vii.

Eleanor

I woke up to the sound of soft knocks on my door, with a groan I got up and swung the door open. Alvin stood with an awkward look on his face, and a tray of steaming blueberry pancakes.

"I'm not hungry." I simply stated before shutting my door and going to get dressed for the day.

It was a Friday thankfully, after the week I've had I couldn't wait for the weekend to begin.

I decided on a beautiful baby blue dress with lace, today could be the day that Gilbert came back and I wanted to look nice. My hair was pulled back into a delicate braided bun, a few strands of my red hair were falling down and curling against my shoulder.

As I made my way down the stairs, I could hear Alvin and my mother arguing of something. Though I couldn't care less as I grabbed my school books and basket of lunch before starting to the door.

"Eleanor wait-" my mother tried but I ignored her and kept walking towards the woods.

The trips to school have become boring without Gilbert, he usually walked with me when he was here but he hasn't for a while. Alvin has started taking a different route to school so he could walk with one of the older girls in our class, we don't talk as much anymore.

"Eleanor?" Anne's small voice made me shriek.

"Anne? Why are you hiding behind that tree?" I asked as I slowly walked over to her.

I gasped as she stepped out from behind it, all of her hair was gone besides a very short haircut.

"Oh Anne...your hair-" I started but Anne only wailed in response.

I quickly ran over and grabbed her shoulders, steading her as she almost collapsed into a crying mess. She pulled her hat down over her head as she sank into my shoulder.

"Anne what happened?" I asked as we started back for school, it had taken her almost five whole minutes to calm down enough to even breath.

"I-I tried out the hair dye late last night...and it was horrible! Oh Eleanor it was the worst thing I had ever seen, when I tried to wash it out it only turned my hair green! Marilla was forced to cut it all off! I look like an adolescent boy!" she cried out.

"Oh Anne...you do not look like an adolescent boy! I think you're short hair quite suits you actually!" I say with a small smile.

"R-Really?" she sniffled and wipes her nose.

"Of course Anne, you look like a warrior princess!" I state as I jump onto a tall rock and hold out an invisible sword.

Anne giggles and we pretend to fight and duel each other with our "swords", but its short lived when we finally make it to school.

"Oh my lord." Diana gasped, making us both look up at her.

"What happened to your hair?" Diana screamed as she ran over and touched Anne's short hair.

Anne went on to explain the story as we all walked into school, it took a lot of convincing but she finally pulled off her hat and hung it up. But as we were walking into the small school room, there was a crowd of people standing in a circle.

"What are they doing-" but before I could even finish my sentence, the crowd opened and there stood him.

He eyed Anne and then moved to me, his cheeks slowly gaining a red tint as we stared at each other. I couldn't help but nervously bite my lip and stare into his beautiful brown eyes, the ones that I had longed to see for so many months.

"Gilbert." I breathed out, feeling as thought I may cry at any moment.

"Eleanor." he chuckled/breathed out.

"Ruby!" Ruby yelled out, making a few people giggle.

The crowd slowly moved to their seats as me and Gilbert stood there staring at each other. Until he finally walked over and pulled me into a bone crushing hug.

"Oh how I've missed you." I felt his mouth moving against my neck as he hugged me tighter, making me slightly squeak.

"I know you've missed me but you don't have to kill me, I'm here now." I giggled as I slowly pulled him away.

He sheepishly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his neck, he perked up quickly and dug into his pocket. Only pulling out a small box a few moments later, a blush creeped up his neck as he slowly grabbed my hand. He opened my hand and placed the small box into it before retreating his hand, his eyes scanned my face as I opened it.

A small gasp escaped my lips as I slowly raised my hand to my mouth, the shock had almost knocked me off of my feet.

Inside of the little wooden box was a beautiful golden ring with a shiny green gem sparkling in the middle of it. The golden part of the ring was beautifully crafted and designed to look like vines, as the green gem in the middle looked much like a rose.

"I know it's not much...I bought it for cheap but I thought you might like it." Gilbert stated as he lifted my left hand.

"Oh Gilbert I love it, but you didn't have to get me anything-" I started but he chuckled and shook his head.

He slowly picked up the beautiful ring and slipped it onto my ring finger. A perfect fit.

I stood and admired the ring for what felt like ages until Mr Phillips walked in and told us to sit down.

"Meet me at our tree during lunch, I have something to give you as well." I whispered to Gilbert before placing a soft kiss to his cheek and walking over to my chair.

"Elle, would you like to accompany us to the "secret hideout" after school?" Anne whispered to me.

"Sure Anne." I giggled and nodded.

Anne was whispering to Diana, who was whispering to Cole, who was whispering to someone else. I couldn't focus on whatever they were saying as I kept gazing at the beautiful ring that sat upon my ring finger.

"Seems like we have a new boy joining our class today." Mr Phillips smirked as he glared right at Anne.

Anne glanced up at her hair then looked down to her lap, which held her shaking hands in it. She didn't dare glance up to the teacher or any of the other rude boys in the class who were whispering about her.

"Mr Phillips, that is quite inappropriate to say to a young lady. I suppose that I should speak with my mother about this whole situation, don't you think?" I asked, a smirk growing on my lips as I stood up and eyed the man down.

I could see him visibly start to sweat as he cleared his throat and readjusted his tie.

"That won't be necessary Mrs Parks, it was only light teasing." he stated.

"This "light teasing" might take a toll on an adolescent's lookout on life and confidence, that isn't what we want, is it?" I asked, slowly cocking my head to the side.

"Not at all Mrs Parks, now please have a seat." he coughed out.

Anne hugged me as soon as I sat down, I hugged her back and complimented her a few times before turning my attention over to the boys side.

Billy Andrews was pretending to bark like a dog and point to Anne, then whispering about how much she looks like a young boy.

"Billy, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say it at all." Diana whispered.

"Butt out Diana, this isn't about you." he whispered back harshly.

"It is when you're speaking of my friend." she spat back.

"Enough you two, pull out your readers and turn to page 394." Mr Phillips demanded.

I rolled my eyes at the idiotic boy that is Billy Andrews and pulled out my own reader. We were reading the story of a young boy who fought his way into the Revolutionary war.

While the entire class was taking turns reading the story, I couldn't seem to rip my eyes off of my new ring. Where did Gilbert get the money for this? How did he know my ring size? Is this a promise ring?"

Mr Phillips tried to call onto me to read, but I was too spaced out to even hear a word of what that annoying man was saying. Anne tried to get me to read but I just shrugged and went back to gazing out of the window or staring lovingly at my ring.

Finally lunch time had arrived, I grabbed my basket and sat it with Prissy before turning and running straight for the large and old oak tree round back of the school. My heartbeat quickened when I noticed Gilbert's curly hair sticking out from behind it. But as I grew closer, I could hear his talking to someone.

"I really like your hair Anne, I think it suits you quite well. You look rather pretty." Gilbert stated.

I quickly dunked behind the other side of the oak tree and inched forward, trying my best to listen to their conversation without being seen.

"Oh! Thank you Gilbert, you truly are too kind. And thank you for all of the letters you sent me about Trinidad, it sounds like such a beautiful place! I'm sure Bash is a lovely man, since he's from such a lovely place." Anne sighed softly.

"He really is something, a very kind fellow. You'll have to meet him sometime! I'm sure he'll love to meet you!" I could hear Gilbert smiling as he spoke.

"I would love to meet him, just from your three letters about him I'm sure he's great. Oh! And thank you for this beautiful bracelet, it truly is wonderful! So many pretty seashells and pearls."

My heart dropped like a ton of bricks, Gilbert had given Anne a bracelet? I never knew they were that close, and he sent her letters about Trinidad and Bash? And he called her pretty?

"Hey Eleanor! Why don't you stop trying to eavesdrop and just join the conversation?" Billy yelled from across the yard.

I scoffed and turned to look at him, sending him the finger before turning back around. Only to see Anne and Gilbert staring down at me, a blush on both of their cheeks.

"Eleanor it's not-" Gilbert started but I felt Prissy grab my arm and pull me away.

My eyes didn't one leave Gilbert's as I was slowly dragged away from Prissy, confusion and a look of hurt on his face. Anne looked confused but a small smile was grazing her lips as she waved to me.

I knew she didn't mean any harm and their chat just seemed like friendly banter, but Gilbert called her pretty and gave her a bracelet. That's not just everyday friend behavior, especially not for a girl and a boy.

Prissy spoke to me all about Mr Phillips and how "amazing" he was, between that and the small glimpse of Gilbert and Anne's conversation, I had completely lost my appetite. I sat and stared at my bread and cheese as Prissy swooned over the teacher, my eyes kept moving over to Gilbert only to see him already staring back at me.

"Why don't you just go talk to him instead of staring at him?" Prissy finally asked as we packed up our lunches.

"I don't have any reason to speak to him right now." I shrugged and started for the school house.

Prissy shrugged and turned to go to the back of the school, which was where I knew she and Mr Phillips shared "compassionate kisses" as she explains it.

I was walking up the stairs whenI felt a soft tug on my arm, then I was being dragged to the side of the school.

"I wish everyone would stop dragging me!" I yelled as I spun around on my heels, only to see an awkward standing Gilbert.

"Oh it's you." I sigh and glance down to my feet.

"Don't sound so disappointed Elle." he chuckled and slowly lifted my chin so we make eye contact.

I hum in response and pull away, he sighs and I glance back up at him. Only for him to pull me into a hug, his head was relaxed onto my shoulder as his arms were wrapped around my torso.

"Can we please just not talk for a moment, only hug?" he sighed into my neck.

I slowly nod and wrap my arms around his shoulders, he seemed to sink into me and let out a few deep breathes. We stood hugging for a few moments when I felt his lips leaving a soft trail of kisses up and down my neck.

"T-That tickles!" I giggle and slowly push him away.

He sheepishly smiles up at me and brings me in for another hug, this time one of his hands tangling into my hair as his other was pressed to the small of my back.

"I missed you." he sighed into my hair.

"I missed you too." I smile and kiss his cheek.

"But I missed you more." he smirks and places kisses all over my face.

"Oh stop it, I hate you sometimes!" I giggle and playfully push him off, only for him to wrap his arms around my back and dip me slightly, kissing my exposed neck.

"Oh come on! How could you hate me, take it back." Gilbert demanded as he nipped at my shoulders, making me squeal and laugh.

"Okay! Okay! I take it back! I take it back!" I laugh as I gently pull his head up by his hair.

He smiles at me and slowly brings my face towards him, our lips connect and fireworks feel like there going off in my heart. Our lips are slowly moving with each other as his hands find their way to my hips, mine finds their way into his hair.

God I've missed him.

"Hey! You two! Get inside!" Mr Phillip's thick voice makes me and Gilbert jump apart from each other.

He laughs and grabs my hand, pulling me into the school house. We hold hands until we're at our seats, then we slowly let go as we rush over to our opposite seats and sit down before Mr Phillips storms in.

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"Anne! Diana! Wait up!" I yell as I run after my friends.

"Oh! Hello Eleanor, I was wondering if you were going to walk with us or just meet us there." Diana smiled as I slowed down to match their pace.

"I was going to walk with Gilbert until I was close, but I couldn't have him knowing where our lovely spot is." I giggle and wrap my arms around Anne.

She smiles and hugs me back as we walk through the forest, which happened to be blooming with life as we trudged along. The birds were singing as I hummed along with them, It was so enchantingly beautiful that I couldn't help but spin in a circle to admire the beauty.

"So tell me about you and Gilbert, you two seemed pretty flustered when you both walked into the schoolhouse." Anne giggled.

My cheeks instantly turn a deep blushing red as Diana and Anne squeal slightly. I shush them as I giggle along with them, they kept asking me questions until Diana popped the question they were both thinking-

"Have you two...kissed yet?" she whispered.

"Y-Yeah...we have once before. Maybe twice." I blush and tuck a strand of my red hair behind my ear.

"Oh my goodness! What was it like? Did he ask to kiss you first?" Anne questioned.

"I actually insinuated the kiss first." I shrug.

Both girls came to a quick stop as they stared at me with wide eyes, their mouths hung slightly open as they blinked at me.

"YOU KISSED HIM FIRST?" Diana screamed.

I clapped my hand over her mouth.

"Do you ever shut up?" I hissed as she broke away and giggled.

"You can tell us all about it in the fort, now lets go!" Anne smiled and dragged us into the shabby little hut.

-------------------------------------------------------

"Oh! Hello Cole!" I smile and greet the blonde haired boy as I take a seat on the blanket I had brought from home.

He looked up and smiled at me before returning back to his drawings, I glanced over his shoulder to see him working on a beautiful winter scene from one of the small windows of the shabby hut.

"So what did you want to talk about Anne?" I asked as Diana flopped down beside me.

Mine and Diana's mothers hate when our dresses get dirty, so we're forced to sit on a blanket to keep our expensive dresses clean.

"So...Diana here was telling me that her aunt Josephine plans a beautiful spring party every year. But lately she hasn't been doing it after her best friend passed away, oh how they were truly kindred spirits! Anyways...Diana invited me and she wanted to invite you as well! It's taking place this weekend, we would leave tomorrow and spend the entire day there tomorrow and return Sunday." Anne squealed.

"Oh Diana! Thank you! I would be delighted to come, but what about you Cole?" I asked.

"I'm being forced to come as a "guardian" or something." he shrugged.

"Oh hush Cole, don't act as though you don't wish to come! You seemed excited yesterday!" Diana giggled.

"Keyword, "seemed"." Cole grinned as the two girls playfully pushed him.

"But do you think your mother would allow you to come?" Diana asked.

"I'm sure of it, she always wants me out of the house and we're not on the best of terms at the moment. So I'm sure she'll do anything to make me happy." I shrug and play with the ring that sat upon my finger.

"That ring is beautiful! Can I try it on?" Anne asked.

I blinked a few times and glanced down at the ring that Gilbert had given to me. Anne was one of my best friends, but I didn't have the heart to take it off.

"Sorry Anne...I actually kind of don't wish to take it off. I just received today." I state, making sure to not tell them where I got it from.

"Did you father mail it to you? It looks kind of cheap for him though." Cole stated.

"No...actually...uh Gilbert gave it to me." I whispered the last part, hoping they didn't hear.

"Gilbert gave you a ring?" Anne shrieked.

"Dear Lord up in Heaven, help me." I groan and flop back onto the blanket.

This was going to be a long weekend.

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