2 Is it Love?

"Wake up!" The curtains were pulled apart, the bright yellow rays peeped into her room.

"It's still early. I want to sleep more." Ankin curled further into her blanket against the sun rays.

"It is half ten. We are having breakfast out." She opened Ankin's wardrobe, coordinating her clothes. "Now into the washroom before I pull you off the bed."

"So mean. Your British Kent accent doesn't sound sexy when you are mad, how will you get a boyfriend?"

"A girls' day out has nothing to do with me dating." She laid Ankin's clothes on the bed.

"I don't feel like going out at all." Ankin brought her knees up and hugged them. Alice sat next to her on the bed.

"So, you will spend the entire day mopping about him cheating on you?" She was right, no one understood better than the best friends.

"And go out like this? I look horrible." Alice picked up a lock of Ankin's hair.

"You don't look that bad, you haven't even gotten a bed head. Just wash your face and let your best friend take care of the rest." Alice winked as her greenish yellow eyes held mischief in them.

Ankin's favorite breakfast - crepes and latte flavored coffee were served at a cafe that was around 10 minute's drive away. "Are you going to continue outside? There's nothing."

"At least it's peaceful, unlike in my head."

"Okay now that's it. Finish your breakfast and we'll go shopping. You have an interview next week, haven't you?"

After eating and exhausting their feet in the mall all day while trying on clothes, Ankin drove Alice back to her flat and helped her in. The next day, Ankin hugged Alice as she prepared to leave. "Thank you for staying with me the whole day and a sleep over, I don't know where I'd be without you."

Alice flipped her hair dramatically. "I am perfect." And laughing hugged her again and thanked her for the souvenir.

Two days had passed since Ankin came back from her vacation, she went through her items for a final check before beginning her university; making sure she had all the stationary needed, when her phone rang. "Hey Josh, 'sup?"

"Heya little one! Just called to ask whether if you are free tonight?"

"Hmm...well yes, I have checked my things for the university. Why?"

"Oh right. I forgot. You have university tomorrow. What time?"

"Tomorrow at 12 noon. What is it Josh?"

"Oh then it's fine. Don't sweat. Since you are free, I'll come and pick you up."

"Wait Josh-" before she could continue, he cut off the call. Staring at her phone in disbelief, she sighed before changing her shirt and grabbing her wallet and checking her cash, her phone and her house keys, locking every door and window.

Once his Ferrari pulled in, he texted her to head downstairs while he waited in the car. "Hey there princess. Ready to roll?" He asked, opening the passenger door for her.

"I'll turn you into a sandwich if you don't tell me the reason behind your kidnap." The whole group loved her sense of humor, and would laugh at her jokes.

"The thing is. We have a formal party tonight. We as in work. And I am sure that Jay hasn't invited you has he?" After she agreed with him, he went on. "I wish for you to attend this party, we can invite anyone from the outside."

"But I am not wearing the right clothes." She protested, glancing down at her jeans which looked like a ragged cloth at the thought of the formal party.

"I have already made a booking at the boutique and salon; these places come in handy at the last moment." His voice contained amusement.

"Last moment for people like you. Why didn't you tell me in advance?"

"You and Jay are really close. If he finds out that I have invited you, he'd certainly kill me. Ah, here we are." He pulled his car into the parking lot.

Once inside, Josh took the stylist away from her earshot and whispered. "Dress her in blue formal. And make her look absolutely gorgeous. I want her to steal her best friend's heart." The stylist nodded in understanding.

Glancing in the mirror, the baby blue chiffon dress reflected against bright lights. A silver colored lace decorated the waistline in v-shape, with a flower made of light blue beads in the middle. Net sleeves traveled across the arm down to her wrist on both arms, with a square neckline. Unlocking the door of her dressing room, she lifted the skirt to make it easier to step out. Taking the stylist's extended hand, Ankin smoothly inserted her feet into the silver colored pumps that shined for her attention. After the stylist made sure the dress was properly fitted, Ankin was led to styling station, the locks of dark hair was lifted up in a messy bun, with a strand framing on either side of her face.

"You look amazing." Josh whispered as she walked out of the boutique and salon.

Once arriving at their destination, Josh escorted her into the building. Standing in front of the party hall door, Ankin hesitated. "You sure it's fine? I mean, this is for work, and I am not a colleague of yours."

"Definitely sure. And try to stay close to me, I am your escort after all." He put his hand on her back.

"Don't make me follow you into the washroom." Letting his soft laugh in the air, he opened the door and ushered her in.

It was, indeed, a formal party, where people walked around with their clothes screaming money. "I don't belong here." Ankin tried to shrink back out.

"It's fine. Don't worry. I am here." Josh stopped her from exiting the hall and escorted her towards their group. Focusing, she noted that Jay wasn't among them as her face fell slightly, but was relaxed among the familiar company.

"Why did you bring her tonight? She's got classes tomorrow. What if she sleeps through her lecture?" Paul began as Josh's eyes darted and settled on a couple, his lips slightly lifting in a smirk.

"Don't worry, the classes will begin at noon. She won't fall asleep." Josh rested his arm around her waist. "Care for a drink?"

"Soda will do." After Ankin had given Alice – her other best friend – the purse, she told her what had happened between her and her ex-fiancé. Alice was understanding, and spent the entire day comforting her, and did a sleep over as well. Thanks to both her best friends, she didn't bother much with breakup, and held herself from drinking alcohol.

Walking over to the bar, Josh ordered a drink for her and gave them special instructions as Ankin looked around. When Josh handed her a bubbling flute, she smiled. "I am glad there aren't any paparazzi here. It'd be troublesome."

"That is the main reason why I didn't mind inviting you. I know you hate them." When Ankin took a small sip of the drink, Josh's expression changed to that of a wolf, hungering over his prey. His eyes then traveled to the figure behind her, shrugging to it and then glancing to where Ankin's focus was. "Want me to get that dress for you?" He asked, in pretense of asking the owner about the dress.

"Nope. I am fine. I don't like all this glitz and glamour that dress has." Before Ankin could take another sip, her glass was snatched and returned to bar tender.

"Even the dullest dress will look bright on you." It was Jay, who had forcibly snatched her glass, offering her some water.

"Oh? Do I sense jealousy?" On Josh's comment, Ankin blinked up at Jay. The chocolate colored eyes didn't hold any sort of negative emotion, in fact they were soft in care for her. Glancing at his clothes, her breath hitched at him wearing a dark blue suit. She has seen the group wear suits from time to time, but never seen him wear one in her presence; claiming the fact that he felt relaxed around her, and the suit was too formal. Glancing up, his usually messy brown hair was properly combed and was in erect style. He looked more handsome than any of the prince charming that every teenage girl dreams about.

"Sense whatever you want." Jay's arms snaked around Ankin's waist. "Shouldn't you be preparing for your classes tomorrow?"

"Jay." She rolled her eyes, unable to keep the smile from her lips. "I have already prepared. Otherwise I wouldn't be here." She gently leaned her body against his, a familiar action as she breathed his familiar scent that she missed for an entire month.

"There is cute balcony which you shouldn't miss." Josh winked at her and left. Pausing for a moment in front of Jay, with challenge in his eyes that Ankin was unable to understand and headed off to mingle with a group of girls.

When Ankin glanced toward Jay to ask about the challenge in Josh's eyes, Jay sighed. "Leave it. And you should check out the balcony, it indeed is nice."

Ankin knew that Jay wouldn't immediately tell her how Josh's words and expressions and affected him, however, she knew, that he will tell after a few moments.

Heading toward the balcony, Jay slid the door open for her as she breathed in the scent of flowers. The balcony was neither too small that were built in houses, nor too big that would pass off as a garden. There was a small round shaped brown colored garden table kept on the side, in the middle of two brown garden chairs surrounding it, a white vase with an artificial pink roses decorating in.

Walking in, Ankin leaned over the railing and noticed the balcony overlooking a small garden below. "They have spent a lot here it seems." She whispered as Jay walked over, and placing his hands on the railing on either side of her, leaned on her back.

"Yet it's a beautiful escape for us from the party." He wrapped his arms around her, hugging her from behind.

"Okay, this is rare." Turning around, she cupped his face to look into his eyes. "What is it?" Her voice dropped in concern while his emotion changed to hesitation.

"Nothing. I just missed you is all. Can't I miss my best friend?" He began, but averted his gaze, then back at hers with mixed emotions. "You know how much I care about you. When you told us last year that a cousin of yours had sent a proposal, I was hurt. Thus making me avoid you since you were happy. Digging out work to keep me distracted. I allowed the group to hang out with you, but refused as I kept on making excuses. When they mentioned, after making a few visits to you, that my absence is making you more sad, that pained me more."

"Then why didn't you tell me that you were unhappy with me getting married to him." Ankin had removed her hands from his face, and tried to put some distance among their bodies.

"You were happy. I didn't want to steal it." He stayed silent, swallowing the next words in.

"You didn't wish to steal my happiness. You idiot, you sacrificed both our happiness in this. I started overthinking things. You do know how important both of my best friends are. And it isn't about my happiness."

Jay was silent, his unwavering gaze staring steadily at the black eyes that were ready to shed tears in anger. Jay mumbled under his breath before wrapping one of his arms around her back while the other hand rested on the back of her head, pulling her close. "It's okay dear. I won't let you off into a wrong man's hands again." He whispered in her ears as his hand gently patted her head.