'I knew I loved you then,
But you'd never know,
'Cause I played it cool when I was scared of letting go'
--
The beginning of a new year was always an exciting time to be in Avonlea. The minister, after a particularly long sermon, would invite the town to gather for a New Year's Day feast.
All of Avonlea was buzzing about the upcoming dance. The kids were beyond excited and their parents were relieved something new was going to happen. The people of Avonlea loved their home, but real excitement was rare.
Since the dance was on the horizon, Miss Stacy held more dance practices in an effort to put on a good show and please the ever-wanting Mrs. Lynde.
Gilbert and Anne were only getting closer.
To keep up his studies and be more than prepared to enter into medical school, Gilbert spent most of his time studying. Anne spent their break from school with pen to paper, writing out her article to the Toronto Star. She had done more drafts than she could count on two hands.
It only made sense they would do this side-by-side.
Anne would check Gilbert's knowledge by making up quizzes on terminology whenever he asked to evaluate his understanding. Gilbert read over Anne's work and helped edit it where he thought she could do even better. He had a pretty good grasp on the extent of Anne's potential.
When they were sick of studying, Anne and Gilbert would walk and talk.
"I can't believe we're taking exams in only a few months." Anne shook her head in disbelief.
They had decided to walk on the shoreline that day. The air was whipping at them, but it wasn't too cold out so they didn't mind. Only Anne's hair decided to be difficult as it flew everywhere and anywhere.
"I know." Gilbert pushed back his hair that also decided to listen to the wind.
"And then we all go off to school." She muttered.
Anne felt like she just settled in Avonlea. Now she was expected to pick up and move somewhere completely different. At least she would only be in Charlottetown with her friends and a train ride away from Marilla. That was better than nothing. Ever since Matthew died, Anne kept doubting her potential to go away to school. How could she leave Marilla all alone with an entire farm to watch over? Sure, she'd still have Jerry and Bash to help care for it, but she'd be down two helpers. How could she handle harvest season?
"It's all happening so fast." Gilbert gazed into the ocean.
Funnily enough, he was feeling the exact opposite of what Anne was. He was perfectly ready and satisfied to leave now. He no longer had his father and Bash had finally settled down and formed a family. It was time for him to live his own life.
Anne glanced at him, "Does Queens have a good medical program?"
Gilbert stopped walking. He hadn't talked to Anne about this yet, mostly because he didn't want to. Only Miss Stacy knew of his school aspirations.
"Actually, I don't know if I'll be going to Queens."
Anne's stomach dropped, "What?" She turned to face him.
He looked nervous, almost as if something awful would happen to him if he even attempted to explain himself.
"I've found another school where they're doing research on medicines that can prevent diseases called anti-toxins. Instead of forcing someone to accept a cruel fate, there are healing properties that can save lives. I want to be there for that. I want to help people."
"What school is it?" Anne was praying it was some small school she had never heard of nearby.
"Sorbonne Universite. It's in Paris."
"Paris?" Anne's heart stopped.
She assumed she had time with Gilbert. She loved adventuring and studying and laughing with him. She loved their friendship more than anything and the possibility of losing it terrified her.
She loved him.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you yet." Gilbert said quietly, avoiding any and all eye contact with her.
Anne took his hand, "Don't apologize for wanting to follow your dreams. Medicine is your passion, there's nothing more I want for you than to go where your passions lead you."
He smiled at her softly, feeling the tingle of nervousness in his hand. They could spend as much time together as they wanted to, but Gilbert would always feel that twinge of excitement around Anne.
The both started walking again, hand-in-hand.
"I don't know if I'll be going there. It's terribly expensive and hard to get into. There's a school in Toronto doing the same work too."
"Gilbert, you traveled the world in a steamboat just because the opportunity presented itself." Anne remembered how brave she thought he was for taking on the world like that. Despite her yearning for a home, she'd always be jealous he traveled the world.
She continued, "You delivered two human babies, one of which was a breech birth."
Gilbert relived that moment constantly. It was when he realized he wanted to be a doctor and medical school was bound to be his passion.
"Best of all," Anne bumped into him purposely, "you know the Maritimes."
He chuckled and let out a sigh of relief. As much as Gilbert believed in his relationship with Anne, he was relieved she was taking his news so well. He wasn't even close to being able to go to the Sorbonne, but at least he knew Anne supported him.
"If you can do all of that, I think you can go to a school."
Anne was doing her best to be supportive, and of course she wanted him to succeed in every way possible; but she couldn't help but notice how her heart hurt. This felt like losing him, even though she wasn't.
"Thank you, Anne." Gilbert squeezed her hand, "Your support means more to me than you know."
It meant everything to him. Anne's seal of approval made him feel like he wasn't crazy and it was all possible.
Anne didn't want to look at him because she knew he'd read her face and see her heartbreak. So instead she stared at the horizon over the sea and took a deep breath.
Everything is going to be okay.
--
The town committee, however, was about to be shaken.
On that same afternoon, only 10 days away from the dance, Mr. Andrews busted in while the committee was meeting.
"A meeting is in session!" Rachel yelled at him as he completely ignored her and came in anyway.
"I'm glad it is," he towered over Rachel and looked at the rest of the men, "we need to have a word about this so-called Winter Ball."
The minister perked up, "Ah, the Winter Ball! Aren't we all so excited for this delicious treat."
The other committee members nodded grimly. They couldn't care less. The only reason they were on the council was to ensure any larger decisions were advantageous for their families. Otherwise, Avonlea was just a place to exist.
Rachel saw the other committee member's reactions and rolled her eyes. At least the minister held excitement. She had an awful feeling this was about to take a turn for the worse.
She was right.
Mr. Andrews stepped closer to them, "I think it's atrocious we are working up all this excitement just to make children dance together. My son was expelled following a dance rehearsal and has never gotten a reason to why. Clearly this is plaguing our children and giving their play teacher more power than necessary."
"I'll beg your pardon," Rachel scoffed, "Their teacher is Miss Stacy, and she is not one to abuse power. I heard your son was expelled for much different reasons."
"Rumors are not encouraged, Mrs. Lynde. Despite how much you love spreading them." Mr. Andrews snapped back.
"Now, now," the minister put up his hands, "there's no reason to quarrel."
Rachel looked at him intently, "We can't just shut the ball down! Minister, can you imagine the cry out the people will have if we pull this now?"
Mr. Andrews tapped his foot, "Mrs. Lynde, we can't compare your hysterical reaction to everyone else's. Not everyone will be as irrational."
Rachel put her hand on her heart in shock, "I beg your pardon."
She always knew the men in this committee and many in the town weren't as progressive as she would like, but this was almost ridiculous.
"Mrs. Lynde is correct." The minister assured, "I'm sorry you feel so upset about the event, but the lord works in mysterious ways. Maybe if you come you'll enjoy yourself."
Mr. Andrews flared his nostrils angrily, "Are you certain about this, minister?"
"Yes, of course. There would have to be some sort of catastrophe for us to stop it now."
There was fire in Mr. Andrews' eyes, "Right." He put on his hat and tipped it, "Good day."
"I think that's enough for today." The minister said tiredly as he stood up, put on his coat, and left quickly.
The other committee members, including Rachel still sat in silence.
"We're not about to let that dance happen if the Andrews aren't pleased." One of them complained, blowing out a puff of smoke as he spoke.
"Agreed." Another stated, "They run this town. Their dissatisfaction is ours."
"Why should it matter what one family thinks?" Rachel interjected angrily, "This is about the good of the entire town. Billy Andrews is an awful boy, this isn't Muriel Stacy's fault, that's for sure."
"Don't be so emotional." The third stated, rolling his eyes, "It doesn't matter if the boy is a tyrant. We need the Andrews' support. It may be too complicated for you to understand, Mrs. Lynde."
Rachel wasn't shocked at their disagreement, but she was astonished of their words. Her being a woman had nothing to do with any of her opinions. She was too tired and stretched to deal with their slander.
"The minister won't listen to you," She stated, standing up and snatching her coat, "I guess you'll have to deal with it."
Rachel rushed out the door before she said anything more insulting.
The men on the committee were not satisfied. They didn't intend on letting this go.
And they didn't.