Meant To Be (Anne and Gilbert)

2. New Beginnings

Anne was going to see Gilbert again. She could hardly believe it. The insufferable boy whom she'd gotten so used to remembering rather than seeing was coming to visit her. She barely slept the night before because of her jitters. Just seeing him briefly the day before was enough to rattle her. He was so different, yet just the same.

Marilla was already scolding Anne for being distracted, but Anne truly couldn't help it. The thought of seeing Gilbert again was too jarring. But so exciting at the same time. And Anne knew that her thoughts were utterly romantic and hopelessly juvenile, but that didn't stop her from thinking them.

"Dear Lord, Anne, if you're going to be up in your head today, then go help Matthew out front." Marilla scolded when Anne had accidentally spilled a jug of water all over the kitchen floor.

"Sorry, Marilla! I'll clean it up." Anne went to fetch a washcloth but was stopped by Marilla.

"No need. Just go wait for Gilbert in the garden. You're certainly no use in here." Marilla said with a knowing smile.

Anne's face flushed, but she stuck her chin up high and stomped out of the kitchen, Marilla's chuckle following her. Despite Anne's protests that she didn't like Gilbert and she wasn't waiting for him, Marilla knew better.

Walking upstairs, Anne changed into one of her nicer dresses and redid her hair. Running downstairs, she decided to oblige Marilla and go see what Matthew was up to. To her delight, he was in the wildflower field.

Anne insisted that she was helping Matthew, but she was really picking the best wildflowers and keeping them in a bunch in her hands. She lost track of time per usual and didn't realize that Gilbert was walking up behind her.

"Hello, Anne." He said with a knowing smile.

Anne jumped and spun around, clutching her flowers. Gilbert smirked at her, eyeing the bundle of flowers.

"Those for me?" He asked.

Anne looked down at the flowers ranging from yellow to blue, to purple. Quickly making up her mind, she stuck them out for him.

"They are, actually." She said with a bright smile.

He took them gently out of her small hands, admiring their beauty. Anne always had a good eye for beautiful things. He took a light blue one from the bundle and stuck it in her hair, behind her right ear. Her face flushed as his fingers brushed her cheeks.

"There we go." He admired his work, scanning her face.

Anne was speechless. She had never been touched like that before. It gave her an exciting thrill that made her stomach flutter. Gilbert held out his arm for her, and Anne took it. It was then that Anne noticed that he was carrying a basket.

"Where are we going today, Mr. Blythe?" Anne asked as they began to walk at a steady pace.

"I was thinking that we could go for a walk," Gilbert said with a mischevious smile.

"Alright..." Anne trailed off, eyeing him suspiciously.

Gilbert just smiled at her, holding her tighter to his side. Anne's face flushed slightly when her bony hips ran into his. Gilbert didn't seem to notice, however, because he continued on with his eyes straight forward, his left hand still holding the bundle of flowers.

~

They walked for quite some time before Gilbert stepped around some bushes, to reveal a gorgeous meadow that had a blanket sprawled on the patch of grass directly in the warm sunlight. Anne gasped slightly, taken aback by the sheer beauty of her surroundings.

"Gilbert... How did you find this?" Anne asked, upset that he'd found it and not her.

"I have my ways." He grinned.

She narrowed her eyes at him but ran to the blanket anyways. Plopping down, she smoothed her skirt as Gilbert sat beside her. He opened the basket and revealed quite a large amount of food. He took it out and expertly cut an apple, every slice perfectly even. He held one out to Anne.

"It's from my orchard. They're really sweet." He winked at her, still holding it.

Anne scoffed, rolling her eyes at him, but taking the apple slice. Anne would never admit this, but it was probably the best apple she'd ever tasted. She tried to eat at a normal pace, not wanting Gilbert to feel satisfied with himself.

"Is it good?" Gilbert asked, anxious by Anne's stony expression.

"It's very good, Gilbert," Anne said, sticking her chin up stubbornly.

He heaved a sigh of relief, eating one himself.

"So, Anne, how have things been in Avonlea without me here?" Gilbert asked, stretching out his long legs.

"Quite honestly... pretty dreadful. There's no one to compete with anymore, so whenever I answer a question correctly in school, there's nothing to celebrate." Anne said, staring at the wondrous trees surrounding them.

"Hmm, well I guess it's a good thing I'm back. For good this time." He smiled at her again.

"You're back for good?" Anne's eyes brightened, her face coming alive.

"I am," Gilbert said, quieter than before.

Anne couldn't help the smile that spread on her face. She was truly a magnificent thing, her auburn hair flowing in the soft wind, blue eyes shining in the sunlight. Gilbert had never seen anything quite so beautiful.

"And you should expect to be stepping down from your place as top of the class because I will surely be taking that from you when I'm back in the fall," Gilbert said playfully.

"You wish, Gilbert Blythe, I'm staying at the top and you know it." Anne scoffed.

"No way, Carrots," Gilbert said with a cheeky smile.

Anne's joyful smile disappeared, replaced by an angry frown. Gilbert quickly realized that he'd made a grave mistake.

"Thank you kindly for lunch, Mr. Blythe. I've had a wonderful time." Anne said sharply, standing up and walking back the way they came.

"No, Anne wait!" Gilbert called after her.

Anne ignored him, marching up the slight hill to the forest back to Green Gables. Gilbert swiftly caught up with her and tried getting her attention again.

"Anne, I didn't mean it like that. That's just a nickname I like to call you." Gilbert said desperately.

"A nickname that is extremely insulting to me!" Anne stopped abruptly, glaring fiercely at Gilbert.

"Insulting?" He asked.

"You know my red hair is my deepest grievance!" Anne moaned.

"I think you're hair is quite pretty. No one else in Avonlea has hair like yours. That's why I call you Carrots."

Anne just sucked in her lips and stomped away again. Gilbert caught her elbow, gently pulling her towards him. Anne squirmed but he held tight.

"Anne, I'm sorry for calling you Carrots. I just said it to bring back old memories. I wasn't making fun of your hair." Gilbert said softly, playing with the edge of her sleeve.

Anne looked up at him, and it seemed that he was telling the truth. She sighed, pulling her arm out of his grasp. She held out her other hand for him.

"Truce?" She asked.

"Truce." He smiled and shook her hand.

"Here's to new beginnings, Gilbert Blythe," Anne said, still holding his hand.

"Indeed." Gilbert smiled down at her.