It was not Joseph's decision to take a week off from school, he had been going almost every day since he'd moved to Avonlea.

Joseph had been planning on attending to keep up the facade that he was a regular student but Mr Bines found out about the Detective interviewing people and he insisted Joseph stay home for a week until things blew over. He didn't want to risk being discovered and if he saw Diana or Gilbert if they went to school then they'd most likely give something away in front of the other students. He had attacked Gilbert and had most likely damaged Gilbert's vocal cords beyond repair but he was a smart boy so there was still a chance he could get a message across despite these hurdles Joseph threw in his path.

Joseph still worked his plan while being off school. Joseph decided to send the wheels in motion and pay a visit to one of his biggest fans from school, Billy Andrews. The boy would do pretty much anything he said and had been a shadow to Joseph ever since he started in school.

Joseph set out early that day before school began. It was a crisp spring morning, dew glistening on the fresh grass and the trees dripping from the rain showers like leaves weeping in the soft sunlight.

The Andrews house was large and the family were well off. Billy's two sisters Prissy and Jane didn't like Joseph all that much due the fact that Billy was a huge fan of him. Joseph looked over the wall into their back garden and saw that there was a path leading out into the neighbouring woods. He heard the echoing crack of a pellet hitting a tree and knew instantly that Billy was out shooting.

Joseph followed the well-trodden dirt path through the slightly gloomy woods. The trees creaked and moaned in the morning wind and the bracken scurried with sleepy animals. Joseph quickly found the boy as he wasn't particularly stealthy.

"Billy Andrews!" Joseph called lut. "What a blessed coincidence I met just the man I needed to see." Joseph flashed his charismatic smile.

Billy turned around and lowered his rifle. He was proud of the weapon and took every opportunity to use it and to show it off, often bringing it to school to casually have slung over his shoulder. He had the idea that it gave a grown up, dangerous and masculine edge to him but in truth it made him look ignorant and rather foolish.

"Joseph, hey bud." Billy walked over to the curly-haired blond boy. "What did you want?"

"To talk, really--" Joseph took on a serious expression. "I've witnessed something... terrible. I'm not entirely sure what to do about it..."

"What did you see?" Billy frowned.

"That orphan girl who doesn't come to school anymore, the one you told me about? Anne is her name, I think?" Joseph said.

Billy nodded. Anything to do with Anne would be entertaining, he was listening.

"Well, I--I saw her... breaking into houses and taking things last night -- I know this sounds crazy, surely she wouldn't do such a thing -- I don't know what to do..."

"No frickin way!" Billy was ecstatic. "Breaking into houses and stealing? Joseph, which houses?"

"The Mantleyews, the Burns, the Cuttles, the Frailles... I think. I don't understand, why would she do this?" Joseph asked, disbelief painted on his face.

Billy sneered knowingly. "Anne isn't like us, she's a mental case. She's from an asylum full of other crazy criminal kids." He shook his head. "I wouldn't put it past her to be a crazy criminal like all the rest."

"That's awful. She shouldn't be living here with us, she has to be stopped. Somebody has to stop her! What if she does it again? I'll bet she'll go out again tonight to see if she missed anything in the houses she broke into..." Joseph fretted.

Somebody has to stop her.

"Don't worry, bud. I'll handle this." Billy said, loading his rifle.

"What are you going to do?" Joseph asked.

"I'll make sure she doesn't steal again. Don't worry, Joseph. I knew all along she was trash, some people didn't see it but I did." Billy told the other boy.

"I can see I did the right thing coming to you." Joseph nodded, assuming a reassured face.

Inside, he was beyond pleased by Billy's reaction. This was all going swimmingly. Soon he'd have an eyewitness account that Anne had broken into those houses along with missing valuables he had previously secured while doing jobs for the families. He'd also have a testimony of honesty and good character for himself for coming to Joseph with what he 'saw'.

Whatever Joseph decided to do to Anne was up to him, that was not Joseph's concern. Joseph had a busy day, he had to go and pack up a cart with all the stolen valuables and the chest from in the woods. It wouldn't be long before he could leave town and be free of the controlling and abusive Mr Bines.

...

When Anne and Gilbert arrived at school, Anne's nerves had not faded.

She felt better that Gilbert was there too but she couldn't squash the images of the girls and their judging eyes, the boys sneers and the teacher's barking shouts that flashed her straight back to the orphanage, being shouted at by the staff and the older children alike. Anne had not been to school for so long, it was no longer familiar and safe. It felt like walking into a lion's den.

Gilbert looked at Anne and noticed how worried she was, face pale, eyes wide. He hesitated before grasping the confidence he needed and slipped his larger hand inside her small one. He caught her grey eyes.

"Hey, it'll be okay Anne." He whispered.

Anne looked at their entwined fingers and her breath caught in her throat. Slowly, she looked at Gilbert and took in the sincerity in his eyes. She nodded. Anne took a deep breath, chest rising and eyelashes fluttering closed before she walked up the steps.

Just before she opened the schoolhouse door Anne let go of Gilbert's hand and delved hers deep inside her coat pockets. Gilbert swallowed, trying not to feel hurt. Anne had enough to deal with, without people talking about her and the boy she was well-known to detest. Him borrowing her scarf was one thing, holding her hand was quite another.

Anne didn't look back at him as she pushed open the doors.

The school was in its usual morning bustling and noisy state, students of varying ages throwing paper airplanes and messages across the room, chatting and shouting as they prepared the room and themselves for their lessons. Mr Caine was in his office. Anne stood still in the cloakroom, eyes searching. She spotted Diana at the front in her usual place with nobody sitting next to her yet. Anne hung her coat on her peg and slung her bag over her shoulder. She stole a last glance at Gilbert, who was abnormally quiet as he hung his things.

Anne shook the knot in her chest away and entered the class, walking through the students to the front. Anne heard people beginning to whisper and talk amongst themselves about her.

"It's Anne. Oh my God, she's back." "She's not been at school for a year!" "Is she back for good?" "Maybe she's come for round two with Billy." "What do you mean?" "Didn't you hear she knocked him down? She came to school yesterday to see Diana, he tried to fight her and she took him down!"

Anne tried to ignore their whispers which thankfully subsided when Mr Caine exited his office and stood at his desk, sorting papers.

Anne greeted Mr Caine. "Good morning, Mr Caine. My name is Anne Shirley-Cuthbert as you may remember. I am going to begin attending school again as of today. My guardian Marilla insisted upon it. I am slightly behind as I haven't been in over a year, so any help would be greatly appreciated." Anne said.

"Yes, Miss Cuthbert informed me of your return when she spoke to me after school yesterday. She was quite determined you'd attend. Hopefully your attendance will improve beyond your record of a year-long absence..." Mr Caine said curtly. He found several books for Anne. "These will help but you'll need to work hard to catch up. You're to sit beside Josie Pye."

Anne hesitated, glancing at the empty chair beside Diana. Diana had spotted Anne and was looking at her friend with an expression of confusion and hopefullness. She was glad to see her friend, surprised she was back at school. She had a lot to talk about with Anne.

"There's a space beside Diana--" Anne began.

"Sit in your assigned seat, Miss Shirley." Mr Caine snapped coldly.

His tone made it crystal clear there was no further argument to be had about the matter.

"It's Shirley-Cuthbert." Anne muttered, before turning around to take her place.

She was met with Gilbert, standing not far behind her, waiting to see Mr Caine too. His jaw was clenched, his face strangely pale as though he was anxious. Anne didn't have time to speak with him before he hastily moved past her and spoke to their teacher.

"Hello, sir." Gilbert said through gritted teeth.

Anne saw him twisting his trembling hands behind his back. Anne wondered why he was so tense. He clearly did not like Mr Caine. Anne didn't like Mr Caine either, he was cold and harsh and did not make any student feel like learning.

Anne slowly went to sit beside Josie Pye. Josie was not one of Anne's friends, they had never gotten along mostly due to Josie deciding from the first moment of their introduction that she didn't like Anne and siezed every opportunity to undermine, insult and humiliate her. The pretty blonde girl looked absolutely horrified that Anne was sitting with her and shrunk away from her.

"Oh, God. I have to sit next to dirty trash." Josie stood up at once and raised her hand. "Sir, are you sure we can't change seats? I can sit next to Jane Andrews instead."

Everybody turned to look at Josie and Anne, more whispers ensued and Anne flushed slightly. She saw Diana flash her a sympathetic look and look down at Anne's old chair next to her longingly.

"Sit down, Miss Pye. You have your assigned seat and there will be no more seat changes." Mr Caine stood up, his face menacing.

"But Jane could have Anne's seat here. Anne can sit next to her new Beaux Gilbert Blythe." Josie piped up, a wicked glint in her eyes.

The whole class erupted into unbearable whispers and giggles. Ruby Gillis, a dedicated admirer of Gilbert's let out a stifled sob. Anne flushed an even darker shade of red and looked at Gilbert, who had turned at the sound of his name and glanced at Anne. Anne straightened up in her seat, feeling hot and flustered but determined not to show her embarrassment. Gilbert turned away, troubling uncertainty lingering in his dark eyes.

"Silence!" Mr Caine rapted his desk hard with his ruler and Gilbert visibly flinched, the palms of his hands tingling from memory. "Take your seats. The class will begin."

Gilbert found his place at the front in his old chair. He threw his borrowed books down on the table and sat down, wondering where his old best-friend Charlie Sloane was. Gilbert did his best to ignore the whispers, especially those about the scarf he wore strongly resembling Anne's one. Mr Caine was unable to ignore the whispers unfortunately.

"If I hear one more person utter a single word before being called upon the punishment will be one-hundred lines."

The classroom fell into deafening silence.

Gilbert took a glance at Anne over his shoulder but the redhead was stubbornly avoiding his eyes, staring up ahead at the chalkboard with her shoulders back and her chin up in determination. He knew that everybody's talking had embarrassed her, especially Josie's comment about him being her Beaux. He felt slightly downtrodden that she was clearly so humiliated to be tied to him but he brushed it off and focused all his energy on the lesson ahead.

It was spelling.

...

Two boys were late to class that day.

The first was Billy Andrews, an unwelcome addition to the already unpleasant classroom which Anne felt like running away from. He turned up ten minutes late, gun over his shoulder and a knowing look in his eyes. As soon as he saw Anne, his face lit up with gleeful ill intent.

Billy took his seat after being chastised for his tardiness and for bringing a weapon into the classroom by a disgruntled Mr Caine. Gilbert shot Billy a filthy look, deep dislike still simmering for the bully. Billy watched Anne, thinking about how satisfying it would be for her to finally get what was coming to her. He'd finally be able to prove how awful she really was and show everyone he was right about her.

The second boy to arrive late was Charlie Sloane, a good natured boy who was best-friends with Gilbert Blythe before he left for work on the steamer. Charlie meant well but somehow managed to be inadequately prepared for every situation. He had a large family and was generally a kind, honest and bright boy.

Charlie was late due to the younger sister who trailed behind him. Carrie was painfully shy and afraid of most things. Charlie apologised profusely for being late, taking the brunt of the telling-off while Carrie slipped into her chair silently. Charlie spotted Gilbert next to his chair and his face lit up. He eagerly joined his friend at the desk.

"Gilbert! You're back!" Charlie threw his arms around Gilbert in a hug. "It's good to see you, friend."

Gilbert smiled at Charlie. His friend was a most-welcome break in the danger and trouble that had hit Gilbert in waves since his return to Avonlea.

"It's good to see you too. I hope you've been well." Gilbert spoke quietly, eager not to be told off by the harsh Mr Caine or even be victim of his severe punishment for a second time.

"Blythe! Sloane!" Mr Caine hounded. "Now is not the time for a chat. You should be working on your words."

"I'm sorry sir." Gilbert said at once. "It's my fault. Also I already finished all my words--"

"Oh you did? Well perhaps your supreme intelligence can be of educational asset to your classmates. Come to the front of class and spell for us." The teacher demanded.

Gilbert hesitated.

"Come on, boy." The man snapped his fingers. "Class, Mr Blythe here will now demonstrate the accurate spelling of the words in your lesson."

Gilbert made his way to the front. This took him straight back to his old teacher Mr Phillips' spelling competitions which he and Anne would nearly always draw in or come neck to neck. Gilbert looked at Anne and caught her watching him. She hastily stuck her head back in her book.

"Anne, you don't want to miss the show." Josie elbowed Anne. "Look, it's your Beaux."

Ruby looked over her shoulder back at the girls and Anne saw her lip wobbling. The poor girl was head over heels for Gilbert. Anne felt terrible for Ruby having to hear all of this about Gilbert being Anne's Beaux when it couldn't be further from the truth in Anne's mind.

"I am busy, Josie." Anne hissed.

"Miss Shirley-Cuthbert. You're clearly not paying attention." Mr Caine glared, noticing the girl's disruption. "Get up and join us at the front. If you're so intent on your book you've obviously learnt something important. Share it with us."

"I'm just learning my words, sir." Anne froze.

"Very good, it appears Blythe has met his match then." Mr Caine sneered. "Well then, it seems we have ourselves a competition."

...

"Spell disruption." Mr Caine said, looking down at his class meaningfully.

Anne had missed the thrill of a good spelling competition but the embarrassment of Gilbert being named as her Beaux was far greater than any joy she would have found in the academic challenge. Anne's brow was furrowed and her mind was distracted as she spelled the word.

"D I S R U P T I O N."

Gilbert looked at Anne. He was concerned that the events of today's class would put some sort of strain on his relationship with Anne. She had only just accepted him as a friend and he hoped he hadn't imagine it that they'd even begun to bond during their time together in recent incidents. Gilbert fretted that they'd be set back to the days when Anne refused to even speak to him. Incidentally Josie Pye was the reason why Anne and Gilbert's relationship had started on a bad spot.

"Blythe, spell commitment." Mr Caine gazed at his teachers certificate on the wall, feeling some regret on his chosen profession. He had long since lost the joy he felt as a young teacher. Now he was bitter and sullen.

"C O M M I T M E N T." Gilbert managed the long word easily despite the distraction Anne stubbornly avoiding his gaze caused him.

"Shirley, spell resignation..."

"R E S I G -- I uh... N A T I O N." Halfway through, Anne glanced at Gilbert and caught him looking at her and she faltered.

"You weren't too sure about that one?" Mr Caine asked.

"I'm just fine, sir." Anne said firmly.

"You seem to be struggling to remember the spelling." He said harshly.

"I swear to you, I can spell just about anything." Anne insisted.

"Maybe you need extra lessons to catch up on all your absence? Do you wish to stay behind?"

"She's the best in our class." Gilbert said abruptly.

"I wouldn't hassle Anne if I were you, sir." Billy sniggered. "That's Gilbert's girl."

A titter went around the classroom like a wave. Anne flushed bright red and Gilbert clenched his jaw in frustration. He hadn't meant his words to be anything more than supporting his fellow student who did happen to be the best in class in his opinion. Anne was smart, it would take a fool to deny it.

"Spell, disobedience." Mr Caine said loudly, looking pointedly at Billy.

Gilbert wondered with irritation why Mr Caine hadn't used his threat of severe punishment on Billy Andrews after speaking out of turn. His hands still inched with pain from the memory of his punishment. The scars lingered there, both skin deep and mental.

"D I S O B E D I E N C E." Gilbert was finding it hard to focus when Anne was upset.

During their old spelling competitions Anne revelled in beating Gilbert at spelling but now it wasn't fun. She wanted it to be over. Everyone watched the pair in silence, competitive encouragement or appreciative gushing forbidden by the strict Mr Caine.

"Spell humiliation." Mr Caine looked at Anne.

The midmorning sun beamed through the windows, the cusp of burning summer heat dancing just out of reach yet the rays felt focused and hot almost like a spotlight. Anne clasped her pale fingers behind her back, her freckled face screwed up as she tried to think. Her classmates waited with bated breath and hushed giggles.

"H U M I L I A T I O N."

"Blythe, spell enraptured." Mr Caine could see the way Gilbert was gazing with worry at Anne.

The class could barely hide their snorts that time. Anne was clenching her fists so tightly that her fingers dug into her palms. Gilbert wanted it to be over, he hated anyone to feel so ridiculed let alone Anne. He looked at the students. Everyone was hooked on the veritable show, like a cat watching a mouse struggle under it's claws. All except Diana who was empathetic for her friend Anne and a handful of others weren't enjoying it, including Ruby Gillis and Charlie Sloane. Gilbert saw that Billy Andrews and Josie Pye had smirks of glee on their faces. They were actually enjoying Anne's embarrassment.

That was it.

"E N R A P T U R -- A D." Gilbert deliberately misspelled.

Mr Caine flew down on him like a ravenous eagle. "That is incorrect, Blythe! I see there are flaws in your seemingly impeccable intelligence. Miss Shirley, it's up to you - spell enraptured."

"E N R A P T U R E D." Anne spoke quickly, knowing it was finally over.

"Today's winner is Anne."

Gilbert looked at Anne in relief as he shook her hand. She glanced up at his face and knew instantly he had misspelled on purpose for her sake. His dark brown eyes held her bright grey ones like magnets. They were both glad the tense competition was over.

"Congratulations." Gilbert murmured amicably.

Mr Caine clapped very briefly for Anne, the students all cheered and applauded save Josie and Billy of course. Diana was most proud, relief also clear on her face. She gave Anne the sympathetic look again as Anne took her seat.

Gilbert sat down and looked back as Anne took her seat beside the dreadful Josie. Anne looked miserable, despite the competition being over. It was understandable, she had been humiliated in front of the whole class. Gilbert sighed and sat back, looking up as Mr Caine wiped the board.

"Hey, Gilbert--" Charlie muttered ro Gilbert, leaning in. "You should have added the E."

...

The morning dragged on but nothing lasted forever, even things which seemed interminably painful to bear and felt as though they were truly never ending. Lunchtime finally arrived and Anne felt that she could just run into the fields and never come back to school.

She knew that Marilla thought Anne was dramatic about her distaste for school. Although it was highly likely that if Marilla had Anne's emotional and dramatic disposition then she'd surely feel the same and oppose to school just as passionately as her adopted charge.

Anne's old group of friends were eager to bring Anne to sit in their usual corner and catch up with the girl after such a long absence but Anne made haste to head outside to take shelter under the trees at the back of the school yard and get away from judging eyes and hurtful whispers for even just half an hour.

In the cool, empty cloakroom Anne was rummaging in her bag to retrieve her food when she heard the creak of a floorboard. Anne's instincts were by now honed to expect danger or misfortune at the sound of every approaching person. She turned quickly with watchful eyes to see that it was the detested Billy Andrews.

"Hey rat," Billy sneered. "Don't think your lucky moment yesterday was going to put me off."

"Lucky moment?" Anne frowned. "You mean when you attacked me and I defended myself? Shocking, you really can't admit that a girl knocked you flat on your face?"

"Any day you fancy a rematch, dog, I'll prove to you that it was pure luck and chance." Billy said aggressively. "I'd hurry up if I were you - you don't have much time left..."

Anne's heart dropped. "What?" Billy's words rung back with a feared familiarity... Joseph had said the same thing to her.

"Afternoon, Billy." Gilbert's appearance stopped Billy from replying.

Billy turned and saw the older boy entering the cloakroom, his handsome dark eyes taking in the scene before him: Anne was standing half-facing her open bag, her fingers grasping the straps tightly, face white as a sheet; Billy standing beside his hook, where his bag, coat and gun were hung, a smirk fading from his face. He was outnumbered.

Gilbert's voice were audibly sore and husky but he somehow managed to maintain the smooth, calm way he spoke when deterring Billy's bullying that first day Anne saw him on the birch path. He held a soft, dangerous power like a storm brewing in the heavy dark sky. His tone let Billy know that he was in charge of the situation now and Billy knew from experience that Gilbert could take him down easily.

"What are we talking about? Sounds like a riveting discussion." Gilbert stared at Billy with a false smile pulling up his lips as he walked fully into the room. "I bet you'd love to catch up with Anne but I can see she's pretty busy. As should you be." Gilbert rather pointedly leant slowly against the door frame, tipping his head in that direction.

Billy rolled his eyes, his fingers falling from where they were itching to reach his pellet gun. He sighed irritably before shoving past the unmovable Gilbert and disappeared outside to find the few classmates who tolerated him. Anne and Gilbert were alone together in the cloakroom. Anne glanced at Gilbert before hurriedly busying herself in her bag. Gilbert's eyes flickered over Anne and he swallowed nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

"Aren't you going to eat with your friends today?" Gilbert asked, his tone light.

Anne kept her eyes on her bag, her back to Gilbert as she pretended to keep rummaging in her bag. She had already located her lunch but for some reason wanted to delay before she left Gilbert and went outside.

"I can't face them. If things were normal I'd happily fill them in on my time away and talk about all of their recent trials and joys but it's not normal. Everything is different now. They don't know what I've been-- what's happened. They'd want to know everything and I- I can't tell them everything, not like I can tell anything to Diana and to y... they just wouldn't understand and I- I can't take the risk--" Anne faltered. "Not after-- after what--"

"What happened to me?" Gilbert finished her sentence, stepping closer.

"I never know if I'm safe, if I can speak, if the people I care about will be hurt or--" Anne was stammering now, gesturing with her hand. "I don't know if he's watching me or what he's going to do next--"

"Anne, you are safe" Gilbert moved closer, longing to touch her shoulder, her hand, to comfort her.

After their tense day there was a thick void which seemed to have formed between them, just like before they became friends. It hurt to go back to square one but Gilbert thought mournfully that at least she was speaking to him.

"You can't keep me safe-- you're not my guard, I can't have you getting attacked again, not for me--" Anne was struggling to articulate her thoughts, her mind was a shambles.

"I can! Anne, I will keep you safe," Gilbert implored, his face expressive. "I promised."

"I don't mean it that way, I only mean that don't want you to. You're too im-- I don't want you to get hurt because of me again. I don't want you to be hurt." Anne looked up over her shoulder, her eyes swimming.

Gilbert stood there, chest hurting at the sight of her so worried and upset. He looked at her, her eyes burning into his.

"Things will go back to normal, I promise." Gilbert said. "One day."

"You don't know that. After what Joseph said-- I don't think they ever will and I think he's got something planned which will knock the final nail in my coffin!" Anne said with weak resolve.

Gilbert frowned. "What he said? When-- what do you mean?"

Anne looked down, scuffing her boot on the uneven wooden floor. She bit her lip. Anne glanced around the quiet room and at the door. When she spoke, it was fast and quiet like she couldn't wait to be over with the sentence.

"When he was at Green Gables, he told me that I didn't have much time left." Anne said. She paused. "Billy just said the same thing to me."

Gilbert gazed at the redhead, brow furrowed.

"Joseph is almost finished-- He's close-- he's almost finished his plan. I can feel it." Anne whispered. "Gilbert, I'm scared."

Gilbert swallowed, uncertainty rising in his heart. He wanted to help Anne, he knew that all they could do was keep to their plan and find out more about Joseph and try to undermine any of Joseph's plans. Gilbert was close to Anne now, feet away. He could see her eyelashes and count her freckles, hear her breathing and smell her curling red hair.

"Don't let Billy get to you. We have our plan, we'll stick to it." Gilbert spoke softly. "You're not running out of time, he won't get to finish his plan. We'll stop him before he can."

Anne looked at him, knowing he really believed his words and almost believing them herself. But fear and doubt clung to her mind, squeezing her brain like a fist, making her head ache. She had to go along with their plan, it was her only option, her only chance.

Anne was grateful that Gilbert was there to say these encouragements when she needed them, she felt bad for being so cold to Gilbert during the day. The scrutiny she felt under the gaze of Josie and the others made her want to hide. She hated it. It didn't make her feel any better but Gilbert didn't seem to be enjoying school any more than she was.

"Do you like Mr Caine?" Anne asked Gilbert quietly, remembering how tense Gilbert became around the man.

Gilbert hesitated. "Do you?"

Anne shook her head firmly.

"There's not much to like about him." Gilbert agreed quietly. "He doesn't like me."

"Why not? Everyone likes you." Anne said abruptly.

Gilbert smiled slightly.

"Not quite." He said, his smile dropping away. "Well, Mr Caine decided instantly he didn't like me. It was just drawn from some ridiculous incident between the boys, it doesn't even matter--"

"Incident? What happened?" Anne asked curiously.

"Well, I-- It's not really--" Gilbert didn't want to tell Anne about the boys talking about her and saying horrible things and he was slightly embarrassed by his violent actions after that shoving the boy.

"Gil, I won't judge you." Anne said softly.

"Anne it was nothing," Gilbert said.

"Nothing? Doesn't seem like nothing."

"Just a disagreement." Gil sighed.

"Over...?"

"Over you!" Gilbert said suddenly, giving up.

Anne had not expected that. "I-- What?" Anne stuttered.

"It was a disagreement over you." Gilbert said, with resignation as he avoided Anne's eyes. "A couple of the boys were saying stuff about you. You don't even want to know what they said. I didn't-- I didn't like what they were saying."

Anne was so taken aback, she even forgot to speak.

Gilbert's fingers anxiously tugged at the black curls at the back of his neck. He felt embarrassed, he didn't want Anne to know what Mr Caine did to him or why. He knew that Anne wouldn't approve of his behaviour and would be horrified at Mr Caine's actions.

"Seriously, it's fine." Gilbert said. "It's not a problem. I'm sorry about earlier also, Mr Caine shouldn't have called you up in front of everybody - I know it was hard for you especially when Josie said--"

"It doesn't matter, Gilbert." Anne said suddenly, a pink tinge flooding her cheeks. She pulled her lunch out of her bag and turned to look at Gilbert properly.

Gilbert saw a flush in her pale cheeks. "She shouldn't have said those things," He said slowly. "About us-- about me being your bea--"

"It's not real, Gilbert. Josie doesn't know what she's talking about. There's nothing between us, so it doesn't matter if she says those things about you." Anne brushed it off, head held high. "It means nothing to me."

Before Gilbert could say any more she had gone through the door and escaped into the back yard. There's nothing between us. There's nothing between us. It means nothing to me. There's nothing between us. The words rattled around Gilbert's head like a hammer on an anvil, crashing painfully and knocking down all of his hopeful ideas about Anne and what she could have felt about him or how she had grown to think about him.

Gilbert was left standing there, his heart aching suddenly in a painful and peculiar way.

A/N 30 chapters of Home to Avonlea!!!! I'm so so happy and proud! I can't believe how far my story has come and how popular it has grown. I want to say thank you to every reader from the very start of this book to those who clicked onto my story only 2 minutes ago. I'm so grateful to every read, vote and most of all comment - your feedback means the world to me even if it's just simply "AWWW SHIRBERT" it all counts towards me having more motivation and confidence in my writing abilities to make thousands of you so emotionally invested and excited about my book. I love you all and I will keep writing my book every day that you're still enjoying it and wanting more(probably some time after that too). I'm sorry for the delay in an update, I've been sick - thank you for your continued patience in the unscheduled and sometimes irregular updates. Lots of love, h x