Noah had left us pretty much stunned. I looked at both of them and sat quietly.

April was the first to speak " Did he just do that, pinch me please so that I can wake up ".

I pinched her.
" Oww".

" Listen Rose Noah has a reputation, a bad one. He doesn't date any girl for more than a month and wherever he goes he leaves a trail of broken hearts"

" He's handsome though " April said looking at his receding back.

" April " Ray said looking crossly at her.

" What. I'm just stating the facts here. See Noah has a bad reputation but maybe there's a tiny chance that he may be genuinely interested in you. I mean you saw the way he reacted with Veronica. Also he has never done this before. This warning stuff. He looked pretty serious it's like a warning for everyone else to back off".

" Whatever it is Rose you have to be even more careful now ".
I was looking down at the rose in my hand.

" Whether Noah is serious or not I feel we will find out soon, you said he never dates the same girl for a month right. Then we will have to see it after this month. Ray you don't need to be worried it's not like I'll fall for him or anything. It's a win-win. If he's genuine I can be friends with him if not then at least for a month I have got rid of Veronica. I don't feel she will try anything at least till Noah back offs."

" Want to be friends, don't be ridiculous Rose. Noah is a charmer I haven't known a girl who has said no to him. I really don't know. I mean I'm torn. If he's really interested I don't want you to lose the chance to date him he is a bit arrogant but I don't think he is all that bad but he's also an asshole sometimes and he has broken many hearts. I feel you should just stay away from him". April said with doubt clouding over.

" It can be a prank or word it can be a bet, don't get into this Rose"

" Ray, He's a pervert and even though he's handsome and rich and a charmer ", I said throwing both of them a glance " I still don't like him and I won't like him, so both of you chillax but at the same time I'm going to be nice with him. You saw what Veronica did today April I don't want that to happen again " I looked at them with determination.

" Okay, but don't fall for him ".

" Done," said smiling at both of them Ray still was against the idea but didn't push it.

"Now let's get back to Classes"
We rushed to our house to get ready. I quickly took a shower and wore a green knee-length dress I looked in the mirror the dress was pretty but I wasn't sure if I should wear it. I had not gone to any House parties like this and this looked a bit too much for just friends type of chilling out. I changed to jeans and a navy blue top that was just above my tummy. It had tiny stones embedded giving it just the right amount of sparkle. It accentuated my figure without going overboard.

       Ray was waiting for me, we took the presents and left. April's house was modest yet pretty. There was a small garden where flowers were lined up. The house itself was two storeyed with small windows and a comparatively bigger door. It was brown with white lining the door and windows. We ringed the bell and were greeted by a girl our age. She had straight black hair and doll like face. She looked really pretty with her brown eyes, she wore jeans and a tee what was knotted at the side.
" Come on in "

We went in to find everyone sitting on sofas and chairs. April wasn't there so I assumed she was still in her room getting ready. There were two boys and a girl sitting together chatting.
We introduced ourselves.

" Hey I'm Rose and this is Ray".
One of the boys had a geeky look with his round face and spectacles. The other one was thin with a square face. The girl who opened the door introduced herself as Eva. The other girl had curly brown hair and a very friendly face.

       The boys introduced themselves the geeky one was Brian and the other boy was Joy. The girl was Grace.
It was a little awkward at first. I didn't know what to talk about and felt out of place.

Eva began " you have become quite famous you know ".

Brain exclaimed " ohh right she's the girl that beat their asses, by the way, we saw your video you were awsomeeeee"

Grace smiled " That was something"
" It wasn't much, I was very upset and acted rashly ".

" Believe me we wanted to do the same thing at one point or another in our lives " Joy said and everyone nodded.

The bell rang again.
And Eva jumped to answer it.
" It must be Jason and Sam ". A hot guy entered. His hair was cut short and his body was toned. His clothes contrasted perfectly against his dark skin and eyes. He came carrying a box and kept it down slowly.
Behind him I saw a small figure holding up a box of cake. Earlier I thought Sam was a boy but it was Samantha.

" Sam? "

" Oh hey Rose", her eyes moved towards the back and she looked down. I turned back to see Ray standing casually near the boys.
April came down. She looked beautiful her usually pleated hair was let loose that formed waves. She still had her spectacles on and she wore a purple dress with rouching that lay above her knees.

We all clapped and hooted and hugged.

" I guess you all have met already "
" Yes, pretty much " Jason said looking at me.

" So let's get this party started " Joy shouted.

April cut the cake and we all wished her. We gave her the presents and I told her to open it later and let me know if she liked it.
Jason removed cans of beer and we made ourselves comfortable.

" So Rose," April said, " this is my gang, we hang out together and we bitch a lot mostly about you know who though ".

" Hey we have to work on a name like a code gross name for them " Brian said and we all agreed.

" I call them mongrels but I don't like it"

" What about trolls ". Ray said.

" That's a good one "

" So from now on they are trolls ".

" You bashed them up alright Rose, I heard you beat Derek up ". Brain said.

" He had asked for it, " I said.

" Enough of talking about me tell me about yourself ".

" I'm as you can guess a geek ." Brain said holding out alcohol, but" I am a proud geek " he further said standing upright and pretending.

Joy pulled him down causing him to crash on Jason and Ray. " He's good with computers and stuff ".

" Hey don't belittle me, I can hack into any account you want within seconds ".

" That's cool ".

" I like poems and philosophy " Grace said.

" I'm into dancing " Eva.

" I am " Joy stood up walked seriously and then burst " I am a man of all arts and master of none " he said faking a voice.

" You are a clown " Eva and Grace shouted and everyone laughed.

" What do you like," Jason asked

" I like many things maybe we will make good friends Joy," I said and Joy held my hand kissed it.

" Senorita I have been searching you for all my life finally I found you ".

" Ohk no more beer for you Joy," Ray said taking the bottle out of his hands

" Hey, I just started I was kidding " he said taking two more from the boxes.

" So how did you guys meet, I mean Sam here likes to design and none of you have the same hobbies."

" We are, senorita the outcast, so we met and we clicked and hence we are inseparable ". Everyone said cheers to that.

" Let's play something " April said.
We made pairs and played beer pong a game that I had never played before. We shouted like crazy. Ordered loads of pizza. And drank a lot. I felt relaxed and happy. I looked at April she was cheering Ray and Sam in the drinking competition. She danced up and down. We played music and danced till our feet ached. I enjoyed their company. They all had so different personalities. While we were dancing I felt Jason coming near. The music was exhilarating and we danced together till our feet ached.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Sam dancing with Ray . Both of them had a smile on their faces.
We slumped down the sofas and April shouted.

" It's Soo much fun ".

Jason handed over new bottles and I drank a little. I already had a bit too much and didn't want to have more.

" I heard Noah declared his love for you today " Sam said looking at me.
I saw Jason straighten his back and Ray looking at me. Sam in turn had her eyes on Ray.

" Yeah ".

" What was all that about " Grace said surprised.

" I really don't know ".

" What are you going to do " Eva looked concerned.

" I'll tell you a good plan, come make a circle " Joy said and we made a little circle.

" You date him and then dump him"
Everyone groaned.

" What it's a brilliant plan "

" No it's not " Brian said.

" He has already hurt a lot of people " Sam said angrily.

" I feel you should stay away from him " Jason said so quietly that I turned to look at him.

He looked at me and said " none of a good lot " he said gravely like he knew something but wasn't ready to share yet.

" What about Mark?" It slipped before I could stop I blamed myself for drinking too much.

" He isn't any good either, believe me I know " Jason said.

" Everyone knows " Joy said anemically.

"His parents are crazy, give that guy a slack " Sam said.

I looked at her not understanding what she meant but I also didn't want to seem curious about it. I'll have to ask her what she knows.

" Have you seen his behaviour ,paah " Brian said.

" You have to agree he is so damn handsome " Eva said grabbing some chips.

" I don't know, I feel he's not what he looks like. I feel deep down he is a good person " Grace said.

I looked at her I felt the same I wanted to know what made her say that. Why didn't Mark come today? Was it because of what happened yesterday? Between us. No, absolutely not. It can't be. I couldn't believe I was thinking about him again. He didn't seem to get off my mind.

" That Noah he is going to go to extremes to get you " Grace said.

" I don't think so, I mean I'm just an ordinary girl why would he? Makes no sense ".

" Ordinary ?" You are no ordinary girl " April said " You should have looked at Veronica's face, no one has ever stood up to them before and you did for me " she said looking at me.

" You are my friend April and you got in trouble because of me I won't let them hurt you again ".bi said hugging her.

" I would like some trouble " Joy said smiling wickedly.

" Yeah you are one of us now, I could use some mischief too " Grace said.

" You know what we are in this with you " Eva said beaming.

" Hey you guys, no way I mean they will hurt anyone who is my friend I can't let them hurt you ".

" Well we can't let them hurt you " Jason said firmly.

" We are always with you " Ray said.

" Enough of this who wants to play again ?" I asked and we started playing drunk games.

        I was overwhelmed. I never had friendships without an underlying purpose. All my friends were friends because they had to be not because they wanted to me. And in this room, there were people who saw me just plain me and still wanted to be with me. I snuck out into the balcony. I closed my eyes, Mark's face was inches away from mine. Someone called me I opened my eyes he disappeared.

" Hey " Sam called out she was drunk I could tell when she wouldn't walk straight to me, I smiled.

" Hey "

" Whatchya doing all alone ".

" Nothing, just it means so much to be here right now ".

Sam put her head on my shoulder.
" Do you like Ray?". She asked.

I looked at her startled.

" Why are you asking this "

" Just answer me do you like him".

" Yes I do " I said and her face fell.
I lifted it again " I like him as a friend he's like family for me ".

The smile returned and she hugged me " I like Ray".

" I know " I said.

" Wait what do you mean you know".

" It's pretty much obvious how you look at him ".

" No it's not " she said pouting.

" Yes it is ".

" Then why doesn't he make a move, am I not pretty"

" You are very pretty ". She looked to see in thought then peered at me

" Will you help me ?"

" Ummm, Sam you are drunk "

" And Rose you are my friend, friends help so help me ".

" Okay I'll help you ".

" Yeaahh " she shouted then stopped.
" But how? " She asked.

" You were saying about some competition ".

" Yeah ".

" So when is it ?"

" Two months from now "

" Ok then it's done ".

" I don't understand " she said swaying a little.

" I said I'll help you and you will need my help, so you will obviously come to my house "

" Obviously "

" Which is also Ray's home, and I have a lot of business lecture assignments so I'll have to go and there will be no one to help you ".

" And ?" She asked

" And then Ray will have to help you, so you can spend time with him".

" You are a genius, thank you "
She said kissing me on the cheek. I laughed.

" What were you talking about before".

" What was I talking about before " she repeated.

" About Mark's parents ".

" Ooooo that. His parents are together but they aren't really together it's a secret my dad told me, he works for them. He says that Mark's dad has affairs and they aren't close anymore. They can't even tolerate each other in the same room. He was saying that he pities Mark and his brother because they haven't seen love at all".
I stood there watching the stars. Maybe that's why Mark was like that. He didn't know affection. Maybe, Maybe not I thought remembering his words.

" I just hope you remember this conversation tomorrow that you confessed you like Ray "I said taking helping her to get inside.
" Oh I doubt that " she said giggling.

I wanted Ray to be happy and both of them had chemistry. Playing Matchmaker now are we I said to myself only to be plagued by blue eyes and Mark's face again.