Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Erin pulled up to the radio station and before she killed the engine, she pointed at Mia threateningly “You promised.”
“I know, I know mother.” Mia said with sarcasm “You need to give me more credit than that.”
“I’m afraid to.” Erin kidded as she pointed to the door. The two entered the station and a security motioned them over.
“I’m sorry ladies, the station is closed during taping.” He advised.
Erin pulled out the card that Luke gave her “I’m a friend of Luke’s.”
The guy observed the card and handed it to her “That’s fine.”
The girls entered the taping area where red flashing lights warned them of the recording. They stood outside the studio where a large clear glass window showed what they did behind the scenes. Mia looked like a giddy kid as she gawked at the people through the window “If you make a funny face, maybe they’ll throw you a bone or something.” Erin mocked.
“I’ve never seen the radio station before.” Mia whispered “Where is he? It's not time for his show yet.”
Erin shrugged carelessly “I don’t know. His show won’t be up until seven tonight, he might be in his office.”
“Well, why didn’t you say so?” Mia proclaimed.
“You didn’t ask.” Erin joked as she walked down the hall. Mia stuck her tongue out at her friend “I can see you in the reflection.” She pointed to the glass windows. Erin led her down further, she had only been to Luke’s office once and was not certain which way to turn. She stopped at an intersection “I don’t remember…”
“Go with the gut.” Mia advised.
She didn’t have to guess when she saw Luke leaving his office on the left side to them. Erin pointed her head in the direction while Mia looked like a hyper puppy, grinning from ear to ear “Luke!”
He turned with a surprised look “Well, if it isn’t the beautiful stranger.” He smiled with his arms crossed “What brings you here? The last time we talked, I believe I left you fuming red.” He teased.
Mia gawked at him like he was a movie star “Wow…” she gushed.
Luke was not surprised by her reaction, instead he welcomed the supposed fan “Hi there!” he greeted brightly “And who is this lovely lady? A fan?”
Erin crossed her arms with a tilted head at Mia “Ye…yeah…I just love your show! I’m Mia!” she brought out a ready hand.
“Luke, but you already know that.” He said casually. Mia was in disbelief as she walked around him in a circle admiring every feature like he was a piece of meat “You’re a friend of Erin’s?” he asked trying to hide his nervousness. He had never been observed like that before.
“Yeah, we’re co-workers.” Mia brushed it off with a wave of the hand. She turned to Erin “I wouldn’t believe it if I didn’t see it with my own eyes.”
He smiled strangely at the peculiar girl “How about an early dinner? On me? I have another hour, they make great food in the station cafeteria.”
“Free dinner, I’m there!” Mia exclaimed as she linked her arm through Erin’s and pulled Luke along.
Luke threw Erin a glance and she laughed “Honest, isn’t she?”
The three ordered the food and Luke paid as he brought the tray full of ready dishes on the table where the two were sitting “So, what brings you down to the station?”
“Oh, I can answer that.” Mia cleared her throat “Erin has been talking nonstop about you and I insisted on meeting you in person. Plus I listen to your show every night!” She concluded with a firm nod, proud that she came up with the excuse herself.
Luke smiled gently “Really? Does her boyfriend get jealous that she talks about me?”
“You told him about Ted?” Mia asked Erin in a soft whisper.
He overheard her question “It was accidental but alls fair in the game of love and war. I’m pursuing her.” He gave Erin a quick playful wink.
Mia dropped her jaw as she turned to Erin “HE’S honest.”
“And kidding.” Erin added, “Luke knows that I am in a serious relationship. But I have something serious to ask you.”
“Yes, I will marry you.” Luke concluded with a mouthful of food.
His comment made Mia stifle a laugh “He’s funny.”
“Thank you.” He grinned, happy to have a contender on his side.
“You’re an orphan right?” Erin began. His face turned solemn as he slowly nodded “Did you ever find your real parents?”
Luke shook his head “No, I never found the need to. I was raised by two great people. Unfortunately they passed away but they loved me like their own son, to be honest I didn’t want to find them.”
“You didn’t want to be found.” Erin read his mind.
He looked at her strangely “How did you do that?”
“It’s a gift.” Mia snickered. Erin threw her a glare as she cleared her throat “My friend is psychic sometimes.” She explained.
Luke rested his fork on his plate as he crossed his arms on top of the table “What’s your motive, Erin? Why are you so curious about me? What do I get from all your questions? It’s only fair that you tell me more about you.” He challenged.
“That’s easy.” Mia leaned into Luke “We work together in an agency that helps…eh… clients. Mostly male—”
“You two are masseuses?” Luke asked, sounding a little shocked.
“No.” Mia replied “We…” she turned to Erin for help.
“We get paid to help these clients feel safe.” Erin explained shortly.
He couldn’t help but smile at her description “Sounds like an interesting occupation.”
“We’re not hookers!” Mia said in defense.
“I didn’t imply that.” He teased openly.
“Oh.” She cooled down as she shrugged.
But there was something else on Erin’s mind. She remembered the list “Luke, have you noticed anything strange lately?”
“Besides you two?” he asked with questioning eyes “No. Why do you ask?”
Erin shook her head “Nothing. Just curious.”
“Something tells me you are not as average as you say you are.” Luke observed carefully “You’re too calm, it’s almost disturbing. Does anything bother you?”
Mia quickly agreed “Sometimes I wonder that myself.”
“Really?” Luke was interested “I like talking to you Mia, at least I have someone that agrees with me. She walks around like she’s got a chip on her shoulder.” He pointed his thumb to Erin, who did not looked bothered that the two were ganging up on her “Tell me, is she always like this?”
“Yes. Most of the time, but there are a few moments when she does lose it.” Mia replied honestly.
Erin narrowed her eyes at her friend when she gave too much information “Ooh, there’s the evil eye. You better stop talking.” Luke warned in a whispered tone.
“Oh, I’ve learned to ignore it.” Mia said nonchalantly “If you act like it’s not there, it will eventually disappear or get bored and find a new victim.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at her description of Erin’s glare “You two go back a long way don’t you? I can tell you two are close just by this…” he circled his index finger around the three of them.
Erin nodded “You could say we’ve been through thick and thin.”
“She’s like a sister I never had.” Mia gulped back the sobs as she covered her lips with her fingers “I’m sorry, I just get emotional.” she began fanning her eyes.
Erin smiled at her friend, her head shaking in disapprovment “Don’t mind Mia, she’s a little crazy without her head medicine. Did you forget to take it today?”
“And you forgot to take your happy pill.” Mia quipped.
Luke sat back as he admired the girls “You guys make me laugh.”
Mia curled her lips into a grin “Really? Erin’s the funny one.”
He threw his head back with a laugh “That’s the best one I’ve heard yet!”
“Here’s another funny one…Erin is a real comic at a nightclub downtown in Kowloon.” She leaned in closer to Luke and whispered something incoherent that made him laugh even louder.
Erin crossed her arms at Mia “You think that’s funny? Wait til you see my next act.” Pulling out her cell phone, she dialed Darren’s number patiently.
Mia’s brows furrowed “Who are you calling? Erin…are you calling Darren? Tell me!!”
“Who’s Darren?” Luke questioned.
“Her husband.” Erin covered the mouthpiece “Hey Darren, it’s Erin—”
Mia quickly yanked the phone from Erin’s hand and hung up the line “What are you crazy? Are you trying to give him a heart attack?” Erin smiled victoriously as she placed her palm up and Mia slapped the cell phone on her hand “You know his jealous streak, if he knew I was out with another man, he’d have my head for breakfast.”
“Your husband is abusive?” Luke asked, his expression genuinely worried.
Erin shook her head with a laugh “Don’t listen to her. Mia has the tendency to exaggerate and stop killing Darren’s name by saying he’s a jealous freak. You know he isn’t… anymore.”
“Fine, he isn’t but he can be if you give him a few drinks.” Mia winked at Luke.
“Flirting with strangers, you wonder why he gets jealous.” Erin snickered. She smiled at Luke “Thanks for dinner, but we have to go.”
“Already?” Mia whined.
“Yeah, why don’t you two stay for the show?” Luke pressed.
“We have things to do.” Erin nodded sternly at Mia “Come on.”
“Okay.” She grumbled reluctantly “It was a pleasure meeting you Luke.” She shook his hand firmly.
“The pleasure’s all mine.” Luke replied like a gentleman “Hopefully we’ll meet again.”
Mia grinned, “Oh, we will.”
Erin rolled her eyes as she pushed her friend away “Bye Luke. Come on, lovergirl.” She teased. When they were out of the studio, Erin noticed the ridiculous grin on Mia’s face “What is it, you hyena?”
“He likes you.” She chuckled “A blind person can tell.”
“No.” Erin replied shortly as she started the engine and headed home.
Mia laughed “Denial. I like him, he’s got personality, reminds me of the young Mia Lam.”
“He’s a guy, Mia.” Erin reminded her silly friend.
“I meant his personality.” She corrected “Anyways, I think he’d be a good choice for you. Opposites attract, Erin. Do you know why you and Brad never worked out?”
“Because it’s hard to have a relationship with a dead spirit?” Erin answered with sarcasm.
Mia raised her brows “Funny. But no. It’s because you two were too stubborn. And do you know why you and Ted never took a step further?”
“No, Dr. Love.” Erin sighed tiredly.
“It’s because he loves you and you don’t love him. It only works if the attraction is there. I know you have a sense of responsibility but you need to be fair to your heart. If you don’t love him, let him go. Don’t stay with him because you think it’s the ‘right’ thing to do. Trust me, if he knew where your heart is, he would gladly let you fly away.”
She smiled slowly “Since when did you have such sensible input?”
“I’ve been listening to Luke’s show for the past week. When you told me about him, I knew I had to meet him. It’s like a dream come true…well, minus the freaky part that he looked like Brad.” Mia smiled “See, you two will be good together, he understands women and he knows love.”
“I can’t do that to Ted. I feel like I’ve been pulling him by a string for the past three years. I can’t continue to pull him and I certainly can’t cut the string.” Erin said sadly.
Mia felt her pain “Honey, I’m glad I’m not in your shoes.”