Note: If you have the time, I'd really like to know what you think so far.. So if you could review to lemme know how I'm doing I'd be eternally grateful :)

Chapter#1

His lungs were now begging for him to breathe but he dared not. Deep amber eyes peered over their hand at his, urging him to make a decision. A bead of sweat slowly trickled down the side of his face, making the intensity more evident.

Betraying his own apparent indifference he took in a gulp of air to ask a question. "You know that's the last of it don't you?"

A playful smile spread across Kilik's lips without revealing his true motive. "That's what you get for gambling it all away."

"I fold!" Yun-seong finally groaned as he threw his useless hand into the center of the small coffee table. "There's just no way that you're…"

His sentence caught in his throat as Kilik flashed his hand to him triumphantly. 8, 8, 4, 4, 2. "... Bluffing."

Laughter quickly ensued as Maxi and Kilik poked fun at him. "Man! You are just too easy sometimes!"

Maxi managed to pick up Yun-seong's cards during his snickering and erupted into a laughing fit when he viewed his hand. "Kilik look! All spades: 5, 4, 3, 2, Ace! He had a straight!"

Yun-seong's face flushed red almost instantly; his anger and annoyance were quickly outgrowing his patience. "Ok! Alright! I get it! I'm an idiot, ya happy?"

"Indubitably," Kilik replied with a smirk as he gathered his winnings.

"That was the last of my paycheck you jerk!" He grumbled crossly.

"And that, children, is why we don't gamble away rent money!" Kilik announced in a know-it-all tone.

"You're annoying."

Maxi stood, having calmed his laughter to turn on the living room light. The others shielded their eyes in order to adjust themselves again as the small living space that was Yun-seong's apartment came into focus. "You really should consider cleaning this place up dude."

"Shut up already," Yun-seong groaned as he fell back onto his floor, littered with throw pillows and fast food wrappers.

"Yeah Maxi, leave him alone," Kilik jeered, "It's not like he plans on getting a girlfriend in the near future."

"Please, like I need some glorious bachelor pad to attract a girl."

"No, just to keep one," Kilik added with a chuckle.

"And your mom and sister don't count," Maxi added.

Yun-seong glared at Maxi playfully. "No, but your mom and sister do."

Maxi choked on his own laughter as it was his turn to be ridiculed.

"Well, I'd love to stay but I have to go spend your mom's hard earned money," Kilik announced with a mocking bow.

"Enjoy, and tell your boyfriend 'hello' for me," Yun-seong called after him, earning a roar of laughter from Maxi.

"That leaves the score at Kilik-3, you-0 this week. You need to learn when to quit," Maxi commented as he ventured towards the fridge.

"I can quit whenever I wanna. I just never happen to 'wanna' in time," he explained, defeated.

A rattling of glass bottles chimed through the space as Maxi pried the fridge door open. "Denial is step one my friend."

Yun-seong finally sat up with a dejected sigh. Running his fingers through his blood-red locks, his eyes panned over the room lazily in search of something to do.

"Maybe we should do something tonight, it is Friday, and you can see if you've still got it," Maxi's suggestion caught him off guard.

"Dude please, save your breath. Nothing's changed. Clean apartment or not, chicks dig me," Yun-seong replied in a humorous tone.

"They dig for something alright," came Maxi's nearly inaudible cough.

"Come again?"

"Nothing, I didn't say anything." Distress strained Maxi's voice as he tried to drop the topic he unintentionally brought upon them.

Discontent flickered across the redhead's features. "Maxi, there's this thing called 'guy-code' around here, you oughta learn it."

"I'm just sayin' Yun, you haven't even tried to get with a girl since... She took off."

"She didn't take off, she graduated."

"With all of your money?"

"Consider this conversation over," Yun-seong's voice was now hinting at desperation.

"Look, I'm just saying you've gotta let it go and get back out there."

"Maxi, has it ever occurred to you that maybe, just maybe, I don't want to get involved with some chick right now?"

"Not for even a slight second my friend."

"TAALLLIIIIIIIIIIIIM!!" The shrill cry sent chills down the young girl's spine.

"Yes? XianghUUUAAAAAA!!" The teen toppled over easily as the eccentric brunette threw herself into the girl. "Ow..."

"I've been looking for you everywhere!" Xianghua exclaimed with a dramatic gesture towards 'everywhere.'

The girl known as Talim propped herself up on her elbows with a slightly exasperated breath. "Xianghua, I told you I'm putting up fliers for the 'Save Sally's Shelter' protest next weekend."

"BOR-RING!" Xianghua yawned. "Talz, its FRIDAY!"

Talim's eyes peered at her anxiously as she salvaged what was left of her fliers. "I fail to see the relevance.'

"Of course you do! Talz you're always doing stuff for everyone else! It's time that I took you out and showed you how to have a good time!"

"Xianghua you know I'm really busy on the weekends..."

"NU-UH! Not this time missy!" Xianghua waved a playful finger in front of Talim's deep brown eyes. "I checked with Sierra, Sally's, Invisible Children, and your mother! You are completely free this weekend!"

"How did you…?"

"Ask no questions!" Xianghua chirped. "You can't avoid me this time Talz!" Talim hesitated; her nerves rendered her silent and motionless. "Come on Talz! We're besties for a reason! Unless you... don't love me anymore!" Xianghua put on her pouty face and inched towards Talim.

"Of course I love you Xianghua! You're my best friend! I'm just... Not one for 'going out.'"

Xianghua frowned childishly and put her hands to her hips. "Talz, you need to live a little. Anyone can have a good time, even you!"

"I kinda resent that. And I do have good times."

"Doing what? Saving trees and children? Please, I'm in all these clubs, same as you, but it's not exactly what I live for."

Talim was about to retaliate when she heard someone call her name. "Talim! Hey!"

The two girls turned and smiled in unison. Xianghua was first to greet the woman strolling towards them. "MIIIIINNNNAAAAAAAAA!!"

"Oh my gosh! What are you doing here?" excitement now filled Talim's voice.

"Yeah, shouldn't you be teaching somewhere?" Xianghua giggled.

"Well, that's almost why I'm here," Mina explained, her dark chocolate eyes sparkled with enthusiasm, "I'm gonna be one of your counselors!" Her smile was flawless and radiant. Talim couldn't help but admire how remarkably beautiful and sophisticated she looked. Even her long burgundy braid she usually wore seemed elegant and professional.

"That's amazing Mina! I'm so proud of you!" A slight feeling of jealousy tugged at Talim's chest, making her feel slightly guilty. Mina was doing so well by herself.

"Thanks," She smiled warmly in reply, glancing down the avenue towards Liritt University. "After this year you'll be moving down the street."

"Not Talz here! She'll probably be at Harvard or Yale and leave little ol' me behind!" Xianghua wailed.

"Oh calm down," Talim waved away her whining. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Says the 16 year old valedictorian," Xianghua retorted, unconvinced.

"Valedictorian?! That's amazing! Talim! You could really go places!" Mina exclaimed in utter shock.

Talim could feel her face turning red on her light olive complexion. "B-but I want to go to Liritt, honest. It's a really good university with tons of credibility. And they were more than happy to accept me before I was even a senior."

"Oh Talz! I knew you would never leave me!" Xianghua squealed, glomping her friend.

Mina smiled warily at the two. "So any plans for tonight?"

"Tonight, we're gonna do what every high school senior does… PAAARRTAAYY!!"

"Xianghua!" Talim gasped.

"Just kidding!" Xianghua countered quickly. "It was a joke Talim! Har har?"

"Just stay away from those crazy college parties you two," Mina interjected with a wave goodbye. "Grownups have to work now."

"EWW!" Xianghua wrinkled her nose in mock disapproval.

"That was weird..." Talim commented, staring after her as she disappeared into the main office. "... For her to show up like that."

Xianghua's grin didn't falter as she shrugged. "The last thing she probably wants right now is an interrogation. If she wants to talk she will." Talim glanced at her overly hyper friend in admiration. "So! How about our night out?!"

"B-but!"

"Buuuuuut?"

"I... have nothing to wear..." Talim finally surrendered with a sigh.

Xianghua's smirk broadened. "We'll fix that."

Talim nodded as she followed her friend towards Liritt Boulevard, the cobblestone street was lined with fully matured pines that towered majestically over the world below. Red brick architecture remained as a vibrant reminder of a romantic era gone by. Antique shops, coffee houses, and book stores were frequented by college students and local artisans and gave refuge to them as they struggled to find a sense of belonging.

Staring at the end of the street at Liritt University, Talim was overcome with an ominous feeling. Her future beckoned her there with an unsolicited feeling of dread.

"Not gonna gamble this one away are we Yun-seong?" The man's wide face creased as he scrutinized the youth's face.

"No sir!" Yun-seong replied, ignoring Maxi's cough.

The man's features remained unchanged. "Right."

"Mr. Hamada, with all do respect, I'm in a hurry," Yun-seong explained, eyeing the enveloped in his employer's hand.

"I mean it boy! You've been around for a long time, and you know I wanna keep you."

"Yes...?"

"But if you blow another paycheck on your little games, I'm gonna have to fire you."

"Why?!" Yun-seong snapped venomously.

"That way, you won't have ANYTHING to gamble with. Understand?"

Yun-seong stared at his not outstretch palm with the envelope apprehensively, and with a short nod, "Yes sure."

"Now go have fun," Mr. Hamada's face slightly softened, though worry was still evident in his eyes.

"You filthy liar," Maxi mumbled as soon as they exited the restaurant.

"What does he know? Besides, since the rest of my last paycheck couldn't survive until rent collection, I have to use part of this one."

"How tragic."

"I guess we're gonna have to crash one of the parties on campus tonight."

"Dare I say that sounds like fun?"

"You may dare good sir," Yun-seong declared with a laugh. "We'll just head on over to Kilik's frat party tonight and have ourselves a good ol' time."