Chapter 3 Exciting News

When the school day was over, the students all ran into the coat room, grabbed their stuff, and quickly ran out of the school house. Anne and Diana, however, took their time and talked to one another on their way to the door. They weren't the only ones left in the school house though. Gilbert was waiting for them.

"Gilbert" Anne said with a smile on her face. He smiled back and they held each other's gaze for a couple of seconds until Diana spoke.

"Well Anne, I must hurry home to help Minnie May with her lessons," she said with a knowing smile. "Bye Anne, bye Gilbert" she said happily. She opened the door and left the school house to leave the two oblivious teens by themselves.

"Anne" he said happily. "I was wondering if I may walk you home" he asked hopefully. Anne was about to respond when Gilbert continued. "I have something to ask you, Mr. And Miss. Cuthbert."

Anne smiled. "Of course you can walk with me Gilbert"

"Well, shall we?" He asked opening the door for her. She gave him a nod and walked out.

"You know Mr. Blythe, I am capable of opening doors for myself" she said smiling as they walked out of the school house.

"I know," he replied. "But I wanted to be polite and open it for you instead" he said with that boyish grin on his face. Anne blushed slightly and turned away.

They walked through the woods with a high sense of familiarity. The snow lightly crunching under their feet and the birds chirped over their heads. Anne, forgetting Gilbert was walking with her, started to run forward and walk around the trees. She stood in the middle of the forest, fascinated by its beauty, and started skipping. Gilbert had a big smile on his face, which he hoped she hadn't seen, and continued to walk behind Anne. She kept skipping when she stopped as she approached a big, old, wild oak tree. The leaves were gone, but it was still one of the most magnificent trees Anne had ever encountered. She stood in front of it and turned around to meet Gilbert's eyes.

"Oh Gilbert, I'm sorry I forgot we were walking together," she said shyly. "I just couldn't help myself from running around and looking at the beauty of nature." She said happily, her eyes scanning the forest in all its wonderment.

"It's alright," he said with a soft smile, looking at Anne with the usual look that was reserved for her, just for Anne Shirley-Cuthbert. She noticed it and blushed slightly, again, and turned her attention back to the big oak tree that resided in front of her. Gilbert didn't take his gaze off of her until she asked him a question.

"What do you think we should name this beautiful tree?" Anne asked quietly. She looked at Gilbert with a smile.

Gilbert smiled. "How about..." He thought for a second as he walked around the tree. After pondering for couple of moments, he stopped abruptly in front of Anne with a smile.

"Adeline" he said proudly. Anne squealed and nodded in excitement and looked at the oak tree.

"Adeline is now your name," Anne said excitedly.

She turned around and looked at Gilbert.

"Thank you Gilbert. That is a beautiful name for tree as beautiful and majestic as this one." She gave him a wide smile which he reciprocated.

They stood there, on a couple of feet apart, just looking at each others eyes, at ease in each other presence.

Anne looked a Gilbert and seemed to see him a different light. She saw his handsome, brown, curly hair and beautiful hazel eyes. She looked closer and noticed that there were some small freckles on his face that made him even more handsome. 'If that was even possible,' she said to herself. 'Wait! Snap out of it Anne. You can't think this way about your friend.' Her lips formed into a small smile and, absentmindedly, sighed.

Gilbert stood in front of Anne admiring everything about her. Her gorgeous auburn hair, in plaits, beautiful ocean blue eyes, and her freckles spread out like a constellations in the sky. 'How does she not see herself in the way she really is.' He continued to himself. 'She is so beautiful, kind, smart. She's so perfect.' He too smiled at Anne.

They stood there for what felt like an eternity, when a bird up in the tree started tweeting, taking them out of their trance. They blinked out of their "staring contest", and awkwardly chuckled. Now, they continued onto the path towards Green Gables, in silence.

As they approached the end of the woods and the opening of the clearing, they were met with the wonderful sight of Green Gables. The beautiful white house with green trimming came into view, looking magnificent with the sun in the back gleaming at the two teens. The roof was covered in light snow and so was the front yard. It truly looked exquisite.

Anne looked around in the direction of the barn and saw her father Matthew in the horse stall and grabbed Gilbert's hand and ran over to him.

Gilbert was hoping that no one could see how much he was blushing as Anne was holding his hand.

Anne was also hoping no one would see her blushing at her sudden burst of affection to holding his hand. They were both wearing gloves, but the spark was still there.

As they were running, Anne saw the Cuthbert's farm hand, Jerry Baynard out in the field. "Hello Jerry" Anne called out.

Jerry looked up and saw Anne and Gilbert. "Bonjour Anne and Gilbert!" he replied, with a smile. Gilbert smiled and waved his hand, the one not holding Anne's, towards Jerry, in response. Jerry noticed that Anne was holding Gilbert's hand and was smirking. He shook his head with a smile and when back to work. Of course, the two teens didn't notice it as they were quickly running up to the barn.

"Hello Anne, Gilbert," Matthew said softly as he saw his daughter and Gilbert approaching. Anne, though she wouldn't admit it, reluctantly let go of Gilbert's hand, to run into Matthew's arms and gave him a hug.

"Hello Mr. Cuthbert," Gilbert said, taking of his cap and nodded politely.

"Matthew, Gilbert says he has something he want a to tell us," Anne said with a wide grin on her face and looked over at Gilbert. Gilbert nodded at Matthew and turned his attention back to Anne.

"Well, let's go inside and find Marilla so she knows too," Matthew said. Anne nodded and turned to walk back to Green Gables, Matthew and Gilbert following behind.

"Hello Marilla, I'm home," Anne said loudly, as she walked into the kitchen. Marilla walked in to see Anne setting down her school supplies and Gilbert and Matthew walking through the door.

"My, hello Gilbert," Marilla said with a smile. "How great to see you."

"You too, Miss. Cuthbert. I was just walking Anne home because I had to make a quick stop over here to invite you all over for dinner tonight," Gilbert said happily, his attention drawn back to Anne.

"Oh well thank you for the invite and we accept," Marilla said, smiling.

Anne squealed happily about the prospect of going to see Bash, Mary, and Delphine, and also eating dinner with Gilbert. Of course she would never admit that. Gilbert chuckled at her reaction and it brought a small blush to her cheeks.

"Would six o clock be a good time?" Gilbert said looking at Marilla.

"Yes that would be good" Marilla replied.

"Ok I'll see you all at six." Gilbert said. "Good day," he nodded his head politely.

Turning on his heel to leave, he gave Anne a sweet smile, which made her noticeably blush. His smile widened and lightly chuckled. At that, he left to make his way back to his house.

As soon as the door shut, Anne immediately started her rambling.

"Oh Marilla, I must go find which dress to wear. I don't have much to choose from since they aren't all puffed sleeves but I do have the one I bought from Ms. Jeannie's shop not to long ago. Do you think that one would work?" Anne asked quickly.

Marilla sighed with a smile. "Dear child, yes that one would do fine. Once you get your outfit out, come downstairs to do some chores before we leave."

Anne squealed with excitement and ran upstairs to get her dress ready for dinner.

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Hi! Sorry it's been a couple of days since I updated. School has kept me busy and I've had non-stop work (Hamilton reference lol). I hope you liked the chapter and I hope it sorta makes up for my inconsistent updates! Also, this is one of my favorite songs from Taylor Swift's folklore album!
-A💛