Walking down the dark trail, the small little runway of lights beamed their strongest at keeping people safe yet that still didn’t stop Louise’s fumbling legs as she walked slightly into Mark.

"Oh…um… sorry. I can’t see a thing," she giggled as Mark looked at her.

"Don’t worry about it…" He grinned before turning back round and sitting in his seat.

Hayley was sat at the far end of the row with Paul next to her, the pair munching on a taco while Mark was seated next, his eyes on the screen showing adverts ahead. Next was Louise and as she smoothed her skirt down, preparing later for creases, she soon found Christian next to her, smiling as he seated. Pulling the arms of the sleeves of her coat down a little further so the material covered her hands, she shuffled in the seat before the titles of the film began rolling on screen, her heart rolling in paces.

Hearing the music waver through the silent air, Louise smiled contentedly at the picture before her. Couples linked hands amorously while their heads began resting on each other’s shoulders. Inside, it made her want that kind of companionship yet until she found the right person, she knew she’d be waiting a long time.

Feeling something tickle her ear, her senses and hairs on her body began pricking up as the feel of someone close made her heart beat tremendously. As the warm, soft breath circulated around her ear, she quickly shook back to her senses, knowing something was happening.

"Lou, Paul and Hayley want to know if you’re ok," Mark whispered as he leaned to her ear, his aftershave being fondly accepted into the new territory.

"Yeah… yeah I’m fine…" Louise replied quietly as she leaned in close too so he could hear her under the noise of the film. "Actually… could you tell them to stop thinking up silly little ways in how to… Just tell them I’m ok," she finally sighed, knowing the on going message service between Mark and the pair would no doubt ruin the evening.

"Ok," he nodded, smiling slightly as he left.

Trying to relax and ease into the film once more, she felt Christian’s hand touch hers slightly as her eyes darted to the sudden contact. Seeing him reach for the cola that stood in the holder, she breathed inside, her body trying to regain normality. How was she supposed to spend the evening out with friends when all she could do was contemplate that stupid Valentine's card and anticipate the bearer!

Glancing at him shyly, he eyed her too before she quickly span back round, her eyes focusing on the screen. God she couldn’t wait for this night to be over!

Sinking into the chair as the credits began rolling, she knew the night would soon vanish and be another distant memory just like every other Valentines Day. As the film grew to a close, she felt someone’s foot press against hers, emphasising the fact that the night was far from over. Shuffling her feet in tight against the chair, wondering if she was imagining it all or whether the place had rats, she felt it again before smiling gleefully to herself. Pushing her feet forward, she responded to the intimate movement before the lights flashed on and her feet departed his, like some return flight from holiday.

Getting up out of her seat, Christian smiled before she turned around, Mark also smiling as well as Hayley and Paul. Rolling her eyes at the pair nearest the end, she began trailing out of the cinema. Reaching the outside, the chill of the world froze her over as she opened the huge doors. Trotting down the steps, she met the others outside where they soon huddled together in a small group.

"Now wasn’t that fun!" Paul beamed, his smile stretching the more and more he saw Louise next to Christian.

"I suppose it wasn’t that bad…" Mark grinned to himself. "Although I couldn’t really concentrate on that film…" he pondered.

"Know what you mean Mark," Christian simpered. "Was a little dull."

"Well I thought it was good," Louise smiled, as her thoughts of the feelings she was experiencing when she began playing footsie so carelessly in the cinema replayed in her mind, like some old trailer.

"It was…" Hayley began before her phone bleeped.

"Hay, y’know you’re supposed to turn those off when in there," Louise informed.

"Well it could have been someone important who wanted to get hold of me," Hayley retorted as she looked at the screen.

Ending the call, she pushed the phone into her pocket as the smile she had sunk into her soul.

"Ben?" Louise questioned.

"No… no it wasn’t him," she said pointedly.

"What? Have those two had a argument?" Mark asked, a little bewildered in why Hayley was acting so cold.

"Let’s just say a disagreement," Louise told before Hayley’s phone bleeped again.

"God what does he want!" She exclaimed while the others watched her furiously pull the phone out of her pocket.

Scrolling down on the new text which appeared, her eyes seemed to grow watery like the puddles made from previous storms had come back to haunt her.

"I… I’ve got to go…" Hayley muttered as she closed the text and sore sight in front of her trembling eyes. "I… I… I’ll see you all later or something," she lied as she began turning and walking away.

"Hay? Are you ok?" Paul asked as he watched her walk down the dark road.

"I will be…" she whispered to herself as a tear slipped down her numb, sore cheek.

"Well what a good evening this has turned out to be!" Paul exclaimed before grinning to himself. "Actually…"

"Actually what Paul?" Louise asked, standing strong.

"Oh nothing…" he smirked. "Come on young Mark. I think we need to sleep…"

"But… but Paul I’m not tired." Mark replied.

"Yeah and if Mark’s not tired let him stay," Louise warned, staring menacingly at Paul.

As much as she liked the feelings produced rapidly around her body, it didn’t mean she was going to like being left alone with Christian. For a start, she didn’t actually know whether it was him who had sent the card and with that feeling it brought awkwardness and with awkwardness it brought discomfort and she wouldn’t be able to deal with that tonight. She needed someone she was comfortable around and trusted with her utmost heart and Christian just wasn’t that stable in her life. She could talk to him, sure she could, she could hang out with him, with the others there… but on her own? It worried her slightly. She had to know for sure that the feelings he felt were mutual with hers which she didn’t know for definite yet anyway, otherwise that awkwardness would follow. Christian was suspect number one for the meantime yet was innocent until proven guilty.

"But… I…" Paul tried to conjure.

"Actually. I’m quite tired myself. I think I’ll head off home…" Louise yawned.

"Oh, you going?" Christian questioned, his face frowning somewhat.

"Yeah… I’m sorry," Louise apologised before her plan formed quicker in her head. "Films always make me feel tired…"

"Oh can’t you just stay?" Paul begged, his smile vanishing at how his evening in poking in others people business was being destroyed like dry leaves.

"Sorry Paul. Look’s like your fun’s over…" And with that Louise began to walk away, her hair flicking in the breeze.

She had him right where she wanted as if he did send the card, he’d have to find her… and if he found her, he’d get his reward.