| Fan Fiction |
by Suki Chan
“Hi.” A girl walked over.
Matt lifted his head, “Oh hi.”
It was the girl last time who cannot tell the difference between cabbage and lettuce. She wrote a letter to Matt’s supervisor to appreciate his help, “These boxes must be heavy!”
“My job.” Matt shrugged his shoulder, “Grocery shopping for parties again?”
“I’m into cooking these days.” The girl laughed, “So I’m doing some classes now.”
“…you are working?” Matt wondered.
“In school…university.” The girl said, “By the way, my name is Olivia.”
“Olivia.” Matt smiled, “I have to thank you for writing that appreciation letter to my boss. You really didn’t need to do that. I was just doing my job….nothing special.”
“Well you deserve it. Come on. Don’t nag on that.” Olivia waved casually and giggled.
Matt had a good impression on this cheerful young girl.
Olivia flashed some vegetables in her buggy, “I got some cabbage again, but this time I won’t mix up with lettuce anymore.”
“Good for you.” Matt chuckled, “Excuse me. It’s about time for me to get off work. I have to go now. Nice talking to you, Olivia.”
“Alright. See you again.” Olivia pushed her buggy to another aisle.
Matt waited impatiently at the bus stop and kept looking at his watch. Because he had to clean up the boxes at the warehouse, he already left a bit later. Now the bus was not showing up. He was running really late to pick up Danny.
A small red car passed by and stopped in front of him. A head peeked out from the driver’s seat, “Waiting for the bus?”
Matt saw Olivia and thought: university student having a car.
“In a rush?” Olivia saw his panicking face from far.
Matt nodded.
“Hop on!” Olivia waved. As Matt got on the car, she asked, “Where are you going?”
“Just a few blocks from here…turn right…” Matt gave the instructions.
Olivia concentrated on her driving.
“Around the corner…yup…you can drop me off here.” Matt said.
Olivia pulled over to the side and stopped.
“Thanks a lot!” Matt hopped off the car and waved, “Bye!”
Olivia waved goodbye too. She saw Matt running into a place with the sign “Caring Society”. She wondered why he was in such rush.
When she was about to move her car, she spun her head and found that Matt has left his jacket behind on the passenger’s seat.
****************************
“…I will call you later tonight ok?” Matt comforted his girlfriend.
Ivy was agitated, “I really want to talk to you now! Can’t you just spare me with 30 minutes of your precious time?”
“What’s up?” Matt asked.
Ivy bit her lips.
“Is it something really important?” Matt kept peeping at his watch, “I can chat with you as much time as you want...but not now. You know I have to pick up Danny now. He’ll be scared if I don’t show up on time.”
“Fine if you’re so impatience with me!” Ivy stomped, “Go get your brother then! Forget about me! Don’t have to call me tonight! Don’t have to call me ever again!” She turned around and stormed away.
“…Ivy!” Matt cluelessly watched her leaving. He had no idea what was happening.
Olivia saw part of the scene outside the supermarket.
“…ahem excuse me.” Olivia softly called.
Matt sighed and turned around. He squeezed out a smile, “Oh hi Olivia.”
“Was that your girlfriend?” Olivia was curious, “…just had a fight?”
Matt smiled bitterly, “She’s getting grumpy lately. Don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
“Hey, girls need to be comforted.” Olivia chuckled, “How long have you two been going out for?”
“Little over 1 year.”
“Looks like you still have a lot to learn how to make your girlfriend happy!” Olivia teased, “She seems to be mad, huh? I guess you’d better to some nice sweet stuffs to cheer her up. Girls always like these things.”
“Thanks for your advice, from a girl’s perspective.” Matt eased up.
“Me?” Olivia pointed her own nose, “My mom and dad always say I act more like a boy than a girl.”
Matt chuckled.
“Hey you left your jacket in my car yesterday.” Olivia handed to him.
“Thanks.” Matt realized he must have left his missing jacket in Olivia’s car, but had no contact of Olivia to get it back. Somehow, he had the guts feeling that Olivia will show up and bring it back to him very quickly.
“Off work now?” Olivia remembered Matt was off yesterday at this time too.
“Yup.” Matt saw the bus coming, “I have to go now! Thanks for bringing me back the jacket! See you later!” He paced away.
“Why always in such a rush?” Olivia thought in her head, “Is he going to the Caring Society again? What’s there to do?”
************************************
“Alright, I know we haven’t been going out too often lately. I will spare my whole night with you. Promise…no interruptions.” Matt whispered softly, “We can chat, or simply sit there and watch the stars, ok? Anything you want to do.”
Matt had been calling Ivy for the last two days since their fight. He begged and comforted her, until she finally softened up. Today after work, she came over to Matt’s place.
“Ok then.” Ivy grasped his hand.
“I will go buy some groceries now. What do you want for dinner? I’ll let you have all the picks tonight.” Matt was happy to see his girlfriend forgiving him.
“Anything is fine.” Ivy said, “Weather is too humid and I don’t have much appetite.”
“How about a fillet? You like that.” Matt suggested.
“Yup.”
“It’s suddenly so warm today. Strange for January. And sorry we don’t have air-con here.” Matt turned up the power of the fan, “Why don’t you go take a shower?”
Ivy liked that idea too. She was sweaty and sticky, especially after climbing up the 8 flights of stairs in this old apartment.
“I’d be back soon.” Matt patted her head and walked out the door.
Ivy was about to go the bathroom, then she spun around and mumbled, “Towel…”
Danny was curling on the sofa and reading a comic book. He had a peek at Ivy.
Ivy did not bother asking Danny. She looked here and there, trying to find a towel herself. She turned around and suddenly saw Danny standing right behind her.
“Whew! Freaked me out!” Ivy bounced up and frowned.
Danny handed her a bath towel, folded and clean.
“…thanks.” Ivy mumbled and went into the bathroom.
Danny went back to his comic book.
Ivy cramped in this small bathroom. Of course there was no bathtub. The shower head was simply clinched on the wall at the corner…and you just have to find your own place to stand…if not leaning to the sink or stepping on the toilet seat…to take the shower. Whoever designed this place was smart enough to put a drain area…a little hole by the wall. Ivy had to be cautious in not bumping herself into this and that, and not tripping and falling on the slippery tiles.
She turned big on the shower and let the cold water splashed right from the top of her head, “Cool~” She comfortably whispered.
Danny was concentrating on his reading. Suddenly he heard a *bang* from the bathroom. It sounded like something had fallen.
“Hm?” Danny watched the closed door of the bathroom. He walked over and tried to find out what happened.
There was still the water splashing sound inside.
Danny bit his lips and wondered if Ivy was ok in there. He remembered Matt taught him to always knock on the door.
So Danny knocked.
There was no response.
Danny panicked and spun around for help, “…Matty…” But his brother was not back home yet.
“Hm…”Danny did not know what to do. He scratched his head and panicked, and finally decided to open the door.
“…WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Ivy screamed.
==========================
Ivy crossed her arms and glared hard.
Danny curled on the sofa and held a cushion tightly in his hug. He did not say a word.
Matt looked at both of them and sighed, “…there must be…some misunderstanding…”
Ivy fumed and sat still on the chair.
Matt turned to Danny and asked softly, “Danny, what happened? Why did you run into the bathroom without asking? Did you knock on the door for Ivy’s permission first, like I always tell you to?”
Danny bit his lips and did not answer. He looked away.
“Hm…I’m sure Danny didn’t mean it. He must be…just wanting to pee. Maybe he really needed to go…so he ran in…and forgot to knock on the door.” Matt hesitated to Ivy.
Ivy did not look satisfied at all.
“Danny, that wasn’t right. It wasn’t polite. Go say sorry to Ivy.” Matt said.
Danny did not move.
Matt spoke for his brother, “Ivy, I will say sorry to you for Danny. He didn’t do it right. I just haven’t taught him well enough. It was my fault. I will give him a really good lecture on manner again.”
Ivy was angry with his words, “Matt it wasn’t even your faults. You did nothing. Your brother should take up responsibility to what he’s done, and not having you to clean up after him every single time.”
“Ivy, please forgive Danny. He’s just a kid and such little thing…” Matt was trapped between the two and strived for a settlement.
“Little thing?!” Ivy lost her temper, “He broke into the bathroom while I was taking a shower! I was all naked in front of him!!! You think it’s a little thing?!”
Matt apologized, “Yes I understand you’re very upset. That’s really bad to a girl, but Danny is just a kid…”
“He ain’t a kid! He’s a grown-up! He’s a 21 years old grown-up man, like you, Matthew Tong!” Ivy screamed.
Matt shook his head, “What are you talking about? You know Danny is…”
“Did he really run in because he wanted to pee?! Who knows if he did it on purpose?! Who knows what’s in his head at that time?!” Ivy was agitated.
“You mean he…” Matt shockingly spun around to Danny, “Of course not! Can’t say that about Danny!”
“Are you sure? You’re his twin brother but can you read 100% on his mind? Can you say he’s absolutely harmless and not offensive to woman?!” Ivy jumped up and pointed.
“Danny ain’t a pervert! It was just an accident!” Matt abruptly stopped her, “You’re going too far! That’s impossible! Now Danny, go tell Ivy what happened! Say sorry to her and tell her you didn’t mean to run in…” He went to grab Danny on the sofa.
Danny struggled.
Matt was upset, “Danny you’re not being good here…”
Danny ran to the corner of the house and dropped on the floor. He shrunk and buried his head on the cushion in his hug.
“Forget it, Matt. That’s enough, Matt. Enough. I’m tired. I need a break.” Ivy did not want to drag on with the two brothers. She paced out and slammed shut the door.