Zodiac of PRA II: Forever Heroes

Chapter 4

After Doug and Erin split up with the girl, he decided to walk her back to her destination but she declined “It’s not that far Doug. You have your mission to do.” She smiled with admiration “Tell Jessie I said hi.”

He nodded “Okay.” It took him a good 10 minutes to walk to the tiny food shop where he ordered the soybean milk to go. He looked around while waiting and caught eyes with the girl that he helped earlier. She was eating by herself but the minute she saw him, she got up and rushed over to him.

“Hi, hero!” She said brightly.

Doug smiled “Hi…and my name is Doug, not hero.”

“Oh…” The girl shrugged “It’s just a word if you think about it. Where’s your friend?”

“She had some business to do.” Doug pointed to a table as they sat down together “You live around here?” he was starting small talk.

“Yeah, I’m looking for a job.” The girl let out a sigh as she slouched down and placed her chin on the table.

Doug smiled at the girl, she was cute “What’s your name?”

Her head turned upwards but never leaving the table “Why should I tell you?”

His brows arched up “Okay…you don’t have to. I’ll just call you ‘Leng Mui’ (little girl).”

She sat upright with a smile “I’m just kidding. They call me Shelly, but my real name is Sheila.”

Doug nodded “Cute name for a cute little girl.” He patted her head adoringly.

Her smile faded “I’m not a little girl…just because I’m short and petite. I’m almost…” she counted the numbers with her finger and finally came up with it “25.”

He thought she was kidding as he nodded unconvincingly “Sure and I’m really 50 years old.”

Sheila smiled teasingly “Your pretty handsome for a 50 year old guy.”

“Thank you.” He nodded with a grin. The owner called out his order number as he got up and took the bag. Doug turned to Sheila with a curious look “Where are your parents?”

She rolled her eyes “You don’t believe I’m 25 do you?” he only smiled in return and she pulled out her wallet and showed him her driver’s license “Now do you believe me?” Surely enough, she was as old as she said she was.

Doug was a bit startled because he truly thought she was younger than she said “Sorry, I doubted you. Anyways, it’s not good for a girl to be roaming around alone. Why don’t you go home?”

“I told you, I’m looking for a job. My mom is always so paranoid about me meeting people. She didn’t even let me go to college…I’ve only had part time jobs in the past few years.” Sheila explained.

He nodded curiously “That’s strange…but anyways, I have to go now. I’ll see you later.” He waved to her hastily and rushed off, hoping that he’ll catch his bus. Unfortunately, he missed it by a few minutes. He glanced at his watch, the next bus would be there in an hour. What would he do in an hour?

“Miss your bus?” A voice asked.

He turned to see Sheila sitting on the pavement “You followed me?”

Sheila smiled “Um…no.”

Doug moved his eyes to her “Where do you live? I’ll take you home.”

Like a daisy, she popped up and took his hand “I thought you’d never ask.” She skipped along while Doug looked down at their entwined hands. He broke away making Sheila stop abruptly, she turned to him questioningly “What’s the matter?”

He shook his head “Nothing, I can walk on my own.”

Her grin appeared as she nodded “Oh…Mr. Doug is shy…I see.” She giggled when he blushed and tried unsuccessfully to cover it “I’m just teasing. Come on. I live in that apartment.” She reached for his hand and then suddenly dropped it “Oh, sorry…I didn’t mean to touch you.” Her eyes widened with fear.

Doug smiled “Okay…I get the point.”

Sheila laughed and began walking down the street until she came upon her apartment building. Her smile faded as she recognized the girl that helped her earlier, she was sitting on the steps of the stairs “Miss?” she began.

Erin looked up, she looked flustered but quickly straightened her face at the sight of people “I’m okay.” She got up and smiled at Doug “Mission accomplished?”

Doug was a bit concern for his fellow agent “Yeah…how about you? Did you find what you were looking for?”

She shook her head dazily “I chickened out.” She turned her attention to Sheila “Hi, I’m Erin…I guess we didn’t get a good introduction.”

“Sheila, but they call me Shelly.” The girl had a friendly smile.

Erin’s smile faded as she slowly stepped back “You're…Sheila…”

Doug instantly noticed something wrong as he took a hold of Erin’s arm to keep her from tripping over the stairs “Erin, are you okay?”

She twisted her arm out of his grasp and turned to the side “I’m okay…” she took a deep breath and turned to Sheila “Is your last name Kam?”

Sheila nodded looking confused “Yeah, how did you know?”

She could feel the blood draining from her face. The cold sweat overcoming her body and she was feeling weak. She leaned back against the wall and Doug was quick to pull her back up “Erin, what’s wrong? You look pale.”

“Let’s take her inside.” Sheila suggested as they walked up the stairs. When she got to the front of her door, she knocked on it lightly “Mommy…It’s me!” after a few moments, there was still no answer “Mommy??” her voice sounded scared. She banged on the door suddenly “Mommy!!! Open, it’s me…Shelly.” She turned to Doug looking like a scared puppy “Something’s wrong. She’s always home!” she was frantic by now pounding on the door.

Erin and Doug exchanged glances “Open it, Doug.”

He nodded as he pulled Sheila aside, the girl looked confused “You don’t have the key…” her voice faded when Doug pulled his leg back and gave the wooden door a kick, it instantly opened and appeared the feeble woman sprawled out on the ground, she was unconscious “Mommy!!” the girl raced over to pick up her mom with the help of Erin.

The woman was not responding to them “Call an ambulance.” Erin said to Doug as he nodded and did as she told.

The three of them rode in the ambulance van with the elder woman on a stretcher. She was still unconscious but at least breathing. Erin mind was racing, she wasn’t sure if it was the right time to tell Sheila that she was her sister and the lady that raised her had been lying all this time. Would she see her as an enemy? Her thoughts were disturbed when Doug nudged her “We’re here.”

She looked up startled and then got out of the van. They took her into the emergency room while the doctors tested and probed to see what was wrong with the old woman. When they walked into the waiting room, Sheila was the first one up “How is my mom?”

The doctors sighed sadly “I’m sorry, Miss. We tried, she had a heart attack. You might want to see her before…” he was even saddened to give the girl bad news “It will be a miracle if she lives past tonight.” He shook his head.

Sheila wiped the tears from her eyes harshly as she thundered into the room that the nurse had given her. Erin and Doug were close to her heels “Mommy…” she muttered over and over until her mother responded.

The elder woman looked even worse then when they found her unconscious. She smiled at her daughter with the most loving eyes that Erin has ever seen “Shelly…” it was a mere whisper “I’m sorry…” her smile faded and was replaced by a painful expression.

“Why?” Sheila smiled through her tears while gripping on her mom’s hand.

“I lied…” the woman took a few short breaths “I’m…not your…real mother.”

Sheila was in utter shock at first, but she shook her head “That’s not funny.”

“I know it’s cruel…but it’s the truth Shelly…” her breathing quickened “You were only a couple of months old…I was babysitting you for my neighbors.” Her eyes were distant as she finally told the story she’s kept for so long “There was a fire…No one lived…but I heard the policeman say, there was a little girl outside. I know you had a sister but I…” she paused to catch her breath “I was selfish…I was lonely…and looking at you only reminded me how much I wanted my own child. But when my husband died, I knew I would never get that wish…I’m so…sorry…”

Sheila continued to let the tears flow, her face wrinkling in pain while she held onto the woman’s hand. The same woman she’s called Mother for years, but have now come to realize that she was really an orphan “I’m not mad…” Sheila gulped back the tears “I don’t care if you’re not my blood mother, you raised me, you taught me right from wrong. You ARE my mother.”

Erin stood silently still while slow tears crept from her saddened eyes. She fixed her vision on one spot while she silently cried. Doug was saddened for the young girl but when he looked over at Erin, he noticed her crying. He didn’t know she was an emotional person, she actually appeared cool and almost cold at times to him. But there she was, crying for a complete stranger.

“Take care of yourself…” The dying woman’s last words before she closed her eyes and drifted away forever. The heart monitor came to a halt and the constant beep sound made it clear that she was not returning.

“Mommy?” Sheila’s voice whispered softly. She reached her arms around and hugged the woman lovingly while she sobbed.

Erin couldn’t take the pain as she rushed out of the room “Erin!” Doug called. He glanced back at Sheila and ran after Erin. He found her standing outside the hospital garden, covering her cries. He was never great at comforting people but his heart came out to her “Are you okay?” he placed a hand on her shoulder.

She nodded and took a few steps forward “Yeah…go back and see her.”

“Why are you so emotional over this? You act like that woman’s your mother or something?” Doug asked.

She laughed at the irony of the words “No…but she’s the mother of my sister.”

Doug furrowed his brows in confusion “I don’t get it….” Suddenly the old woman’s words sunk in and he realized she was the sister the policeman took away. Sheila was Erin’s younger sister! “Oh my God…” he whispered.

Erin turned around with a smile over her tear stained face “You’re quick.” She let out a sigh “I guess it’s fate that I would find her today, the day that the woman who raised her as her own daughter would pass away. But…how do I tell her?”

“You have to tell her, Erin!” he urged “You’ll regret it.”

She nodded “I know…but I’m just afraid…”

“That she won’t accept you?” Doug finished for her. Erin smiled in answer “Don’t worry, what’s the worse that can happen?”

“I guess you’re right.” Erin sighed “I have to face the music.” The two returned to the room and found the doctors and nurses trying pry Sheila away from her mother’s lifeless body. Erin was once again saddened by the scene as she gently pushed the nurse away “Let me try.” She reached her arm around Sheila and pulled her back with a bit more force “You have to let go some time…” she said wisely.

The girl looked up at her with a distant look “I can’t…where will I go? What can I do?”

Erin looked up at Doug with urging eyes “Her mother was nurturing in every way possible, not to mention over protective. I think she was afraid Shelly would find her real sister or someone would find out the truth.” It was only his guess but in truth it was exactly why the woman babied Sheila and would not let her do anything involving another city and people.

“Come live with me.” Erin said softly. Sheila looked up at her blankly “I’m serious…” she smiled.

“But…I…” Sheila wasn’t even sure why she couldn’t decline the girl’s generous offer. Something about her eyes were so familiar and warm. And the smile, it was welcoming. After a moment, she nodded “Okay.” Erin was shocked that she agreed so easily but she had never felt happier in her life.

Chapter 5

Doug and Erin returned to Sheila’s home to help her pack. She didn’t have much she wanted to take along, just a few memoirs from her mother. The final luggage only came to two. Sheila closed the door behind her and walked downstairs where Erin was. Doug had called them a cab, the day was getting later and he received a hundred miss calls from Jessie. When it beeped again, Erin shook her head at him “Would you just answer it?”

“It’s okay, I want to get you guys back in one piece first. Jessie will understand.” Doug assured her.

Erin sighed “Not all girls are understanding…especially the ones that say they understand. Give her a call to tell her you’ll be back late. That’s not hard is it?”

He smiled as he pulled out his cell phone “Girls do stick together don’t they?” Erin laughed at his comment. He took a few steps away to call Jessie. She picked up in the middle of the first ring “Jessie?”

“Where have you been? I was worried sick! Why didn’t you answer your phone?” She said frantically.

Doug quickly apologized “I’m sorry, honey…but my phone was on silent. I didn’t hear it. I’m stuck in Tsim Sa Tsui.” He smiled as she guessed what he was up to “But I’m afraid I owe you one, the milk is probably rotten. I ran into Erin out here.”

“Oh?” her voice changed awkwardly and there was a moment of silence.

Doug smiled teasingly “Jealous?”

“Of course not!!” She said with shock “What is she doing there?”

He knew it was not his place to tell her “I promise I wouldn’t say. But I’m sure Erin will tell us soon. Anyways, our cab is here, I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later, bye sweetie.” He hung up and turned to see the girls looking at him with a grin “What?”

“Bye Sweetie…” Sheila mimicked his sweet tone and then she shivered “Goosebumps.”

Erin laughed “Come on…honey.” She waved at Doug with a wide grin.

They returned to their city and Doug split up with the girls. Erin was telling Sheila about her new home and what places have good food. When they reached her apartment door, Erin turned to Sheila “The place is a little messy…so don’t freak out.” She warned.

Sheila laughed with her eyes rolled “Please, you have not seen my room.”

The girls entered and suddenly gasped at the scene before them. The floor was covered with red rose petals and a candlelit table was lit up in the middle of the room. And standing by the hallway was Brad wearing only a pair of heart boxer shorts. He was quickly embarrassed when he saw Sheila covering her giggles. Erin covered her face as she shook her head at him “What are you doing?”

“He looks like a naked cupid.” Shiela whispered.

Brad covered himself as he began to get flustered “I…uh…well…I wanted to…um… surprise you.” He said weakly.

Erin turned to Sheila “And that is why you shouldn’t have a boyfriend.” It made Sheila laugh even louder while poor Brad rushed into the bedroom with embarrassment. She shook her head “Excuse me a minute.” She followed Brad into the room and closed the door behind her. An apparent smile was on her face “What is this about?”

He pulled the sheets off her bed and covered himself with it “I wanted to surprise you.”

“Yeah…I got that part, is there anything else you can say?” Erin asked sarcastically.

He let out a sigh “Remember when I asked you about…moving in with me?” She sighed and nodded “I want an answer.”

Erin looked up at him “Are you demanding an answer?”

His face appeared to be scared as he backed away like a bunny “No…of course not.”

“Are you learning this stuff from Darren?” her eyes leered at him dangerously.

“No…” Brad said feebly and eventually admit it “Yes…he told me to be strong and firm. Like a man.”

Erin shook her head “If I wanted a man, I wouldn’t have chosen you, honey.” She was kidding but by the look on his face, she knew she had crossed the line.

“Well, I’m sorry to disappoint you!” he yelled.

“Don’t raise your voice at me.” Erin placed her hands on her hips.

“I can do what I want!” Brad yelled even louder.

Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door. Sheila cracked it open as she looked at them apologetically “I’m sorry to disturb your…talk…but I’m really hungry and I was wondering if I can have some of that steak…”

“Your welcome to it.” Brad nodded at her.

She smiled “Thank you! And the walls are not that thin, you can talk louder. I can barely hear you from outside.” She nodded and closed the door.

“Who the hell is she?!” Brad asked with annoyance.

Erin crossed her arms “No one to you at this rate. If you play your cards right, she might just be your sister in law.”

His jaw dropped open “What??!! You found her??”

Erin reached over and covered his mouth “SHHH!!! She doesn’t know…I haven’t told her. Don’t say anything okay?”

Brad nodded and she moved her hand away “Damn, you better wish Mia doesn’t know, she’ll definitely let it slip. But you’re lucky no one else knows.”

She closed her eyes with a look of total defeat “Doug…shit!” she cursed as she reached for her cell and called him. He picked up after a couple of rings “Doug, it’s me Erin…”

“Hey…what’s up?” he asked brightly.

“You didn’t tell Mia yet did you?” Erin asked with hope.

“Does it count the second time?” Doug asked weakly, Erin let out a grunt and he quickly begged “I’m sorry…I promise, she guessed it herself. She won’t say anything…I’ll guarantee it.”

Erin shook her head “Are you kidding me? Knowing Mia, she’s probably got ‘Welcome Back Home Lil Sister’ banners made out and a party set up for us as we speak.”

“Don’t over exaggerate, Erin. Give her more credit than that.” Doug said in his friend’s defense.

“Yeah, we’ll see.” She said shortly and said goodbye to him. She turned to Brad who was looking at her with curiosity.

“You don’t want to move in with me do you?” Brad asked carefully “It’s okay, I understand if you say no.”

She felt bad for not being truthful “I just think it’s moving too fast…that’s all.”

He sat down on the bed and patted on the seat next to him “Come on.” He coaxed and she joined him “Why don’t you see it as a contract? We’re just roommates. I really want to save money to get a house. But I can’t handle the rent all on my own.”

Erin smiled at him with adoration “You’re cute when you try to turn the situation around. But even if I said yes, what are we going to do about Shelly?”

“Take her along, I have three rooms. I won’t pressure you to share a room with me either, how about that?” Brad pressed.

She couldn’t help but feel bad from the desperate look on his face. Erin eventually nodded with a smile “Okay, you win…come on. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” The two walked out of the room to find Sheila eating the second steak. Erin shook her head as she looked up at Brad “Looks like someone’s hungry.”

The three decided to go out to dinner instead, eventhough Sheila already ate Erin wouldn’t hear of leaving her at home alone. They chose a simple Japanese restaurant downtown where they were seated in a quiet room. Erin was a little distracted since she was not paying attention to what Brad was saying. He nudged her “Hey…are you listening?”

“Oh…sorry…you were saying?” Erin smiled. But it soon disappeared when the door opened and about four Japanese women came in dressed in their dress and began dancing with fans.

Sheila was excited as she clapped her hands and laughed giddily “It’s a show!!”

Erin and Brad on the other hand exchanged suspicious glances. They didn’t order a dance, but the two read each other’s mind as they decided not to say anything but waited for the dancers to finish.

At the end of the five minutes, the women posed beautifully and in unison, they flipped their fans around. To Erin’s shock, it read in Chinese ‘Welcome Home Sheila’. Brad pointed at the fans strangely and Erin pushed herself up as she made a dash for the door but it was too late, Mia had appeared with balloons and flowers. She was giggling like a child while Darren followed in after her.

“Hi!!” Mia hugged Erin happily and walked over to Sheila as she handed the balloons and flowers to the girl “How does it feel to be with family?”

Sheila looked at the girl like a scared puppy. She pushed the balloons away and ran over behind Erin “I’m afraid of balloons.” She whispered.

Erin turned to Mia and tried to signal for her to stop. She hinted to her that Sheila didn’t know but unfortunately Mia was not that quick “What’s wrong? Did I scare her?”

“She doesn’t know!” Erin said through clenched teeth.

“What?” Mia asked with her head shaking.

“Shut up…” Erin leaned over and said it to Mia.

“Why?” Mia was more confused “You look a little tense, Erin…maybe you need to see a doctor.” She smiled over her shoulder at Sheila “Your sister gets a bit…cookoo.” She waved a finger around her temple.

Erin closed her eyes as her head lowered to the ground. Sheila looked confusingly at Mia then at Erin “Sis…sister…”

“I’m sorry…” Erin turned to face the shocked girl.

“Wait…you didn’t know?” Mia asked with her hand covering her mouth.

“No…” Sheila was in denial as she backed away and ran out of the room, bumping straight into Doug.

“Shelly!” he helped her up “What’s the matter?” by the shock look on her face, he knew that she had found out. He brought her back into the room “I’m too late huh?” he said it mostly to Erin.

Darren scratched his head “You know, I have never been more confused.”

Doug gently patted Sheila’s shoulder “We’re sorry…but Erin and I figured that you just lost your mom, we didn’t have the heart to surprise you with a sister.”

Sheila smiled weakly while Erin approached her “You are my sister…whether you can admit it or not.”

Mia shook her head “Why don’t you just put a knife to her neck and tell her that she has to accept you or you’ll kill her. Be a little more understanding, Erin.”

Erin’s eyes turned evilly as they met with Mia’s eyes “I’ll be more understanding when I break your legs and you have to sit in a wheelchair for the rest of your life!” she loved the girl to death but sometimes, she was such a loony.

Mia dropped her jaw, her face looked offended as she turned to Darren “Can you believe…” Darren nodded, not being able to stand up for her and she shrugged “Okay, I was wrong. Sorry Erin, sorry Sheila.”

“Shelly.” The girl was no longer upset as she smiled “My friends call me Shelly.”

“And my friends call me Mia.” Mia extended a hand and the girls shook it.

“Not right now…” Erin said threateningly.

Chapter 6

Guest:
Ada Choi – Jessie Leung aka Cancer
Aaron Kwok – Ted Kwong aka Libra

The following day, it was busy for Erin and Shelly, they both were moving in with Brad. They set up everything in boxes that were ready to be moved. The three worked most of the morning together and ate lunch together where Erin offered to make. While she was in the kitchen Brad and Shelly had a chance to talk to each other.

Shelly sat on one of the high boxes with her legs dangling over the edge “So…how long have you and Erin…I mean Ga Jei…” she smiled while her eyes darted to the kitchen “It’s strange saying that.”

Brad smiled “I know. We’ve just started dating a few weeks ago.”

“And you guys are moving in together?!!” she asked in shock “Wow…I guess people are more open these days.”

He laughed “Actually, it’s not just the two of us, you’re going to be living with us too.” he reminded her.

Shelly smiled crookedly “You’ll regret it, I’m a real slob.” She gave him a wink of the eye.

“You haven’t seen my room.” He whispered and the two laughed together.

“What’s so funny?” Erin asked as she brought out a tray of sandwiches.

“Oh…nothing.” Shelly exchanged a knowing glance with Brad.

Erin shook her head at the two “You guys are up to no good.” She turned to Brad after taking a bite of her sandwich “So, did you call the movers yet?”

He nodded “They’ll be here any minute.” As if predicting the future, the doorbell rang, he smiled and got up to open it “Speak of the devil.”

Darren and Mia were the first to appear as they walked in hand in hand. She caught her eyes on Shelly sitting on the box as she brought out her hands and clapped it “Hi cutie, come here…let Auntie Mia give you a kiss.” She laughed humorously at her own little joke.

Erin shook her head at Shelly “Don’t mind her, she hasn’t taken her medicine yet. She’ll be like that for another hour.”

Mia straightened her back and cleared her throat “Actually, I did take my medicine this morning. It’s called Humor, you should try it sometime, Erin.”

“And turn up like you? I think I'll pass.” Erin quipped back as quickly.

Darren and Brad widened their eyes as they quickly intervened before a fight starts out “Play nice girls.” Darren said in a fatherly tone.

The girls diverged their attention to him and Brad quickly nudged him in the ribs “You had to open your mouth.” He whispered “You run, I’ll hold them down.” He noticed the girls had gotten up and walked over them in slow steady steps.

“It’s too late!” Darren hissed back. Suddenly they were saved by a knock on the door.

“Hi guys, sorry we’re late!” Doug announced.

Shelly practically jumped off the box as she ran to him “Hero!!”

She was not the only one that was happy to see him, Darren and Brad instantly rushed over there “Man, we told you 12pm it’s now almost 1pm! How do you expect to be successful in a mission if you’re always late.” Brad scolded.

Jessie smiled apologetically “Sorry, it’s my fault. I had to make a stop at my parents’ place.” Her attention turned to the petite girl that was smiling adoringly at her boyfriend “You must be Shelly.”

“It’s Sheila…to you.” Shelly pointed out and Jessie’s smile disappeared.

Doug laughed nervously “She’s just kidding.” He toughened his face and shook it at Shelly warningly.

She seemed to be pondering the thought “Yeah…I guess I was kidding.” She shrugged carelessly.

Mia looked at the three individually “Well! You can cut that tension with a knife. Let’s get to work!” She clapped her hands and went for the smallest box she could find. Everyone began randomly picking up things to take to the cars. They moved for the rest of the day taking short trips back and forth. They weren’t done until late that night and everyone was exhausted.

Brad’s apartment soon looked like a box convention “I’m so tired!” Shelly announced as she crashed onto the couch next to Darren. She pulled her legs up over his legs “You don’t mind do you?” she didn’t even bother to notice the uncomfortable expression on his face as he shifted slowly away from her and then threw Erin a ‘help me’ look.

Erin smiled as she crossed her arms, she was amused by his uncomfortable nature. Instead it was Mia that felt a pang of jealousy. She cleared her throat and walked over to Darren as she patted him over and took a seat next to Shelly “Darren doesn’t mind…but I do.” She smiled sweetly and took Shelly’s legs as she propped it over her own “Is that better?” she said through clenched teeth.

Shelly looked at her strangely, she didn’t catch the threatening tone in Mia’s voice. Erin smiled as she knelt down in front of Shelly “Darren…belongs to Mia. And Mia gets psychotic when any girl gets near him. Don’t take it personally.”

“Hey!” Mia cried in disagreement and Erin tilted her head to her friend and Mia eventually nodded “Yeah…okay…I know.”

Shelly sat back comfortably with a curious expression “Hey, what do you guys do for a living? It’s the middle of the week and you all managed to get a day off on the SAME day?”

The team exchanged glances and everyone was hesitant to answer her, Darren was the first to speak up “I’m the CEO of a jewelry company and Mia is my personal secretary.”

“Oh really? Is that what you call me now?” Mia made it sound flirtatious but not for long as she earned a kick on the shin by Erin “Ow!” she rubbed her leg painfully and threw daggers at her friend “Yeah, why not…I’m a secretary.” She nodded at Shelly.

“How about you Ga Jei?” Shelly continued down the line.

Erin was at lost for words, to be put on the spot unexpectedly “I…I’m a interior designer.” She concluded and nodded as if happy with her answer.

Shelly looked on to Brad “I sell knives door to door.” he answered while Mia stifled a giggle.

Then it was Doug’s turn, he was ready with a smile “Oh…my turn. I’m an astronaut!” the group turned to him with a strange expression. Doug’s smile slowly disappeared “Okay, I always wanted to an astronaut, but I’m really a photographer.” The group let out sighs.

Mia suddenly raised her hand as if she was in grade school “My turn! My turn! I’m a model / actress / producer / director…” her words faded slowly when Shelly looked at her strangely and everyone else widened their eyes at her. Her round eyes appeared larger as she leaned against the couch “Sheesh…I’m just playing aloing with the game.” Her comment earned another kick in the shin. “Ow!! Stop it or I’ll kick you back!” she warned Erin.

Shelly shook her head with confusion “Why do I have a strange feeling that you guys are just joking with me?”

Jessie smiled as she spoke up for the team “We’re just funny people. I work as a nurse.”

“I didn’t ask you.” Shelly snapped. Erin threw her sister a glare and she rolled her eyes “Sorry…I didn’t mean that.” She muttered.

Erin turned to Jessie with an apologetic smile “Sorry Jessie. She’s just a little girl, you have to forgive her.”

Jessie nodded “No offense taken.”

Shelly let out a loud sigh “If any of you guys call me a ‘little girl’ one more time, I’m gonna…” she looked around hastily and picked up a pillow as she smothered it onto her face. Her muffled scream was still loud enough for everyone to hear, they looked at each other, startled by her reaction.

Darren patted Mia on the shoulder “Are you sure she’s not YOUR sister?”

Mia turned and smacked him across the chest and he began laughing and choking at the same time “Serves you right. I use a towel, not a pillow.” She corrected.

***********

The group decided to get some food that night. They chose a café nearby but were surprised to see it still full. Mia pointed her head to a group of 20, all looked about in their teens. Definitely gangster wannabes.

“Wow…there’s even more people at night!” Shelly exclaimed when they were seated.

Erin turned to Brad “Gangsters?” she asked in a low voice.

He nodded “I was thinking the same thing. Probably out late clubbing or causing trouble.” He took a sip of his water and noticed Mia staring at one guy in particular “Someone you know, Mia?”

She turned back to them “No…hey, I think that guy looks a little like Darren.” At her comment, the entire table turned to look at the guy and they turned back.

“Nah!!” Doug, Brad and Darren exclaimed at once.

Jessie looked at the guy again “Actually, he does. If Darren dyed his hair blond and spiked it up, he’ll look just like him.”

Shelly was quick to go against Jessie “I don’t think he looks like Darren at all. Darren’s MUCH cuter.”

Erin shook her head “Actually now that you say it Mia, he looks like Darren from a distance.” Mia nodded in agreement.

Doug turned to the group who were oblivious to the gang that was now noticing their stares “You guys keep looking and you’ll really have a good look at that guy.” He looked up and saw the group of 20 approaching them “Too late.” He muttered.

“What the fuck are you guys looking at?!!” one guy leaned his leg on Mia’s chair who was facing the back to him.

Mia rolled her eyes at the attempt to scare them, they had no idea who they were dealing with. She pushed his leg off her chair “Don’t touch my chair.” She said casually and returned to the group’s conversation.

“Fuckin bitch!!” The guy snarled as he grabbed a hold of Mia’s long hair and yanked it back. She didn’t mutter a cry of pain but Shelly gasped with her hands covering her mouth. The gangsters suddenly surrounded the table, causing all the other customers to run out of the café.

“I would let go if I were you.” Mia warned.

“I would shut my trap if I were you.” The guy threatened and the other guys began laughing loudly.

She let out a sigh “I warned you.” She looked over at Erin, who got up like a bullet and kicked back her chair as she threw the guy a punch into the stomach. The guy quickly let go of Mia’s hair to grab on his stomach in pain.

Mia and Erin stood next to each other with victory smiles “Did that hurt?” Erin asked sarcastically “Because if it didn’t, I could make it hurt more.”

The guy raised a hand and the other guys quickly pulled out their pocket knives. Brad and Darren shook their heads while Doug sighed “I told you guys…” he turned to Shelly, who looked petrified in her seat “Call the ambulance in about…oh, ten minutes.”

She looked confusingly at him “Huh?”

He winked at her and suddenly kicked his chair back at the guy who stood behind him, causing him to fall flat on his face. And so the fighting began as the girls took on about 6 guys while the guys were being ganged up by 13 others. Shelly stood in a corner watching and every so often when someone tried to stab her, she would be saved by Doug or Brad.

After about 10 minutes, just as Doug predicted, the gangsters were defeated. The team gave each other high fives when the guys ran out of the café like scared cats. Mia counted each one “Hey, there’s only 19…where’s that guy that looked like Darren?” she wondered.

“I saw him leave when Ga Jei punched that guy.” Shelly answered. She scratched her head in confusion and pointed at the group “Uh…where did you guys learn to fight like that?”

The six exchanged stuttering words “Uh…um…well…” they didn’t get much time to explain when the sound of the police sirens rang through the café. A group of casual dressed cops walked inside the café and pointed to the team to get down.

Mia was the first to noticed a familiar face “It’s Ted!!” she rushed over to him but a couple of the guys pointed the guns at her.

Ted turned and a smile appeared on his face “Mia.” He patted the guy’s hands “It’s okay.” His grin grew as he noticed the team behind her “Not enough to save the world from evil, but you have to start fights in cafes?” he joked, while walking around the broken chairs and tables.

Brad greeted him with a nod and Darren shook his hand “Long time no see.”

“Yes, it has been a long time.” His eyes fixated on Erin but he greeted Doug and Jessie with smiles. His gaze lingered on Erin “How have you been?”

She smiled with a nod “Good.”

Shelly stood behind Erin shyly and pulled at her arm “Who is he?”

Erin put her arm around Shelly’s back and pushed her forward “Shelly, this is Ted. Ted, this is Shelly, my sister.” Ted raised his brows with surprise “Long story. I’ll tell you when I get a chance.”

He nodded in agreement and looked around at the ransacked place “I think I have to ask you guys to come back to the station with me.” He turned to the group and they looked away and he quickly smiled “I’m just kidding. I’ll take care of it. You guys go home.”

“But you’ll get in trouble.” Erin shook her head “That’s not fair.”

Brad walked over to Erin and placed an arm around her shoulder “Yeah, we have no problem taking responsibility for our actions. We’ll go back with you.”

Ted smiled as he nodded “Okay, suit yourself.” He turned to the other cops “Team, take them back for questioning.” He walked out of the café without looking back.

“Thanks a lot, big mouth.” Mia muttered at Brad while the cops escorted them out of the café.

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