Gilbert and Anne

One.

Trees and bushes flew past the window of the car. Anne watched the horizon carefully, watching the sun slowly rise into view, lighting up the autumn fields.
"Anne!" Marilla's voice shook Anne out of daze.
"Yes Marilla?" Anne asks innocently batting her eyelashes at the elder in the passenger seat in front.
"Remember you're here on scholarship, don't do anything to ruin your chances at this school. It's the best there is." Her voice was laced with worry for the child he took in years prior.
"Yes Marilla, no funny business."
"Don't lecture her Mar. She knows that this is a big opportunity for her, she wouldn't mess it up." Matthew always sided with Anne. No matter how many times she messed up. Matthew was the human embodiment of unconditional love. Marilla rolled her eyes. She knew he was right, but was still riddled with anxiety.
"I'll be okay Marilla. Don't worry about me." Anne reached for her hand, "I'll call you as soon as I'm settled in my room."
"Oh Anne!" Her eyes threatened to spill over with tears, she squeezed the redheads hands in her. "Ill miss you so."

Not 20 minutes later the car pulled up to a massive building with big wooden doors. The parking lot was near enough filled. Parents and children fill the grounds, pulling suitcases behind them towards the old building.

The redhead could hardly believe her own eyes as she looked at the building she was to spend the next two years of her life. The actual school was 20 minutes up the road. This building was student accommodation, study, library and canteen open from 6-8 am and 3-9pm open all day on weekends and holidays.

Matthew, Marilla and Anne made their way to the building, bags in hand. Anne, a girl who could rarely ever stop talking, was at a loss for words. She looked at the tall pillars in awe. The staircase was a deep mahogany with gold detailings. Paintings adorned the wall majestically, lit up by a chandelier hung above their heads.

Two flights of stairs later they stand outside of room 216. Anne Shirley-Cuthbert and Diana Barry was written on the plaque next to the door. Anne carefully pushes the door open, taking a few steps forwards, she turns to her left and sees two beds against the walls, a window between them. One already had a girl displaying her blanket over the covers. Raven black hair cascaded over her shoulders. The thuds of Anne's suitcase startled the girl. Turning to greet Anne, she revealed herself to have fair skin, paired with dazzling blue eyes. A smile erupted from her face.
"Hi, you must be Anne Shirley-Cuthbert. I'm Diana Barry, it's so nice to meet you." Skipping over, she takes Anne in a hug, taken aback Anne laughs and hugs her roommate back.
"It's nice to meet you too."
"Forgive me for being rude, it's nice to meet you too, Mr and Mrs Shirley-Cuthbert." Diana smiles at them, they softly laugh at her common mistake.
"Ah no darling. We're not married, this is my brother Matthew," Marilla motions to her brother, "and I'm Marilla."
"Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, please forgive my mistake." She pleads, her bright eyes begging.
"Already forgiven and forgotten dear." Matthew laughs. Diana sighs with relief, smiling at the family in front of her.
"Oh I thought you'd want the bed by the window. But if you don't I'll swap, I don't mind." Diana picks up one of Anne's bags from the floor.
"No it's fine, thank you." Anne picks up one of her own bags, and sits it on her bed, "isn't this just amazing?"
"It really is. And because we got a corner room it's bigger than the other rooms, so that's a plus." Diana smiles placing Anne's bag on her bed. Anne smiles back at her, thinking to herself, me and Diana are going to be good friends.

Back at the car, Anne holds the last bag in her hands.
"Are you sure you're okay going back to your room on your own?" Matthew asks, placing a hand on the young girl's shoulder. She smiles up at him, placing her hand over his.
"I'll be fine Matthew. I promise. You should go." Glancing at Marilla, who's tears flowed freely down her face, "Oh Marilla please don't cry. If you cry I'll be sure to!" Her voice already breaking, tears building.
Marilla wipes the tears from her own face, then Anne's, "You be good now. No funny business." Anne nods softly, a smile playing on her lips.
"I'm going to miss you so much!" Anne hugs them both tightly, squeezing her eyes shut.

Soon their embrace came to an end, Marilla and Matthew got in the car and drove, leaving Anne in the parking lot alone.
Wiping her tears away and taking a deep breath, Anne picked up her final bag and made her way back to the building. It didn't take her long to realise that her bag was a lot heavier than her first anticipated, and began to struggle. Using both hands seemed to have little effect on the bag and making her way up the steep steps into the building proved difficult.
"Let me help you with that." A voice came from behind her. Turning around, she was greeted with a dark silvery grey eyes, and a smile to match. He takes her bag from her grip.
"Thank you, but there's really no need..." Anne started.
"It's really no trouble, I don't mind. You are?" His dark curly hair feel into his eyes, but he seemed to not notice as he watched her carefully.
"I'm new." She replied, not even thinking about what she was saying. All she could focus on was his eyes. His eyes that shone like the moon after a big thunderstorm.
"Well, it's nice to meet you New." He laughed, "I'm Gilbert Blythe."
Anne shook her head, embarrassed at her own stupidity, "I meant, I'm Anne. Shirley-Cuthbert. Anne Shirley-Cuthbert."
He smiles at her, admiring her auburn waves the fall around her shoulders and down her back, "I'm glad we cleared that up," he pauses, "Anne Shirley-Cuthbert."
She liked the way he said her name. It didn't sound as plain on his tongue. It sounded exciting and inviting. She wanted to know if he made other plain words sound as amazing.

It didn't take long for the pair to reach Anne's room. They stood at the door, looking at each other for a moment before Anne broke the silence.
"So, this is me."
"So it is." Gilbert brings his hand to the back of his neck nervously, "listen I don't know if you already have plans, but if you don't, you shouldn't have lunch with me and my friends."
"Oh Gilbert, I'd love to but unfortun..." Anne was interrupted with the door flying open, revealing Diana.
   "I thought I heard you Gilbert." Diana grins, glancing between the pair stood in her doorway, "I see you've met Anne, my new roommate."
   "That I have Diana. And I had invited her to eat lunch with us, but I do believe she was in the middle of turning me down." He smiles lopsidedly at Anne, his eyebrows raised.
   "I was going to say I had plans with my roommate, but I see now she's you and your friends." Anne smiles sheepishly. No one had rendered her so speechless like he did. She didn't care for it.
   "So. I'll see you two ladies in an hour for lunch." He nods his head at the dark-haired girl, "Diana." She smiles and goes back into the room, leaving Anne and Gilbert alone in the hallway again.

   She breaths deeply, admiring him. He was tall, his head began as Anne's ended. His jawline was sharp, and became more defined as he clenched his teeth. She watched as his eyes watched her, looking at her all over. She suddenly wished she'd worn something better than plain leggings and an olive green tank top.
   But he smiled at her none the less, she hadn't realised he'd stepped closer until he spoke, well whispered, "I'll see you later, Anne Shirley-Cuthbert."
   Her breath hitched in her throat as she tried to reply, "yeh," she softly cleared her throat, "Okay. Gilbert Blythe." He stifled a laugh, and walked away backwards for a few steps until he turned back around, shoving his hands in his pocket. He pauses at the stairs, looking back at Anne, who still stood at her door watching his leave. Giving her a small nod before disappearing from view.