if i could go back and change the past

be a little braver than i had

and play against the odds

would i still be lost?

Amelia tightened the bow around her short blonde hair as she smiled brightly in the mirror, showing off her dimples. She dusted off her dress and took care of the crinkles. Her soft mint green dress made her eyes pop out, and contrasted with her hair colour, complementing her nice skin tone. She turned to her brother who stood at the door, dressed in a simple navy blue suit. "Ready to go?" Amelia nodded, linking her arm with her brother as they made their way out of their house.

Their father had to go on a business trip and wasn't able to be with their kids for Christmas dinner, but had made sure to leave some presents for them under the tree. Nevertheless, they weren't going to stay home and not do anything. Marilla Cuthbert had been kind enough to invite both kids to have dinner with them. Of course, this had been something that Anne had been delighted with, excited to show off the dress Matthew had given her as a gift.

It wasn't long before Amelia was softly knocking on the door, soft lace white gloves decorating her hands. The door swung open and Amelia was tackled into a hug by her red-head friend. Amelia laughed and hugged her tightly back, before stepping away and shyly greeting her brother Isaac. She let them in the house and helped Amelia take her coat off and hung it up. "Amelia, there is something I need to warn you about." Anne whispered, stopping Amelia in her tracks.

"I'm sure it can wait until later, I have to thank the Cuthberts for inviting me over." Amelia shrugged Anne's warning off, walking into the living room as she froze, nearly having Isaac bumping into her by her sudden gesture. Her eyes glazed over the boy who sat in the far corner, standing up immediately when he caught sight of her. His eyes traced her up and down before smiling, stuffing his hands in his pockets as both teens stood awkwardly, staring at each other.

Amelia cleared her throat, breaking the stare as she shook Marilla's hand, and then Matthew's. "Thank you so much for inviting us over, Miss Cuthbert." Marilla chuckled and shook her head, glancing at Gilbert, still intrigued by the whole ordeal, wondering what had happened between the two. "Oh please, call me Marilla."

Amelia turned to Gilbert's friend, Bash, as she took off her gloves. "I don't believe we've been formally introduced yet. I'm Amelia Covey, and this is my brother, Isaac." she stuck out her hand, smiling warmly at the man stood in front of her. Bash shook her hand, and then shook Isaac's. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Gilbert has spoken a lot about you." he said, his accent pulling through as he watched both Gilbert and Amelia turn a soft pink.

"Anne, can you please blow out the candles in the tree?" Anne nodded, before Amelia stopped her by grabbing her wrist. "Let me do it. It's the least I can do." Marilla smiled and looked at Matthew, before nodding. "That's very kind of you."

The rest of the group followed the house owners towards the dining room, finally leaving only two behind. Gilbert lingered behind, watching Amelia blow out the top candle of the tree, oblivious to the fact he was still in the room. He took his gift out of his pocket, doubting between whether he should give it to her or hold on to it. In Gilbert's mind, Amelia hated him and didn't want anything to do with him. He didn't blame her. But he wanted to try and fix things. He would regret it if he didn't.

Amelia turned around and let out a small gasp, surprised at seeing Gilbert with his armed stretched out, a box at the end of it. "Merry Christmas Amelia." Amelia's blue eyes dropped down and looked at the box, taking it in her hands. She looked back up at him, not fully believing the look of adoration written in his eyes. "I didn't know you were coming so I didn't get you anything..."

Gilbert shook his head, a soft grin making way through. She didn't realise it, but she had given him some hope, by saying that if she knew she would have gotten him something. "Don't worry about it, it's the least I could do." Amelia stood in a lost of words, as brown met blue in an intense stare, mixed emotions all over the place.

She broke the stare and continued to blow out the candles, slightly flustered as she didn't want to make a decision without thinking it through. Gilbert procceded to help her, and before any of the two knew it, they were blowing on the same candle, their faces very close to each other. Amelia widened her eyes, as Gilbert chuckled lightly, and both took a step backwards. "I think we need to talk." Amelia was finally able to muster, shifting her weight.

Gilbert nodded, looking back to the doorway where distant chatter was heard. "We do."

"Oh, be a dear and tell us all the fantastic places you've been to." gushed out Amelia, cutting into her food and taking a bite as she chattered with Bash, amazed by all these stories he had to tell. "New York, Boston, Maine, Jamaica, Canary Islands..." Bash trailed off, as everyone looked impressed. The small people of Avonlea weren't really travellers, and nothing very exciting happened to them, so hearing stories like Bash's was astonishing for them. "Do you have a favourite?" added Anne, who was sat next to Isaac, who was clenching his jaw at having Anne's attention all over Bash.

Amelia's gaze crossed with Gilbert, who's head was slightly tilted as he stared at Amelia. He blushed and looked away as Amelia caught him, who chuckled and blushed too.

"My island of course." Bash chuckled, as Amelia cut her food up. "I can understand that. Our Christmas panto is about our own magical island." Anne spoke up excitedly, loving the idea of doing a pantomine and being able to act in it. "Panto?" Bash asked. "Pantomine. The play I've been helping with." explained Gilbert, as Amelia stared at him. "We've all worked very hard on this. It's going to be wonderful." Both teens stared at each other before looking at Anne when she continued speaking. "And Marilla made some fantastical costumes."

Amelia turned to Mrs Cuthbert as she nodded. "Thank you again, Marilla, for the beautiful princess dress you have made. It's simply gorgeous." Marilla smiled and shook her head, secretly delighted her costumes had been a success. "Oh hush now."

"Actually, I could really do your help with the rigging." Gilbert spoke to Bash, as he agreed to come over and help.

It wasn't until Amelia arrived at her own home two hours later, snuggled up in her bed with her sleeping piece on that she opened Gilbert's gift for her. She unwrapped the brown packaging, putting it aside as she stared at the contents, a look of surprise and content taking over her pretty features.

A box of paints she had never seen before was in her hands, and she turned it around and admired it, realising it was a present he had gotten her while he was away on his travels. A mix of a lot of different colours and brushes as she sighed, and then stared at the second part of the gift. A small painting stood there, a view of the seaside with a girl and a boy dancing on the moors. She bit her lip as she tried to smile in joy, as she turned it over and reading the message he had written behind.

Follow your dreams... and your heart.

And it was then clear to Amelia was she wanted.

The pantomine had just finished, and it was a success. Amelia smiled at the crowd as she bowed, a soft silver dress adorned her figure with a fake but pretty tiara sitting on her blonde hair. The whole cast stood next to her, celebrating as the crowd clapped and threw flowers onstage. Josie had been sick so Anne had replaced her and did an excellent job as the main character, and in Amelia's eyes, Anne did a better job.

She stood off stage as people came up to her and congratulated her, before heading towards Anne and hugging her. "Anne, what a splendid job! Better than Josie herself, and she had been practicing for ages." Anne smiled brightly as she shook her head. "And you look absolutely gorgeous. Princess Amelia." Anne bowed down as Amelia faked waved like a queen, before the two nearly fell over with giggles.

They both sighed, as Anne looked at something behind Amelia before nodding. "I think someone is waiting to speak to you." Amelia turned her head as she caught Gilbert staring, who scratched the back of his neck as he quickly looked at the floor, avoiding his gaze. Amelia chuckled upon Gilbert's flustered state, before turning back to Anne. "Better see what he wants. See you tomorrow."

Anne and Amelia said their goodbyes as they both parted ways, and Amelia made way towards the dark-haired boy. She smiled softly at the boy who had captured her heart.

They both headed outside, where it wasn't as crowded, and they both leaned on the balcony, staring up at the faint but twinkling stars that adorned the dark blue night. They both stood next to each other, their shoulders brushing against one another as a comfortable silence overtook them, neither knowing how to start, or what to say. They both wanted the same thing. To be happy...together. Because that's how they were the most joyful. But they didn't know that's what they other wanted to.

She glanced at him in a subtle way, before clearing her throat. "I'm sorry." they both blurted out at the same time, before chuckling, as Gilbert nodded for her to speak first. "I'm sorry I was so selfish. I didn't have in mind how you were feeling, only that you were leaving me and I would be alone." Gilbert intertwined their hands together as Amelia stared at their hands, feeling a fluttering in her chest. "I did need some alone time. But that time away from you only made what I felt clearer..."

Amelia stood agape as Gilbert stared at her expectantly, his eyes flickering down to her lips. Amelia felt herself being lured in, before she spoke. "I think we should start over...as friends." she regretted those words as soon as they left her mouth, seeing the look of disappointment written in his eyes, which he tried to mask the best he could as he nodded. He stretched his hand out. "I don't think we've met...I'm Gilbert Blythe."

Amelia hid her laugh behind her hand before shaking Gilbert's, trying to keep a straight face. "I would've remembered a face like yours...I'm Amelia Covey."

"A pleasure." they both said at the same time before nearly falling over as they laughed, as Amelia leaned into him, and they both realised the same thing.

How much they missed moments like those.