They reached the noodle shop and found it mostly empty, probably because they had gone earlier than dinner time.

They all settled down at 2 joined tables and Oh Ha Ni’s dad greeted Jan Di and Ga Eul when he recognized them. Jan Di and Ga Eul ordered for everyone and they were served by a really cute guy and when he left Jan Di whispered to Mandy and Niya “He is Bong Jun Gu; he was also in our previous school, and was crazy about Oh Ha Ni, I think he still is” Jan Di said

“Ani, he found a girl too; an American named Chris” Ga Eul said

“Ha Ni told you that?” Mandy asked and Ga Eul nodded

“What are you girls talking about?” Yi Jung asked

All the girls straightened up immediately like they had been caught committing a crime.

“Nothing, just girl talk” Mandy said and started on her noodles, but was faced with a huge problem; she didn’t know how to use chopsticks.

“Babu” she whispered to Ji Hoo who was sitting across her “ask if they have any forks”

“One for me too” Niya added

“Ok” he said and called for someone. Who came was Chris.

“Yes, how can I help you?” she asked in fluent Korean

“I would like to have two forks for my friends here” he gestured to Niya and Mandy “They don’t know how to use chopsticks”

“Oh, it’s not much difficult” Chris turned to the girls and said in English “I also learned how to use them in this shop only” she said and demonstrated to the girls how to use them. “And you were lucky that I came to help you, if Jun Gu had come, he would have scolded you two. That’s what happened to me when I asked for a fork.” She said and smiled at them and left.

Mandy and Niya tried using the chopsticks and Niya picked up easily but no such luck for Mandy.

“Here” Ji Hoo said, offering her to eat from the chopsticks he had in his hand. Mandy first looked at him strangely but opened a little and Ji Hoo fed her. Then he took a bite from his own and again moved over to Mandy’s bowl to feed her.

“You’ll get tired like this” Mandy said

“I’m getting more tired watching you struggle with your food” he said and fed her some more.

The whole gang looked at them strangely but didn’t pass a comment. Woo Bin looked at Niya with a knowing expression. Niya just buried her eyes into her bowl, thinking if Woo Bin had been right about them being more than friends.

They paid their bill and were about to leave when a cute girl, about Jan Di and Ga Eul’s age entered the shop with a guy on her tow.

“Ha Ni-ah!” Ga Eul and Jan Di shouted in excitement and went to greet their old friend.

The guy behind her was Baek Sueng Jo.

“Didn’t expect to see you here” Mandy said as Sueng Jo entered the shop.

“Oh, hello” he said with a bored expression and went towards the counter and sat down on his own.

“Told you he was a jerk” Mandy muttered to Niya

“He isn’t really obligated to talk to us now is he?” Niya said back and they exited the shop

“Why are you defending the guy?” Mandy asked in an irritated voice

“Why are you attacking him?” Niya said

“You don’t even know him!” Mandy shouted

“Well do you?!” Niya said

Inside the shop Jan Di, Ga Eul and the F4 heard their voices and stepped outside to see what was happening.

“Why do you even care?” Mandy shouted

“Why shouldn’t I? He is just the victim of people’s misunderstandings” Niya shouted back

“Well then you know what, why don’t you go and make him your best friend?” Mandy shouted

“I probably will, except I already have one and I am fighting with her; even though we agreed we would never fight over a guy” Niya shouted back

There was a momentary silence between them and then suddenly the two looked at each other. “I’m sorry” both said at the same time and then laughed out.

“Let’s go get ice cream” Mandy suggested and Niya nodded and then the girls turned towards the shop and found the gang staring at them weirdly.

“You two are the strangest girls we’ve met; after Jan Di and Ga Eul of course” Yi Jung commented

“That’s because you’ve never really known girls before; your little clique didn’t give you the opportunity to” Niya said

“Clique?” he asked

“Yep, a clique” Niya said

“That’s an interesting name” he smirked

“But what were you two arguing about?” Ji Hoo asked

“Baek Sueng Jo” Mandy replied

“That guy?” Ji Hoo asked motioning inside the shop.

Both the girls nodded

“Why?” Ji Hoo asked

“Because we love to fight over insignificant things” Niya said and the girls giggled

“Just when I think I have you all figured out, you show another side to you” Woo Bin said

“See, that’s where you’re wrong” Mandy started saying “Don’t ever try to solve the puzzle of a woman; just go along with it and accept her for the enigma she is.” Mandy finished, looking into the distance dramatically.

“But you are not going to have ice cream” Ji Hoo said

“What? Why?” Mandy asked

“Because it is still winters and you are again going to get sick, and get your friend sick too” he explained

“But then what about desert?” Mandy asked

“You can have something else, but not ice cream. Have something hot” Ji Hoo said

“Mandy!” Niya said excitedly “Jalebi” she said referring to a popular Indian sweet dish which was served hot.

“But where can we find it now? Probably Indian Rasoi has it; let me call and check” Mandy said and dialed the number, which was on her speed dial.

She confirmed that they had it and the two friends jumped up and down in glee.

“Is it that good, that you two are so happy?” Ga Eul asked

“Oh, Ga Eul, you haven’t lived if you haven’t had Jalebi at least once in your life. It’s like heaven with a crunchy layering” Mandy said

“I think she is exaggerating a bit; but yes, it’s very good” Niya said

“It is heaven to me” Mandy said

“It’s your favorite sweet dish, of course you would say that about it” Niya said

“Then let’s call a cab and go; I can’t wait to have some” Mandy said “Do you guys want to come?” she asked the gang

“I do” Ga Eul said

“Me too” Jan Di added

“Me three” Jun Pyo said

“I am going too” Woo Bin said

“I would love to try it” Yi Jung said

“Ji Hoo?” Mandy asked

“Do you even need to ask?” he replied

I know you hate me, I know TOT