I turned around ready to smack Greg's poker face. I'm so pissed right now and nothing could calm me down.
When I turned he was full-on smiling at me. He looked proud of me.
I felt something bubble inside me. Ow there goes my anger. I'm calm now.
"You've got spunk Eltsen!", Greg said while messing my hair.
My annoyance slowly comes back again.
"Stop it!" I tried to swat his hand away. "What is wrong with you guys a while ago? You looked like machines and it was annoying. And Eltsen? Seriously? You're calling me by my last name now huh Anderson?" I'm seriously pissed at him.
Max, Anne and Candice jogged towards me. Max was smiling and he would have been cute if not for the way he acted a while ago.
"That's my girl! I'm so proud of you". He also messed my hair then went and man-hugged Greg. Candice stood beside his brother and Anna followed her.
"What is wrong with you? Don't you have any mute button?", Candice said while fanning her face.
"Seriously Jenna, I thought you were toast. You crossed the line too much. Did you not see how annoyed Kerstin was?", Anna looked angry.
"Honestly, I told myself those things too. For a moment there I was scolding myself for talking too much", I answered. I want to go home now. I'm really tired. Somehow releasing all those pent up frustrations tired me out.
"I didn't know you were a legacy", I turned to Anna. "I didn't too", she replied.
"Who is my ancestor here?", Anna asked Max. "I don't know, I'll look at the records for you later beautiful", Max replied.
"Would you stop it Max. You sound like a perv", Candice chastised Max.
"What's up with your organization? Is this a fraternity?", I asked. I'm nervous to know the answer. If this turned out to be a fraternity, there is no way I'm going to join. It would add to my pile of reasons to not join AA.
"No! This is a socio-civic organization. We help people but we have to filter our members. We have to see who are willing to stick around and are really dedicated. The application process builds relationships between the applicants and the resident members." Max offered the answer.
"Man, we're not supposed to say anything more. Sorry Jenna", Greg apologized sincerely.
"Chill bro! By the way, your hands were all over Jenna earlier". I'm definitely blushing now. Candice have a colorful imagination.
"Candice!", I eyed Candice.
Greg looked away but he had a small smile and a cute tint on his cheeks. He's blushing. Oh cute!
"Settle down AAs. Please return to your seats applicants", Claire, AA's council head, announced through the mic.
"Let's now move on to the next part of the orientation. The BUDDY BIDDING!"
Someone had drum rolled.
"So, buddy candidates please come up stage and introduce yourselves.", Claire continued.
There were 7 of us applicants so it was of no surprise that there were 7 buddy candidates. Max and Greg were among them. Sadly, Kerstin was too.
"The applicants would bid for the buddy they want and the highest bidder wins. Remember, that by the end of the app process you are to pay the amount that you bid. So for example, if you bid for a million, you can pay in installment but then by the end of the process it has to be fully paid."
WOW!
After the candidates introduced their names, the bidding started. The starting bid for everyone was 10 bucks.As far as I can remember, the candidates were Greg, Max, Kerstin, Mandy, Ethyl, John, and Dylan.
Candice turned to me and said, "I hope you win my brother". She blew a kiss to me then turned towards the front again.
John got John and his sister got Ethyl. Anna pitted against Alanna for Dylan but Anna won Dylan with the amount of 75 dollars. It was a close fight. It looked like Alanna was bidding for guys alone since she also battled with John for John's. I'm glad John won John since they have the same names, they would be easier to remember.
It was Greg's turn. Following the pattern, I thought Alanna would bid for him first but I was wrong.
"25 dollars for Greg Anderson", Candice raised her hand. That bitch! I though she was supporting me!
"30 dollars", Alanna raised the bid higher. Oh there she goes. I can see she's very interested in Greg.
I found myself saying "40 dollars". Candice turned around and smirked. Oh she had this all planned out. I fell for her trap. I can't believe it. I'm going to pay 40 dollars for a guy. A very very cute guy.
Alanna raised it again to 50 dollars. I raised my hand, I was planning to up the bid more if I didn't see Greg smirking towards me. Oh these Andersons are annoying me with their smirks.
Instead I said, "I concede". Alanna got Greg and I saw panic in Greg's eyes for the first time. He looked scared like Alanna's gonna smother him with kisses one day.
The only ones left were Max and Kerstin. I know who I'm going to bid for now.
Kerstin stepped forward. The room went quiet. I waited for a while to make everyone think that no one is going to bid for her.
"The table is now open for bids. Bidding starts at 10 dollars", Claire urged.
I raised my hand and stood up, "I want Kerstin to be my buddy", I said. I channeled all my hate from earlier and said, "11 dollars".
She's going to be humiliated beyond repair by this. I don't care.
The room stilled again. Then Claire announced 'sold'.
I looked at Kerstin and she's not smiling anymore. In fact, I see no humor whatsoever in her face. Oops!
"That leaves, Max and Candice", Claire said.
I saw horror in Candice's face when Max winked at her. Anna was smiling while looking at them.
"I now leave further orienting of the applicants to you buddies", Claire's last words before getting off the stage haunted me. The members scattered and slowly the only ones left were the applicants and their buddies. I think I made a wrong decision. Now I have to interact with Kerstin the golden girl.
"Hi buddy!", Kerstin said approaching me. I think I paled when I heard her. I just smiled to hide it.
