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Gilbert hated these Friday night Speed Dating events but he always came along with Moody, Charlie, Paul, and Jerry to “take one for the team”. The bars around Charlottetown rotated sponsorship so a mix of different people would show up depending on the location. If you signed up as a group of 5 you’d get a free drink. Thus, Gilbert always found himself at a random bar every Friday.
Anne hated these Friday night Speed Dating events. In fact, she loathed these types of events because they perpetuated the stereotype that one must be partnered in order to be complete, and the structure of the event always seemed to limit the agency of the women since it was the men who moved from table to table while the women sat and waited for the next “date” to arrive. Anne wanted to support her friends, and their quest for love, so she agreed to accompany Ruby, Jane, Tillie, and Diana to these weekly outings. However, she didn’t trust the worthiness of these potential dates who showed interest in her amazing friends, so she insisted on registering all the girls under her name. Should one of them make a match, it would be Anne who would get “first crack” at the suitor with a series of questions that proved their worthiness. Everyone agreed because Anne was very discerning when it came to people’s character and they all just wanted to make sure they had their group of 5.
The way the event worked was attendance was free but you had to register your name and phone number in the app where matches would be sent. The system autogenerated a number to be worn on a name tag. In person, it was up to the individual if they wanted to share their real name, make up a name, or just refer to each other by their tag number. The girls always figured if they got a “good vibe” from a suitor they’d just use their real name; what harm could there be if Anne never knew.
The event started and the bar was packed with attendees. The room was arranged in rows moving from front to back. There were so many groups of 5 that the ladies decided to stay in the same area so they could keep an eye on each other. Anne sat at one of the high-top tables by the stairs followed by Ruby, Jane, Tillie, and Diana all sitting behind her. The event coordinator clarified that each gentleman had to move in a clockwise pattern, from one table to the next immediately behind, to ensure order. Each table had exactly 5 minutes to talk before a buzzer would sound and they would have to move on to the next date.
Anne’s first date was an unassuming sort – #4 – who said his name was Royal Gardner (like Anne believed that was even real). He talked about his love of literature (promising) but then launched into how his family was wealthy and started listing all the places he had traveled. Suffice to say Anne didn’t get a word in edgewise. When the buzzer rang, Royal moved onto Ruby’s table with a simple, “See ya” and a wink. (Annoying.)
Anne’s next date was clearly a disinterested participant. He gave off the same indifferent vibe that Anne intentionally portrayed herself. He introduced himself as #25. Anne introduced herself as #362.
“So, it’s either you were disinterested in attending this event or you are a procrastinator.” Gilbert teased, smirking at the high number assigned to Anne’s tag.
“Well ‘Mr. 25’ it seems you must have been waiting for this week’s event registration to come online since you’re easily in the top 5 percent.” Anne retorted.
“Let’s just say that my friends quite enjoy attending this event and I quite enjoy getting the free drink.”
“Well, you sure know how to charm a lady. Glad you stopped by. Since it’s the drink you’re most interested in, and not the company, let’s just wait out the next few minutes in silence then. Why needlessly waste our breath.” Anne was already annoyed by her last date and this one wasn’t making it any better. She wasn’t interested in finding a date but she also didn’t appreciate how smug he was being.
“I don’t necessarily think we have to sit here in silence. I’m sure we can find something tolerable to discuss. What’s another 3 minutes of your life anyway.” Gilbert shrugged.
“Yes, I suppose 3 minutes of your life can be spared even if your partner is barely tolerable.”
**
“Well, it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune and a free drink, must be in want of a wife.” Gilbert retorted, quite pleased at how smooth the line came out.
“Ah, I see you know you’re Pride and Prejudice. Fancy yourself a ‘Mr. Darcy’ do you?”
“Hmm, if I am to infer from your tone of voice, I do believe you suspect me more a Mr. Wickham then?”
“Not necessarily but let’s be real. Any guy trying to make an impression could easily memorize that line about wanting a wife and pass himself off as being literary. Plus, it’s always quoted wrong. Yes, Darcy is being flippant about his status as a bachelor, but Austen is actually pointing out the irony that men of his social stature are just as trapped as the women in finding a suitable spouse. Darcy just comes off as a douche because he doesn’t recognize he still holds all the power since he can own property.”
Gilbert stares at Anne for just a second longer than she’s comfortable with. Here it comes, she’s experienced this before. She’s upended his “game” so now he’s at a loss of what to do next. He’ll either get mad and act disinterested again, or he’ll get mad and “mansplain” to her why Elizabeth actually has all the power because Darcy loves her. Here it comes: three, two, one…
“Yes, I hadn’t thought about Austen actually making that a commentary on Darcy’s station in life. I had always read it purely as an example of his arrogance but you’re right, it seems to be making a broader commentary about the overall trappings of countship. Wow, I didn’t think I’d get a new perspective on such an old classic while out at one of these events. Thank you Miss…”
“Ms.” Anne interrupts
“Um, yes, Ms. 362. That was quite insightful.”
Gilbert smiles at Anne. She cautiously thinks maybe he’s being earnest since his dimples seem to peak out with this gesture. Anne starts to consider that maybe this date wasn’t going so horribly after all, and if she were being honest with herself, his dimples complemented quite nicely his chocolate brown curls.
“It seems to me, though, that Bronte’s Jane Eyre would then be making a similar argument about Rochester…”
“What!? I certainly think not” Anne interrupts, broken out of her spell and slightly incredulous.
“What do you mean ‘what’? How is it that the commentary on society’s trapping based on the gendered expectations of men and their fortune applies to Darcy but not to Rochester. Isn’t he also rendered helpless in a way because he cannot…
“Rochester is married. End of story.” Anne interrupts now completely annoyed by Mr. 25’s ridiculous assertion. “The social expectations of the time didn’t allow him an ‘out’ just because his wife went mad. Poor Jane had to endure so much trauma because of his lies. To be homeless and reduced to begging just because she fell in love. Let’s face it, Rochester is just cruel to all the women he encounters in the story. Women always bear the brunt.”
“But neither Elizabeth nor Jane really challenge the status quo. In fact, their entire story is just them expecting a better situation in life for themselves but not really too concerned with anyone else’s outcome. Elizabeth chides Charlotte for what she sees as settling and Jane doesn’t really feel empathy towards Bertha, just betrayal from Rochester…”
“Mr. 25! I’m shocked you can even say that without a hitch or hesitation in your voice.” Anne is truly annoyed by his comment now. Where it started as a fun back and forth about literary interpretations has quickly devolved into an insulting discussion that pins women’s trauma on other women, rendering the men involved with no responsibility. Anne is trying to control her growing anger at his arrogance but is quickly losing the battle. Anne starts again, hoping her feelings will dissipate as she continues to speak.
“That Darcy quote about men finding wives has always put the onus of ‘relationship seeking’ on women, where their singular need to feeling complete was only satisfied by finding a man. It’s that type of attitude that continues to fuel events even like this,” Anne moves her hands quite animatedly around to emphasize the activity around the room, “and continues to perpetuate a myth that it’s ultimately all women want.”
Seeing how excited Ms. 362 has become Gilbert unconsciously rubs his right hand over the back of his neck, frustrated that she’s misinterpreted his words. “Honestly, women during their period…”
Gilbert’s words trail slightly as he sees in his periphery someone waving their arms to catch his attention. It’s Bash and Mary who have finally arrived at the bar. They come out every now and again, with a group of their married friends, and pretend they don’t know each other to flirt all night long while nursing their free drink.
Suddenly Gilbert feels a sharp, shock of cold. His eyes instinctually close, feeling the wetness strike his face and soak his hair. He’s still slightly disoriented when he hears Ms. 362’s voice. It is lower in pitch, filled with vitriol, and she is saying each word slow and with intensity, “I cannot believe you have the gall to even utter those words to me!”
The room is so loud with conversation and energy that no one notices that Anne has just thrown her drink in Gilberts face. At that moment, the speed dating buzzer alarms, signaling the end of the date, and the start of the two-minute transition period where everyone can grab a new drink or just make their way to their next date.
“Well, looks like the bell saved me from telling you what I really think of you. I’d wish you better luck on your next date but, honestly, I wouldn’t want to wish you on even my worst enemy! Seeing how I have a few minutes before the next GENTLEMAN arrives, I’m going to take my leave for the restroom and, oh I don’t know, deal with what needs to be done. PERIOD! Goodbye!” Anne quickly slides off the high-top chair, rounding Gilbert as she walks behind him, and exits their section by taking the 4 steps down to the lowered floor where the main bar is located.
Gilbert is still in shock. He reaches for one of the bundled utensils at the end of the table and slowly unravels them from the cloth napkin they are wrapped in. He wipes his face and runs the material over his hair quickly, like he does each morning with his bath towel, in order to absorb some of the wetness from his curls. Sprigs of dark brown coils now begin to appear and he brushes his hand through his hair hoping to tame it slightly. Gilbert slides off of his stool and takes the stairs down. He makes his way to where Bash and Mary are standing at the bar having just gotten their drinks.
“Whoa there Romeo, why is your hair wet?” Bash asks as a slight smirk starts across his face.
“You won’t believe what just happened. I’m talking classic literature with a woman, Ms. 362,” making air quotes to emphasize his annoyance “and all of a sudden, outta nowhere, she throws her drink in my face! In my face! From what I could taste of the liquid that landed on my lips it was just water, which is good so I won’t be sticky from alcohol, but still it was so cold and so uncalled for! I was so surprised I just sat there while she berated me. It made no sense.”
Bash stares at Gil for just a second longer than he’s comfortable with. Here it comes, he’s experienced this before. Bash breaks into a wide grin and asks, “What did you do, Blythe? Someone isn’t going to throw water in your face for no reason.”
“Nothing, I swear! We were having a lively discussion about plot points in Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre. She seemed to strongly disagree with my assertion about some of the gendered expectations during that time period but nothing so controversial to warrant a drink being thrown.” Gilbert said exasperatedly.
“Maybe it’s not what you said but how you said it. What were the exact words you used Gil?” Mary’s empathetic inquiry helps Gilbert feel a little more settled as he searched his brain for the exact phrasing he used.
“She was saying she couldn’t believe I was making a comparison of one character from one book to another character in another book. She seemed to be getting progressively animated as she made the point but I just thought she was becoming more invested in our conversation. In fact, I was quite enjoying myself with our lively debate. She is clearly intelligent, knows her stuff, and isn’t afraid to express her ideas. Besides being really beautiful she seemed quick witted and really interesting.”
Bash and Mary looked at each other with a knowing smile as they listened to Gilbert talk. What started off as an absent-minded description of the events had slowly transitioned into self-reflection with a softened and slightly bewildered voice.
“What exactly did you say?” Mary pushed.
“I said ‘Women during their period…’” Gilbert pauses to think how he finished the sentence, “I think I said, ‘Women during their period wouldn’t have had many choices’…wait, no… I didn’t get to finish that point because Bash caught my attention and then suddenly a drink was in my face.”
Bash and Mary once again look at each other. There’s a moment’s pause before they both break out into raucous laughter. Bash is the first to gain enough composure to talk.
“Please, PLEASE, tell me you didn’t say it that way, Gilbert! There’s no way you – even YOU – could have done that!” Bash struggles to say between snickers of amusement.
“What? What did I say!? How is saying ‘Women during their period…’ OH! … MY! …GOD! What did I just do! I didn’t mean to say…but she probably thought I meant…but I didn’t mean…I would never mean… I would never SAY!” Gilbert sputters out as realization washed over him. How humiliating. This must be what Ms. 362 thought he meant. His hand unconsciously rubs the back of his neck in frustration.
Mary placed a comforting hand on his arm to calm him as she says with a giggle in her breath, “Just go to her and explain what happened. Since it was just a slip of the tongue then it’s a pretty funny story, one she can tell at dinner parties. If it wasn’t that, well you at least know what NOT to say to a woman next time.”
“But we’ve switched tables now. The next date starts in, like, one minute. There’s no way I’d have enough time to explain myself.” Gilbert looked absentmindedly down the bar, frustrated at the impression he must have made, and completely embarrassed at what she must think of him. At that moment, he spied Moody getting his drink from the bartender and an idea came to mind. “I’ve got to go. I’ll catch up with you both at home later.”
With that Gilbert left a still giggling Bash and Mary as he made a bee line towards Moody. Once close enough, Gilbert reached towards Moody’s lapel saying, “I need your name tag.” He grabs the sticker’s corner and rips it off Moody’s shirt causing an audible sound of the tacky tape peeling off the fabric.
“Hey! What gives?!” protests Moody.
“Not a lot of time to explain but I need to talk to my date…I mean my previous date… who’s your next date… well because I need to clarify something with her.”
“Oooh, so Mr. Disinterested in suddenly Mr. Interested in this mystery woman”, Moody teasingly looks over Gilbert’s shoulder and spies Anne climbing back into her high-top chair. “What if I’m interested in her? Why should I give up my 5 minutes to you?”
Gilbert doesn’t really have a good answer. He looks at the next table and notices a cute blond sitting there. It’s the woman Moody had commented on when they first came into the bar. She had a pastel pink sweater on that Moody thought looked like cotton candy. Gilbert says quickly, “Well the cotton candy lady is my next date. You could just skip the carrot top and go straight to talking to the girl you noticed earlier.” Again, Moody looks over Gilbert’s shoulder and a slight smile crosses his face. “Yeah, alright. I’m dying to know if she picked that color because it reminds her of cotton candy at the fair, too. OK… I’ll trade tags with you.” Moody starts to place Gil’s #25 tag on his shirt when it dawns on him to ask, “What happens if I like this girl and she likes me. If she inputs my tag number, which is really YOUR tag number, she’ll get your phone number instead.”
Gilbert thinks quickly, “All you need to do is remember HER tag number. If I get a notification that I’m matched to that number I can easily give you her actual phone number for you to reach out. Just don’t tell her your name, just the number. Or when you call just say it must be a glitch that my name matched with hers. You’d have spent the date with her anyway so what does she care the name in the match-form isn’t the same as yours.” This made sense to Moody so he left to sit down before the next buzzer, hoping to get an extra minute with his new date.
Gilbert slowly makes his way towards the stairs, approaching the steps so that he remains to the back of Ms. 362. As the buzzer sounds for the next round of dates to begin, he notices she’s looking around trying to figure out who her next date will be. Gilbert takes the stairs two at a time, which brings him to the top of the landing with two large steps, and he quickly slides into the high-top chair across Ms. 362 before she can realize what he’s doing. Her eyes settle on him and grow alarmingly small as a scowl begins to form and her lips perse in a tight straight line. Gilbert raises his hands quickly in a show of surrender and sputters out “Wait, wait… we had a misunderstanding. I just realized how what I said earlier might have sounded and I want…no I NEED to clarify that is NOT what I meant to say. Please just give me a chance to explain.”
Anne’s expression is unchanged and she crosses her arms across her body in a defensive stance. Gilbert lowers the palms of his hands slowly to the table but does not break eye contact.
“I owe you an apology… for what I said earlier… I mean, I didn’t mean it the way I said it but I said it none the less and need to clarify…” Gil notices she rolled her eyes but she hasn’t gotten out of the chair so he takes it as a win.
“First, what I meant to say was that the women in period pieces like Pride & Prejudice & Jane Eyre didn’t have much choice or agency because of the societal structure…”
“That’s not what you said.” Anne interrupted, agitated and arms still crossed.
“No, that is not what I said. I unfortunately got distracted by my brother’s arrival with his wife and for a split second wasn’t really paying attention to my words.” Gilbert motions past Anne to the bar located behind her and she unconsciously turns to see a man and woman, with giant smiles across their face, raise their glass in Anne’s direction. Anne can’t help but smile back at their beaming faces and nods in acknowledgement. When she faces Gilbert again he continues his explanation. “It is my belief that what I meant to say was ‘the women during THEIR period OF TIME’, that is in Elizabeth and Jane’s period of time, ‘didn’t have agency’ but it just came out all wrong. Your misunderstanding of what I was trying to say is completely justified. I’m really sorry it came out the way that it did. I completely understand how that would be highly inappropriate, perceived as aggressive, and definitely understood as hostile. I am really, REALLY sorry and really, REALLY embarrassed at its implication.”
Anne sat motionless for what felt like hours until she flatly said, “I see. Okay then.”
Gilbert sat still staring at her eyes, her striking grey-blue orbs, trying to get a read on her. She really was quite beautiful and if he hadn’t messed up the last minutes of their previous date then he might have actually held out hope she would have inputted his tag number as a potential match. Alas, she was not impressed, even with his clarification, so the chances of this turning around in his favor were pretty low.
Gilbert and Anne continued in uncomfortable silence. They both shifted in their chairs with neither willing to stop the staring contest. Gilbert decided he wouldn’t initiate anything else, leaving it up to her if she wanted to further engage. He’s a little disappointed because Ms. 362 definitely piqued his interest. However, after that fiasco of a start and now his ambush of her to explain their misunderstanding, he doesn’t think he should instigate moving forward.
Anne lets out a heavy sigh bringing Gilbert’s attention back. “Well, I appreciate you making the effort to clear the air between us. Most guys at an event like this wouldn’t even bother, knowing we wouldn’t see each other again and all.”
“Right, because we wouldn’t see each other again.” Gilbert says softly, really to himself. Noticing Ms. 362 is looking inquiringly at him Gilbert follows quickly, “Right. Right! I mean, it was the right thing to do. Even if we weren’t going to ever speak again, I didn’t think it was right to leaving you feeling so… so…”
“Flabbergasted? Disconcerted? Gobsmacked? Nonplus?”
Gilbert can’t help but smile at her lexicon. “Well, I wouldn’t describe your response to my VERY POORLY communicated argument as ‘nonplus’. You definitely seemed to know EXACTLY how to respond.” Seeing that Ms. 362 was about to say something as her eyebrows began to scowl, “which was completely appropriate, might I add.” The buzzer sounds once again indicating the end of the date.
“Well, I think we should just call it a draw for the night and just pretend we didn’t even meet. This time I honestly wish you ‘good luck’ on your next date Mr. 25… um, wait. Why does your tag now say #24?”
“Oh, I switched with my friend so that my number would remain congruous and wouldn’t mess up the event organizer’s system.”
“I suppose that’s considerate of you but doesn’t that make it unfair for the other ladies who think they’re talking to Mr. Perfect but it turns out they’ll be matched with… well, you?”
Gilbert chuckles at her unintentional insult and can only respond, “Well, even Lizzie Bennett thought Darcy was a tool in the beginning but clearly he’s exactly what most women dream of. Maybe my next date will find me exactly the same.”
Anne giggles and shakes her head in amusement. “I’m sorry, I didn’t it mean it that way. Gosh, it seems you and I just keep putting our foot in it when it comes to each other.”
Gilbert can’t help but smile warmly as he slides out of his chair and gently nods in Anne’s direction. He turns towards the stairs deciding he better quit while he’s ahead and just join Bash & Mary for the rest of the evening. He spies Charlie walking in his direction and he gets another idea. Quickening his steps towards his friend, Gilbert reaches Charlie before he can even cross the threshold of the steps.
“Quick, give me your tag.” Gilbert whispers, hoping Anne hasn’t noticed that Charlie would be her next date.
“What? Why?” Charlie sputters confused at Gilbert’s secrecy.
“I’ll explain later. Oh, I need you to also skip sitting down with the redhead.” Gilbert says quickly as he exchanges Charlie’s tag with his.
“Fine. So long as I eventually get to talk to the chick with the light brown hair I don’t really care.”
Charlie saunters off towards Ruby’s table where Moody hasn’t even tried to get up. Moody and Charlie engage in a friendly conversation as Ruby discretely enters #25 into the app. Suddenly Moody stands up jovially, patting Charlie’s shoulder in what appears to be a friendly gesture but actually places Gilbert’s #25 tag on Charlie’s shirt. Charlie barely notices when Moody peels his original tag off, #24, and puts it back on to his own shirt. Moody thought it was a good sign that he and Ruby started their conversation jokingly trying to decide if Muby or Roody would be a better name “mashup” if they were celebrities. Moody was feeling pretty good about making a match tonight with her and figured she might as well enter his original tag number since Charlie’s presence has now made it an option.
Charlie clears his throat and tilts his head slightly to right as a hint for Moody to get out of the way of the chair. Moody leans in and whispers something in Charlie’s ear. Charlie merely shrugs and mumbles, “What are these guys drinking tonight?” as he nods towards Ruby and turns to go towards the next table. Charlie breaks into a wide smile as he realized the cute chick with the light brown hair is waiting at the next table. Ruby, on her part, beams excitedly when Moody sits back down to join her for the next five minutes.
Meanwhile, Gilbert lingers close to the steps and does his best not to call attention to himself. When the buzzer goes off again for the next date to start, he quickly sits back down in front of Ms. 362.
“You again! And now you’re Mr. 23. I’m sensing a pattern!” she exclaims in a surprised tone but this time there doesn’t seem to be any agitation in her voice. Gilbert smiles in response and feels a little hopeful that maybe this night won’t end so horribly.
“Ok, hear me out. I feel like we got off on the wrong foot and I feel awful you haven’t had a decent date yet tonight. There’s no obligation or expectation from this date, just a redo of sorts to make a second first impression”.
Anne can’t help but laugh at his logic. “Well seeing how you’re practically the only person I’ve been on a date with tonight your track record seems to indicate this one won’t go so well either.” The teasing smile seems to encourage Gilbert’s confidence.
“Let’s make a deal,” Gilbert checks the time on his phone, “for the next 4 minutes we pretend we’ve never met and we just list off all the things that we either hate or really annoy us. What do you day?”
Anne laughs heartily, almost doubled over in amusement at the idea. “I love it! What an interesting idea. Ok, you have a DEAL!” She offers her hand across the table and Gilbert reaches out to shake on the arrangement.
Gilbert starts. “I hate people who turn on their car blinker right when they’re about to turn. I hate when people check labels in the grocery store but don’t put the stuff back on the right shelf. That just creates unnecessary work for the employees. I hate when people shut off their computer but don’t tune off the monitor so that little orange light stays on. And I hate when people call me on the phone after I just texted them. Like, dude, I texted for a reason.”
Anne’s broad smile is wide, thoroughly entertained. “I hate those ‘Friday’ songs that local radio stations make just so they can blast out their call signal. Dude, I know it’s Friday because I had to slog it out this whole week. I hate when the pat of butter is too cold that the steam from my pancakes can’t melt it. I hate seeing my favorite tv show OF ALL TIME trending for months on end fully knowing it’s been cancelled; I really hate that. And I hate at the coffee shop when they leave the ‘E’ off of my name when I specifically tell them it’s ‘Anne with an E.”
Gilbert’s smile turns into a knowing smirk. “So, Ms. 362, your name in real life is Anne then?”
Anne catches her mistake and blushes slightly. “Well, I guess I’m not as cleaver as I thought. To be fair, I should ask what your…”
BUUUZZZZZZ!!!!
“Oh. Well, I guess this is where we part ways, Mr. 25, with no obligations or expectations.” Anne says sheepishly, not quite sure why she feels a sense of melancholy at saying goodbye.
Gilbert doesn’t really want their night to end but clearly she’s not as interested in continuing or why else would she mention those specific stipulations of their deal.
“Yes. Um, well, before I go do you need anything?” Anne shakes her head hesitantly but it’s still clear to him she isn’t interested. “Um, goodbye then. Au revoir.” He says awkwardly as he slowly gets out of the chair. He hesitates for a moment trying to decide if he should break his promise of ‘no expectations’ but ultimately determines that after the mishap of their first date it would be best to end on a high note.
***
Anne watches as Gilbert starts down the steps, probably headed towards his brother and sister at the bar. She doesn’t know why but she feels compelled to call after him and say, “Take care of yourself. Maybe we’ll run into each other someday.”
Gilbert joined Bash and Mary as he waited for his friends to finish their dates. He does his best to ignore the other ‘gentleman’ who sit down at Anne’s table, deciding it would drive him crazy to see her engaged with anyone else in the same amused delight she did with him. About an hour later, Moody, Charlie, Paul, and Jerry join him at the bar. They are all happily excited, saying they “busted a Gilbert” by sitting with the same women the whole night. Apparently Paul enjoyed talking to a flirty woman named Tillie, #365, who mentioned in passing that she registered under a different name. Jerry’s date, #366, mentioned the same thing. How peculiar. They finish up their drinks and decide to call it a night.
As they’re about to leave, Gilbert’s phone starts to buzz, getting 4 separate notices indicating matches. He takes his phone out and swipes to read the first notification: Gilbert Blythe, #25 has matched with Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, #363.
Eagerly Moody looks at his phone which hasn’t received any notices. “Darn, I was really hoping Ruby would have matched with me. I really liked her. I guess Miss. 363 wasn’t into me after all.”
Gilbert walks over to his dejected friend, puts his arm around his shoulder and says, “Um, it seems to me she was VERY MUCH into you!” showing his friend the notice he just received. Seeing how Gilbert only went on a date with Ms. 362 it was clear this match wasn’t intended for him. Moody’s smile brightens and he takes down Ruby’s phone number, ready to call her back first thing in the morning.
Gilbert swipes through the other notices, and just like in Moody’s case, Charlie, Paul, and Jerry each get their own notices. Over and over again the notices read as some variation of the same notice, the next one saying Gilbert Blythe, #25 has matched with Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, #364.
All the guys are thrilled. They’ve matched exactly with the women they wanted to and can’t wait for the morning to call them up. Gilbert is really happy for his friends though he can’t help feel a little disappointed that things didn’t quite work out with Anne. His “Anne with an E” he chuckles to himself at the thought. The guys say their goodbyes and as Gilbert waits for his Uber he feels his phone vibrate once again. He figures it must be Bash checking to see when he’s heading home. Bash sends him a “sock tied to the doorknob” text whenever Gilbert is out so as not to repeat that INCIDENT again. None of them EVER want to relive that embarrassment and have sworn never to bring it up again. EVER. Gilbert decides he better let them know he’s going to be about 20 minutes away once his car arrives so that they can gage if it’s worth starting anything or at the least, make it quick enough to fall within his ETA.
Gilbert takes his phone out to respond to the text but instead is surprise to see a new notification. He swipes to open, holding his breath, too afraid to be hopeful. Gilbert Blythe, #25 has matched with Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, #362. Phone number is…
He blinks a few times to make sure his eyes aren’t seeing things. Slowly he allows himself to accept the realization and a hopeful smile breaks out suddenly across his face. Gilbert is so excited that he starts pumping his arms karate style, almost wishing the other guys were still around so they could join him in jump around in excitement. He finally calms down and starts to put his phone in his pocket but notices it’s not THAT late. If anything, Anne would just be arriving at home right now if not still on her way home, he reasoned. If he called her now surely they could at least make plans for the following day. Was he being too eager? Honestly, he didn’t even care. Gilbert starts to ring her phone, shifting from one foot to the other, trying to burn his nervous energy off.
“Hello, is it Gilbert? I recognized your number from the notification I just received. Wait, am I saying it right or is there some French pronunciation to it?”
“Hi. Anne. No, it’s just plain Gilbert. Nothing fancy to it”
“Oh, I wasn’t sure since you bid me goodbye with au revoir, though you did pronounce the salutation horribly.” Anne teased.
“Yes. Well, I think the events of tonight have proven that I have a way of saying things…differently.”
Anne can’t help but laugh and agree. Gilbert begins to worry that his phone might cut out because it seems like her giggling has some feedback.
“Anne, not to interrupt, but I seem to be getting an echo so just in case my phone cuts off I wanted to see if you want to meet up tomorrow. Maybe get a coffee? Give me a third chance to make a first impression?”
“Well, I suppose if your phone cuts off we could just make plans here.”
“Here? Where’s here?” Gilbert feels a tap on his shoulder, and as he turns around, he comes face to face with the most beautiful, and the most highly amused, woman he’s ever seen. Their smiles match as each beam at seeing the other.
“SHE’S BEEN A LITTLE PREOCCUPIED WITH A CERTAIN SOMEONE ALL NIGHT!” Yells a woman standing by the door. Gilbert looks over Anne’s shoulder and sees 4 other ladies smiling from ear to ear, one with a pair of white winter gloves who stands next to the yeller with her hands cupped near her mouth is entertained joy.
Gilbert’s eyes shift back to Anne to see the slight blush around her cheeks spread into a bright red down her neck. He decides in that moment he quite likes it when Ms. 362 blushes because of him.
“So do you think we should just hang up our phones now?” Gilbert asks since they both are still holding their phones to their ears.
Anne giggles and nods her head. “I know how much you hate talking on the phone. Should I just text you my answer then?”
Gilbert throws back his head in laughter at her quick response. He’s feeling pretty confident until it dawns on him that she, and her friends, must have seen his reaction when he received his notification about Anne’s match. He starts to blush himself as his eyes grow wide, shifting from looking between Anne and her friends, as he whimpers, “Oh gawd, please tell me you weren’t standing outside, like, 5 minutes ago?”
“No I wasn’t standing outside 5 minutes ago.”
“Oh good. I thought maybe…”
“I was walking out the door 5 minutes ago and saw you dancing? Convulsing? Catching the spirit? Well, whatever it was you were doing you sure looked happy.” Anne says in with a teasing smile. Gilbert’s blush starts to turn a deeper red and Anne decides, in that moment, she quite likes it when Mr. 25 blushes because of her.
“And don’t forget my friends also witnessed you doing that, too.”
“Ah, yes. I guess that means I’ve lost all chance of plausible deniability then. Well, I can honestly say that wasn’t the most embarrassing thing I’ve done all night.”
Anne laughs at his recollection, giggling uncontrollably for a few moments. Gilbert just beams. As Anne regains control, she suddenly remembers her friends are watching them from the door. She looks over her shoulder and signals for them to give her a moment. Turning back to Gilbert, she smiles and says, “Well, I guess this means we have plans for tomorrow. Coffee, right?”
“Yes coffee!” Gilbert affirms as Anne starts backing up slowing in the direction of her friends but not breaking eye contact with him.
“I’ve got your number programmed in my phone. I’ll call you tomorrow morning to confirm where we should meet. You better pick up your phone and talk to me.” She teases as she gets further and further away from him.
“Uhhh!” Gilbert jokingly moans. “This is exactly why I hate coming to events like this.”
Giddy with delight, Anne answers, “Me too!” before she turns around and joins her friends again.