Mysterious Notebook

thursday

Guess what?

I bunked lectures today and I had been sitting on that broken bench in front of the pine tree in the park. I was just completing my notes on Philosophy.

When suddenly, Max joined me there. At first, I didnt notice him. But he patted me slightly and I felt so surprised to meet him again.

This was how the conversation went.

"Annie.. Hey! Ssup?" Max asked me.

"Woah! You?" I was speechless.

He was wearing a black t-shirt that fitted him perfectly. His muscles and six packs could be made out from the folds on the shirt.

Finally, I observed his arched eyebrows and realised I was just staring at him.

I tried to reply, my mouth felt dry but I managed to say a few words in a barely audible voice. "Urm.. just got late to Uni so I'm sitting here and making some notes. How about you?"

He looked at me and said, "I am good. You never came to this park after that day."

I gulped.

Did he wish I had come more often to this park? Does he want to meet me? Does he like...

"You see, my cousin is here. And we have a family party where we have to take our partners. I already have a girlfriend but he is single. So he needs a girl to accompany him. Its okay if you are busy that day.. but if you could give him company that evening." Max explained.

And my heart came to my mouth. I had stopped listening to all that he said ever since I heard him say he has a girlfriend.

He has a girlfriend? He is not single?!!

I looked at him still not wanting to believe what I just heard. "You have a girlfriend?"

He laughed at me and confirmed the fatal truth. "Yes. I have a partner for the party. Its my cousin who needs one. He can be a bit of a jerk, but he is quite popular with girls. However, I dont think you will have any trouble handling him though."

You have definitely no idea how much trouble I will surely have! A jerk who is popular among girls?! That is just the type of guys I try staying away from!!!

"Oh. Noo. I.. I am no good at parties. That's so not my role. You have got the wrong girl." I smiled and tried to brush away the invitation like even thinking about me attending it, was a subject of ridicule.

Max stared at me with his unfathomable green eyes for a few minutes. And then as if the conversation was over, he got up and told me, "The party is tomorrow evening. It was actually Lily's idea that you accompany my cousin, Bryan. She really wants you to come. She asked me to give you this as the invitation card." At that point he took out a small yellow envelope from his pocket and handed it to me.

I slowly tore it open and found a green folded paper in it. It had scrawled on it in a child's handwriting just three lines.

Big sister aniee
Pleasee pleeasee come to the party. I and you will dance. There will be chocolate cake too.
-lily

"And, you dont have to worry, Bryan wont do anything to cause you trouble.. I'll see to it. If you change your mind, text me." With that he waved to me and left.

I couldnt say anything to him.

How can I possibly say 'No' to such a sweet invitation? But.. a party? I am not a party person. Not at all! And that too with Bryan. Max's cousin?! As his date!!
Jeez! What have I got myself into now?! I dont know this popular-among-girls-jerk Bryan! I dont know how to dance at a family party. Besides, I dont even have a proper party dress!

I kept reading and re-reading Lily's invitation card, absentmindedly.

What should I do? Should I say yes or no? Yes? No?

"But.. Max has a girlfriend?!" I wondered aloud and sighed, as that thought kept circling in my mind making me depressed.

Then I felt angry.

Why does all the hot and good guys have girlfriends already?! Damn it!
Its always the jerks who are left single! And now I have this invitation to a family party to attend as some popular jerk's date! Urgh!

With that I packed my bag and stomped out of the park heading towards home again.