Anne with an e- a new version of the story

Part 11- Hope

GILBERT

Gilbert heard Bash talking to himself alone and laughing for nothing. He wondered what had happened to make him so happy.

- Hey, Bash. What made you so happy? I can hear your voice from my room. - said Gilbert.

- It's spring, my friend. Spring. Now I'll start living. That awful cold's gone, and I can walk around without being shivering like jelly. Ah, how I love the sun! - Bash was so happy, and it made Gilbert laugh..

- Oh, that's nice. Then I won't have to listen to your constant complaints anymore. It's about time you left home for a while.

- Why do you think I woke up so early? I'm going to know the surroundings and blend in with the people from here.. Are you going to school already?

- Yes, I'm already leaving. - Gilbert answered.

- Good class, and give my regards to your little redhead. - Bash joked.

Gilbert didn't answer, he just got serious and left the house. Anne. Just the thought of her made him restless. It's been so long since they've spoken. He knew he'd meet her at school, but he couldn't talk to her because he'd promised not to bother her until she was ready to talk, but Gilbert didn't think how hard it would be to keep that promise. Seeing her and not being able to get close to her was driving him crazy.

He hoped she wouldn't take forever to understand her feelings, otherwise he would have to do something else, ,because when it came to Anne any wrong move would put everything at risk.

He saw her talking to Diana and without realizing it he followed her to where the students' closet was. He had no intention of stopping behind her, but when he saw the girl he was already stumbling over him and treating him with her usual acidity. He tried to fix the situation by bending down to help her recover her fruit that had fallen to the ground, but it seems that his good intentions had the opposite effect, for Anne had become unbalanced and almost both of them ended up on the ground too, and for a fraction of a second they looked at each other and got lost in each other. All Gilbert had been able to feel was the scent of her hair that had grown quite a bit, and now they had little curls that framed her face. Then they heard Josie's voice mocking the situation they were in, and Anne immediately separated from him, accusing him of leaving her in that state. Gilbert had been irritated by what she had said, but it weren't her words that infuriated him, but the lack of Anne in his arms that had left him bewildered.

After days without any contact, she was there in his arms again, but that beautiful moment was spoiled by Josie whose main pleasure seemed to be mocking everyone. Gilbert hated Josie for it, although he recriminated himself for it later. But it seems that luck was in his favor, for he had that moment in class when Anne and Diana needed his explanation for geometry and he was finally able to stay close to her again. At this moment Gilbert realized that the redhead was trying not to look at him, looking very tense, and finally when class was over, he had no idea what was going on in her head. He had tried to say something fun in order to make Anne relax a bit, but his attempt had had no effect. So Anne went away in Diana's company, leaving no clue to him when they would finally talk.

Gilbert also went home, trying not to feel terribly depressed. He didn't know that loving someone was so painful, especially someone like Anne Shirley Cuthbert. She was too willing, too proud, and so stubborn that it was almost impossible to bring down the protective dome she had built around herself. But Gilbert wouldn't give up easily and would show Anne that he also knew how stubborn he could be or more than she was. They were going to talk anyway.

As soon as he got home, Bash came to meet him all excited.

- Blythe, Mrs. Cuthbert came to pay you a visit. I thought she was very nice.

- Do you mean Mrs. Marilla from Green Gables? Gilbert asked interested.

- Yes.

- What did she want?

- To invite you to Anne's sixteenth birthday dinner. It's tomorrow night.

- It was very kind of her to invite me. - said Gilbert disguising his satisfaction.

- Will you just say that?" Sebastian said nonconformist.

- What did you want me to say?" Gilbert asked amused.

- I wanted you to jump for joy, released fireworks, and sang those silly English songs of yours. - Sebastian said dramatically.

- And why would I do that?

- Why, boy. You'll see the girl of your dreams.

- Bash. You talk such bullshit, you should get a girlfriend, so you'd stop trying to find one for me. – Gilbert said, laughing. He left his friend mumbling all alone and went to do his school chores. He didn't want Bash to realize how happy he was with Marilla's invitation to Anne's birthday dinner. What gift would he give her? Books? He knew she loved to read, but books didn't seem an appropriate gift for the occasion. Flowers? No, it was too simple. He wanted something to remind her of him, he wanted it to have meaning for both of them, but what would it be? He thought some more and then smiled. He knew exactly what to give Anne, and it was the perfect gift.

Hi, guys. I hope you can enjoy this chapter. Please, let me know your opinion. Kisses.Sorry for any mistakes.