Ariel was running late to her first class. She missed all of yesterday due to the whole fiasco with Joe. Damn, I wasn’t going to think of him today. So much for that plan. She thought wryly.
The day went by quickly, Ariel’s nerdy tendency kicked in and she soon became too engaged in the lectures to think of much else. Before she knew it, it was time for her shift at the Lotus. As she put on her apron, she realized she hasn’t thought of Joe since breakfast. Not to bad Ariel. She congratulated her self. The only problem was, once she thought of him, he wouldn’t leave her mind. Ariel ended her shift feeling cross, annoyed and tired. She went straight to bed once she got home and slept a dreamless sleep.
This pattern continued for a few more days, Ariel just couldn’t seem to get enough energy. On Friday, the day of Rainie and Mike’s first date, she fainted at work. Jerry freaked and called an ambulance. It turned out to be the flu, but Jerry, being concerned about the health of his customers, told her to take a week off despite Ariel’s protests.
———————
“No Rainie, I don’t need you here, really.” Ariel wheezed into the phone.
“But you sound really sick. Are you sure you’re ok on your own?”
“I’ll be fine,” Ariel sneezed, “I’ll just get you sick if you’re here. Go have fun with Mike.”
“But-“
“No buts Rainie. Have fun on your date.” Ariel hanged up before Rainie said anything else. She flopped down on her bed and fell asleep again.
———————
“Is she ok?” Mike asked Rainie.
“Yeah, I think so.” Rainie smiled. “I do wish I have a picture of her looking sick to blackmail her with later though.”
Mike chuckled, Rainie joined him, and their conversation flowed all though the dinner. The movie was slightly awkward, as Mike didn’t know how far to go with Rainie. In the end, he put his arm around her and she leaned on him. To Rainie, it was the perfect date.
———————-
“How did it go?” Hu Ge asked his best spy Arron.
“It went well, sir. It looks like he took the bait and went out east to look for Ariel and Miranda again.” Arron reported.
“That’s good.” Ge leaned back in his chair. “His trackers are getting better. It’s good Ari has us on her side.”
“It would appear so sir. Though what I don’t understand is why he would go through this trouble just to look for them.”
“I don’t either.”
“Don’t you find it weird that Ariel hates him enough that she would ‘kidnap’ Miranda and take off? Isn’t it weird that he would look for two run-aways that are not really his children? Isn’t it even weirder that he hasn’t reported that they are missing?”
“Very, though I am most concerned with the first one. Both of us have known Ariel since she was in her diapers, and she is not an irrational person. She didn’t decide to run away on a whim, but she won’t tell me why, which is even odder. There must be a reason.”
“What is it sir?”
“I don’t know.” Ge looked sharply at Arron, “but we better find out.”
“Yes sir.”
————————
“That was fun.” Mike smiled at Rainie.
“Yes it was.” Rainie turned to face him at her apartment door. “Do you want to come in?”
Mike debated to himself. Is that some kind of invitation?
Rainie smirked at him. “Don’t even think about it.”
Mike’s ears turned pink. He held up not his hands as if he was surrendering. “Alright.”
Rainie unlocked the door and picked up her phone, “I’m not trying to ruin the mood, but I I better check on Ariel. I hope she’s ok.”
Rainie dialled. The line was busy. “That’s weird; she shouldn’t be making phone calls when she’s sick.”
“Miranda’s probably calling her boyfriend again.” Mike assured Rainie.
“Yeah, that’s probably it” Rainie plopped down on the sofa. Mike followed her. “Ariel didn’t look too well this week. I think the stress of finals, working, and Joe is getting to her.”
“It’s getting to him for sure.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, he’s been PMS-ing all week.” Mike joked.
Rainie laughed, and then turned serious, “Why doesn’t he just ask her out then?”
“Because he’s scared of rejection.”
Rainie looked shocked, “that’s why? He’s afraid she’ll turn him down?”
“Yup,” Mike nodded.
“Why would he think she would? I mean, it’s pretty obvious to us she likes him.”
“You know, when you like someone, you analyse everything they do. You think that their every action around you means something and you desperately want to believe that they like you.” Mike looked at Rainie intently.
“And then you start thinking you’re over analysing things, that probably that person doesn’t like you, that they really act that way around everyone, and you’re deluding yourself.” Rainie looked at Mike.
“And this is confusing because you don’t want to be too optimistic, but you still hope that person does like you.”
“Until you really does overanalyse everything, and you get hopelessly confused.” Rainie finished and then smiled.
“Yup.” Mike nodded.
“Speaking from personal experience?” Rainie teased.
Mike looked at her seriously, “Just with you.”
Rainie smiled, “Cheesy.”
“Very.” Mike leaned over and kissed her lightly on the lips.
—————————–
“He Ge.” Miranda said into the phone.
“Hey Mirror, how’s Squirrel doing?” Ge asked lightly.
“Still sick.” Miranda confirmed and ignored his annoying nickname for her. “She is getting better though.”
“That’s good.” Ge was silently.
“How’s it going with…?”
“We tricked his tracker out east again. Don’t worry, you guys should be fine for a couple more months.”
“That’s good.”
“Yes it is. This tracker is better than the last one though, so be ready to move at any time… as usual.”
“Alright.” Miranda sighed, somewhat relieved. “Let me know when you get any other news.”
“Yes all mighty ma’am.” Ge said dryly.
Miranda laughed and hanged up. She looked at Ariel’s sleeping figure and sighed in frustration. Ariel’s sick because of that whole thing with Joe. She is so fragile when it comes to him.
Am I going to fall apart too if Josh and I break up? No I will not. I’m stronger than that. Miranda vowed. I wish Ari would just accept Ge. He’s been in love with her since forever, and he’s done so much for us.
This is so ironic. Ariel can’t accept him because she needs to love him, not feel indebted to him, and that can’t happen because Ari and I are indebted to him, big time. But if Ge doesn’t help her, Ari’s not going to be able to accept him because she’ll begrudge him for not helping us.
Poor Ge. He just can’t win. Yet he is still hopelessly in love with Ariel. Unfortunately, short of James being completely out of the picture, nothing can ever happen between them…
Miranda huffed in annoyance. I know how Ari thinks, but really, Ge is perfect for her. I don’t know why she likes Joe. But I do wish that guy would do something already!
———————
Hey Guys, sorry for the late update! Merry Christmas/Hanukah/Kwanzaa/Festivus! I’ve uploaded two chapters (this one and the next one), so I guess that’s my Christmas present to you all 
Thank you so much for reading this story, and although it may seem a bit tame right now, I promise it will get exciting!
Thanks for reading!
–Izumic
