Chapter 2

People rushed over to congradulate Simon, as he stepped off the chair. I stepped from behind the curtain in time to be seen by Felicity and Ann, who came over with the several people now surrounding me. Luckily, they pulled me aside.

"Gemma, are you serious? Why did you accept his prosposal?"

"Felicity, do not start." Ann turned to me. "I think you made a very good choice." She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. Once she broke the embrace, she continued. "Congratulations."

Felicity glared at Ann. "I dislike your confidence, I liked it better when you were shy."

I gaped at Felicity, then looked at Ann. It was true, Ann was very shy while we at Spence, but since we graduated and she met a man, that has grown quite fond of her, she has become very self-assured. I rather like the new Ann, who is not always down on herself or cutting her wrists. Felicity is just mad, because I accepted Simon's purposal, and she is taking it out on poor Ann.

"Well, get use to it, because I do not plan on changing back anytime soon." Felicity shot another glare at Ann, before turning to me.

"What is the matter with me accepting his proposal?" I inquired. "He will be a good husband, and he's well off. Besides, I love him, and we will be very happy together."

Felicity shook her head slightly and lightly grabbed my arm. She lead me out to the hall, Ann close by. Once we were away from everyone else, Felicity said something that completely shocked me. "No, you don't."

"No, I don't what?"

"No, you don't love him. At least, not as much as you think you do."

"What do you mean? How do you know how I feel?"

"Because, Gemma, I know you. You don't want to marry some rich man, who is arrogant. You want to marry a man, who you will have adventures with, a man who won't make you feel like you have to be something you are not."

"I love him, Felicity. You do know that. And we have adventures together. True, they are not like ones we had at Spence, but we have them. And he doesn't make me feel like anyone but myself. I care for him immensely, so can you be happy for me, Fee?"

Defeated, Felicity nodded slightly and hugged me, as well. "Just be careful," she whispered in my ear.

I closed my eyes and whispered back, "I will."

Back in the ballroom, guests were still congratulating Simon, and, as soon as, I crossed the threshold, they started to congrate me, as well. After an hour or so spent talking to the guests about the engagement and our future together, I decided to excuse myself for some fresh air. Simon offered to go with me, but I declined. After spending the evening surrounded by people, I just needed some space.

I stepped out the front door and started to walk down the steps. I gazed out at the stars above. They were beautiful, as always. Somehow, tonight, though, they seemed to glitter and sparkle more than usual. I took that as a sign. A sign for what is hard to say, probably for my engagement with Simon.

I walked out onto the front lawn. If the stars' sudden brillance was for Simon and I, how come I still felt that shred of doubt, that feeling mixed with nerve and loss.

Felicity's voice rang in my ear. You want to marry a man, who you will have adventures with, a man who won't make you feel like you have to be something you are not. I could only think of one person who that could possibly describe.

No, Gemma. You told yourself, when he left, that you would never ever think of him again.

And yet. I had this never fading image of him in my head, refusing to erase. I have dreams about him, about our time together, before he left. I still remember his scent and the way his lips felt against mine. I still remember him, as if I had only saw him yesturday, not eight months ago.

Eight months. Eight months seems like an internity ago.

A rustle in the brush at the far end of the dim yard caused me to snap out of my thoughts. There was a shadow that fell upon the sidewalk. I caught my breath, not sure how to react, remaining still. The shadow moved further into the lamp post's light, so much so that I could make out the figure as a man's. The man's shadow stopped abruptly. Curious as to what made him stop, I looked up. Who I saw was not who I was expecting.

I gasped as we locked eyes, and he stepped fully into the light.

Kartik.

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I couldn't wait to write this part. I had this part in my head (kinda) before I began writing this story. Good, right? Anyways, I'll update soon