Que Sera Sera Chapter 16: Rising Action

September 24, 2008 at 10:25 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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“I’m going to ask him out.” Rainie declared. They were at the Lotus, Ariel was working as usual.

“Who?” Ariel stopped pouring coffee. She had a very bad feeling about this.

“Joe of course.”

“Oh.” Ariel started pouring the coffee again.

“Yeah. You know him well Ariel, what does kind of girls does he like?”

“I, I don’t know.” That’s a good question. What kind of girls does Joe like?

“Oh well, there’s only one way to find out, right? Do you think inviting him to a movie is a good idea?”

“Yeah, that probably is.” Ariel replied a little weakly. What if Joe says yes? Does that mean he likes Rainie? What happens if he says no? Does that mean he likes me? Of course it doesn’t. Jeez Ariel, who are you kidding. Any guy would pick Rainie over you. If she really asks Joe out, you don’t stand a chance.

“Ariel!” Rainie yelled. “Watch the coffee.”

Ariel snapped out of stupor and jerked her hand away just in time to avoid getting scalded by the coffee she was pouring. Unfortunately, even though her hand avoided the hot liquid, the counter wasn’t so lucky.

“Crap,” she swore and grabbed some towels, trying to clean the small mess up with her back to the door and Rainie.

“Ariel!” Mike ran into the coffee shop. He then noticed Rainie sitting there.

“Oh hey there Rainie.” He smiled his most charming smile. No lady could resist it.

Rainie blushed and felt her heart beat faster. Why am I blushing? She berated herself. You like Joe, remember? Joe, not Mike.

“How are you?” Mike asked.

“I’m fine.” Rainie smiled graciously.

Mike felt extremely happy for some strange reason when she smiled. All his worries seemed to have disappeared.

“Mike, I’m quoting you on this, ‘could you two love birds stop flirting?’” Ariel smirked. She finished mopping up the mini spill.

“We’re not flirting.” Mike replied quickly.

Rainie felt disappointed. Weren’t we? She mentally shook her head. Rainie, what are you thinking. Of course Mike wouldn’t flirt with you.

Ariel grabbed a towel and began going around the café wiping down tables.

“I need a favour.” Mike started.

“No!”

“You don’t even know what I want yet.”

“No, I’m not helping you with bio.”

“Please!” Mike begged.

“No, I don’t have time!” Ariel replied. Mike began following her around like a lost puppy.

“Please, just one time! I’ll pay you.”

“Mike,” Ariel turned around to face him. “I can’t. I am working; I don’t have time to tutor you.”

Mike took this chance to give Ariel his signature puppy dog look. “Pretty please. I really need help. If you won’t do it for a friend, then consider this a normal tutoring job, I’ll pay you double of what you would get working here. It’s just once, please.”

“Hey, you’re not playing fair.”

“Please.”

“Fine,” Ariel relented, “but make that triple of what I would get working here.”

“Deal!” Mike jumped up and hugged Ariel.

——————–

Joe was whistling. He was on his way to find Ariel at the Lotus. His mom just invited her to dinner for tomorrow night, and he can’t wait to show her off to his parents. Sure, Ariel wasn’t his girlfriend yet, but he planed on changing that very soon.

Oh, here I am already. Joe looked in through the large windows to check if Ariel’s there. She was. And Mike was hugging her.

What the heck?

————————-

“When?” Ariel gently pushed Mike away and started to walk back to the counter. “Oh, hug me again and I will kick your rear end. I am not one of your bimbo’s.”

Mike ignored her second comment, “Tonight?”

“I’m busy.”

———————–

Joe pushed the door to the Lotus open. What is going on? Ariel is not a touchy feely person, why did she hug Mike?

———————–

“Tomorrow night?” Mike tried again.

“Alright.”

“I’ll pick you up at seven.”

“Ok.”

———————–

Joe walked in to the café.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night!” Mike happily called on his way out the door. He barely noticed Joe. “See you later Rainie.”

Ariel smiled. He is such a kid.

Rainie frowned. Does Mike like Ariel? He seems far too happy just because she agreed to tutor him.

Joe felt weird. Did she just agree to go out with Mike? Why do they both look so happy? They don’t like each other do they? Mike knows I like Ariel… Would he…?

“Hey Joe.” Ariel smiled and put a cup of coffee on the counter. “2 creams, one sugar.”

“Thanks.” Joe’s voice sounded a bit weird even to himself.

“You ok?”

“Yeah.”

“Yeah, I totally believe you.” Ariel said sarcastically. “What’s bugging you?”

“You.” Joe wanted to say, but he stopped himself. If Ariel did agree to go out with Mike, then there’s nothing he can do. Don’t make a fool of yourself Joe.

“Joe?” Rainie asked. Ariel had almost forgotten she was there.

“Yeah?” Joe turned his stool to face her.

This is your chance Rainie. She encouraged herself.

“Do you want to go see a movie tomorrow night? With me?” She said in a rather hesitant voice.

Joe was shocked. He looked at Ariel; she was facing away from him, busily wiping mugs. I don’t like Rainie. Mike likes her. But Mike asked Ariel out when he knew I like her. Why not go out with Rainie? She seems nice enough.

“Sure.” Joe wasn’t looking at Rainie when he answered her. He was looking at Ariel.

———————-

What? Ariel was shocked. He actually agreed. I guess I really was thinking too much. She turned around. He was looking at her. Ariel could feel her heart speeding up. He’s looking at her in a really intense way. They looked at each other for what seemed like an eternity. Why is he looking at me like that?

———————

Joe looked away first. He didn’t like the question in Ariel’s eyes.

“How does tomorrow at seven sound?” He asked Rainie.

“That sounds great.” Rainie almost squealed. He agreed!

Joe stood up. “I’ll see you tomorrow night then.”

——————–

“Congratulations.” Ariel said to Rainie once Joe left. She felt like she was going to cry and she was jealous, but she wasn’t petty enough to hate Rainie for it.

“Yeah, thanks.” Rainie beamed. She was too happy to notice Ariel’s discomfort.

“I need to use the washroom.” Ariel disappeared, leaving Rainie confused.

 

 

—————-

Hi my dear readers :) This chapter is the beginning of the rising action for the first part of the story. I hope you have enjoyed it so far. To the few of you that have kindly commented, thank you very, very much. It’s great to know people like this story. As usual, please comment, I love comments :D .

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 15: History

September 17, 2008 at 9:56 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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“So how was it?” Mira asked excitedly.

“It was interesting.” Ariel hanged her trench coat up on the hooks behind the door. Mira had bombarded with questions the second she came in the door.

“How interesting?”

“You wouldn’t believe what I found out.” Ariel told Mira about the story behind the Greenhouse Garden.

“No way!” Mira exclaimed, “So Joe’s Mom used to know Dad?”

“Yeah. Can you believe it?”

“Wow! Did you ask her for stories of him?”

“She wasn’t home. I think she’s away on a business trip. But I wouldn’t have asked her even if she was home.”

“Why not?”

“We can’t appear too curious. It’s kind of suspicious.”

“But still!”

“Mira, I want to know more about Dad as well. He died when I was 12, and I wish I remembered him better But we can’t draw more suspicion to ourselves.”

Miranda looked at Ariel silently for a few seconds, “You’re not telling me something about James are you.”

“Mira-“

“Don’t ‘Mira’ me Ariel. Tell me the truth. What is happening with James, and don’t tell me you don’t know.”

“Am I older or are you older?” Ariel remarked drily.

“Ariel. Tell me or I will phone Ge. And you know he’ll tell me.”

Ariel sighed. “He might be on to us.”

“James?” Miranda paled, “So soon? How?”

“I don’t know. Ge just said the guy that’s tracking us this time got a lead that we’re out west. I don’t know if he knows we’re in Vancouver, but he might. Ge says to sit tight for now.”

“How could you not tell me that before now?”

“What good would it have done? Hell, what good does it do for you to know now? We’re stuck here until Ge can get us new identities, and he won’t do that until it’s absolutely necessary. We don’t know if the tracker knows where we are. I’m betting not or we would be found out already. It usually takes them time to pinpoint us even if they know what city we’re in, so all we can do now is be careful and try not to draw attention to ourselves.”

“How long?” Miranda whispered.

“I don’t know. Maybe a few days, maybe a few months. Depends on how good the tracker is.”

“How long Ari?” Miranda asked again.

Ariel sighed, “I wouldn’t bet on staying here after the New Year.”

“Oh.”

“I know what you’re thinking, don’t do anything drastic about Josh.”

Mira smiled sadly, “I know. But sooner or later I have to.”

——————————-

“So how was it?” Mike asked Joe.

“How was what?” Joe busied himself putting mugs away in the cupboard.

“Your little ‘rendezvous’ with Ariel up in the Greenhouse Garden?”

“What rendezvous? We just talked. She was interested in the history of the garden.”

“Oh man!” Mike started laughing, “You’re disappointed!”

“I am not disappointed!” Joe strived to be calm.

“Yes you are.”

“I am not, and nice try.”

“Oh man, this is hilarious. The great Joe Cheng, dubbed the ‘most eligible bachelor’ of VU last year, couldn’t get a girl more interested in him than his mother’s garden!”

“Shut up dude.”

“It’s true though. I have a new appreciation for Ariel.”

“I’m sure you do. Now can you move your butt? I need to clean up.”

—————————–

It’s another Wednesday. Ariel loved and hated Wednesdays. On one hand, the week is half over and people seem rather reluctant to visit the Lotus on Wednesdays, so she has less work. On the other hand, all the course work seems to start piling up right around Wednesdays, and she was so tired she really wished it was the weekends already.

She was brewing coffee at the Lotus and it was raining as usual. She sighed and glanced at the calendar. December 8th. Christmas was just over two weeks away. Ariel loved Christmas. It was her favourite holiday to celebrate as a child because both her parents would be home. Her mother, a fabulous cook, always prepared a huge meal for the Christmas Eve dinner. Her father, an English teacher, would read Christmas classics to them after dinner until it was time for the Christmas Eve service. Ariel’s family wasn’t particularly religious, but they always go to the midnight service. Both Mira and herself would fall asleep from exhaustion the second they get back home. They would wake up late on Christmas morning, well rested and happy. The “great present search” would happen after a large breakfast, and the family would spend the rest of the day at home, watching movies, reading, playing games. Growing up in a city like Kitchener, snow always covered the houses during Christmas time, giving the town an almost magical feel. Yes, Ariel loved Christmas because she was truly happy. Spending time with her family was what Ariel loved the best.

And then…

One Christmas, Ariel was 12 and Miranda was 8. Her family had gone to the church service as usual. It had snowed during the day, and the ground was covered with a layer of ice. Ariel distinctly remembered the walk back home. Everyone was so happy but tired. A block away from home, Miranda dropped her stuffed reindeer in the middle of the road. The girls’ father, Matthew, went to pick it up. A car turned too fast on to the street they were standing on. The road was slippery; the car didn’t swerve in time.

The family waited in the emergency room for 24 hours. He didn’t make it. Before he died, he called Ariel to his bedside, his last words to her were, “You are so strong Ariel, but remember, sometimes it’s better to go around a mountain than to climb over it. Be flexible.” She took them to heart. “Be flexible” became her mantra. When she thinks those words, she could hear her father saying them to her.

The funeral was two weeks later. Ariel cried. Looking at her father’s tombstone after the service, she vowed to do what her father had asked of her.

Mira was only eight at the time. She never played with stuffed animals or reindeers ever again.

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 14: Carpe Diem, Cramming, and Carbon

September 11, 2008 at 8:16 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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What should I wear? I don’t want to wear something that makes me look like a total geek, but I don’t want to look like I’m trying to impress him. Ariel fretted in front of her mirror. It is a study session for Pete’s sake. We’ve had plenty of those, and I never really felt the need to dress up… But this time, it’s at his house, and its one of those large fancy houses on Marine Drive, so I don’t want to look like a slob. On the other hand, I don’t want Joe to get the wrong ideas if I dress up. Ariel fell on her bed.

“It’s hopeless!”

“Ari?” Mir poked her head into the living room. There basement only have one small closet size room, and Ariel insisted Mira take it. “Are you ok?”

“Yeah,” Ariel groaned from her bed.

“What’s wrong?” Mira flopped down on Ariel’s bed, nearly causing her to fall off, “if you get me up at seven on a Saturday morning, there has better be a good reason.”

Dejectedly, Ariel explained.

Miranda screamed.

“Mira!”

“Oh my gosh! Ariel has her first crush!”

“It is NOT my first crush! I’ve liked over people before.”

“Fine, fine, but it’s your first crush in like the last 3 years, this is a cause for celebration.’

“Why should I celebrate? I can’t like him, since we move around so much. I don’t know when or where we’ll move to next, and we have to ‘disappear’, and I don’t want to go away feeling like a total wreck because of something that wouldn’t work out in the first place.”

“Ari. Come on. Don’t worry about that. Live in the moment. Carpe Diem, remember? I know you; if you like Joe enough to admit it, then you must like him quite a bit, so why not make a move?”

“When have I ever said Carpe Diem? And have you seen Joe? Girls fall over themselves trying to get him to notice them. I’m not gorgeous, I don’t stand a chance.”

“Regardless Ari, give it a try. You are gorgeous, you just don’t know it, and you’re so much more than just a pretty face. I can go on for an hour talking about what you’re good at.”

“Only an hour?” Ariel joked.

“Glad to see you’re humble as usual,” Miranda said sarcastically, “get up, we’re going to doll you up.”

Amid Ariel’s loud protests and many compromises, Miranda accomplished her task.

—————————–

“I can’t believe Mira talked me into wearing high heels.” Ariel muttered to herself. “Note to self Ariel, never wear high heels on public transit in the middle of the winter.”

Ariel looked down on her attire. Mira had dressed her in a simple form-hugging white sweater with dark skinny jeans and high heel boots. A silver chunky necklace around her neck completes the look. Because it’s raining, like it always is, Ariel wore her waterproof trench coat on top.

Ariel quickly walked up to the gate and pushed the door bell. Joe’s house is extremely large, and he has one of those electronic door opening systems.

“Ariel?” Joe asked over the intercom.

“Yup, could you open the door? It’s cold.”

The door buzzed and opened, Ariel walked in, and almost groaned out loud when she realized how far the gate is from the house. Clutching her trench coat closer, she carefully walked up to the house’s door. Joe really does have a cool house. From the front, it appeared as though the entire house was made of glass. The window panes are tinted, so people could not see in. The house seemed to have three stories, with the top and bottom layer slightly bigger than the middle, somewhat resembling a sandwich. The roof was domed and also made of glass; Ariel thought she saw plants underneath it. That’s funny Ariel, the only person with a greenhouse on their roof is Nana, and she’s been dead for years. You need to stop hallucinating.

Joe was waiting for Ariel at the font door; he practically pulled her in and slammed the door shut.

“Hey.” Joe smiled.

“Hey yourself.” Ariel smiled back as she took her trench coat and boots off.

“You look good.”

“Are you implying that I normally don’t?” Ariel teased. “Where should I put my coat?”

“In the closet. And you need to stop twisting my words Ari.”

Ariel slipped her coat on a hanger and hanged it up in the over sized closet. “I’m just teasing. You have a very nice house.”

“Thank you. It’s very…”

“Groovy.”

“Groovy?” Joe looked surprised.

“What?”

“You don’t seem the type of person to say the word ‘groovy’.”

Ariel smirked, “you of all people should know not to judge a book by its cover.”

“What’s that suppose to mean?”

“Figure it out.”

Before Joe had a chance to say anything else, Mike called out from the kitchen.

“Could you two love birds get in here?”

Joe blushed.

Ariel almost did. She raised her eye brows at Joe and walked into the kitchen. “Love birds?”

“Yeah.” Mike was sitting around the Island near the middle of the room. “I’m here to study, not watch you two flirt.”

“Really,” Ariel was sceptical, “I don’t think studious is how anyone would describe you.”

Mike grinned, “It isn’t. But at least you two have stopped flirting.”

“Is that how you flirt with girls Mike?” Ariel joked.

“Nope,” Mike grinned. “But that is how Joe flir- ow!”

Joe smiled beatifically and pretended he hasn’t pinched Mike, “can we start?”

Before Mike could get another word in, Joe opened up the accounting book and started talking at lightning speed. Poor Mike had no chance.

——————–

“I give up!” Mike tossed his accounting book in the air.

“Oh come on Mike, it’s really easy, you just do these-“

“Joe,” Ariel interrupted, “I have to agree with Mike. We’ve been studying for too long, and things don’t make sense anymore. Can we take a break?”

“Please?” Mike whined.

“Fine,” Joe leaned back in his chair, “My head is starting to hurt too. Does anyone want more coffee?”

“Yeah,” Mike pushed his mug over, “thanks.”

“Do you have hot chocolate?” Ariel asked.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Thanks.” Ariel pushed her mug over to him.

“Joe?” Mike asked.

“Yeah?” Joe asked while brewing coffee.

“You should show Ariel the greenhouse.”

Ariel’s year perked up, “Greenhouse?”

“Yeah,” Mike answered, “Joe’s got this great greenhouse on his roof. It’s really cool, he’s got all sorts of plants in it.”

“I didn’t figure you to be a gardener Joe.”

“I’m not, my mom is; she really loves that garden.”

“Why?”

“My grandmother’s friend had a greenhouse on their roof. Mom and Dad got married in it, and so when my parents had this house built, Melissa designed on for her.”

“Melissa?” No way.

“My mom’s friend.”

Nana? It can’t be. There are no other greenhouse gardens in the world like Nana’s…

“Can I see it?” Ariel asked.

“Sure, I’ll take you up there.”

—————————

God. It is Nana’s garden… Ariel started to get emotional. No way. How? Nana never mentioned she designed another greenhouse garden. The one at her house was designed by her and put together by her and Granddad, why would she design a second one?

“Ariel?” Joe waved his hand in front of Ariel’s face.

“Yes,” Ariel stopped her daydreaming. “This garden reminds me of the one that my Nana used to have.”

“Really?”

Ariel nodded. “The lady that designed this, she must have really liked your mom.”

“I don’t know about that, but my mom was very fond of her. Mom was an orphan, her parents died when she was very young, and Mom grew up in an orphanage in Kitchener, that’s in Ontario by the way. Melissa was one of the volunteers at the orphanage and she was very kind to my mother. She supported my mother financially for University, which allowed her to get a B.Com. and become an entrepreneur. She has a very successful career.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah, according to Mom, she and Melissa’s son were engaged. Except they were more like siblings, and then they both met people they really love, so that didn’t happen.”

“Really? What was the name of the Melissa’s son?” It can’t be Dad… can it?

“Matthew.”

It is Dad. Wow.

“Why did you ask?”

“Just curious. So how did Melissa feel about your mom marrying someone else?”

“She was a little disappointed, but she really liked my Dad and Uncle Matthew’s wife, so she was happy. They had a double wedding in Melissa’s garden.”

I didn’t know Mom and Dad got married in Nana’s garden….

“Really?”

“Yeah, but then Mom had a fallout with Melissa’s family when I was not even a year old I think. She said it was over something stupid, but Mom’s really stubborn, so she didn’t try to get in contact with Melissa’s family until 5 or 6 years ago. Unfortunately, they moved, so we don’t know where they are anymore.”

“That’s a shame. How do you know this so well?”

“Mom constantly talked to me about it. She feels really bad, and I guess after hearing it so much, I remember it really well.”

“Do you know if your Uncle Matthew had any children?”

“I don’t know. Mom never mentioned any children.”

“Oh.” Ariel sighed in relief. Good, he doesn’t know about me.

“You’re curious.”

“It just sounds like a wonderful story. Both my parents died when Mira and I were young, and we have no other family. So it’s just us.”

“Oh. That sucks.”

“I know. I miss my parents.” Ariel smiled wistfully, then teasingly. “Do you think we should go down stairs before Mike jumps to the wrong conclusion again?”

Joe laughed, but inside he felt a bit disappointed, “That’s probably a good idea.”

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 13: Hidden Thoughts

September 7, 2008 at 9:18 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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It was Friday afternoon, and Ariel was sitting at home by herself. Mira’s was still at school, Ariel was done her classes for the day, and for once, she wasn’t working. She sat in front of the window in one of the many wobbly chairs in the house with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Despite working in a coffee shop, Ariel does not drink coffee, it makes her tired.

It has been a long day and an even longer week. There were so many things happening! James was getting closer to her, and she still cannot do anything to escape from him completely. He makes her feel anxious and claustrophobic, and she doesn’t know what to do about it. Go or stay? Usually, Ariel would have no trouble packing up and leaving, but she has made many friends in Vancouver… and…

Joe.

Ariel is confused. Very confused. Her feelings were in a jumble, and she doesn’t know how to go about un-jumbling them. She doesn’t know what to say or what to think, and it is driving her crazy. She has never really liked anyone in her life. Sure, she’s got a few crushes in her early teenage years, but she couldn’t seem to bring herself to like anyone after her mother’s death. Maybe there’s something wrong with me. Oh, who am I kidding, of course there’s something wrong with me. But then how can I like Joe? Am I getting more normal?

Do I like him? Why the hell would I like him? He’s a silly, forgetful, irresponsible, and a total player, liking him is really not healthy. Besides, Mira and I are probably leaving soon, and do I really want emotional baggage with me? No, I don’t.

Then this stops here. Stop liking him Ariel. She berated herself. Stop thinking of him, stop talking to him so often, stop going near him, and get over him. Yes, that would work.

Oh damn, that means I have to study accounting by myself again. Crap.

At least that’s better than liking him. Yeah, yeah, that’s right.

Ariel finished her hot chocolate. I hope I’m not lying to myself.

—————————

“He’s cute.” Rainie declared.

“Who?” Ariel asked. The girls were hanging out at Rainie’s apartment, giving each other manicures and pedicures. Ariel doesn’t usually do the whole girl-bonding thing, but she didn’t want to stay home by herself on a Friday night while Mira was on a date.

“Joe.”

“Oh.” Ariel stopped painting her nails for a moment.

“Does he have a girlfriend?”

“Um…” Ariel squirmed. “I don’t think so, but then again, I’m not really sure.”

“No matter,” Rainie waved her hand, “if he does, she’ll surely be history soon.”

“How are you so sure?” Ariel asked, her interest piqued.

“Come on, if you’re a guy, can you be immune to my charms?” She batted her eyelashes exaggeratedly.

“No, of course not.” Ariel said sarcastically. Then her tone turned wistful, “I envy you though. I would never have that much confidence with a guy.”

“Why not? Any guy would be lucky to have a girlfriend like you.”

“I doubt it! I bet the poor guy would want to throttle me in a week.”

“Probably.” Rainie grinned. “You’d scare the guy away in a day.”

“Hey!”

“Seriously though Ari, you’re smart, serious, and are friends with two of the hottest guys on campus. Most guys are probably too intimidated to approach you.”

“You’re saying I’m a total geek, so no guys would be interested in me. But even if a guy is interested, he’s probably geeky, and he’ll be too insecure to do anything about it.”

“Jeez Ariel, twist my words.”

Ariel shrugged, “being single doesn’t bother me.”

“Really?”

“Really. Hey, how about we go watch a movie?”

“Real subtle change of topics.”

“Come on, let’s go!” Ariel lugged Rainie to her feet and grabbed Rainie’s purse, “come on.”

“Ariel!”

“Have I mentioned you have a really nice bag? I want one like it.”

“It’s nice isn’t it? Daddy had it made just for me.” Rainie admired her bag. It is a light green medium sized purse with silver trims along the seams and 2 slinky silver handles. The word “Rainie” is etched all over the bag in an extremely stylized font.

“Right, right.” Ariel agreed as she pushed Rainie out the door. I’m lucky she is easily distracted.

—————————

“Rainie’s cute.” Mike said.

“Too cute.” Joe replied. The guys were at Joe’s house, sprawled on the couch, drinking beer and watching TV.

“Whatever man.”

“You like her.”

“Sure.”

“Sure?”

“Hey, you know my attitude towards girls.”

“Right, the whole, ‘woo them, bed them, and dump them’ philosophy.”

“It’s worked so far, and it’s better than your ‘take every girl too seriously only to have them break your heart’ philosophy.”

“At least I know how to have a serious relationship.”

“At least I haven’t been dumped by my girlfriend for a guy twice my age.”

Joe remained silent.

“Sorry man.”

“It’s ok.” Joe shrugged. “I’m over her.”

“Yeah, right.” Mike was sceptical.

“Really.” Joe said firmly.

“Whatever man, it’s your business.”

An awkward silence ensued.

“Oh, Ariel’s coming over tomorrow.”

Mike raised his eyebrows suggestively.

Joe threw a cushion at him, “Dude, you’re perverted. And you’ll be here, we’re studying, remember.”

“Oh yeah. Man, do I have to? It’s still weeks to the finals.”

“Ariel’s working, so she doesn’t have time to study later.”

“Fine.” A thought occurred to him. “You don’t like her do you?”

Joe feigned stupidity, “who?”

“Ariel.”

“No, of course not.” Joe tried to sound convincing. He didn’t succeed.

“Right, man. Keep thinking that.”

“I don’t like her!”

“Yes you do. This is how you act every time you like a girl.”

“It is not.”

“Dude, you’re starting to sound like a girl.”

“I do not.”

“Make your voice an octave higher; then you’ll sound really girly.”

“Mike!”

“Oh, that’s good.”

Joe groaned, got up, and stomped out of the room.

——————-

Yeah! Another Chapter :) I hope you’ve enjoyed it. Please leave comments!

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 12: Two by Two by Four

September 4, 2008 at 9:46 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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“I am so tired!” Rainie exclaimed as she plopped down in a chair in front of the counter at the Lotus Café.

“Why are you so tired?” Ariel asked. She was busy drying mugs. Why won’t that speck disappear?

“I went shopping.”

“Again?”

“Hey, I needed stuff. Vancouver is extremely cold!”

“Vancouver is not cold. It snows 4 or 5 times a year and the rain wash it away the next day.”

“Well, Vancouver is much colder than Taiwan.” Rainie declared royally. “It does not snow in Taiwan, and I can’t get use to this humidity or this chilliness.”

“It’s much colder where I came from.”

“Aren’t you from Taiwan?”

“My parents were. I was born in Kitchener.”

“You were born in a Kitchen?”

Ariel bursted out laughing. “Not the kitchen. Kitchener Ontario. It’s about an hour drive south of Toronto. And believe me; the snow really piles up and it’s absolutely freezing.”

“Oh well,” Rainie shrugged. “I think Vancouver is cold. Besides, I’ll take any excuse to go shopping!”

Ariel grinned, “Point taken, so what did you buy?”

Before Rainie can reply, Joe and Mike barged into the café.

“Yo Ariel!” Joe called.

“Hey.” Ariel replied.

Joe dragged Mike over to the counter sat down in a chair beside Rainie so fast that he nearly shoved her off her chair. Luckily, he leaned over and caught her before she can fall. They stayed in that compromising position, with Rainie nearly falling and Joe leaning over and supporting her for a moment.

Mike coughed. Joe started and nearly dropped Rainie again.

“Sorry,” Joe grinned goofily.

“It’s ok.” Rainie replied in a rather unsteady voice. Why is my heart beating so fast and why am I blushing?

“Kindly refrain from molesting my friends in front of me Joe.” Ariel joked. Why is Rainie so red? Does she like Joe? She can’t like him, he’s-

“Jealous Ari?” Joe asked in a mock provocative tone.

“Oh yeah, totally.” Ariel replied sarcastically.

Mike coughed again.

“Mike!” Ariel exclaimed.

Joe looked confused, “do you know each other?”

“You could say so.” Mike started…

—————————-

==Flashback==

“Coffee with 2 creams and one sugar!” Ariel declared with fake brightness to mike.

Mike looked at the coffee uncertainly, “That looks like way more than 2 cream.”

“Sir, I assure you it is-“

“Watch out!” Someone shouted from the outside.

Everyone looked on as a football flew through the window of the Lotus Café, shattering the glass into a million pieces behind Mike.

Ariel pulled him. Hard.

Both of them fell on the floor with a dull thud.

Mike got up, saw the many shards of glass that was now scattered where he was sitting, and opened his eyes so large is was almost comical. “Wow. Thanks.”

“No problem.”

“Ariel Zhang! Did I not tell you the customer is always first?” Ariel’s manager, Jerry, came flying out the kitchen. He started apologizing to mike with gusto, “Sir, I’m sorry, she didn’t mean to pull you, I hope you’re not hurt,-“

Mike held up his hand, “Sir, it’s ok. It’s a good thing she pulled me.”

Jerry just seemed to notice the football and the glass shards behind Mike. “Oh.

“Excuse me.” Jerry said before marching outside.

“He’s going outside to yell at those guys.” Ariel supplied when she noticed Mike’s confused look. “Watch out for Jerry when he’s angry.”

“I will. Oh, I’m Mike, Mike He.”

“Ariel Zhang.”

==End of Flashback==

——————————–

“So that’s how you two know each other?” Rainie asked.

“Yup. I tell you Rainie, it’s dangerous to hang around these two, especially Joe.”

“Hey! That’s not true.”

“It’s extremely true.” Ariel emphasized. “First time we met, you hit me with your car. You nearly knock her to the floor the first time you met Rainie, and the first time I met Mike, I nearly got speared to death by a million shards of glass.”

“The glass thing was not my fault.” Mike protested. “And I haven’t hurt Rainie yet.”

“Oh, silly me. I haven’t introduced you guys to Rainie yet. Rainie, this is Mike and Joe. Both of them are studying commerce at VU.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Rainie and I just moved here from Taiwan. I will be studying history at VU starting next term.”

“Can you help me with history?” Mike asked excitedly.

“Um… sure?” Rainie answered uncertainly.

“Mike, is there a subject that you don’t need help with? Ariel asked exasperatedly.

“Yes.”

“What is it?”

“Basket weaving.” Mike said the first thing on his mind. Huh? Basket weaving???

Everyone bursted out laughing.

“There’s no such course as basket weaving.” Joe chortled.

Rainie fell off her chair laughing.

“What!” Mike insisted only half jokingly, “I’m serious!”

————-

See, this chapter is longer :) Thanks to everyone who has been reading this! I am extremely happy with the number of page views, and I hope you’re enjoying this story. Please leave a comment whether you do or not! I would love to hear from you!

Thanks again!

-Izumic

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 11: Preparations

September 2, 2008 at 9:55 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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“Mira, how do you want to celebrate Christmas?” Ariel asked Mira in late November. The sisters were cleaning up after breakfast. Well, Ariel was cleaning, Miranda was daydreaming.

“The usual I guess.”

“Church on Christmas eve, eating a ton of extremely healthy food, going to bed late, waking up early on Christmas morning, having a huge breakfast, and watch movies while gorging on junk food until we both feel sick?”

“Yup. Why are you asking?”

“Just wondering if you want to do something different this year, that’s all.”

“Like what?”

“Like maybe spending time with Josh?”

“I will on Christmas Eve, but Christmas is for family, we’ve had this tradition since we were young.”

“True.” Ariel brightened up considerably when she thought of an idea. “Mira, do you want to invite Josh over for Christmas day?”

“What?” Mira became flustered. “No! Yes! Well… I don’t know.”

“Yes or no?” Ariel rolled her eyes.

“He’ll see me in my PJ’s! Besides, our basement is a bit of a dump.”

“How about we invite him over, we’ll get you some new PJ’s, and you can count it as my Christmas gift to you.” Ariel grinned, “Besides, he’s been here before. Just ask him.”

“Alright.” Miranda sounded dubious, “but he’ll think I’m weird for asking so early. We’ve only gone out for a month, it’s weird if I ask him to do something a month, won’t I seem desperate?”

Ariel rolled her eyes, “jeez, when did you become in indecisive? At any rate, just ask him, if not now, then in a couple of weeks. Where did the strong, ‘not scared of anything’ Miranda go?”

“She fell in love.” Miranda said in an extremely girly voice.

Ariel threw her dish towel at her.

——————————

“Is this seat taken?”

Ariel looked up from her studying and smiled when she realized it was Joe. “Nope.”

“So how’s it going?” He asked.

“Alright. Just trying to study.”

“You’re diligent. I don’t study during the term at all.”

“That’s because you have more time to cram near exam time than I do.”

“Oh yeah, you work.”

“I don’t only work; I am also ‘mommy’ to a teenage girl. Though speaking of work, I need to get going, my shift starts in a couple of minutes.”

“But you said you’d help me with biology!” Joe whined.

“I thought you said you don’t study during the term?” Ariel raised one of her eyebrow.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“Fine, when do you have time?”

“Now.”

“I don’t.”

“How about a trade, I’ll teach you accounting and you teach me bio.”

“We already have that deal Einstein.”

“I mean at the same time. How about you come to my house next week? Mike, my buddy also needs help with accounting, I’ll grab him, and we can have a giant study session.”

Ariel considered it. “Alright, see you next week.”

————————-

Yipppeee! Another update :) Next chapter will be longer!

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 10: Conversations

September 1, 2008 at 8:58 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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It was snowing. The first snowfall of the year. Little flakes drifted lazily from the sky to the ground, covering everything with a thin layer fluff.

Ariel looked out the window of the Lotus Café, the little coffee shop she now works at part time. True, Ariel could have gotten a better paying job at an office somewhere, but she resisted. James would have a much tougher time tracking me down if I do minimum wage jobs. He wouldn’t think that I would “stoop this low”.

It was Thursday afternoon, so there were very few patrons in The Lotus. Ariel was relieved; she really needed a rest. The bell above the door dinged, signifying the presence of a customer. A girl smaller than Ariel ran in and plopped herself on a chair near the window. The girl looked tired and wary, and Ariel felt a little sorry for her.

“Hi, what would you like to drink?” Ariel walked over.

“Oh, just coffee, black, thanks.” Rainie replied breathlessly.

Ariel poured her a cup of coffee, “here you go.”

“Thanks,” Rainie replied with her eyes closed.

“Are you alright?”

Rainie smiled tiredly, “yes, I’m just tired. I just moved here from Taiwan, and I’m still suffering from jetlag.”

“Ah,” Ariel smiled, “the coffee should wake you up no problem; we have the strongest coffee in town.”

“Really?”

“You should see this place near exam time. It’s like a zoo.”

Rainie laughed, “I’ll bet, well, I’ll keep that in mind when it’s time for me to write my exams, I have a feeling I’ll need strong coffee then.”

“Awesome, oh, where do you go to university?”

“VU, just down the road.”

“Me too! What are you studying?”

“Well, I haven’t started yet. I’m starting in the winter term when school starts again, but I will be studying art history.”

“That sounds interesting, I’m studying commerce. Why are you here so early then? The winter term doesn’t start until January.”

“I thought I’d come a little early to familiarize my self with the campus and Vancouver. I’ve never been away from Taiwan nor have I ever lived by myself. I had a feeling it will take some adjusting to.”

“Well, good luck. Maybe I’ll see you on campus.” Ariel said as she walked back to the counter.

“Yes, see you.” Rainie replied happily.

————————–

“Hey Ge.”

“Hey Peanut.”

“How many times have I told you not to call me that? I am not that small.” Ariel feigned annoyance.

“I have news.” Something in Ge’s voice told Ariel this was not good news.

“What happened?” She asked worriedly.

“Stop fretting. Nothing big. The guy after you has just left Halifax. Seems like he’s got a tip that you’re out west.”

“Oh.”

“He’s not sure you’re in Vancouver yet though,” Ge quickly said.

“There aren’t that many major cities out west, he’ll figure out I’m here in no time.”

“Not necessarily, he doesn’t know whether you’re in a large city or a small town.”

“How many cities in Western Canada has a large enough Asian population to hide two Chinese girls? Pretty much just Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, and maybe Victoria. What should I do?”

“Hang tight, do what you usually do. James is monitoring the air lines for sure right now. It takes time to get you and Miranda aliases, if you make a major move with your current alias, it’ll raise too many red flags.”

“Alright. Thanks Ge.”

“No problem. I’ll let you know ASAP if anything else happens.”

“Ok.”

“Stay safe.”

“I always do.”

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 9: Just for the Record

September 1, 2008 at 8:56 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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It’s a rainy day. A cloudy sky with torrents of rain pouring down. Staring out the large windows of the library at VU, Ariel felt a sense of melancholy settling in.

Mira went on her date with Josh yesterday, and Ariel couldn’t help but feel proud of her little sister. Mira looked wonderful for her first date, and Josh is actually quite a sweet guy, he didn’t even complain when Ariel insisted on taking lots of photos of him and Mira before they left. When Mira came back, she was smiling and singing. It seemed like they had a great time, and Ariel felt grateful that Mira is happy.

Yet… I can’t believe I am jealous. I’m jealous that my own sister is happy. I’m crazy. It’s not that I want Mira to be unhappy; I just wish I could have a special some one too. Someone to care about and love me. Is that too much to ask for?

Is it too much to wish that I could let the past go? Let every single thing go. Can I stop living in the shadows? Can I ever live without fear, without hurt, without looking over my shoulder everyday, without having to pretend I’m happy, without hiding who I am? Can I ever break free?

————————

Joe has been watching Ariel for the past 10 minutes. All she did was stare out the window. Not moving and not speaking. If she wasn’t breathing, Joe wouldn’t even be sure that she was still alive.

Joe debated whether to talk to her or not. What if she’s still mad at me about Friday? Well, there’s only one way to find out.

————————

“Ariel?”

Ariel turned around and saw Joe. She groaned inwardly. She had hoped to avoid him. But there he was and she can’t very well pretend he doesn’t exist. After all, I still need his help with accounting.

“Hey Joe.” Ariel smiled. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” Joe let out the breath he was holding silently. Ariel was still acting normal.

“How did it go with Tiffany?” Ariel couldn’t resist asking. Real mature Ariel.

“Um… Alright I guess.” What am I suppose to say?

“That’s good.” Ariel smiled. What did you expect him to say? That it went horrible? That he broke up with her? Get real. “So you’re still together?”

“What?” Joe asked a bit befuddled.

Gee Ariel, great question. Way to go, interrogate him about his girlfriend. That’s really smart. Ariel thought sarcastically. “Never mind.”

Does Ariel think Tiff is my girlfriend? Is she jealous? “Tiff’s not my girlfriend.”

Ariel raised an eyebrow, “oh? Then why did she claim she was?”

“I don’t know. She likes me I guess.”

“You think?” Ariel asked sarcastically. They’re not together! Wait, why am I happy about that?

Joe looked a bit sheepish. “I guess.” Does Ariel look a bit happier now? I think she was jealous. Wait, why am I glad that she was jealous?

“Alright, I bet you’re not here to chit chat with me. Let me guess, it starts with a b and ends with an -ology, and has something to do with you failing a class?”

Joe looked even more sheepish, “how’d you guess?”

Ariel snorted in a very unladylike way, “Let’s get started, or we’ll be here all day.”

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 8: Teenage Moments

September 1, 2008 at 8:55 pm (Uncategorized)
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All Ariel wanted to do after leaving Joe at the Café is to go home and relax. Alas, Lady Luck was not on her side that day. The pipe underneath the sink sprung a small leak. With a loud sigh, Ariel got out her tools, lied down facing up under the sink, and started trying to fix it.

“Ariel!” Miranda burst in through the door of the house. “Ari, where are you?”

Ariel jerked up and bumped her head on the pipes. “Ow!”

“What are you doing under there?” Miranda asked, peering down at Ariel’s scowling face.

Ariel huffed, “trying to fix a leak you little twerp.”

“I’m not a twerp. And I don’t see a leak.”

“That’s because I taped it.” Ariel got up.

“You taped a leaky pipe?” Miranda was struggling not to laugh, “And it works?”

“For a bit, but it won’t work forever, hence I’m trying to fix it.” Ariel rolled her eyes, “why were you so excited?”

A giant grin broke out on Miranda’s face, “I did it!”

“What?” Ariel asked slightly alarmed.

“Yeah, and it was so good.” Miranda smiled dreamily.

“What?” Ariel nearly yelled. “Where?”

“In the park.”

“You had sex in the park?” Ariel asked disbelievingly.

“What?” Miranda looked confused, “I didn’t have sex.”

“Then…”

“Oh my gosh Ariel, get your mind out of the gutter!”

“My mind is not in the gutter.”

“Then stop thinking about sex all the time.”

“I do not think about sex all the time! You need to work on your communication skills. If I told you I ‘did it’, what would you think?”

“I would think… Ok you have a point; I would think you had sex.”

“There.”

“Yeah, but you’re 19, you’re entitled to have sex at 19. I’m only 15.”

“There are 15 year olds who have had sex.”

“I know that, but really, do you think I would?”

“That’s not the point. If you didn’t ‘do it’, then what did you do?”

“I confessed to Josh!”

“You mean ‘Mr. Dreamy’?” Ariel air quoted with her hands.

Miranda swatted Ariel’s hands away, “yes, him. And guess what? He likes me too!”

“That’s great Mira! So…?”

“So what?”

“Are you going to go out with him?”

“Yes.” Miranda blushed, “Yes, we’re going to go see a movie on Sunday.”

Ariel shook her head and sniffed dramatically, “ah! My little darling sister has her first boyfriend! You’re all grown up now.”

“Ari!” Miranda yelled, turned, and stomped out of the kitchen.

“What?”

“You are so unbelievably immature!”

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Que Sera Sera Chapter 7: Parallel Musings

September 1, 2008 at 8:47 pm (Que Sera Sera)
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“Jerk, asshole, idiot…” Ariel muttered as she walked home from the café. “Asking me out just before his girlfriend shows up.”

Why the heck do I care? I don’t even like him. Ariel reasoned. Why should I be upset that his girlfriend showed up? Why am I upset that I won’t get to go on that stupid date… Though… was he trying to ask me out?

Ariel grunted. “I’m just upset he’s two timing his girlfriend. I just pity his girlfriend for having such a playboy for a boyfriend. That’s all.”

Ariel smiled, feeling placated. Though she’s such a bitch, she probably deserves it. Wait a minute, did I actually think that? Ariel paused on the sidewalk. When did I turn so mean?

——————————-

Where did she go? Joe wondered. For a small person, she sure runs fast. Why am I trying to find her?

How could Ariel be so calm? I just asked her out a second before Tiff showed up. Though did she not think I was trying to ask her out? If Ariel thought that I was asking her out, how could she stay so calm when Tiff showed up? Does Ariel not care if Tiff is my girlfriend? Why am I so upset that Ariel doesn’t care? Do I want her to care? If I want her to care… Do I like her?

“No way. I don’t like her. How can I like a weird chick like her? Liking Ariel, that’s funny.” Joe gave a shaky laugh. “No way. That’s ridiculous.”

Joe gave up searching for Ariel. I’ll talk to her on Monday. Stop thinking about her Joe! Joe shook his head. Remember Natasha? She broke your heart. Joe paused. The memory of it doesn’t hurt as much anymore. I think I’m finally getting over her.

Is it because of Ariel?

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