Chapter 3

Disclaimer: I don't own The Tribe. Kinda wish I did but that's another story.

Lex was on the roof when Pride finally found him. He stood silently behind the brooding man.

"Lex, Siva didn't mean anything..." Pride began.

"Yes, she did." Lex cut him off. "I know exactly what she meant. She probably thinks I've been keeping her somewhere."

"Have you?" he came forward and stood beside him at the edge. He raised his hands in defense when the dark glare fixed upon him. "I need to ask. It wouldn't be the first time. You just showed up with an injured girl in your arms. We need to know what happened. And just so you know. I don't believe your story about Mouse. I know she sneaks out."

He sighed and leaned against the edge. "She said she went out yesterday. She saw Rose at the side of the mall and she talked to her. Mouse said something about being a mallrat and Rose said my name. Mouse couldn't stop thinking about it so she told me. I had her show me where and we found her. I swear this is the first time I've seen her in five weeks."

"I believe you. You said you knew her before."

He snorted a sarcastic laugh. "You could say that." He pulled the picture from his pocket and handed it to the man beside him.

Pride looked at the picture of the two people. "You were together."

"Yeah. We were starting to talk about getting engaged when... you know." He shrugged and took back the photo. "But that was a lifetime ago."

"It's sad."

"It's life. I just hope she's ok." He elaborated when he saw the look on Pride's face. "Not for the reasons you're thinking. Before we were a couple she was my best friend. I told her everything. That was what I missed most about Rose. Just having someone that listened to everything in my head and didn't comment. Just let me get it all out."

"What happened? Why didn't you stay together?"

"Her mum died fairly early. Her dad was a doctor. He freaked out over not being able to save his wife. He made her and her sister pack up and move north. My parents wouldn't let me go. And anyway, her dad didn't exactly approve of us. We always said we'd find each other after it was all sorted out. But dad got sick and mom sent me to the camp."

"Why didn't you go look for her?"

He studied his hands a moment then looked out over the city. "We spent one last night together before she left. In the morning she felt sick and had a fever. We were both 19 so..."

"You thought she died."

"And she thought I died. Wouldn't you have though? For a long time I wondered what would have happened if we'd stayed together. Then I got thrown out of the camp and met up with Zandra and the rest is history."

"You're very open today."

"Blame it on sleep deprivation."

"You didn't sleep last night."

"Siva wanted to have it out."

"What were you fighting about?"

"I don't respect her. I don't talk to her. I don't listen to her. I really stopped paying attention a bit before you threw us out."

"Perhaps that why she's angry."

"I don't know why she's angry now." He ran a hand through his hair. "You know, sometimes I think I have women completely figured out. Then I realize I'm so far a way it isn't even funny."

"It's impossible to completely figure them out."

"With Siva it's like... It's like... She's heard everyone tell her what kind of guy I am. That I can't be with one girl, that I can't be faithful to anyone, that I'm only looking out for myself. But I've never done anything to hurt her or anything. Lately she's been starting fights for no reason. I think she wants me to hurt her. Causer then everyone will have been right and everyone will pity her. Honestly I don't think were gonna last much longer."

"Are you gonna give up on her?"

"No. I mean ... I don't want to. I love Siva. But I don't think she wants this anymore. And I can't deal with her waiting for me to screw up."

"I hope you're wrong."

"The sad thing is. I don't think I care anymore." He turned and disappeared inside.

"He must have had something to do with it. I mean why would he bring her here." Siva paced stormed into Ebony's room.

"What are you talking about?" Ebony whispered in an annoyed tone from under the covers.

"What do you think I'm talking about!?!"

Jay rolled over and turned on the light before rising from the bed. "I'm going to get some breakfast." He leaned down and kissed Ebony lightly before grabbing his shirt and leaving.

"You think Lex hurt that girl?"

"Yes... NO... I don't know." She plopped down on the end of the bed.

"Lex is a lot of things Siva, but he wouldn't do that."

She sighed. "I know. This is Lex were talking about. He must have had her stashed somewhere. I didn't really think he would do this to me."

"Have you bothered to talk to him about it?"

"No."

"Then why don't you do that."

"He'll deny it."

"I doubt that. He usually admits things when he's caught."

"I don't know what to do anymore."

"Siva," she spoke calmly and quietly, "you're exhausted. This has been a lot thrown at you. Go back to your room and get some sleep. Think about this when you wake up."

She nodded and left the room. She was walking slowly back up to her room. Everything inside seemed to make her think of Lex and her assumptions of his infidelity. Siva fell into the bed and began to cry.

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