Jem parried my attacks. In return, he swooshed his sword towards my neck, nearly striking me. I knew my opponent was fast with reflexes. Jem was really good, even the he always won in every tournement we had, just like me. Perhaps a little better than me? or aybe not. I remeber last time I had won - so, keeping that in mind, I thought of a strategy.

I needed to tire him out first before he could land the final strike. I let out a war cry and charged towards Jem again, ferocious like an lion hunger for his lunch.

During the first blows, I concentrated on my defense and let my muscles settle into the rhythm of swordplay. Jem's weapon slipped past my defenses and slashed toward my throat. I dodged, and laughed as I am was having a marvelous time.

It's fun to swordfight with Jem. Since, I am quick learner and his a good opponet.

Jem praised loudly with a smile playing on his lips, "A wonderful strategy Zarina." and slashed backhanded in a return blow,

"Why, thank you." I smiled in return, Jem thrust his blade vertically and caught it before it cut him in half. Our weapons caught each other high in the air, and we stood face to face fighting.

"Oh, look there." Jem said turnin his head while concentrating on his defences.

"Hah. Very funny, you're trick to distract me isn't gonna work this time."

"No, look! What's you're Mom doing here?" wait, did I hear correctly! My mom here? But I told her I was going sword fighting with Jem. If I didn't she'd be mad with me. Was something wrong?

I turned to see if my Mom was here. Wait, noone was there.

"Hey! You did it agi-"

I was thrown across the floor, a groan escaped my lips and Jem was atop of me by trying to defeat me. Our faces mer inches for each other, his eyes making me drawn to close to him. His hair falling dowm.

Our lips inches apart and our breath mingling and I could hear his heart pounds. My cheeks were flushed to the color of scarlet and I nervously smiled and bit my lip. I looked away nervously, but I couldn't hid the red glow that came over my face.

His hand turned my head towards him, he lifted my chin. His lips as soft as pillow. I wanted to trace my fingers along the sweet outline where his skin met mouth, I was longing for them and I thought his eyes were shadowed underneath, from thinking about me.

I wanted to reach up and touch that skin under his eyes, the one place I've seen any vulnerability in him, make him feel better. And then I could run my fingers there, across his cheekbones, down to his lips, to the place where his jaw meets his neck, where his neck meets his shoulder line.

I like the places where one part meets another, I think, eyes to cheek, wrist to hands. I was somewhat shocked at my own thoughts.

My heart beating at the though of me kissing him or him kissing me. How would it feel? But we are friends, aren't we? he even said that himself. His lips coming towards my own.

I heard a cough, "Erm, sorry to imtrupte you guy but..."

Damn it! We quickly scrambled up and found Maley - Malisia - my friend standing right across us. I was so embarrsed that heat was creeping up on my neck to my cheeks.

"We were just, erm, you kno- know, just practising." Jem shutterd with his hand scraching his neck.

"Yeah, I can totally see that!-'' she giggled and flashed me her innocent smile - like she was guilty for interupting us,

"Anyways, Zarina, did you forgot? You told me to pick you right up? I'm guessing you guys are done practising, right? Since you guys were bus-" Really? Doesn't she know that I'm embarrsed already? That she keeps on bringing up what happend before. Even though it didn't really happen.

"Yeah, I am just coming." I quickly cut her off before she embarsses me even more.

"Well then, let's get going!" She said all too cheerfully, like nothing happend.

I took my bag and put my sword and a towel in it and followed Maley out, when I was near the doorway I heard Jem say "Bye guys . . ." and I waved him bye since I didn't have the energy to say it and it was kind of awkward.

"Oh yeah, Sorry Jem. I totally forgot to say goodbye!-" Maley called out. "Bye Jemi-pooh,"

I rememberd asking her why she calls Jem that and she said it was funny and suits him more. She always gave people nick-names. Execpt me because I didn't like "Zariboo" the name she had given me so I had to tell her x100 to stop.

As we headed towards the driveway in silence, I thought about many things.

Firstly about the history we have together and we share detentions and adventures, laughs and losts. We have our quarrels-moments where we even hate each other-but we always stick by each other. We both are loyal and honest, and share a lot of the same view on life, like no other.

But then I thought about the question she might ask about what she saw. I'd rather be with Jem even thought it would be awkward and all, than be with Maley - I mean she was my best friend and all since childhood but now that she saw what happened, she is going to interogate me and bombard me with questions.

When we got into her red car, My guess was right.

"OMG! Zarina! Tell me what just happend with you and Jem?!" I groned. She was going to make up stuff about us. And urge me to tell her.

"It was nothing." I rolled my eyes, typical Maley, we were so oppisite but still similar in many ways.

"Yeah, sure because when I came in it looked like Jem was about to ki-"

"MALEY, can YOU STOP with that! WE ARE JUST "FRIENDS"!"
I snapped, I've had enough.

"Someone is in a bad mood today." She huffed,

"Hm . . . " I narrowed my eyes at her. She put her both arms up as in to say I surender and said "Okay, I'm sorry. I guess I was being a bit annoying.''

I snorted,"A bit? Nope."

"More than a bit?" She questioned and started tickling me, "Maley, stop!"and we burst into laughter.

Friendship is a bond which is beyond any description. It is a priceless relationship which we make in our lives. We all cherish the beautiful bond of friendship. Friendship is based on trust, love, care, mutual understanding, sympathy and sacrifice.

This bond is not based on anything it is a relationship which is unique and strong.

Generally we make friends with whom we share similar thoughts and likes but here we were so oppisite but similar in a way...People are always part of our lives. They come in for a reason, or some people, just for a season.

Only a sincere and faithful friend remains with us at the time of our trouble. All others leave us. It is very painful when our friends turn traitors.There are many fair-weathered friends. They terminate their friendly tie as soon as their interests are fulfilled.

It is very difficult to find a true friend today. But I am happy I found one like Maley and Natasha.

She started the engine of the car and we drove of,

"Where are we going?"

"Where do you think? Shopping!!" She squelled.

Ugh, now?!

I did like shopping but not as much as Maley, she was this girly type. I wasn't and now? At this minute I was tired.

As if she read my mind she turned towards me, and looked at my bag and me her mouth forming "O"

"Well, right after you get showerd and changed." She smirked.

"Maley! Oh, I'm so gonna get you for this." Smile playing on my lips.

"Right after, you go shopping with me, that is." She smiled smugly.

***
A/N

HEY LOVELY READERS.

Am I not a nice and caring person? I posted 2 chapter at once since you guys are the best readers anyone could have. I really appricate it;)

Hope you enjoy it and I'll try and update soon, probably 2maro.

Vote/comment/like, those easy, tiny clicks / presses are like something sweet like Choclate that show me how much you like the story and they are much appricated:)

LOVE you all.

xxx