I'm Weird and Cute

Sitting at the table with the rest of them, Mia feels weird. Amy stands up, exchanging glances with the four heads. Ray and Hana share the same troubled expression, Sean is barely stifling a yawn and if Ellie stood any straighter, her back would snap. She’s nervous. But then again, so is Mia.

“Before we begin in earnest, does anyone have any questions?” Amy holds her voice level and wrist steady, but only because she’s clutching herself tight enough to restrict blood flow. A hand rises lazily. “Yes, Ray?”

“Why is she here?”

Sean snorts, “To bring some prestige to this gathering, commoner. Keep quiet.”

“And here I thought you were precious enough,” Hana chimes in.

“More never hurt anyone.”

“Except when it’s people privy to a secret. Less is more in this case,” Ray adds. Hana moves closer to him. If Mia didn’t know any better, she’d think she’s squeezing his arm under the table.

“Good philosophy. See that you don’t apply it to deodorant. My nose is bleeding,” Sean counters.

“I’m sure that’s just the four girls in the room.”

“What are you implying, insect?”

“Must I spell it out for thee?”

Ray’s mockery sends both of them to their feet and leaning their weight on the table. It’s new, but meant for presentation, not durability. It creaks as each readies their leap.

“Pray. Enlighten me.”

“I’m saying that you’re a vir–“

“Rat!”

“Come at me, you pompous prick!”

“I’m here,” Mia slaps her palm on the table, making the boys freeze, their fists clenching, then unclenching, “to assist you. But if my presence proves to be too big a distraction, I will gladly retire.”

Mia turns to Amy, waiting for the verdict. It’s a thick, expectant silence that Amy slices with effort, but no hint of hesitation.

“It’s hardly a secret, Ray,” she sighs. “The rumours aren’t exactly spoken in hushed tones.” Another sigh, heavier this time, “Mia’s experience might prove valuable. That’s why I let her in.”

But Mia doesn’t believe that. Since their little talk in the Advisors Hall, Hana’s gotten in her head. She’s started noticing things. How Amy drinks the coffees she’s brining as if they’d choke her, how she suffocates in the limo’s backseat whenever Mia gives her a lift. How, like now, she grimaces when accepting her help, as if begrudging the offer, tolerating her presence. Just like everyone else.

What do you have to give? Hana’s haunting words return, a drill at the back of her head. Everything. It’s been Mia’s answer since the beginning, but it never felt enough. It’s not even her pathological perfectionism – it’s Amy. She has a way of doing and saying things that gets Mia all tingly and bubbly inside. Compared to that, her wealth of resources and connections feels insignificant. They’re worthless if they don’t make Amy happy.

The strength she’s felt coming in the room drains away. She leans back, head hung low, and waits for her cue, certain that it won’t matter. She’s given up – on this attempt, not her grander goal. Though with how quickly her options dwindle, she suspects an impasse is imminent. The rest of the meeting comes to her in muffled exchanges.

Sean chuckles, amused and condescending, “Please. The rumours are just people giving you pity. They faced the music long ago. Now they’re just making amends with it.”

“What are you talking about, Murphy?” Ray retorts. Mia doesn’t need to see his face. She can sense the rage coming off him.

“Remind me again, what did this ‘sabotage’ consist of?”

“A stage collapsing, props going missing, important set pieces being tampered with.”

“Sounds like incompetence to me.”

The tables shift on Ray’s side, but he’s tamed before he can strike. Hana definitely held him now. She clears her throat, but Sean is quicker on the counter-offensive.

“You have no skills, nor any experience in management. I can say with certainty that your biggest accomplishment to date is sitting across the table from me. Honestly, we could’ve saved ourselves a lot of time by drawing the obvious conclusion. You bit more than you could chew, commoner. And failed! Catastrophically. Your little organiser buddy had trusted you and now here she is. Trying to bail you out by claiming foul play on account of some whispers in the wind.” He scoffs, his joy all but gone, “Pathetic.”

It’s a painful blow. Mia expected an interruption, but Ray has just stayed there, took it all on the chin and now he’s suffering. She can hear his breath growing slower, deeper, loaded with guilt. The accusations have a touch of truth to them, but where exactly, Mia can’t tell. Not that she cares too much. The second she catches Amy’s defeated laugh, it’s all she can think about.

“You’re right,” she says.

“He isn’t,” Hana begins, but stops. Amy’s raised her hand. Her energy is unlike anything Mia’s seen before. Strong, determined, fierce, far from the mousy girl she’s used to see. Her gaze is like brimstone, alight and concentrated on Sean. He might look unenthused, but he’s scratching at his ear; a tell she knows too well. His confidence is slowly fading.

“I trusted Ray,” Amy continues, “and I trust him still. He wouldn’t lie about something like this.”

“How droll,” Sean spits, mustering the last of his courage. “And how do you know?”

“We wouldn’t be friends if he were the type to blame others for his mistakes.”

“Birds of a common feather flock so nicely together. Pity your little bond doesn’t prove your allegations.”

Amy lowers her hand, a conductor’s signal to her first violin. Hana’s smirk draws wide and sharp.

“I was there, Sean. I saw the marks on the support beams, counted the inventory and witnessed every door being locked shut.”

Sean grumbles, Mia spotting the exact moment when he changes gears and concedes. Even if it’s not done yet, a smile crosses her lips. She’s not sure why, but she can’t wipe it off.

“Fine, let’s assume you’re right,” Sean admits. “What do we do about it?”

“Well… Ellie?” Amy says.

“234, 235…”

Counting? Mia thought Ellie had rid herself of this habit. It’s been with her when they first met all that time ago. She said it kept her from freaking out, but it vanished once she got used to the Gilded Castle and her new family. What made it re-emerge?

“Ellie!” Amy taps her shoulder.

“Yes!”

“Did you find anything that might help?”

“Nope.”

The answer comes without delay. Mia narrows her eyes, turning to her sister. She’s sure an explanation is coming, but something doesn’t sit right with her.

“I’ve checked every entrance to the Hall of Titans, even the rooftop and the windows on the upper level. No signs of breaking and entering.”

“Then the culprit must’ve had a key,” Mia offers.

“Discounting the janitors’, there are 5 keys. One is mine, one Ray’s, the other 3 belong to his aides.”

“Alibis?”

“Thoroughly accounted for. Dead ends.”

“What do you think is the motive?” Ray asks the group.

“Why does that matter?” Sean retorts. “Circumstances allow no other suspects.”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” Hana holds her master’s gaze. He winces, sneaking a peek at Mia. She wishes she didn’t notice. “Let’s look at facts. The show’s the only one that’s been affected. That can mean –“

“Ray, you damn oaf, who did you piss off?” Amy shouts.

“Huh?”

“You have mean eyes! Did you glare at someone? Broke anyone’s heart?”

“Woman, are you unwell?”

“Yes!”

“Why did I even ask… No, I didn't. Did you?”

“W-what?”

“Did you make anyone mad?”

“The only people I talk to are in this room! And I don’t think you or Hana or Ellie or Mia are – “

Amy stops, a damning realisation seeping onto everyone’s faces. They all turn to Mia, each of them carrying anger, pity and understanding in different doses. But she only cares about one person right now, the one she wanted to help only to end up endangering. She avoids Amy’s gaze; she can’t bear to look at her right now.

“A lot of p-people must be seething,” Mia mutters. She was taught to stay collected during times, but it’s hard when you’re the one who caused the problem. “Sorry about that, heh…”

On some level, she knew this could happen. Her father warned her about relationships of any kind, how easy they could be exploited to get to her. Being attached was a weakness, the people you liked liabilities. That’s what she is to her father. But to her, Amy is a victim to Mia's wrongdoings.

What do you have to give?

Nothing. Not if she stays by her side. That’s what Hana had been telling her for so long. The best thing would be to leave, distance herself forever and let Amy serve as a reminder. If you love someone, let them go. A silly phrase growing up, a sad reality right now.

She hears footsteps nearing. Her cheeks are hot, but not wet. Still, she can’t be looking together right now. Someone is checking on her, smooth legs in long stockings. A girl.

“What are you talking about?” Amy asks. Mia looks up only for a stinging pain to hit her between the eyes. If she didn’t cry before, she’s tearing up now.

“Oi! What was that for?” Sean protests. Amy turns to him, then back to Mia after he’s swallowed his words. She looks different from up close. Still determined, but softer, milder.

“Because she was taking responsibility for things she didn’t have to. Isn’t that right?”

A scolding parent. A very bizarre sight when all reproach has come in cheerful doses served on the backhand. She nods, unable to find words.

“And doing that is very bad.”

“Hypocrite,” Ray coughs.

“You’re one to talk!”

He raises his hands in protest. When Amy returns, she’s smiling. A hint of envy pricks Mia. They bicker, but still get along. It looks fun. Can she and Amy be like that one day too? Not if she ends it all right now. Sure, maybe she can find ways to make her happy, bigger, better ways, but none will help her more than this. Keeping her out of the sniper’s sights.

“It is my fault, though. I was selfish.”

Amy recoils, “Selfish? How much have you spent on me so far?”

“Who cares? It’s mere pence off my allowance.”

“Yeah, but I’m not a gazillionaire? It’s a lot to me.”

“Not as much as I could give. Amy, they’re sabotaging you because I wanted to be your friend. People want revenge –“

This time Mia sees Amy’s hand reaching out to her, forming a fist and flicking a finger. Paired with a giggle, it’s a very confusing, yet enjoyable signal.

“Let them eat cake!” Amy says.

“What?”

“It’s French for I don’t care.”

“But if I –“

“If nothing. Good friends don’t leave each other when the going gets tough.”

“Since when are you good friends?” Sean interjects.

“Feeling threatened, buster?” Ray jabs.

“By anything with a pulse,” Hana adds.

Amy snickers, the little squabble distracting her enough for Mia to regain her senses. She is warm and her legs would wobble if she were to move. She can’t go anywhere like this, but she doesn’t want to. Not now, not when she has the label of ‘good friends’ to cling to. Mia turns to her sister, finding her lips parting as she counts with sweaty fervour.

“Ellie!”

“Yes!” she snaps, from lost in despair to a bright can-do.

“New plan. Heighten security around the stage area. Post yourself there if need be.”

“Hold on,” Hana says sweetly, poison dangling on her tongue, “that’ll leave the booths unguarded.”

“You won’t be targeted.”

“You sure? I’ll be a sitting duck.”

“With the Murphy’s backing. No one’s foolish enough to start a war with two giants at once.”

“One sure can try. Alas, one problem solved leads us to another.”

“Namely?” Amy asks, concerned.

Hana elbows Ray, sending him into a fidgeting fit. He scratches the back of his head, searching for the easiest way to put it.

“Amy, there’s three days left until the fete… with all that’s gone down, umm…”

“The original version has become unfeasible,” Sean completes. Ray shoots him a leer, but he can’t care less. He just wants out of here and would spare no expense to leave, not even his boss’s state of mind. Amy hugs herself, trying to lessen her shivering. She runs a couple calculations in her head, mouthing plans to herself, then ends on a deep, cathartic sigh.

“We’ll figure out a feasible version, then. Downsize, I suppose. Best have a complete something than an unfinished ambition.”

“Are you… sure?” Mia tries. “If it’s a logistics issue I could try to –“

“Yes,” Amy says. She starts towards the window with small strides, each step digging in the carpet as if weighing her options. Her gaze gets lost in the grey clouds, that all but anticipate a storm. The first drops have already fallen, teasing what’s to come. “Well, it’s settled then,” she continues. “Thank you for your time, everyone. Meeting adjourned.”

Like a dog let off its leash, Sean bursts out of the room, followed closely – and begrudgingly – by his servant.

“You coming?” Ray asks, halfway out the door.

“Not right now. I wanna clean this place a little. It’ll be the first thing I see next morning.”

“I’ll lend you –“

He stops, closing his fist to catch the words he’s just let loose. He understands something Mia doesn’t, something she wants to learn but has no clue how. With nothing left to say, Ray takes his leave, tossing a couple cautious glances behind him before putting on his headphones.

Mia leans to Ellie’s ear, “Wait for me by the car. I’ll text you.”

Surprised, Ellie wants to ask but it takes just a look from her sister to make her aware of the plan. They share a knowing nod and soon, the only ones in the Advisors Hall are the two who came here first.

After everything that’s happened, Mia still feels weird. She’s staring at Amy, slowly working up the courage to close the gap between them. There’s no plan, no deeper intent; she just wants to be near her. The pitter patter of rain on marble masks her approach, not that she tries to be covert. Her clattering teeth give her away and so does her reflection on the wet glass.

She stops a pace’s length away. Amy hasn’t budged one bit. If she weren’t still standing, Mia would doubt she’d even breathed. She gets closer still, a half-pace, a quarter, until there’s only a palm between them.

“T-thank you,” she whispers. The hairs on Amy’s neck raise then lower. She snivels, then shakes her head.

“What for?”

“I… don’t know. I just felt like saying it.”

“You’re weird.”

Mia hiccoughs, “In a… bad way?”

“More like helplessly cute.”

“T-thank you.”

She cups her cheeks, hoping to squeeze the red away.

“C-can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“Do you… like me?”

“No, I just like the gifts and snacks and coffees.”

“You hate those…”

“Then I must like you. Otherwise, why hang around?”

Mia holds in her laugh. It’s funny how Amy tells the truth. Sneaking it in roundabouts, afraid to say it outright.

“It’s raining,” Mia says.

“Very observant.”

“Do you need a lift?”

“I’ll ask my father.”

“I can drive you.”

“It’s fine.”

“Please.”

She hates sounding forceful. It reminds her of Sean, how he’d stop at nothing to get his way and how he made a ‘yes’ from a thousand ‘no’s. Though, different as they turned out, they’ll never stop sharing resemblances.

“Please let me take you home,” Mia repeats.

“Take me to dinner first.”

“You wouldn’t let me…”

“Then –“

Mia drops her hand on Amy’s shoulder. She hates being possessive. She’s had everything in the world on a silver platter, but she still wants more. Amy’s answers or just Amy alone. Everything.

“I’m a bad friend.”

“Pfft, you’re not.”

“I am, I just… take. I want to give back. Why won’t you let me give you anything?”

“You got me so much already. The bear, the coffees, this whole place?”

“It’s not enough.”

“Why not?”

“Because… it doesn’t feel like it. All you do makes me feel nice. All I do brings you pain, one way or another.”

Amy pauses. Still like a statue, but with a pulse Mia senses through her clothes. She’s said something wrong, there’s no doubt about it.

Movement. Amy reaches for her phone. She exhales, a long, painful air, enough to fill a balloon with sorrows and cries and every other bad thing in her system.

“I hate you sometimes,” she says, typing away a short message. Mia doesn’t hear a send, nor a joke in Amy’s tone.

“W-why?”

“I just do. You make me do a lot of things I don’t like.”

“I’m sorry…”

“What did I tell you earlier?”

“I… don’t know…”

Sent. The reply takes a long second to come, but a second nonetheless. Feeling Amy turning, she backs away, just for a step.

“Don’t take responsibility for things you don’t have to. The pain is not your fault.”

“Then whose is it?”

“If it’s not black, it’s –“

“Yours?”

“Guilty.”

“I… wish you didn’t feel like that.”

“Yeah, well… God, you’re cute.”

She blushes again, this time right in front of her. Bubbly and tingly. Does Amy feel the same? She’s only shades of pink.

“T-thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

“You too.”

“Me too?”

“You’re cute. And smart. And funny. And –“

“You owe me a ride home.”

“Didn’t you say you wanted to clean up?”

Amy takes a long look at the Advisors Hall. Not long enough. She starts towards the door.

“I did. I think it’s all clean now. Come, the rain’s only going to get –“

Another text comes. Amy’s brow furrows in surprise, then in confusion when she reads through it. She licks her lips, now too dry to form words. When she finally talks it’s like she can’t believe what she’s saying.

“Mia?”

“Yes?”

“My dad asked if you’d… like to stay for dinner?”

With Radu to get onboard, with Ellie to plan around and without a lie convincing enough to tell her father, she should quit while she’s still ahead. But she was never one to be satisfied with just a little. She hates that about her, but she can’t help the wide-grinned “Yes” coming out her mouth.