Chapter 1
Who is Mei Xinyi?
Mei Xinyi, or Mei-Mei as her friends call her is a 5'1" athletically lean woman of seemingly Asian descent. A whopping 25 years old. Weight; unmentionable. Large angled grey eyes; like mirrors always bright and full of expression. An odd color considering her heritage. Her fair frontage framed by black blunt bangs, that nearly covered her eyebrows, and fringes she purposefully kept down on either side of her face. The rest of her long dark hair usually tired or rolled up close to her scalp. The exact length a mystery to almost everyone except herself.
She seems like a relatively happy and cheerful person overall. Which seems sarcastic to say when you realize that she works multiple part-time jobs and was going to school. She was happy though. Her weekdays filled with working at a pet shop, and her family's restaurant; the Szechuan Chinese Kitchen. When she wasn't cramming for school, she was hanging out with her friends. Probably goofing off at a local department store or mall.
Her lighthearted humor had become a contagious trait to her group of friends. A special, bright and genuinely caring person that just seemed to attract people to her. During her high school years, she had been crowned the class clown, remarkable grades and all. She was told she had a gift, or her family had told her anyway, a gift for truly listening to people and getting them what they needed from her. She only knew that she liked to see people happy around her, and did what she could, within reason, to make it happen.
They would say she had a knack for listening to people. She guessed it was because her own words wouldn't get in the way. You see, she's unable to speak. She can scream and groan and make any grunt known to man, even hum to her favorite tunes. But she could not, for the life of her, even to this day, form words with her voice.
Doctors just couldn't explain it. Having studied her since she was a child of about 3 or 4, the prognosis of Alalia Prolongata was given to her. Alalia Prolongata being a disorder that refers to the delay in the development of speaking abilities in children. But later, as she grew older and more examinations were done, her prognosis changed into a diagnosis. A diagnosis of selective mutism. It wasn't an accurate diagnosis because she just didn't have any of the known or common traits associated with it. In truth, she knew they had no idea what was wrong with her.
Because of her inability to speak, she had had to learn sign language from a very young age. It was the easiest and most efficient way for her to communicate. Some of her closest friends had even learned for her sake. Not that they needed to use it themselves. She could hear just fine. Better than most even. Her hearing was so well tuned in fact, that she picked up on many little things people missed. Subtle sounds most would just ignore.
Life wasn't all great though. There were some who chose to see her as disabled of course. She saw herself very differently though. She had worked hard to turn her supposed disability into something unique and thoroughly entertaining. She had sharpened what she could do verbally into something she had grown proud of. Sound effects. She was a master at it, according to those who experienced it firsthand. From the sounds of a person biting into an apple to a zipper being zipped and anything in-between. If she studied it long enough, she would probably be able to mimic it.
She loved pulling pranks on unsuspecting people, watching them laugh as they realized it was her. She loved being the cause of someone's laughter or smile. It was one of the reasons she was popular in her clique of friends. She, however, did not do it very often. As much as she would like to, not everyone was as accepting or understanding. There were a few who refused to believe that she could not in fact speak. It was obvious from what she could do that she was not, in fact, deaf or mute. Hell, she didn't know why she couldn't manage language when she had already managed so much more.
She had forced herself to keep from dwelling on it, realizing that there was nothing she could do about it. Her uncles were very understanding and supportive though. It brought her family peace. Her family was all about peace and harmony, or her uncles were anyway. She personally enjoyed a pinch of chaos and a dash of adventure. Her mischievous side usually outweighing her uncles' teachings of focus and calm.
Her uncles were pretty much her dads in her life. They were the ones that raised her since she was in diapers. They were the only family she knew. They insisted on her calling them uncles though, she wasn't sure why. They had let her get away with it once during a Father's Day picnic her third-grade class had put together. All three of them having insisted on going much to the teacher's protest, insisting that there would not be enough food if they were to go. So, the uncles catered the whole thing to keep her from complaining. Which she didn't. They were invited to any school event a parent would usually go to afterward without any issues.
It was just how they were. Kind, selfless, humble, but stubborn and like her, full of wit. How they managed to run a successful restaurant, she didn't know. They had a tendency of feeding the homeless and taking food to the sick and elderly. She supposed the besides that, they were a very popular spot. The food was quote, unquote, from a five-year-old that frequented the place with his family: "Amazingly mouthwateringly delicious." Also, "Way better than pizza."
That little boy was, in fact, a part of the last family they had to serve tonight. She briskly walks to them serving them their drinks. Her usual attire for working in the restaurant proudly dawned. A pale yellow silk oriental styled sleeveless dress with an elegant floral design, and slits that went up on either side of her thighs. Warm black legging underneath to hide her legs and a pair of simple comfortable black flats to keep her feet from killing her.
Her friends insisted that she looked like Chun Li from the Street Fighter video game franchise. She had been flattered and pointed out that she didn't have Li's monster thighs or spike clad bracelets. She did, however, dawn Chun's trademark ox horn hairstyle. But that was just a personal preference of hers and not because of a video game character. She seriously debated on it as a Halloween costume for this year though. She had different colored dresses to change it up for when she worked at the restaurant. Maybe she and one of her friends could go together as a Chun Li vs. Chun Li set up, wearing different colors like it would for the purpose of telling which player was which.
The family at the last table, the one with the little boy, were regulars. Here every other Wednesday if they could help it. They were an average Caucasian group. Tall, with light colored hair, blue-eyed and California tanned. A real American dream team. She didn't know, but she imagined they lived in a big house with high ceilings and a piano. Timothy, the five-year-old freckled-faced boy was the youngest of the three siblings sitting at the table along with their parents. He was Mei's favorite customer. He was so easy to amuse and so much more alert about what was going on around him than other children his age. Even those much older than him. Most of them being faced fused to their phones or handheld games.
She personally takes great pride and credit for his alertness. She remembers she had tried to cheer him up on his second time visiting. He had been about three of four years old at the time, fussing about how he wanted to go to McDonald's or Chuck E Cheese, she couldn't remember which exactly. She had gotten his attention by folding a napkin into a bunny, making it hop to him on the table to calm him down. He, of course, loved it.
She made another one and while they played, and his parents were distracted; talking to one of her uncles, she pointed out an elderly gentleman to Timothy. The elder man was walking past them, and she threw her voice to make it sound as if his shoes were squeaking with each step. The poor old man releasing a fart when he was physically startled by the noise. Confusing the poor old guy further as he checked his shoes. He was also a regular and a known culprit for shamelessly letting them rip. It amused the little boy to no end. She motioned for him to keep hush about it and he has, ever since.
Now with each visit, he tries to find what's just natural restaurant noise and what was her. It had become their own secret little game, one they didn't have to acknowledge. It wasn't even his favorite thing about the place, believe it or not. Once he had started eating, that's when he really got excited.
"He calls this his new favorite place to eat. We tried taking him to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday and he was so disappointed. We had already paid for everything in advanced though. He so wanted to come here instead." His mother claimed as they were being seated on one occasion. Awe, poor little guy, Mei thought. The food here was way better here than stale pizza and dry cake any day.
Today he was eagerly waiting for his food and Mei was thinking of what to do for him this time, pondering as she cleaned some of the newly deserted tables, careful not to put her tips into the bin. She paused for a moment, thinking. She wondered if she should use her ventriloquism or make him another napkin animal. She had a bit of an internal rule of trying not to do the same thing too many times. Kids got bored of the same thing, it was normal.
She had been good at keeping it subtle when she did throw her voice around. She didn't want to get the restaurant into any trouble. The sound of a stray dog or cat in the bus bin would probably be a bad idea and get the health department called on them faster than they could say 'soft or crispy'. She had done it though, just not when they had customers. A riot of laughter from her uncles was guaranteed.
"What are you so happy about Timmy?" She could hear the eldest brother quietly tease, looking over his cell phone. She knew the elder brother, he was a cousin of a friend she had and had met him at a kickback once. She wasn't a big fan of his, he was handsome though. She wasn't blind. He had tried approaching her at said kickback. He seemed very self-centered and had obviously been uncomfortable with her being unable to speak. She glances at Timothy and winks when she catches his eye, he smiles and sticks his tongue out at his brother, ignoring the question playing with his napkin.
"Leave him alone, Kyle. He likes it here." The middle sister defended. "He doesn't complain when he eats the veggies." She continued. Mei thinks she could be in high school. She seems well adjusted enough, even though she was still stuck on her phone. Hanna, she thinks her name is, puts said phone down to make room for her plate, eyes lighting up. At this point one of her uncles, her uncle Ai, had come to the table, placing plates and platters full of hot food in front of them. Spinning the turn table centered on top of the table to accommodate more without having to move around them.
"Mommy's veggies are yucky." Timmy mumbles, shifting in his seat, excited about the meal. His mother laughing a little at this, denying nothing.
"That's not very nice, Tim." Their father lightly reprimands then looks up to her uncle that was serving them. "Thank you, Pete." Pete being her uncle Ping. He had requested the nickname after too many snickers from younger less polite customers when he introduced himself. He had become very self-conscious about his very Chinese name in public. Mei smiled a little as she continued to clean up.
She did not know who her actual parents were, but her uncles had been the best. And sure, they clashed sometimes, like all families do. But for the most part, each one of them was as loving and dedicated to her as any loving parent should be.
When she was very little and didn't understand a thing about how the world worked, she had asked them about her parents having heard kids from preschool talking about their mommies and daddies. For the longest time, they told her that they had found her as a baby inside of a giant blooming flower, back on a mountain in China. That she was created by this magical flower. She believed it too. That she was some kind of a woodland fairy or something. It wasn't until she grew up a bit and went through a sex education class that really realized that it wasn't even possible. She guessed that area of the female anatomy could be called a flower though. She wondered if her biological mother had been obese, a "giant flower".
She had asked her uncle Ai about her parents, he was the one she felt most comfortable talking to about emotional things, after that very informing school lesson. He told her that they had found her, this time "in a golden basket with silk blankets". That she was probably a princess from that far-off land he had once called home. His expression full of mystery and wonder. Even going so far as moving his hands to emphasize. And that they had no idea who or where her parents could be. His expression deadpan and tone flat. His humor dry, he and the others weren't comfortable with her trying to figure out who her actual parents. They saw themselves as good enough. After a few more times of asking she got a strong impression that it was a tender subject. So, she let it go. She didn't want to hurt them, they were her parents as far as she knew. They were all she needed in a family.
She sighs out loud, remembering how frustrated she had been back then. She was still curious about it, but she figured if her real parents weren't looking for her, why should she? Finishing the last table that needed to be cleaned off she walks past the table where Timothy sat with his family. He was playing with his napkin, trying to fold it like he had seen her do so many times before. She couldn't help but smile and put down the bin to stop and help him. She made it into a bird this time and patted his head, he said thank you and giggled happily.
Mei winked at him and gave him a thumb up before going through the double swinging doors that lead to the kitchen. There she spent the rest of the family's meal, eating her own meal and doing her part to clean up before it was time to go home. Her uncles had begun to clean too up and were starting to take inventory.
It was already late, long after closing, when Timothy and his family had finished. A lofty conversation had been evoked between the family and her uncles. All the tables and dishes were clean except for the ones where the family had been sitting. They had all kindly said their goodnights to everyone after paying their bill. Mei crouched down and personally handed one of their fortune cookies to Timmy, not being able to restrain the wide smile she got seeing him. He paused before returning to his family, looking at his mother questioningly.
"Mei," His mother addressed her, "Timmy has been practicing something for you at home." She states, smiling somewhat proudly at her son before backing away a bit to give him space. Watching him intently as he was about to do whatever it was he was about to do. She knew what it was but was still excited to see it. Mei raised an eyebrow in curiously. She looked back to Timmy wondering what it was he was going to do. He looked very unsure and embarrassed. And then, he begins to sign. They were just three clumsily adorable signs, and she loved them.
'I. Love. You.' They were the cutest thing she had ever seen him do. Mei signs back, 'I. Love. You. Too.'
He jumps happy with himself, giggling to near hysterics like kids were known to do. Then he gave Mei a big hug before scurrying to his mother giving her a hug too. They were leaving now, but Mei could hear Kyle teasing his little brother about Mei being his new girlfriend. She turned around just in time to see Timothy beaming and nodding excitedly. He probably thought she had some kind of superpower. She laughs quietly to herself, her uncle Xiaoli noticing. He pinches her arm lightly.
"You are too young for a boyfriend. No boyfriend until you're thirty. He doesn't even have a job." He scolds playfully, then smiles and gives her a warm hug, rubbing her arms endearingly afterward. "Go home Mei, we will finish up here. You need rest. You worked hard today." She smiled at him returning the hug before signing, 'No training tonight?' He shook his head. "None tonight, get home and get to bed, okay?"
This wasn't out of the ordinary. Now that she was older she realized that they really doted on her. And she loved them for it. She promised herself she would she would take care of them once she could. Then they wouldn't have to work this hard anymore. They were all almost old enough to retire. She was just having a hard time finding employment with her situation that paid well enough. Most places had employers that did not understand that she was not, in fact, deaf, she just could not speak. It didn't leave a lot of options and a lot of people were not willing to accommodate. Many were just not willing or wanting to learn sign language for her sake. She even offered to do the job through notes, but the language barrier was always just too much for them to accept.
She firmly hugged Xiaoli back before going to where her stuff was behind the kitchen. There was a hidden little hallway lined on one side with mid-sized lockers, where all the employees had their personal things. Grabbing her small backpack that served as her purse, she pulled her car keys out and was about to leave through the back door where her car was parked. She paused though, she could hear her uncles arguing, trying to be quiet about it, but again, her hearing was better than most. She couldn't understand what they were saying. It was all very fast and in what she assumed was Chinese. She clicked her tongue in frustration.
Ever since she was little they would do this. If there was something they didn't want her to know they would just speak in another language, mostly Chinese or she guessed it was usually Chinese. It was like Christmas every year, they would discuss things right in front of her, probably what to get her in the case of Christmas, and she would have no idea what they were saying. Keeping secrets like they did.
Whatever it was that they were discussing now was starting to get heated, and one of the uncles had to hush the others. They were listening to see if she had left yet. The back door had a unique snap and screech as it opened and squeal when it closed, then another two clicks when it closed and locked shut. She was fully capable of mimicking all of it, and debated on it but huffed and left instead. She would be sure to ask them about it when they all got back home.
She fully doubted that they would tell her anything willingly. She was glad that there would be no training tonight. She didn't know what it was called but she knew it was some form, if not multiple forms, of martial arts. It was usually that or some other weird thing they would put her to study. It seemed random sometimes. From herbal remedies to meditation to weird hand gestures and chants. It looked like something that would be in that anime everyone was watching at some point, Naruto she thought it was called. Were they trying to raise her to be a ninja or something?
Well, she couldn't do the chanting, but she had gotten the hand gestures down and memorized. They said that as long as she said them in her heart it was what counted. Whatever that meant. They were a very superstitious group and told her that it would be something she might have to use later to protect herself against evil. Hell, they even tossed salt over their shoulders sometimes. She could have sworn she saw them put it under the door sill too when they were doing repairs one day. She personally thought it was a bunch of nonsense, but it was really one of the only things they asked of her. So, she felt obligated, no matter how tired or frustrated she got. It wasn't like she wasn't already used to it. She had been doing it for as long as she could remember, it was just a part of what was her life.
She was sworn into secrecy from showing or telling anyone about any of it. More so after she had taken down a bully twice her size in the second grade. He had been a big obnoxious boy that called her a retard and had started to push her around during recess. He had called her that because of the odd noises she would make when she played. She hadn't yet thought of how others might take it, she was a kid that was just having. The thought that someone would bully her because of it hadn't occurred to her. Who could blame her? She did know how to sign already but none of the other kids understood her. She was only about six or seven years old at the time.
She wasn't sure if her uncles thought it was illegal in the states to train someone so young or what, but they had looked scared when they stepped into the principal's office. It had been their first time visiting because of something she had done. She was sure now, thinking about it, that they probably thought they were the ones in trouble. They were so like children sometimes. She was of course reprimanded at home after they had cleared things up with the principal. She was not a violent person and had clearly been defending herself. The principal agreed but stated that it was completely inappropriate to roundhouse kick a fellow student, no matter how much they pushed her.
Mei remembered she had cried, thinking that she was in big trouble and that they wouldn't want her anymore. Something the bully had said about nobody wanting to be her friend because she was broken. She was worried that they would send her away. She told them, sobbing, her little hand signing that she loved them and that she was sorry. They reassured her, after spanking her for having gotten into the fight in the first place, that they would never ever send her away. Her uncle Ai sealing the promises by kissing the scrapes she had gotten from the bully having shoved her onto the blacktop. He kissed her on her little hands, knees, and the top of her head, hugging her closely. Sad that it was something she even worried about.
She was told that some people would just not understand her situation, but that it was no reason to fight them. From that point, they started lessons on how to defend herself, without hurting anyone. The only time it would be okay was if she thought she or someone she loved was about to get really hurt and she felt had no other option. From that point on they focused her lessons more on defense instead of what they had been doing, which was offense. Above all else, they concentrated on teaching her how to stay out of trouble. They didn't want to be called into the office again for her having been in a fight. It never happened again and was soon forgotten by everyone who had been involved.
She smiled as she sauntered to her car, remembering how much they had protested about her choice when she had chosen it. They call it her death trap clown car. She, however, and proudly, calls it her little bumblebee. It was a bright yellow body paneled little Smart For Two with black tridion cells. She loved her little car, it was great. It didn't even use gas, and always got her from point A to point B. It was zippy, and she could park it pretty much anywhere. Her little rebellious act against her elders, though not entirely intended to be rebellious.
She climbed in and started the little car and made her way home. On the way, she pondered, trying to think of what could have her uncles so upset. Wondering if it could have been something she had done. She hoped it wasn't something serious, like a bill they had not been able to pay. That they wouldn't lose their business. They did well with the restaurant, but they weren't exactly making big cash. The restaurant ate up most of what it made with rent, utilities, general maintenance, and keeping the shelves stocked. The house, they had finished paying off and now owned. Her uncles weren't exactly known for their big spending habits though, so she doubted that.
She grumbles a little, tightening her hand on the steering wheel, feeling somewhat helpless to help them if they did have a financial issue. They refused to take any money she had made on her own. She had even tried depositing it secretly into their account, that they all three happened to share. They had noticed, and she found the same exact amount on her desk the next day. She only made whatever was tipped to her at the Szechuan and her meager part-time wages at Paul's Pet & Supply Store. She refused to let them pay her at the restaurant, they were already supporting her.
The more she thought about it as she drove, the more she tried to understand, the more she contradicted her thoughts. They weren't really the type to argue over something like that. They never ever argued about money. When they had had issues before they were always calm and sure about the outcome. Their faith in one another always gave her confidence.
"We can always make more money, we just have to work harder. But remember Mei, money is not everything in life." They were always humble about everything, smiling and nodding, trying to charm away any worries she ever has about them.
In truth, she had only ever seen them argue when it had something to do with her and her well-being. Like when she had sprained her ankle one time during a sparring match. They barked at each other for some time after. One uncle blaming the other for being too rough, and the other complaining that it wouldn't be teaching her anything if he was too gentle with her. But obviously feeling very remorseful about hurting her. Sometimes her uncles were way more protective than others, though they were all quite overbearingly cautious much of the time.
Their home was not far from the restaurant. The Szechwan Chinese Kitchen was around the corner from a suburban area, but they didn't live there. They did, however, live some ways away in the same direction, almost on the edge of the town. About a five to ten-minute drive depending on if you were following the speed limit. They had neighbors on one side of their house and almond fields on the others. It was a decent sized home for four people. A four bedroom, two bathroom home. One uncle to each room and one for herself.
She pulled into the driveway, pushing the button she had pinned to the visor. Slowly the garage opened, it was nearly empty except for some toys she had had as a child along with some bicycles they all rode in the summer. A big wheel, a doll house, and a playhouse kitchen. The old toys were sun bleached from being outside for so long when she was little. Her personal favorite had been the big wheel. She remembered drifting a little through the little dirt trail they had made for her in the backyard and on the sidewalks when they would walk to the nearby park among the suburban homes. If they made these for adults, she would totally get one. Maybe they did. She would have to consider it for when she had a solid job. She didn't doubt her uncles would want to try it as well.
She was in her spot, leaving room for the van the uncles preferred driving in. They had another car, an old beat up mid-sized sedan, but it had broken down last year. Well that and the RV, but it hadn't been used in years. The rolling turd wasn't in the garage collecting dust though, it was in the large shed-like building they had on the property. It looked like an old barn. There they had a lot of the stuff they had brought with them from their home in China. Scrolls, books, tapestries, and all kinds of other things she couldn't even begin to try to understand if she tried to read it.
Her car was the newest, and 'fanciest'. It was fancy because it ran on electricity and had a USB port, so she could play her music from her phone. She had chosen it because of its great mileage and low cost to purchase from a dealer. They had insisted on a dealer for her car when she needed one. Apparently, craigslist was out of the question. Even though they had gotten theirs through it. It had been used, she made sure of it. Insisting that it was because of its color when truthfully it was the cheapest option. She just hoped nothing too drastic would happen to it in the long run. She was afraid to see what the maintenance would cost for such a peculiar little car. She took care of it as best she could though, turning to YouTube when she got lost.
She sighs, turning off the automobile, plugging it into the wall, and making her way into the house. As she was making sure the garage door was closed all the way before heading into the kitchen, that was adjacent to the garage, her phone went off. The notification sound telling her it was one of her uncles, they also shared one phone amongst the three of them. Again, insisting she needed her own phone since they were almost always together anyway, and she went to school and work.
'We will be working on the changes to the menu. For next month. No need to get ready tonight. Relax. Go to bed early. You worked hard today. Hugs and kisses. Goodnight princess.' She could tell by the sign off that it was her uncle Ai. He was the only one who called her princess. Her uncle Xiaoli must not have told him that he had already let her know that there would be no training tonight. She smiled and replied as she made her way to her room.
'Okay uncle, don't work too hard and get home soon. Tell everyone Love you and goodnight.' She pressed send just as she got to her room. Sebastian leaped up to her demanding attention and prancing excitedly around the room. Usually, he was waiting for her or her uncles by the door to the garage. He must have closed himself in her room by accident. His rear end wagging something fierce.
Sebastian was her dog, a Welsh Corgi and she loved him to death. She pets his head then holds his face lovingly as she kneeled to hug him. Making goo-goo noises at him like he was a baby. Which he pretty much was her baby. Then she shot up and made a low whistle and hand gesture for him to sit, and he did so, nub still wagging like crazy. Then a double whistle, the first one short and high while the second low and drawn out slightly, holding her hand out for a shake. He did so as well. She playfully pushed him over and rubbed his belly as a reward. He barked once happily then growled in content as she rubbed more vigorously. He then perked up and rolled over to stand up turning in a circle and then facing the door. His sign of needing to go potty outside.
She leads him outside and lets him do his thing. Climbing onto the swing they had roped up in the backyard she watched as her stump of a dog sniff around and chase something she couldn't see. Glancing up, the moon was full and bright, the night sky holding her gaze. It was unusually clear for being so close to the light pollution of the town where she lived. There was a quick streak of light, a shooting star, and she made a wish on it. She found she never grew out of some habits, and was fine with it. She wished hard that whatever was bothering her family, that it would be fixed and hopefully soon.
Sebastian finished his 'duty' and they went back inside. She had already eaten dinner back at the restaurant after cleaning up, so she brushed her teeth and got ready for bed. She put her hair into a loose messy bun on the top of her head. Her PJs were an old martial arts uniform one of her uncles had grown out of, horizontally. They had all gotten quite a bit plumper since she was a baby. It was silky soft and loose around the collar just how she liked for sleep. Her own personal uniform snugger around the neck, waist, and chest. Mind you they were still comfortable and easy to move in, much harder for her opponent to grab onto during a fight, or in her uncle's case sparring matches. Though she usually just wore some yoga pants or leggings and a tight tee or tank top if she could help it. Her uncle Xiaoli tried insisting on the traditional garb, that it had to do with respect for the culture she was from. She found that odd when they didn't want her to learn the language. Overall, her own uniform was not comfortable to sleep in.
She crawled into her full-sized bed, where Sebastian was already waiting for her and shut off her bedside lamp. Snuggling her back close to her dog, liking the warmth that radiated off the fluff ball. It wasn't long after that she drifted off to a calm deep dreamless sleep.
The next morning the room was unusually cold for the warmer weather they had been having. She had woken up but had refused to open her eyes to the harshness of the sun, slightly shivering. Not wanting to leave the warmth of her bed she bunched the blankets around herself and closer to her face, she breathed into them trying to warm up her hands. She blindly searched for Sebastian with her back and found his warmth under a different set of blankets. It wasn't odd since he liked to cocoon himself when it got cold too. He shifted and groaned. Wait, groaned? Dogs don't groan, and that didn't even sound like a dog!
Her eyes shot open and she bolted upright so fast she nearly launched herself off the bed, something between a squeak and a gasp escaped her. She grabbed the blankets fruitlessly trying to steady herself and instead brought them with her, her legs tangled, as she slid off the mattress. Her pajamas too silky smooth after the momentum of shooting up. This time she is shouting in startled surprise as she fell, arms flailing in a mess of blanket fabric. The side of her head knocked loudly against a wall. She rubbed her head, hissing through her teeth at the new pain there. What? Her bed was never this close to a wall, it was centered in her room. If anything, she should have landed in Sebastian's doggy bed.
She heard some quick movements above her on the bed and then a sharp metallic click. She was still rubbing her aching head, her elbow quietly and awkwardly knocking on the wall. She looked up from her cramped narrow spot between the wall and bed, to find a man. A mountain of blankets on top of and around her, somewhat blocking her view, so she slowly moved them away from her face. He had short wild hair, probably bed head, and was in a black T-shirt, pointing a rather shiny handgun right at her from where he was half lying, alert on the mattress. He was glaring green daggers at her, rather menacingly. She realized he had already cocked the gun. That was what she had heard. It was what had gotten her attention and caused her to look up.
He stood up slowly from the bed and made his way to where he was fully in her line of sight. His movements full of caution, never losing his aim on her. She could see he was only wearing boxers with his t-shirt. He was the one who had groaned, he had been sleeping next to her?
She gulps visibly and slowly raises her hands up, they were still covered, like most of her was, by the blankets. Her eyes wide in surprise, fear, and confusion. She could hear someone else moving in the room now too. Another bed? A squeaky mattress was hard to confuse. What the hell was going on?! She was about to try to peer over the bed, the one she now realized was not her own, to see who it was but was stopped.
"Who or what the hell are you!?" he shouts. Mei flinches, her eyes snapping back to his gun. Crap! Crap! Crap!