It's a Love Story

"Sorry," she said and gave him a one - armed hug. "Really, I am."

HE shrugged. "It was fun." he chuckled.

She laughed. "It was," she agreed.

Their little sister, Roman came up to them, smiling. "This is fun."

Rosie smiled at their little sister. "I'm glad you're having fun! There's a poker game later, play with us."

"no!" jon said, smiling. "Don't. Whenever Rose says poker, don't join in."

"Jon, come on. It's candy poker this time. Not shots, not strip poker. Candy poker. He's just saying that cuz he knows I'll win," she winked at their sister.

He shook his head. "And I don't see her with any candy..." he said then looked at their sister either. "If you wanna play then it's all good."

"I don't know how to play poker." Roman said softly.

"You can play with me. We'll share our hand and I'll show you how," Rose smiled at her little sister.

she smiled and nodded. "Alright. Do we get to split the candy we win?"

"Yeah, of course," she smiled.

She smiled, and nodded. "Alright."

Aiden spotted his girl friend and went to wrap his arms around her from behind. "Hey. I found you." he smiled.

"Hey, you," Rose smiled at him. "We were about to play candy poker. You wanna play?"

"Candy poker?" he asked, looking at his girl friend. "This must be a lame party if we're playing candy poker." he smiled.

"A sugar rush doesn't sound fun to you," she asked. "I think it does. Then Rome can play with us."

Aiden smiled at the little sister and nodded. "Alright. But I'm not sharing my candy when I win."

"Oh, I think you mean when we win. See, I'm playing with my sister and I think I remember her beating you at poker when it was being played at my dad's birthday party." Roman said, smirking.

Rose giggled and hugged her sister. "Brains over brawn, sweetie. Sorry," she teased her boyfriend.

Ren stood awkwardly in a corner by the door. She'd been invited, but by someone she didn't even know. She felt way out of place here.

"Aw, But, Rosie, I'm cute and you love me." Aiden smiled.

"Yeah, you may be cute, but I don't love you." roman smiled.

jon wasn't really paying attention to the conversation his sister's were having. he was more watching the girl that he had been crushing on for the past year. She was quiet and fragile looking. But he couldn't get up the nerve to go talk to her.

"Sorry, but I love Rome a little more than I love you, babe," Rosie grinned, her arm around her sister's shoulders like they were best friends.

Rome laughed, hugging her sister.

Aiden sighed. "Fine... Just take my hopes and dreams..." he mumbled, acting hurt.

"Thanks I will," Rose grinned, still teasing him.

Ren bit her lip, inching towards the door. She didn't belong here and she knew it. So why did she come?

Aiden laughed and grabbed Rosie, kissing her. "You need to be nice."

Roman laughed, going to her brother who was looking at a girl. "Why don't you ask her out. Ask her to play candy poker that Rose is so excited about." she said to her brother.

"I can't... It's not that easy..." he said, sighing.

"why not?"

"Because she's a girl. Because she's pretty. Because she's fragile." he mumbled.

"you sound like dad." She smiled then patted his shoulder. "Talk to her. It looks like she's about to leave."

Rose laughed, kissing him back. "Do I? I don't remember that being part of the agreement," she grinned innocently.

One of the guys who'd graduated the previous year went up to Ren, asking her to dance. She shook her head and politely declined the offer. He wasn't satsfied with this answer, though, and grabbed her arm, pulling her to him. She frowned, trying to pry herself from his grip. "Let me go," she said sternly.

"Or what," the post-grad smirked. "Are you gonna hit me, little girl?"

Ren was scared now, and pulled harder.

Jon shook her head and went to the guy, grabbing his arm. "Hey, she said no, leave her alone." he threatoned.

"What are you gonna do, Picasso," he frowned at the interruption. "Run and tell your sister? Is she gonna sing me to death?"

Ren struggled against him. "Let me go," she all but screamed.

The noise attracted the party's attention. The post-grad's friends went to him and grabbed his arms. They knew he was drunk and what he did when he was drunk. "Come on, man," one of them said and they all dragged him outside.

Ren stood in the center of all the attention, hiding her face with her hair as she stared down at her feet, her shoulders tense. She hated being the center of attention.