The Siren (18+)

Chapter 23

"Uchi." She rushed in to give her friend a hug. April had felt slightly upset that he hadn't responded to any of her texts over the past few months but she was glad to see the lanky man.

"April-"
"Sweetheart."
"Aprilini"
"Gremlin-"

Their voices clashed in a choir of concern as they called out to her. Before she even had time to process their voices the white heard man in front of her took a step back. A confused look of disgust was sent her way.
"Who is this woman?" His familiar voiced asked.
She could feel the atmosphere in the room change. Ignoring the feeling, April laughed at the man. She rolled her eyes playfully and gave his shoulder a playful shove.
"Uchi! Where have you been."
"Who are you?"

"Uchi shut up." The woman said playfully. She figured that Uchi would try to make such jokes when they met for the first time in months.

"I don't know who you are." The man was sticking to his joke of pretending to not know her. She was hoping he would stop the joke so they could finally catch up. April laughed at the man who was maintaining a serious look. She was beginning to feel annoyed at his cold demeanor and told him to shut up. April looked around for some help but the boys were awkwardly standing looking at the interaction.
"April." Ramee took a step in her direction and tried to grab her attention. The confused woman ignored her mentor's voice and looked at the man wearing a red coat.

She didn't know what he was up to. Was this a joke they were all in on? April moved closer to get a better look at the man with white hair, trying to see if it was really her friend. When she got in arms distance the shinoba shoved the woman away from him. She could see everyone move towards her in her peripheral vision. She still stared at the man. Shocked at his behavior. He was getting visibly upset. He crossed his arms defensively and told April he did not know her. He ordered her to get away from him and turned to face Chang who looked more stressed than usual.

"He lost his memory. Someone attacked him a week before we came back. He only woke up from his induced coma the day before today." Karen's voice came from the entrance of the room. They were supposed to have returned from their Kansas Japan trip right in time for Mari's party. April could tell that something had happened to make them return two days earlier than planned.

April heard what the Dragon's assistant said and she understood it but she couldn't process it. She was familiar with the feeling of losing her memory but she couldn't believe it had happened to Uchi. Instead of responding to Karen's words she looked at the white haired man in front of her. Her eyes pleaded that he would come to his senses.

"It's April."
Yet he still remained adamant. "I don't know who that is."
"April." Ramee held her wrists. He tried calming the woman down when he realised that she was becoming upset. April still refused to believe the situation. She silently asked Ramee to let her go while she moved towards the man. His grip was firm before she pulled herself away from the Egyptian. She did not notice K silently commanding to everyone to leave the room. April was still determined to get her friend to remember her. "Yes you do. This might remind you." She said as she reached to give him her signature bone crushing hug.

"Remind me to get away from you." The man said  while he pushed her away. The force of the push was something she would have never expected from anyone in CG, Nevermind Uchi of all people. The woman stumbled and tripped on the plush red rug and fell backwards. She was caught off guard by the quick movement and she didn't have time to respond. Before her back could hit the ground Ramee quickly moved to catch her. Her bag landed in a thud. He frantically checked for any injuries while April stared at the stranger in front of her. The man seemed unconcerned that he had pushed her. He ignored her watery eyes and continued speaking at her.