Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
When the time came to pick up Tara, Tyler got up as he headed towards the door “Awww, doesn’t he look cute?” Ivy gushed.
Vicki wrinkled her nose “Actually, he still looks a little tense.”
Ben shook his head at the girls as he walked Tyler to the door “Don’t listen to them, you’ll do just fine. It’s not like you don’t know Tara, right?”
Tyler nodded firmly “Right!” he smiled at everyone “Bye kids, don’t wait up…”
“Wait!” Ivy jumped from her seat as she rushed over to him. She pulled something out of her pocket and gave it to Tyler.
As if the condom was hot, he threw it from his hands “Ew!! What is that??”
Ivy let out an exasperated sigh “Stupid!” she reached up and hit him on the head “It’s just a condom.”
“Ivy! You think your brother will do it on the first night?” Mr. Yung asked incredulously.
She laughed “You are so outdated, old man. What century are we living in? The 1700’s?? People can do ANYTHING on the first date.” She nodded while giving Tyler a wink.
He lifted a brow at her “Great, now that you scared dad to death…I won’t be going on another date for a long time.” He waved to them “Have fun people.”
The minute he left, silence rung through the tiny apartment. Mr. Yung finally broke the silence as he got up “Well kids, I won’t be waiting up. Early day at work tomorrow…so, I’ll sleep early. Good night.”
“Good night, Uncle.” Vicki and Ben said randomly.
Ivy glanced at her friend “Well, I’m gonna take a walk. You want to come?”
Vicki quickly caught on “Sure.” The girls began to get up only to be stopped by Ben.
“Just leave the poor kid alone. Can’t he go on a date without his sister and her strange friend tagging along?” Ben lectured.
Ivy yawned “You’re right, I should go to sleep.” She winked at Vicki and together the girls sprinted for the door as they raced down the hall to the stairs. Ben was caught of guard but he didn’t want them to ruin Tyler’s night so he rushed after the girls.
Tyler waved for a cab as he got in and gave the driver Tara’s address. When they got there, he patted the driver on the shoulder “Can you wait, I have to pick up a friend.”
“Hurry up!” the driver rushed.
When Tyler reached for the doorbell, the door swung open and appeared an eager Tara who already saw him coming up “Hi! Let’s go.” She pushed him away from the door and pulled him out.
“But…I was gonna meet your parents.” He said while letting her drag him to the elevators.
“Then we might as well skip dinner. They’ll keep you in there forever.” Tara let out a sigh of relief as the elevator doors closed. She could hear her mother’s voice screaming for her to stop.
Tyler tilted his head up and down checking her out “You look very…cute…” he shook his head suddenly when she began to giggle “I mean adorable…I mean beautiful!” he sighed “Sorry…”
Tara smiled “Don’t be. I’m nervous too.” She assured him.
They walked out of the building and he pointed to the cab “That’s our ride. It’s either that or a bike.” He joked.
She shook her head “That’s fine.” She reached for the door and opened it.
He put out a hand to stop her but it was too late “Shoot!” he said under his breath. She turned to look at him as he shook his head. They got in the car and he reminded himself that he had to get out fast enough to open the door for her when they got to their destinations.
Tara turned when she heard him chanting something “What are you saying?” she smiled curiously.
“Nothing!” he blurted out wide-eyed. She turned her head strangely “I was just wondering …if you like western food. We’re gonna have steak and potatoes.”
“That sounds wonderful!” she was excited. They talked on for a while until they reached their stop. The car halted and Tara instinctively opened her door while she got out on her own “Wow, this is a great place.”
“Damn!” Tyler cursed when he realized that his chivalry wasn’t working.
“What?” Tara turned and looked at him strangely.
“Nothing.” He shook his head again.
The driver honked his horn “Hey kid, you didn’t pay me yet!” he pulled down the window to yell at Tyler.
“Oh, right!” Tyler shook his head while he laughed nervously “Sorry…” he handed him some cash and the guy was on his way. Tyler turned to Tara who was holding onto her purse with both hands. He walked up next to her and tried to hint for her to take his arm. Instead he elbowed her on the shoulder.
“Ow!” she rubbed her pained spot.
“I’m so sorry!” Tyler said genuinely as he helped her rub her pain. She pulled her hand away shyly when their hands touched. She shook her head and began walking towards the door.
He knew escorting would be out of the question as he followed her to the door. He was about to get it when the door guy opened it for them “Welcome to D.C Steakhouse.” He greeted them.
Tyler felt frustrated as he turned to the guy “God, can’t I do anything?!!” he stomped inside with Tara looking after him strangely “Reservations for two please.” He said to the hostess.
“Name, please?” the girl asked.
“Yung, Tyler Yung.” He replied.
“Right this way.” The girl nodded to a waitress who would be taking them to their seats. He made sure this time that he would pull the chair out for her. The waitress walked over to a table with two seats as she stood behind on chair and pulled it out while nodding to Tara.
“I got it.” Tyler said through clenched teeth as he practically pushed the waitress aside and smiled at Tara.
“Ooh, can we have that booth?!” Tara pointed to an empty one.
“Of course.” The waitress smiled widely as she moved the menus over to the booth. Tyler shook his head in disbelief; he couldn’t win any way they do it. They were seated and the two glanced over the menu “Could I start you off with some water or soda?”
The two ordered their drinks while they looked over the menu. Tyler fidgeted with the fork and he clumsily dropped it to the ground. He reached over to pick it up and on his way up, he caught a glimpse of three sneaky people sitting not too far from him. Tyler sat up as he covered half his face “Crap!” he muttered to himself.
“What?” Tara looked up to see him hiding his face “What’s wrong Tyler? You know, you’ve been acting really strange tonight. Is something wrong?”
“No…” he whispered “Let’s go somewhere else.”
“Why?” Tara asked innocently “I like it here. I don’t get to eat steak that often.”
Tyler smiled at her innocence as he nodded “Okay.” The two ordered their food and chatted on about school and other things. He was really trying to move her attention away from the three clowns that were gawking at them.
Their food came and they began digging into the meat. Tara smiled when she took her first bite “Mmm…it’s so good.”
Tyler laughed “You act like you haven’t eaten in ages.”
“Meat.” She nodded in response.
Across the restaurant were Ivy, Vicki and Ben at one table. They were trying unsuccessfully to hide behind one menu “I can’t see them.” Ivy hissed.
“Let’s go home then.” Ben replied.
“No!” the girls said simultaneously.
“I think he saw us.” Ben said when he noticed Tyler was glancing at them every so often.
Ivy rolled her eyes “My brother is not that smart.”
“He’s not 13, I think he can figure things out.” Ben gave Tyler more credit.
Tara was about to take another bite when she noticed that Tyler was glancing over to his left, his eyes widened and he kept twitching his head “Do you see someone you know?” she asked while her eyes followed his gaze.
“No…” he shook his head with a nervous smile.
She shrugged and took a bite full of the mash potatoes when her eyes looked up and were met with Ivy’s, who instantly cowered down in her chair “Hey…isn’t that Ivy?” she pointed.
“No!” Tyler pulled her hand down “No…they’re at home…”
“They?” Tara asked curiously “Now, I know that’s Ben.” She pointed to the male.
Tyler rubbed his forehead full of sweat “It’s a little hot in here. I’m gonna go take a walk.” He quickly got up before she could stop him. He passed by the table and cleared his throat loudly. He walked outside and one by one the three stooges walked out after him. He paced the ground “What do you think this is? A group dinner?”
“Stop!” Ivy held onto her forehead “Stop the pacing, I’m getting dizzy.” She put up her hands.
Tyler paused a second and then he began pacing quickly causing Ivy to groan in pain “That’s what you get!” he cried as he stopped in his steps “Now can you be good kids and go home? I want to have dinner in peace.”
Vicki pouted “We just want to help.”
“Sorry, I tried…but they are really strong for two small women.” Ben said apologetically.
“Traitor.” Ivy grumbled. She turned up to Tyler who look ready to burst into tears “Dang boy! Don’t start the water works here…she’ll see you.” She pointed out.
Tyler rubbed his eyes “I can’t help it.” He sobbed and then he took in deep breaths “It’s okay. I can do it.” He began walking back to the restaurant and then turned his heels to return to his sister “Ga Jei, I can’t do this. It’s too weird…I tried to open the car door for her and she did it herself. Then I was supposed to let her out when we got here and she opened it again. I tried to escort her and poked her in the shoulder instead. I was going to open the door for her and the stupid doorman opened it instead.” By this time Ivy was already covering her giggles “Then I was gonna seat her when she decides that a booth is better…and stop laughing! Is my misery that amusing?” he asked wide-eyed “Goodness, can this date get any worse?”
“Tyler?” Tara stood by the door as she saw him with the other three.
Tyler’s eyes widened while Ivy and the other two stood still “Yeah, freeze…then she won’t be able to see us.” Ivy rolled her eyes sarcastically “Hi Tara.” She waved to the girl.
“Hi.” Tara smiled “You guys want to join us?” she invited.
“NO!” Tyler looked at them with evil eyes and his head began twitching again “They were just going home…right?”
Ben smiled with a nod “Yeah…we were just taking a walk.” He grabbed both Vicki and Ivy’s hand as he pulled them away “Have fun!”
Tyler let out a sigh of relief as he turned to Tara “Let’s get back to our date.”
“I’d like that.” She smiled as she automatically linked her arms through his. He stiffened from her touch but quickly relaxed when he calmed himself.