I ,You & We

6 - Gems

Tara's p.o.v.
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Yesterday was the best day since I moved to New York. It was fun hanging out with them. Now I  understand , why Aiken hardly comes to dorm room except to sleep. If you have friends like that, you wouldnt want to be anywhere else. Yesterday, I came to know more about them. Kaydon is from Netherlands but has been living in New York since he was 17 years old. He is a hotshot as i mentioned before but he is also one of those guys in the group who have a childish behaviour inside them and are always cracking stupid jokes which still make us laugh. They all like to pick up on him and make fun. Especially Stacy. Both of them are constantly bickering about the simplest thing.
Stacy may appear as a hard rock, lacking emotions on her face and outspoken but if you know her you can tell that she is really caring, and would happily give away her life or even take one to save the people she care about.
Total opposite to the coconut characteristics of Stacy is Skipper. She wear her emotions on her sleeves and one can tell what she is feeling. She is sweet and cute. Whenever she speaks it's like her voice and words are coated with sugar. She is like a little sister in the group.(except for Stacy.)
Lavender is typical example of a modern girl. She is strong, confident and independent. With her navy blue eyes and reddish brown hair, she could make any guy fall on her feet. Everything about her shouts elegance.
Ethan is a guy, with an ego which could even outbeat the height of mount Everest. He is filthy rich according to all of them. He is three years older than all of us. He has an engineering degree and is now pursuing a degree in automobile designing. He wants to have his own car brand that will put Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Lamborghini, Ferrari to shame. He has really big dreams and seeing the way how his eyes shine when he  talks about them and how much surety his voice holds, anyone can bet that he would be successful.
Aiken. He is a living example that chivalry does exists even now. He is like the Prince from fairy tales and also a guy next door from movies. He is handsome with those grey eyes, 6 inch height and a smile to die for. He isn't like the bad boys who sleep with every girl possible and behave like jerks and asshole. This is all as per told by Lavender. He is sweet, caring , non judging, a good listener and really a true friend. Any girl dating him would be lucky as she gets a whole package without any holes. I don't know why my heart fluttered when Sky told me he currently had no girlfriend. Among all these people he is the one I am most comfortable with. In the morning, he asked me whether I  would like to walk down the College regularly with him. Of course I said yes. It was a relief from entering the College alone and finding everyone else with someone else.
As it was break time,I entered the cafeteria finding them all sitting together in the corner laughing and having fun. There weren't the popular of the College and seemed happy with it, alone in the corner comfortable in their happy bubble. As I took my first step towards their table, many thoughts struck me. Am I really invited to sit with them? Yesterday, Aiken did introduce me as a friend and they asked me to hangout with them but it could be just because they pity me and one night won't be much to spare for a lonely girl. What if they didn't like me yesterday and now don't want anything to do with me?
Retreating my steps I sat at another table away from them, my back facing them.As I was about to take my first bite from my sandwich, I felt a sharp pain at the back of my head. Someone had hit me and he or she is not going to go just like that. I turned my angry eyes to the culprit , and as I was going to open my mouth to shout , the people in front made me close my mouth. The whole group was standing in front of me.
"Do you need an invitation?",asked Stacy who had hit me.
"What ?", I asked confused.
"Do you need an invitation to join us for lunch at our table?",asked Ethan from behind.
"Well...... I thought...... that I wasn't invited....and yesterday .......was just a night fun.", my eyes suddenly found the floor tiles more interesting and beautiful , fascinating at that time. I didn't dare look at the other 12 eyes shooting daggers at me.
"Don't you think all nonsense.",Lav  spoke next.
"I really meant when I said that you are our friend.",I immediately looked up when I heard Aiken's voice. I stared in those grey eyes clearly showing hurt. Immediately my subconscious mind changed its team and started badmouthing my decision.
"You really hurt us,Tara.",said sky and faked rubbing off her tears .
"I am sorry.",I said still my eyes fascinated with by floor.
"Go easy on her guys.... It's okay Tara. Just get up , gather your things and come to the table  I am really hungry and want to have my food.", Kaydon said. They all turned back walking towards their table. I took my belongings but still hesitated to move further. Aiken turned back and on seeing me he must have realised that with the speed I was walking I won't be able to reach their table till tomorrow. He came back and putting both his hands on my shoulder pushed me. "Walk faster girl."
I laughed at his antics.
I sat beside him.
We all talked . Actually they did all the talking and I just listened and gave my inputs here and there.
"Next week we are going to a club to have fun on Saturday. Do you have a dress?", Sky asked.
"I really don't think I can come.", I said.
"Wrong answer. Didn't you hear her question Tara? Let's give it one more try. ", Ethan spoke up.
"But....",I was cut by Ethan again .
"Answer?",he asked.
"No."
"That we guessed as you have never worn one. We will lend you one, come to Skipper's dorm room by 4:00 click on that day."
"Okay.",I said as I knew there was no point in arguing.
" And for God's sake stop taking in one word.",Stacy requested though it more like an order.
"Okay", Tara no one word replies!
"Again? What did I just say?",Stacy asked.
"Okay, I won't.", I said all shy.
"That's pretty good improvement for the first day. Keep it up Tara. " , Kaydon chuckled and patted my back.
They all started laughing followed by me later.

A week passed since that day. I still hangout with them. It's been a pretty exciting and noisy week rather than the past weeks which were like a silent movies with no visuals too. Today we are going to the club. I thought they would forget about me and ignore if I don't come but Lav has been reminding me everyday.
At 4 o clock, I was in Stacy's room with all the girls. Sky had bought five to six dresses with her for me. As she is studying fashion designing she had many dresses she designed and brought some with size modification in them. As I kept trying one after other, I noticed that they away too much clevarage and I didn't feel at all comfortable in them. Now only the last one was remaining. I slowly took a peak at that dress and it definitely caught my attention .
It was a skater dress, with a galaxy purple print. It came down till my knees, and perfectly  hugged my body. I looked pretty in that. Aleast that's what I thought.
When I came out wearing the dress, they all just kept looking at me. Finally, Stacy came and hugged me, kissed me on my cheeks and again turning her attention to Lav and Skipper said," I knew it! I knew she would choose this dress. I want my 20 dollars from both of you. Tara you are looking beautiful."
"Thanks."
"That dress really suits you you can keep it if you want.", Sky offered.
"Thank you so much! I love this dress.", I went and hugged her.
"I know I am great.",Sky complimented herself.
"Shoo. .  . Sky. Now its my turn. Accessories. Come sit here Tara.",Lavender said pointing to the chair in front of the mirror.
She gave me an ear cuff for one ear. It had small stars and some more dangling. For other ear she just gave me a small stud circular in shape. Two bracelets in hand, one having a star and other a moon pendants and purple highlights in the hair, she completed the look. They gave me black wedges to wear when he refused to wear pencil heels. As I glanced a look in the mirror, I couldn't believe. I could recognise it was me infront, the girl from India inside me wouldn't dare wear this clothes. Hell, she wouldn't even go to clubs.
"You are already sparkling. Let me just add a little make-up.", Stacy ready with her make up kit.
"I wouldn't really like that. I really don't like the feel if make up on my skin. So let's just skip that."
"Trust me. You wouldn't even feel the make-up. I am the best in this.", Stacy said and I trusted. When she told me to open my eyes, I could see my mouth open in awe. If with make-up she could mame a girl like me beautiful, she really had magic in her hands.
After thanking them, they went and got ready. All of them looked gorgeous. We clicked some selfies and individual photo shoots. When Stacy said that she was going to post these pictures on Instagram, I offered to do so from my account. She shrugged and said she didn't care unless she was tagged in the photographs.
I posted my first photo from N.Y., captioning it as-'GEMS'.
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To clear the confusion, Sky and Skipper are same.
Thanks for reading.