I thought I had posted this chapter already! Sorry for the wait I guess, though you never have to wait too long for me!

He stood on the porch outside waiting for her to emerge.

Today was going to be different. He knew it wasn't appropriate to kiss her in public or even hug as they often had in the past, but today he could take her arm in his, carry her books and gaze on her without fear of someone catching him. At least now his intentions could be shown. He turned and looked out to the fields and smiled, well he had definitely completed the homework Miss Stacy had set. Not only was extra credit due but he'd gone above and beyond as he also wore a smile. Lost in thought he didn't hear the door open behind him as Anne came out.

"Good morning Gil." She said. He turned to look at her. Oh it may have been a everyday skirt and everyday ladies shirt, but he had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. Anne had a long light brown skirt on which finished just below her ankle you could barely see her shoes underneath it. The shirt was cream in colour her hair still in the school plait down her back.

"Wow!" he said with a grin in a whisper, he noticed Anne face blush a little. She was blushing at him! "what a young lady!" he said out loud as he walked over from his resting place and offered his hand out for her satchel. "May I?" he asked her. She smiled as he took the satchel and put it round his shoulder with his own. He took her hand and gently lead her down the steps then placed her hand through his arm linking them together. "that's better." He said with a smile as they started to walk.

"I told my ma and pa I'm taking you to the Sands Concert last night." He told her

"Oh really? What did they say?" She asked him half dreading the answer.

"Maybe you should bring her over so we can meet her formally some time. She's seems a really nice girl." he said imitating his mother.

"Oh that's sweet of her to say. Especially considering..." She paused.

"What?"

"Well I did break a slate over your head!" Anne reminded him. "Any boys mother would be horrified."

"You know what she said when she found out?" He said to Anne. "Well maybe its taught you a lesson in teasing." He said in seriousness. "not that she didn't sympathise with me first." she looked at her "So will you come sometime for tea?" he asked.

"I'll have to ask Marilla first but if she says yes." Anne responded.

"Well make it quick, my mother is desperate to meet you as my beau." he said smiling.

They looked at each other and laughed. Oh if only the rest of Avonlea knew!

They were almost at school when Gilbert noticed Anne started to shake.

"Anne?" He asked. "What's wrong?"

"What are people going to say? Or do?" she looked in terror in front of her.

"What do you mean?" He asked her to clarify.

"I'm in the arms of Gilbert Blythe! Every girl in that school has had a crush on you at one point or another, and I've never voiced my interest in you, what will they think?"

"We've been together almost two years already." He reminded her "They never stood a chance anyway." he looked at their arms entangled in each others. "Are you ashamed of me?" He asked half teasing half worried of the answer.

"Oh no of course I'm not." she replied as he looked up she caught his eye, she saw the tease but also the worry. "No, never." she affirmed. "Aren't you worried what people might think?"

"Bit too late to be worried about that." he told her truthfully. "I'm head over heals for you."

They started towards the crowd of classmates in front of them, it seemed to both Gilbert and Anne silence had came across the older classmates as they walked past them to the tree Gilbert often took refuse under. The unlinked arms but stayed close to each other. They both looked around their classmates then looked to each other and did everything they could to stop themselves from laughing.

"Do you think they noticed?" Gilbert whispered to Anne. He started to chuckle as Anne giggled.

Miss Stacy saw them approach in linked arms, Anne having a long skirt on, she looked very grown up. They must be getting ready to tell people they were beaux to be walking as they did, and standing under that tree so close... Oh this might cause problems in her classroom but she didn't mind, Gilbert for the least part seemed to have completed his special homework. Well good, at least they wouldn't be moping anymore. She rang the school bell and noticed the two sit quietly in their normal chairs. Gilbert handed Anne her Satchel as they sat down. She noticed they were sitting a little closer then usual but still nothing to be alarmed about. She caught eye contact with Gilbert who blushed a smile and nodded. The class was still getting itself in order when she saw Charlie approach Anne again and saw Gilbert's head drop a little. She looked intently on the situation

"Anne?" he asked her. "Won't you come to the recital with me? I'm getting tired of chasing you around."

Gilbert nearly snorted a laugh but managed to refrain. 'Real smooth Charlie, just the way to get a girl to do as you want her to' he thought.

"I already said, I have other plans Charlie."

"Well who with?" Charlie asked.

Anne looked confused at him, had the way Gilbert and her walked in not made it obvious.

"Well with Gilbert." She said softly.

Josie's head snapped round and glared at Gilbert, who had seen the look on her face. Josie must have thought she was pretty close to winning Gilbert for herself by the look in her eye.

"Oh really?" Charlie asked. "I thought you were just friends."

"Well aren't we friends Charlie?" Anne asked him not answering the question posed.

"Well... yes... I suppose. Well alright then." He muttered and walked away.

"Anne?" Gilbert whispered to her.

"Emmm?" Anne replied.

"You have to stay with me all day" Gilbert said half in fright,

"Whatever for?" She asked.

"Look at Josie's face." He whispered turning his head towards Anne.

She peered over to a look on Josie's face which was purely anger. "Don't worry," She whispered. "I'll save you." she said with a grin

"Right class" Miss Stacy called, "time for Geometry."