Chapter Twenty-One:

"Anne!" Mabel cheered, throwing her arms around her. Anne laughed, wrapping her arms around Mabel's waist. "Hello!"

Mabel blushed as Anne pulled away. Her heart sped up as she traced Anne's features with her eyes.

Anne looked around at the girls before she leaned down and picked up a book from the snow. She flipped through the pages before turning to the blonde girl beside her. "Ruby.. You're supposed to be covering the game. Where are the highlights? Do you even know the score?"

"It's just a school newspaper, Anne. not the Daily Telegraph." Josie said, crossing her arms to conserve heat.

"We don't even need an article about the game. We're all here." Ruby pointed out.

"She's busy ogling you know who!" Tilley teased as Billy knocked ice onto Josie.

"Oh!" Josie gasped, stumbling into Mabel.

"Cad! Bounder!" Josie called back with a grin.

"Josie! You've really caught Billy's eye!"

"Oh, I'm trying to make my peace with it." Jane said, shaking her head.

"With what?"

"That Josie may become her sister." Diana explained briefly.

"In law! Sister-in-law!" Jane corrected, crossing her arms and glaring over at the blonde.

Mabel giggled as she looked up at Josie. Anne sighed beside her, brushing her red hair from her eyes. "Alright! I'll write the article. Who are.  the team captains this week?"

"Gilbert." Ruby replied readily.

"Okay, and?" Anne paused, waiting for her to continue

"Whoever.."

"Diana.." Moody tipped his hat at her as he passed before stumbling over his feet.

"Going to take pity on poor Moody?" Josie tilted her head, a smirk plastered on her face.

"You know my family won't allow it.." Diana shook her head solemnly.

"Too rich to be a minister's wife?"

"Isn't Ruby covering the game?" Gilbert propped one foot on the snow to keep from sliding.

"Ruby's very.. preoccupied! With a certain someone!" Tilley answered for Anne.

Mabel giggled as Ruby's face changed to a deep red. After he left, she turned with a dreamy look in her eyes. "He noticed me! He looked right at me and smiled."

"You're delusional." Josie shook her head.

Ignoring her comments, Ruby continued to daydream. "Ruby Blythe."

"Oh, they're here!"  Mabel pointed at the man arriving with his daughter. Mabel, with the help of Moody to get her footing, carefully walked over to them.

She came to a stop, putting out her hands to balance herself as Gilbert skated up beside her.

"Hello, good afternoon." He greeted kindly. "I'd like to order a stick. If I may... Uh."

He fiddled with his pockets before he pulled out a small bag. "I brought money."

The man took two coins from Gilbert's hands before speaking. "Yes. We make for you. We bring when ready."

"So when might I expect it?"

"When ready." Gilbert nodded, and skated off, only to be replaced by Anne.

"Hello there!" Anne grinned, "I'd love to write an article about you and how you make your splendid sticks. Would that be possible?" Anne looked hopeful as she clutched the book to her chest.

"She's really good at it!" Mabel nodded, "Almost perfect..

"What is.. ar-ti-cle?" The young girl tilted her head as she searched Anne and Mabel's faces.

"I would ask you questions, learn about you, your work, and write it down for people to read." Anne explained slowly, making sure they both understood. She unfolded a piece  of paper and handed it to them. "Like this."

When Mabel saw the look on his face when he shook his head no, her heart dropped.

The man's daughter said something in their language, causing him to nod in agreement. "I see.. Smart. Yes."

"May I come visit your home later? To begin-"

"Hey." Billy interrupted, skating up.

"Oh, no.." Mabel murmured, shaking her head.

"Make me a stick?"

"You're supposed to say please. And ask nicely." Mabel scolded the older boy.

"I'll trade you for it." He tossed the cloth at them.

The girl, Ka'Kwet, picked up the cloth and angrily threw it back at him.

"Watch your step, Redskin." Bill sneered, skating away.

"I'm sorry!" Anne apologized for him, "He's very rude. Is it alright if I still visit you later?"

"It is a long way and.. not easy."

"Anything that is worth having is some trouble." Mabel glanced down at Anne's lips as she spoke momentarily before nodding in agreement.

"That way. Past all fences, go away from the ocean to the dead tree. Find the thin water that moves, travel upstream until all around you is green trees. Walk with the water the way the sun goes down, until the land goes flat and open. Our home is there." Ka'kwet explained, smiling at the two girls.

"It sounds like a poetic paradise.." Anne nodded at Ka'kwet as she left.

"Are you going to come with?"

Mabel shook her head, "I'm not sure. Maybe."

"Well, I certainly hope you do."

~~

"Happy birthday!" Mabel cried cheerily, throwing her arms around Anne and spinning her around. "You're actually sixteen! I simply can't believe you finally made it. You made me feel so old."

Anne laughed, throwing her head back as she wrapped her arms around Mabel's waist.

"I got you something." Mabel grinned, pulling away and reaching into her coat pocket.

"What? Mabel, you really shouldn't have!" Anne shook her head, looking down at the small box.

"But I did.. Just open it!" Mabel clapped her hands together as Anne examined the box in her hands.

"Are you sure?" Anne said carefully, brushing her hands against the blue ribbon.

"Yes!" Mabel groaned, "Open it!"

"Okay, okay, okay." Anne slowly pulled at the ribbon until it unraveled before she pulled the lid off of the tiny box.

She gasped, reaching her hand in and pulling out the necklace. Anne's eyes welled up with tears. "I-I-"

"Do you like it?" Mabel asked, concern lacing her tone as she gazed at the necklace with Anne's birthstone hanging on the end.

"I love it." Anne's voice was quiet as she gazed at Mabel.

"I'm glad."

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

{ Word Count: 1

{ A/n: im Tired so if theres spelling mistakes im SORRY }

{ Edited: No }