Handing out the drinks, Louise sat back down next to Christian where her eyes caught Paul’s, his smug smirk still lingering like some rain cloud, ready to dampen her day with anything he could say. Placing her drink on the small glass coffee table, she sat back, hoping the cool leather would cool her heated mind.

"So… Valentine’s Day Friday," Paul smirked, his grin exceeding the longest road, busy with many headlights.

"Dontcha just love Valentine’s Day?" Hayley questioned. "I mean all the chocolates, little red hearts, cards," she emphasised, looking at Louise before returning her gaze back to the whole of the room.

"I actually think it’s quite a romantic time," Christian mused.

"Really…" Hayley and Paul said in unison, there eyes forever switching faces.

"Yeah. I mean its that time where you can tell that special someone how you feel, y’know spend some time with them and treat them right…"

"Shame Ben’s not doing the same," Louise muttered, thinking of anything to try and alternate the attention.

"Ben will find something… I’m sure he will…" Hayley thought. "Ben will…"

"What’s up with Ben?" Christian questioned. "Aren’t you seeing him Valentine’s Day?"

"Well… y’know… he has been busy so I think we’re doing something after… y’know…" Hayley shifted uncomfortably.

Seeing the way Hayley wasn’t liking the attention and the way her relationship was being questioned, Louise felt awash of guilt sweep across her like a intense hurricane: the wind prevailing more damage.

"Look Hay, I’m sure he will. You know Ben. Like you said, I am most probably jealous," Louise revealed, hoping Hayley wouldn’t look so worried in front of the guys even if it meant herself having to be put in the limelight.

"What you gotta be jealous about?" Christian inquired. "You two are great."

"Yeah, you are the coolest chicks!" Paul beamed. "Ya know Hay… if you weren’t with Ben then who knows what I’d allow myself to do!" He laughed.

"You can dream Paul. You can dream," Hayley giggled. "But I’m afraid I’m committed to my Ben…" she dreamed.

"Why don’t you go and see him?" Paul suggested. "I know he’d like that cos everyone loves surprises… You love surprises don’t you Lou?"

"Well that depends Paul." Louise gritted.

"Oh I love surprises!" Christian grinned. "The way you feel about something and just can’t wait to find out what it is… don’t you Lou?"

"Well I do… and I don’t." Louise replied indecisively. "Like if it’s a birthday present or something like that then I like, but if it’s something that annoys you because you wanna know what it is, then it bugs me."

"So you think I should go?" Hayley queried.

"I think you should," Mark agreed. "It’ll be nice for Ben to see someone he cares about so much and the surprise will add to that feeling."

"Well I’ll go then," Hayley finally determined. "Lou, I’m gonna have to leave you in three men’s company? Are you sure you’ll be ok?" She laughed slightly.

"With me baby? She can’t go wrong!" Paul cheered. "Just us three on one… hmm… seems a little unfair…"

"Yeah Hay I’ll be fine because if Paul decides to step outta line I’ll just knee him, y’know…" Louise winked.

"Hey Lou, you know I was only joking…" Paul apologised weakly, wondering if Louise would seriously perpetrate to her premeditation.

"And you know I was only saying…" Louise giggled. "I wouldn’t do serious harm you know…"

"I couldn’t see you doing that," Christian intervened. "You’re too sweet."

"Well you would say that," Paul retaliated.

"What do you mean by that Paul?" Mark asked, a little aware.

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all. Christian’s just a… a sweet person aren’t ya?" Paul recoiled, as the threat he heard from Louise earlier he knew could still come in contact if he said anymore on the matter.

"I’ll think I’ll leave ya," Hayley smiled, before fleeing out of the flat, her smile ready to wash away rainy days if it meant she could see Ben. Will he want to see me or will the surprise be too much? Hayley thought until she instantaneously threw it aside.

Taking the clear glass in her hand, Louise drank the cool liquid, hoping the uncomfortable interior she was feeling would dissolve, seeing as Christian was next to her. Paul got up and began walking to the stereo where soon light, mellow tunes filled the atmosphere.

"What’s this?" Christian asked, music being a passion of his.

"Oh this is Alanis Morisette," Louise and Mark said together.

"Wahey, freaky going’s on…" Paul laughed. "But yeah, you’re right. Good isn’t she?"

"Yeah, I’m gonna have to lend that Paul." Christian mused.

Sitting down, the room fell silent, each others thinking obtaining their own time until Paul interrupted the still.

"Do you know what’s really sad?"

"The fact I’m sitting here on a Wednesday afternoon not working?" Christian guessed tentatively.

"Nooooo! The fact that I’m doing nothing on a Friday night… that hardly seems appropriate does it?"

"What someone of your standards?" Louise gasped mockingly.

"Exactly. I should go out. We should go out. How about it?"

"Well I…" Christian began.

"Nah come on. We’ll go to the cinema or something? Yeah, yeah make a night of it. It is Valentines Day after all," Paul winked towards Louise while she shuffled awkwardly.

"But some of us may have something planned," Christian told.

"Do you?" Paul probed.

"Well… no I suppose I don’t now…" Christian murmured.

"And you Mark?"

"Well you see… I um… no I can go." He finally concluded.

"That’s sorted then. Cinema Friday night. Great."

"Ahem," Louise coughed slightly.

"Oh Lou. You too?" Paul questioned, acknowledging her existence.

"Well thanks for finally asking Paul," Louise scolded.

"You got plans then?" Mark inquired.

"No, no I haven’t. Well I don’t think so. Was just nice to be asked my opinion on it all that’s all," Louise smiled. "Sure I’ll come. Depending on what we’ll see though…"

"A romantic type film!" Paul exclaimed.

"A romantic film?" Christian asked. "Paul why do you wanna see a romantic film? You’re usually into those action type ones where the hero’s are just as tall as you. Y’know Sylvester Stalone…"

"Well it is Valentines Day so I’ll make a sacrifice for you and Lou… all of us…" Paul adequately changed.

"Right." Louise glared, Paul’s already perfect performance making her want to leave.

"That’s sorted then. Cinema Friday at eight." Paul beamed. "You’ll definitely be there won’t you Chris?"

"Of course."