiful one." She said closing her eyes "You really felt the plea." She looked up and smiled.

"I'm glad." He said "if you didn't notice then I doubt anyone else would have noticed my he hesitating."

"Anne come on we have to go." Diana said pulling her away again.

It was eleven when they got home, sated with dissipation, but with the exceeding sweet pleasure of talking it all over still to come. Everybody seemed asleep and the house was dark and silent. Anne and Diana tiptoed into the parlor, a long narrow room out of which the spare room opened. It was pleasantly warm and dimly lighted by the embers of a fire in the grate. 'Let's undress here,' said Diana. 'It's so nice and warm.'

'Hasn't it been a delightful time?' sighed Anne rapturously. 'It must be splendid to get up and recite there. Do you suppose we will ever be asked to do it, Diana?'

'Yes, of course, someday. They're always wanting the big scholars to recite. Gilbert Blythe does often and he's only two years older than us. Oh, Anne, When he came to the line, 'THERE'S ANOTHER, not A SISTER, he looked right down at you.'

'Diana,' said Anne with dignity, "he was nervous he was simply looking for a friendly face in the crowd. Are you ready for bed? Let's run a race and see who'll get to the bed first.'