who's who in the game of love

chapter four

One night when Sam was alone she decided to call Mark. She had to know if he still loved her or if he had moved on. She dialled the numbers to his cell-phone.

'Mark here.'

'Hi Marky, guess who.'

'Hi, Sammie. I was just thinking about you.'

She felt her hart pounding faster and harder. She talked as normal as possible.

'Really, but why should I be surprised? Is there anything else worth thinking about?'

She hoped it would sound as herself.

'No, you're right. Actually I was about to call you myself.'

Why did he sound so serious? This couldn't be good.

'Yeah? Miss me that much uh?'

'I've met someone.' The words came as fast as a speeding bullet. Sam didn't know what to say. 'Sam? Are you still there?' Mark sounded a little worried. She gained her voice back.

'Yeah, I'm here. I'm really happy for you Mark. You deserve to find a nice girl who takes good care of you and if she doesn't she'll have to answer to me, OK? I'm sorry Mark but I have to go now, you'll give my love to the others won't you? Bye.'

Before Mark could say something she'd hung up the phone.

She couldn't believe it. She'd missed her chance, she'd burnt her bridges. Mark had moved on and found someone else, she and Mark was no longer a couple. She too had to move on. She decided to give Bryan a chance, he's no Mark but he's a nice guy and I can love him if I just give it a chance.

When Sam had hung up Mark just stared at the phone. He turned it off. Why had he said that? He still loved her but he felt he had to let her go and the only way he knew how was to say that he'd found someone else even if it really was a lie. But what could he do? Bryan had talked about nothing else since they came to London. He had said that Sam really liked him but there was something holding her back. The last thing Mark wanted to do was stand in the way of Sam's happiness and that's why he'd come up with the lie that he'd found someone else. He didn't notice Nicky coming into the room.

'Mark, are you alright?' Nicky asked snapping him out from his thoughts.

'Yeah, sure,' Mark said and gave him a pale smile.

Nicky looked long and hard at him but decided to let it go. After all, if Mark wanted to talk he wasn't the person he'd go to.

'Are you coming? We have to see Louie now!' Shane said sticking his head into the room. 'Mark?'

'Yeah, I'm coming.'

Shane looked at him, something was wrong. He could see that Mark wasn't himself but he'd share in his own time. Shane went to get the others and Mark and Nicky followed him.

'Bryan, I need to talk to you,' Sam said.

'I can't,' Bryan said. 'I have some things I have to do, maybe later?'

'No, now,' she said and grabbed his arm. Bryan looked at her funny but followed her when she started walking. When they had got away from the others:

'Remember what I said the last time we spoke?' Sam asked.

'Yeah…' Bryan said slowly.

'I wasn't sure what my feelings were for you but I do now.'

'And they are...'

'I like you, I really like you. When we kissed last time I sort of felt like I betrayed Mark. I know it sounds dumb but it did. But I've talked with Mark now and we're just friends, nothing else and I know that I want to give you and me a go.'

Bryan had listened carefully to what she said.

'How do I know you're sure now?' he asked.

'How's this for an answer?' Sam said and kissed him again. When the kiss was over Bryan said:

'That was pretty convincing but I think I need another one just to be completely sure.'

'Mark, have you seen my sister?' Cat asked.

'She's over there with Bryan,' he answered heavyhearted. 'But I don't think she can talk right now.'

'Why?' Cat said spinning round so she could see in the direction Mark had pointed. There she saw Sam with Bryan on the couch, kissing.

'Oh, guess you're right. Why are you looking so gloomy then Mark? It's a party, you should be happy. Is it because your girlfriend isn't here?'

'What?' Mark said.

'Sam told me about you finding a girl while you were in London. Is she nice?'

Mark got himself together.

'Yeah, she's real nice. I miss her allot.' He hoped he'd sound convincing.

'Well I know something that could cheer you up!' Cat said and dragged him away across the room.

There was Shane and Nicky pretty drunk playing the ‘coin-game’. When you play the ‘coin-game’ you try to balance a coin on your nose while drinking a glass of beer and it looks really stupid. Mark started laughing. That made Nicky loose his concentration and dropped the coin. Shane started laughing too and dropped his coin in his glass and got it in his mouth as he was drinking. The beer sprayed from Shane’s mouth and Nicky got the most part of it on him. He got really pissed at Shane. He jumped up.

‘Shane, this shirt is brand new.’ Nicky yelled and threw himself on Shane who couldn’t stop laughing. Nicky was playfully punching Shane’s head, which was locked under his arm. Mark didn’t realise that they were only kidding around so he tried to separate the guys.

‘Stop it guys. Don’t fight. It’s supposed to be a party.’

Nicky and Shane looked at each other. ‘Let’s get him!’

‘I think you’d better run now Mark,’ said Cat who had been standing next to Mark the whole time.

‘I think so too.’ He started running with Shane and Nicky right on his tail.

chapter five