The Reconfiguring

Ch. 6: Crush

Sheri sat on the jet in silence. Her father was scowling with tears in his eyes. It was not a pretty sight. But that was not Sheri's concern.

She couldn't stop thinking about that boy.

He looked about her age, and she thought he was cute when the Burlies showed her his picture. In real life he was insanely handsome. Was it love? Sheri didn't know. She had never experienced it before.

The next matter was that girl. She was extremely rude. Obviously there had been tension between her and her father for a long time. And she had stated she hadn't taken the quiz. Yet her hair was purple. How strange.

Sheri sighed and dreamily looked out the window. What was his name again? 'Phig..' It was music to her ears. She had to find a way to see him again. But how? When the jet landed, she would get on a bus back to....well, she didn't know which province she was just in. It had to be near Highest, so one of the middle-class ones. 

Just then, the plane landed. Grand Leader stormed out, along with the Burlies. Sheri was the only one left. She saw a bus station nearby. Smiling, she left her seat to find her crush.

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Phig was writing all the questions he had for Don at his desk. Maybe he would muster up the courage to give it to her one day. But it wasn't likely. He sighed, sealed it in a purple envelope, and left his desk. There was nothing else to do, and frankly, he didn't want to run anymore that day.

"Honey! Someone's at the door for you!" 

Phig was confused. It probably wasn't Don, or his mother would be in hysterics. Phig walked down the hall to see the girl that was standing behind Grand Leader in the jet. What the heck was she doing here?!

"Hi," the girl said nervously.

"Uh, hi."

Well, this wasn't awkward at all.

"Well, I'll just give you two some privacy," his mom said. Phig rolled his eyes.

As soon as she went to her room, Phig exploded with questions.

"What are you doing here? Who are you? What do you want with Don? With me?"

The girl seemed startled at his outburst. "I-I'm Sheri Leader. I don't want anything to do with Don, whoever that is. I'm here to-" she gulped. "I'm here to tell you I, uh, well, it's just....that, uh, I..kinda have...a crush on you!"

Phig blinked. She had to be fooling with him, right? Right?!

"Uh...cool. But....doesn't your dad need you or something?"

Sheri winced. She must have been looking for a different reaction. "I'll go now. But...I'm not giving up."   She stood up and left.

Phig groaned. A persistent one. Sure, plenty of girls had a crush on him, but the persistent ones were the worst. Now, Grand Leader's daughter had a crush on him. And she was persistent! Phig flopped on the couch and closed his eyes. A nap was in order.