At Huang University...
At the library...
After a quick lunch, Xiaoliang decided to go to the library to read his Business Management book. He was never fond of socialising, especially after he lost his parents in which all his relatives keeps insulting him in many ways. He had chose to be an introvert since he knew he couldn't trust anyone other than his grandma.
Just as Xiaoliang is quietly reading his book alone, he hears the library door open, revealing a female figure with a baby blue sweater along with some black pants. He turns his head for a moment to see the girl, in which he is familiar with. She's the girl who bumped into him yesterday, Wang Ming Yu.
Mingyu takes a seat not too far from Xiaoliang. She puts her notebook on the table along with a black pen. She opens the book and starts writing.
After about 7 minutes, Mingyu suddenly feels her phone vibrate from her pocket. She quickly picks up the phone, which causes Xiaoliang to turn his gaze at her for a moment. He notice how she suddenly looks anxious as she starts to stutter on the phone. She starts to look more scared, before she suddenly grabs her notebook and walk out of the library while still talking on the phone.
Xiaoliang is left confused at the anxious girl's sudden action. He could tell she was obviously anxious just from her facial expression when she answered the phone, though he wonders what could make the girl so scared that it was so visible. He moves his vision to the table, and notice that she had left her black pen there.
She forgot her pen. Xiaoliang thought.
Xiaoliang starts to wait for the young girl to come back and get her pen. He assumed she'll be back after her call. However, after a while of waiting, there is still no sign of Mingyu returning to the library to get her pen.
Xiaoliang checks the time on his watch, and sees that his next class is about to start. Realizing that the girl isn't coming back, Xiaoliang grabs his book and walks over to the empty table and grab the black pen. He puts the pen inside his pocket, before walking out of the library.
A few hours later...
After college...
Mingyu's POV...
I desperately continue to search my locker for my lost pen. I swear that I probably left it at the library after I got anxious after getting a call from my mom earlier. Sadly, when I went to the library just now, the pen was no where to be found. As silly as it sounds, but losing my pen just got me feeling more anxious, since it made me realize that I just commited a mistake, which makes me feel like a failure.
As I continue to search my locker, suddenly I hear a familiar voice tinkles through my ears, softly calling my name. I turn my head to see a familiar male figure with a white t-shirt and black jacket facing me. My heart almost stop as I start to feel nervous upon realizing who this person is. He's the guy I bumped into yesterday. I think his name is Xiaoliang.
"Wang Ming Yu, right?" he ask.
I froze as I suddenly feel anxious by just staring at him. Suddenly I feel as if I'm too afraid to give him an answer with words, and by that I just give him a nod. He suddenly pulls out a black pen from his pocket. It's my lost pen, the one I had been searching for.
"This is yours," he says, again in a soft tone.
I look at the pen for a moment, before slowly grabbing it from his hand as I remind myself to calm down. I don't want to have a panic attack right here, right now, and in front of him. Just the thought of it already got me frustrated.
"Thank you," I say to him in a low tone, as I refuse to have eye contact with him, since it could cause my anxiety to get worse.
"No problem," Xiaoliang says. He eventually walks away from my sight. I turn my head after I realized that he had walked away, only to see that he had disappear.
I take a deep breath of relief before closing my locker. I start to walk through the hallway, ready to exit the college and preparing myself for anything that's gonna happen at home.
Two weeks later...
At Huang University...
It's been two weeks since I started my life as a college student. Though there hasn't been much changes regarding my mental health, I'm trying my best to not trigger it for the worse by avoiding problems that could make it worse as I can.
"Mingyu!"
I turn my head upon hearing the familiar cheerful voice. I see Junhao running to my direction with excitement written all over his face. It's been two weeks since I last had a close encounter with him, since he had been hanging out with Meiling and some of his new friends a lot lately. Not that it bothers me. They had actually invited me to hangout with them, yet I chose to decline their offer by being alone most of the time. Not going to lie, I like Meiling and Yifei. They are nice, but hanging out with new people just triggers my anxiety every time, by that I chose to be alone and avoid socialising most of the time.
"Junhao," I say as I look at him face to face. At least it's good to know that I don't feel anxious when I stare at him.
"How are you?" I ask him.
"Good. In fact, I was gonna ask you that question," Junhao says with a cheeky smile.
"I'm fine," I reply to him.
"Well, good to know. By the way, I was wondering if you might have forgotten something?" Junhao ask with a playful tone.
I stood in silent as I start to think about if I had forgotten something important. These past two weeks I've only been focus on my studies and trying to avoid problems. I did have this small feeling that I forgot something, yet I still couldn't remember what it is.
"Ok, I give up. What did I forget?" I ask him.
"Really? Gosh, I feel like a blade just stabbed my heart," Junhao says in a dramatic tone as he gestures his hand to his heart. "Ouch, that hurts."
I take a deep breath upon hearing his statement. I must have forgotten something important that he starts to behave dramatic. Well, I don't blame he though. I honestly feel guilty right now just by looking at him. I notice Junhao start to notice how I'm looking at him with guilt in my eyes.
"Hey, don't look so sad," Junhao says, "I was just trying to tease you. I wanted to remind you that tomorrow is my birthday."
Birthday...yeah. I totally I forgot that tomorrow is Junhao's birhday. How can I forget his birthday? I must have been worrying about my anxiety too much, that I forgot.
"Damn, I totally forgot. I'm so sorry," I say with a guilty tone.
"Hey, don't worry! I totally understand," Junhao says. "I want to invite you to my birthday party tomorrow at Wang Chang KTV."
I stood in silent for a moment. Junhao knows me too well that he also knows I can't sing, especially in front of people. Not to mention I'm trying to avoid any words with my mom as I can. If I go to his party, I'll have to make an excuse to my mom and that could cause a possible argument. Yet, if I don't come, I would be missing out on my best friend's birthday, after all the times he helped me get through my dramatic life.
"Of course, I want you to be there. I'll pick you up and also drive you back after, so you're mom won't have any excuse to mess with you," Junhao says with a comforting smile.
I sigh. He really puts a lot of effort just so I could go.
"And the others are actually ok with that? I mean, what about Meiling? Is she ok with the idea that you're gonna pick me up?" I ask him.
I've seen both Junhao and Meiling hanging out together a lot these past two weeks, it almost made me thought that they are attracted to each other in a special way, which could develoup deeper feelings. I was worried that I was gonna be a third party, or a third wheel.
"Of course she's ok with that. She knows that we've been friends since middle school," Junhao says with a chill tone, as if he doesn't have any bad feelings or negative thoughts regarding the idea.
I sigh. "Fine, if you say so."
Junhao smiles. "Awesome! I'll pick you up at 5 PM tomorrow."
I smile at the cheesy boy. "Ok."
A few hours later...
At the cafeteria...
I walk inside the cafeteria and notice that this place is loaded with lots of people. I start to search for an empty seat, which could seem impossible at this state. Junhao is sitting with Meiling and some of their male friends. I didn't feel comfortable to join them since there are a lot of guys I don't quite know there. Call me weird, but my anxiety with strangers increases when they are male. I don't know why, maybe it's related to the fact because I don't have a male figure to look up to while growing up? At least, that was what the psychiatrist told me.
I almost give up in my search and thought about leaving the cafeteria and skipping lunch. Just then, I see Xiaoliang sitting with Yifei from a distance. He is wearing a white hoodie today, and like usual, he looks quiet. I'm surprised to see him sitting with Yifei today. Maybe he didn't seem to find a seat like me? I don't know.
Reality hits me in the face, realizing that I have to share a table since it's impossible to find an empty table right now. And if I have to share, I'm gonna pick the one which I have at least a word with the people, and of course, I'll pick the table with less people. With that thought, I walk over to Yifei and Xiaoliang's table.
"Hi! I hope I didn't interrupt anything. I was just wondering if could have a seat here?" I ask, literally feeling anxiety starts running inside my heart as both Xiaoliang and Yifei moves their vision to me, making me the center of their attention.
"Of course, Mingyu," Yifei says as she smiles at me.
"Thank you," I say in a low tone. I pull out the chair next to Yifei and takes a seat next to her.
"So, I believe Junhao already told you about tomorrow," Yifei says, before she takes a sip of her lemonade.
"Yes," I answer her.
"Ah, I can't wait. I heard Meiling is also planning a surprise for him at the party," Yifei says in excitement.
"Oh, I see," I say. Hearing this, I got curious in guessing what sort of surprise Meiling is planning for Junhao. Well, Junhao loves surprises, so I hope Meiling's surprise will make his birthday party more special.
As Yifei continues to talk about her excitement for the party, Xiaoliang just stay silent through out the conversation. He only focuses on his food, though he did glanced at me a few times, in which I avoided eye contact.
A few hours later...
After college...
As I exit the college building, I see Meiling and Junhao giggling at each other while standing near Junhao's car. After that, two teenagers enter the black car.
"Waiting for someone?"
I almost jump out of surprise as I hear a familiar soft male voice from behind me. I turn around and see Xiaoliang standing with a puzzled look, making me accidentally getting into eye contact with me, which made me nervous.
"No," I say in a nervous tone. "I was just about to go home."
"Ok," Xiaoliang says. Upon hearing this, Xiaoliang takes a deep breath before walking pass me slowly, leaving me all confused with butterflies getting crazy inside of me.
What is with that guy? He's so weird.
8:30 PM...
At The Jade Bowl...
Xiaoliang's POV...
After another busy day at the restaurant, Xiaoliang finally finished his shift and is preparing to go back home.
"I'll be going now. Bye!" Xiaoliang says to his friend, before walking out of the restaurant with his backpack.
He gets on his bike and starts riding back home. Though his body feels exhausted due to lack of sleep and trying to balance college and work, yet Xiaoliang has grown to be harder mentally and physically than whatever life has to offer him. Remembering how his grandma had worked hard just so he could attend college motivates Xiaoliang to one day repay her kindness. Right now, his goal is to graduate college and find a way to make his grandma happy, while in the process also trying to make money to support her, especially since her condition hasn't been so well.
Minutes passed, and Xiaoliang finally arrives at his house. He stops and parks his bike beside the front door, before walking inside the house.
The next day...
4:50 PM...
At Mingyu's house...
After a nerve-wracking morning talk with my mom about Junhao picking me up to go to his party, I finally manage to convience her to let me go for a few hours. She eventually agreed, which made me feel more calm.
Now I am brushing my hair as I wait for Junhao to arrive in a few minutes. I decided to wear a yellow sweater and black jeans. A few minutes later, I hear my phone suddenly rings. I grab my phone and see that it's Junhao.
"Hello!" I answered the phone.
"Get down here, Princess! I arrived and can't wait any longer," Junhao says in a playful tone, which makes me almost giggle at his silly statement. This guy can be too funny at times.
"Alright, I'll head down," I say.
I walk downstairs and see Junhao already waiting in the living room. He's wearing a white t-shirt along with black jeans, and not to mention he's wearing his new blue sneakers he told me he just bought a few days ago.
"Hey!" I say casually.
Junhao smiles at me as he eyes me from head to toe. He gets up from his seat and walks closer to me.
"Let's go!" Junhao says, in which I nod.
5:15 PM...
At Wang Chang KTV...
Junhao and Mingyu walks inside the massive karaoke room. The room's interior consist of the colors red and gold, which could give anyone in the room a posh feeling. A big flat screen TV can be seen hanging on the wall, along with two giant speakers on the two sides of the room. Most of the guest had arrived, in which most of them are men, except for Meiling,Yifei, and some women who they are not familiar with.
"Hey, thanks for waiting. Sorry for the wait," Junhao says with a smile as he sees Meiling and Yifei approaches him and Mingyu.
"The birthday boy being late? Come on," Meiling says in a playful tone as she stares at Junhao in a slightly flirty way.
"Well, birthday boy still have some duties," Junhao says as he runs his hand through his hair, trying to make a charismatic impression to Meiling.
Meiling just smiles at the cheeky boy, before turning her gaze to Mingyu who looks awkward at the situation.
"Well, Wang Mingyu, you surely are a lucky girl to make this birthday boy busy," Meiling says as she forms a small smile at Mingyu, making her feel nervous. She could tell that even though Meiling is giving her a pretty sweet smile, her eyes are speaking differently. Her gaze is filled with irritation at the anxious girl. Feeling uncomfortable, Mingyu decides to avoid eye contact with Meiling.
"Where's Xiaoliang?" Junhao ask. His eyes starts searching the room for the introvert boy.
"He said he'll arrive in a few minutes," Yifei says.
"And how did you know about that?" Meiling ask her friend with curiousity.
"I called him, duh," Yifei blurts out.
"Hey, Junhao! Come over here!"
Junhao turns his head to see his group of male friends calling him. The birthday boy smiles as he walks over to join the group of loud boys, along with his three female friends following him from behind.
About 15 minutes later, a familiar male figure in a gray sweater enters the room, making the others to turn their attention to him.
"Xiaoliang! Damn, and I almost thought you wouldn't show up," Junhao says as he greets the quiet boy.
Xiaoliang forms a small smile at him. "Happy birthday."
"Hey, Xiaoliang! Come over here so we can get this party started!" one of the guys from the group slightly shouts at him.
With Xiaoliang's arrival, Junhao soon starts the party with dinner and a simple karaoke session. Though Mingyu had been avoiding her turn to sing most of the time. Junhao knew too well about Mingyu's condition, and by that he tries to take her turn when the other guys try to make her sing. As for Xiaoliang, he actually decided to sing a few times, which got Mingyu mesmerized by his gentle voice.
His voice is so beautiful.
Mingyu thought.
8 PM...
Time flies, and pretty much everyone in the room is now dancing to remixes while drinking like there's no tomorrow, and having fun with their opposite genders. Mingyu is in the corner having some snacks, while Xiaoliang continues to chill with a glass of white wine as he watch some of the guys dancing wildly with the girls.
"Mingyu, right?"
Mingyu turns her head to see a guy sitting next to her with a seductive look. He had seen this guy a few times at college, but never got his name since she never wanted to mingle with him. He's one of Junhao's new friend, which she isn't quite fond of.
"Yes," she answers in a flat tone.
To be continue...