Chapter 2

It's Sunday and the carriage ride back to Spence is very exhausting and uncomfortable with Tom sitting next to me, he's thinking, I can always tell when he's thinking. He looks a little worried making different facial expression and not notice that I'm watching him. But at the same time he's talented enough to ignore me as if I'm a feather in the wind. As we pass that ally way to the bar Kartik once took me I'm filled with excitement and my lips can't help but grin, remembering him made me grin.

What's wrong with me? Why do I always have to feel for him? Am I in love?

No, nonsense, I can't be in love with an Indian. But surprisingly, I think I am. I can not wait to see his black swirling hair that's always in his face, those dark brown eyes I have grown to love and those lips I have yet to forget. I am hoeing to taste those lips again and not for the last time either.

As I walk into Spence for what seems like the hundredth time I'm greeted by Felicity and Ann. Ann pays me no mind and walks over to Tom shyly, most likely to ask his forgiveness for her telling everyone she has a great-uncle, a duke, who lives in Kent, and she is actually descended from Russian royalty. When she is really here on scholarship, because her aunt doesn't wants her and thinks all she's good for is to work for them as the housekeeper

Felicity meets me with an embrace and a smile like we haven't seen each other in years, "How have you been Gemma darling?"

"Fine, thank you. Which I'm surprised we just saw each other a few days ago, silly Fee." I reply trying not to make it obvious I'm not as hyped up to see her.

"I know but I missed you dearly." She says aloud, and then hugs me again only to whisper in my ear "I was stuck with Ann for days, what do you think? She drabbled on about Tom the whole time." I now understand she was just bored with Ann and needed a new playmate, me. I make a mental note to check Ann's wrists. My attention falls to Ann almost in tears, what has Tom done now?

"But Tom…" I hear Ann plead almost a whisper.

"I'm sorry Ann but there's nothing more for me to say but good-bye." He turns sharply on his heels and before he gets out the door Ann lets out one last cry…..

"But Tom, I love you!" Ann is on her knees and everyone is shocked at what she has said. But she has a look on her face that says that she means it more than she meant anything in her life.

Tom seemed to be waiting and hoping for her to say that; he turned around with a huge smile, picked Ann up off the floor by her waist, wrapped her around in his embrace and said,

"Ann I've been waiting for that since the day I saw you!" Gasps arise from there now packed audience. He breaks the embrace to pull out a piece of paper from his chest pocket and hands it to her,

"I will call on you this Wednesday, Miss Bradshaw, you will expect me here by noon. I will see you then" He kissed her hand, tipped his hat at the audience, and then he was off.

We all run and congratulate Ann who is surprised more than any of us. She just stands with her mouth agape and finally she says with a shy smile,

"The Perils of Ann has a nice ring to it." Then just as she came in, she left shyly as well.

After vespers we had our free time before bed and everyone wanted to talk to Ann. Even Cecily couldn't resist trying to ask about Ann's new friend. But we pulled her from her glory into Fee's scarf tent and had her re-cap about her conversation with my brother.

"Do you really love him?" Fee asks trying to get as much gossip as possible so she can walk out with all the gossip and be the center of attention, like always.

"I do," Ann blurts, "I've never loved anyone more." I can see a blush coming up her neck creeping into her checks.

"How are you holding up about Simon?" Fee asks me, digging for more gossip. But in her eyes there's another reason she wants to know as if she's not going to spill my gossip but I can't distinguish it.

"My Grandmama has told Mr. Middleton that I am giving him another try, without my consent mind you. He will be calling for me sometime this week." I spit out annoyed

Fee and Ann gasp at he same time, Ann had done it to follow suit with Felicity but Fee meant it.

"Is there something I don't know Fee? I ask, trying to act innocent, which won't break whatever she has to say.

"No!" She responds too quickly to believe. But I act as if I don't care, for all the attention will be off Fee, which she will not be fond of. But I can't help but wonder what it is she knows about Simon. Does Fee have feelings for him? Even after she kept telling me that he wasn't for me… because she wants him. I can't help be jealous that she wants the guy who fancies me for once.

"Fee I feel a little ill could you excuse me?" I don't wait for her to answer me; I get up and make my way up to the winding stairs that make me feel a little woozy.

By the time I make it to my room I feel even worse, like all of the emotions inside of me are swirling in my stomach. I squat on my bed to find a note from Kartik and immediately my stomach turns to butterflies, I pick it up and read:

Gemma,

We need to talk

Kartik

My body turns too much when I read the erased love part, but it seems that it took him forever to make up his mind. Underneath you can see were he had erased different endings for the letter as if he was nervous. I lay down knowing that when school is over tomorrow I will be out in the forest speaking to Kartik and I am prepared to tell him how I feel.

The only thing I can think of before I drift off is that Fee can have Simon, If only I can have Kartik. Only if he loves me back.