The Ugly Duckling

Chapter 19

Ivy and Ben walked into the apartment and saw Vicki and Tyler in a deep conversation. Vicki glanced up and shook her eyes at Tyler; he appeared to be crying. Ivy placed her hand on her hips “Now what did you do?” she asked Vicki.

Vicki shook her head again as she got up and pulled Ivy to the side “He saw Tara holding hands with this other guy in school today.”

“That’s all?!!” Ivy blurted out.

“Shhh!!!” Vicki hushed as she glanced back at Tyler.

“It’s too late…I’ve lost her forever.” Tyler said sadly, his eyes dazed and they were concentrated on a piece of dried popcorn below the couch.

Ivy rolled her eyes “Boy, you never had her. Didn’t you ask her out?”

Tyler looked up at his sister with a confused expression “I just assumed that we were dating. We did have that one date…” he pointed out unconvincingly.

“So what?” Ivy asked. She jumped onto the seat next to her brother “It doesn’t mean anything if you didn’t come out and ask her.” She smacked him on the back “I know why!!”

He flinched in pain as he reached over his shoulder to rub the pain away “You scared her away because you’re so violent?”

“No!” Ivy turned to him “She was probably waiting for you to ask…but since it took you like 10 years to figure out that she liked you. She couldn’t wait any longer, there are other fishes in the sea.”

Ben nodded in agreement “I know it sounds crazy, Ty and I didn’t think I would ever say this but your sister is right. Girls don’t wait around forever.”

Tyler’s lips quivered “What do I do now?” he turned to Ivy and grabbed her shoulders “I can’t lose her! I really, really like her!!”

Ivy pushed him away roughly “Boy…you do that again and I’ll make sure you never win her back.”

“You mean there’s still a chance?” Tyler asked like an overly hyper puppy.

Vicki and Ivy exchanged glances “Yeah…of course.” Vicki waved her hand nonchalantly.

“How?” Tyler asked eagerly.

“Be a man!” Vicki suggested “Take back what’s originally yours.”

“She’s not an object.” Ben pointed out.

Ivy nodded “I agree with the freak. You just have to come up to her and say, you’re gonna be my girlfriend and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind! Then you grab her and kiss her in front of all your classmates.”

“Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?” Tyler asked.

“Do you want her back?” Ivy asked.

“Well…yeah…” he said hesitantly.

Vicki snapped her fingers “I got it!” she rushed over to Ivy and whispered something in her ear. The girls nodded and giggled.

Ben stared at them suspiciously “When Ivy giggles, I think its time to be scared.” He said to Tyler.

“I know what you mean.” He said with much fear.

“Let’s have a drink.” Ivy suggested out of the blue. Vicki nodded with approval while Ben and Tyler exchanged glances again. She got up and ran into the kitchen and took out the expensive bottle of cognac that her father hid under the sink.

“Where did you get that?!” Tyler asked in shock.

She rolled her eyes “Grow up, I found out the old man’s secret hiding spot since I was 16.”

“So it was you that drank half of the Remy Martin!!” Tyler pointed “And you told dad it was probably me going through my alcohol phase!”

Ivy laughed with her head thrown back “So now you know.” She opened the bottle and took a large gulp. She shook her head “Whew! Its smooth…” she grunted in a hoarse voice. She passed it on to Tyler.

“I don’t want any.” He wrinkled his nose.

Vicki smiled “But real guys all know how to drink.”

Her comment did it as Tyler grabbed the bottle and chugged down a gulp full. When he pulled his lips away from the bottle, his mouth was full of the awful tasting drink. He looked ready to spit it out when Ivy covered his mouth with her hand “Swallow it!!” she ordered.

Ben frowned “I think he looks ready to puke.”

“Shut up!” Ivy cried as she turned to her brother “Swallow it, Ty!” she said again. He closed his eyes and swallowed the drink. His body shivered and it made Ivy laugh, “That was how I reacted when I had my first drink.”

“How old were you?” Ben asked with a grin.

“Fou…um…nevermind.” She said quickly “Come on. Let’s play ‘fingers’.” She gathered Vicki and Ben at the same couch as they took turns and played. Ben didn’t know what they were up to but each time Vicki or Ivy went against Tyler, he would always end up losing. By the end of the hour, the bottle was emptied and Tyler was completely drunk. His face was red and he could barely keep his eyes open “Do you think he’s drunk?” Ivy whispered to Vicki.

Vicki widened her eyes at Ivy “I think so…he was just singing a song that he made up.”

“I guess.” Ivy nodded in agreement. She turned to Ben who too had lost most of the game as well “He’s definitely out.” She pointed her thumb at him “So we’re good with the plan?”

She nodded “I’ll take the kid and you take the freak.”

Ivy nodded “Okay.” She turned and kicked Ben in the chin “Get up!!” She yelled.

Vicki supported Tyler’s arm that was wrapped around her neck “Ivy, I don’t think he’s sober enough to walk on his own.”

She wrinkled her face “You mean I have to help him up?” she turned to Ben, who was slowly slumping onto the cushion of the couch “Can’t I just drag him back to his apartment?”

“Ivy…” Vicki shook her head at her friend.

“Fine…” Ivy looked ready to hurl herself as she took Ben’s arm and wrapped it around her shoulders. She used all her strength to pick him up but he was even heavier drunk as he fell back on the couch “Remind me to tell him he needs to go on a diet tomorrow.” She said to Vicki who nodded. She was taking Tyler back to his room.

“You need help?” Vicki asked.

Ivy tapped her fingers along her hips “Nope!” She snapped her fingers “I got it.” She raced into Tyler’s room and pushed Vicki and Tyler onto his bed while Vicki cried out in disapproval “Out of my way.” She grabbed onto Tyler’s computer rolling chair and pushed it out.

Vicki left Tyler on the bed as she walked outside to see what Ivy was doing. She saw her picking up Ben and placing him on the chair. She then folded his legs onto the chair and rolled him towards the door. Vicki laughed at the clever idea “I wouldn’t have thought of it.”

Ivy stood by the door as she pointed to Vicki “Okay, operation ‘Make Tyler a Man’ starts now. I’ll take care of the lump and you take care of the boy…I expect him to be a man tomorrow.” Ivy winked at her before rolling Ben back to his apartment. She looked around his jacket pocket for his keys. It was then that she realized it must be in his pant pocket “Great!” she muttered and reached inside his left pocket and found it. She opened the door and rolled him inside “We’re home. Okay. Good night!” she said to the unconscious Ben. She reached for the door but then realized he wasn’t in the right state of mind to find his way to his bed.

She returned to Ben and reached for his arm to help him up. Unfortunately he was too heavy for her small muscles and they fell down, she was lying on top of him when he grumbled painfully “Oops…” she said and quickly got off of him. Ivy tapped her chin thoughtfully and then it hit her. His floor was made of wood. She reached for his hand and began dragging him into his room. He rolled around comfortably on the floor and Ivy patted her palms together “There.” She nodded and prepared to leave. She stopped at his door and then turned around “Damn conscience!” she cursed to the empty air.

Letting out a sigh, Ivy reached for his arm and pulled him up with all her strength. She managed to get him halfway up the bed and quickly reached for his leg and yanked it over the edge of the bed. His face was smothered onto the bed while Ivy struggled to pull the blanket from under him. She must have yanked it too hard since she fell back with a thud, the blanket whipped over her head. Ivy pulled the covers off herself and pointed at Ben “You’re sooo gonna hear it about this tomorrow!” she sighed and placed the blanket over his body. Her hand stopped at the his neck and she was ready to pull away when he unconsciously reached for her hand “Hey!”

“Don’t leave me…” Ben mumbled.

“What?” Ivy pulled her ear closer to his face “What am I doing?” she laughed at herself “He’s not even sane.”

“Ivy…” Ben said coherently. This time Ivy looked back at him strangely “Don’t leave…” he said again. She looked closer and with the help of the moonlight she could tell his eyes were closed. Maybe he was dreaming? “I like you…” his words were clear this time.

Ivy pulled her hand away as she backed away in fear “W…Wh…what?” she stammered.

He rolled to his side in a comfortable position, an apparent smile on his lips “Ivy…”

“Ew!!” Ivy shivered with disgust “Stop!” she pointed at him angrily “Stop having dirty dreams about me!!” she yelled. But it was useless, he was still smiling and mumbling incoherent words. She groaned painfully as she seated herself on his room floor “I’m gonna sit right here…” she settled herself in an Indian seating.

For the rest of the night, she nodded off a couple of times and it wasn’t until morning that she fell asleep on the floor. Her eyes fluttered open and Ivy realized where she was. She sat upright and noticed his blanket was covered over her body, but he was nowhere in the room. Her eyes moved around like an owl on its prey. Where did he go? Ben walked into the room when he heard movement “Good morning!” he greeted brightly.

Ivy jumped back “What are you doing here?”

Ben laughed “It’s my apartment…shouldn’t I be asking you that question?”

Her eyes narrowed “Do you remember what happened last night?”

“Not much…” he walked over to her with his arms crossed “Should I?” his smile was sly and it gave her chills to even think about the impossible.

“No!” Ivy got up and raced for the door.

“I’ll see you later!!” Ben called out after her. He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face since that morning he woke up and found her lying curled up on the floor next to his bed.

Chapter 20

Ivy’s heart was thumping as she entered her apartment. She saw her father getting ready to leave “You’re not gone yet?”

He shook his head at her “People actually say ‘good morning’ before following with a question.”

“I’m not people.” Ivy said with her eyes rolling “Is Ty up?”

Mr. Yung frowned “Don’t wake him up. He has finals coming up, he was probably up all night studying.”

Ivy nodded “Yeah…that’s what he was doing.” Her eyes widened.

“I’m going to work.” He said suspiciously “Don’t wake him!” he warned.

“Okay! You don’t have to tell me twice.” Ivy practically pushed her father out the door.

Vicki and Tyler were lying on the bed together, her arms wrapped around his chest and his around her bare waist. He was the first to open his eyes, he glanced over at the sleeping girl in his arms “Morning.” He whispered and then snapped his head over again “Vicki?”

“Yes?” she muttered and looked up. They instantly screamed simultaneously “AHH!! What are you doing in my bed?” Vicki asked.

“Your bed? This is mine!!” Tyler pointed out and he jumped out of bed only to fall to his knees in pain. He grabbed his head “Ow….it hurts!!” he groaned.

Vicki frowned “It’s called a hangover.” She got off the bed and notice she was in her bra. She reached for his sheets and covered herself “We’re going to be chop liver if your sister finds out! We can’t tell her!”

Tyler reached up his hand to quiet her “If you keep yelling, she’ll find out on her own.” He got control of his throbbing head while he stood up slowly “Anyways…maybe nothing happened?”

She tilted her head while her eyes widened “Hello!!!” she opened the sheets and showed him that she was dressed in her bra and panties.

“Oh my God…” he groaned and sat down on his bed.

“You could say that again.” Vicki began pacing the room “Ivy is going to kill me, you know.” She said fearfully and her voice began to shake “She’ll only yell at you but she’ll literally KILL me. She warned me before, if I ever hurt you…she’ll kill me.” Vicki took a seat opposite from Tyler and she began to sob hysterically “I’m going to die a beautiful girl!”

Tyler turned as he crawled across his bed in his boxers “Shhh…” he coaxed “Don’t cry… she won’t kill you. I promise, I’ll talk to her first.”

Vicki frowned while she sniffed back the tears “You will?”

“Yeah…” he nodded firmly “I won’t give her a chance to yell at you.”

“Really?” she smiled and took in a deep breath “I feel much better now.”

Tyler grinned, “Can I ask you something?” Vicki nodded “Was I good? Cause I can’t remember a single thing last night.”

Vicki smiled at him adoringly “You were…absolutely amazing! Like a pro.” she gushed with a laugh when he turned away with a blushing face “You really don’t remember anything?”

Tyler shook his head with a smile. Ivy was waiting for her cue with her head stuck to the door. She opened the door suddenly without knocking “Hey Ty…” she began but quickly stopped when she looked at Vicki. The two of them stood up suddenly “You…and you…” she pointed at the two of them “What did you do??!!!” She demanded.

Vicki was still covering herself in the covers “Ivy…we can explain.” Her eyes moved over to Tyler who looked actually calm.

“WELL!??!!!” Ivy yelled looking like a mad woman “Ty, get out. I have to have a ‘talk’ with my good friend.” She looked at her with a vengeance.

Tyler put up a hand to stop his sister “Wait. You’re not going to do anything to Vicki. Listen to me, we—”

“I said GET OUT!!!” She pointed to the door. Ivy rushed over to her brother as she pulled him out of the way only to be surprised when he turned and grabbed her by the hand.

“LISTEN!!!” he yelled at the top of his lungs “I am an adult! Whatever I do is none of your business.” He said firmly while standing abroad. He looked down at his sister without fear “It takes two to tango. I admit, Vicki and I made a mistake last night, but we were drunk!” Ivy was about to open her mouth when he put up a hand to hush her “I’m not finished. We may regret this in the long run but it will be our problem not yours. Don’t you dare hurt her because it wasn’t her idea for this to happen. And I’m sure she’s very sorry that it did.” He nodded at Vicki whose head bobbed up and down in answer.

Ivy took in a deep breath as she nodded “You’re right.”

“I am?” Tyler asked unsurely and then nodded firmly “Of course I am!”

“Can I have a talk with Vicki?” Ivy asked calmly.

“No. Whatever you say in front of her, you can say in front of me.” Tyler’s eyes widened.

“Shit! What the hell did you do to him?” She grinned at Vicki like a monkey “You degay’d him!!”

“Seven hundred!!!” Ben yelled from across the way.

Ivy dropped her jaw in shock when she saw him outside the window leaning on his window smiling at her victoriously “Whatever!” she rolled her eyes in response. She turned back to Vicki and Tyler “Is this going to be our little secret?”

Vicki nodded “Fine by me.” She turned to Tyler, who was smiling smugly.

“I was good.” He said in a daze.

“Oh gross!!” Ivy pushed him out of the way as she raced to the bathroom.

He turned to Vicki with a grin “Let’s have breakfast.”

She looked at him strangely “Okay…let me change first.”

Tyler sat on the bed as he leaned back onto the back of the wall “Go ahead.” He said grinning at her.

Vicki shook her head “You’re not getting a free show.”

“Why not? I was good last night.” Tyler teased openly.

“Well it didn’t count. You were drunk.” Vicki pointed to the door “Now give me some space.”

Tyler nodded coolly as he got off the bed “You’ll be back for me.” He said firmly. He winked at her before closing the door behind him. Vicki had to hide her smile before he left; she let out a sigh and sat down on the bed. Their plan might have worked a little too well. She just gave him a maximum boost in his ego. He walked into the hallway and then to the bathroom. He knocked on the door.

“I’m puking in here!!!” Ivy yelled.

“Well hurry up!! I have to change!!!” Tyler yelled in return.

She opened the door suddenly and turned her head at him unsurely “What did you just say?”

“I said I have to change, now move aside!!!” he said roughly and yanked her to the side.

Ivy was in complete shock, never has he spoken to her that way. She was always free to use the bathroom as long as she liked but here she was pushed out of the bathroom by the brother that use to fear for his life when she was around “She’s good.” Ivy said to herself. Returning to Tyler’s bedroom, she found Vicki smoothing down her skirt “Hey!” she hissed at her friend. When Vicki looked up, Ivy gave her a thumbs up sign “We did it!”

Vicki smiled “I know!” she whispered back.

She walked into the room with a hesitant step “You two…didn’t…you know.” She wrinkled her nose while her finger pointed to the sloppy bed.

“NO!!” Vicki yelled. She covered her mouth and shook her head at Ivy “Of course not!” she lowered her voice “I slept on the floor and I woke up when he started moving so I climbed on the bed with him.”

“Okay…” Ivy nodded “Just checking.”

“So what’s the next plan?” Vicki asked.

Ivy tapped her chin “Get Tara down here.”

“Oooh…good idea. Then he can really tell her whose boss.” Vicki nodded in agreement.

Ivy went to work quickly as she called Tara, leaving her an urgent message to come over. Tyler took a shower and he changed. By the time he got out, he noticed Vicki and Ivy sitting on the couch together watching TV “You girls ready?”

“Wait…” Ivy put up a hand but before she could say anything the doorbell rang “I got it!” She jumped up and opened it “Tara!! What a pleasant surprise.” She announced.

She grabbed a hold of Ivy “What’s wrong? What happened? What’s the urgent news?”

Ivy calmly led the girl inside as she closed the door “Nothing…I just want you to join us for breakfast. I’m sure Tyler has things to say to you.” She hinted to her brother.

Tyler on the other hand waved his hand casually “Actually, I don’t.” he turned to Vicki and waved her up “Come on. Let’s go. I’m sure Tara doesn’t want to join us.”

“Well, why don’t you let her answer?” Vicki nodded her head towards Tara, whose head was lowered.

“You want to come?” Tyler asked carelessly.

“Yes.” Tara looked up with a nod.

Tyler arched his brow up “Well, I don’t want you to come. Why don’t you go ask your boyfriend to eat with you?” he snickered “I found myself a real woman.” He wrapped an arm around Vicki’s shoulder.

Vicki turned to Ivy for help “Ha ha…he’s just kidding Tara.”

Ivy chimed in “Yeah, you know how Ty likes to make people laugh.” She let out a nervous laugh. Vicki broke away from his arm and walked over to Ivy “It’s not working.” Ivy said through clenched teeth.

Vicki nodded “I know.” She twisted her lip to the side.

“What are you talking about, Ty?” Tara asked innocently “I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Yeah, so the guy’s hand just mysteriously touched yours.” Tyler said with exaggerated eye motion.

Tara’s eyes knitted together “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me! I saw the whole thing.” He spat harshly “I knew you were just using me…did you want to make him jealous?” he teased.

“Oh…that!” Tara laughed it out “He was just—”

“Don’t give me any excuses.” Tyler said roughly “I’m tired of playing games with you. If you moved on, it’s only fair that I do too. Anyways, we weren’t exactly an item.”

Tara’s eyes widened “I was waiting for you.”

“I told you so!!” Ivy cried.

Tyler turned to his sister with raised brows “Well, maybe I didn’t want to ask.” He crossed his arms and spun around to Tara “Now if you will excuse us, we have breakfast to eat.” He waved Tara out the door.

The poor girl looked ready to burst into tears as she slowly walked out. She turned to say something but received the door slamming in her face “Ty!!” Vicki shook her head in disapproval “Why did you do that? That was so rude.”

He shrugged carelessly “So?” he nodded to the two “Come on, I’m starving.” He returned to his room to get his wallet.

Ivy and Vicki looked at each other in horror “We’ve created a monster.” Vicki whispered.

“Worse…we created a MAN.” Ivy was in complete disbelief. She turned to her friend and suddenly began strangling her “Give me back my gay brother!!!!”

“It was your idea too!!!” Vicki struggled to get Ivy’s thin fingers off her neck. The girls broke apart when Tyler came back.

He walked towards the door “Come on!” he commanded and then turned to his sister “And for goodness sakes, comb your hair!!!!”

Ivy’s lips quivered as she touched her hair and surely she felt lumps all over “I didn’t get a chance to.”

Vicki wrapped a sympathetic arm around her shoulders “I know…I know.” She soothed. Together the two followed Tyler out.

Chapter 21

Ivy and Vicki followed Tyler to a bar. When they entered it, Ivy decided to ask “Why are we here?”

Tyler turned to the girls “Breakfast of course.” He walked straight to the bar.

Vicki pulled him by the arm “You’re gonna have a drink for breakfast?”

He threw his head back with a laugh “No, no…silly girl.” He patted her on the head like she was 12 “I just want to tell me friend about last night.” Tyler began walking away.

“I didn’t know he had friends in bars?” Ivy asked out loud.

Vicki widened her eyes at her friend “I don’t think that’s what we should be concentrating on.”

“You’re right.” Ivy nodded reasonably “Maybe he can get us free drinks next time?” her eyes lit up.

“You’re hopeless.” Vicki muttered and walked towards Tyler, she was hoping he wouldn’t exaggerate the story too much. But to her despair, he was going into detail.

Tyler leaned onto the bar with a cool aura “Yeah…she said I was amazing!” he gushed to his friend who looked like he was holding in laughter. Tyler glanced over at Vicki and then pulled her over “Go ahead, ask her for yourself.”

Bob pointed at Vicki “You slept with her?” he could not hold the chuckles anymore “Are you sure you weren’t dreaming, Ty?”

“Go ahead…tell him Vicki.” Tyler said coolly.

Vicki turned to Ivy but she was already leaning over the bar and gazing at the drinks “Yeah…he was good.” She said unconvincingly.

“See!” Tyler pointed. He stuck his chin in the air “Who’s the man now?”

Bob nodded “Okay…I believe you.”

Tyler smiled “Good…now pass on the word.” He nodded to Vicki “Let’s go, babe.”

“Babe?” Vicki frowned as she walked over and nudged Ivy “Did you hear that?”

“Yeah, a kamakazie sounds great right now.” Ivy looked deliriously at the alcohol lined up behind the bar.

Vicki pulled her friend by the arm “Come on, addict!!” Down the street, the three walked into the deli shop as they ordered sandwiches. Tyler got up to retrieve their food “What are we going to do?” Vicki asked.

“Come back tonight to that bar and get a real drink.” Ivy concluded.

“NO!! About Mr. Ego!” she pointed her thumb to Tyler.

“Oh…him.” Ivy shrugged “I kinda like him…at first I thought I would hate him but he’s actually cool. He can get me free drinks!”

Vicki shook her head at her friend. Her eyes wandered and they landed on a certain face she hasn’t seen for days “Oh my God!!!” she hushed while picking up her purse to hide her face.

Ivy leaned in “What?” she whispered calmly.

“It’s him!!” Vicki peeked over her purse and surely Mr. Perfect was sitting there drinking coffee with half an eaten sandwich “He’s sooo dreamy.” She gushed while giggling like a school girl.

Ivy turned her head up and looked at the guy who turned to her with a slight nod “Who the hell would wear a suit to a deli???” she said out loud.

Vicki reached across the table and clamped her hand over her friend’s mouth “Shh!!!”

Tyler returned to the table with a tray of food “Why are we hushing Ga Jei?”

“Nothing…we were just playing a game.” Vicki replied nervously. She widened her eyes at Ivy and shook her head.

“Hey Ty…you see that guy in the suit?” Ivy asked with her head nodding.

Tyler looked around the place “Where?”

She looked at him exasperatedly “The only weirdo in the place!” she pointed her finger at the handsome man.

Vicki lowered herself into the seat “Oh God...this isn't happening..."

Tyler looked at him and then turned to his sister “What about him?”

“Vicki’s got the hots for him. You gonna let that guy hit on your woman?” Ivy asked incredulously “I wouldn’t.” she ignored the evil red eyes Vicki was throwing her. Instead she gave her friend a thumbs up sign and winked her eye.

“Oh really?” Tyler got up as he walked over to the guy.

Vicki sat up and leaned in closer to Ivy “What are you doing?!!! Are you crazy??” she asked angrily.

“Don’t you want to see what Ty will do?” Ivy asked.

“No!” Vicki hissed.

“Well, I do.” Ivy moved her chair back and rushed over to her brother who towered over the guy with his arms crossed.

Tyler looked down at the guy “I hear you've been hitting on my lady.”

The distinguished man looked up calmly at Tyler “Have a seat.” He pointed. Tyler didn’t lose eye contact with the guy as he moved the seat back with his foot and sat down like it was a thrown. Ivy began giving him a massage as if he was ready for a fight. The guy smiled “Now tell me what this all about.”

Tyler turned up to his sister “I guess his hearing is not that good.” Ivy grinned but her eyes were moving over the stranger’s body, he was very handsome. No wonder Vicki was dying over him, not to mention his aura oozed of high importance “…Ga Jei…Ga Jei!” Tyler was trying to get her attention.

She tore her eyes away from the guy and looked at her brother “What?”

He looked annoyed as he shook his head “Nothing.” He turned back to the guy “Anyways, that woman…” he spun in his seat and pointed at the red faced Vicki “is mine. Remember her face.” He threatened, “If I catch you following her again, I’ll kick your ass!”

“Talking about ass…let me see if you have one.” Ivy nodded at the guy with a tough face.

“What?” Tyler looked up at his sister.

“Oops…did I say that out loud?” Ivy giggled.

The guy was not at all bothered by her question or by Tyler’s threats. He found it absolutely amusing “If you give me a smile, I’ll show you my…ASS.” He pronounced the word seductively.

Vicki must have had super hearing because she sprinted over “I can’t miss this.” She sighed.

Tyler looked bored as he got up “I don’t need to see some guy’s ass…” he prepared to leave but turned and found the two still gawking at the guy. Ivy tilted her head down but her eyes met the stranger’s as she smiled widely. The guy nodded as he got up and shifted his suit jacket aside. He bent over to pick up his suitcase while Vicki and Ivy squealed, “My ass is cuter.” Tyler grumbled as he watched the stranger leave. He turned to the girls and nodded politely.

“Oh God…I have to sit.” Vicki pulled out a chair. Her breathing was slowly contained “Wow…I thought I saw stars a minute ago.”

Ivy crossed her arms “He’s mine.” She nodded.

“NO! I saw him first!!!” Vicki yelled a little too loud.

“Like I’m gonna pass on that perfect piece of ass.” Ivy rolled her eyes.

“You don’t like men.” Vicki complained.

“So?” Ivy was taunting her. She knew Vicki was crazy about the guy, but inside Ivy didn’t really care for the guy too much. She was just trying to get Vicki to gather up the guts to approach her Mr. Perfect.

“That’s not fair!!” Vicki whined.

Ivy returned to the table with Tyler, who had long returned to eat his sandwich “Alls fair in love and war.” She said coolly.

************

Later that night, the three returned after a full day of nonsense. They walked into the apartment to find Ben sitting on the couch watching television “Hey.”

“Don’t you ever go home?” Ivy asked with frustration “You live right across the hall!” she pointed out.

“I like it here.” He said casually “What are you guys up to?”

Tyler couldn’t pass up the moment as he rushed over to Ben “I lost my virginity last night.” He announced.

Vicki gaped at him in shock “You don’t have to tell everyone in Tong Lau Wan!!”

Ben smiled knowingly “Really? With her?”

Tyler nodded “Yup…I was amazing…” his brows flicked up and down “If you know what I mean.”

Ivy rolled her eyes “No, he doesn’t because he’s incompetent.” Ben turned to her slowly with narrowed eyes. Ivy instantly covered her mouth “Oops!” she widened her eyes apologetically “Sorry…”

“Oh my gosh….so it is true…” Vicki pointed at Ben.

“No. It’s not.” Ben replied ever so calmly.

Tyler stood up on the couch and began waving at everyone “Wait…I’m not done! I was amazing!!!” he yelled at the top of his lungs.

Vicki took in a deep breath as she walked over and yanked him down by the arm “Okay, I’ve had enough! What is with your big ego??” she shook her head at him in shock “You didn’t even remember what happened, how do you know you were ‘amazing’?” she spat harshly.

“You told me.” Tyler said innocently.

“Do you always believe what you hear?!” Vicki asked, her eyes were bulging out “Well, let me tell you what happened. I slept on the floor next to you the whole time!! Nothing happened…I was just trying to help you turn into a man. Ivy and I thought that if this plan worked, maybe your ego will be salvaged. But who knew it would sky rocket?”

Tyler turned to his sister who was covering her smiles unsuccessfully “You came up with the plan?” his voice was quivering.

Ivy shrugged “So? But it was mostly Vicki’s idea.”

Ben shook his head sadly at the three “You guys need help.”

But Vicki wasn’t done, she was on a rampage “Really? WE need help. Who’s the guy that’s in love with Ivy that can’t find enough balls to come out and say it but he has to fake that he was drunk last night??”

“WHAT?!!” Ivy’s voice screeched.

Tyler was now grinning “This is good!” he nodded for Vicki to continue “What else?”

“What else?” Vicki chuckled “He’s NOT an image consultant.”

“HUH???” Ivy and Tyler asked in unison.

“Yeah…he’s really a talent scout.” Vicki pointed out.

“Well, so are you!” Ben widened his eyes at her “So much for the plan huh? Partner.” He spat.

“Partner?” Ivy whispered. She looked at the two with much hatred.

It was then that Vicki realized what damage she just did. She and Ben quickly got up as they put up their hands in defense “Now Ivy…remember, I’ve been your friend the whole time. I didn’t do anything to hurt you.” Vicki explained on her behalf.

Ben then chimed in “If you think about it. I didn’t do anything to harm you either…I would never do that…I really like you, Ivy.” Ben said earnestly. Ivy got off her seat as she began stepping towards them like a tiger ready to attack “At first I thought you were really disgusting and obnoxious and annoying and not to mention—”

“You might want to stop now.” Vicki advised.

“But when I spent more time with you, I realized what a generous and loving heart you really had. Trust me…I didn’t want to lie to you.” Ben concluded.

Ivy nodded calmly “Is that all?”

Ben and Vicki exchanged glances “Yeah…I think so.” Ben said, but in his gut he knew she was about to do something to them.

“Ty…” Ivy brought out her hand and he jumped over the couch as he raced into the kitchen. Vicki looked scared as she hid behind Ben. Seconds later, Tyler returned with a broom as he handed it to his sister. She gripped it and began attacking Ben without warning. She hit him with the sweeper part while yelling “Get out!! Jerks!! Get outttt!! TRAITORS!!!!!”

Tyler winced painfully when he saw the broom hit Ben on the head with a clunk sound. The two backed up to the door and found their way outside. Ivy’s chest was heaving up and down, she grunted while the broom hailed into the door. She marched her way into her room with Tyler looking very scared “No one’s going to help me get Tara back?” he whimpered.

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