4. Setup

“Where have you been?” It wasn’t so much a question as a demand given in a voice as sweet as honey and amplified by several speakers positioned around the area. Everyone stops to see who their cute dictator is displeased with this time. When all eyes turn towards me, I can almost hear the sigh of relief. It would be comical except that now I have to deal with Sissa’s anger.

“I’m not that late.” I reply as I walk up to the petite girl and smile sweetly. “Did you miss me?”

“Don’t make me sick.” Sissa sticks her pink tongue out at me. “There’s a lot of work to do and you are supposed to be the one in charge, not me.” She’s crosses her arms in front of her chest and glares at me. She really does look a bit like an evil pixie like Joe said. Her small form is still dressed in the school uniform of a red plaid skirt with a white button down shirt, black sweater vest, and small red tie. Her long, wavy black hair is tied up into two pigtails with red ribbons. With the angry looks she’s throwing my way, all she needs is a pair of gossamer wings to complete the evil pixie look.

I walk up and wrap my arm around her stiff shoulders to give a quick squeeze. “But you are so much better at bossing people around than me.”

She throws my arm off with a huff and recrosses her’s as she faces me. “You’re so lucky I am or nothing would ever get done. Where were you?” Before she can get any further in lecturing me, the guys show up carrying several large boxes.

“Took you long enough.” Aden is the first to yell at me, of course, as they set the loads down. “Your wife has been on the war path since finding out that you ditched us.” Joe elbows him hard in the stomach but it’s already too late.

Sissa frowns in irritation. “Wife? I am not even dating this idiot and you already have us married?” She points a black painted finger nail in my direction. “There is no way on God’s green Earth I am ever going to be that guy’s wife.”

“Wow. Harsh!” Alec shakes his head and looks at me in sympathy. “Poor guy’s been refused before he even pops the question. You are a cruel woman, Sissa.”

“Yeah, what’s so wrong with our buddy?” Aden leans a hand on my shoulder and uses the other to gesture at me as if I am a prime product on display. “He’s handsome, crazy talented, and a nice guy. Chicks are lining up to get with him. Who do ya want to date, if not him?”

“You know, I’m perfectly fine with her not dating me.” I try to tell them, but no one is listening to me. I’ve tried to explain to them before that Sissa and I are not like that but I might as well be telling it to the wind. In their minds, we are already a done deal. I gave up on convincing them a long time ago.

They are all staring at Sissa as if she is from another planet… which actually wouldn’t surprise me too much if she was… waiting for her answer.

“Who?” Tilting her head, she looks back at Aden quizzically.

“Yes. Who? Who are you gonna find that is better for you than this guy?” Aden shakes me by the shoulder almost knocking me over. I push his hand off of me and step back, wanting no part in this. I know he thinks he is defending me but it really isn’t necessary. Sissa can date whoever she wants, as far as I’m concerned, as long as he’s good to her. If that guy mistreats her, he will find out just how nasty my temper can be. I may not love Sissa romantically, but I do love her. I consider her part of my family.

“Show him to me and I’ll stop calling you And’s ‘wife’.” Shit. Not good. Aden should know better than to challenge Sissa.

“Show you? As in right now?” Sissa watches him nod his head with a smirk on his lips, thinking he has her cornered. This causes her eyes to narrow and her hands ball up into small fists. I think Aden may have gone too far with this. Sissa is not the type to back down and who knows what she will do.

“Fine!” With that one word, she turns and grabs a handful of Joe’s shirt to pull him down to her level. Joe’s eyes widen in surprise and widen even further when she plants her soft pink lips on his for a brief moment before letting go. “You’re my boyfriend.” Sissa tells him with a determined half smile. With that statement, she turns back to smirk at us before flouncing away, not giving Joe the chance to deny it.

I’m not sure who is more shocked, the one that got kissed or the ones who saw him get kissed. Joe is still bent over as if he had been turn into a statue. The other guys are staring at him in confusion. Leave it to Sissa to ignore all social norms. When she decides on something, she goes ahead and does it.

“What just happened?” Eric asks, stunned.

“Did that just happen?” Aden questions back.

Their voices must have woke Joe up and he rushes over to me, freaking out. “I’m sorry, And. I didn’t know she would do that. Honest.” He has his hands up trying to show his innocence.

I can’t take it anymore and I burst into laughter. I’m laughing so hard my side begins to hurt and it’s hard to stand upright so I sit down on the steps leading up to the stage. The guys are staring at me, confused, and it just makes me laugh harder.

“Has he lost it? Was the shock too big for him?” Aden questions quietly.

“Maybe.” Eric answers, unsure what to do.

“And? You okay?” Sitting next to me, Joe nudges my shoulder. I can see the worry in his eyes. “I really am sorry. I’m sure she didn’t mean any of what she said.”

“Oh, she meant it alright. Sissa doesn’t say anything she doesn’t mean.” I manage to say between laughs. “Whether you like it or not, you are now that evil pixie’s boyfriend, Joe.”   Wrapping my arm around his shoulder, I grin at my best friend. Sissa made a good choice. “Good luck.”

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Thanks!  Jae Mi