Hopes and Fears

seven // the unforgiving pain of broken hearts

It felt like everything was going in slow motion.

The world had gone silent. It was a long time before Anne realised she was kneeling in the gravel road, the rain pouring down on her. Her friends were talking to each other and trying to speak to her. Anne blinked and looked up at them through her tears. Their voices slowly came into focus as did her senses and she realised she was freezing cold, shivering and drenched to the skin from the rain, even despite Jerry's borrowed jacket.

"Anne, it's going to be okay--" January was saying.

"Something must have happened, we travelled here with Gilbert and he was excited to see Anne." Kes said. "I don't believe what he said."

"Yes, he must be lying." Peggy agreed softly.

"Come on girl, up you get. Don't wallow in the dirt. We're taking you home." Jan grabbed Anne's arms gently and pulled her to her feet. Anne's legs wobbled.

"I can't go home." Anne bit her lip as the tears enveloped her again. Her body heaved as she sobbed.

"Hey, why not? Talk to us." Jan held Anne's shoulders and looked her calmly in the eyes.

Anne spoke through gasping breaths, feeling weak. "They're so angry and disappointed with me. They forbade me from seeing G- G--" She couldn't say his name.

"Why?" Kes was confused.

Anne looked up into the dark sky, raindrops falling like shimmering jewels catching rays of sunlight. She gathered her strength to explain the painful story.

"There's terrible rumours g-going around town. People have s-said things about us, lies. My Cuthberts, they-- they believe it. They think I'm some-- some sinful girl. I've brought shame. I can't go back there."

"Okay, breathe. It's okay." January spoke calmly, thinking quickly. "Is there anywhere else we can go? If you don't want to go back there right now?"

Anne's mind was in ruins but she came up with an idea. "My best-friend, Diana Barry... She lives not far. But if her family has heard the rumours then there's no way we'll still be allowed to be friends--" Anne sobbed again, the thought of being separated from Diana and Gilbert was too much to comprehend.

"Is the chance of them hearing the rumour high?" Jan asked.

"I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. I don't know." Anne trembled and grasped onto January's arms. January gave the poor girl a hug, holding her tightly.

When she'd recovered slightly, Anne broke away. "We can try. It's up the main road, then a left over the bridge to cross Barry Lake. You have to go through the woods to the big house. I could sneak up to her room by the tree. Even if we can't stay there, I need to see her. She will help."

"Alright," January said. "Everything will be alright. I promise it will all work out. At least you have us, Anne. We are glad to see you, we came here for you. We will take care of you."

"Thank you.  All of you, so much." Anne murmured under her breath, grateful to all of them.

Just then there was the sound of footsteps on the path. Anne looked up hopefully in spite of herself. It wasn't the boy she had expected, but it was a welcome face nonetheless. A tall, tanned boy with a worried expression appeared around the corner.

"Anne!" Jerry called upon spotting her.

He had been searching the woods and just decided to circle back and meet Gilbert when he'd seen them. He was relieved to see Anne, but when he reached the group he saw how upset she was.