Becoming Anne Again

Chapter Forty-Three

A/N Hello loves! Once again, I'm posting this early so I don't forget tomorrow. There is a possibility that I might be getting back on my old schedule of every Friday, but I'm not sure yet. In any case, thank you so much for sticking with me! I love you all so much!

Anne wasn't any more ready to face the cafeteria the next day than she could the day before—which was how Anne and Gilbert had ended up stuffed in a supply closet, a broom jamming the door handle to keep out any overly ambitious janitor. Their legs were tangled together, simply due to lack of space, and it was uncomfortable but Anne just took deep breaths, because it was okay.

"Favorite animal?" Gilbert asked, biting into his sandwich.

"Dog," Anne said, matter of factly.

"Really? I just—I would have thought you would go for something more exotic," He said, smirking over at her in a way that was just so endearing she couldn't help but wonder why she hated him in the first place.

"But dogs are so good!" Anne protested, grinning over at him. "They love you no matter what."

"True. I like dogs too," Gilbert replied, nodding his head. "I have a dog, you know."

Anne's face positively lit up. "Really? What's their name?"

"Angel," he replied. "But just so you know, she doesn't necessarily like new people. She was a rescue pup, so we don't really know what happened to her before, she just tends to snap. She's a good dog, though. She's not mean or anything, I think it's just a defense mechanism."

"Sounds like we're kindred spirits to me," she said, her voice soft.

"Kindred spirits?"

"Oh, yeah. I saw that phrase in some book when I was little, and I don't know, it kind of just stuck with me."

"I like it."

There was a few minutes of silence while they ate, but he couldn't help but notice the thoughtful expression on her face. "Anne, are you alright?"

"Gilbert, are you sure your mom is okay with me coming over?"

"Of course!" He replied brightly. Truthfully, she hadn't been at first, but the fact was Mrs. Blythe had never seen her son so passionate about anything—or anyone—in his entire life. And it was the first time she realized, if she fought with her son on this one, she was going to lose.

And she was right. Because nothing could have torn Gilbert away, even if it meant eating lunch in a janitor's closet, his elbows awkwardly pressed against his sides to keep them from knocking against the dirty mop water.

Anne nodded her head. She pursed her lips, leaning forward so her chin rested on her knees. "Okay. As long as you're sure."

"I'm sure."

"Okay. Thank you, by the way. You know, for eating in a closet. It's not exactly the best place to eat," She said with a timid smile. "Or you know, the most sanitary."

"I once cleaned the cafeteria for community service. Trust me, it can't be any worse than that." Gilbert grinned, and then Anne burst into a fit of giggles.

"Tomorrow, we can eat in the cafeteria. As long as Josie doesn't try to murder me," Anne said, a lopsided grin in place on her face.