He raised himself on an elbow and put forward his phone. He said, "Having said that, can I have your number?" Laksh oohed loudly and Sara saw Ruby turn, well, ruby.

It was not a surprise that Ruby had immediately become a part of their little exclusive group. She and Lee had set off on their first date the very next day. Ruby was smart, attractive, did not over power Sara and was helpful in keeping Lee and Laksh busy, and out of Sara's hands, though in very different ways. There was no threat and at the same time, she raised the standard of the group. Sara liked her.

All was well, until she would talk about her other 'friends'. Sara still couldn't remember their names and Laksh would constantly remind her that it was Hannah, Mary, Sheila and Maya. Sara would just roll her eyes.

It was a Saturday afternoon and Lee was driving them to the mall. The latest movie of Sara's favorite actor had just been released and it was a given that they'd watch it on the first day. But instead of talking about the gorgeous actor, Ruby decides to talk about her friends, inducing a head ache for Sara. Sara stared outside with a dull expression as Ruby went on in the back seat.

"I should really talk to Maya. I hope they don't think I'm ditching them," Ruby said in the car, trying to escape from the afternoon sun that glared through the car window.

Laksh asked, "What makes you think they'd be upset?"

"Well, last night I heard Hannah talking. I was in the hallway but I could hear them. She doesn't like that I'm not spending more time with them."

"Were you eavesdropping? And are you sure that's why they are upset?" asked Sara, looking outside.

"What do you mean?" Ruby asked her.

Sara turned back to Ruby, who was in the back seat and asked, "Which one is 'Maya' again? Is she the one who was desperately trying to get our attention at the party?"

"No. That's Hannah," Ruby replied at once.

Laksh laughed as Ruby's eyes widened. Sara smirked and said, "Admit it girl. Even you know she was being pathetic. If she has such a problem with you making new friends, and let's not forget she was bitching behind your back, I don't think she is your friend at all."

"I think she is jealous that you are with us, and she isn't," Lee said as he sneaked a glance at Ruby through the rearview mirror. Laksh nodded her head in agreement.

That night, after the movie, they hung around the beach. Sara found it difficult to walk in the sand, so she swung her heels in her hand . Ruby and Laksh wore shoes and hence it was easier for them.

"If we had pre planned this, I would have worn slippers. Or carried a spare one," Sara complained as she walked.

The cool breeze from the ocean swept their hair to a side. It was getting colder as the night fell.

"Of course. But walking in sneakers isn't easy either. It's getting in between my socks," Laksh added as she pouted.

"But how good was the movie?" Said Sara returning to her favourite topic at the moment, "You know I had met him last year? The actor? He looks even more handsome in person. But bit of an idiot if you ask me."

Upon hearing no comment from Lee or Ruby, Sara looked behind. The pair were quite far away from them, walking hand in hand, oblivious to the rest of the world.

"Aah young love," Laksh said with a smile.

"How long do you think they'll last?" asked Sara.

"That is a rather puzzling question. Considering its Lee, not that long. Considering its Ruby, they might get married," Laksh laughed at her own wit as Sara shook her head with a smile.

The news that Lee was taken could not be kept a secret for long, not that anyone intended to keep it one. Ruby being unavailable was also quite the scandal among the first year boys. People were eager to know how a first year had managed to snatch away Lee from all the other girls.

Ruby and Lee always walked hand in hand, or shoulders touching, or showed some sort of physical contact, everywhere they went. Stuck together like glue, Sara felt that it was almost irritating to have a couple in the group.

**

One afternoon, on a regular day, Ruby walked into the class and found the teacher's seat empty. Feeling lucky, she made way to her seat.

"Ahem."

Someone cleared his throat. Ruby ignored and went on.

"Ahemm."

This time it was louder. She looked around and the boy who was seated near to her pointed towards a direction. She followed his finger and saw Prof. Sloan standing on the other side of the class.

"Ms. Rose, do you perhaps think that this is a movie theatre or a street show that you can just walk in without permission and leave as you please?" He said in his light aging voice, adjusting his vest.

"Of course not, sir. I was just... I got caught at... And I didn't see you..." Ruby didn't have a solid answer that could convince him. She was indeed, simply late.

Prof. Sloan waited for her to finish. But as she trailed off, he said, "This is the last warning. Nobody comes late to my class or I walk out. And that's for everyone here."

Ruby nodded her head, promising herself to never be tardy again.

He walked back to the podium, taking out his notes while Ruby assumed her seat and got comfortable. Skipping through his notes he suddenly looked up and said, "I almost forgot. I need your homework essays on my table by the end of the class. However if I see you writing or copying them while I teach, you will be asked to leave. Else, I will leave without a word."

A few minutes went by. Initially Ruby tried her best to listen to him. Then she lost connection between what he was saying. Slowly she lost her concentration nad then her interest. Towards the end she muffled a yawn as she waited for his class to be over. Prof. Sloan asked them to submit the essay in the last five minutes of the session.

Ruby rummaged through her backpack to get her homework essay. After about ten seconds, she started feeling nervous and scared. She emptied the contents of her bag onto the table, and searched through them. They weren't there.

Where were they? She wondered, feeling anxious.

She knew she was writing them in the library. Lee had come in. He had helped her with the assignment. They completed it in no time because Lee wanted to go out. So she had put it in-

"Lee's textbook!"

Her homework essay was with Lee! She smacked her head at her stupidity. She searched again but she could not find even any spare paper in her bag.

She looked around and saw everyone pull out their essay, all ready to submit. Feeling anxious beyond what she ever imagined she could feel, she slowly raised her hand in the air.

"I was just playing around with you. I didn't think you two would actually be so disgustingly clingy."

Sara said to Lee, not taking her eyes off her phone.

"That is how couples are Sara. We are disgustingly clingy. You would know if you would date someone. Anyone for that matter," said Lee, running his hand through his hair.

"Not to mention how all the other girls keep glaring at Ruby. I almost feel sorry for her," Sara added, ignoring him.

"What can I say? Girls love me. I'm practically a greek god to them," Lee responded. Sara and Lee were waiting for Ruby who was in class. Laksh was in class and had other plans with her family.

"Looks are all you have," said Sara.

"Looks are all I need," retorted Lee.

"Looks aren't everything," Sara fought back.

"Really? You really believe so?" Lee teased her, raising an eyebrow and exposing his dimples.

"Of Course. And that's exactly why Laksh and I-" Sara leaned in and almost whispered, "-would never date you."

A heavy bag was thrown beside Lee, the suddenness of the action breaking up the conversation. The two looked up and saw Ruby standing next to them, her arms folded across her chest.

"What's going on here?" She asked, a tone of annoyance evident in her voice.

"Just two old friends chatting," said Lee as he moved away from Sara, trying to save himself. Sara swept her long hair to her back and said, "I was just pulling his leg. Why are you so annoyed today?"

Ruby listened to her, stayed quiet for a second and plopped beside Lee. She whined and said, "I hate college."

Lee, without wasting any time, put an arm around her and asked in the most disgustingly irritating voice that he thought was cute and Sara thought was puke worthy, "What happened baby?"

Ruby turned to him and whined, "I hate my classes. I can't score well. I don't understand any of the subjects. And I think Prof. Sloan is going to fail me."

"And he is teaching you next year too," added Sara.

"What?!" Ruby said in shock.

"Yup. Two subjects in the third semester," Lee chipped in.

"Now I'm really upset," Ruby immersed her face into Lee's chest. She grabbed a bit of the fabric of his t-shirt and mumbled, "Please help me."