My typical day goes like this. I go to school, I zone out in class, listen to the people around me and head home. My name is Eric Salls. I am a normal enough teenager and the guys jokingly call me the love god when there aren’t any girls around. The reason? My assigned seat has me in the middle of eight girls and between each of them I can confidently claim to hear all of the girly gossip fluttering through our year.

I’ve always been known among the guys even if I’ve never been one of the popular guys. I’m not part of any of the big groups of guys and just kind of float around as it suits my fancy. My only close friends are John, a somewhat asexual guy who listens to a lot of obscure music and Hannah the school biggest anime fan among the girls and a shameless fujoshi. The two of them have some kind of relationship going but I’m not sure about the details.

My love god rumor started in the beginning of our first semester. Lisa west, one of my eight desk neighbors, is the little sister of the school's art teacher. When I took the entrance exams I overheard the two of them talking. The teacher had developed a crush on one of her students. Later, after the exam I went on a tour of the school with some of the guys who would later be in the same class a I am. As it turned out our guide was a Senior who just so happened to have a crush on the Art teacher. I told him to confess after his graduation.

During our first art class one of the guys brought up the story and asked Miss West. She turned a beet red color and told us the whole story. As a result Miss West is the favorite teacher of most of the girls in our year. After I offered a few more guys some love advice I started hearing the name being tossed about among the guys.

Over time one thing led to another which brought us to today. Four of the girls who sit next to me, my eight angels as the guys like to say, are now sitting in my house with me. The chain of events which brought us here started during our math class with the time honored school tradition of note passing. The cast in this first scene are myself, Lisa, Erin Soir, Mary Su, Rea North, and our teacher.

Prepare to be shocked. If Mary were in a Manga series she would be your prototypical Shoujo protagonist. She is kind of innocent and while I’m sure there is more to her she doesn’t have any obvious fault other than the fact that she is kind of boring.

As I was saying the girls were passing a note and it kept crossing my desk, which was normal enough. What wasn’t normal is that the teacher noticed it while it was on my desk. Our math teacher had a habit of reading any notes her students passed about during a lesson to the class. I quickly hid the paper, which I knew would guarantee she would try to read to the class. Thankfully I had several loose sheets of notes in my notebook.

“Mr. Salls, I know you were passing notes just now. Show me.”

“No mam, It wasn’t a note. Well, not a message anyway.” I flipped open my notebook to a page close to where I stuffed the message note and pulled out a messy scrawl of notes I had taken for my history class. “This had slipped out of my notebook earlier and Rea was just returning it to me, it seems. Err… right Rea?”

“Fine. Put it away this is math, not history.”

I pulled out the original note and read it while acting like I was working on the lesson handout. At first the contents made me excited. Mary had a crush on someone! Somewhat ironically girls next to me had received a kind of notoriety among the guys because of my status as the ‘love god.’ As a result the eight girls, my ’angels,’ had become the eight angels of our school year and were the eight most desired girls as a result. Despite this, or maybe because of this, I had never heard anything about the girls having any crushes. Their raised status meant they couldn’t have a normal friendship with the guys unlike the rest of the girls in the school.

I was less happy to find out who Mary had a crush on. In my opinion… They weren't a good match. Mary came off as sensitive and Joe, her crush, was blunt. He also couldn’t keep a secret. The biggest issue is that I had just helped him make up with his girlfriend who goes to a different school from us.

The little hearts drawn around Mary’s “I plan on telling him after school today” did nothing to soften the hammerblow to my conscience that came from the following “I put a note in his locker that I want to meet with him after school.” I looked up at Mary and saw her looking at Joe with a slight smile on her face.

When class ended I called over to him. “Hey Joe, you have a date with Wendy after school today right?”

“Yeah, that’s what I told you. What’s up?”

“Are you leaving right away?”

“Naw, Mary wanted to ask me something so I’mma go after I help her.”

“I think I know what she wanted to ask, I was going to buy a Cake for Rea as an apology for something anyway…. Does that work for you Mary?”

Mary nodded meekly surprised at my sudden conversation and I went to get a drink. When I returned there was a note in Rea’s handwriting on my desk with the address of a popular cake cafe. I laughed and waited for the school-day to end.

We made it a block away from the school before the girls lost their tempers at me.

“How could you just read our note like it was nothing?” “Do you know how embarrassed you made Mary Feel?”

I countered by saying, “I would assume less embarrassed when he went around bragging at school tomorrow if I had let her just confess. I’m treating you all to cake regardless.”

Rea, who was following me from behind, put her hand on my shoulder and said, “Fine, but it had better be from Cream Fantasy.”

I smiled briefly at her threat then straightened my posture and turned around and looked her dead in the eye wearing a grim look on my face. “I can’t promise you that.” We walked in silence for a while after that.

I did lead them in the direction of Cream Fantasy so I didn’t get any more complaints other than a smug snort from Rea when I walked right past the line to get into the store. She would have given me a few smart words but, my brother had stepped outside to smoke a cigarette and seen me. “Eric, we’re smashed in there, If you don’t have any homework get changed and come help.” As he said this he pointed right back at the cafe, The Cream Fantasy, before going around and greeting his waiting customers.

“Sorry, Jake. I’ve got guests. I will send Elaine down though. Is there anything in the kitchen I can serve them?”

“There should be something when you get down here, have fun.”

“Elaine, I’m Home!”

“Welcome back Eric” As she turned the corner I reached out and gave her a big hug.

As I stepped out of the hug I looked at her and said, “There’s a line almost to the end of the block. I have guests so I can’t help, sorry.”

“Don’t worry sweetie, you know what to do. Have them try some of the tea in the kettle, I want their opinions as your thanks.” I live together with my brother’s family and, as you may have guessed, Elaine is my Sister-in-Law.

As Elaine left and I led the girls to the living room. “Go ahead and study, I’ll bring out the tea and some cups then head down to get some cake for you all. I should be about fifteen minutes to half an hour. Left them to get settled while I prepare a tray for the tea which I then brought in to them. I then went into my nephew's room and woke him up I told him to wait in the living room with the girls and then went downstairs to get the cakes I had promised the girls.

My brother’s cakeshop, The Cream Fantasy, is extremely popular. He and his staff can’t make enough in a day to meet the demand. One of the things they do is sell smaller portions of cakes that don’t meet his quality standards as sampler plates and carry out boxes. Often times when I need a break from studying or can’t be bothered to do anything I will go down to the cafe and put samplers together.

I spent a few minutes putting the samplers together before boxing one up and returning to the girls. When I returned I was unsurprised to find a three year old sitting on Mary’s lap. My nephew, Jayjay or Jacob Junior, is fairly particular. He has one place he likes to sit in and I had somewhat forcibly sat Mary in his spot. The little monster is also a little precocious and Mary just happens to be his ‘type’ as Elaine puts it. Personally I think he just knows how to recognise the kinds of girls who will dote on him.

My estimation of Mary was correct judging by the carton of apple juice that was sitting on the table and by the cup of juice that Jayjay was drinking from.

“I’ve brought the cake ladies; I see you’ve met my nephew Jayjay.”

“They gave me juice.”

“I see that Jacob, don’t bother the girls too much okay? We’re here to cheer up Mary.”

Jayjay turned around and looked at Mary and gave her a hug. Which she happily returned. I placed the cake box on the table and opened it up before stepping back and turning on the television. Then facing the girls I asked, “Right questions?”

Rea glared at me a moment then said, “Your family owns the Cream Fantasy?”

“My brother’s family but yeah.”

Erin raised her hand then said, “About a month ago Natalie's boyfriend who is always at baseball practice got her some cake from here…”

“Yeah, he's a good guy and she was being kinda unreasonable. Keep this a secret but the staff are allowed to reserve one cake for themselves each week so I, uhh... I guess you know a guy. In fact, keep this quiet but Randy, the one who sits in front of Melissa, tries to get his mom something every thursday, he picks it up on the fridays ‘my’ cake is still available.”

Lisa leaned forward hearing Randy’s name, “The rude one?”

“Not really. Most of the girls who try to hang around him aren’t the kindest. Terra is the worst in my opinion. He pretty much hates her from what I can tell.”

We ended up gossiping for a good hour while the tea and cakes lasted. I was surprised at how the girls acted in private. Lisa was a natural gossip which was something I should have guessed. She had been the first of the angels to notice their special status. Between that and her position as a teacher's sister she put up a front during school which left her irritated when school was over. She didn’t pig out like a lot of the guys I know would have but she ended up eat more of the cakes than the rest of the girls.

Erin was actually more respectful than she usually was. I wasn’t too surprised to learn this she was usually fairly formal. It was a little annoying that she kept pouring tea for the other girls considering that fact that I was the host but it was helpful that she kept Lisa in check.

Rea just didn’t like me. I actually admire her for it. Rea is the kind that cares for her friends even if she isn’t the kind to admit to it. I had heard one of the guys call her a tsundere. A week later it happened again with another guy and she responded saying, “So what? It’s not like I’m doing it because you suck or anything.”

Mary didn’t join in the conversation. She had pre-occupied herself by watching TV with Jayjay. I did find it impressive however, that she seemed perfectly fine. If Jayjay hadn’t been acting disappointed I don’t think I would have noticed anything was still wrong. Despite that, Rea noticed before I did.

“Mary, let Eric take care of his cousin. You need to study.” I think Rea had let Mary sulk until our little tea party ended.

“You make it sound like she isn’t doing too well.”

Rea turned to glare at me and Erin chimed in saying, “She needs to score in the seventies on the next exam.” Our school runs an accelerated program where a 40% is the pass/fail mark. A 60% is considered on par an ‘A’ for our grade level nationally. This accelerated program allows the school to devote more time to student activities like sports days and other special events. It also gives time for the students who can’t keep up to take remedial classes.

“Erin! Don’t make it sound like I haven’t learned anything this year!”

Lisa looked at her and said, “At this point in the year what else could it mean?”

Rea had already pulled out her math books and was revising her notes from class. Jayjay walked over and asked, “Mary? What’s this?”

I glanced down at Rea’s book and I swear he was pointing at the most difficult problem we had been assigned for homework. Mary glanced at the book and her smile widened just slightly. Before long the five of us were studying while Jayjay asked questions about the homework.

Time got away from me and the next thing I realised it was Seven. Jacob and Elaine had returned from the shop and settled down to watch the abandoned TV. During a commercial break Elaine caught our attention and said, “It’s getting kind of late, do any of you girls need to call you families?”

Rea was the first to answer, “No, but I do need to get going. Thank you for having us mam, The tea was delicious and the cakes were better than the rumours.”

“Mary, we need to get back to the school soon ourselves. My sister should be finishing up soon. The cakes were delicious; the tea was good but I couldn’t say anything else about it… Sorry. Bye bye Jayjay!”

“Bye.”

“Goodbye Jayjay. I had fun but, Lisa and I need to go now. Thank You for studying with me.”

“Bye bye Mary~!”

Erin was less enthusiastic about leaving. I could see her looking at the mess we had made so I stood up and started cleaning the table.

While I was doing this Elaine smiled and then said to Erin, “You don’t have to leave right now honey. You’re free to join us for dinner.”

“Thank you mam, The tea was delicious by the way. I thought it went particularly well with the tiramisu. May I help you in the kitchen?”

Jacob shook his head and saying, “You’re a guest you don’t need to do that. Sit and relax a bit. I saw that look on your face when he cleaned up after you girls.” Jacob punctuated his sentence by jerking his thumb in my direction.

Erin sat there with a troubled look on her face for a moment before Elaine came to her rescue saying, “Come sit in the kitchen with me. We can chitchat while I cook.”

After dinner Erin asked to put Jayjay to bed and Elaine pulled me to the front door. “Eric, do you know what imposter syndrome is?”

“No mam.”

“Think of it like a feeling that you haven’t earned or don’t deserve what you have.”

...

“Erin isn’t sure why the boys at your school treat her so well. Keep an eye on her okay?”

“Yes mam.”

Elaine waited.

“You don’t need to tell me; I will walk Erin home. Or at least to the train station.”

Elaine rubbed my head and then pulled me into a hug. After a moment I opened my eyes to see Erin leaning against the wall watching us with a sad look on her face. Unfortunately she was standing on a rug in the entryway which promptly slid away from her the moment she put her weight against the wall. The end result was Erin falling to the ground and Elaine reaching down to help her up. I kneeled down to fix the rug and began putting my shoes on.

“You don’t need to walk me home Eric.”

“True. I am walking you home though.”

Erin looked to Elaine who smiled at her and said, “Goodnight Erin. Eric, Make sure to hurry back.” We left the house and began walking away from the nearest train station. I walked slightly behind Erin watching her.

I think this is the first time I stopped and looked at her. If i had to use one word to Describe Erin, that word would be “plain.” Despite what you might think none of the angels are what you would call beauties. Even so Erin was, I suppose, in many ways the least attractive. That night her hair was loose. I think Jayjay had pulled it loose while Erin was putting her to bed. Under the passing street lamps her hair took on a silver color. In daylight it was a dull brown. Her face wasn’t misshapen but it was easy to pick out qualities I didn’t like about it. The evening air had softened her features and her personality was used to supply the details.

After a while Erin looked down and smiled a little despite herself.

“I guess you live nearby then?”

Erin jumped a bit and responded, “Yeah. You really didn’t need to walk me home Eric.”

“Actually, I kind of did. Elaine said you are feeling down about something.”

“Oh.”

We walked a little further before I continued.

“You don’t have to tell me about it.”

She half smiled like she was letting the dim light hide her face.

“You don’t usually seem too upset at school. Nothing I can’t make sense of anyway.”

She didn’t even smile at that. Then she stopped and turned around to face me.

“Feel free to come by again if you think talking to Elaine might help.”

“Thank you Eric, Goodnight.” Erin turned around and gave me a hug then ran up to a nearby house and unlocked the front door.

I stood there watching the closed door. After a moment it occurred to me; she hadn’t turned on any of the lights, even after she shut her door.