Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
For many weeks, Neil tried to avoid the subject of Kelly in front of Kathy. But to his constant disappointment Kathy would always bring her up. He knew there was no way he could avoid Kelly when one night Kathy suggested “I heard from my assistant today that they’re all meeting at Storm tonight. Why don’t we go and see if Kelly’s there?”
Neil was reading a magazine when he suddenly stopped and looked up with wrinkled brows “Nah…I’d rather stay home and do nothing.”
Kathy rolled her eyes “Oh come on. You sit at home any longer, you’re going to turn to clay.”
He laughed at her comment “Well, you’re gonna turn to jelly if you don’t stop being so hyper. Anyways, I like my peace and quiet. I see Kelly enough at work.”
“Neil Chan! Are you giving up?” she scolded with her hands on her hips as her petite figure towered over him.
He looked up and smiled “You look like a chicken when you do that.” He laughed when she crossed her arms and pouted. Neil let out a sigh as he pulled her down on the couch next to him “Does it mean that much to you that I go?”
She nodded with brightened eyes “Yes.”
“Okay. Go change.” He nodded towards the hallway. When he heard the door close, he got up reluctantly and changed into a pair of jeans and an old green sweater. He was walking out of the room when Kathy’s room burst open.
“Neil, I’ve got a great idea!!” she cried but when she looked up, her face frowned “What in the world are you wearing?” she pulled at the shirt with dismay “Is that a hole?” she pointed to a small hole on the left arm.
He shrugged “I like it because it’s comfortable.”
Kathy tilted her head and crossed her arm “Neil, what’s the matter with you? I didn’t mention before but I notice your behavior has changed a lot. You seem more down and not very happy.”
Neil smiled to assure her “I’m okay…just a little tired. Maybe I’m tired of chasing her? I mean, now that I think about it’s stupid of me to go after someone that has no interest in me whatsoever. I’ll never be her type.”
Kathy sighed “You’ve given up, haven’t you?” again he shrugged carelessly “Neil, you are a wonderful guy! Kelly would be lucky to have a man like you. I know it takes a lot for Neil Chan to fall in love…and the fact that you’ve crushed on her since high school? Well, that’s no simple matter. You really should pursue your goals. Come on, let me pick out something else for you to wear.” She practically pushed him into his own room.
He sat on the bed and let her rummage through his closet “Where is that black leather jacket you wore last month?” she asked.
“It’s in the far left…why?” he frowned wondering what she intended to do.
She quickly found it and brought it to him “Take off your shirt.” She commanded.
Neil widened his eyes and covered his chest “Why Kathy!” he gasped “I didn’t know you were that kind of girl.”
Kathy laughed as she hit his hands away “Stop joking! Come on.” She began to whine. He smiled as he took off the sweater only wearing his white tank top. “Now put this on.”
He put it over his tank top and stood up to look at himself in the mirror “I look like a freak.” He said bluntly.
She was busy admiring her creation “Just missing something.” She tapped her chin and then snapped her fingers after a few seconds. “Sit down.” She pointed to his bed.
“I feel like a dog. Sit, stand, take off this…” he chuckled with his head shaking. His hair was a mess and it was not behaving. Kathy smiled a she left the room and rushed to the bathroom, she got some gel and came back. He looked at her strangely “What are you gonna do?”
Her grin grew wider “Just sit still.” She said calmly and began spiking up his short hair. When she was done, she stood back and looked at him. “Something else.” She turned herself around to his table drawer and picked up his sunglasses. Kathy put them carefully over his eyes “There. Perfect.” She nodded happily.
Neil rolled his eyes as he stood up again to look at the damage she had done. But to his surprise, he looked alright. He didn’t feel tough but he looked tough, she did a great job on his hair too “Not bad…” he nodded while admiring himself.
Kathy laughed “Okay, enough with the ego.” She turned him around to face her “Now, I’ve got a little plan. Since Kelly has never met me, she won’t know who I look like. I’m gonna play a tough girl and pick on her. You come up and rescue her okay?”
“That’s never gonna work. You don’t look tough.” He laughed at her idea.
She wrinkled her nose “Hmph! Who said I don’t look tough.” She grabbed the phone in his room and dialed Mel’s number.
“Who are you calling? The how-to-be-tough-hotline?” he laughed at his own joke.
“Shh!!” she shushed him. “Mel? Hey, it’s Katie…” she smiled into the phone.
Neil frowned “Katie?! Hey, when did you change your name?”
“SHHH!!” Kathy shushed him loudly as she pushed his face away with the palm of her hand “No, I’m not talking to you…sorry Mel. I need a favor…”
“Anything for you.” Mel said openly.
She smiled “Can I borrow a few guys?”
Neil laughed “Do you know how bad that sounds?”
Kathy let out an exasperated sigh as she gave him a final push out of his own room “Sorry Mel, Neil is being dorky right now.”
He laughed comfortably “Any guy would around you. So why the sudden need?”
She sat down on Neil’s bed “Just wanted to do a favor for Neil. Make him look extra good in front of that crush of his.”
“Has he said anything in particular to you lately?” Mel asked.
Kathy wrinkled her brows “No, why? Should he be telling me something?”
Mel let out a short sigh “No…nothing. Just curious. But let me call Roach and have him gather some guys for you. Where are you gonna be at?”
“Really?? That’s great, Mel. Thank you so much. I’ll be at Storm. That new club downtown.” She was beaming at this point.
“Great. I’ll have them meet you outside. Are ten guys okay?” he could hear the smile in her voice.
“It’s more than enough. I owe you one Mel!” she was excited as can be.
He laughed “Nothing can top saving my life. I’m glad you called…I’ll talk to you later. Be good now.”
“I will.” She hung up the phone and went to open the door. She found Neil sprawled out on the hallway floor. Her face fell “What are you doing?”
“I was locked out of my own room, so I decided to claim the hallway.” He was laughing when she pushed her feet on his belly.
Kathy bent down and pulled him up “Stop messing around. I’ve got to go change real quick and then I’ll tell you about my plan. It’s a sure win, so be prepared to be a hero!”
He smiled as she skipped her way into her room. He strolled out to the living room where he sat on the couch. After 15 minutes, he cried down the hallway “How long does it take to put on clothes?!” when she didn’t answer, he yelled “Do you need help?”
When he heard the door open, he got up. His eyes nearly popped out of their socket when he saw her. She was dressed in the most provocative shirt, a one shoulder see through blouse which had a angular cut at the waist. The color was a hot red. She wore a tight black leather mini skirt and thigh high black boots. Her hair was slightly curled but tied up in a high pony tail. Her makeup was dark and her lipstick red. “Now do I look tough?” she spun around in circles showing him her new image.
He was speechless with his jaw hanging open “I…you…oh my God…” he took in a deep breath and turned away he could stare any longer.
Kathy frowned “I don’t look that bad, do I?”
Neil laughed sarcastically “Bad is not the word I was looking for. Where in the world did you get that outfit?” he shook his head in disbelief. Here was this innocent girl he’s known since they were in grade school, now standing there looking like she just stepped out of Maxim magazine.
“I have a night job you don’t know about.” She gave him a wink before popping a piece of gum in her mouth. Her final touch of a bad girl image, she quickly learned it was true since Snow always chewed gum.
His face fell “I’m hurt you never told me. I would have supported you.” A sly grin crawled on his face as she slapped his arm playfully.
“Shut up! Come on and let’s go make some magic.” She pulled him out of the door. When they got in the car, she began filling out the details of her plan. “Okay, Mel agreed to let me borrow some of his guys. Ten to be exact, I’m gonna play the part of Dai Jei while you play my old flame that dumped for another girl. I’m gonna come up and start picking on Kelly, you step in and save her. We can even throw in a fight or something. Just pretend you punch the guys and then they drop and here is our hero.” She finished.
Neil frowned “I don’t think I can fake a fight, Kathy.”
“Sure you can. I’ll warn the guys ahead of time. Trust me, it’ll work out fine.” She was confident about it. But Neil was more than reluctant to follow along with the little show. He realized then that if it took a show for a girl to like him, then it was not worth going after. She should be able to like him for him and not for how cool he looked.
He remained silent for most of the trip aside from the fact that Kathy would randomly ‘test’ him on a situation that was going to happen. He turned over and looked at her, a smile quickly appeared as he watched her giddy mood. She was so cute when she laughed. Why didn’t he ever realize that? He turned away when she looked over at him “Is that it?” he tried to change the subject when he was caught gazing at her. He pointed to a big building with the lights molded in the word ‘Storm’.
“Oh wow…it’s really nice.” She smiled as the two parked and got out of the car. “Okay, you go inside first. I’ll look for you later. I gotta go through some stuff with my ‘boys’.” She giggled like a little girl “I always wanted to say that.”
Neil smiled “You’re so cute.” He pinched her cheek adoringly.
Kathy dropped her face and leaned on her right leg with a hand on her hip “I told you not to pinch me on the cheek.” She pointed with her free hand.
“Stop trying to act tough.” He rolled his eyes.
“Aww…it didn’t work?” she pouted.
He smiled “It did for a while but I know you real well, so that tough act doesn’t work on me.”
Kathy nodded in agreement “You’re right. Okay, go on…I’ll see you in a bit.” She pushed him away. He gave her one last glance before entering the club. She quickly spotted Wong who was standing on the side building with a bunch of other guys. She walked over there with a grin. “Hey!”
Wong pushed himself off the building he was leaning on and let out a short whistle “Whew! Damn girl!”
She laughed “Thanks…I’ll take that as a compliment. Okay, let me run through the plans with you guys.” They talked for a while about the plan and soon Kathy was ready for her appearance.