| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“Average,” Chen Yi said passively.
“Do you have to contradict everything I say?”
“Here we go again,” Xiao Qiao said, defeated. “Would you two ever stop?”
“Do love rivals ever stop?” Chen YI asked back.
“Don’t mind them,” Jacky told Xiao Qiao. “You’ll get use to it in no time.”
“Great,” Xiao Qiao mumbled. “Lucky I found a good place to write my novel or I’ll be driven to insanity with their showdowns.”
“I thought you said we’re quite an interesting group?”
“After a week of this, I guess I can do without.”
“Change of mind? So you’re packing your bags and going home tomorrow?”
“You wish.” She sees Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao passing by her at that time. “And why were you too yawning in the theater? It wasn’t that bad. Quite good for those pop production actually.”
Chen Yi – along with the others – turns to Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao.
“Uh…it wasn’t as awesome as I expected,” Ming Dao said. “That’s all.”
“Come on,” Qiao Qiao chimed in with the same tone. “Do you expect everyone’s taste to be the same?”
“Flashback, you were the one who bragged about how good it would be when you convinced us to go last weekend, remember?” Chen Yi said, putting up air quotes to make his points.
Ming Dao lets out a nervous smile. “Uh…I guess I let my obsession for the Soulfest Duo get to my brain.”
Chen Yi turns around to talk to Achel and Xiao Jie again since he doesn’t seem to be that into picking on Ming Dao anymore. The others, on the other hand, keep eyeing Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao suspiciously.
Xiao Qiao shrugs her shoulders. “Forget it. I shouldn’t be wondering about everyone’s strange behaviors anymore. I’ll drive myself crazy thinking about it.”
As if out of habit, Jacky shoves his hands into his jacket pockets as they continue to walk out to the parking lot. He fishes his cell phone out of his right pocket to turn it back on. As soon as the screen loads, he could see that he has two new messages. His eyebrows come together when he sees who it’s from.
“What’s wrong?” Wei Ru asked, seeing the change in his expression.
“I have to get back home later,” Jacky said. “Something about Mom wanting to talk to me about matters.”
“Is that having anything to do with Jo?” Ehlo asked.
Jacky nods. “Possibly.”
“Who’s Jo?” Wei Ru asked.
“Someone.”
“That sounds so clear all right.”
Ehlo puts a hand on Wei Ru’s shoulder. “Xiao Ru.”
Wei Ru turns to him to see him shaking his head, indicating she shouldn’t ask anymore. She could see his serious look – a look that rarely exists on his face, so she quiets down as they continue to walk out.
Although Jacky’s troubled about matters that could possibly be related to Jo, but he has been paying attention to Johnny’s behavior since they’ve been walking also. He just couldn’t take it anymore as he watches Johnny walking ahead in front with Bianca. He increases his pace to catch up to Johnny, cutting into Chen Yi and Achel on purpose.
“Hey!” Chen Yi yelled out, annoyed.
The others who have been walking in the same line as Jacky are a bit confused also. But they wait to see what happens since they rarely see Jacky behaving in a rash way.
“Sorry, had to take care of something,” Jacky apologized to Chen Yi.
“You could have said ‘Excuse me’ first,” Chen Yi shot back, but not as annoyed as before.
“Don’t mind him,” Ehlo jumped in. “He’s a bit unstable lately.”
“Cork it, Yu Rong,” Jacky gritted.
For some reason, the others expect Ehlo to continue with his smart comments, but his smile fades and he stays quiet, observing Jacky’s next move.
“What’s going on?” Wei Ru whispered to Ehlo.
“The last time he called me Yu Rong, he disappeared,” Ehlo whispered back. “That was how you girls came to know him.”
“Oh.”
While they’re exchanging all these, Jacky is whispering to Johnny. Johnny looks like he’s denying it or trying to contradict Jacky’s words at first but later he seems to give in. Johnny takes a look around once before turning back to Jacky.
“Let’s find somewhere else to talk,” Johnny said in a serious tone.
“All right,” Jacky agreed. Then he turns back to the others. “You guys want to go somewhere to eat? Since we’re near this shopping center and all.”
“Good idea,” Chen Yi said.
Ehlo eyes Chen Yi suspiciously. “I thought you’re full of popcorn already.”
“I’m a grown man, okay?”
“Kid…”
“All right already!” Jacky exclaimed, cutting Ehlo off.
Ehlo and Chen Yi quiet down for some reason – possibly upon seeing Jacky’s hostile expression.
“I think there’s a sushi bar somewhere down the street,” Bianca said, attempting to dissolve the thick uneasiness that’s building in the atmosphere. “It’ll be great to try it out.”
“Ooohh..I love sushi,” Xiao Jie gushed. “I want to go.”
“Me too,” Achel said.
“I guess it’s set then,” Ehlo said.
“You guys go first,” Wei Ru said. “Ehlo and I have to talk about something.”
Ehlo looks at Wei Ru. “We do?”
Wei Ru turns to Ehlo, wrinkling her face and tilting her head a bit.
“Oh…okay…yea…we do.”
“Okay then,” Chen Yi said. “We’ll go first.”
When they finally pass the main entrance of the theater, they turn left and head for the sushi bar. After making sure everyone knows where they’re going, Jacky, Johnny, Ehlo, and Wei Ru separate from the group to find a place to talk as the others continue to the sushi bar.
*****
“Are you sure about this?” Jacky asked again. “I mean…we’ve been teasing each other way too much and this could lead to a misunderstanding or…”
“I’m sure,” Johnny said with a determined face. “At first, I thought I was paranoid when I followed them around one afternoon but then later I realized they’re going out for real and I…don’t know how to face Ehlo so I kept making excuses each time Ming Dao, Qiao, and Bianca invite me to join them. I only go with Bianca sometimes but not together. And you could see how Ehlo and Chen Yi are going at each other.”
“Talking about Chen Yi, he’s acting a bit strange lately. It’s like he doesn’t care what Qiao does anymore and then he keeps snapping at her once awhile. He’s getting me confused. Like I know him that long to figure him out but he’s getting unpredictable.”
“Or is he just using Xiao Yu to get Qiao jealous?”
Jacky wrinkles his face. “Is he that…?”
“I don’t think so. He’s a nice kid after all. I’m not saying that ‘cause he’s great at basketball.”
“I know. But it’s still strange. And what’s with Ehlo and Angela and Wei Ru?”
“I don’t know either. Suddenly Ehlo decides to get engaged with Angela…even though she strongly objects. And now he’s getting super friendly with Wei Ru. What was that calling her ‘Xiao Ru’? Is he using the same trick as Chen Yi? I mean with trying to get Qiao jealous. And somehow Sam is getting quite strange too how he kept sighing out sometimes when I hang around him and Ming Dao.”
“Oh yeah, he’s creepy all right. He just told me he’s not used to seeing me all quiet. Are you kidding me? Me being quiet?”
“You know what he means.”
Jacky avoids Johnny’s stare on purpose, sighing out. “The point is, everyone’s acting quite strange. And I thought there are no more secrets.”
“It might be too personal. They have the right to their own life after all. I’m just worry about Ehlo right now. I mean how will he take it? I have more faith in Chen Yi getting over Qiao than Ehlo.”
“I think Chen Yi might take it harder though. Although he seems like he doesn’t care and keeps his cool act most of the time but I have the feeling when he likes someone, he will like them for a very long time.”
“Why are we even worrying so much about them anyway? I should be walking around and eating ice cream with Bianca right now!”
Jacky turns to Johnny. “Bianca?!”
“Uh…” Johnny suddenly looks away.
Jacky points his right index finger at Johnny. “You!”
Johnny turns to look at Jacky again. “All right, all right. So I’ve been going out with Bianca. So what?”
“And you haven’t told us?”
“If I told you guys, wouldn’t I have to explain why and how I know Bianca’s not with Ming Dao?”
Jacky nods. “True.” He looks at his watch. “Great. I have to get back home. You go ahead.”
“Are you sure? Don’t want Ehlo or me to come with you?”
“I don’t think they’re setting a trap for me. They’re family after all. Stop making it sound like my family is a bunch of mafia people, will you?”
“All right. I’m just concerned, okay?”
Jacky could see Johnny meant it out of concern so he softens a bit. “Sorry. I know you and Ehlo are my true brothers. But I promise you guys I’ll tell you what happens later, all right?” He claps Johnny’s shoulder once, showing some gratitude for Johnny’s concern.
“Okay. Take care.”
Johnny watches Jacky heads for his car awhile before turning to the opposite corner. He makes his way slowly to the sushi bar, feeling both relief and unrest at the same time. Relief because he could finally tell someone about it and unrest because Jacky now has to share his burden also, not to mention Jacky has to take care of his own problem as well.
*****
“What are we supposed to be talking about now?” Ehlo asked. “Let’s go eat. I’m hungry.”
“You just know how to eat, don’t you?” Wei Ru scolded him. “No wonder you’re losing to the other guys.”
“Hey, don’t joke like that. I’ll get mad for real.”
“I’m not joking. I’m serious. I found out another way to pull you and Qiao closer.”
“Like your previous harebrain ideas? It won’t work. You have to take everything slowly.”
“By using Angela and me to get Qiao jealous?”
“What? I was just kidding with Angela. It gets her every time. And I’m so not using you. I like calling you Xiao Ru, is that a problem?”
“No wonder you’re still behind them. Are you crazing? Calling Angela your fiancée is bad enough already. But calling me by my nickname? You want to think we’re closed or you want everyone to think you’re a player? Stop it with the games. It’s not working.”
“I told you, I’m not playing any games.”
“Still…knock it off. You need to act more serious and mature so Qiao could like you better.”
“Hurrump. So I have to change myself so she could like me? Yea right. That means she likes someone totally different, not me.”
“It’s not that. You can be mature and considerate too. Like how you were with Jacky. You even shushed me earlier when I was trying to ask who Jo is.”
“It’s common sense. I mean it’s common sense and natural to do that after all, I’m Jacky’s best, best buddy.”
“Well, exactly. Maybe you should bring out more of that side so Qiao could see what kind of person you are.”
“She seems to like Chen Yi fine considering how immature he is.”
“At his age, it’s expected. And besides, who says she likes Chen Yi anyway?”
“She talks to him a lot?”
“They’re friends since high school. Of course she’ll talk to him.”
“Whatever it is, I’m still doom.”
“How unenthusiastic could you get?”
“Very?”
“You know what? There’s a pattern going on in your group. All I see is cowardly actions among all the guys.”
“Hey! That’s going a bit too far. In fact, it’s quite far.”
“Like I’m wrong. Jacky likes someone among our group, right? Why is he always denying it? Even he’s scared of his own feelings and you guys still say that he’s the bravest one.”
“Jacky likes Sonia, so what? It’s history now, considering what happened.”
“What happened then?”
Ehlo tells her real quick of what had happened several weeks back thus leading to the consequences at this moment.
“Aiya!”
“That’s what Xiao Qiao would say though.”
“I don’t care, are you keeping all our personalities in check? No wonder Jacky got misunderstood. If he were a bit braver, he would have confessed to her already. Now he’s stuck between her and Xiao Qiao.”
“Correction…he’s only stuck between his career and Sonia, not Xiao Qiao.”
“I thought Qiao said last weekend that…”
“She was just testing to see if he’s switching targets.”
“How do you know?”
“I’ve seen her with that look a lot in the past weeks.”
“See? You do understand Qiao. It’s just you’re just too…scared to talk to her in serious manners.”
“I thought we’re talking about Jacky?”
“I’m just trying to prove there’s a pattern of cowardly going on around here among the guys.”
He smiles. “Enough already, Missy. Let’s go eat before I starve to death. I think you should eat too since people often say ‘When someone’s really cranky, it must be that the stomach needs filling’.”
“I’m trying to be serious here.”
“Come on. Stop acting all hostile. I promise you I’ll think it over carefully tonight, okay? Smile. You look scary with that expression.”
Wei Ru could see that he actually looks serious about thinking it over so she smiles.
“Yes! I’m off the hook.”
Wei Ru frowns again.
Ehlo points at her. “Hey! Turn that frown off.” He looks at his watch real quick. “At this rate, we’ll be licking their plates instead of eating our own food.”
Wei Ru wrinkles her face. “That’s gross.”
“Let’s go then.”
They walk out towards the street and turn left to go to the sushi bar also. As they’re walking, they see Johnny up ahead. They increase their pace to catch up to him. Ehlo tries to call Johnny twice but he doesn’t respond so he has no choice but wait until he’s side-by-side with Johnny to speak up again.
“Hey!” Ehlo shouted, tapping on Johnny’s shoulder.
“What?!” Johnny asked, alarmed – almost jumping up from the fright – almost.
“Easy, man. I called you several times already so I thought I try tapping.”
“Oh…sorry. What happened?”
Ehlo looks around. “Where’s Jacky?”
“Yea, I thought you guys were talking about something,” Wei Ru said.
“He went home,” Johnny answered.
“Huh?” Wei Ru uttered, confused.
“You meant he went to face Uncle and Auntie?” Ehlo asked.
“Yea,” Johnny confirmed.
“That’s crazy! Why didn’t you tell us? We could be back up for him.”
“I offered but he turned me down. “
“Of course you don’t just offer. You have to insist and then if it doesn’t work, stalk him and let us know.”
“He said it’s not that extreme so he can handle it.”
“He always says stuffs to reassure us.”
“I don’t think we should react so strongly either. It’s not going to be that bad. He went home couple times regarding that already. He should be fine this time.”
“Easy for you to say. What are we going to do now?” He turns to Wei Ru. “Xiao Ru, what are we going to do?” He even takes it to the extent of slipping his hand around Wei Ru’s shoulders and leans his head onto her left shoulder. She shoves him aside and displays her disapproving look again. “What? We were getting along so well before.”
“Knock it off with your silly games already,” Wei Ru warned.
With that, she increases her pace to the sushi bar while Ehlo stare dumbfounded after her.
“Stop messing with everyone,” Johnny said. “it’s not funny.”
Ehlo turns to Johnny. “You’re acting strange too?”
“No, I’m not.”
Johnny increases his pace also, leaving Ehlo behind staring after them both. Ehlo has this expression on his face that says, “What did I do wrong anyway?” But he knows he can’t ask them since they seem to be mad at him or at least he’s sure Wei Ru’s mad at him. He shrugs if off after standing there for another full minute and increases his pace also.
*****
Jacky closes the door carefully behind him before heading for his room. He tosses his keychain on his desk as soon as he passes through the door. He gives his room a quick scan before shutting his door. He walks slowly to his night stand and opens the top drawer, tossing Sonia’s Bluetooth inside where it almost hits the picture frame he had put in there awhile back. He picks the picture frame up and stares at it a bit before tossing it back inside, not wanting to think about it anymore. He removes his shoes rapidly before lying down on his bed, stretching back and forth a bit before cushioning his head with his hands, lying on his back to think things over. He sighs out after awhile, realizing that it couldn’t be helped. He would have done it that way no matter how many times he replayed the scene in his mind. Just as he’s about to get up from his bed to head for a shower, he hears his door opening slightly. He looks up to see Wallace poking his head in.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Jacky asked casually, not really wanting an actual answer.
“Care for a guy talk?” Wallace asked, unaware of Jacky’s current mood.
Jacky puts on an amused smile. “The guy who works at a dating service place needs my advice?”
“I’m serious.”
Jacky could see that Wallace’s in no shape to joke so he nods, signaling for Wallace to come in. After closing the door and locking it, Wallace walks to Jacky’s bed and lies on the other side instead of sitting down at the chair at Jacky’s desk like Jacky had predicted.
“What’s going on here?” Jacky asked. “I’m not interested in you in case you’re wondering. And why are you still wearing your shorts? It’s getting creepy.”
Wallace adjusts the pillow under his head. “Knock it off with the smart talk, man. I’ve had enough teasing from Ehlo.”
“He’s back?”
“Yea. He and Johnny came back earlier. Johnny left again later though. Ehlo’s doing laundry right now.”
“Oh. So…I guess you couldn’t trust anyone else but me? Are my supposed to feel special or are my the last resort?”
“Zhu Fan Gang…”
“All right. Shoot.”
“I was thinking these past days.”
Great, Jacky thought to himself. He’s so glad that everyone has been thinking lately. Good for them, he mocked sarcastically and so silently that he isn’t even flinching at all, so Wallace couldn’t detect a change in his expression. Then he senses that Wallace’s silent so he’s probably waiting for Jacky to reply. But what did Wallace just say? Did he miss something?
“What do you want me to do about it?” Jacky attempted, hoping the question came out about right.
Wallace still doesn’t say anything so Jacky turns slightly to his left.
“Don’t fall asleep in my room. I can’t sleep in anyone else’s room. You know it takes me a long time to get used to new places.”
“I think I had about enough rest.”
I’m the one who needs rest here, Jacky thought. He continues to stare at the ceiling instead of looking at Wallace’s miserable state. He honestly can’t stand another person showing their morbid look in front of him.
“What then” Jacky asked. “Don’t tell me it’s about Cyndi.”
“It has to do with her,” Wallace admitted.
“Are you going out with that Penny…whatever her name is?”
“Whoever told you that?”
“Qiao ran into you guys one day, remember?”
“Oh. Of course not. Was just socializing with the neighbor.”
“Sure you were.”
“Do you want to hear it or not?”
“Hey, you were the one who want to talk, not me.”
“Fine.” Wallace gets up from Jacky’s bed and heads for the door.
Jacky, seeing how serious Wallace looks, gets up from his bed also. “Knock it off, man. I’m sorry, okay? Loosen up.”
Wallace doesn’t look as convinced.
“Fine. I promise I’ll shut up. How about that?”
Wallace goes back to the bed and lies down as before. Jacky lies back down also.
“But you have to say it too,” Jacky said. “Staying silent is seriously driving my nerves crazy.”
“All right, I’ll tell you. Uh…”
Jacky bites down on his teeth as not to interrupt Wallace.
“I saw Cyndi with Tony yesterday.”
“And? What’s wrong with that? They’re classmates, remember?”
“It’s not that. I’m just afraid she might get conned by him.”
“Tony isn’t that bad, you know. Cyndi said only his mouth is running. Take it that he’s like Ehlo. Just a tad richer.”
Wallace sighs out. “Maybe I’m just worrying over nothing.”
Wallace gets up and exits Jacky’s room before Jacky could say anything else. Even if he wants to, he doesn’t feel like it at that time either. He has his own problems to take care of – and it’s probably more time sensitive than what Wallace’s concerned about.
*****
As Qiao Qiao’s drying her hair so she could go to bed, Wei Ru walks into her room.
“Hey, what’s happening?” Qiao Qiao asked casually.
“Something has to happen before I can come in?” Wei Ru teased.
“Nah, it’s just a habit.”
“Can I talk to you about something?”
“What?”
“Say…are you involved with Chen Yi?”
Qiao Qiao wrinkles her face. “Are you kidding me?”
“You two always argue and…”
“I argue with Jacky and the rest of the guys too. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“But with Jacky and others, it’s different.”
“I don’t know where you get that idea but I guess must tone it down…like Orchids warned me many times about my aggressiveness. I just can’t help it. Some of the guys are so annoying though.”
“I thought you’re friends with them.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to tolerate their behavior.”
“Not everyone is that immature though. What about the others? Say…uh…Johnny?”
“He’s a great role model for all of us really.”
“And…uh…Sam?”
“Sam? He’s…uh…okay.”
“Sounds like you don’t like him much.”
“He’s all right and we do have some things in common but it’s just I’m still trying to adjust to getting along with him again.”
“You mean with what happened?”
Qiao Qiao looks confused.
“Ehlo told me about the arguments you guys had already.”
“Oh…he’s so nosy. Can’t even keep a secret.”
“But he’s a loyal friend.”
“That’s true. Even if I was stopping him and trying to avoid a fight when he was lashing out at Sam and Angela, I must admit…I agree with him. They’re going overboard.”
“But Jacky’s sneakiness could cause misunderstandings though.”
“Not telling the whole world what you’re doing isn’t a crime…unless you committed one.”
“That was why they were suspicious of him, remember?”
“They just don’t trust him enough. He’s not that type of person.”
“So…you’re saying that Ehlo’s loyal?”
Qiao Qiao nods. “Definitely more loyal than some people I’ve known.”
Wei Ru smiles. “So…”
“What?”
“Does that mean you see something in him that you could possibly like?”
Qiao Qiao realizes what’s going on. “What’s going on here? Are you trying to play match-maker? I used to work for Orchids, okay? I know the pattern.”
Wei Ru puts on her innocent look. “Just asking. I’m just curious about all your relationships that’s all. Everyone and everything seems confusing at times.”
“Don’t blame you. I don’t know most of stuffs they do anyway, but we’re good for now. I don’t think we all need to inform each other of everything. It might get scarier if we do know everything though. It’s called living in the bliss of ignorance.”
“Getting poetic, aren’t we?”
Qiao Qiao smiles. “Jacky’s influence.”
“Not surprise.” She glances at her watch quickl. “ Okay, not going to bother you anymore or you’re going to accuse me of some unknown crimes so I’m heading off to bed.”
“Good night!”
Wei Ru smiles and turns to leave.
Qiao Qiao tosses her towel aside finally and gets up to close the door after Wei Ru. She locks it on purpose. After knowing that no one else’s going to bother her, she grabs her cell phone and dials a number.
“Hello?” She said into the phone. “Bianca? Meet me at Seahorse Café tomorrow.” She pauses to wait for Bianca’s response. “No, don’t bring them. I need to talk to you alone.”
*****
“Enchanting?” The radio broadcaster said in a soothing tone. “What is the meaning of ‘enchanting’ really? Is it something you can describe with words? The answer is different for everyone, but for me, I would like to share my views with you regarding the word today through a song called “Enchantment”. It’s my latest so please give me some feedbacks and I’ll get back to you in the next show. Until next time, this is Jacky signing off.”
Jacky gets up from his seat after signaling to the guys next door that he’s leaving. They signal an “okay” back and Jacky nods. He gathers his notes together and turns to the door. As he’s about to open it, he sees Sonia walking towards him. He’s a bit surprise but then he unfreezes himself from the spot and opens the door for her.
“Hey,” Sonia greeted him.
“Your schedule changed?” Jacky asked.
Sonia nods.
“Who got kick out this time?”
“Ray got promoted.”
“Good for him.” As he’s saying that, he’s leaving the room.
“Hey.”
Jacky turns back to face her. Seeing his passive expression, she seems discouraged to continue so she shakes her head. He continues to walk out of the recording room and back into the main offices. As he’s packing away his stuffs, he sees Angela walking towards him. “How’s it going?”
“You’ve seen Sonia?” Angela asked.
“In the recording room.”
“Oh. Thanks.”
“No problem.”
After that, he goes back to packing. When he’s done, he begins to walk out of the studio. However, when he passes the entrance, he sees Sam rushing in. “Hey! What’s going on here?”
“Have you seen Sonia?” Sam blurted out.
“In the recording room.”
“Okay. Thanks!”
Sam brushes right past him and down the hallway in such a speed that Jacky couldn’t even imagined possible.
“What’s going on?!” Jacky yelled after him.
Sam manages to brake in time and turns around to Jacky. “Can’t tell you now. But it’s something important!”
After that, Sam continues down the hallway in lightning speed again. Jacky shrugs his shoulders and continues on his way again. While he’s deactivating his car alarm he hears his phone ringing. He picks it put up after getting into his car and locking it.
“Hello?” He answered.
“Big news!” Qiao Qiao’s voice rang into the phone.
“What?”
“Orchids’ getting engaged!”
“And?”
“She’s getting engaged! This is serious!”
“Isn’t that supposed to happen soon? I was expecting Vincent to announce it anytime soon now.”
“He told you?”
“No. Isn’t it common sense though?”
“This is just great.”
“What are you talking about? Aren’t you supposed to be happy?”
“I just lost a bet with Chen Yi.”
Jacky bursts out laughing. He hasn’t even laughed that hard since…things begin to go haywire.
“It’s not funny!”
“Oh come on. That’s the funniest thing I heard the last three weeks or so now.”
“Still…she’s my own cousin and I couldn’t even predict right and Chen Yi got it right?”
“He’s just lucky, how about that? Besides, you were too busy with your boyfriend to monitor Orchids.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Stop pretending. Johnny told me.”
“You meant Bianca told him?”
“You meant Johnny didn’t know before?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about you and Ming Dao.”
“Johnny doesn’t know or he wasn’t supposed to know…yet. We were going to tell him. Bianca and I were talking about it the other day and said that we should tell Johnny said it’s not healthy for her and Johnny in case he finds out later that she’s hiding it from him. I wouldn’t want to be responsible for their separation.”
“If Johnny’s that petty, I already hit him upside the head with something. He found out about it ages ago but was trying to avoid you and Ming Dao so he wouldn’t feel guilty with Ehlo.”
“So…”
“You guys still have to talk it out but yes, we…Johnny and I that is…know now.”
“What are we doing to do now? Tell everyone?”
“I have to work out how to break it to Ehlo first.”
“Oh? Oh yeah, I think Wei Ru’s trying to match me up with him though.”
“No wonder they were sneaking off the other day.”
Qiao Qiao sighs out.
“Don’t worry. We’ll work it out somehow, okay? And you should be happy for Orchids.”
“All right. See ya.”
Jacky hangs up and exits the parking lot.
*****
That night at dinner, Ehlo keeps eyeing Jacky suspiciously from time to time. He does it so much that the guys couldn’t take it anymore.
“What’s with you tonight?” Johnny asked, not able to ignore it any longer. “Did he forget to include you in on one of his grand plan or something?”
“I’m just wondering,” Ehlo said.
“What?” Wallace asked.
“Come now, ‘Enchantment’? Who is that aiming towards?”
“It’s a song,” Jacky said lamely.
“Are my supposed to believe that you still treat Sonia the same way or are you shifting your focus towards Xiao Qiao?”
Wallace stops eating and turns to Ehlo, wrinkling his face. “Xiao Qiao? That song was for Xiao Qiao?”
Ehlo gives Wallace a disbelief look. “You’ve got to be kidding me, right?”
“No, I’m not kidding.”
“Wondering through a small forest through the night and discovering a full moon shining brightly above? Doesn’t that imply something?”
“Huh?”
“Xiao Yue Lan.”
Wallace bursts out laughing.
Jacky’s a bit surprised at Wallace’s reaction since he hasn’t seen Wallace smile much lately either. Or maybe Wallace was just worried for Cyndi earlier regarding Tony because after that night, Wallace seems to resume his normal routine again. Jacky stops assuming further and forces himself to listen on their next words as Wallace stops laughing.
“Dude, Lan and Lin are different words,” Wallace explained, attempting to lead Ehlo out of the ‘forest’. “Lan is blue and Lin is forest. Where in the world did you get that from? If he was writing about some blue moon, you could say it’s about Xiao Qiao but…”
“That’s where he’s being clever about,” Ehlo said, cutting Wallace off. “He did it on purpose so we won’t suspect him.”
Wallace continues to laugh while Ehlo puts on his proud smile.
“Laugh all you want. You’ll soon find out I’m right.”
“Why don’t you both ask him then?” Johnny said, stating the obvious.
Ehlo and Wallace turn to Jacky.
Jacky hesitates for a bit before speaking up. “Ehlo’s right.”
“What?!” Wallace exclaimed, still not believing his ears.
Ehlo turns to Wallace. “See, I’m right?” He turns back to Jacky. “I’m right?”
“Yes, that’s the trick,” Jacky confessed. “Being subtle on purpose.”
Wallace has stopped laughing since he realized Jacky’s serious. “What about Sonia then?”
“What does it has to do with Sonia? And I’m only writing a song. Not like I’m going to get down on my knees and ask for her hand. I wrote Qiao a song once too. Does that mean…”
“Okay, okay,” Ehlo interfered. “We get the point.”
As they’re going back to eat again, they hear the doorbell ring.
“I’ll get it!” Ehlo volunteered. “I’m in high spirits right now.”
“Whatever,” Wallace mumbled. “No one’s going to compete with you.”
Ehlo is already out in the living room so he doesn’t hear what Wallace just said. But Jacky could see that Wallace’s back to his disturbed mood. Before he could ask, he sees Ehlo coming back.
“What happened?” Jacky asked.
“Your enemies arriving to seek for revenge!” Ehlo declared.
“Crazy.” Jacky looks towards where Ehlo’s pointing to see Ming Dao and Sam. “Oh, hey.”
“Hey!” Ming Dao greeted them. “Have you guys heard the news?”
“You mean the one about Jacky writing Xiao Qiao a song?” Ehlo asked back.
“What?!” Ming Dao and Sam exclaimed at the same time, both confused and shocked.
“You’re so behind. Sit down.”
Ehlo moves over to sit next to Jacky on purpose so Ming Dao and Sam could take the seats on the left. Johnny and Wallace are still sitting behind the counter like before.
“We haven’t seen you guys around for ages now,” Johnny said.
“Yea,” Sam agreed. “Strange but I suggested to Ming Dao that we come over here and do one of those guys get together again. Hope you guys don’t mind.”
“Of course not,” Ehlo said. “We have a lot of catch up to do. Now, first off…”
“Why don’t you just call it rumor mill?” Jacky snapped, cutting Ehlo off on purpose.
“Stop bursting my bubbles.”
“What was that all about Jacky writing Xiao Qiao a song then?” Ming Dao asked.
“The one that was playing earlier today. Didn’t you guys hear?”
“Enchantment?”
“Yea.”
“What does it have to do with Xiao Qiao though?”
Ehlo repeats the explanation he gave to Wallace earlier.
“You’ve got to be kidding me, right? It’s Lan, not Lin. How can it be little forest with the full moon?”
“Okay, non-believer, you just lost just like Wallace did to me.”
Ming Dao turns to Jacky. Jacky nods.
“No way!” Ming Dao exclaimed, still in that disbelief voice. “I never thought it to be like that.”
“Clever, eh?” Ehlo asked, though unnecessary. “And I’m the only clever one who figured it out.”
“I bet a bunch of people did already,” Jacky muttered.
“How?”
“They know I’m a fan of Xiao Yue Lan.”
“So?”
“So they will figure it out.”
“Want to bet then?”
“On amount of calls and fan mails?”
“That too but I’m going to ask all the people around us to see if they know.”
“Okay. Deal.”
“If the others don’t know, you lose and I get to make a request.”
“Great. Do I have to write a song for you too?”
“No way! I’m not that…never mind, the point is you’ll have to follow all my orders for the whole day.”
“Deal.”
“You’re that brave?” Wallace asked.
“I feel like testing my limits.”
“So…you’re switching your target as well?” Sam asked suddenly.
Jacky looks at Sam. “What?”
“You like Xiao Qiao now?”
“Of course not. I wrote Qiao a song before too, does that mean I like her too?”
“Oh…”
Ehlo looks at Sam with suspicious eyes. “Why are you asking anyway?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“I used that excuse once too many times already. What’s going on here?”
“You like Xiao Qiao?” Wallace probed.
“Who?” Sam asked.
“You. Who else?”
“No wait,” Ehlo jumped in before Sam could react. “I thought he likes Sonia.”
“Eh…are you trying to mess things up again?”
“No, I’m serious. Why would he fight with Jacky so much before if he doesn’t like Sonia.”
“Uh…” Sam managed, fidgeting his hands. “I was just being paranoid and a bit sore, okay? And I heard those stuffs going on all the time. It was just a misunderstanding.”
Wallace could see how uncomfortable looks so he signals for Ehlo to stop pestering Sam.
“All right then…whatever,” Ehlo said, defeated. “Forget it. So now you like Xiao Qiao?”
“Uh…”
“Oh come on,” Jacky urged. “Like there are any outsiders here.”
All five guys wait for Sam to spill the beans. Sam could see that he couldn’t hide it from the others so he nods.
Ming Dao hits him on the shoulder. “You sly fox!”
“Not surprising but congrats,” Jacky said.
“What do you mean congrats?” Ehlo asked. “He hasn’t even made progress yet.”
“Come on now. Xiao Qiao yelled at all of us already the past weeks but hasn’t yelled at Sam once. It proves that she has good impressions of him. So…”
“Not saying anything could be good?”
“See how well they were getting along at the movies?”
“No, wait,” Johnny interrupted.
The others turn to him.
“I thought he likes Qiao.”
If there wasn’t a solid foundation between them, Jacky would have already kick Johnny under the counter. Too late. The others turn to look at Sam for an explanation. Only Wallace seems relax while Jacky tenses up a bit while they wait for Sam to react.
“Uh…okay, okay,” Sam said quickly. “Stop staring at me. I admit I sort of like her ‘cause she’s such an interesting person. But I realize something.”
“Like?” Ehlo prompted.
“She’s an interesting kid. That was it.”
“Ah…you’re into more mature girls,” Jacky concluded. “Great.”As he’s saying that, he breathes out a sigh of relief as the others are still having their attention on Sam. He also scratches Sam’s name off the list of people he has to break the news of Qiao Qiao’s status to.
“But…” Sam continued.
The others keep their attention on Sam as Jacky tenses up again, hoping for the best.
“I’m not talking about Qiao anymore.”
Jacky lets out another sigh of relief as the others relax and continue to eat also.
“I don’t know if Xiao Qiao would…”
“Don’t worry. We’re all rooting for you, right guys?” He turns to the others for support.
The others nod automatically.
“Thanks, guys,” Sam said with much gratitude.
Ehlo flashes on a bright smile. “No problem.”
“You’re just happy he’s out of the race already,” Wallace pointed out.
“He wasn’t in the race at all…to even be out of it,” Jacky corrected Wallace.
Ehlo turns to Jacky. “Hey!”
Jacky smiles. “Sorry, but the truth is very hurtful. I rather be the one breaking it to you than let you continue to wallow in illusion-land.”
“That’s a bit harsh,” Ming Dao remarked.
Jacky glances at Ming Dao briefly. “Speak for yourself.”
With that, Jacky gets up from the counter and goes to the sink, disposing his bowl and chopsticks.
© Tuesday, November 25th, 2008