CHAPTER ELEVEN

I was more and more confused and puzzled as the days went on. Every logical explanation I unearthed was only nit picked and pulled to pieces until it made no sense to me anymore. I picked up the phone to call Vic and set things straight, but put the receiver down on second thought. What was I going to do? I needed to do something, because I cant live with my best friend and my boyfriend acting so strangely. What to do, what to do. I needed to go to the source. Sean would know what was going on, he started acting strange before Vic did. That was what I had to do. Talk to Sean.

"Hey, you wanna come with me to the mall after class?" I asked Vic. I was going to go after class to pick up some stuff for my apartment.

"I dont think I can, I’m sorry," Victoria stated clearly. "I’m sorry Summer. If you would have told me ahead of time," she apologized.

"Are you sure you cant go? I mean, please!" I begged. I gave her the puppy dog look.

"I’m really sorry!" she continued. "But I have a lot of work to do tonight, and I want to get caught up," she added.

"Ok then, if you change your mind, give me a call," I said hopefully.

"Sure will, but dont get your hopes up," she added. "Well, I gotta go. It was nice chatting babe. Talk to ya later," Vic said as she hung up.

"I dont think she knows," Vic stated clearly. She stepped over the grass in the small quad and struggled to keep up with Sean’s brisk pace. They passed a beautiful fountain adorned with olive leaves and Romanesque statues.

"Yeah, I hope not," Sean said, keeping his eyes on the ground beneath him. He didn't even notice the beauty of the place as he scratched his head. "I mean, what would I do if she did?" He shook his head, as if dismissing that thought.

"I dont know," Vic said cluelessly.

"Do you thi-" Sean started. Victoria cut in.

"No, she can't know. She can't.." Vic finished. "I mean, we haven't left her suspicious, and we haven't left many clues either," Vic said reassuringly.

"Yeah, besides the fact that the truth is everywhere," he countered. "I hate lying to her."

Vic just nodded. They had reached the small secluded cafe where they had agreed to have lunch that day. "It was the best thing to do at the time," she defended. "What else could you have done?" She stroked his arm softly.

"I dont know, but I'm afraid of how she’s going to react. This is big news," he said, sighing to himself. "I mean, what if she never forgives me?" he asked, mostly to himself, as he pulled out Vic’s chair.

She looked around, and saw no familiar faces, a comforting sight. Sean kept his sunglasses on as he browsed through the menu. He had on a blue and black baseball hat on, and was dressed pretty casually for him. Plain old baggy jeans and a wife beater. Vic had on a purple sundress with little lilies on it, and a white cardigan. Her hair was pulled back into a messy bun.

"Are we safe here?" Vic asked softly, as if she was keeping a secret.

"Yeah, we'll be cool. Summer has classes all day today, she wouldn't be out," Sean stated coolly.

"She’s going shopping after class, so we better be back by then," Vic added. Sean nodded.

"So what do you suggest I do?" he asked after a short period of silence. He looked around aimlessly, as if he was searching for the answer in the sky.

"Well.." Vic started.

Oh man was I hungry. I've never been this hungry in my life. I had decided to skip all my classes that day, and to get caught up on 'me time.' I've had so much on my mind lately, and I could use some time alone to just relax, and do what I want to do. Right now, that was to eat!

My stomach growled as I drove around town, trying to find a suitable place to fill my angry belly. I drove around aimlessly, drawing blanks, and not wanting anything greasy or microwavable (which really narrowed it down). Then I remembered this place my History professor had mentioned because of its 'beauty and remarkable adornment and imitation of the Roman-Greek period.' In other words, it was very periodical, and was filled with beautiful statues and stuff. It's only 10 minutes from here. I think I'll go and check it out.

"But I think you need to tell her what’s going on," Vic offered. "The longer you keep it from her, the more likely she'll be to hate you for it. Just come clean," she continued.

"Its bad enough as it is, I guess," he responded. "I want to tell her, but the words aren't coming to me. How do you tell someone something like this?" Sean countered. "I dont want her to see me any differently."

"I know, I wouldn't want her to see me any differently either. She’s our friend, and we need to start acting like it. I'm going to call her right now," Vic said, reaching for her purse. She opened it up and fumbled around, searching for her cell phone.

"I dont know if we-" Sean started in.

"We have to, while we have the courage," Vic said, dialing the number. She paused for a second, and then handed him the phone. He looked at her nervously, and she grabbed his hand, soothingly. "Don't worry, just tell her," Vic whispered.

They sat for what seemed like hours, waiting for her to pick up the phone.

"I think this is it," I said to myself as I hit the alarm button on my keychain. Beep beep. I walked quickly, anticipating a big house salad, and 8 turkey sandwiches. I was convinced I could eat them all.

I walked up the main gateway, through a grassy area. It was so big that I began to wonder if I was at the right place. I walked past some beautiful greek or roman statues, which reminded me of my professors referral. I looked around, and saw a gorgeous verandah filled with tables, which must have been the restaurant. I walked faster, subconsciously eating already.

I walked through the large french doors into the lounge. The place was decorated magnificently. There were white marble walls, engraved with Greek Gods, and beautiful white marble tables. "I hope I can afford this," I thought to myself. I was taken out of my thoughts by the hostess, who greeted me warmly.

"Just one?" she asked perkily.

"Yup. Just me." I smiled back at her.

"Great, this way." She smiled again, and I wondered if her face hurt by the end of the day from smiling so much. I know, I’m weird. "Here you go," she said, smiling once again, as she seated me outside on the verandah. It was far more beautiful out here with the view, than inside, although it was gorgeous inside as well. I sipped my water, and began to look over the menu.

"Fettuchini, Steak and Lobster, Pasta Shells.." I read aloud to myself. "They all sound so good!" I reached to grab my napkin, and in doing so, I knocked the entire water over on my lap.

"Ahh!" I yelled to myself. It was cold. I started laughing, both at my stupidity, and the looks I was getting from others. I shook off what little water I could, and began to make my way to the bathroom. I walked past the hostess stand, and into the back of the restaurant. This place was definitely beautiful. I gazed around, attempting to take in all of the splendor when something caught my eye. As I got closer, I realized my eyes weren't playing tricks on me. It was true.

"Vic?" I asked nonchalantly as I made my way over to her table. She turned around, alarmed, and started to speak. Sean stood up and spoke up.

"Hey baby," he said, slightly apprehensively.

I smiled fakely, and said "I thought you were busy Vic?"

"I had plans, really, but at the last minute-" I cut her off.

"Too busy to go shopping with me, but you can sure as hell go out with my boyfriend!" I yelled, losing my temper. So this is what had been going on. Now it all made sense.

"Its not what it looks like, honestly," she said, looking scared.

"What else does it look like Vic? Tell me that." I looked at Sean, who was playing with his hat, and then back at Vic. "It was nice knowing you both." I turned around and began to walk out. They called for me, but I ignored every word they said.

The entire drive home was filled with confused tears, and angry ones too. Sure, I didn't have all the proof in the world for what they had been doing, but in my mind, I had enough. It all made sense now. Why they had been acting so strangely, talking to me in a whispered hush as if I was a child, and avoiding me when possible. This hurt, more than I thought it could, and that made me angry.

Fittingly, it started to rain. Its funny how it always seems to rain when you’re depressed. It was like foreshadowing to a bad movie.

As I got off of the freeway, I shook my head, clearing my thoughts of the rain, and re-filling them with Sean and Vic. It was going to be one of those 'depressed nights' where I eat 3 gallons of ice cream, watch Titanic and Dirty Dancing, and then cry myself to sleep. Life had been pretty good for a while, and I hadn't needed to buy ice cream in a while. I headed to the store to pick some up.

Chapter 12
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