Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
That night, Remy walked Deana back into her apartment. “I’m a little curious about this Jim guy.” He said while walking up the stairs with her.
“He’s really nice and a little strange. But he means no harm. I’m afraid to know how he’ll react with you here.” She seemed worried as she stumbled for the key to the apartment.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be extra nice, how about that?” he flashed her his obedient smile.
She shook her head but smiled at his puppy face. Opening the door, she didn’t know what to expect. Most of the time when she came home, he was asleep somewhere or up and cleaning something. This time, he was actually relaxing on the sofa watching television. “Hey Jim.” She said casually.
“Hi Deana!” he got up when he saw Remy walk through the door. “Hi, I’m Jim, nice to meet you.” He wasted no time greeting the stranger.
“I’m Jeremy but everyone calls me Remy.” He glanced at Deana, who didn’t seem bothered by Jim’s friendliness. She actually looked relieved.
“Are you her co-worker?” Jim asked.
Remy looked at Deana for help, not knowing if he should tell Jim the truth. “Actually, I’m.. uh….”
“He’s my boyfriend.” Deana didn’t want to have to lie to Jim. She tried to say it as casually as possible.
“Oh. I see…” Jim said shortly before taking his seat on the couch again. “Lucky guy.” He muttered under his breath.
Remy and Deana gave each other strange glances. She motioned him to follow her into the room. When she got to her bedroom, she closed the door behind her. “Oh my gosh, you have no idea how scared I was!!” she let out deep breaths.
“Don’t be ridiculous, he doesn’t seem crazy. Actually, he was pretty friendly.” Remy thought about the first encounter.
“Yeah, well, that’s the strange part. Sometimes he’s as normal as can be and sometimes he says things…well, it makes you think otherwise.” She whispered.
He shrugged “I don’t think so. But anyways, its getting late. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She nodded “Okay, I’ll walk you out.” They started for the door.
“What? Afraid he might stab me with a butcher knife?” he opened the door and jumped back because Jim was standing at the door with a little knife and apple in both hands. Remy let out a gasp of surprise and slowly calmed himself down. “You scared me.” He said.
Jim smiled coolly “Really? That’s good…hey, you want some apple? I was going to cut one up right now.” He said it more brightly.
“No, its okay. Maybe Deana will want some. I have to go home now. It was nice meeting you Jim.” He said politely as he squeezed away from him with Deana close behind him.
“Likewise.” Jim said with a smile.
“See what I told you?!” Deana whispered. She opened the front door for Remy “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said softly.
“Okay.” Remy reached over to give her a kiss on the cheek. His eyes wandered to the figure still standing in the hallway. The knife in his hand was slicking through the apple slowly. A chill ran down his spine when the two guy’s eyes met.
“What’s wrong?” she asked. She turned around and saw Jim walking back into the kitchen.
“Nothing. Be careful.” He said slowly before leaving her. She gave him a reassuring smile before closing the door behind her.
“Nice guy.” Jim commented without looking up at her.
“Yes, he is.” She said firmly.
“Deana, will you miss me when I die?” his question gave her goose bumps.
“Why do you ask that?” she wondered what was going through his head.
“Curiosity?” he looked up and raised an eyebrow at her.
“Well, I would miss you very much. I enjoy your company here.” She said honestly.
“I see…so life would be duller without me here? You would be sad?” he asked.
She nodded slowly “Yes, it would be…” she wasn’t sure what he was trying to get at but she tried to answer as honest as possible.
“That’s all I wanted to know.” He took a bite of his sliced apple and threw the rest into the trash can.
“Why did you do that?”
“I only like a little taste. The rest is useless because it’s the same flavor and there’s just nothing new about it anymore.” His words symbolized something that she had no idea of.
She shrugged her shoulders “Such a waste of a good apple.”
He smiled crookedly “Not really.” He walked by her and whispered to her “Good night, sweet angel.” It was a nickname that he often called her but for some reason, this time it sounded like he was condemning her.
**************
Virginia came home that night to Freddie sitting up waiting for her. He was wearing his sky blue robe with yellow stars sewn on to it. He quickly got up when he heard the rattling of the keys “Where have you been? Have you any idea what time it is?” he placed his hands on his slender hips as he used the motherly tone on her. She smiled but didn’t respond. “Hello! I’m asking you something.”
She looked at him and narrowed her eyes “My parents passed away years ago. I don’t think I want one at age 27.”
“Well! How do you expect any respect when you come strolling in at 2am. I was worried sick! Too busy making out with your boyfriend?”
She was in no mood for his teasing “Look, just because you can’t stand the fact that I have fun with another male besides you doesn’t mean you have to tease me like that!” she looked angrily at him.
He dropped his head and let out a sigh “I’m sorry. You’re right, I am jealous of Jeff. He’s seen you more often then I have and I live with you. I promise, no more jokes.” He put up three promise fingers indicating that he was serious.
“Freddie, you’ll always be my best friend.” She reached to him and hugged him dearly.
“Just a best friend?” he asked.
She pushed him away “What? Isn’t that enough?” she laughed “Okay, what do you want to be? I’ll let you be whatever you want.”
He raised his eyes “Anything?”
Virginia narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously “What are you thinking about now?”
“Nothing…” the biggest grin crossed his face as he skipped over to the couch and sat down.
“Hey, I wanted to ask you.”
“Sure, anything, my special friend.” The grin still plastered on his face.
She shook her head with a smile “Be serious. What’s going on with you and Jo?”
He wrinkled his forehead “What do you mean? She’s one of my girls.”
“I sense something between you two.” She was quick with her judgment and most of the time it was correct.
“Like what?” he seemed more interested.
“You guys are getting along and she’s been your shadow for the past few weeks.”
He chuckled “Look who’s jealous now?” he quickly put up his hands to surrender from her evil glare “Okay, that was the last joke, I promise! Jo and I are getting along? So?”
“Do you have any special feelings for her?” she wondered if Jo would be the one to change him to a heterosexual.
“None more special than a man in a wet t-shirt and jeans.” He said without thinking.
“What?” Virginia shook her head unable to swallow what he just said.
“She’s a good looking man.” He shrugged his shoulders making light of the situation.
“She’s a GIRL!!!” Virginia replied “It’s no use talking to you, you’re never serious.” She began to get up from the couch when she felt a hand pull her back down. “Ow!” she landed roughly on the couch.
“Okay, what’s the meaning behind these questions?” he asked more seriously.
She tilted her head “I just think that you’ll find…a different kind of happiness in women that’s all.”
“Well, maybe I’m not ready?”
Her face beamed in the dim light “You mean you thought about being straight again?”
Freddie shook his head “Its not something that you can suddenly change overnight, Ginny.” He gave her a sarcastic look “Anyways, I don’t think Jo would be the person to change me.”
“Really? Then who would?” she was curious. They’ve never had that conversation before because he would always talk about a cute guy that he met somewhere.
“I don’t know…I’ll tell you when she comes along.” He said.
“You promise?” she still had hope that the girl would be Jo.
“Cross my heart and hope to die.” He made a cross symbol with his hand over his heart.
She smiled “That’s good enough for me! Okay, gotta sleep now. Long day tomorrow.”
“Why? Where are you going?”
“On a date.” She winked secretly.
“Oh, there you go again! Teasing me. Is it Jeff again?” he chased after her into her bedroom. She shook her head as she reached for a rubber band to tie her hair back. “It can’t be Remy?” he grabbed a little clip from her jewelry box to clip back the strands of hair that fell from her face. “Don’t tell me its Michael!” Virginia shook her head vehemently “Oh my gosh, its my baby brother…isn’t that the most adorable thing ever??” he gushed “My best friend and my little brother. Now that’s a match made in heaven.”
“Stop! Its not Michael and its not Jeff, okay?” she said firmly.
“Then who is it?? Please tell me, if you don’t I won’t be able to sleep tonight and I’ll keep you all up and nag you til you tell me!” he begged and whined like a little girl.
She rolled her eyes “What’s tomorrow?” he looked blankly at her. “What do I do every year on this day?”
He shook his head “Don’t know.” He gave up without even guessing.
“What kind of friend are you?” she asked sarcastically “I have a date with my parents.”
“OH!! That’s right!! I almost forgot.” He looked apologetically at her “I’m sorry, Ginny.”
“Don’t be. Its not your place to remember.”
“Can I come with you?”
She looked at him strangely “You don’t like cemeteries. Anyways, they’re MY parents.” She was overprotective about her past. Barely anyone knew about it and she intended to keep it that way. She promised her parents that the only person she would bring to see them is her husband and kids.
“I know you get weird about that kind of issue. I just wanted to see if you would take me that’s all.” He shrugged it off.
She smiled “Maybe one day when I take my husband and kids there. You’re the next closest to them.” She patted him on the shoulder “Okay buddy, time to sleep.” She pulled him from the bed and pushed him lightly out the door. “Good night.”
“Sleep tight.” He smiled as she closed the door behind her.