| Fan Fiction |
by afhilangie
"Kids shouldn't have to worry about money. Besides, I'm not a complainer."
"Telling someone the truth is not complaining," I said trying to stay calm.
"Sweetie." Mom pulled on a ski cap and smiled at me. "Your Taurus moon is coming out---"
"Forget my Taurus moon!" I shouted. "Why do you always do that? I'm trying to have a serious conversation, and you lapse into some crap about retrogade planets!"
"Honey, let's not argue," Mom said. "It's not good for---"
"Why didn't you tell me you couldn't afford a coat?" I interrupted. "I've been working since I was fourteen, Mom. I could have helped you but it."
"Rainie, that was your money," Mom insisted, "and a coat wasn't a priority. It's a moot point now. We're solvent again. My credit cards are down." She picked up a knit scarf, then stared off thoughtfully. "Then again, if you decide on the University of Taipei, things will change. But we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. If worse comes to worst, we'll charge your tuition."
Going to University was my dream. I wanted to study physical therapy--- and live in a city that was actually warm. I hated the long winters in Kenting. But I didn't want my mom to dig herself into major debt just so I could hang out there.
"Mom, no. If I can't get a scholarship, I won't go to University of Taipei. I mean, I don't even know if I'll get in. But the point is, why didn't you tell me what was really going on?"
"I told you. I didn't want you to worry, Rainie," she said gently. "That's what mothers do. We protect our children. It's instinct. The same way that a mother bear cares for her cubs, or a chameleon changes its colors. It's like---"
"Never mind," I said, pushing off the cluttered couch. Sometimes it was hard to believe my mother was a counselor. She never really listened. She was big on delivering speeches, but she never seemed able to process the information I tried to send her way. I stomped out of the living room, kicking a pair of boots over on my way to the doorway.
"Rainie?" she called after me. "Should I keep this scarf?"
"Whatever," I muttered. As I stepped into the darkness of the hall, I saw light glowing from Dan's room. Poking my head in at the doorway, I saw that he was in his usual position, sitting at his laptop, clicking away.
"Hey," he said, without looking away from the monitor. That was a warm greeting for my brother, who usually just told me to get lost. The monitor glowed blue on his skin. Dan had light brown hair like me, but he had shaved it off to a brown stubble.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
"You'd be surprised," he answered cryptically. "Mom driving you insane again?"
"Again." I leaned against the doorway and crossed my arms over my T-shirt. "She's totally clueless.You know my friends admire her. They think it must be great to have no curfews and no regular family commitments. They don't get it."
"Yeah," Dan said. "Somehow, I don't think the Zen masters were thinking about us when they made up the rules."
I laughed. "Good one."
"Well, you can only do what you can do," he said, turning to look at me. Then he turned back to the screen. "Even wonder things would be like if Dad hadn't opted out of our lives?"
His question surprised me. I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans. "Yeah, sometimes. Sometimes I wonder where he is or what he's doing. But we've got to move on. He's never coming back."
"True," Dan said. His fingers started tapping on the keyboard again. My cue to go.
"Later," I said, ducking across the hall to my room.
I flicked on the lamp, then went over to the computer and turned it on. That thing was addictive. The PC had been our family computer until Dan went off to college and needed his own laptop. One more thorn in my side. Mom had bought Dan a new computer when she really needed a winter coat. And although I'd bought my own car, she was paying for my car insurance too.
I went online, and the mail icon popped up. Clicking on it, I saw an e-mail from GuiGui.
CHANGE MY MIND ABOUT WANG ZI (NOW THAT I'M SAFELY HOME AND NOT IMMEDIATELY FACED WITH THE PROSPECT OF TALKING TO HIM).
I'M INCREDIBLY PSYCHED ABOUT OUR PLAN.
I MAY NEED SOME MAJOR COACHING, BUT MY HEART IS DEF IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
OKAY, FAIRY GODSISTER--- LET'S DO IT!
LOL, GUIGUI
P.S. DO YOU THINK BODYCHECKING HIM IN THE CAF IS THE RIGHT APPROACH?
I clicked Reply and wrote back.
I'M WAVING MY WAND, CINDER-GUIGUI.
THINK GORGEOUS, HOT THOUGHTS.
AND YES, I THINK BODYCHECKING MAY BE THE NEW TREND.
HA, HA.
SEE YOU AT SCHOOL.
XXXOO, RAINIE
I was about to sign off when the mailbox popped open again. More mail? I clicked on it and saw that it was from DYANG.
"Okay, Dan," I called out. "You know you're a true geek when you send e-mail to someone who's just across the hall."
No answer. Shaking my head, I clicked on the mail and read the message:
I'VE GOT A SURPRISE FOR YOU.
I THINK YOU'LL LIKE IT.
MORE NEXT WEEK.
I chewed on my fingernail, intrigued. Dan and I are total opposites. What kind of surprise could he have that would possibly interest me?
I couldn't imagine. But I did love surprises.