Chapter 19- I Don't Care One Bit

Anne's POV

''Anne, please come down here'' I hear Marilla yell.

I run downstairs and twirl as I step down the last step.

She sighs ''let me guess, today is a spectacular day''

''Indeed, right Marilla!'' I giggle.

''Rachel Lynde has invited us to the Avonlea ball event, to raise money for the newspaper office Rachel wants to build. Would you like to go?'' Marilla says.

A BALL! I squeal in excitement

''I'll take that as a yes'' Marilla says as she goes back to reading a book.

What will I wear?! I run upstairs and ruffle through my closet which is unsurprisingly empty with only two dresses. I decide on the dress I wore for the Christmas party and smile remembering the glorious occasion, Mary announcing she was pregnant, Gilbert talking about his studies, reuniting with Cole, wait COLE, I HAVE TO INVITE HIM TO THE BALL

I take out my paper and write a letter to Cole inviting him to the ball, I go downstairs and leave it with a pile of mail that needs to be sent.

I realize its already time for me to head to school, as I rush downstairs and remember to say good bye to Marilla.

As I walk I take in the natural beauty of the sky, today it was a pale blue which was a relief because the last few days it was a dark blue, not that dark blue isn't also marvelous, but I much more prefer the light blue, its calmi-

I feel myself fall to the ground as I hit something in front of me that I can't quite make out

''Sorry'' the voice says

It speaks

''It's okay, it's my fault'' I say

I look up and see Gilbert Blythe looking at me apologetically as he helps me get up.

''Good morning Anne'' he says as I realize that I've been staring at him for quite some time.

''Um good morning Gilbert, how's your morning?'' I respond as we keep walking.

''It's been fine, how about yours?'' he says

''Well I heard about the Avonlea Ball'' I say, maybe he will go to.

''Oh, yea I heard about that, Rachel came over and invited Mary, Bash, and I.'' he says as we keep walking. We remain silent, not sure what to say next.

''Will you be attending'' he asks casually but I catch a hint of curiosity in his tone.

''Is that even a question! I absolutely adore balls, dancing is one of my favorite activities' 'I say excitedly.

''Good to know'' he murmurs quietly, we reach the school and we enter separately as I remember the words Josie Pye told me the second day of school.

Ever since the whole scene with Josie, Ruby and I, Josie and Ruby have been ignoring each other. Luckily, I was able to convince Ruby, that if I ever talk to Gilbert it is only to confirm his inquisitions that she is the most beautiful, kindest and loveliest soul in the world. I have to admit it does quite sound like lying but every time I want to talk to Gilbert about Ruby I find myself unable to say it, I get hit with this weird feeling, I can't quite explain it.

I enter the school house and I search for the girls and find them in the corner in a circle. I greet everyone good morning and sit amongst them as they all excitedly talk about the ball.

''Do you think we require an escort?'' Ruby asks as she dreamily looks at Gilbert.

''No I don't believe Rachel mentioned anything about an escort'' Tillie says as Ruby responds with a frown.

''But I'm sure Gilbert will ask you dance with him'' I say trying to cheer her up.

''I'll wear my prettiest dress!'' Ruby giggles.

''Well I certainly can't wait!'' Diana says as we all nod and giggle.

''You guys are so childish'' Josie says as she rolls her eyes

''I never remember asking for your opinion Josie'' Ruby says coldly catching all of us off guard. We all wait for Josie to respond with an equally cold statement except instead she just walks away.

''Josie not responding, that's surprising'' Jane says, we all nod in agreement and continue talking about the dresses we'll wear for the ball.

''I think I'll wear my white dress from the Christmas party'' I say imagining the vivid picture of the dress in my mind.

''I don't think they allow dogs in parties, sorry Fido'' Billy says as his friends behind him laugh.

''Billy, friendly as always'' I roll my eyes ''don't you have anything better to do''

''Go away Billy'' Jane says irritated, Billy laughs as he and his friends go outside.

''Sorry about my brother Anne, he's actually not a bad person I don't know why he's so mean to you'' Jane says apologetically.

I give her a small smile and we continue chatting away, but I can't help but to erase what Jane said in my head. Why does Billy hate me so much? There has to be more to the story, but frankly I have too much on my mind to worry about untrivial people like Billy Andrews, so in a flash my curiosity for him fades away into a small cloud of dust.

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

It feels like the days have flown by, each day the excitement for the ball grows more and more and now it has reached its peek as today is the Avonlea Ball and its all everyone is talking about. I reach Green Gables and greet Marilla and Matthew.

''Anne start getting ready for the ball, Matthew will be accompanying you so please make sure that remind him when its time to go'' Marilla says.

I frown ''Why aren't you going?''

''One of my old school friends is sick so I decided to pay her a visit, I'm not really one for parties anyways'' she explains.

''Well you will be dearly missed'' I head up to my room, where I put on my dress and comb my hair. I consider leaving my hair down but decide on braiding it, after all Billy Andrews will be attending the ball too. I look at myself at the mirror and a small smile curves on my lips.

''Matthew I'm ready to go!'' I yell as I walk downstairs.

He smiles at me and we begin walking towards town hall where the balls is taking place. I chatter on and on about the weather in the past week, and he as always listens intently. We arrive at the ball, and I'm greeted by Diana, Ruby, Josie, and Tillie.

''Anne! I was starting to think you weren't going to come'' Diana says.

''How could you ever think that I would ever skip this wonderous event. You all look dazzling!'' I beamed

''You look splendid too'' Ruby says kindly.

''Has Cole arrived yet?'' I ask.

''Yes, he has''

I turn around and see Cole standing behind me, ''It feels like years since I've seen you'' I squeal as we embrace.

I turn my head and look around the room, I'm not really sure what I'm looking for but that doesn't stop my eyes from searching. I find Gilbert by the drinks talking with Bash, and he looks at my direction, I smile at him as he smiles back. I find my eyes no longer searching and I go back to talking with the girls and Cole.

The night goes on happily as we talk and Cole tells us about all the adventures he's had with Ms. Josephine, which sound amazingly wonderful and exciting. I step out of the group and walk over to Matthew who seems to be stuck talking to Rachel and ask him to dance. He nods at me as a silent thank you for saving him from Rachel Lynde. I laugh as he spins me around, and we dance happily. As the song ends, I go back to the group.

''You're so lucky Anne, father says his feet hurt and doesn't want to dance'' Diana frowns.

''Well he wouldn't be able to keep up with you anyway'' I say as we all laugh.

''I'm going to get a drink'' I say, they all nod and I head to the table and fill my cup with punch.

''Having fun?''

I turn around and smile ''it has been quite fun, how about you Mr. Blythe'' I respond to the goofy boy in front of me.

''Well almost every single person that has approached me asks me about my studies, it is getting quite dull to repeat myself, but other than that it has been quite fun'' he says, and I giggle.

He looks at me for a second ''Would you like to dance?'' he asks.

I find myself going to say yes but then a single thought come to my mind, a thought that changes entirely everything, Ruby. If I dance with him Ruby will most likely never speak to me again. So, I can't.

''Um no'' I say as I walk away fast back to the group. Freak-out is written all over my face.

As I go back to the group I glance at Gilbert, who looks like went back to talk to Bash, he starts getting closer, which is odd something must be wrong with my vision but before I manage to apprehend what's going on, he stands in front of us.

''um Ruby'' he says as we all turn quiet as he approaches us.

Ruby smiles ''Good afternoon Gilbert'' as we all grow quiet watching the scene.

''Would you like to dance?'' he asks her as I catch him quickly side glance me.

Her face reads excitement, yet she coolly responds with ''I guess that would be quaint''

They walk towards the dance floor and begin dancing as Gilbert tells her something and she giggles. Then I feel it what I felt when I tried to tell Gilbert that he should fall in love with Ruby, a pang of a feeling like if I got punched in the gut by something that I can't quite name. It seems stupid but all I can think of is wanting it to stop.

''Cole would you like to dance?'' I ask rather abruptly

''Sure'' he says delightfully.

We join hands and walk up to the dance floor and begin to dance, I try to pay attention to what Cole is saying but I find myself looking at Gilbert and he occasionally looking at me. As the song ends Cole and I walk back to Diana and Tillie where Ruby excitedly speaks of the dance with every single detail.

''It was splendid'' she squealed. I try to ignore the part of me that wants her to stop talking. Why did I care Gilbert and Ruby were dancing? Well in fact I don't care. I don't care one single bit. For all I know Ruby and Gilbert can dance all they want, to as many songs as they would like because I don't care.

I don't care one single bit

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Authors Note:

Here is an extra long chapter for you guys! Comment down below what your favorite color is because I feel like no one asks that anymore. Mine is yellow, just in case you wanted to know.