"Dude! Look at her," Ian squeezes my shoulder. 

"Nope, too tall.." I shake my head, looking at the girl Ian was pointing at. "Maybe Luke could give it a go," I grin, and turn Luke's head towards the other side of the road. 

"Woah, she's really tall.." Luke muses, looking at the girl. We were on our way the to ice-cream parlor where Max and Alex worked.

"Yeah, but you are also tall" Ian points out. Luke gives a 'Not-interested' shrug. Ian narrows his eyes at him. "Are you being the typical macho male Luke? Those type of men who want their woman to be shorter than them? Are you?" Ian questions passionately. Luke steps back surprised.

"Because if you are" I add playing along. "Then you are just a disgrace! Times are changing, the male gender, that is us, we need to become more open-minded! Look at Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas! They are a striking example." I want to laugh at myself cause I am being such a hypocrite. 

"I didn't even-"

"Aha!" Ian snaps. "You can't even think doing something like that. That's what you are saying, aren't you?" 

Luke stares at both of us for a second, then quietly moves past us. 

"I think he realized, we are messing with him" I mutter to Ian. We both shrug, and jog ahead of Luke entering the ice-cream parlor together. Immediately we spot Lia standing with Alex.

"Hey baby doll" we say in unison. Ian and I were aware that we couldn't actually ask her out, but we flirted with her to rile up Max. 

Yes, we liked to live dangerously.. 

Just like we thought, Max scowls at us. Lia was pretty cool and easily played along with us. Soon, we are seated and are ordering ice-creams. I get a punch from Max, for ordering too rudely. 

"Hey this is my first day, so I would get free samples today, right?" Lia asks.

We all look at each and laugh. Seeing her confused expression, I explain, "Honey, you will get free stuff everyday. Do you think we would pay your, ass of a brother?" Lia gives an overjoyed smile.

"All the more reasons to like this town" a male voice says. We were so busy amongst ourselves, that we didn't notice another customer entering. I looked up absentmindedly at the person, and then looked back at my drink. As my mind processed what I saw, I felt my heart race. 

Holy nutcrackers..

I look up the second time, carefully and calculatedly. Hazel eyes, sooty lashes. Hair was long, they reached his cheeks. They were not curly neither straight. The boy hadn't bothered to set them back, so some fell into his eyes. Thin lips, high cheekbones and a well defined jaw. Overall a handsome yet angelic boy. Long slender neck, with square shoulders. He was wearing loose jeans, and a soft blue sweater with sleeves too big. 

It took me a moment to tune back to what everybody was saying. 

"Julian meet my dumb brother Max, his friends Alex, Dylan, Ian, Luke" Lia points at each of us. The boy looked at everyone, with a smile. 

"Hey bro," Alex waves.

"Sup man," Ian and I say in unison. We look at each other accusingly.

"Stop copying me," I punch Ian.

"You stop it," he punches back. 

"I would if you stop," I snap, feeling irritated that I have to fight with Ian. My eyes were craving for another stare at Julian.

Julian. I like this name. I want to say it out loud. 

"Who's Julian anyways?" I ask Ian, looking at Lia and Julian sitting away from us. His side profile was not impressive. He was thin, and looked like he could use a little gym time with us. I feel weirdly joyful at the image of making him run on the treadmill until he passed out. 

"This just proves you are dumbest" Ian sighs. "Lia just said, that he was her bestfriend. Guys, Dylan is getting old. His senses are weakening" Ian turns to rest of the boys. They all start making 'Ancient Penis' jokes, but I was not feeling good.

"Boys, my dad just called me home" I inform them, pretending to read a message on the phone. "I'll get going." I stand up and rush towards the door, not waiting for a reply. I get a glimpse of Julian and Lia talking intently. I ignore them and go outside. After a few steps away, I breathe easily. 

I had this uncomfortable feeling in my chest. I didn't like it. I go inside an empty park and sit down on a bench. 

"Ruff!"

I look forward to see a dog wagging his tail at me. 

"Come here" I playfully pat the ground. He jumps forward, but keeps a safe distance from me. I stay still, allowing the animal to come to me. Eventually he comes up. He was a dirty dog, with unruly shaggy, white-black-brown fur. 

I search my jacket, and sure enough, I find a cookie. "Here" I offer him the cookie, which he hungrily eats. 

"I'll drop by later, and bring you more foodo doggo" I say in baby-voice, squishing his face. He barks energetically. 

"Your name is Comfort" I scratch behind his ears. "Cause you made me feel better. Okay Comfort?" He barks again.

"Good boy Comfort" I rub his head. "I'll kiss your head, but you are too dirty" I explain to the dog. He licks my hands. I stayed there in the park till evening, playing with Comfort. I felt immensely stupid at naming the dog Comfort, but then again I'm used to making stupid decision.

"No Comfort, don't follow me" I push him away, as he tried to follow me to my house. "My dad doesn't allow pets. Now go shoo.." Comfort's ears drooped as he went away. I bit my mouth shut fighting myself, to not call him again. Walking home, I make a mental note to bring food for him tomorrow.

...................

Now that both characters have made their entries we can focus on the love story. Hope you liked this chapter!