~*~ Ignoring the Truth ~*~
With class over, Tabitha and Andi decided to head to the student union to grab something to eat. Their next class wasn’t for another hour and they were both hungry. As they walked, Andi told her friend more about AJ, completely oblivious to everyone around them. That was why she didn’t see Seth as they walked into the snack shop.
"Andi, where were you yesterday?" demanded Seth as he blocked her path.
"Geez, Seth! You could at least say ‘Hello’ and make your presence known," grumbled Tabitha.
"Stay out of our business," growled Seth.
Andi was not going to be bothered by Seth’s demands. She was still deliriously happy from her time with AJ. "Where I was is none of your business, Seth," and she stepped around him.
Seth grabbed her arm, "It IS my business. You’re my fiancée and I have a right to know where you were."
Jerking her arm away, Andi hissed, "Do NOT grab me like that again. And, NO, I’m NOT your fiancée."
Andi signaled Tabitha to come on and the two went to get some breakfast leaving Seth standing bewildered.
Waiting for their food, Tabitha whispered, "He’s watching you."
Andi sighed, "I know. I wish Alex was here."
"It wouldn’t make it any easier. In fact, it would probably make it worse."
"I guess you’re right but…." Andi broke off as her mind wandered to the day before when they’d made love.
Tabitha shook her head. "God, you’ve got it bad. Why don’t you call him?"
"I don’t know his cell number. Besides, he’s in the studio working on some new material."
"I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. The first thing YOU need to do is get his number," announced Tabitha as they headed to an empty table.
As the girls sat down, Seth joined them. "Andi, we need to talk."
"She doesn’t want to talk, Seth. Get a clue."
"Tabitha, don’t. Seth, I’m sorry, but I have NEVER loved you and I do not want to marry you. It’s over."
"Your grandfather and the tribe won’t agree. You’re promised to me and I gave you a ring. We’re suppose to be married after we graduate."
"Please don’t push it. I’ll give you the ring back. You know Grandfather will drop it if you say you want out of it." Andi was praying that Seth would see her side and let it go.
"Andi, you’ll learn to love me."
"No, I won’t. We’ve known each other all our lives and I just don’t have the feelings for you that I should to marry you. You’re just making it harder by holding on."
Seth spotted the ring on her finger where his should have been and reached
over now to take her hand. "What’s this and where’s mine?"
"It’s a ring, Seth," said Tabitha snippily.
"Where’d it come from?" He never took his eyes off Andi.
Andi took a deep breath. "Seth, the ring is from the man that I love. He gave it to me this weekend and I was with him yesterday."
"Who is he?"
"It’s none of your business," shot Tabitha.
"I’m not telling you that because I don’t want you to cause any problems. Seth, please, if you truly care for me, let me go so I can be happy."
"What’s your grandfather say about this?"
"I haven’t told him yet. I’ll deal with that when he gets back to Orlando."
Seth wasn’t going to give up without a fight. "Andi, please," he said squeezing her hand. "Think of all the times I’ve held you in my arms, the times we’ve made love."
"Don’t EVEN go there. We have NEVER made love. It’s always been about YOUR pleasures…your gratification," seethed Andi. "And if you think THAT will be a way to hold me, don’t. You know full well that if what has happened between us gets to the tribal leaders, YOU lose BIG. I don’t want to use that, Seth, but I will if I have to."
Seth decided now wasn’t the time or place to fight this battle. He’d back off for now but he wasn’t giving up. Without a word, Seth left the girls to their breakfast.
When he was gone, Tabitha asked, "Think he’s gonna let it go?"
"I don’t know. Grandfather isn’t gonna be easy either and if Seth gets to him first, I’m gonna have an even harder time."
The subject was dropped and the girls dove into their breakfast and their notes for the next class. Their professor was infamous for giving pop quizzes on notes he gave in the last half of his class on Fridays and Andi hadn’t had a chance to look over anything.
