𝑰'𝑫 𝑭𝑶𝑳𝑳𝑶𝑾 𝒀𝑶𝑼, shirbert

15. 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕

ANNE SHIRLEY CUTHBERT let out a yelp as her best friend barreled through the door, startling her. Diana halted, leaning over to catch her breath. She looked up at Anne and smiled.

"Diana? What are you doing? What happened" Anne asked as Diana sat on the bed, an excited grin on her face.

"You'll never believe what just happened." Diana claimed, her eyes wide. Anne was taken aback by Diana's exhilarated expression. She got curious quickly, and had to know what her friend was so excited about.

"Tell me!" Anne laughed, throwing the book she was reading onto the floor. It landed with a thud, but both the girls ignored it.

"I met a boy today." Diana gushed, playing with the parasol in her hands, blushing. Anne gasped, throwing her hand over her mouth.

"A BOY? Diana Barry, please continue." Anne squealed, jumping up and dancing around the room. She stopped dancing and sat down back on the bed, facing her friend.

"Well, I was on a walk with Ruby, but Moody arrived and Ruby left. I started walking back and my parasol blew away with the wind. I was panicking but calmed down when I saw somebody grab it. I walked up to the person and saw the boy. His name is Fred Wright, and he doesn't go to Queens." Diana said, pointing at her parasol that was now in between her and Anne.

"Do you think you'll ever see him again?" Anne asked, curious about this Fred who's whereabouts are unknown.

"I don't know, but maybe if I start taking more walks around town, I might just run into him again!" Diana replied, shrugging her shoulders, a sneaky smile crawling onto her face.

"You must take me on one, I would love to meet him!" Anne said, picking the book up she had discarded on the floor earlier. She set it aside on her nightstand, and quickly turned her attention back to Diana.

"I will, but no promises we will see him." Diana said, pointing her finger at Anne, who was laughing.

"I will hunt him down. I will visit every city and ask every person I see about this Fred Wright. If we don't see him, I will find him, mark my words Diana!" Anne declared, bursting into a fit of giggles.

They laughed together, but were interrupted by a soft knock on the door.

"Come in!" Anne said, loud enough for the person on the other side of the door to hear. The door opened and Josie Pye walked through, face drained of all its energy and stained with tears.

"Can I talk to Anne...alone?" She asked and Diana nodded, getting up.

"I'll go see if Ruby is back yet." Diana said, opening the door and closing it behind her.

"Are you alright?" Anne asked, making room for Josie on the bed. She wasn't sure exactly why Josie was coming to her to speak in such a state, seeing as if her and Josie didn't have the best history. Josie sat down, shaking her head "'no."

"I- how did you get through it all?" Josie asked, wiping her eyes.

"Get through what?" Anne softly asked, tilting her head.

"Get through everything Avonlea put you through? Everything I put you through? Everything Billy..." Josie trailer off as his name slipped out. A few tears slipped out, running down her face. She quickly wiped them away, drying her hands off on her dress.

"I don't know. I guess I focused on everything that made me happy. The people in my life that I knew had my back. Although, I was stubborn, and didn't want somebody to help me. I mostly thought I could do everything on my own, but I learned that it's sometimes best to go to somebody, somebody who understands." Anne said.

"It's hard to find somebody who understands. After what Billy did to me after the fair, my mom, it's like she didn't even feel sorry for me. I know she was sorry I was so upset, but I don't think she really understood. I love her a lot, but I couldn't understand why she wanted me to be with Billy after that." Josie's tears were starting to fade, relieved she could finally talk to somebody about it, and be heard.

"What he did to you was a cruel act that shows coward ness and many other traits that are just awful. No person should suffer a cruelty like that. Before I came to Avonlea, I went through things, a little bit different from yours, but still very wrong. I know what it feels like. To be shouting into an empty void, even when people are there, they just can't seem to get to you." Anne poured out, tearing up.

"Is what he did still bothering you?" Anne asked, tentatively.

"Not anymore, I guess it was the reactions of people when they found out! They didn't even care about how I felt, they just assumed I had loose morals." Josie cried out.

"It was like I was telling them a completely different story, it's like they didn't even listen! Even after the article, I was sure that everything would get worse. It's like they seem to put aside happiness and replace it with standards." Josie ranted, putting her face in her hands.

"I found it hard to fit in even when I first got to Avonlea. With all of the scandals I've caused, I'm surprised they didn't throw me out of the town." Anne said, slightly laughing.

"I'm sorry I was so cruel to you all the time. I guess what everybody said got to my head, and I couldn't see what a wonderful person you are, Anne." Josie looked up and sniffled, her cheeks stained with tears.

"It's alright Josie, really. I should have never written that article without consent from you, I'm sorry." Anne apologized, rubbing the back of her neck.

"It's okay Anne, I read the article later, and I agreed with your words. I believe you could change the world one day." Josie said, and Anne gasped, tearing up.

"Do you really believe that? That I could change the world? That I could change society?" Anne asked and when Josie nodded, Anne pulled her into a hug. Josie froze in shock, but relaxed and held Anne tightly. Anne pulled back, wiping her tears.

"You know, Josie, I think we could be great friends."

AUTHORS NOTE
sorry it's so short, but next chapter = shirbert