Meeting An Old Friend

A sudden hands slowly creep over and... "Please... leave me alone." She screamed and pleaded. Xia screams on top of her lungs. A familiar voice, shook Xia. "Xia! Come to your sense! It me! It just me. Jingwei!" said Jingwei. Xia came to her senses. "Jingwei!" She hugs Jingwei and whimpers. A sound of the door being unlocked and open. Pengxi asked, "Woah... How did you even manage to pick this lock? This lock always needed a key to open." asked, Haoran. "Who knows he always sleeps all day in class." replied Cody. Ren trying to be a genius one, "I learned it from one of my dad's buddies. It's very easy. If I have the time, I will teach ya." said Ren. He smiled proudly. Jietang, looking at Jingwei and asked, "Jingwei, why did you save her?" Jingwei ignored the question and carried Xia out of the equipment room. "Those 3 girls need to be taught a lesson? They never know how to stop. It's so annoying." said Jietang. Outside the entrance, Xia was in the car. "Remember - no one knows about this but us. I will take her home and call you guys later." said Jingwei. Jingwei got into the car and drove off. "Mm... I had never seen this side of Jingwei before." Surprised, Haoran.

In the intersection, the car stops at red light. Jingwei was on the phone with Zhuo Zhi. "She's with me now. I will take care of her and send her straight home. Don't worry about her. Just focus on your training. " He said and hung up the phone. "Jingwei, Jingwei." Jingwei looks at Xia. "You had broken the promise. " Said Xia, still recovering on what had happened. "Even though I'd broken the promise. My friends wouldn't dare tell anyone... You and Zhuo Zhi are just cousins. Why would you be scared if others knew?" curiously asked, Jingwei. Xia was thinking and replied, "I want to keep it a secret because Zhuo Zhi came from a wealthy family. And I-- (Thinking) I am in a middle class. I lost both of my parents. I just don't know. Not only that, but I am mostly afraid that the students in school would judge me for being poor and living under the roof with Zhuo Zhi. I am afraid that they will judge me because I am not at the same level as them." Jingwei replied, "Don't worry, no matter what... we will protect you. I will protect you."

At the mansion. Jingwei and Xia were out of the car in front of the mansion. Jingwei asked, "Are you going to be okay now?" Xia nodded. "Thanks again. I mean - Uhh..." Jingwei replied, " Get some rest." Xia nodded.

Inside the mansion, Xia was walking to her room. Her phone rang, and she answered the phone call.

"Zhuo Zhi." answered Xia. On the other line. Zhuo Zhi asked, "Are you okay?" Worried Zhuo Zhi. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" asked Zhuo Zhi. Xia shakes her head. "Hmm, no, I'm not hurt." said Xia, still upset. Zhuo Zhi angrily said, "I knew those idiots were up to something bad. (Sigh) At least, I had called Jingwei, and he got you in time. I am glad that you are safe now." Xia said, "Zhuo Zhi... The rest of the underrated know about us." Zhuo Zhi replied, "They already knew. Why do you worry if all the classes in school know about us being cousins?" She answered, "It's because... I lost my parents, I used to be a middle class, and now I'm nothing. And I'm living under your parents' house. Isn't that a burden to you 3?" Zhuo Zhi replied, "Why would it be a burden? As long as you are here. I am happy! My mom and dad are happy. Get some rest. Do you know that tomorrow is my birthday?." Xia answered, "Yes. When are you coming home?" Zhuo Zhi replied, "We just ended our training, so I will be home early in the morning."

It was in the middle of the night, Xia was still up, sitting up on her bed as she thought deeply on a way to get back at San Bang and her friends. REVENGE! "I stand true to my words. I will make their life... A living hell!"

It was the next day. It was late afternoon, Xia got up and went to the kitchen. Her aunt was up and in the kitchen cooking with the maids. "Make sure it bakes thoroughly." her aunt said. She looked up at Xia. "Oh, you are up! Did you come home late... I saw Jingwei's car last night. Did he bring you home?" She asked. Xia nodded, remembering everything last night. Her aunt sighed, thinking. "I know Zhuo Zhi said no big party and no surprises. Zhuo Zhi and Jingwei, along with his friends, are always together through school. Do you think... Zhuo Zhi wouldn't mind me calling his friends? It wouldn't be a birthday if he only celebrated with his family. " Xia smiled and said, "I think Zhuo Zhi would love to have his friends over for his birthday. " Her aunt smiled and said, "That will be awesome then!" She walked away. "Chiyou... can you leave me the leftover if there is any?" Xia asked. Maid Chiyou replied, "Yes. I was about to throw some out anyway. There are plenty more left-over you can use. Are you making a cake too?" Xia awkwardly nodded. "Do you need help?" She asked Xia. Xia shook her head and said, "I'm good. My mom taught me how to bake a cake when I was little." She smiles. Maid Chiyou smiles and walks out of the kitchen. "Xia, why don't you get ready?" said her aunt. Xia nod.

A few hours pass by. Zhuo Zhi came downstairs with his suits on. Xia's aunt and her uncle admired Zhuo Zhi's look. "You look so handsome, darling!" she said. "I know you said you want to be the 4 of us. But I invited your friends." The Underrated-7 came into the lobby and yelled, "Surprise!" Zhuo Zhi smiled. Zhuo Zhi finally came downstairs. He was surprised and happy.

They all sang happy birthday and finally came the gifts. After a while, it was Xia's turn. Xia grabbed her gift and gave it to Zhuo Zhi. He grabbed it and smiled. He opened the gift and smiled. "Oh! I always wanted one of these. " Zhuo Zhi said. Xia smiled and replied, "I saw you looking at it the other day. So I thought I should gift you it." Zhuo Zhi happily said, "Thank you!" He smiled. Ren asked, "Zhuo Zhi, why didn't you mention to us that you have a very cute cousin living at your house?" Zhuo Zhi answered, "What do you mean? Didn't Jingwei tell you?" Ren replied, "It was before that. The other day, Jietang mentioned to me that he saw you with a girl." Zhuo Zhi snickered, "Now you know. " Xia noticed that Jingwei was missing in the room. She went to look for him.

Outside the backyard, Jingwei was sitting alone. Crickets chirping. Xia came outside and stood next to him. Xia looked up at the stars, "Wow! The stars are so beautiful tonight. " said Xia. Jingwei nodded. Xia said, "I remember... my mom and I will look up at the stars, trying to count how many stars there are. But always lost count. " She laughs. "My mom always tells me that if one of the stars dies, it means it is going to reincarnate. If one star is bright, it means someone is looking for their love. When the stars fall... it had completed their lifetime. Two shooting stars will be stars crossed lovers. If you see two shooting stars following one another, you and that person will make a wish. And keep it until you two meet again. But it is rare. It never happens. " Jingwei was thinking as he looked up in the sky. Two shooting stars came across the sky. Xia was excited. "Ehh!! That is rare! Hurry, we need to make a wish. " Xia closed her eyes and put her hands together. Jingwei closed his eyes. After wishing. Xia and Jingwei were done making a wish. Xia turns around and smiles at him.

The weekend quickly ended. It was Monday, early in the morning at school. San Bang and Charlise were outside the equipment room, waiting for Rachel to get the key from the teacher's office. There were no sounds coming inside the equipment room. Charlise was scared and asked, "Is she dead?" San Bang scoffed and replied, "Nonsense! She probably doesn't want to make a sound because she is trying to scare us. " Charlise said, "But she didn't eat for days, though. What if she tells on us?" she added. San Bang looked annoyed and replied, "Then we will make her school year horrible." Charlise, thinking about the story that San Bang bought up. "That story you told her... Is it true? That's just a lame story you made up just to scare her, right?" San Bang, look at Charlise, "What are you scared of? It is just a story to get back at her. So she knows who is in charge." annoyed San Bang. "What the f*ck taking Rachel so long?" Rachel came running with the key. "Sorry, the P.E. teacher's draw was locked, so I had to find his spare keys to unlock it." Rachel exclaimed. San Bang angrily said, "Hurry up and unlock the door. We can't let others know that we left this b*tch in here all weekend. " Rachel hurried to unlock the lock and open it. The 3 went inside and was shocked and surprised. "Where the f*ck is she?" Confused San Bang. "Where did she go?" Furious Charlise. Siyang, who was the tennis captain, came into the equipment room, confused about what's going on. "San Bang? What are you guys doing here at school for?" He asked. San Bang made an excuse. "Last Friday, the P.E. teacher told us to come in early to school to take out some equipment and clean it... We are done cleaning now and putting the last equipment away." She lied. Siyang was curious but didn't think anything of it and replied, "Oh, is that so. If the P.E. teacher says that. Then finish up. The tennis teams will be here any minutes." He looks of them, feeling like they were guilty of something. San Bang nods.

During class break, Xia was studying. Xiao Cai said, "What are you doing after school tonight?" Xia replied, "Just going to go home and study. Why?" Xiao Cai answered, "Today, it's the school tennis team's game. I was wondering if you want to come along?" Xia, stop what she was doing and said, "Oh yeah-- it's today." Xiao Cai looked at her confusedly and nodded, "Yes, it's today. Let's go together. I heard they are playing against your old school." Xia smiled and said, "Okay, let's go then. I have to do something quick after school, so just wait for me at the gate entrance." San Bang came into the classroom and walked quickly towards Xia, slam the gift cake on Xia's desk. "What's the meaning of this?" San Bang asked angrily. Xia stood up and smiled and replied, "It's a cake. What else?" San Bang furious asked, "What the f*ck did you give me this cake?" Xia answered, "I want to thank you and your friends. It was fun for a while. Your friend seems to like chocolate cake." San Bang looking at Xia, "How did you get out when you are locked inside? No one got the key, but the p.e. teacher." Xia smiled, "I have my way of getting out. Enjoy the cake. I make it just for you 3 with all my heart. (She looks at Xiao Cai) Let's go." She smirked. Xiao Cai confusedly nodded and left with Xia.

After school, Xia and Xiao Cai took the busline to the tennis game. Xiao Cai is sitting next to Xia, thinking. Xiao Cai asked, "Xia... Did San Bang lock you somewhere in school?" Xia nodded. Xiao Cai was worried and said, "We need to tell the teacher." Xia replied, "What would they do? I found out San Bang's mother is an educator advisor. If we tell the teacher and San Bang's mother. Who side will they take? In the educators' world... Most of them wouldn't stand up for their students, and they are afraid of getting fire." Xiao Cai was upset and said, "But -" The bus came to a complete stop. Xia said, "Here's our stop. Let's go."

At the tennis game. Everyone were cheering for their own team. Xia and Xiao Cai just arrived and sat down in front row. Xia noticed a familiar face that Zhuo Zhi is now going to play against. Tang Shuyao, Xia's best friend in high school. But Xia doesn't realize that Tang Shuyao has a little crush on her. Shuyao and Zhuo Zhi enter the tennis court and shake each other's hands. "Zhuo Zhi, go easy on me." joke Shuyao. Zhuo Zhi just smiled. After the first game, Dojan's High School scored 30, and Chuyang's High School is in the lead. Zhuo Zhi and Tang Shuyao went to their own side line for a quick break. On the stand. "If Zhuo Zhi win this round. They will go against more competitors' team." said Xiao Cai. Xia asked, "Do you know who will win next round?" Xiao Cai thinking and replied, "It's hard to tell." Xia said, "It will be a tie breaker on the following round. And on that next round, Zhuo Zhi will win." Xiao Cai looked at Xia and asked her, "How do you know?" Xia answered, "I'm just guessing."

On Dojan's High School sideline. "Hmm... I can't believe she showed up. " smiled, Shuyao, as he told the team. After a while, after the game. Shuyao was grabbing a drink from the vending machine. "Shuyao." Xia said. Shuyao turns to Xia and is excited to see her. "Xia." She smiled, "It's been a long time." Xia said. "Is that for me?" Shuyao, look at the drink and laugh, "Actually, it's for Lu Hao-- I heard you had transferred." Xia smiled, "Yeah, I did." She told him. Zhuo Zhi walked over to Xia. "Xia, you're here. " Zhuo Zhi said, smiling. Shuyao asked, "You two - Know each other?" Xia replied, "Yes. I live with Zhuo Zhi and his family now, and that's why I've transferred. Sorry I didn't tell you." Shuyao answered her, "It's fine... I heard your mom passed away while I was away for training. I am sorry for your loss. I really miss her cooking and letting me stay over whenever my family and I argued... Oh-- if you aren't doing anything this week, we should hang out and catch up. " Zhuo Zhi snickered, "She's busy this week." Shuyao was confused and asked, "How about this weekend?" Xia was about to answer Shuyao, but Zhuo Zhi answered, "She is also busy this weekend. " Shuyao replied, "How about the following weekend?" Zhuo Zhi annoyed responded, "Also busy. " Shuyao was annoyed too and asked, "Zhuo Zhi, she can answer me. You don't have to answer for her." One of Dojan's tennis players came towards Shuyao and said, "Shuyao, you are still here. Let's go. The team is waiting for you. We are going to Lan Cheung's restaurant."

At night, Xia and Zhuo Zhi were walking home together. "So how did I do?" asked Zhuo Zhi. Xia replied, "You did great!" Zhuo Zhi confusedly said, "Just great?" Xia awkward laugh, "Hehehe... My good-looking cousin is awesome!" She smiled and added, " You have won the game." Zhuo Zhi said, "Are you planning to see your friend?" Xia was thinking. "Shuyao? Probably not... Shuyao is very busy with training. So he won't have time to hang out with me." She smiled.

The next morning at school, Xia arrived at the classroom. She walked over to the small locker where students' personal items were kept in. "Omg! I forgot we have a quiz today. " said one of the female classmates. One female replied, "I woke up the whole night just to study. My eyes didn't get a wink of sleep." She whined. The HR teacher walked into the class as the students went to their assigned seats. Classmates stand up and bow. And sat down. "Good morning, everyone! I hope you all study well for this quiz that will be on the exam in two months. You all remember the rules. You have an hour to complete the quiz. No talking, no cheating. If I catch you cheating, it will automatically fail. And, you will not be able to retake the quiz."

Half an hour went by. Xia finished first. She walked up to the front of the room and handed in the quiz to the HR teacher. The HR teacher was surprised that Xia had finished taking the quiz already. Xia walked back to her desk and lay her head down, and took a nap.

After class, everyone was all relaxed. Some students were worried about their quiz. A different student came from a different classroom and asked, "Is there a Xia Vyang in this class here?" Xia lifted her head and looked at the student. "You are needed in the gym." said the student. Xia was confused and didn't think of it. She walks out of the classroom. One of the female students whispered to her friends, "Did you guys see that she finished her quiz so quick?" Her friends nodded.

In the hallway, Xia was walking. Jingwei and Jietang were walking in opposite directions. Jietang saw Xia and cheerfully smiled, "Oh Xia! Where are you headed? Break is almost over." He said. Xia answered, "One of the students from the other class told me that I was needed in the gym. She didn't tell me what for." Jingwei was suspicious because earlier in the morning, he overheard the vice principal talking on the phone with the P.E. teacher that he was going to his niece's wedding out in the countryside. Jingwei asked, "How about let me go instead?" Xia looked at Jingwei, "Don't you have to be in class? The teacher only needed me." She asked. Jingwei replied, "How about let's go together? Jietang can cover for me. " Jietang was surprised, confused, "Me?" He's pointing at himself. "Why me?" He asked. Jingwei answered, "Because I will treat you to spicy duck meal. " Jietang smiled, excitedably said, "Really? No sugarcoating?" Jingwei nodded and left with Xia.

In the gym. Xia and Jingwei entered the gym. They both look around. "Where is the teacher?" Confused Xia. Jingwei said, "Maybe he's not here. Let's head to the teacher's office. Maybe he's there." Xia nodded. Xia walked first as Jingwei followed. "Damn!" Whispered San Bang hiding behind the bleacher.

In the teacher's office, the HR teacher was confused. "Huh??" said the HR teacher. "What do you mean a teacher was looking for you?" He asked. "Maybe you're mistaken? Did you not get enough rest because of the quiz and exam?" Xia answered, "Maybe is that... But one of the students in a different class told me that a teacher was looking for me in the gym." HR Teacher was thinking hard. "Well... the P. E teacher is at his niece's wedding today, so he won't be back in 2 days. I don't know why one of the students told you, but no teacher is in need of you so you two can proceed to class." Xia nod. "Oh, I almost forgot in 2 months. It's the sophomore and junior's trip to the countryside. So I need your aunt or your uncle to sign this form." Xia grabbed the form off of the HR teacher's hand. Xia and Jingwei left the teacher room. In the hallway, Xia and Jingwei walk. Xia asked, "Did she say sophomore and junior's trip?" Jingwei nod. Xia asked, "Then are you and Zhuo Zhi going?" Jingwei replied, "I think so." Xia smiled, "It should be fun!"

It was night. Xia walked into her aunt's office. Her aunt was on the phone. "Yeah, just make sure you recheck and complete it by the end of this week." Her aunt saw her and gave Xia a nod. "Yeah, please do. Thank you!" She hung up. "Hey! Is something the matter?" She asked. She sat down behind her desk. Xia handed over the field trip paper to her aunt. "The sophomore and junior are going on a field trip day in 2 months. My HR teacher gave me this to have you sign on it." She said. "Okay, Zhuo Zhi might be coming to this field trip day. And, I will be chaperoning." She signed the paperwork and handed it back to Xia.

It was the weekend already. Shuyao called Xia to come have lunch with him. In the café, they both sat in front of each other. Shuyao asked, "So tell me, how are you liking your new school?" Xia answered, "It's okay!" Shuyao looked at Xia, feeling down. "What's wrong? Did something happen?" asked Shuyao. Xia shook her head and smiled. "Nothing happened. It just that everything is so different now. " Shuyao sighed, worrying about her safety. "You know, I know that you are a terrible liar." Xia scoffed and reassured Shuyao.

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