"... And now, let us hear from the country's greatest youth leader; LEI NOORHMAN!" One of the party's hosts said and the room vented in a great applause. Almost all of the invited guests knew the mentioned youth leader and his importance in the society. They knew he was a leader of inspiration and mentoring who gave boundless positive peer influence to the youths.

"Thank you, guys." Lei started as the applause receded, "First of all, we have had four amazing years... to some, and maybe hard years to others in high school. But it is now history and memory. Whether it was amazing, tiresome, depressing, or bad, it is all behind us and will eternally be there."

The crowd clapped in jovial moods.

"The focus and attention is now on our present and future. That is what is important. It is through where we are now- at campus, where our lives will begin. We have this one more step remaining to make our lives, just the way we want it. But this step has a lot of challenges more than the other previous steps. This step is the hardest of all to go through and get to that future.”

“It is a step where youth world collapse under the weight of anger, stress, anxiety, depression, confusion, helplessness and deprivation. If we don't have patience, responsibility, integrity, determination, devotion and dedication, we will have a burden in this step. We will not have the success we wish upon. We will be stuck now and again. And we will live ordinary lives, sometimes even gruesome life. A life that is challenging and_" Lei stopped, his eyes suddenly fixed at the door of the house, staring strangely. He had not realized the figure standing at the door until then.

The crowd, wondering, turned to where their leader was. When their eyes set upon where the leader’s was, they also got surprised. Others were totally astounded. It was a surprise to anybody who saw the most richest and prominent man on the continent without notice.

Lemarh Valvundra awkwardly smiled looking back at all staring at him, then offered a Hi greeting. The whole crowd responded to the greeting before Lei brought them back to what was at hand.

"Guys, this future we are fighting for isn't easy to get. It doesn't come easy. In the generation Y era, there are a lot of challenges and obstacles we face daily. We must build a vision and work progressively with determination to achieve the vision. Nothing can stop you from achieving what you want in life if you are determined. Always remember that."

"So, guys, let us build and be in an environment that will make us pass. Let us choose our friends wisely. Befriend a person who has values that society perceives positive. Let us always manage our time, let us be disciplined and obedient, let us believe in ourselves and never be discouraged, let us use the available resources we have well, and more importantly, let us listen to the advice and guidance the society gives us." He then smiled, lifting his drink up, "Enjoy the party."

The crowd happily cheered with claps as the person in charge of the music resumed its initial volume.

Katelyn happily walked to the lover while still proudly clapping, "That was outstanding, my love!" She got to him and kissed him, "That was great advice."

"I appreciate, sweetie." Lei pleasantly and delightfully said, then looked at the door's direction where Lemarh still stood, "But you will have to excuse me for a minute. Let me go and hear from Lemarh."

"Sure." Katelyn again kissed him, this time longer, then let him free as she watched him go.

Lemarh had watched Katelyn kiss Lei in a lovely and joyful manner, and it surprised him. It clearly looked like they were having a relationship together, and one that was likely to be more than just friendship. He had thought he would be the only man before Katelyn's eyes. He had believed in this with optimistic conviction. But now as he looked at Lei coming to him, he felt a combination of jealousy and guilt that hurt him from within.

He knew Lei must have been equal to him in everything apart from the wealth he had, and he couldn't win Katelyn over Lei just because of wealth. He also knew Katelyn very well, to the woman that she was. He knew that she couldn't be charmed by a man on the basis of wealth. This was not a quality she was after in a man. He knew of the qualities she wanted from a man to date, and he had thought he was the only man with the qualities, and even more.

He forced a smile when Lei got to him, "I can tell she is into you. That kiss was wow!"

Lei as well smiled, his genuine, "If you can be able to tell, then I can as well, quite easily if I may add." He greeted him, and it was when a thought suddenly occurred in him on the introduction they just had.

He knew Lemarh well enough. He was a man that no woman could deny having a relationship with. He also knew the lover. She was as well a woman no man could deny a relationship with. He wondered why they couldn't have been lovers, especially since they were in the same high school and both acting as the top officials in the school.

It was a wonder that he failed to comprehend, but cared the less about. He was only glad that Katelyn was meant to be with him, and not with any other man.

"That is nice." Lemarh still smiled with a nod.

"Thanks. So, what's up?"

Lemarh chuckled, "What's up? It's a party, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but only to those who knew about."

"How sure are you I didn't?"

Lei forced a smile, always sure he was the best in such mind games, "You want to tell me you always know of parties taking place around the city?"

"You are saying that. I only know of the parties that concern me."

"On what basis?"

"Lei, isn't it always on fun basis."

"So, this party concerns you?"

"It concerns youths. Am I not one?"

"This is not for all youths. It is only for the youths with invitations."

"Okay." Lemarh's lips relaxed in a placating smile, "Let us step out for a moment."

They walked out of the house, a number of youths in the house still at them.

When they were out of the house, Lemarh stopped, his hands in the pocket, "Okay, Lei, I just came to check on where you live."

Lei faked a chuckle, "Check on where I live? So that you can hit on me or something?"

"Hit on you?" Lemarh truly laughed, "If I come to check on where one lives, does it mean I am hitting on him?"

"Oh, Lemarh, but it does always mean you want to hit on the person."

Lemarh still laughed, "Then... if I want to hit on you, that will make me gay, right?"

Lei's chuckle became unpretentious, "You will not be the first, although the society and the church will very much condemn and hate you."

Lemarh amusedly smiled, feeling the spirit of banter in the conversation, "Alright. You have said I will not be the first, will it now be okay if I hit on you?"

"Lemarh, I am fine and content with Kate alone. If there is going to be hitting on me, I want it to come only from her."

Lemarh still smiled, interestedly and divertingly, "Come on, Lei, it will still be okay. The equation will not be interfered with or affected."

Lei cleared his smile, "Lemarh, you are now taking it to the edge."

Lemarh let out a hushed laughter, "I believe you are the one who started taking it there. But I am not gay." He composed himself staidly, "Lei, I just happen to respect you. Everybody around you does the same. You are intelligent and wise, qualities that I usually search for in people who I want to befriend. You are not ordinary, Lei, and I admire and respect that. If I can do that, until coming to you where you live, then your uniqueness is quite extraordinary. It has a powerful sense that you wouldn't even be able to imagine."

Lei smiled with appreciation, feeling an incredible pleasure flowing at heart on hearing the words directly from one who had the highest level of veneration among the youths in the entire globe. He never imagined his intelligence would get such an accolade and reverence from the person. All he ever thought was they would tug to prove who was more intelligent than the other. And with this thought, it made him know that Lemarh was better than him, even though it didn't seem so in the scenario.

But he also knew his nature and values. If he gave anybody a reason to respect and admire him, he would befriend the person and also give him respect- making the person realize that they were equal in all the fundamental aspects that made them humans.

"Thank you." He held out his hand for a shake, "I believe this should birth a friendship?"

"Absolutely." Lemarh shook with him, "I believe I will learn a lot from you."

"No." Lei politely corrected, "We will learn a lot from each other."

Lemarh nodded with a smile, "Definitely."

Back in the house, a few youths curiously popped their heads from the door looking at the two titan youths happily shaking hands. None of them had a clue on what it meant. Maybe a down arrival of a completely new era is approaching.