True to their word over the next 4 months the two friends only rivalled each other academically. They were brighter together then apart, Miss Stacy could see that, she often wondered how they kept everything under wraps, having seen them slip up every once in a while when they thought no one was looking... oh it was always sweet never anything inappropriate for such a young kind of love... a wink, a smile, a gaze. She noticed they didn't get to spend a lot of time alone, they Anne remained with the other girls and Gilbert with the other boys and only ever came together with friends. Often followed them home taking the same paths making it impossible to show affection. Anne was turning 15 in two months and Gilbert had turned 17 in October, surely Miss Cuthbert couldn't be the one from them revealing their secret. Today however Miss Stacy noticed them unseen by the rest of the group, slip again round the back of the school, the window already open she couldn't help but listen in.

"Anne of course I still feel the same way." She heard Gilbert defend himself. "What would put such a ridiculous thought into your head?" he asked.

"We've done nothing but study, Gil. We don't see each other alone anymore we're always studying inside Green Gables and not outside away from everyone" she sighed.

"Its winter Anne, it would look extremely suspicious if we told Marilla we were going to study outside in the cold. We have to remain focused Anne, every day I sit next to you… I dare not say what I want to do. But if we fail…"

"We have never failed Gil. We're way ahead of everyone else." Anne objected,

"This is getting harder and harder." She heard Gilbert whisper. Unseen to her, Gilbert had wrapped Anne in his arms bringing her closer to him

"Can't we tell anyone yet. I'm not a little girl anymore." She said.

"I've never seen you as a 'little girl' Anne Shirley and you know it." He paused "but you're not in longer skirts yet and that is the proper time for such intentions to be revealed."

"I hate propriety!" Anne claimed. Miss Stacy wanted to laugh and didn't so she could listen some more. "Mrs. Lynde says that if I keep stretching out next year as I've done this I'll have to put on longer skirts. She says I'm all running to legs and eyes."

Gilbert laughed at this. "Oh Anne, My lovely Anne. and yes you are." He flirted. "I can't wait to scream it from the rooftops that you are mine. But I don't think we would be allowed to sit together anymore if anyone found out, then how would I learn?"

"You still want me?" she asked.

"Always." He replied quietly. "every second since that slate hit my head." He smiled "Can't you tell by the way I look at you?"

"I'm sorry Gil. I guess…" she started " I guess I am feeling insecure, that's all. Ohhh that stupid slate, I can't believe I every hit you with it."

"Knocked some sense into me more like. No harm done." (The two hugged closely not that Miss Stacy could see) The two paused when Gilbert looked up. "Anne." Gilbert said to her quietly.

Miss Stacy had wondering what was happening.

"How long has that been there?" Anne said to him.

She heard Gilbert laugh "I'm guessing since the school was built, but more importantly do you suppose anyone can hear us with the window open? Have you ever noticed it open before?"

"I've never noticed it before. Though the only one inside is Miss Stacy." At this Miss Stacy quietly backed off.

Everyone came in from recess she noticed Gilbert and Anne looking particularly worried. She wanted to laugh. Over the last 5 months had more than proved they could keep their hands to themselves. They sat down quietly and put their heads down to work, not even stopping to help each other on their work as they would normally do. The rest of the morning the two sat in silence. She waited until she called for lunch then added "Gilbert, Anne won't you stay behind I want to speak to you about some extra curriculum activities I think would benefit you both." The rest of the class left. Both Anne and Gilbert's heads were looking towards the floor.

"What is the matter with you two?" Miss Stacy asked when the room was empty. "You've not muttered a word since recess."

Gilbert was the first to speak. "Well we were wondering if… that's to say…."

"You want to know if I know about you two walking round the back of the building for some lovers whispers." Both heads shot up. "Well I'll let you know its not the first time I've overheard you two have that sort of conversation."

"How long…?" Anne started.

"Since September, when I caught you reading Ben-Hur. I overheard another similar conversation you had in the same place."

Gilbert was quick off the mark "But that means when you organised where we would sit…"

"Yes, I allowed you both to sit together because you work best together, I would like to know a few things. How long have you two been hiding this?"

"six months." Anne replied.

Miss Stacy laughed. "I suppose this has to do with Miss Cuthbert?" She asked.

Gilbert explained "we were always very close friends Miss Stacy, exactly how close no one really knew until Marilla caught us alone together hugging."

"Well I can understand Miss Cuthbert's stance on the matter, how long had you been hugging each other?"

They both looked sheepish. Anne then explained the slate then how Gilbert had made it up to her she's offered her hand to shake instead he had gone immediately for a hug "…and we didn't really stop." She finished.

A wide grin now on Miss Stacy's face she couldn't help but wonder "What escalated this into your current situation?" she asked.

Gilbert's head went to the floor he looked at his shoes an arm raised behind his head. "I sort of… kinda… kissed her... while Miss Cuthbert had forbidden us to even be friends."

Miss Stacy at this burst into laughter. "I never would have thought it of you Gilbert! Here I was thinking you were head and she was the heart." She looked at them. "Oh does it not feel better to tell someone about this?" She asked.

"Miss Stacy Please don't tell Marilla. We have to keep it a secret…" Anne started

"I've known something has been going on five months out of the six you have been together, what makes you think I would say anything now." They both looked in shock. "This is your secret to keep and to reveal as you see necessary. Now, having said that, you know I expect the same decorum and restraint in my classroom as you have been showing the rest of this year. This is not a get out of jail free card for you both to slip. I take it you can continue to work as you have been?" she asked.

"Yes, of course we can." Gilbert answered.

"Miss Stacy our friendship is the uttermost importance to us, it's what is carrying us through this time of trial." Anne said meekly.

"Oh what a pickle you have yourselves in!" she smiled. "Well you two better get outside and have your lunch; we don't want tongues waddling do we?

Oh my goodness me! I know where I am going with this now! The idea has formulated inside my head and I know what's going to happen... oh dear I'm sorry to say there is more drama I guess for them... not for a little while yet but I have a clear formulation on my mind! I think I am excited! Typical of me I'm not even half way there nd I have the ending planned already... oh why can I not just think of these things in order!