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Anne Shirley stood at the imposing gates of Redmond College, her heart thrumming with excitement and anxiety as she gripped her bag tightly. Beside her, her best friend Diana Barry radiated enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with wonder at the bustling campus before them. All around, students hurried by, their laughter and chatter creating a vibrant symphony of college life. The aura was electric, as if the very air thrummed with untold stories and endless possibilities.With a determined step, Anne ventured forward, her wide eyes drinking in the majestic buildings that surrounded them, each one steeped in history and promise. She was lost in her own thoughts, envisioning the adventures that awaited her, when suddenly, she collided with a solid figure rounding a corner with unexpected speed."Whoa!" A warm voice called out as Anne staggered slightly from the impact, her books and papers flying from her grasp and scattering across the pavement in a chaotic flurry."I’m so sorry!" she exclaimed, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she dropped to her knees to retrieve her scattered items. She felt a mix of humiliation and fluster as she rushed to collect her things."No worries at all," the voice replied, calm and reassuring. Anne looked up, her breath catching as she met the gaze of a young man. His deep brown eyes held a glimmer of concern, and they sparkled with a hint of mischief. He bent down to help her, their hands brushing against each other as they both reached for the same wayward book.With a rush of warmth flooding her cheeks, Anne quickly gathered her belongings and stood up, trying to shake off the unexpected connection. Leaning slightly toward Diana, she whispered, "Jesus! That is the most attractive man I've ever seen."Diana perched on the edge of excitement. "Yeah, did we die and go to heaven? Because I think I'm looking at an angel," she replied, her voice barely contained."Um, I’m Gilbert," the young man interjected, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Hey, you know I can hear you, right?"Mortified, Anne stammered, "Shit, sorry! I’m Anne, and this is Diana. You’re just the hottest person we’ve ever seen! are you single?""Uh, thanks... and what?" Gilbert asked, his brow furrowing in playful confusion."Oh, I’m not asking you out, I’m asking you a question," Anne clarified, her heart racing. "Are you single?""Um, yes," Gilbert replied, his tone still bemused."HOW?!" Anne and Diana shrieked in unison, their voices filled with incredulity."What about you, Anne? Are you single?" Gilbert asked, leaning back slightly, his gaze curious."Yes, cripplingly so! But seriously, how on earth are you single? You're literally so attractive it hurts," Anne confessed, her voice a mixture of awe and disbelief.Gilbert simply smiled, a soft, knowing look in his eyes as he continued to gaze at her hopefully. Diana exchanged a knowing glance with him, and Anne noticed the silent communication between them."Why are you both looking at me like that? I answered your question—oh, I get it, you’re..." Anne began, the realization dawning on her."Yep," Gilbert confirmed with a hint of amusement."Okay, fine! I’ll give you my number, how about we meet at the bar at 8?" Anne offered, a boldness sparking within her as she embraced the serendipity of their encounter."Sounds like a plan," Gilbert replied, a playful grin spreading across his face, sealing the unexpected beginning of an adventure that neither of them had anticipated.---As the clock struck eight, Anne stood outside the cozy little bar on the edge of campus, nervously adjusting her scarf. Diana had insisted she wear something "casually captivating," and Anne wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but she trusted her best friend’s judgment. The evening air was crisp, and she could see the warm glow of the bar’s lights spilling out onto the sidewalk, inviting and full of promise.Inside, the atmosphere buzzed with the hum of conversation and laughter. Anne scanned the room, her heart skipping a beat when she spotted Gilbert at a table near the back, casually leaning against the booth with a relaxed smile. He looked up as she approached, his face lighting up with recognition."Hey," he greeted her, standing up slightly and motioning for her to join him. "Glad you made it.""Wouldn’t miss it," Anne replied, sliding into the seat across from him. She felt a flutter of excitement mixed with nerves, but his easy demeanor quickly put her at ease."So," Gilbert began, leaning forward with a grin, "is this where you interrogate me about my entire life story, or do we start with something less intense?"Anne laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I promise, no interrogation tonight. Let’s start with the basics. What’s a pre-med guy doing at Redmond? Were you always into medicine?"Gilbert nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah, I’ve always been drawn to it. I guess I like the idea of helping people, making a difference, you know? And Redmond has a great program. What about you? English literature, right?""Exactly," Anne said, her eyes lighting up. "I've always been in love with stories. They’ve been my escape, my inspiration. Coming to Redmond was a dream come true—so many books, so many ideas waiting to be explored."Their conversation flowed effortlessly, moving from their academic pursuits to their favorite books, childhood dreams, and even a few embarrassing moments. Anne found herself relaxing more with each passing minute, drawn in by Gilbert’s charm and genuine interest in what she had to say.At one point, Gilbert leaned back, studying her with a curious expression. "You know, you have this way of talking about things that makes everything sound magical. It’s refreshing."Anne blushed, ducking her head slightly. "That’s probably just my imagination running wild. I’ve always been a bit of a dreamer.""Dreamers are the best kind of people," Gilbert said softly, his gaze lingering on her. "They see the world in ways the rest of us can’t."The night stretched on, and before they knew it, hours had passed. The bar had thinned out, and the air between them was filled with a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes when two people truly connect."Well," Anne said, finally glancing at the time, "I guess we should call it a night. I have an early class tomorrow.""Same here," Gilbert agreed, standing up and helping her with her coat. As they walked out into the cool night, he hesitated for a moment before turning to her. "Anne, tonight was... unexpected but really great. I’d like to do it again sometime, if you’re up for it."Anne smiled, her heart fluttering. "I’d like that too, Gilbert. Let’s see where this adventure takes us."As they parted ways, Anne couldn’t help but feel that this was just the beginning of something special—a serendipitous meeting that might lead to a story worth telling.