Heart Attack ? Shirbert

? 20 ? beaus, bullies, and billy

"No, I said you'll regret it."

Before Billy had time to react, Gilbert punched his jaw, knocked Billy down, and stormed away.

"This isn't over, Blythe!" Billy yelled from the ground, rubbing his sore jaw.

Gilbert angrily stomped home and threw the groceries onto the table when he arrived. He was still fuming from Billy and his heightened anxiety only put him more on edge.

Bash walked into the kitchen with Delly on his hip, "Blythe you're going to mash our potatoes for us."

"Sorry," Gilbert stared at the sack, afraid to look at Bash, "I ran into some kids on the way home."

"Looks like you did more then run into them." Bash gestured towards Gilbert's hand that was already bruising and red.

Gilbert nodded silently and walked over to the sink to rinse off his hand.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Bash walked over to him and put his hand on Gilbert's shoulder.

"I should get Winifred from the station." Gilbert muttered quietly, "It's getting dark."

Bash nodded, knowing it would only do harm to push Gilbert further.

"Be careful."

"I will."

--

Anne was also walking back home when it started getting dark. Her anxiety was spiking because she knew she'd see Gilbert tomorrow night. They hadn't talked since she tried to apologize a few weeks ago. Tomorrow was bound to be tense and awkward.

Though they were fighting, she was on her way home from Charlottetown after buying a gift for Gilbert. It didn't matter to her how angry he was, she still loved him.

But, like Gilbert, Anne also had the misfortune of running into Billy a few hours after he had.

"Hi, Fido." Billy sneered.

Anne rolled her eyes. She didn't need this today, "Doesn't that get old?"

Billy took a step towards her, "I don't think I told you to speak, dog."

She crossed her arms, "Surprisingly, I'm not waiting for or listening to your commands."

Billy felt anger building inside of him. He didn't need another person, especially a vile orphan, demeaning him.

"Goodnight." Anne brushed past him, but he quickly grabbed her arm and squeezed it harder than necessary.

"I don't think we're done here, Fido."

"I disagree." Anne tried to pull her arm away, but Billy kept his grip.

That's when Anne began to panic. Billy had been verbally exhausting before, but he had never touched her. No one had forcibly touched her in a long time.

Not since Lily.

"What do you want, Billy?" Anne gritted her teeth.

He tugged her closer to him, "Tell me why Blythe left."

"He didn't leave, he's just working in Charlottetown now."

"No, tell me why he left you."

Anne's skin was crawling. She didn't want to talk about this, especially with Billy.

"Why does it matter?" Her voice wavered a little.

Billy knew he was getting to her now, "I want to know yet another reason why no one will ever love you."

"Why do you hate me so much?" Anne was getting fed up too, "Please, enlighten me on what joy you get out of seeing me miserable."

This set him off. Billy pushed her to the ground and stood over her threateningly, "Because someone needs to put you in your place. Everyone else thinks you're so good and reformed, but I know the real you. I'm protecting Avonlea from you."

Anne's wrist was throbbing from the fall. She was praying she didn't break it.

"I'm not going anywhere, Billy." Anne was trying to be brave, "Get over it and leave me alone."

Anne put her good hand on a tree behind her and began picking herself up. She just wanted to get home. It was Christmas Eve and she wouldn't let Billy get in the way of her happiness anymore.

"You're right," He took a step towards her as she stood up, practically pinning her against the tree, "you aren't going anywhere."

"Get away from me," she muttered.

"I heard a nasty rumor that you kissed Blythe," Billy stepped even closer, "is that true?"

"Why do you care?" Anne gripped the tree.

"I wanted to see what all the fuss was about."

He was so close Anne could feel his breath on her face. Despite it being so cold out, she felt like she was burning up.

"Don't touch me." Anne sounded like she was about to cry. But she wasn't sad, she was angry.

"If anything, I'm doing you a service." Billy forcefully grabbed both of her arms.

"Billy, stop." She tried to wiggle out of his grip but he only tightened it.

"There's no way Blythe was nearly as good as I am."

Anne was trying to think of something, anything, to help her escape, "What about Josie?"

"That prude? Please." All of him was pushing her against the tree, "She's not as damaged or experienced. You should know more, Fido."

"I don't." Anne stated.

"Let's find out."

Anne panicked, trying to find a way out or anything to get her out of this mess. She thought about giving in. She learned it was worse to fight back in the asylum.

But Anne wasn't that scared girl from the asylum anymore. She was Anne with an E. She was empowered and strong. She could do anything. She could get out of this.

"I said no."

In a flash of anger and determination, Anne pulled her hand out of his grasp, kneed him in the stomach, pushed him away, and ran.

--

A/N

In case Gilbert and Anne didn't take Billy down enough in this chapter, here's a crack video slamming him: