Chapter Nine:
"To Me, You're Still As Beautiful As Ever, Anne."
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Anne didn't show up to walk with Mabel and Diana. That worried Mabel. It made her wonder if Anne was sick or something.

But, nonetheless, she went about her walk with Diana. Though, her mind did wander back to Anne. She so desperately hoped that she wasn't sick.

Silence fell over the girls as the wind blew their hair behind them. It was a comfortable silence, though.

Diana and Mabel didn't need to be talking all the time, they could just enjoy each other's company.

Mabel giggled to herself as she hung her hat up onto the coat rack.

"Is Anne not here?" Mabel asked, looking around the room confused. She had convinced herself that Anne had just arrived at school early for her studies.

"No. She hasn't arrived yet. Why?" Jane asked, leaning forward onto her elbows. "But Gilbert is back! Can you believe it? Ruby is certainly happy."

Mabel's mouth fell open in shock as she began stuttering, "W-Waig wh-what? Gilbert.. what? He's back?"

Jane rose a brow, her blue eyes scanning Mabel's face. "Uh, yes? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!" Mabel squeaked out, her mind racing with thoughts. She wondered how Anne would react to this.

Jane said something else that Mabel didn't quite catch.

Mabel shrugged in response, turning her head when the door opened. Diana motioned her over with widened eyes.

"Um, excuse me, Jane." Mabel smiled nervously, excusing herself as she stood.

"What's wrong?" Mabel asked worriedly as she stopped next to Diana. "Is Anne alright? Are you alright, Anne?"

"What's wrong? What's wrong is that I'm a monstrosity!" Anne cried out, though her tone was hushed.

"Surely it can't be that awful.." Diana tried to comfort.

"It'll be okay, Anne." Mabel whispered, "You can show us."

"In fact, you best forget me now and forever! I never ever want upon you two.."

"Best take off your hat.." Diana said after briefly glancing at the classroom.

Anne's hand rose shakily to her head. With tears in her eyes, she slowly lifted the hat from her head.

Mabel gasped quietly. Her hair was gone. Now short upon her head.

"Oh, dear.." Diana whispered, her eyes wide. She reached up and untied her bow and handed it to Anne. "I made a promise.. never to forsake thee. Besides.. it's only hair. It'll grow back soon."

Diana tied the bow around her head and smiled gently before turning and walking into the class

"To me, you're still as beautiful as ever." Mabel spoke, taking Anne's hand into her own. She squeezed it comfortingly. Mabel meant that with all of her heart. Anne truly was effortlessly beautiful to Mabel. She lost her breath every time Anne smiled.

"Do you really mean that?" Anne whispered, shock in her eyes, "I-I.. you must be.. surely you're lying to spare my feelings."

"I'm not, Anne. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen." Mabel spoke with a sense of confidence, though she didn't know where it came from.

Tears welled up in Anne's eyes as she smiled, "Oh, how you can make any horrible situation better.."

Mabel blushed, her lips curling up as she looked away. "You'll be okay."

Mabel slowly turned around and walked to stand with Diana. The world seemed to move in slow motion as Anne stepped into the classroom. The students separated, and Mabel wanted to tell Jane off for her reaction.

Anne kept her eyes trained on the floor as she passed the students. Mabel already knew that Billy Andrews would tear Anne apart.

When Anne finally lifted her head, she came face to face with Gilbert Blythe.

"Anne.." He said, smiling softly at her, sending strikes of jealousy through Mabel's body and heart.

"You're.. back." Anne was shocked, terribly shocked, Mabel could see it on the redheads face.

"Yeah, uh, hi."

"There's no gold!" Anne blurted, her eyes still wide with shock.

"Uh, yeah, I-I know.. I heard.. That's not why I'm here.. it's really good to see you."

Anne inhaled sharply, going to speak before the sound of Mr. Phillips entering the classroom interrupted her.

"Open your readers to page twenty." He spoke, waving his hands dramatically. The girls and boys quickly scrambled to their seats to not get in trouble.

The not so subtle comments about Anne's hair caused Mabel's blood to boil. She just wanted them to leave Anne be.

But no.

"It appears we have a new boy in class today." Mr. Phillips mocked, his lips turned up in a smirk, "Are you sure you're sitting on the right place, young man?"

Laughter continued from the class, causing Mabel to dig her fingernails into her palms.

She shared a knowing glance with Gilbert. Her eyes trailed to Diana, who gave a silent warning as she mouthed, "Don't do it."

She decided to do it anyway.

Mabel stood from her seat, crossing her arms and glaring at the teacher.

"What is wrong with you?" She spoke, venom lacing her tone.

"I beg your pardon?" Mr. Phillips turned slowly and stared at her, daring her continue.

She almost regretted standing up, now realizing she had no idea what to say.

"I asked what's wrong with you. There is no reason you should be speaking to Anne, or any of us for that matter,  like that. This is a classroom, Mr. Phillips. Not whatever you're making it out to be. We're supposed to be learning, but all I'm learning is how bad of a person you are." 

Mabel could feel the stares of the entire class on her, and she knew her parents would surely hear about this. But in this moment, she didn't care. She didn't care about the consequences from Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips looked taken aback as he raised his arm and shakily pointed at the board.

"Board. Right. Now." He said slowly.

Mabel crossed her arms, but complied nonetheless. She gave Anne a brief smile as she passed, who had a look of shock all over her face.

She couldn't possibly imagine what Anne was thinking right now. Mabel didn't know what she would do if she lost her hair! Her hair was very important to her. Mabel turned around, facing the class, her arms by her side. She rose her brow at Mr. Phillips, almost daring him to speak.

He didn't.

After the adrenaline wore off, Mabel's knees started to feel weak. But, hey, at least she had a clear view of Anne.

~~

"You didn't have to do that! Why would you do that?" Anne wailed, throwing her arms around Mabel.

Because of her weak knees, Mabel lost her balance and stumbled into the wall behind her.

"Because you're my friend, Anne. I'd do anything for you." Mabel smiled softly, gently pushing Anne off so she could stand straight.

"Oh, my.. really?"

"Really."

Mabel couldn't help but smile at the girl, trying to assure herself that everything would be alright.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

{ Word Count: 1192 }

{ A/n: brought to you by the fact that frozen 2 was beautiful and i might have cried just a bit }

{ Edited: No }