Fan Fiction |
by Hibiscus
“Rainie?” Ariel wondered. Then, “Rainie!!” And she threw her arms around Rainie Yang and gave her a bear hug.
“What are you doing here?” Ariel asked Rainie after they had calmed down.
“I came to have a Reunion with you.” Rainie replied, giggling.
“Um…Rainie, you’ve only been gone for two weeks-“
“I know! That was too long! I missed you terribly! Now let’s go to Java and indulge in really fattening éclairs.” And she dragged Ariel off to her car.
Rainie Yang was one of the most promising young stars in Taiwan. She had a huge fan base and she was talented all round. Movies, dramas and music. It was difficult not to feel envious about her because in addition to her talent, she was very beautiful, with delicate doll-like features and a very extroverted personality. Sometimes, Ariel felt like she was a country mouse compared to the cool sophistication of Rainie. But only sometimes. If Ariel were not secure about her own beauty and her own talent, she wouldn’t have been able to have such a concrete and close friendship with Rainie but fortunately, the girls rather than being envious rivals were like sisters, sharing hopes, dreams and cookies.
More often than not, Ariel was content to let Rainie chatter on about her various male conquests or the work she was doing but she knew that if she wanted to talk, Rainie would be there in a heartbeat.
Noticing Ariel’s troubled expression, Rainie asked, “Is everything okay, Arie?”
Ariel sighed loudly.
“Let me have some chocolate fudge and I’ll tell you.”
They walked into Java, a popular and private coffee shop, that catered to their usually celebrity patrons by providing them with an atmosphere and a sanctuary away from the curious, prying eyes of the public. They went to great lengths to ensure that their customers’ needs would be met and their grateful customers repaid by frequenting the shop as often as they could.
They ordered their poison, chocolate fudge for Ariel and an éclair for Rainie. Just before the waiter left, Rainie said, “Oh I forgot, could you add coconut cake to the order? Thanks.”
Ariel looked up from fiddling with her napkin, “but you hate coconut! Isn’t that Joe’s favourite?”
“Yeah, I invited Joe to our Reunion.” Rainie sparkled.
“Oh…” Ariel went back to fiddling with her napkin. Rainie watched her a while and then impatient, snatched the napkin out of her hand.
“What’s the matter?” She asked, concerned at the pallor of Ariel’s skin.
“I just find myself stuck in a situation, a very awkward situations and I really don’t know how to-“
“Rainie!!!” Joe yelled from the other side of restaurant. Rainie sprang up and ran to him; jumping into his arms with the same intensity she had hugged Ariel.
Joe laughed and swung Rainie around before following her to the table where Ariel sat slumped, her head in her arms.
Joe poked her with his elbow.
“Is this a rock? No, it’s a plastic cardboard! No, it’s a mannequin!”
Ariel lifted her head and glared at Joe.
“You are not funny.”
“Yes he is.” Rainie defended Joe, grinning.
Ariel swung her head to look at Rainie.
“You are not funny either.”
Joe sat down between Ariel and Rainie.
“Rainie, you know the only reason I came was because you said you’d feed me, right?”
“What a whore! And here I thought you came because you missed me!”
Ariel tuned out their bickering, unable to concentrate on anything except what had happened in the earlier part of the evening. She sighed again.
Above her bowed head, Rainie signalled to Joe. She mouthed silently, “Do you know what’s wrong with Ariel?”
Joe poked Ariel, “Rainie wants to know what’s wrong with you.”
Rainie glared at Joe. Joe smiled angelically.
A thought occurred to Ariel. She reached out and grabbed Joe’s collar.
“Did you know?!”
“Know what?” Joe rasped, gasping for breath.
“Know that He Jun Xiang is the lead for the drama I signed a contract for today?!” She whispered loudly.
Joe’s eyes widened and Rainie gasped sharply.
Ariel realized that Joe really hadn’t known and released his collar.
Just then the pastries were delivered and they sat silently as the waiter placed everything in front of them.
Ariel stared at the fudge in front of her, and then grabbed her fork. She pretended that it was Mike’s face that was the fudge and dug her fork into it, taking a big bite and chewing viciously.
Joe and Rainie stared at her eating, then looked at each other and then back at her.
“Um, Arie?” Rainie said softly.
“How did this happen?” Joe asked.
“I don’t know. Someone fed us the wrong information about the male leads being considered. And the contract is legally binding so I am stuck doing it.”
Ariel looked suspiciously at Joe.
“How could you have not known? He is your best friend.”
Joe shrugged. “Well, he did mention that he was in the talks for a new drama but he didn’t specify which one so I could hardly have known.”
Rainie looked troubled.
Ariel pushed her plate back. “I’m gonna go, sorry Rainie, I’m not good company right now.”
“Let me give you a ride back,” Rainie started getting up.
“Nah, I’ll take a cab, actually I’d prefer to take a cab. You enjoy your éclair.” Ariel smiled wanly at Joe and Rainie and left.
“Zheng Yuan Chang, you’d better not have known about this.” Rainie said to Joe after Ariel had left.
Joe smiled secretively.
“Why are you smiling like that?” Rainie scowled.
“I was just thinking that you reminded me of a squirrel.” Joe said and then dodged as Rainie threw her fork at him.
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Author's note: Midterms are coming up so updates may become very, very scarce. (Read: Once or twice a week instead of every day.) Thank you for your continued support and I hope you enjoyed the latest installment. =D!