Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
The group was getting acquainted when Erin noticed a muffled cry from outside. She raised a hand “Wait…” everyone quieted down “Do you guys hear that?”
Doug grabbed his stomach “Sorry, I’m growling.”
Mia dropped her jaw “So it was you! I was trying to figure out who’s it was.”
Erin shook her head “No.” she looked at the conference room door, it was open. The sound was definitely coming from out there. She nodded to Brad as the two got up and walked outside. It was coming from the metal doors entrance. Her brows wrinkled with concentration and when she realized who it was, she let out a sigh. She pressed on the control as it opened up and Shelly appeared to be banging on the door “Ah Mui…what are you doing here?”
Shelly straightened her jacket and remained cool “Nothing, I saw you earlier and I called you but you didn’t hear me…so I followed you. Who knew I would be stuck in here?”
Brad turned to Erin “She knows…should we?”
“Know what?!” Shelly asked with widened eyes “Are you guys in some sort of a cult? I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”
Erin shook her head with a smile “I guess she should know.” She reached out to take Shelly’s hand and brought her inside. The team looked surprised by their new guest “I figured I couldn’t hide it from Shelly forever.” She turned to Matt “I hope you don’t mind, she’s my sister.”
“Of course not! The more that knows, the better it is for our reputation.” He nodded to Shelly “Welcome, have a seat anywhere.”
Shelly beamed as she raced over to the empty seat next to Doug’s other side “Hi Doug.” She said brightly. He smiled at her but quickly turned his attention to Jessie, who seemed quieter.
Erin could tell it would be hard to keep Shelly away from the team, especially Doug. Matt cleared his throat to get attention “Brad, why don’t you tell Shelly about it.”
Brad nodded as he began to explain “Our team consist of 6 well trained agents under the name of P.R.A. which stands for Private Rescue Agency. It was set up by the Hong Kong Head of Security to assist the people that require assistance. Our missions are basically…” he faded away when Mia let out an annoying snoring sound while the rest tried not to laugh.
Mia popped her eyes open “Oh, are you done?” she clapped her hands aimlessly.
“Ha ha…if I’m so boring, why don’t you explain?” Brad brought out a hand and sat down for Mia to take over.
Mia nodded and got up. She turned to the group with a serious face “There is only one way to explain this team ‘Kick Ass’. Thank you.” She sat down while Doug and Darren whistled and applauded at her supposed speech.
Shelly laughed “I guess that’s more interesting that my future brother-in-law’s description.”
Erin lowered her head while she blushed uncontrollably, only Mia dared to point it out “Shelly, don’t say that out loud…there are some people that’s very sensitive.” She whispered across the table and some laughed.
*************
The following day Erin and Brad decided to do a little shopping for their new apartment. They walked down the streets of the market and picked out veggies and fruits to eat “What does Shelly like to eat?” Brad asked.
Erin frowned at him “Gee I don’t know, I’ve only known her for two days.”
He laughed at her sarcastic comment “Okay, I get it.” He picked up a few oranges as he turned to her “These okay?” she nodded absentmindedly while her eyes moved. He followed her gaze “Who are you looking at?”
She wasn’t sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her “Is that…” she pointed but her answer was coming. Erin watched the girl walk over to Brad with a grin that could light up a dark room.
“Brad!” the girl cried with excitement.
Brad turned and his face brightened “Nora?” it was an ex girlfriend that he rarely talked about to Erin. But she’s seen pictures of the two of them while they were dating in high school “What are you doing here?”
“I’m back in Hong Kong. I was out in New York for a couple of years and it only reminded me how much I missed Hong Kong. You look great!” she complimented while her eyes refused to pull away from his. He was more handsome than she last remembered.
“Thank you, you haven’t changed a bit.” He commented.
Nora smiled teasingly “Still pretty, you mean?”
He chuckled “I guess you can say that.” He was oblivious to Erin’s disappearance, she had began to walk away when he forgot to introduce the two. He turned in circles but could not locate her.
“Who are you looking for?” Nora asked with interest.
“Erin…where did she go?” he asked more to himself.
Nora smiled “Who’s Erin?”
Brad turned to her “My girlfriend.” Nora’s smile faded as she nodded her head. Suddenly his eyes did a double take as he spotted Erin deep inside the market “Erin!!” he called while waving her over.
Erin was less than ready to meet his ex girlfriend. She took her time and slowly made her way over to the two. She nodded at Nora “Hi.” She smiled shortly.
Brad wrapped an arm around Erin’s shoulder “This is Erin, my girlfriend. Erin, this is Nora.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Nora said as she extended a hand to shake Erin’s hand. She gave a little wince as she pulled her hand away “My, you have a strong handshake.” She laughed.
Erin knitted her brows lightly, she didn’t even use force to shake the girl’s hand. But then again, the girl looked so delicate in her pretty purple dress. Her hand would probably break if Erin did use force. There was bit of silence as the three stood there awkwardly. Erin on the other hand wasn’t about to make the situation worse for herself “Why don’t you guys go talk. I’ll see you at home.” She said and without waiting for him to answer, she walked away.
Brad turned to call her but Nora quickly linked her arm through his “Come on, we need to catch up on the times we missed.” She said with a smile while practically pulling him down the street.
He turned to glance at Erin, but she continued walking. He could already see an argument arising when he returns home that night. Erin took about ten steps before turning her head. She saw Nora giggling while her arms linked tightly around Brad’s, her blood was boiling but she refused to show her weak side.
Erin came home and found it empty, there was a note on the fridge from Shelly ‘I ran into a friend so I won’t be home for dinner.’ She let out a short sigh, even when she wanted to vent out to someone, no one was there. A thought crossed her mind to call Mia but she knew it was wrong to disturb the two. Her frustration grew as she decided to take a walk.
Brad never knew that about her, maybe because he was not really observant towards people, especially girls. She decided to go to a nearby beach, it was a cold winter day as she wrapped the jacket around her shoulders. She seemed to be the only idiot walking around the beach at that season. But the waves calmed her nerves and the wind relaxed her stress “I thought I was only freak that likes to go to the beach when it’s 40 degrees.”
Erin smiled at the familiar voice of Ted as she turned and found him standing behind her “Welcome to the freak beach.” She laughed and he joined in.
“Why aren’t you home?” Ted asked curiously.
She shrugged “Same reason you’re not.”
He raised his brows with shock “You didn’t want to clean your messy room?” she laughed with her head shaking “Really, why aren’t you home with Brad? I hear you two moved in together.”
“The many mouths of Mia, I presume?” Erin asked. He nodded with a smile “I need to have a talk with that girl.”
“She means well.” Ted said with sincerity.
Erin smiled “I know. But you know sometimes you just want to…hmm…kill her.” He laughed and she added “Then there are times you just want to hug her. I guess that’s what you call a thin line between love and hate.”
Ted sensed something different about her, she was avoiding something “Where’s Brad?” he asked curiously.
She shrugged her shoulders casually “Probably having dinner with a beautiful woman that wants him.” There were daggers when she said the word ‘woman’ and Ted was not an airhead when it came to women.
“Ex girlfriend?” he guessed.
Erin turned to him looking shocked “How did you know?”
“Try living in a house with 5 women. You’ll pick up the signals like a radar.” Ted laughed as he pointed for them to walk. She nodded and came into steps with him.
“Wow…I’m not sure if I should feel sorry for you or to congratulate youyou’re your power to understanding women.” Erin said with sympathy.
“Four sisters and a mother. Sometimes I want to pull my hair out but there are times that I think…I would not change my life for the world.” She could tell by his comment that he loved his family very much.
The two continued on for about half an hour when she decided it was time to go home. Erin couldn’t help but feel the weight lifting from her shoulders. Maybe it was the walk on the beach or maybe it was talking to a different person. She had promised herself not to start any fights with Brad.
But the minute she walked into the door, she felt a pang of frustration. He was sitting on the couch, his face hard and his arms crossed. She muttered a hello and walked towards her room “Where did you go?” he asked without tearing his eyes from the television.
“Took a walk.” She answered shortly while playing with her keys.
“By yourself?” he asked.
Erin let out a sigh “Look, I don’t want to argue with you so when you cool down, let me know.” She began walking away and he quickly stood up.
“You know Ted likes you!” he blurted out.
She slowly turned to him “How did you know? Don’t tell me you followed me.” She warned.
“No, I didn’t have to. Your sister was eating lunch with her friend and saw you walking and laughing with Ted, looking very friendly.” Brad said with obvious jealousy.
Shelly appeared from the hallway “I didn’t say that!” she blurted out.
Erin turned to Shelly and pointed into the room, the girl quickly returned to her room while she turned to Brad “Fine…you’re going to get mad at me for talking to a friend, so I have the right to be mad at you for going off with your ex girlfriend.”
Brad narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly “So this is what it’s all about.”
She rolled her eyes “Yes…so it’s always about you. Of course.” Erin ignored him completely as she walked straight into her room. She sat on her bed silently and realized it was their first fight ever. She began to have second thoughts about accepting to move in with him.