Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
After an hour at the bar, Travis grew weary as he began nodding off while watching after Anesa. She was busy flirting with a few guys only to get them to buy her a drink. He never worried about her since she could drink like a sailor and it was almost impossible to get her drunk. He had to work early the next day at the Daily News. A well respected reporter, he prided himself on work and didn’t leave room to date only to breathe long enough to sleep and then start work all over again.
Travis glanced at his watch and the small hand was passed the 12, he knew it was time to drag in the cat. Getting up, he tapped on Anesa’s shoulder “Come on.” He said.
She brushed his hand away roughly while trying to contain her flirtatiousness with an obvious drunk guy who was red in the face “Not now.”
“Is he bothering you?” the guy asked slowly, barely able to stand straight.
“Come on!” Travis said a little more firmly “I have to go now.”
“In a minute!” Anesa snapped.
Suddenly, the drunk pushed Travis roughly “Hey, she’s with me!!”
Anesa abruptly stood up “Don’t push him!” throwing back an arm, she punched the guy across his left jaw. He fell with a thump while the people around roared with laughter.
Travis shook his head at his friend “Thank you superwoman. Now come on before I get grumpy!” yanking her hand with him as he dragged her home.
“I was just getting started. I’m not even buzzed!” She whined on the ride home.
“Yes, well you can start again some other time. You know you’ve never been drunk, you can drink a gallon of whiskey and still won’t get drunk.” He exaggerated.
“No, but I’d be peeing for an hour.” She cracked and laughed at her own joke.
Travis only managed to roll his eyes “How will I ever get rid of you if you won’t let a guy take advantage of you if you don’t ever get drunk?”
Anesa narrowed her eyes at him “If a guy would take advantage of me when I’m drunk, I expect you to kill the guy after he rapes me, which he will because you know I’ve got a killer body.” She straightened her back and pushed out her chest. The action made him laugh out loud.
“Stop…I can’t see when I’m laughing.” He struggled to contain his amusement while driving.
She pushed at his head roughly “Shut up! You know you’ll be all depressed and lonely the day I get married and you’re still stuck in your sad little single’s world.”
“Hey, I told you I don’t want to get married.” He said with a more serious tone.
“Yeah, yeah…whatever.” She waved it off lightly “But you know, not all girls are like me. Some are actually nice.”
“Honey, the days are over where you can find a genuinely nice girl. This world is extinct from nice girls.” He said firmly.
“Hopeless.” She sighed sadly and faced the sky “I tried.” He turned to her with a smile and continued driving home.
*************
The next morning Billie woke up to a delicious smell of breakfast. Eggs, ham and toast. Ellena was the perfect cook and she was sure one day her friend would be the perfect wife. Strolling out in her pajamas, she seated herself in the dining room ready to be served “Hmm, thank you mommy…it smells great.” She took in the fresh scent.
Ellena dressed in a pin stripe suit smiled at her friend as she patted her head adoringly “Eat up little girl, so you can grow up big and strong like me.”
Billie laughed as she broke the egg yolk “Big yes, strong…no.” she teased with a fork.
“Ha ha.” Ellena replied sarcastically. She gave her watch a quick glance and rushed out to the living room to fetch her bag “Crap, I’ve got to go to work! I’ll see you later.”
“Okay.” Billie nodded as she watched her friend fly out the door of their three bedrooms apartment. Eventhough there was only two people living in the place, they always kept the third room open just in case they had guest over. But for three years, it had stayed empty. Billie began to wonder if it would ever be occupied. Shaking away the empty feeling, she finished her breakfast and headed out to her early meeting at the University.
She entered the room with the other associates drinking coffee and mingling with the other professors. Nodding to a few friendly faces, she slipped past them to the breakfast table to get herself some coffee. Anton was deciding on what donut he wanted when his eyes did a double take on a familiar face “Miss Cheng?”
Billie looked up “I’m sorry…do I know you?” she asked politely.
“I’m from your Sociology night class. Anton Kam.” He brought out a hand as she shook it firmly.
“I can’t recall the face but I will now.” She nodded around the room “So, you teach a class here?”
“No, I’m today’s speaker.” He shrugged it off lightly.
“Really?” Billie was obviously impressed “Isn’t today the Political Views day?”
“Yes. I’m running for Mayor next year.” Anton said proudly. She nodded with a smile “I hope it will be as interesting as your class, Miss Cheng.”
“Call me Billie. We’re not in class right now.” Her smile grew when he turned away shyly “I think its time.” She turned to the man asking everyone to sit down so they could get started.
Anton found the sudden guts to ask “How about lunch after this?”
Billie turned to him with raised brows. Her mind instantly came into debate mode, listing out the pros and cons to the decision. She eventually decided there would be no harm in that and smiled “Sure, it sounds great.”
He let out the breath that he sucked in and grinned “Okay.” It was hard to wipe the smile from his face as he took the podium and began his discussion on Politics and Government issues. Billie found him intriguing and so full of passion for what he believed in. She found herself a new hero instantly.
A few hours later, the meeting was over and Billie waited outside for Anton. He emerged eventually and put on a big grin when he saw her “Ready?” she asked with raised brows. He nodded, trying to contain his eagerness “You like sushi?”
Anton couldn’t stand it but he nodded anyways, he didn’t realize his answer was hesitant and quick at the same time “It’s one of my favorite food.”
Billie smiled “Perfect, I know this perfect little place downtown.” He came into steps with her and she told him about the special lunches they had. Feeling his stomach turning at the description, he knew he had to pull out all the tricks in the bag if he wanted a chance to date her.
They were seated after a few minutes of waiting, a window seat was requested by Anton. She didn’t bother to comment but thought he was a bit picky for the request “I like looking at the people walking by.” He read her thoughts.
“I see.” She smiled and waved for the waiter to come over. He took their orders and during the waiting time, she had a chance to grill him “So, what do you do for fun?”
“Sleeping in on Sunday.” He joked, “I honestly don’t have much time for fun. This campaign thing is sucking out the air in me. This is the first date I’ve had in years.” Suddenly catching himself, he looked up at her worriedly “Not that I’m considering this a date…it’s only lunch…with a girl. It doesn’t mean that it’s a date, does it?” he rambled.
Billie smiled “Are you afraid of being judged?”
“Should I be?” he asked feebly.
She laughed with a shaking head “No. And as a matter of fact, this IS a lunch date. And I’m more than honored to the be the first girl in years to be on a date with you.” She eased his conscience.
Anton sighed with relief “You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that.”
“How long ago did you have a steady girlfriend?” Billie asked straightforwardly, a trait her friend Ellena called brutal but she considered it a plus.
“Oh…eh…a year or so…” he answered hastily.
“Not bad…” She said impressively “Most guys I knew said a few weeks to a few months. Literally. They had no idea of the amount of time.”
“You must get a lot of men hitting on you.” He relaxed again.
Billie leaned into the table with her arms crossed at the chest “I suppose, are you one of them?” he widened his eyes, not sure of how to answer, “I’m teasing.” He thanked his lucky stars when the food came but was quickly reminded that he despised raw food. She picked up her chopsticks and collected a salmon sushi and placed it on his dish “They make the best salmon sushi here.”
He nodded with a forced smile and picked up the squiggly food with shaky hands. Muttering to himself that it was mochi ice cream, he closed his eyes and took a bite with Billie tilting her head playfully. She wondered how long it would take for him to come clean, she had picked up his hesitation when she first asked if he liked sushi. He had answered too quickly and was overly excited. He practically swallowed the food whole after only three chews “Hmm…its so good.” He moaned but his face was read with guilt.
Kyle was having lunch with a group of his co-workers in the same place. He had gotten up to use the restroom when he passed by two familiar faces. His eyes widened to see his best friend eating sushi, something he tried only once and had food poisoning for two weeks long. He walked over and slipped into the seat next to Anton “Hello kids! Having lunch?”
“Excuse you.” Billie said to the rude guy.
“Oh, it’s okay. We know each other.” He said briskly waving a hand to Anton, who nodded eventually.
“What a shame.” Billie snarled.
Kyle flicked a brow up “Retract your claws woman, I just wanted to ask my friend why he’s eating sushi when he knows he can’t.” he eyed Anton carefully.
“I love sushi!” Anton said in defense.
“Yeah, we’ll see.” Kyle snickered “Two weeks.” He reminded his friend. Anton felt the food disagreeing with his stomach as he suddenly covered his mouth and pushed Kyle out of the booth so he can get out. Billie watched as he ran for dear life towards the men’s room. Kyle shook his head as he turned to Billie, who looked casual and calm “You know.” He accused with a pointed finger.
“Know what?” she turned her head to him strangely.
“Oh, don’t put on that innocent act with me. It may work for my friend but I’ve dated more evil bitches in my life to know damn well you’re one of them.” Kyle took the seat as he leaned in closer to Billie, who was amused by his reaction and quick assumptions.
“And?” she asked.
“Look lady, I know my friend has a little crush on you but it gives you no right to mess with his mind. What are you trying to do? Get him into bed? Take away his dignity and then slap him with a dose of reality that you really don’t like him. Or break his heart before he had a chance to believe that in this world, love really does exist?”
Billie tilted her head “Are you finished?”
“No.” he said flatly “What kind of manipulative, demonic…seductive—”
“You find me seductive?” she cut in.
“No!” He retorted.
She grinned victoriously “So why did you use that word to describe me?”
“I…it was just…Hey! I’m trying to insult you! Stop turning my words into compliments.” He cried.
Billie leaned in closer to the table so she was inches from him “I can’t help but take it as a compliment. Your friend is in the bathroom puking his brains out and you’re sitting here trying to ‘insult’ me. Great effort but you could use a few pointers. How about a private lesson?” she whispered flirtatiously.
Kyle leaned back slowly as he wagged a shaky finger at her, dumbfounded, he sputtered out “You…you’re good.” He said and got up to check on his friend.
Billie rolled her eyes “Men.” She got up and paid the bill.