My Journal of Weekend Write-Ins

Cherry Red Revenge

"How did I get talked into this?" Janet asked her reflection as she patted down the pleats on the front of her dress and fixed her intricate mask.

It was Corey's fault, he knew she was weak towards dares. Something that her grandfather had instilled within her, "never get beaten by anyone." He had meant it literally, as well as, figuratively.

"All the Rookies do it," Corey grinned highlighting his swoon-worthy dimples.

Janet had of course agreed, but now she wasn't sure she had done the right thing. Regardless she knew she had to prove herself. Another lesson her grandfather had hammered into her, "anything given too freely will be taken away just as easily." And he had done just that, Janet's teeth clenched.

"Five minutes until you're up." The glass wearing assistant cut through Janet's thoughts.

Janet's throat went dry. Can I pull this off, she wondered.

When the Unit had approached her three years ago she had scoffed at the recruiter. "I'm getting my degree to bridge our differences not make them bigger."

That was before the incident, before grandfather had disowned Janet.

"I warned you he was a crook. I can spot them a mile away, but you refuse to listen to me and now--" he sneered at Janet's full belly. "Disgusting."

But her grandfather hadn't stop there, he used all his connections to make it impossible to work anywhere. So she turned to the Unit and she met Corey.

"Okay Jala, you're on. Please follow me," the assistant sped walk through the studio.

Janet walked behind and notice the perfectly shaped bun on top of the assistant's head. When they stopped Janet took a deep breath.

The lights blinded her as soon as she stepped on the stage. She was glad she had decided against wearing the wig, but still worried about her makeup melting. The last thing she needed was to be discovered.

"Everyone let's give Jala a big round of applause," the blond wigged host said.

The audience whistled and cheered.

"They really seem to like you," the suit wearing host nudged her, while his leary eyes landed on her exposed earlobes.

Dammit, how could I have forgotten, she berated herself. She had just flashed the entire audience and those watching at home.

She focused on not covering her ears.

"Make every mistake a victory." She heard her grandfather's words.

"They're my best feature so why should I hide them?" Janet said with a wide smile.

The audience went wild.

"Aside from your exquisite earlobes why should you be chosen?"

Janet had been prepared for this, "because I want to help unite the Zelle and the humans."

The host laughed, "and how would you do that?"

Janet pictured her grandfather and all his associates.

"Simple, I'd get rid of the Syndacate."

The audience grew silent.

"But they protect us," one audience member shouted.

Janet scoffed, "They make you pay for protection against them. I know this because my grandfather is the leader. And he always said, 'if you want to take an organization down you need to first chop off it's head'." And she would do just that.

"Interesting approach," the host maintained his composure.

"I thought so too," Janet said.

"You have my vote," he whispered as he led her off stage.

Corey was waiting for her at the green room. Janet took of her mask.

"I knew there was something about you when I first recruited you three years ago," his dimples expressed his pleasure. "I'm glad you finally decided to join us."

She still didn't trust him, but he had given her something to live for.

"Do you think I'll win?" Janet rubbed the cherry red lipstick off her lips.

"I'm not sure contestant number two, had way bigger ear lobes and she promised the annilation of humans. It's a tough call," Corey took her in his arms and kissed her before she could say anything. "But I promise you will get revenge."

"For Dai-Lax," the said together.