15 years later…
"Hey Puck, wait a second!" Joanie called out.
Puck stopped and cringed. He turned around to face Joanie. "I can't talk later, I've got to go do something."
Joanie placed her hands on her hips and raised her eyebrows. Puck knew she didn't believe his lame excuse. The reality of the situation was, he couldn't talk to her. Yeah, he could if he wanted to, but he wouldn't. He had made a pact with himself to avoid confrontation with Joanie at all costs. It was the best for both of them.
Joanie sighed. "You don't like me very much, do you?" she said at last.
Puck folded his arms and stared at her, just below her eyes. He couldn't let her win. Not when he'd come so far. "Why would you say that?"
"Oh come on, Puck, I'm not dumb!" Joanie exclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air for added effect. "I can tell by the way you won't look me in the eye, and you seem to never be around. When ever I get near you make up some excuse to leave."
Puck just shrugged. She was smarter than he had previously thought. "So," he said simply. "I don't like you. Can I go now?"
Joanie narrowed her eyes at the fairy before her. "No! I want to know why. I haven't done anything to you."
Puck looked down, suddenly flooded with emotions. "You have no idea," he replied softly, with a hint of regret in his voice. He looked back up at Joanie to notice her expression had changed. Her eyes had softened, beckoning him to go on. Puck shook his head to clear his thoughts.
"Ever since you came along, Oberon has been too preoccupied with you to spend any time with me," he began. He glared at Joanie. His anger hid his sadness and despair. It was the only way he could think as not to show any weakness. "He's been treating me much more of a servant than a friend. And it's all your fault. You've been taking up al of his affection, leaving none for me."
Puck let out a sigh. It felt good to let it out. Previously he had been taunting the humans in the village. Sometimes his tricks got out of hand, and become more than harmless. He always regretted it later, for he couldn't help himself. His pranks didn't bring him much amusement anymore. They were simply a way to release his anger.
Joanie stared at Puck with her mouth partly open. She sighed as she placed her hand on her face and shook her head. "So, that's what this is about." She looked into Puck's eyes, who in return shifted his gaze to the ground. "I'm sorry, Puck, but you'll just have to accept things how they are. I can't help it Oberon likes me best."
Puck felt as if fire were burning his insides. He finally stared Joanie in the eyes, send her a death glare. Yet Joanie stayed as strong as ever. She didn't fear the fairy like he had hoped she would. She didn't back down. "I resent that!" he spat, as if his words had a sour taste to them. "The only reason Oberon favors you is because you're a poor defenseless mortal who doesn't have anywhere else to go." Joanie gasped. Puck snickered with satisfaction. But soon his anger returned.
He went on, "I have been with Oberon for many years. Then you come along and steal him from me! It's as if everything we've been through doesn't matter anymore! And I can't stand it!"
Joanie folded her arms and frowned. She wrinkled her brow, as if in deep thought, before turning her gaze back to Puck. "What do you want me to do about it? Act like you and avoid him?"
"Leave the forest," Puck replied while rolling his eyes, as if the answer were obvious.
Joanie gasped again. "I can't do that!" Puck narrowed his eyes at her. He came towards he until he was only a few inches away from her face. He continued to glare at her, hoping to evoke fear. Joanie's eyes showed you understood the situation. "I won't." her voice quivered as she tried to remain strong. Had everything been different, this would have amused Puck. But this time it didn't. He placed his hands on Joanie's shoulders. He felt her flinch at his touch. "Why are you being so mean?" the girl as softly, with innocence.
Puck was taken back by her question. He let go of her and took a step back. How could he possibly answer her? He had never intended for this. This was the reason why he had avoided Joanie. No matter how much he tried not to be, anger like this made him mean. A mortal like Joanie would never understand that. She could never understand what he was feeling right now, how much it hurt. Puck broke her gaze and looked back down on the ground.
"Hello you two." Oberon's voice broke the tension. Both Puck and Joanie turned to face Oberon. "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything." His tone was friendly, making the two feel more at ease.
"No, we were just talking," Puck answered, forcing a smile. He had become really good at acting over the years.
Oberon nodded. "Good. Joanie, why don't you come with me?"
"Of course, Oberon!" Joanie replied cheerfully. She smirked at Puck as she passed him. It was all he could do not to give her a mean look. She reached Oberon, who instantly put his arm around her. Joanie looked back at Puck and grinned, as if rubbing the whole thing in his face.
Puck gritted his teeth as he watch Oberon and Joanie walk off together. That was it. That girl had pulled his last nerve. She was about to make him do something he really didn't want to do. "Fine, if that's how you want it," he said out loud. "It's on."