| Fan Fiction |
by DTLCT
“You want to take the bet higher then?” Jacky threatened.
“Sure, why not?” Wallace said cheerfully, unaffected by Jacky’s threat.
“Someone’s in high spirits today!” Qiao Qiao teased.
“I guess it’s true what they say after all,” Jacky spoke up again.
“What?”
“People actually functions better when they’re in love.”
“Speak for yourself!” Wallace exclaimed.
“Hey, that’s cheating!” Chen Yi exclaimed around the same time as Wallace, outraged.
“It’s fair. He was careless.”
“Guys!” Angela interrupted their argument.
They stop the game and turn to her.
“Be serious for once ‘cause I want to see real competition.”
Although she’s saying that but they could see a smile on her face.
“Coming right up, Miss Chang,” Jacky promised. “I need to wrestle the ball back from him first.”
As he’s saying the last words, he lungs forward and snatches the ball away from Wallace once again. Then they resume the game like before.
It is actually the morning after the group went to the mid-autumn festival. After they watched the fireworks last night, they separate into different groups and go their separate way to spend time alone as couples do. But before they left, they promised to meet up the next morning to finish the basketball game they had abandoned so many times before because of another game they were so involved in – the dating game.
For the next half an hour, they play hard and tough. For once, they’re actually taking things serious and trying to give the sport the respect it deserves. Even Achel manages to score some points, earning some proud remarks from Chen Yi as well. Because of all talents and capabilities combined from each team, they keep tying up and couldn’t even break the tie. Finally, they decide to settle on picking a person to do a one-on-one match as a tie-breaker for the whole game in general. For some reason, the others pick Jacky instead of Chen Yi to be their representative for Jacky’s team while Sam’s team picks Wallace. When they’re done negotiating the terms, team members from both sides step back into the crowd to watch also.
“This should get interesting,” Ehlo commented.
“Are you trying to stir things up again by letting them go against each other in this final match?” Angela asked, eyeing Ehlo suspiciously.
Ehlo smiles. “I wouldn’t want to do that.”
“Turn that smile off. I know you too well.”
“Could you guys stop playing lovey-dovey and pay attention?” Chen Yi asked, a bit annoyed.
Ehlo turns to Chen Yi. “Kid…”
“Knock it off already, guys,” Angela ordered.
Ehlo resumes his innocent smile again. “Yes, ma’am.”
Angela gives him a look before turning back to watch the match.
“Why did you guys pick them instead of…uh…I’m not saying that they’re not good but…” Tony finished upon seeing some of their stares.
“I’m tired out,” Chen Yi confessed. “It was Ming Dao and Qiao’s fault. Xiao Yu and I followed them last night and we ended up lost for several hours and then…”
“You should have been with us,” Bianca said. “We found this one place and had hot pot. But then in the end, we exhausted ourselves by playing mindless games too.”
“I thought we decided to separate last night to do our own stuffs as individual couples, why did you guys get together again then?”
“Speak for yourself. Weren’t you and Xiao Yu with Ming Dao and Qiao too?”
Chen Yi lets out a nervous smile.
“Oh yeah, who were you guys with then?” Qiao Qiao asked Bianca.
“Jacky and Sonia,” Bianca answered.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” Chen Yi said. “Wallace’s so going to win if Jacky was out all night.”
“He looks fine though.”
“Looks are deceiving.”
Chen Yi turns back to watch the game again before Bianca could come up with another reason to defend herself. He turns in time to see Wallace make a basket. Before anyone could react, Ehlo jumps out from the crowd and slaps Wallace a high five.
“Another Huang and Huo victory!” Ehlo shouted out. Then he turns to Jacky. “Sorry, man. Gotta support my team.”
Jacky waves his hand casually. “Any time.”
“Well, at least now the game’s done,” Chen Yi said, trying to make light of the situation.
“Definitely,” Qiao Qiao agreed. Then she turns to the others with a mischievous look. “Want to start another one?”
“NO!” The other team members – from both teams – exclaimed at the same time.
“You guys don’t have to react so strong.”
“Believe me, girl,” Ehlo said. “We’re never going to finish since we’ll be super busy from now on.”
“Definitely,” Wallace agreed.
As they’re talking things over about a possible game, Sonia walks over to Jacky who’s in a crouching position. “You all right?”
Jacky stands up straight and slips a hand around her shoulders, smiling. “Yes.”
She uses the towel in her hand to wipe off his sweat.
Chen Yi begins shivering at that time. “I can’t believe I’m witnessing such a mushy scene.”
“Definitely worth a picture or two though,” Qiao Qiao commented.
Chen Yi fakes fear and pretends to turn his eyes away from the scene. However, he discovers that Cyndi’s doing the same to Wallace. “Oh great. Another scene.”
Achel steps towards him, trying to give him some support since he looks like he’s going to faint soon. “Are you all right?”
Chen Yi slips a hand around her shoulders. “I’ll be all right in a bit. Please take me away from all these sugary scenes.”
Qiao Qiao looks at Chen Yi. “Like you’re not making a scene of your own.”
Chen Yi flashes on his sly smile. “Jealous?”
“Ha! As if…”
“What?”
Qiao Qiao doesn’t answer so Chen Yi turns around to see what’s going on.
They see that Sam and Xiao Qiao had parted from the group and are heading inside – without caring to realize if the teams are dispersing yet. Chen Yi turns back to Qiao Qiao.
“This is getting out of hand,” He repeated his last words.
“Definitely,” Qiao Qiao agreed.
Ming Dao walks over to them at that time. He looks confused when he sees Chen Yi and Qiao Qiao having a staring contest.
“What are you guys doing?” Ming Dao asked. “Chen Yi, why are you crouching like that?”
“Was getting sick from being fed too much sweets,” Chen Yi said, faking pain.
“Huh?”
Qiao Qiao turns to Ming Dao. “Don’t mind him, let’s go.”
Qiao Qiao grabs Ming Dao’s hand and pulls him out of his and Sam’s backyard. It has been a habit by now that they’re heading for Jacky, Ehlo, and Johnny’s place so Ming Dao doesn’t question her. He walks with her in silence.
“We definitely need to get away somehow later,” Chen Yi said to Achel.
“Where do you want to go then?” Achel asked.
“Anywhere but here. Okay, maybe after lunch.”
Achel smiles and continues to support Chen Yi as they’re making their way out of the backyard also – catching up to Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao. The others have slowly left also after seeing Ming Dao and Qiao Qiao leave. Sam and Xiao Qiao join them about ten minutes later after they are settled down at the living room again.
“What are they doing with the line?” Sam asked, confused.
“You probably don’t know but they’re trying to take turns with the shower right now,” Ehlo explained. “I mean since we did have a hard match today.”
“Wouldn’t Ming Dao be over at ours though?”
Ming Dao walks into the room at that time. “I’m getting there. I’ll be back later.” He turns to look for Qiao Qiao. “Qiao, I’ll be back later!”
“The whole house can hear you!” Jacky teased.
Ming Dao gives Jacky a look before heading out the door.
*****
Several hours later, they’re sitting in the kitchen eating lunch like one of those meetings again. But this time, Tony is with them. The arrangements in seats at the counter are the same with Ming Dao and Bianca behind the counter while Jacky, Ehlo, Wallace, and Cyndi in front of it. The others are scattered out between the other two tables like a long time before – at one of their meetings. Chen Yi sighs out in relief upon seeing the seat arrangements since he doesn’t have to witness so many scenes of “sweetness” while he’s trying to enjoy his meal.
“What are we going to do after this?” Chen Yi asked. “I mean don’t tell me we’re going to scatter out again like many times before.”
“Hey!” Qiao Qiao blurted out. “I thought you wanted to get away from us earlier.”
“I was kidding, okay?” He flashes on his bright smile to challenge her even more.
“You guys ready for Vincent and Orchids’ wedding yet?” Jacky asked, interfering with Chen Yi and Qiao Qiao’s argument.
“It’s one month away,” Chen Yi pointed out. “We have plenty of times. Besides, everything’s taken care of as far as arrangements and whatnot. So we should be good to go, right?”
“We have to choose what to wear also,” Qiao Qiao said.
“Slap on a suit and I’ll be good.”
"And to think that you spent so much time trying to make her wedding perfect?”
“Come on now. The main focus is on the bride and the groom on that special day. Who cares about what I wear?”
“Talking about that, did Vincent pick his best men yet?” Ehlo asked, curious.
“Yea,” Tony answered. “And I’m glad I’m not one of them. I think his mom has a hand in it though.”
As if to conceal the rest of Tony’s explanation, someone’s phone rings. They turn around to find the source.
“It’s mine,” Wallace said. “No need to panic.”
The others go back to eating again, trying to keep the conversation to a minimum so Wallace could listen.
“Hello?” Wallace said into the phone. “Yea. Okay. I guess so. But let me ask her first.” He covers the phone and turns to Cyndi. “You want to be A…Orchids’ bridesmaid?”
“Huh?” Cyndi said, confused.
“One of the couples eloped so they need a replacement. Vincent volunteered us.” He lowers his voice to a whisper for the next few words although it is not necessary. “I think he doesn’t know that we’re…” He pauses to gestures with his hand. “…now.”
“That’s fine.”
“Okay, she agrees,” Wallace said into the phone again. “Show up for practice tomorrow? We’re there. Bye.”
As soon as Wallace snaps his phone shut, everyone fires out questions at the same time.
“Whoa!” Wallace said, putting a hand up. “What are you guys doing? It wasn’t my fault.”
“Who eloped?” Ehlo continued from the last person’s question.
“What happened?” Angela followed.
“Was that Vincent?” Qiao Qiao added.
“If you guys can quit it with the question marathon, I can explain faster,” Wallace pointed out.
The others still look anxious but they finally simmer down to let Wallace continue.
“Apparently, the third couple eloped…for unknown reasons that Vincent’s not disclosing. So now they’re short a couple so Vincent asked me and Cyndi to fill in. I think he’s trying to pull us together but he doesn’t know that we’re already together, so…might as well not burst his bubbles too much.”
“So…someone actually eloped?” Chen Yi asked. “Strange. Is this a sign?”
Qiao Qiao hits Chen Yi on the head.
“Ouch!” Chen Yi cried out in pain. “Why did you do that?”
“Stop jinxing Orchids or I’m going to…”
“I’m just curious, okay?”
“You two…come on,” Achel interfered.
“All right,” Qiao Qiao gave in. “It’s ‘cause Xiao Yu pleaded for you.”
“Like I’m scared of you,” Chen Yi shot back.
Achel stops eating and helps Chen Yi rub his head where Qiao Qiao just hit him. Qiao Qiao ends up going back to her food instead of arguing with Chen Yi.
“Whoa…” Ming Dao mumbled out finally.
“Definitely a good reason why we’re not together,” Chen Yi said. “And good luck to you, man. That hurts big time. I think I need ice on it.”
“Really?” Achel asked in a more than concerned tone – more over to the worried line.
Chen Yi puts on a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. I’m just kidding.”
“Drama King,” Qiao Qiao mumbled.
“Whatever, girl.”
“Is it always so exciting around here?” Tony asked.
“Definitely,” Ehlo confirmed. “You should come here more often. But I guess you will be, huh?”
Tony smiles.
They continue to eat and talk for another half an hour. Then they decide to head out somewhere to enjoy the day again. It seems like they’re trying to spend as much time together for the time being, closing another chapter of their life before moving on to the next one.
They spend most of the day enjoying nature. However, around noon, the girls persuade the guys to go take care of their necessities for Vincent and Orchids’ wedding so they wouldn’t be looking into their closet at the last minute to find nothing suitable for the event.
© Thursday, January 1st, 2009
Posted: Sunday, March 15th, 2009