Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Everyone looked forward to the weekend because it meant they were able to relax and have fun until the next mission. That morning, Erin’s home was full of snacks and drinks. All were up and ready to go except for the famous pig of the house “Doug!!!” Jenna yelled at the top of her lungs “Get up!!!! We’re going to leave without you!!!”
“Don’t strain your voice, you think he even heard you?” Erin laughed as she marched up the stairs “I’ll get him, you and Ryan get the drinks in the cooler.”
Jenna nodded as she walked towards the kitchen when the doorbell rang “I’ll get it!” she announced eventhough there was no one around. She opened the door to a stranger, a young girl around Erin’s age “Hi. Can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Carmen. Is Brad here?” she smiled brightly.
“Brad?” Jenna scratched her head “Eh…he’s no longer…”
“Oh right. I forgot. I meant Luke.” She winked with exaggeration.
“Luke!!” Jenna yelled towards the kitchen.
“You yelled?” Luke appeared at the door with a pack of coke. Seeing Carmen almost made him drop the sodas as he stumbled to grab hold of it. Ryan walked out at the same time and Luke quickly gave him the sodas “Carmen! What are you doing here?”
“She’s here to see BRAD.” Jenna emphasized.
Carmen laughed “So much for changing identities huh?” she walked inside the home and looked around and stared at the high ceiling “Wow, this place is amazing. I had no idea you were loaded Brad.”
“Could you call me Luke?” he asked feebly “I don’t want to blow my cover.”
Ryan and Jenna exchanged glances “Oh, where are my manners. This is Jenna and this is Ryan.”
“Hi, it’s nice to meet you.” Ryan handed the sodas to Jenna and shook Carmen’s hand.
Erin appeared at the stairwell as she laughed, “I finally got him to wake up. Just a little cold water in the right-” she stopped when she saw Carmen in her home “Hi.”
“Hi Erin.” Carmen greeted “Gee, I had no idea you guys had so much visitors in one house.”
“We live here!” Jenna explained “Ryan, can you help me with the cooler?” she nodded her head towards the kitchen.
“Oh…yeah…okay.” He took over the sodas and followed Jenna leaving the three alone.
“So, what brings you to my humble home?” Erin asked, arms crossed.
Carmen waved her hand nonchalantly “Well, Br…I mean Luke gave me the address and said I could come over whenever I wanted. So, here I am.”
“He did? Funny, I don’t recall this being his home.” Erin flicked a brow upwards at Luke.
“She’s such a kidder.” Luke pushed her roughly but she refused to budge “Oh, did you hear that? Jenna’s calling for help. You know she can’t do things right. Why don’t you go in the kitchen and help her.” Luke took both hands and ushered her towards the hall “Please.” He begged in a whisper.
Erin let out a sigh as she continued towards the kitchen. The door was a little heavy as she gave it a push and nearly knocked Jenna and Ryan off their feet “Who’s that? Why did she ask for Brad? How come Luke and Brad are the same person?” Jenna asked in one breath.
“Are you finished?” Erin teased.
“Ga Jei, I’m kinda curious too.” Ryan added. Erin began explaining as the two listened with widened eyes.
Outside, Luke was trying to stay cool but it was hard when he looked at Carmen’s face “So…are you busy today? We’re having a barbeque and I don’t think they would mind you joining.”
“No thanks. I have some errands to run later. But I’ll take a raincheck?” she tilted her head with a grin “I just came to drop off this.” Opening the bag in her hand, she handed him an album “These were pictures from our college years. I’d figure it would help trigger your memory.”
His hand smoothed over the leather cover, a smile on his face “That’s so thoughtful of you. Thank you Carmen.”
“No need to. What are friends for?” she glanced at her watch “Well, I gotta run now. I’ll see you around.”
“Bye.” He walked her to the door and watched until she was in the taxi. Luke was walking on air as he spun himself in circles until he got to the kitchen “I think I’m in love.” He sighed, head leaning on the door.
“To a girl that thinks you are your brother!” Jenna shook her head sadly “What’s wrong with men nowadays? Have they no morals?”
Luke frowned “I’d thought you understand? Ryan, you know how it is don’t you?”
The young guy smiled sympathetically “I have to stand with the girls this time. I think it’s kind of wrong to lie just to get a girl.”
“It won’t hurt anyone!” Luke insisted.
“Okay, so when you go to hell for this, tell me if the fire hurts.” Jenna rolled her eyes.
“I won’t be condemned to hell for telling a fib.” Luke was confident as he laughed but soon it turned to nervous laughter “Right Erin?”
“Don’t ask me, I’m not going to hell.” Erin’s teasing made him turn fearful “I’m kidding. I’m sure you won’t go to hell but if and when she finds out, it will be a pain to explain, Luke. Have you ever thought of it?”
He scratched the hair on his temple “Oh, it never occurred to me. I just figure she will only talk to me since she works at the station and I’m not great friends with any of the other people.”
Jenna propped her legs on the chair she was sitting on “Okay, so if you want to lie, you better cover your trail. Is there anyone there that you’ve talked to that would know about your childhood?”
Luke shook his head “No.”
Erin frowned thoughtfully “Didn’t you tell me you slept with the new producer lady? Did you mention about your life to her?”
“Crap!” Luke covered his mouth.
Doug walked in the kitchen, his hair tousled and wearing a wrinkled pair of khaki shorts with a white t-shirt. His socks were two different colors “Morning.” He yawned, eyes barely open as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Doug…” Ryan pointed to his socks.
“What?” he scratched his stomach like an old man.
“Nothing! You look good.” Jenna nodded convincingly.
“Is that all? I could have told you that.” Doug laughed half heartedly as he sat on the chair with a thud “Who’s stupid idea was this?!” groaning while his head rested on the table.
The girls laughed “Mia.”
“I’m gonna kill that girl!” Doug vowed, “Just as soon as I get my strength back.” He lifted the cup with a weak hand.
“Wow, I know when to beat on you. You’re like a girl.” She began poking him in the back while he tried to hit her hand away but he would miss by seconds after she poked him. Jenna laughed humorously “This is fun! Erin, try it.”
“No. It’s okay.” She shook her head “Come on guys. We better go before someone calls—” her cell phone began to ring as she reached in her pocket “Speak of the devil. Yes Mia.” She answered “Oh was it today? I totally forgot.” Rolling her eyes as she pulled the cooler by it’s handle “Yes, we’re all ready.” She waved vigorously at the other four to follow her.
Jenna, Luke and Ryan got up as they followed Erin. Jenna turned to Doug and found him snoring at the table “Should we leave him?” she asked mischievously.
Luke shook his head “No, he’ll cry when he wakes up and doesn’t see us.” Nodding to Ryan as they walked back and grabbed one arm each. Pulling him up; they dragged him against the tiled floors.
When they reached the beach grounds, Mia stood with her arms on her waist “Today would be nice.” She tapped her watch at the five taking their time.
“Blame it on piggy.” Jenna pointed her thumb at Doug.
Doug dropped the bags of chips as he crumbled on the open lawn chair “Wake me when there’s food.”
“Uh uh!” Mia shook her head as she pulled him roughly by the arm “Men cook, women babysit the little ones.”
“What little ones?!” Doug groaned.
Bonnie rushed over to Doug as she pulled on his shorts “I’m little, Uncle Doug.”
He bent down and picked up the little darling “Yes. You are little and way cuter than your mother.” He stuck his tongue out at Mia and walked over to where the grill was set up. Darren and Devin were already cooking the barbeque chicken and steak.
Mia laughed as she pointed for Jenna and Erin to sit “Just relax, we have men to serve us.”
Reina shook her head at Erin “I had no idea Mia was so powerful. But you know, it’s nice to not cook for a change.”
“I’m hungry! Doug, get me a chicken!” Mia announced and laughed as she pointed “See how fun this is?”
After a few minutes, Bonnie rushed over to her mother with a covered plate in her hand “Uncle Doug said he made this especially for you.”
Mia grinned “Aww…isn’t that …” her face fell when she opened the top plate and saw a charcoal chicken wing “sweet.” She said dryly.
“You’re welcome!!” Doug laughed evilly, his head thrown back while Darren shook his head with a laugh.
Erin sighed, “I’ll go help or we’ll never get a decent chicken.” Walking over to Doug as she tapped him on the shoulder and waved him away.
“You’re the best!” Doug said happily as he handed the tongs to her “Loser!” he yelled at Mia before making a seating area with a blanket furthest from the girls.
“Honey, can you take Bonnie to the restroom?” Mia called out.
Darren turned and nodded as he gave Erin his extra tongs “I’ll be back kids. Don’t fight now.” He teased while rushing over to pick up Bonnie.
“How many minutes till they start arguing?” Mia whispered to Reina and Jenna.
“Mia, that’s horrible!” Reina exclaimed with a shaking head.
“Yeah, I don’t think it’ll take minutes. Maybe seconds.” Jenna added with a laugh and the two joined them.
Matt handed Reina a drink as he sat next to her in the empty chair “What’s so funny?”
The girls exchanged looks “Oh, nothing.” Mia shook her head, an apparent grin on her lips.
“How’s your elbow?” Devin asked, his eyes glued to the grill.
“My elbow?” Erin replied.
“I saw a cut on it at the Subway mission.” He turned to her and pointed to the left elbow.
Erin turned her arm up “Oh this…it’s nothing.” She shrugged it off. Devin snickered a laugh causing Erin’s face to flush “What’s so funny?” She tried to make it sound casual but he caught the uneasy tone in her voice.
“Why can’t you just admit things? If it hurts then say it hurts, no one will call you weak if you admit pain.” Devin pushed her button.
Smiling as she said through gritted teeth “I don’t need to admit anything to you.”
“Of course you don’t.” he added with a tilted grin.
“I think she’s gonna blow!” Mia said excitedly as she tapped Reina on the leg “Look.”
“I can’t believe you guys!” Luke said in utter shock as she shook his head at Mia “Do you always find her discomfort to be so entertaining?”
“Well…yeah…what are friends for?” Mia said matter-of-factly.
“Look, all I’m saying is that I don’t need to admit anything to anyone.” Erin said with more frustration.
“And all I’m saying is that it’s okay to admit pain.” Devin replied calmly.
Doug waved his arm at them “Hey, before you kill each other, can you get me a rib steak? I’m really hungry.”
“Guys…look.” Matt pointed across the harbor at the growing black smoke.
“Shit! What is that?” Mia sat upright as she pulled off her sunglasses to have a better look “Are the rigs being burned?”
Matt shook his head “Hard to tell.” Getting up as he walked over, one hand on Devin’s shoulder and the other on Erin “Guys, stop fighting. Look at that.” He nodded.
His face frowned “Matt stay here, I’m going to go take a look.” Devin handed him the tongs “Doug, come with me.”
“You’re taking sleepy with you?” Mia asked in shock as she joined them.
“I’ll go.” Erin offered. Devin turned to her and nodded “We should take the boat.”
“Mia, you don’t mind do you?” Devin asked.
“Take it.” Mia nodded “Be careful!” she warned.