a/n--sorry it took so long to update christmas break starts today so expect more updates (i hope)

enjoy!

Chapter 8

"Simon," I breathed.

Wearing an expression that made me feel like the biggest git in the world, Simon walked off.

"Simon, wait!" I called, running after him. By the time I reached the end of the stables, though, he was already half way across the yard, back towards the house. I could just picture my grandmother's and his mother's reaction, when he told them the news. However, I was concerned more about his feelings, than anyone else's.

I really had every intention of telling Simon that my feelings had changed. Honestly.

Oh, who are you kidding, Gemma? You had no intention to break off the engagement. You just wanted to wait and see if your feelings for Simon would come back, but they are not going to, so it's better he found out, right?

Right. But not this way. I didn't want Simon to get hurt, but I guess he was going to either way.

I walked out of the stables, hoping to be able to catch up with him, before he left. I wanted to explain myself.

"Simon, will you say something?"

I had caught up with Simon and convinced him to come into the extra room, so we could talk. I explained that it was true, that I didn't love him anymore. It was not easy to say to his face, but he needed to hear it directly.

He gulped and stood up. "Okay, this is what we are going to do. We will not break the engagement. We will just postpone the wedding."

"What if that doesn't help?"

Simon turned to finally face me. I could tell he wasn't expecting that question. "Well, then we'll deal with it, then, I suppose."

"Fair enough." I stared at my hands. "So, what now?"

Simon straighten his back, hands going to his coat's sides. "Now, we tell my mother." His confidence fell, as soon as the words left his mouth. He left the room, with me following, feeling his coldheart toward me.

"You told him that you didn't love him, anymore?"

Felicity, Ann and I were outside in the woods, by my house. Felicity and I were sitting under a tree, while Ann was skipping rocks. While we will be twenty-two soon, we still acted like teenagers, still trying to grow up and catch up with society.

"Well, he overheard me saying it outloud."

Felicity turned to me. "Oh, who did you tell it too?"

I sheepishly replied, "A horse."

"Oh, that's wonderful, Gemma, tell a horse, before telling your friends," she responded with a touch of lightness.

"At least he listens better," I jested.

Felicity glared. "Very funny."

"I thought so."

I turned my attention to Ann. It was amazing how much she truly did change, since graduation. She's taller, thinner and has this bright aura to her that makes her seem as beautiful as she was in the Realms.

As if sensing I was gazing at her, Ann turned from the water to come join us.

"So, what did Simon do?"

"He told me we weren't going to break off the engagement."

Ann sat down by me. "What if you don't start to love him again?"

"He said we will deal with it when the time comes."

Felicity shook her head. "Trust me, Gemma dear, you are better off without him."

"Maybe, but we are going to be reaching the age soon where no one would want to marry us."

Felicity shrugged and opened her mouth to speak, but Ann interrupted.

"Too bad you can't marry Kartik."

I gaped at her. Felicity, instead of also expressing shock, nodded. "Too bad." She leaned back against the tree. "Wouldn't it be terribly romantic, if you two ran off together?"

Ann sighed and also leaned against the tree. "Yes, and did get married and had children?" She straighten up and put her hand over mine. "Oh, Gemma, you two would have beautiful looking children."

I smiled. A year ago, I would have been outraged at such a thought, but, honestly, I have thought of Kartik and me getting married, one day. Unfortunately, it could never happen. I felt my smile drop.

Ann dropped her hand. "I'm sorry, Gemma. Forgive me. I should've brought him up. I know you were terribly heartbroken when he left."

That's right, I never told Ann or Felicity about Kartik returning. "Actually, I have seen him. He's the reason my feelings are conflicted about Simon."

"What?" Felicity shot up from the tree. "He's back, and you didn't bother to inform us. Honestly, Gemma, we use to tell each other everything."

"I planned on telling you two, but I haven't seen either of you, since Simon's party, which is when he came back."

"Oh, how did it happen?"

I turned to the interested, eager Ann. "When I went outside, he showed up at Simon's. We talked, him acting like nothing has ever happened. And he...", I smiled, as I remembered this last part, "kissed me."

"How exciting." Her face soften. "Oh, but no wonder why you don't love Simon, anymore. You must be terribly confused."

"Not really. Kartik spent the night at my house, that night, and I don't know, it just felt right. As if, we belonged together."

"Wait, he spent the night at your house?" Felicity got over her momentary pout.

"Nothing happened." I blushed. "Much."

I added quickly to that look Felicity was giving me. "We cuddled on my bed, that's all."

"Yeah, right." Felicity rolled her eyes. She didn't take my story, obviously. Honestly, I tell the truth, and she thinks I'm flat out fibbing.

Ann, however, gave me a different reaction. "Oh, Gemma, that's so wonderful. I'm so happy he's back."

"Yes, but what will she do? Between her confusion with Simon and Kartik's sudden arrival. I mean, how do you know he won't run off again?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but realized I had nothing to say.