𝑰'𝑫 𝑭𝑶𝑳𝑳𝑶𝑾 𝒀𝑶𝑼, shirbert

11. 𝑨 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈

4 DAYS LATER

ANNE SHIRLEY CUTHBERT walked around the crowded town, looking high and low for Gilbert Blythe. He was leaving to go back to the University of Toronto the next day, and wouldn't come back until a month later. They both decided to have a date before Gilbert left, so Anne was eagerly looking for him.

She spotted him among the surfing crowd of people. She made her way towards him, keeping her eyes glued to his head. Once he spotted her, his eyes lit up. He quickened his steps, taking long strides to get to his sweetheart.

"Anne!" He breathed out once he got to her. He grabbed her hands, holding tightly onto them. He restrained himself from kissing her, knowing they would gain glares and scoffs from older women. He sighed in annoyance. Anne noticed, a wave of concern spreading across her face.

"Gilbert is everything alright? Did you not want to meet today?" Anne questioned, dropping her hands from Gilbert's, ignoring the burning feeling of loss from her hands. Realization hit Gilbert as he realized Anne had caught onto his solemn expression.

"No, No! I was just...annoyed, because I can't show any signs of affection to you without getting glares that anyone could tell are speaking of impropriety." Gilbert frowned, holding out his arm so Anne could latch on to it.

Anne hooked her arm through his, giggling at his moody tone. Gilberts knees went weak hearing the sound of her delicate laugh. Everything about Anne made him fuzzy in the head. He smiled down at her.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Gilbert, but today will be that way the entire time! We have nowhere else to go!" Anne exclaimed.

"Actually...I found a place perfect for our date. But we can't make a fuss about it. People can't see us go into there." Gilbert sighed, running his free hand through his hair.

"Why?" Anne asked, curiosity bursting through her whole entire body. She gasped, realizing what Gilbert what saying.

"Gilbert Blythe! Are you taking me somewhere secluded? Just imagine the fuss Marilla would have if she found out. It would be off with your head!" Anne dramatically expressed, laughing.

"That's why we can't make a fuss of it my dear Anne! Everybody thinks I'm a gentleman and I want to keep it that way, Shirley. I would also not want to put anything bad to your name!" Gilbert said, a hint of teasing her in his voice.

"Well, how long do we have to walk until we get to this place that could dent both of our reputations? Plus, there are plenty of things bad about my name from all these years." Anne sighed, getting anxious to where Gilbert was planning to take her.

"We aren't that far. I'd say a few more minutes." Gilbert said.

As they were walking, an older lady sneered at them.
She was clearly displeased with the young couples sign of affection. Gilbert awkwardly unhooked his arm from Annes, she dropped her arm to the side, a melancholy shade taking over her face. He frowned, resisting the urge to kiss her in front of everybody. To show them that they were in love, and indeed had every right to at least hold hands with each other.

"I'm sorry, Anne. I don't like that things have to be this way." He said, hunching his shoulders over.

"It's alright, Gil. You know they would have the same reaction to any other pair that shows affection. It's just how things are. But, who knows, maybe we could make a t-e-a-m and change the world." Anne beamed, referencing to the night her and Gilbert were under the moonlight on Miss Stacys porch.