Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
She looked up “You can tell?”
“You usually inhale that burger before I take my second bite.” He kidded.
Kathy began playing with the French fries “Can you blame me?” she rolled her eyes upward. “I told you I didn’t want you to get violent.”
“I didn’t…If I was violent, I would have picked him up and threw him in the fireplace. Or threw him over the balcony.” He was exaggerating and she knew it. A slow smile crossed her face when she pictured it in her head. “But I’ll tell you one thing.” He leaned in as he whispered “It felt soooo good to punch him.”
Kathy laughed for the first time that night “I’m sure it did.”
Even with the laugh, he knew she wasn’t back to normal “What’s bothering you Kathy?”
She looked up with a grim expression “You’re getting too good. Stop reading my face.” She scolded.
“What are best friends for? Now tell me, what’s wrong?” he pushed aside his burger and gave her his full attention.
“Do you know what I want to be when I grow up?” she asked randomly.
Neil shook his head “You never told me. What do you want to be?”
“A designer. Fashion designer.” She said with a sigh.
“Really? Wow…I thought you were going to say a Donut cooker…” he laughed as he let her whack him across the arm.
“Very funny. You know you’re the only one that can get away with the fat jokes.” She scolded and he smiled brightly knowing what kind of privilege it was. “No, I’ve always wanted to be one…since I began taking those art classes in 9th grade, I knew it was a dream.”
“So what does this have to do with my temper?” he gulped down the soda, slurping the remaining in the cup.
“Nothing.” She smiled “But it means I will be gone after graduation.”
His sudden interest in the empty cup of coke was lost when he turned to her in shock “Where are you going?”
“I applied to the University of Toronto, Canada…” she waited for his reaction.
He looked saddened when he finally asked her “For how long?”
“Four years of school and maybe one year of internship….then maybe I’ll come back.” She was hesitant to tell him the last part.
Neil was distraught “Maybe? Why? You don’t like it here?” he was desperate to keep his best friend.
“Silly guy. Of course I like it here, I was born and raised here. But life goes on. What if I’m happy over there? Anyways, by the time I come back, you’ll probably work for a huge modeling agency as a photographer and might even be married. Personally, I’d rather live a lonely life then to be tied down.” She was being harsh but part of it was true. Somewhere in her heart, she had given up on men…except for Neil of course. But there was no way he would ever fall for her.
“You won’t be lonely.” He said convincingly.
Kathy laughed “I don’t think I have a choice. Look at me! I’m a 5 feet 3 girl weighing almost 200 pounds, no one will want me. I wouldn’t want me!”
Neil looked at her sadly, feeling sorry for her “Don’t say that. You won’t die alone. I guarantee it.”
“Thanks, but I know what I’m good for….a good laugh.” She sighed and at the same time trying to hide the tears that were welling in her eyes.
“No, you’re not. You’re a good friend and a wonderful person. You are beautiful inside and out. I should know, I’m your best friend…no one else’s opinion should matter unless it is the same as mine.” He smiled as he thought of something. He took a napkin and looked up at her “Got a pen?”
She nodded blankly as she pulled it out from her black purse “What for?”
He began scribbling something that she could not see. Every time she arched her neck to look he would cover it with his hand. He wanted to do something for her, a promise that would definitely raise her spirits. He wanted her to gain more courage and strength, maybe this note would help her. “Here, now you can read it, nosy.”
Kathy took the napkin from his hand: ‘This is a promise that you will never be alone. When you return from Hong Kong and you still have no boyfriend, I will take on this job and take care of you for the rest of your life. You will never die a lonely soul and I won’t ever let anyone pick on you again. Neil class of 95’ A smile was plastered on her face while she read the note. She knew what he was trying to do and she was thankful for his attempt “Thank you. You’ve definitely made my night.” She folded it up and put it in her pocket.
“Don’t lose that now, it’s like a receipt. No returns within 30 days.” he laughed at his own lame joke.
“So I have 30 days to think about it?” she asked teasingly.
“No, more like 15 days. That’s the day of our graduation. I’ll expect an answer.” He said firmly nodding his head. She smiled and nodded. Finally getting back her taste bud, she finished her burger and half of the third one they ordered.
**************
On the day of their graduation, Neil appeared to be completely out of it. He knew it would be the last day he could spend with his best friend. Kathy’s flight was that very night. He didn’t smile most of the pre-grad party or the practice. Only when Kathy ran up and hugged him happily after they were announced graduates did he smile.
“We did it! Four long years and we finally did it.” She laughed giddily.
Neil couldn’t help but laugh too. It was so contagious when Kathy laughed, he was going to miss that terribly. “I know.”
She pulled away gently and tilted her head “What’s wrong?”
He dodged her eyes because he didn’t want her to see the tears that were dying to crawl out “Nothing…”
Kathy raised her eyebrows “Are you crying?” she laughed as she reached around his neck hugging him while her other hand smoothed his neck “Awww…it’s okay Neil. I’ll never forget you. Even when I’m rich and famous, I’ll always remember the little people.”
Neil laughed while the tears came out freely “I’m going to miss you Kathy. Who’s going to make me laugh now? You better write every chance you get and don’t you dare forget to call me.” He threatened.
“Or what? You’re going to punch me?” she laughed and he squeezed her even tighter making her suffocate. “Hey, you’re squeezing the fat out of my skin.” She kidded.
He loosened up his grip but still wouldn’t let go “Why do you have to go?”
“You’re whining.” She reminded. “Hey, you gonna let me breath or what? People are looking at us funny.” She noticed the glances.
“I don’t care.” He continued to hug her unable to let go “Why can’t you go to school here?”
Kathy laughed “We’ve talked about this before. Come on now, you’ve got to let go some time.” She coaxed while gently pushing him off her.
After a moment, he finally let go “Do you still have that napkin?”
She frowned “What napkin?” Suddenly it dawned on her “Oh yeah…I used it to clean the dust off the shelf, it’s in the trash somewhere.” She didn’t want to hold him up on the offer knowing that she would definitely not have a boyfriend by the time she returned from school.
Neil looked hurtfully at her but he smiled “I knew you would pull that trick.” He pulled out a neatly folded purple envelope. It was her favorite color “Here it is in writing. If you lose this, you’ll force me to punch you when you come back.” He threatened.
She took the envelope without opening it “Thank you.” She whispered with a smile, tears already covering her face as she reached up and hugged him warmly. Without thinking she turned over and kissed him on the cheek.
His face was a look of shock when she pulled away. He touched the part where she kissed him “That was the most intimate thing you’ve ever done…”
“And the last.” She smiled warmly before glancing at her watch. “I’ve got to go now.”
Neil’s face turned solemn “Why? I thought we were going to have dinner first?”
She shook her head “No, that last flight was too full, they had to move some passengers to the earlier flight. So being a good Samaritan that I am, I offered to take the earlier flight.” He pouted “Can you give me a lift?”
“I don’t have a choice do I?” he smiled.
“Nope!” She said brightly “I’ve got to get my luggage first, so take me home and then to the airport.”
“Yes, mam. And would madam like anything else?” he disguised his voice in the most professional voice.
“Yeah…don’t ever call me mam again, I’m not 80 years old. I prefer Miss.” She nodded delicately making him laugh. It was the girliest act he has ever seen on her.
They rode together in silence on the way to the airport, collecting their thoughts before saying goodbye. Kathy would not admit it to Neil but she did not want to leave but she wanted to start a new life. Nothing was worth remembering in Hong Kong except for her best friend and family. Unfortunately, it was the same place that scarred her ego and not to mention her dignity. Maybe she would have the courage to change her life once she’s faced in a foreign country and foreign people.
Again they hugged endlessly before she got on the plane. When the final call for her flight came over the intercom, she tapped him on the back gently “Neil, it’s time to let go now. I have to go.”
He gave her one last squeeze before letting go “I know…take care of yourself.” He smiled despite the sadness of the event “Write to me, okay?”
“Yes, momma. I will.” She gave him one last grin before disappearing down the corridor.
Neil stood there motionless, watching his best friend leaving and not returning for at least five years. His heart ached when he realized life would not be the same without her. The laughter they shared, the crazy food contests and the sarcasm would be a mere memory to him now. He said a silent prayer for her to have a safe flight before leaving the airport, his head glued to the ground while his hands were pushed inside his jeans.