I glanced at the clock on the wall; it was already 8 PM.
“It’s late, I should go.”
I stood up, intending to grab my bag.
But just as I turned, Bai Zi pulled me back.
Due to inertia, I stumbled forward, and he conveniently caught me in a hug.
We pressed tightly against each other, hearing the rapid, urgent thumping of each other's hearts.
His breath brushed gently against the top of my head, one soft puff after another.
I could feel his entire body burning hot, and even his breathing had become erratic.
“Stay a little longer.”
His voice was low and a little lazy, sounding surprisingly docile.
As if enchanted, my heart gave a tiny flutter, and I nodded, complying with his wish.
“Do you like me?”
I looked up at him; the distance between us was so close.
Just a little closer, and my lips would touch his Adam’s apple.
I thought I had always been the proactive one, weaving a grand net for him to fall into.
But gradually, I started paying attention to his every move. I’d get angry when he helped other girls with their homework, and feel a strange unfamiliarity when he wasn’t around.
Honestly, I didn’t know when that strange feeling had begun, I just didn’t dare to admit it.
“Bai Zi, I think I like you.”
I prefer directness.
If you like someone, you should say it, shouldn’t you?
He seemed a little surprised, his body trembling, and he lowered his head, closing the distance between us.
“Do you know how dangerous you are right now?”
His low voice was slightly hoarse, and his warm breath directly fanned my face.
For some reason, I suddenly felt a little flustered.
I struggled to break free from his embrace, pulled his homework out of my bag, and then hastily hailed a taxi to go home.
Ever since that night, when I realized my heart was beating for my deskmate Bai Zi, I found sitting next to him a little uncomfortable.
How could I willingly remain just a normal friend when I liked someone?
After lunch, everyone returned to class to rest, but I was aimlessly wandering around the spacious schoolyard.
Suddenly, someone forcefully pulled my arm.
His strides were long, and he walked so fast that in no time, I was dragged into the equipment room.
I struggled twice but couldn’t break free.
“Bai Zi!”
He pushed me against the wall, and I bit my lip, gritting my teeth as I spoke.
“Why have you been avoiding me lately?”
“Didn’t you say you liked me? Hmm?”
My heart clenched, and I blinked my misty, wet eyes.
“So what exactly do I have to do for you to like me?”
He stared intently at my face, then paused.
“Didn’t you ask me that night if I liked you?”
As if afraid I hadn’t heard clearly, he raised his voice slightly.
“I like you, Lin Chu Chu.”
“You don’t have to do anything; I will like you no matter what. But don’t be clinging to me one second and then cold the next, okay?”
His eyes burned bright, and his voice was soft and pained.
This was the first time I had seen Bai Zi like this.
I could clearly feel my heartbeat accelerating little by little, making it a little hard for me to breathe.
Bai Zi and I were together now.
But we both decided not to make our relationship public.
To have more time together, I completely gave up being picked up and dropped off by Uncle Zhang, our family driver.
Every morning before school, I would send him a message, and then we would take the 230 bus to school together. After classes, we would stay at school a little longer before heading home.
“Are you coming?”
I poked his arm.
“Uh-huh.”
We walked out of the schoolyard together. His fingers gently brushed against mine, his fingertips trembled slightly, but he still held my hand firmly.
I was stunned for a moment, feeling a jolt of electricity run through me.
When we got into the car, I felt both our palms were a little damp, and I wanted to let go and move my hands a bit.
Instead, he squeezed my hand tighter, taking the opportunity to pull me into a hug.
It was that faint scent again.
To be honest, I’m a soft touch.
“You smell really good.”
I greedily inhaled his scent.
“Don’t you like it?”
“No, I love it. I just want to always hold you like this.”
I wrapped my arms around his waist, and we hugged even tighter.
“Then tonight I’ll add more laundry detergent.”
“Haha, stop, you’re killing me.”
He pinched my cheek.
“Do you know how captivating you are when you smile?”
Huh?
4.
My boyfriend cared a lot about my studies; even on the bus, he’d ask about my academic progress.
“Have you memorized today’s vocabulary words yet?”
“I’ve memorized 50 words.”
“Very good, excellent.”
He gently stroked my head.
“I wonder if Miss Lâm is free this Saturday?”
Is he asking me out?
“Huh?”
I pretended not to hear clearly.
“I want to take you on a date this Saturday.”
The corners of his mouth curved up gently. He leaned down and whispered softly into my ear.
I felt my ear tingle a little, and it was also a bit warm, but I still said calmly.
“Sure, it would be my honor.”