Two

(In the course of flashback, I'll make more use of the name Rose. NB: Rose and Laurel is the same person.)

Rose found herself crushing on David Edward the first day she saw him in school. He was so handsome, had the sexiest blonde hair on a perfectly light skin, cute facial features among other things that made her heart catch in her throat.

But there was something about him, he was rude and haughty and mostly stays on his own. He was harsh to anyone that tried to come close and would ignore you if he feels like he's being bugged.

Not like Rose ever dreamed of talking to him, but as she noticed how rude he could be, she recoiled more and settled for getting to know him from afar than getting close.

She eventually got to know almost everything about him. When he passes by her window every morning as he did his morning run, when he leaves the house for school, when he arrives in school, when he trains, where he likes eating lunch, amongst other things.

His sister, Esther on the other hand was a free spirit, she made friends easily and dropped them at the slightest misbehavior she perceives. Rose was one of the friends she made and kept through a long period of their stay in high school.

And the friendship had to extend to Laurel's own childhood friend Ava who wasn't exactly happy about the alliance because she felt left out but still couldn't stay away from her best friend because of someone else.

One of those days, Esther was sitting with Rose and Ava in the canteen having their lunch break when David walked in to look for his sister.

"If it isn't 'the one after God's own heart'" Esther had said in a mocking voice.

"What are you doing, Esther?" David had asked, completely ignoring the people sitting by his sister and waving their greetings at him.

"I'm having lunch as you can see" Esther had replied unperturbed.

"Actually, you're eating pepperoni," he corrected and Esther nodded still devouring her food without so much as a glance at him. "are you forgetting that you're allergic to this stuff or is there something I'm missing?" he asked with his eyes flashing with raw anger.

"Nope, I've not forgotten. But that's the only available food. I'm hungry, it's yummy and the pepperoni makes it even more delicious." Esther replied with ease. "Moreover it'll take sometime before the effect starts working and by then I'll be home."

"Can you listen to yourself?" David barked in anger. "If you were hungry, all you needed to do was say something and I'll help you get something. I guess you prefer eating this and then dying in pains later." Esther just shrugged and said nothing. "Well suit yourself." he shot out and stormed out of the canteen.

Ava kept her eyes on Esther who seemed less concerned about her just revealed issue. While Rose's eyes followed David out of the canteen and she kept drooling at the door.

"What?" Esther asked the concentrated Ava

"I don't know," Ava tried "maybe you should stop eating if it's going to hurt you?" she drawled with a concern ridden voice." Esther just snorted before turning her attention towards Rose who was still lost for a bit.

"Rose, stop drooling at my brother." she cautioned "I've told you time and time again, if you like him, let him know and stop all these self taunting that you do, it's not good for you." she advised.

"Who told you I like him?" Rose defended

"Who doesn't like him in school?" Ava injected "He's like the prince charming of our time that everybody is sorting after"

"And he's very rude," Rose reminded "he practically ignored us right now."

"Don't take it personal, Rose." Esther said "David is like that to everyone, even my parents."

"What!" Ava exclaimed "He's rude to your parents too?" she asked and Esther nodded absently.

"How disgusting!" Rose hissed out.

Esther stared at her for a moment before saying, "I know you like my brother." and Rose just snorted.

***

WEEKS after the encounter with David Edward. Rose saw more of him, as it turned he was very caring of his sister, always checking up on her. And his sister on the other hand was as stubborn as always doing the things she shouldn't be doing.

Still, all the times he'd met the three friends, David had always only concentrated on his sister and ignored the other two, till they gave up trying to get his attention.

Until when they were invited to the Edward's mansion for David's birthday party.

"Tomorrow is my brother's birthday." Esther had told them that day. "And dad is throwing him a nice little party to celebrate, just few friends and family." she announced.

"Wow!" Ava had exclaimed, "How nice it'd be to go to such a party and have some cool fun" she said dreamily.

"To have fun or to have a chance to explore the Edward's mansion." Rose had injected mockingly and Esther laughed.

"Well, stop dreaming because you're invited." Esther told them and they were shocked.

"Invited?" Ava asked showing her surprise.

"Wait this is your brother's party right? And not yours?" Rose had to ask.

"Yes, it's my brother's party... and yes, it's not my party. But the celebrant asked me to invite you."

"Hmmm," Ava hummed unsure "invite us?"

"Actually, it's more like invite Rose." Esther said with a wink at Rose. "It sounded more like 'can you invite your friend, the one with the hot red hair?' that's how he said it."

"What?" Rose tried understanding "But we've never..."

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that he invited you." Esther assured the protesting Laurel "And yes, I told him Ava would kill me if I don't invite her as well. So if Rose is coming, Ava is coming too and he agreed."

"Wow! Nice!" Ava shouted out happily. "I can't wait to see the mansion in it's whole glory."

"But, I don't have what to wear," Rose had complained. "Thank God my dad is around so I can obtain permission and leave the house, but what to wear is the issue." she added

"Come on, Rose. You'd look good in anything you wear. By the way, it's a simple birthday party, just look simple and beautiful." Esther encouraged and Laurel smiled.