"Minghao!"
"Shin... why are you dashing like a madman?"
Shin lets out a laugh behind his heavy breath. This classmate of mine is always running around like a lamb that just got escaped from the cage. He has a pair of light feet, and maybe a slim figure that can flies like nothing.
"Mei Yin said you wanna visit the art exhibition at Fine Arts. Please let me hitch your ride!"
"Why?" This is out of the blue.
"My brother... he left his wallet in my bag this morning. I think he didn't even aware about it. I need to return it back, or he won't have any money for lunch!"
Ah... so that's the case!
"Sure. Come. We need to hurry since this is urgent," I usher Shin to my car. He eyes are fill in worry.
As the car leaves the Faculty of Engineering, I see Shin keeps calling someone on the phone.
"You call your brother?"
"Yeah. He doesn't pick up. He always like that; too immerse while finishing his painting. I bet he won't care at all even if there's a thunderstorm on the top of his head!"
That's funny, but understandable at the same time.
"How old is he?"
"Freshman. Reckless and too innocent! That's why my Kong always have a headache..."
"Kong? Where's your parents?"
I can see him faintly smiles. "We were raised by Ah Kong since we were kids. My parents... they both passed away..."
"Sorry to hear that!"
"Nah. It's fine. I have a very shory memory about them anyway..." Shin seems to hide his feeling, but I know, he misses his parents so much. His eyes glisten when he mentioned about them.
As I drive passed the BBA Building, my eyes linger around. It's lunch time. Maybe, Yi Chen is around here somewhere! To be able to see even the back of his body is enough for me to keep sane the whole day before coming back to the dorm and plotting a new scheme to fool and tease him!
I miss Yi Chen—wait, is that him? Wait. Who is that girl that stands next to him?
"Eh, that's Ji An! Wah... I thought she has no interest in any boys!"
Shit! That boy... is Yi Chen; MY Yi Chen! Why the hell is the campus belle hangs out with my crush? Don't tell me this is the next candidate of his 100 days love hunting!
"That boy is not that bad... though he looks a bit too cute next to Ji An... Can't believe that's her type!"
That girl... I swear to God if she's around Yi Chen next time, I'll crash the ground and separate them! Wait, where are they going to? Looks like we will going to the same place.
Good. I will start my scheme right away!
***
Shin is nowhere to be found, perhaps still with his brother. Meanwhile... me; the one who pretended to pay some interests with these weird swirls and colors splash on a flat board, is now looking at that two people who stroll around the compound in happiness.
This is bad. Happiness in Yi Chen's face is bad!
I'm hiding, ducking and peeking between those pillars; eavesdropping every each sentences from their conversation.
If you ask me how's going... well... I will definitely say, it's bad. Super bad. Like the baddest ever!
My enemy this time is the famous campus belle named Ji An. Kwon Ji An. She's a Korean girl. Her family is crazy rich; her father is an automotive moghul, while her mother is an aesthetician who owns a huge beauty company. She's a perfect girl; from head to toe, inside and out. Crowned as a campus belle when she was a freshman.
I heard she joined the Engineering as an act of rebellious against her father. Typical spoiled brat, so that's what they said. But, her classmates claim that she's more than just a beauty and rich. She's natural when it comes with machine; especially cars. Like she was born with a wrench in her hand.
Why should I afraid of this girl?
Yes. She's far from Yi Chen's type; not cute, not too feminine, plus she's the same age as us. Not to mentioned, she looks a bit powerful; typical rich vibe. Yi Chen is not into powerful women—although he prefers someone older than him—because they make him look even more fluffy. But Ji An has something that not every girls have—honesty and genuine.
That's the part in Ji An that I'm afraid the most.
As I peek them behind the tall tree at the park in front of the building, I can sense a comfort in Yi Chen's voice. He never seen so calm like this before. Those girls who dated him, they did give him happiness but with complexity. Ji An doesn't. She gives the best vibe ever; as subtle and simple as it is. No tense, no pressure. Just a smooth flow of the calm river.
This contender is a no joke, really!
"Is the weather hot for you?"
Shit—!
"Shin, I am so sorry!"
I can hear a laugh escapes from Shin when he flicks away my hand from his head. He faintly shake his head after that. Gosh, now the guilt sips in. I must hit his head so hard while suppressing my anger.
"Ah... you're weird... are you...?"
Nope. Play your innocent face now, Minghao! Poker face no. 1! Activate!
"Are you an ice prince? You can't stand the heat? No wonder why your skin is pale!"
When Shin blinks his eyes, that's when I realize he is indeed clueless. Now my heart is at ease! If he finds out that I like Yi Chen, maybe he will stay away from me after this.
I mean, who could accept that without prejudice?
Plus, it will be bad if Yi Chen happens to know about it! Should I kill him if he finds out? Clean up the mess?
"Ah... yes... it's hot. I can't look straight. Don't know if I can drive..."
"It's fine. No rush. We don't have classes this evening, right?"
"Oh yeah. No. We're free to go..."
"How about I buy you lunch? Just to repay your kindness."
I'm taking aback. Shin seems to eager about it. And I have no reason to say no.
"Fine then. Let's go!"
"The Fine Art Cafe has a nice food. I guarantee you, it's definitely awesome!"