"Why should the family you were born into, the place you grew up, the ideas people set upon you, decide your future? Shouldn't you let your dreams guide your path?"

Exams were approaching like a speeding train, taking the students of Avonlea into their future and far away from the beloved haunts and treasured memories of their childhood town.

The students crammed study sessions every day, panicking about forgetting the facts and dates that infuriatingly evaded their brain. Miss Stacey held study groups to keep everyone motivated. The sun blazed outside their windows, scorching the grass and simmering Avonlea in a haze as families reaped their harvest from the fields and their oldest children wiled away their time preparing for the exam. Anne and her friends holed away in their rooms with piles of books and papers while the world seemed to slow for Diana.

The days dragged for Diana who wandered the countryside lanes with a heavy heart. Every turn held such nostalgia and was awash with memories. The 'haunted wood', the story shack, the 'white way of delight'. Diana couldn't escape the truth that all her friends were moving on from Avonlea soon, and progressing onwards into a new chapter of their lives.

What was she doing? Attending a Finishing School in another country.

Diana had been told since she was little that she would go to Paris, to be 'finished'. It was her future since she could remember, yet as the day approached it didn't feel -- right. Why should her friends get the chance at higher education and she shouldn't? Just because of her class, her status, the reputation of her family... It was all stupid in her opinion now. It didn't make sense. Since she became friends with Anne everything she'd taken to be simply 'the way of things' was challenged or tipped on its head. Life had so many possibilities when you challenged the status quo...

The day before exams, Diana made her way up Rulle Hill to enjoy the afternoon sun and the view one last time. Three days from then she'd be on a ship crossing the sea to Europe and she wouldn't see Avonlea in a long time. Diana had had an argument with her parents about college before she'd left for her walk. The anger surged through her veins hotly, fuelling her steep upward walk. As she climbed the hill, Diana felt angry tears in her eyes. It was so frustrating, to have so much more than all her friends yet they had the most important thing of all - freedom. She'd give every penny of her wealth to not have to worry about reputation and how she should behave or what she should do.

The rebellious streak Anne had unknowingly drawn out of Diana was growing every day. It made Diana snap at her parents when she disagreed with them and argue against their archaic opinions, it made her run out for a walk when she should be doing needlework. It had been the reason Diana was drawn to Anne in the first place and had enabled her to defend Anne when she needed it and even to change her point of view when Anne questioned things that had been the standard for Diana.

Reaching the top of the hill breathless and fuming, Diana fell to her knees to recover. She felt satisfaction upon noticing the grass stains in her skirts. She dug her fingers into the ground and pulled up handfuls of dirt, warm and dry. The earth was hardened by sun and crumbled between her hands. Overwhelmed by a disgust at everything to do with her family and upbringing Diana pressed the dirt into the expensive lace embroidery on her skirts, rubbing the earth into the delicate fabric. She hoped it would stain.

Diana looked out around her, the view endless in its expanse that seemed to engulf her in it's magnitude. Avonlea didn't seem small from up here, yet it seemed so familiar all the same, every acre of patchwork fields, each of the silver twisting streams, the families of flurrying birds in the trees and sky, even the busy carts traversing the winding lanes.

Diana lay back in the grass, the feelings welling up in her chest like a tide rising. She thought of the ocean, that day on the beach. It had felt like a dream... A day of freedom. She wished every day could be like that. Tears fell down her cheeks and ran into her black hair and down her chin. She let them come for once. As Anne had taught her, emotions weren't a weakness. They were a strength and clarified feelings and thoughts which were often brushed away or boxed inside.

"Diana. What are you doing here?" Came a familiar voice, a French accent.

"Jerry?" Diana sat up abruptly.

Jerry stood by the Rulle Hill oak tree, his bag over his shoulder and cap pulled low to protect his eyes from the sun.

"Were you crying?"

"I-- no. Well, actually yes. Not that it's your business." Diana wiped her face, blushing.

"Why not? I'm your friend aren't I?" Jerry's kind brown eyes melted Diana's front.

Diana nodded, exhausted. "Yes, you are..."

"What made you cry?" Jerry asked, walking closer to where she sat.

Diana thought about this, all of the things which had ammounted to her tears. She didn't know where to start. She bit her lip and laughed bitterly. "I envy you, Jerry. So much."

"Me? You envy me?" Jerry was dumbfounded.

Diana looked down at her hands, pale and soft and dirt-stained. She'd never done a hard day's work in her life, she spent her life doing pointless things like sewing and baking and learning polite conversations. The only things which brought her joy such as reading, piano and even going out with Anne were disapproved of by her Mother and Father. All the things which made her who she was... they didn't approve of her.

"All my life... I've been trained by my parents for one thing. One job." Diana's voice shook as she spoke. "I've never been asked if I even wanted the job, I never got a choice. I have to go to Finishing School, learn to be a good wife. That's my life. From day one, that was the grand plan for me. No college, that's not on the agenda."

Jerry listened in silence, but his jaw was set in irritation. He disagreed with her.

"I feel suffocated, trapped, helpless. I hate it." Diana felt the tears come again. "I envy you. There are no class boundaries that stop you from being an individual."

Jerry raised his eyebrows. Finally, he spoke. "No, Diana. But there are ones that stop me going to college... You have a chance for a better life. You just have to decide. You have the choice at the end of the day."

...

As the pupils of Avonlea took their seats for their final exams, nerves ran high. The sun shone through, tantalising the already-sweaty youths as they breathed deeply and recited answers silently to themselves. Wiping their foreheads and tapping their fingers on the desks anxiously, they picked up their pens.

Anne looked down at her paper and thought how just a few years ago her odds at attending college were none and now... it was within her grasp. She was determined, to give it her very best shot -- for that small, afraid Anne who didn't see any way out of the orphanage and certainly not any future going to further education. She'd do it for her, for that orphan who thought her dreams would never come true.

Gilbert's seat remained empty. Anne hadn't heard from him in the past week and had presumed he'd been studying hard, never guessing his change of heart and impulsive decision. Little did Anne know, he was far away in Charlottetown taking a very different test.

His seat would not be wasted though...

The instructor opened his mouth to begin the exam when the doors burst open. All heads turned, dust mites flurried in the sunlit air which streamed through the open doors. It was Diana.

"I'm so sorry for my tardiness. Please excuse this rudeness." Diana bid, taking off her hat and making her way to Gilbert's empty seat. Stealing a glance at Anne she barely concealed her smile.

Anne was flabbergasted and wished she could yell for joy but she kept it in and prayed Diana good luck. Her kindred spirit could be going to college with her? It hardly bared thinking about, it was too good to be true.

"Well, if we are all here," Said the instructor, who was not impressed. "Then we may begin. You have three hours."

The hourglass was turned as were the students papers. The exam began.

...

Elated would be an understatement to try and describe the feeling of freedom and relief as the students ran down the lanes, streaming their scarves. They reached the wall that lead to the ruins and tossed their hats up into the air. Their calls and whoops were wild and passionate, freedom and relief screaming from every fibre of their being. They'd done it! Exams were finished!

It was when a student passed out some bottles of home-brewed alcohol that the real party began. Anne and her friends passed a bottle around, feeling grown up and daring. It tasted bitter and strong and burnt their throats but they didn't care. The girls screamed in surprise when Diana grabbed the bottle and took a big gulp of the liquor.

"Diana, I'm so glad you took the exams!" Anne beamed, clasping her best friend's hand tightly as they watched their friends hugging and chatting excitedly.

"So am I." Diana smiled meaningfully, her gaze meeting Anne's.

If they both passed they would no longer be parted across the sea, no longer have a forked path of a future leading to separate lives. They'd remain as close as they ever were and partake this new stage in life together. Diana wasn't even afraid of facing her parents about it any longer for it was too late for them to stop her. She'd taken the exam. She had a choice now, options... she had the chance at freedom.

The party made their way down the lanes as the sun set. The ruins were an old Avonlea hideaway for youths and were cut into the woods in the midst of what had become a meadow over time. The broken pillars and crumbling walls stuck out amongst the soft green grass and wildflowers poked up between bricks and sprouted up from the moss which had taken over the once smooth structures. The group dispersed, some sitting and chatting, some gathering wood and building a bonfire.

Anne's happiness was nearly boundless. She only wished Gilbert was there to enjoy her success with. Where had he been today? Anne couldn't think. He had been planning to take the exams and studied for it, so why hadn't he? She made up her mind she would go and see him the very next day and ask him.

"What are you thinking about, Anne?" Ruby asked, appearing at her shoulder.

Snapping from her thoughts, Anne glanced at her friend. Ruby had grown taller in the last year but her girlish wiles had never left her. The deep blush in her cheeks, the high giggle and the romantic ideals remained, encapsulating her endearing charm.

"Nothing."

"I don't believe that one bit! Anne Shirley Cuthbert could never be thinking about nothing at all. I think there's always something going on in your head, you're far too clever to be. I think there's always a thought working away in it."

Anne laughed. Tilly and Jane joined them, linking arms and watching as some of the boys struggle to light their excessively tall bonfire.

"What are we talking about?" Tilly asked, rosy cheeked from the alcohol.

"I hope it's how disgusting liquor is!" Jane exclaimed.

They all laughed. "Isn't it just?"

"It does make me feel awfully grown up and daring though." Ruby admitted. The girls agreed.

"It's not the first time I've tried it, and I still don't like it so it's not an acquired taste - contrary to what adults like to say." Anne said knowledgeably. "Although from experience, it is enjoyable to drink it with your friends and I dare say we deserve a little fun tonight."

"Same here!" Diana appeared, tipsy and giddy with the rebellious actions of the night. "It's about time I enjoyed myself. Forget rules, forget reputation, tonight I'm going to be free and have fun."

"Hear hear!" Anne cheered.

...

Edward Haswick felt lost.

He'd been on house calls for the Doctor all day long but his mind wasn't focused. That morning his Father had worsened and struggled to breathe, coughing until he was sick. There were no words to describe how difficult it was for a son to see his Father on death's door. His lifelong carer who he'd always relied upon to be so helpless. What was worse was how powerless Edward felt. In the past week he could barely leave his Father's side. He'd had to ask his neighbour Mrs Brant to stay with his Father today to keep an eye while he was working or he wouldn't have been able to tear himself away.

As the sun went down, Edward's heart sank. At least during the day the work kept him busy but the evenings were unbearable. With nothing to distract him from his Father's decline and his own inability to help him recover it plunged him into a deep, dark sadness which clung to his very bones and ate away at his heart until he was counting down the minutes until morning.

That evening he decided to take a detour and walk through the woods to the old town where the ruined buildings lay. He was trying to put off his inevitable return home. The night was fresh and the inky sky speckled with stars. It was such a beautiful night that he didn't notice the raucous sounds of the party until he got much closer.

...

Anne was drunk.

Cheeks pink, hair loose in tangled curls tumbling over her shoulders. Words slurring and confidence purring in her chest she chatted enthusiastically to her friends as the uncertain future was held at bay by the comforting company and blazing fire in the middle of the gathering. Sparks soared high into the night sky, joining the stars to twinkle in the black. The glow from the well-tended flames kept the shadows dancing but not all-encapsulating. The night was warm and breezy, somebody was playing a banjo and the excited hubbub of chatter buzzed through the air.

Anne felt nearly perfectly happy.

Nearly.

Whenever life seemed still and safe, there remained a clinging doubt. It hung in the back of her mind, shrouded her heart and crept up her spine. The flicker of an unknown figure in the shadows, revealed to be a friend. The raised voices of a raucous discussion, when focused upon revealed to be good natured. The jostling of friends, seeming hostile and aggressive at first glance. Anne shook it all away, just as she always did. She was used to the lasting affects of trauma, although it didn't make it any easier to live with something unpleasant if you were used to it.

"Anne! I need to tell you something." Tilly bubbled as she sat down beside her, making her jump.

"Hmm?"

"You'll never guess what the boys --" Tilly had hiccups. "The boys told me. I don't think they really meant --" hiccup. "To tell me, it just slipped out. I couldn't believe it myself! We always thought he --" hiccup. "Had eyes only for Diana. But apparently Charlie likes--"

"Tilly, come with me," Jane swooped down and interrupted them. "I need to wee. And I don't want to walk off into the bushes alone it'll be too obvious!"

Tilly groaned but agreed and followed Jane away from the fire, throwing Anne a meaningful glance over her shoulder. This conversation isn't over.

Anne sighed in frustrated curiosity. What had the boys revealed? Anne glanced over to them. They all looked so grown up, it was strange to remember how they were when she first set foot in Avonlea school house. They barely seemed grown up at all beside Gilbert Blythe though, Anne thought. Gilbert had the maturity ingrained in his soul, it shone through his eyes and influenced every thing he did.

Gazing up into the inky sky, Anne counted the stars. Her head span so she lay back on the grass. The sky lay out like a painting, jewelled with stars which shone brighter than diamonds in the black velvet night. Anne hummed along to the music floating from a classmates banjo.

"Oh, starlight girl. I know you belong. Way up in the stars." Anne sang softly under her breath, dancing her fingertips across the stars. The lyrics were made up, of course as all the songs she sang. "I know do, starlight girl. I know you finally belong. Way up with the stars."

"I like your song."

Anne looked up. It was Cole. "Where have you been?" She asked, pleased to see him.

"I missed the exam." Cole seemed dejected. "I snuck out. My parents don't know I'm here."

"Why didn't you take the exam?"

Cole paused. "I had to work. They didn't think it was that important."

"Important? A place at college would define your whole future!" Anne exclaimed.

"Well, I don't see much of a future. Farm work, that's my lot."

"That's impossible. There's no way you were gifted with extraordinary gifts only to toil away digging and sowing crops! I refuse to believe it." Anne sat up and felt dizzy.

"Anne! I knew that was you. I'd recognise that passionate indignation anywhere." Suddenly Edward Haswick was there, his light brown curls misshapen and his dark eyes handsome and gentle in the flickering firelight.

"Edward? What are you doing here?" Anne exclaimed in surprise.

Cole looked at her, then back at the dashing newcomer. He sat up straighter and blinked at him in anticipation and curiosity. Edward didn't notice him at first, approaching Anne to greet her. She tried to stand but lost her balance and he caught her arm, both of them chuckling. They sat down on the fallen tree.

"I was walking home and I saw the party. I was curious to investigate, then -- I heard you." Edward grinned, but Cole saw a sadness hovering at the back of his eyes. Anne was in no state to notice it but Cole was entirely sober.

"What were you doing out so late?" Anne asked boldly, even more outspoken when intoxicated.

Edward hesitated. "I took a late shift at the doctor's, then I went for a long walk." He looked around at the group, the fire, then back in the direction he'd come from and he sighed deeply. Almost as though he had some commitment dragging him back up the road.

"Why don't you stay a while?" Cole asked, causing Edward to notice him properly. Anne nodded.

"Oh do! We have music, good company and alcohol..." Anne giggled and patted his arm conspirationally.

"Aren't you a little young to be drinking?" Edward laughed.

Anne scoffed. "Pffft! Don't be a spoil sport. Loosen up, old man."

"Stay," Cole encouraged, his ashen eyes seeming gold in the light. "You'll have a good time, I'm sure of it."

Edward met Cole's gaze for the first time and Edward hesitated, his eyes lingering. There was something there in his eyes which Anne would have noticed if she was sober, something jumping up in excitement from a deep place inside. Edward licked his lips and swallowed hard, looking back at Anne and smiling unevenly.

"Well, I'm in no rush to get home." Edward shrugged sheepishly.

Cole couldn't keep back his smile.

Anne whooped loudly and thrust a bottle into Edward's hand. "Oh I'm glad! This night is getting better and better."

"My name is Edward, by the way." Edward Haswick." Edward offered Cole his hand.

Cole paused, eyes wide, before taking it and shaking it. "Uh-- Cole. Cole Mackenzie. Nice to meet you."

"The pleasure is all mine." Edward smiled and then sipped the alcohol. Cole and Anne laughed as his face contorted into a grimace. "Why does this taste like it was brewed in a pigsty?" He exclaimed.

"Because it probably was!" Anne howled with laughter.

...

Later that night, Anne was dragged off by the girls which left Edward alone with Cole by the fire. They had both been drinking a little and felt more relaxed. Edward had drunk before but Cole hadn't and it made him feel lightheaded and bold.

"Earlier you said... you were in no hurry to get home. Might I ask why?" Cole braved.

Edward looked at him in surprise and his brow furrowed as he turned back to the fire and thought over his answer. He sighed deeply and rubbed his hands together slowly in a slip of nerves. Cole noticed this, despite his drunken state and felt bad for asking.

"It's not great at home at the moment..." Edward admitted quietly. "My Father is... seriously ill."

Cole felt his heart pang. "Oh... I'm so sorry."

Edward passed his hands over his face slowly, taking a deep breath. "I... I just..." His voice shook slightly. "It's so hard because... I see people every day who I can help, but -- him, it's -- I can't do anything for him. It's beyond my abilities, beyond anyone's..."

Cole was lost for words for a moment, but then he put his hand on Edward's arm and said, "If there truly is no way then you can't tear yourself up over it. You can't feel responsible..."

Edward looked at Cole and he had tears shining in his eyes under his fringe of honey-coloured curls. He'd never spoken about this with anyone and he'd never even met Cole before but now he had he felt an emerging sense of trust like this boy perhaps understood how he felt.

"You can only think what to do with the time you have left. Spend it with him, every moment." Cole said firmly, every word edged with meaning.

Cole paused, looking down at where his hand was holding Edward's arm. Edward didn't move, but he was holding his breath. He hadn't been touched for a long time, ever since his Father was ill in fact. Before that he'd hug him every morning.

He hadn't realised how lonely he was.

"Life can wait." Cole said gently. "Forget about work or school... Just make the most of the time you have with him."

Edward felt a part of the weight lift from his shoulders. Nobody ever seemed to have time enough for him to offload his fears and problems, they always assumed he was as happy as he pretended to be. But it felt good to let it all out, he thought perhaps he should do it more often... allow himself to feel.

"You're right." He said, sniffing. "Sometimes it's... it's hard. To see him so helpless. I feel powerless and that scares me. I feel trapped and I have to -- to get out."

"It's good to have some time alone, but perhaps you felt trapped because you had put some type of responsibility on yourself about his illness."

Edward sighed deeply and wiped the tears from his eyes. "It's true. I need to remind myself that it's not like that, it's not my fault."

"I know it doesn't seem like it at the moment but... it's going to be okay." Cole said slowly.

"Thank you, Cole." Edward said softly. "I've never told anybody any of this. I'm glad I told you."

"Well I know how it feels-- to... to think that you're all alone and to feel trapped... But you never are."

"Well, I'm glad I met you tonight instead of walking home alone."

Cole flushed deeply but it was thankfully hidden in the darkness. The fire crackled and showered sparks into the night sky. It woke them from their intense, heavy conversation. Cole jerked his hand off Edward's arm and twisted his fingers together in his lap, licking his lips nervously.

"Well, that's enough tears for one night." Edward laughed lightly and stood up. He handed Cole the alcohol. "This may taste like dirt, but you're young enough not to care. This party is over for me but the night is young, I'll leave you to enjoy yourself."

Cole scrambled to his feet in surprise. "You're leaving?"

"I have to. My father needs me, my neighbour has been kind enough to look after him while I was working."

"Of course."

The two young men stared at each other for a moment, almost not wanting to break the silence or be the first to say goodbye. Finally, Edward pushed his curls back out of his eyes and said, "Well, I'll see you soon I expect."

"I'm going too, I'll walk a way with you." Cole said. "I live up by the sea path. We have a farm with cornfields."

"That's near my house!" Edward smiled. "I'll walk you home. Let's say goodbye to Anne before we leave."

Anne was dancing with her friends as Moody Sturgeon played his banjo to a jovial tune. The girls were holding hands and stepping quickly in a circle, giggling and ducking beneath one another's arms. As Edward approached some of the girls stopped and stared at him, whispering behind their hands. Anne rolled her eyes at them and came over, wobbling slightly. She was clearly far from sober.

"They're ridiculous-- pay them no mind. They think-- you look like a character from a--" Anne stopped and clutched his arm. Her head span. "From a romance novel." She giggled and wiggled her eyebrows.

Edward cringed and laughed. "Well maybe in their drunken eyes... speaking of, are you drunk Anne Shirley?"

Anne smiled and tipped her head back, shaking her hair. "Cuthbert. I'm a Cuthbert. Shirley-Cuthbe-- I..." She grabbed his other arm too and looked at him intensely. "Are you leaving?"

"I'm afraid so."

"Why?"

"I have to... my Father is not well, he needs me."

"You can't leave! You must have some fun, you should drink something--" Anne gestured around.

Edward shook his head. "No, I truly shouldn't. But thank you for being so welcoming. You're a good friend." He glanced over at Cole, who was shaking his head and laughing at Anne's state.

"Don't you think Cole is simply wonderful?" Anne exclaimed, following his gaze. "You two seemed to be getting along well."

"Quite." Edward flushed, dimples creasing his cheeks as his embarrassment coaxed out a smile.

"Anne, you should get home." Cole said, blushing slightly and hurrying to change the subject.

"Yes," Edward agreed, leaping on the new topic. "I think he's right, Miss Shirley Cuthbert. Won't your folks be worried?"

"My Cuthberts worry too much-- they... I'm sick of worrying!" Anne swayed. A sad expression came over her face. "Don't I deserve to have fun? After everything?"

"Of course." Said Edward, who was feeling a tad confused.

Cole knew what she meant and what she was referring to and he touched her shoulder reassuringly.

"It's okay, Anne. You do. Everything is fine now, remember?"

"I deserve to have a good time with all my friends -- the people I love!" Anne nodded, her eyes unfocused, gazing at the floor. "Where is he? I wanted him to be here. He is sad all the time! He says he isn't, but I can tell."

"Who is sad? Who do you mean, Anne?" Edward frowned.

"That silly Blythe boy." Anne stuck out her tongue. "Everyone thinks he's -- perfect and charming and never has any problems when I know -- he's -- he's insecure and sad and... nobody is perfect--"

"Anne! You're drunk, you must go home and rest." Cole insisted, knowing she'd regret saying all this.

"You'll feel better in the morning, everything will seem brighter tomorrow." Edward said.

"Why are you trying to spoil my fun? Hey?" Anne pointed at Edward as though accusing him of a great crime. She no longer looked sad, but was teasing him. "They all think you're perfect too. I bet you're not, I bet you have a secret!"

Edward laughed. "Anne! You are drunk under the table. Come, we will take you home."

Anne grabbed Edward's arms and leant in, looking deep into his eyes. "I will find out! I promise you. Don't be afraid to reveal your secrets, I assure you I am open-minded." Anne started to laugh, seeing Edward's embarrassed and bemused face.

"Perhaps one day. Not tonight, Anne. Let's go." Edward laughed too.

"I am not leaving until I see him!" Anne exclaimed dramatically. "Somebody find my Blythe!"

"I'm here, Anne." It was Gilbert.

Gilbert had heard the students discuss this gathering at school and made his way there on his way back from Charlottetown. He had hoped to speak with Anne and here be found her... Anne was hanging off of Edward, her hair a tangled mess, her dress torn at the shoulder. Edward appeared to be laughing and holding her up, the image of a dashing saviour helping a damsel in distress.

Gilbert clenched his jaw, his hands firmly in his jacket pockets.

"Gilbert--" Anne's face lit up. She let go of Edward and moved towards Gilbert but tripped on her own feet and fell.

Gilbert caught her in his arms and Anne started giggling madly again. Gilbert looked up at Edward, raising an eyebrow.

"What happened? She's drunk."

"Somebody brought some liquor. Home brew, I'd wager. Strong stuff." Edward explained. "She needs to go home."

"Yeah, clearly." Gilbert raised his eyebrows at Anne this time. "What am I going to do with you?"

"I can help if you--" Edward began.

"It's fine. I've got this." Gilbert smiled thinly, lifting Anne's arm over his shoulder to support her.

"Well good luck, goodnight." Edward tipped his head and went to join Cole.

"Goodnight, Anne, Gilbert. See you soon I hope." Cole smiled.

The pair disappeared up the path as Gilbert looked down at his drunken companion. With a deep sigh, he gathered his strength to face what would happen next. A long, gruelling journey back to Green Gables and then the explanation of her intoxication. What would the Cuthberts say?

Anne was gazing at him, her big eyes sparkling. "Gilbert. You're here--"

"Yes, I'm here, Anne girl." Gilbert pushed her hair behind her ear gently.

"I want to dance. I want to--" Anne suddenly pushed him away and climbed upon a broken old wall by the fire. Gilbert reached for her but she slipped out of his grasp, light-footed and laughing. The bonfire rose up behind her, sparks showering through the night and encasing her image with a bright golden glow. Her long red hair blazed around her like a flame as she reached her hands up into the dark, as though to catch a star. Her skirts flurried in a whirlwind around her.

Gilbert couldn't help himself. He froze, enraptured by her.

Anne danced, laughing and spinning with her hands carving shapes in the night sky, her hair cascading like a plume of fire. Gilbert felt that sensation of light-headedness just as he had when he first kissed her. It was love, thumping in his chest.

Gilbert felt his heart twinge painfully at the sad truth of what was coming which he knew and she didn't. How could he tell her of their approaching seperation?

"Gilbert..." Anne reached for him, smiling that dreamy, dimpled smile which made him weak. "Dance with me."

Gilbert chuckled but shook his head. "Come down, you might fall. Let's go home, Anne."

"Don't be ridiculous! I won't fall--" Anne was cut off by losing her footing and dropping off the wall.

It happened too quick for Anne to cry out, but Gilbert was ready and he caught her yet again.

Opening her eyes, Anne looked at him. Her hands slid around his neck, stroking the curling black hair at the back of his head gently. Her eyes drooped. Now she was safe and sound in Gilbert's arms there wasn't much keeping her awake and her head span uncomfortably. She grimaced and buried her head into his shirt. It smelt comforting and familiar.

"Anne, stay awake." Gilbert murmured. "Come on, I can't carry you the whole way back."

"Yes, you can." Anne grumbled, her voice muffled.

Gilbert laughed under his breath. "I really can't. Although I appreciate your unwavering belief in my abilities."

"Just half the way then." Anne whispered.

"Some of the way..." Gilbert haggled. "If you promise not to fall asleep."

"I promise... I'll stay awake--" Anne slurred, her eyes closing again.

"I don't believe you." Gilbert sighed as she fell asleep on his shoulder. Then he said out loud, "I'll just wake you up when my arms get tired."

But he knew deep down he wouldn't. He couldn't bring himself to wake her and disturb her peaceful sleep, even if it meant carrying her all the way. He'd carry her to the ends of the earth if he had to.

The bright moon glimmered down on the young couple, making their way slowly up the red dirt road to Green Gables. Anne didn't know that Gilbert had taken an exam, just not the same one as she had... Gilbert harboured an idea at the back of his mind about his possible results and what that meant but he didn't know for sure. Neither of them knew that the results of the exams they'd taken that day would take them on different paths, to different colleges... That this would be one of their last nights together in months.