{Next Morning}
I felt like throwing up. I rubbed my eyes. For some reason I'd fallen asleep at my desk, and I'd stabbed myself with a pencil?
Plus, the window was open for some reason, and my skin felt really hot. What even happened last night?
I shivered as I changed back into my rumpled uniform.
Last night I was probably thinking about… what, again?
Oh.
Right.
Guiying.
I swallowed as I left my room and walked downstairs to the dining room, my heart sinking.
"How are you feeling?" Muqin asked, setting down a bowl of rice porridge. Dried scallops and shrimp poked out of the gentle white fluff, and a sprinkle of green onions topped it off.
I slid my backpack underneath my chair and tried for a smile. "I'm better. Thank you, muqin. I'm sorry about yesterday…"
"No, no, Xiao Yun." My mom ran over to my side, wiping her hands on her apron before burying me in a hug. "I'm sure it must be hard adjusting back. Just take your time, dear. But please don't cause more trouble. I heard…"
I clutched my hand around my spoon.
She trailed off before glancing down and seeing my expression. "I'm sorry, Xiao Yun. I didn't mean to bring it up…" she hugged me tighter.
"No, it's fine," I said. "I'll try not to, muqin."
My smile drooped a little. It's not like I could fault muqin, though, after what had happened…
"Okay… Do you remember the way to school? Do you want me to drive you again?" Muqin asked softly. She was already dressed for work in a sharp grey suit.
I shook my head. "I'll be fine. I can take public transit. Plus, I'm not a child. I can manage that much."
"Don't forget your wallet and your phone."
We ate in silence, and I waved her goodbye before stepping outside.
The storm had cleared, and golden sticks of sunlight broke through the fluffy clouds above. I shielded my eyes with a hand and blinked.
It was way too bright…
The birds were chirping, and the grass outside our townhouse looked brighter than yesterday.
There wasn't a single hint that there was a storm yesterday—not even puddles remained.
I checked myself over. My uniform had thankfully dried overnight, and I busied myself with fixing my tie on the way to the bus station.
Eventually a bus screeched to a halt in front of me, filled to the brim with office workers and other students. I tapped my phone to pay as I hopped on, managing to squeeze on board before grabbing the overhead railing. I picked up my earphones, plugging one into my ear before pulling up a playlist on my phone.
I tapped play.
The bus driver was about to close the door when—
"Please wait!"
A girl sprinted around the corner and on board just on time, tapping her phone to pay before squeezing next to me on the bus. Her long raven hair swished around her shoulder like midnight cloth and her cherry-red eyes blinked as she looked at me.
She smiled. "Nice to see you, Yunhua."
Who?
…Oh, the umbrella girl. The class president. She walks the same way as me?
"How are you doing?"
I blinked, trying to stop myself from rubbing my eyes. "I-I'm fine."
"Really?" She leaned forward, slinging her bag over one shoulder. She stared me directly in the eyes. "You don't sound fine…"
…What was her problem? Why can't she just leave me alone?
Her eyes glistened as she leaned even closer, placing the back of her hand on my forehead, brushing away the black strands of my hair.
I flinched backwards the moment I felt her cool skin touch mine and my earphone jerked out of my ear, the music spilling into the bus. Honestly, I probably shouldn't have let her touch me in the first place. I don't know what came over me to—
Her eyes flickered.
Ah…
"I-I'm sorry, I have nothing against you, it's just—"
"No, no, it's fine," Yue replied, smiling slightly. "Your forehead feels hot, though. Are you sure you're not sick? Did you sleep okay last night?"
"No, I—"
I was cut off by snickering, and Yue's expression immediately soured. She placed herself in front of me, blocking me off from the rest off the bus. Behind her, I caught sight of a black ponytail.
…Looks like Lisha caught our entire conversation.