I grabbed my sling bag, shooting out of my room. Mom eyed me skeptically as I came downstairs to the kitchen.

"You are going somewhere?"

"Yes!"

As she stood there cleaning the counter, she paused. "You usually spend your weekends at home. It's strange to see you go out today."

I nodded, sitting beside the counter. "I miss eating sandwiches from Mrs. Inaya's store."

"Oh good. Are you going alone? Not with your friends?"

I didn't answer. If she meant Kaira, Mary, Samuel or even Jack, then I don't know what to answer. This question made me realize I lost all of my friends and the only person I am socializing is Alan. At school it's just my classmates, who I communicate only when required.

Maybe I should have considered meeting Alan.

"Well?" she asked me, passing the waffles she had prepared.

I shrugged. "You know how they are. Very picky over the places we hangout.... Anyway, I don't want waffles; I need to keep my stomach empty. I am leaving, bye."

I didn't want to answer any more questions, so I ran out of the house. I let out a sigh of breath as I walked along the neighbourhood; the fresh air blowing on my face. Thank god, I was wearing a ponytail. All this air and curly hair doesn't go hand in hand.

I was less than 5 minutes away from the sandwich shop when Kaira swiftly stood in front of me, blocking my way. With her furrowed brows and tensed muscle, I knew she was angry.

"Hey Kaira." I greeted her with a positive smile. "Maybe you need to lose that expression whenever you see me. Jack and I have almost worked out the issue, so there is no point for you to be bitter on me all the time."

"Get inside." She demanded, pointing at the café. This is where Jack and I met, and where we all normally hang out.

I crossed my arms, squinting my eyes. Kaira rolled her eyes, pulling me with force towards the café.

"Excuse me!" I cried out, but I instantly closed my mouth when I overheard Jack and Samuel arguing about something. I saw them, facing towards another person, pointing fingers at him.

"What's going on?" I asked, glancing at Kaira, who was already staring at me.

"They are quarrelling because of you."

Mouth opened, I angled my head, looking at them. "What do you mean?"

"Just go." She nudged me towards them and later walked away from me, standing next to Samuel.

I awkwardly walked around, standing in front of them. They all went silent. I noticed at the guy they were all pointing fingers at. His stunned expression gave no justice to how handsome he looked. Light brown hair slightly brushing over his arched, thick eyebrows. The one feature which was attracting is his eyes. They were gray; just like Anna.

Anna?

"Look who is here!" Samuel snorted at me. I ignored him and switched my attention towards Jack.

"Jack, what's happening?"

"The victim card holder is here, people." Samuel yelled, drawing attention in the café. I let out a quick gasp. "Samuel, will you shut up? You all already ruined my name in school. Now, do you want every person in the neighbourhood to know about this?"

He stepped closer to me, when Kaira pulled him back, "Sam, that's enough."

I watched Jack, assuming he will eventually open his mouth.

He didn't.

I peeked behind me at the new guy who was leaning there, as if he was waiting for something.

"Jack---"

He shook his head. "Alan came to us introducing himself, and Samuel lost it. He called out names at him and Alan didn't like it, which I felt is fine but Alan starting pointing fingers at us telling how naïve I was to let you go. Or that I didn't... trust you. He had no right----"

I clutched his shoulders, pulling him closer. "Wait... you mean like the guy standing behind me is Alan?"

He looked puzzled. So was the rest of the gang. "Um... yeah."

"Oh my goodness," I shrieked, letting go of his jacket. I turned, facing Alan, who was quietly smiling at me.

"It's you. Really, you!"

He let out a laugh, sensing my joy, "Yeah, this is not how I wished to meet you but I guess we are even."

"Oh gosh. Mom was right. You are so... handsome! Oh my god, I have never mentioned that to anyone. Your eyes. You get it from your mom. Wow, I don't know why I am so nervous. Oh god---"

He inched a step closer, sighing in my ear. "I am afraid too because I didn't shower."

"Well, so far you smell... okay."

He smiled, and we started giggling, staring at each other's eyes as they flicker with the depth of happiness.

Kaira cleared her throat, getting our attention. "I hate to interrupt, but why you are both acting as if you are meeting for the first time?"

I smiled at Jack, who looked knocked out when he started putting the pieces together. "Jack, I noticed the last time when we talked, you didn't believe in me. You apologized for ignoring me and supporting your friends, who tried hurting me. But you never asked what really happened that night. You just wished to forget all and move on. So this is it. This is the first time I am meeting Alan. We started chatting with each other after our breakup. Someone unwillingly involved him into this, and that is why he texted me to know what happened."

"From that day, we have been great friends." Alan said, winking at me.

"So all this time we were wrong." Mary confirmed, pressing her fingers on her head.

"What, you trust her?" Samuel yelled. "They are only pulling an act so that Josephine can get back with Jack---"

"Samuel! Let's go." Jack called out, startling him.

"Bro, you believe her? She is a lying b—"

"Stop calling out names at people for once. Kaira, get your boyfriend. I will wait outside." Jack murmured, walking out without even glancing at me. Samuel rushed out too, leaving Mary and Kaira in the café.

"I know my words aren't enough, but we are sorry for whatever we did. Jack must have felt so upset that he can't even look at you. I don't know how to undo this." Kaira said, guilt written all over her face.

"Just don't do this to anyone else. Jack is mature enough to know what type of girl he wants. He needs his friends for support and not to control over his life."

They both nodded, beaming at me. Kaira pulled me for a hug and walked away.

"Wish you guys the best." Mary said, stepping out of the café.

Everyone left, but I still set my eyes on the closed door of the cafe. I might miss Jack so much, but I knew for sure this time he wasn't the one.

"Did you notice what one of those girls said?" Alan asked.

"Which one?"

"The last one. I believe her name is Mary."

"Mary? Yeah, she told, 'wish you guys the best'."

Alan winked at me. "Does that mean she wants our relationship to grow into a best one?"

"Relationship? We are friends here. Let's not sail over that line. And stop winking at me." I added the last part with a slight blush shading my cheeks.

"Why?" He asked, reclining his body at the counter. "Are you attracted to me?"

I rolled my eyes, dimming my blushed expression. "Alan, be serious. I just got out of a relationship. You are handsome... but I don't feel attracted... ---"

"Yes, you are and tonight, The Saffron Table at 8'0 clock." He announced, walking out of the door. I ran after him. "What does that mean?"

"I don't want to rush things either, but hey, you and me, Jo. A date. Sounds right. So I said it. How does that sound to you?"

"Stupid! I won't come."

He laughed, running to the other side of the road. He looked beyond happy. "Yes, you will." Alan yelled, and I smiled, shaking my head because I knew I will.

***