The Experience Buddy [Completed]

Chapter 10

After I got back to my room, I kept replaying the scene from earlier over and over in my head. So for my own understanding, I tried to summarize what I took away from just now. Hero is interested in my little side project, but it has to be a secret because he has a reputation to maintain.

I am not quite getting the point here. Shouldn't it be me who sets the terms and conditions? Who said that there was any room for him to negotiate?

This is giving me such a headache. I ruffled my hair in frustration and plopped down onto my bed.

Although I really hate to admit it, he is the best choice I have for now.

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~*Madi*~: I think you should just go with Hero though

E.L.: But I can't stand the guy

Frank: ^sometimes

Hero said to keep it a secret but I figured that Madison and Frank doesn't go to school here so telling them shouldn't hurt.

~*Madi*~: Be honest, you don't actually hate the guy right?

E.L.: Yeah, well, he is not exactly evil...

~*Madi*~: Just treat him like Jackson

Jackson is Madison's brother who is a year younger. He attends the same high school as us so Madison had to deal with him in school and at home. Since Frank and I are close with Madison, sometimes Jackson's pranks on Madison applied to us as well. I shuddered at the thought of what we had endured previously.

There was once when we went over to Madison's place, her mum made us some sandwiches and got Jackson to bring them upstairs for us. He took the chance to add a lot of chilli flakes before passing the sandwiches to us. While we raced downstairs for water, we could clearly hear sinister laughter coming from Jackson's room.

Another time was when we decided to have a movie marathon and rewatch all three 'The Lord of the Rings' films at Madison's place. She had made guacamole the day before we went over so that we can have chips and dip while watching. Jackson mixed in two tubes of wasabi when the bowl was left unguarded. I have never gone near wasabi ever since.

But having a brother like Jackson is not without its merits. Back in our junior year of high school, there was a girl who was constantly picking on Madison because the guy that she likes has a crush on Madison. Occasionally, she would trip Madison on purpose in the hallway or stick notes on her locker calling Madison a slut. Frank and I told her to back off several times but to no avail.

Then Jackson stepped in.

He went into that girl's classroom and poured a bottle of water over her head and then when she went to her locker to get her gym clothes to change into, he sprayed flour on her hair in the corridor. There were a lot of onlookers when it happened and everyone began calling her 'Ice Witch'.

"Nobody bullies Madison except for me." Jackson warned the girl in a low voice with a threatening glare.

He didn't care that he got two weeks of detention for that "public demonstration". Ever since that incident, Madison was free from that girl's harassment, but unfortunately, not from her brother's.

~*Madi*~: I would feel more at ease knowing you're with him and not some sketchy stranger who pretends to be nice and has this friendly vibe but when you are asleep, he enters your room and stabs you with a knife.

Frank: She's been watching Criminal Minds

E.L.: But he is still a jerk though. So hanging out alone with me will damage his reputation??? Urgh.

~*Madi*~: Well...I mean...you ain't exactly the most interesting person...

E.L.: Hey! True but still...

~*Madi*~: How are you going to keep it from Davin, Nat and the rest?

E.L.: I'll just quote a distant cousin or something

Frank: Ems, you know you suck at lying right?

~*Madi*~: You are really horrible at making up lies on the spot so make sure to practice so that you don't get found out!

Truth to be told, it's not like I am a super nice person or anything such that I don't lie to people. I've told lies, mostly white lies, but still lies. I think my brain just isn't that witty to think of something quick enough on the spot. Besides, according to Madison and Frank, whenever I get nervous, my eyebrows tend to twitch. People who know me well enough would know about this quirk but people getting to know me would soon catch on. Weird, I know. Maybe my muscles are against dishonesty.

I failed to make much progress on draft, again. Lying on my bed, I stared at the ceiling hoping to clear my head. Maybe too much redundant thoughts are blocking inspiration from flowing in.

I took a deep breath in and out. Then I picked up my phone and searched for Hero's number in the group chat.

Here goes nothing.

E.L.: I've thought about it

Hero: And?

E.L.: Deal

Hero: Good choice

A couple of seconds later.

Hero: Remember

E.L.: Yes I know, hush

Hero: Puppies

Oh. My. God. I think I am starting to regret it already.