“Hey friends! I’ve an announcement to make.” A boy stood up on the chair and exclaimed just as the teacher went out.

“I’m inviting you all to my birthday party today at my home. It’ll start from 6 pm onwards. I’ve already listed out many fun games and there’ll be some people from other schools too. Let’s meet at my home then.” He came down from the chair after he completed his sentences.

Wow!WOW! YAY!!! There was a sudden uproar in the class. Everyone seemed excited.

“Hey pal! Will you go?” Mike came running towards Fluke.

“Me? I don’t think so. What about you?” Fluke asked him back.

“If you’re not going, I’ll also skip it.” Mike was gazing at him as if he wanted to hear something else.

“-----“ Fluke plainly looked at him.

“Umm! Fluke! I was thinking...if...we just go for a short period and ....”

“If you want, you can go. But I won’t go.”

“But why? You never go to any of our classmate’s party. Why is it so?” Mike sat on the empty chair next to Fluke.

“I just don’t feel like going.” Fluke pouted his lips.

“Fine! I won’t pressure you. Then let’s go for karaoke today.” Mike’s eyes were gleaming.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that today. Mom will be waiting for me at the market. We’re shopping for our cousin’s marriage today.”

“Oh really! Ok” He looked gloomy.

“But...we can go tomorrow.”

“Really! Then let’s go for a karaoke night tomorrow.” Mike was back to normal.

Soon it was lunch break and as usual, they worked hard to get a table for them and later grabbed their drinks and roamed out in the field.

“So, who was the person who hit the ball towards me yesterday?” Fluke suddenly remembered the pain on his head as he saw the football ground.

“I don’t know him. But someone called him Davis. I think he’s our senior.”

Fluke nodded my head.

“But I was surprised when he came running and out of nowhere pulled you up and piggybacked you to the clinic.” Mike added.

“Of course! I’m sure he was guilty and also afraid if I complained to the teachers.” Fluke rolled my eyes.

“Wow! Look at him!” “He’s perfect!” “I love him so much. He’s so my type!” “He’s my dream guy!”

Suddenly a crowd of girls started screaming near the football field. Both Mike and Fluke went near them. They were talking about the boys in the football field who were busy playing.

“Who are they talking about?” Fluke asked Mike.

“I don’t know! Perhaps that boy!” He directed his hand towards a boy inside the field.

“He is not ‘that boy’!” Suddenly one of the girls from the crowd turned back and answered.

 “He is Davis Scott, one of the best football players. He is a prince charming. Every girl dreams about him.”

“And he’s the one who hit you yesterday.” Mike added.

“What? It was he?” Fluke again looked at the tall figure. “It was such a bad memory. I don’t even want to be near this place. Come!” Fluke pulled Mike from the crowd and went to sit on a bench near the shade.

“So you are sure you’re not going to the party today?” Mike asked looking at Fluke with his marbled eyes.

“Again? No! No! No!” Fluke stood up and turned his back.

“Hey!”

Max was coming towards them. I mean, Max and his flock of girls!!! He was surrounded by a couple of girls who are believed to be his devotees.

“Hi! “ Max greeted again and stood near them. “My friend is celebrating his birthday party in his house today. I hope you two are coming?” He suddenly looked at Fluke.

“NO! We can’t ...” Mike was about to speak when Fluke blurted out.

“Yes! We’ll go!” Fluke smiled at Max.

“See you in the evening then. Bye!”

“Bye!”

Fluke smiled foolishly and looked at Max as he went away. He didn’t even blink until he was out of his vicinity.

“What was that?” Mike was now curious.

“What?” Fluke tried to look innocent.

“You were suppose to go somewhere with your mom right?” Max looked at him with his sharp eyes.

“Yes! But when someone invites you, you shouldn’t be ruthless to decline their invitation.” Fluke tried to reason it out.

“Really?” Max curled his eyebrows.

“Ok Come on! Let’s decide what we’ll wear for today’s party.” Fluke grabbed Mike’s arm and pulled him away before he could interrogate more.

In the evening, as decided, Mike and he reached the thrilling and up-roaring house, which was actually a big mansion. They could hear the screaming and music from the lawn. As they entered the house, two maids stood there for greeting the guests.

“Hey! Mike! Fluke! Glad you two came.” The birthday boy greeted them.

“Happy birthday!” Fluke handed him a gift which was actually bought by Mike’s savings.

“Many many happy returns of the day dude!” Mike hugged him and then gave him his gift.

One maid came from somewhere and took their gifts away while another one came with a tray of drinks.

“Enjoy the party. I’ll greet the guests.”

Both of them took the drinks and secured a place to sit where they could scan the whole area. It was crowded. Some were dancing in the centre while others were chit-chatting forming small and big groups.

“Are you enjoying?” Mike asked after a few minutes.

Fluke nodded his head while his eyes were busy spotting Max. But Max was nowhere to be found.

Was he late? Did he go somewhere? This place is so big that I can’t even think of searching for him. PHEW~~~~ all these were wandering inside his tiny head.

“Did you see that? Look at Max! The girls from the other schools are getting attracted to his charm.” Mike shouted.

Instantly, Fluke looked at that direction and yes, some girls were talking to him. The girls seemed to be interested in him. And he could see Max’s smiling face illuminating the whole place.

“HUGH!” He stood up and kept his drink aside. “I’m going to have some snacks. Will you come?” Fluke asked Mike.

“I’ll pass. I’m going to get a new drink for me. You go, I’ll join you.” Mike went to the drinks counter.

Fluke slowly went to the large table where uncountable snacks were kept as decorative pieces. He took a plate and kept a pastry and few dumplings. The reason he went there was not because he was hungry, but he wanted Max to notice him. Actually he wanted Max to notice that he didn’t like what was going on.

He calmly sat on a chair near the flock of girls and glared at him, giving him hints throughout. But it was of no use. He was now laughing and enjoying more and more.

At some point he was pissed off. He dashed the plate on the table and rushed out. He went out and sat near a fountain that was present at the centre of the lawn. He called mom to inform that he was leaving for home and then decided to call Mike when suddenly a familiar voice interrupted him.

“Mochi!”

“-----“ Hearing a familiar voice, Fluke turned around in surprise. This particular name skipped his heart beat.

“Mochi! Isn’t it cold here?” Max came near him with the plate that Fluke left inside.

“It’s calm here.” Fluke curled up his lips as he didn’t want to show him that he was upset over a small thing.

Max sat near him and handed him the plate. “You didn’t finish eating so I bought this here.”

“Thanks but I’m full.” He lied.

Max looked at him for a few couple of seconds and spoke, “Thanks for coming. I’m glad you came.”

Fluke nodded.

Max took a dumpling from the plate and took a bite. Looking at what just happened; Fluke was astonished at his action. His eyes popped out.

“Max!” He yelled.

“What?” Max looked at him as if he was teasing him.

“Why did you eat that? I already took a bite from that dumpling.”

“I think you know what this means.” He smirked and took another bite and finished it.

Fluke blushed.

“It was an indirect kiss.” Max bent towards fluke and whispered.

“Max!” Fluke was flustered.

“Stop calling me that. No one’s here. We can call each other by our secret names Mochi.” Max whispered again.

“Mocca!” As Fluke said that name, he was already blushing.

“Mochi!” Max called back.

“Mocha!” Fluke called the name again.

“Mochi! So how are you going back? Shall I drop you?” Max asked.

“No! Mike and I will leave now. It’s already past my curfew.” Fluke looked at his wrist watch and stood up.

Max stood up too. “Why Mike? I can drop you.” He pouted.

“Mike stays a few blocks away from my house so we usually travel together. It’s fine.” Fluke smiled looking at his pouty face.

“Ok! Bye! Take care! Good night Mochi.”

“Good night Mocha!”

Later Mike and he head back to their homes.