A/N: Hello, so yeah, this is in the end a Lei fic, but it is very very slowburn so you know don't expect anything for a while. I did not want to write Jing out completely. Also full disclosure, yes they are gonna be speaking english throughout this whole thing since I barely know a word chinese. So just live with that if you can. Also I will warn you I accidentally wrote very long chapters. I wrote this for my own enjoyment because I liked the idea and wanted to write it for myself. I will continue to do that as long as it is fun. I hope you like it too, I just like I said wrote it for myself to entertain the thought. :)
Enna's P.O.V.
I was awaken by my maid and I knew I had to get up but I did not want to. I loved going to art school, I would never want it any other way. But I hated that I had to get up early, also because this was a sad day for me. This was my brother and his friends last year at school. Then they would all go off and be out in the real world. And like always that would leave me behind, all alone. I turned so that I sadly could bury my head into my own pillow. I sighed, I should just enjoy the time I had left with them. I turned around determined to do that. Besides my sister always said that I should find my own friends. I think Ah-Si said that a few times too, but I think he got used to me hanging around. I had to get up and I knew it, my teacher always got angry when I was late for my private tutoring. Then it was off to my college classes. I hated that I had to take them, but I also knew it was necessary, I would never have gotten this far, without him. I certainly would not have gotten into Ming De. Sometimes I am surprised that my mother cares enough to still pay for him. Ever since we found out I have been tutored. I am a little surprised, I have always been this family's disappointment. I knew they were disappointed that I was not a boy, after that I have kept disappointing them. Being the only one in this family with any kind of weakness, I knew they were mad that I caused them this much trouble.
But in the end I knew they thought I was useful. No matter how useless a daughter was to them, at least they had someone to marry off. I dreaded the day my mother would bring me some man to marry.
I thought with dread as I got up and picked out some clothes for the day.
The only thing that comforted me about that arranged marriage, was that a news paper posted a story about me years ago. That story really did something to ruin my reputation, and my tutor was immediately fired for letting the information slip. I think my mother might even have sued him for breaking our trust. Since then every teacher I have had have had to sign a non-disclosure agreement. I have no idea why my mother bothers, the news is already out there, no way to take it back now.
But even though my reputation was somewhat tarnished now, the ridicule from my peers soon subsided. But I imagine every important businessmen in china had read that article. There was no way any of them would allow their sons to be married to someone like me.
I put on some clothes and sighed as I looked in my mirror. My maid knocked on my door again and asked if I was decent. I told her yes and she entered with my breakfast. I smiled and pointed to my make-up table for her to put it down there.
"Could you braid my hair Kai Ming? Please?" I asked walking over to the table to eat while she did it.
She nodded and smiled as she walked over and started brushing my hair before parting it into to parts. She started dutch braiding my hair as I ate my breakfast. I liked wearing my hair like that, I had a lot this summer with the boys. I had no idea why but it felt appropriate to do it this way my first day back.
"Are you excited for your first day back miss?" She asked and I nodded slowly as I ate, I was careful not to move my head too much, so I did not disturb her braiding.
She was a mother of two, and had been with me all of my life. She was very sweet and caring always. I almost wished that she was my mother. I remember I had told her that once when I was five, that was the only time she ever scolded me. She told me to appreciate the life I had gotten and never say something that foolish again. Still she was wonderful, I loved her very much.
"I guess. I can't wait to see the boys again." I said and she smiled and held out her hand so that I could hand her an elastic to tie my hair off with.
"Yes, your brother came home last night. I could tell that you missed them. I could also tell that he missed you. You were gone this summer too." She said gently as she started braiding my other side.
She never asked anymore, but the first time I asked her to braid my hair she felt weird, told me that I could have the best hair stylists in the world. But as I told her: I like your hair, I want mine to look just like it.
So she obliged me, now I only have other people style my hair on special occasions.
"I don't think they noticed I was away. But it was nice being at camp. I learned so much, plus we went to the Louvre which was amazing." I said smiling and she did so too.
She finished braiding my hair and I handed her an elastic for the other side.
"There you are miss. And not to worry, they are always gonna miss you." She said getting up and cleared my breakfast before leaving the room.
I smiled a little and thanked her before she left, I turned to the bathroom to brush my teeth when my brother bursted into my room. He was never one who was big for manners, and I rolled my eyes and bowed down to spit out the toothpaste in my mouth before turning to him.
"Ah-Si! When are you gonna learn to not burst into my room, stupidhead!" I said and he looked at me with a small smile but still annoyed. By that look I could tell that he had missed me. I knew he would never tell me, but he had missed me.
"I am ready, or are you gonna find another ride to school?" He said and I rolled my eyes.
"It's your fault that I have to go there so early, just so you can go to your Chinese tutor." He said leaning against the doorframe.
I just gave him a small smile before turning so that I could wash off my toothbrush. I put it back but left the water running, then I put my hands under it and walked over to Ah-Si with a smirk. I splushed the water on my hands in his face and he scrounged it yelled at me. I laughed and dried of my hands.
I put on my shoes and grabbed my phone and bag from my room.
"Let's go then." I said and he glared at me.
"I am not driving you now. You could have blinded me." He said and I chuckled, he was always so dramatic when I teased him. Like he had not done way worse to me in the past.
"I will just drive your car then." I said with a smirk walking in front of him. His eyes widened and he ran towards me.
"Don't you dare Enna, you drive like a manic." He yelled following me.
He drove me to school and we parted ways. I had to run to get to my tutor, we had a small classroom specially designated for us. I kind of hated it, but I felt like I was getting better, even if it was still nowhere near where it should be. I sighed and walked in to greet my teacher. My new teacher was pretty cool, he was a lot younger than my other teachers, and he had some cool ways to remember what was what. I did like him, it was just embarrassing that I had to be here in the first place.
After that and my art class, I felt like my hands were covered in ink and paint. I never minded. It had been like that since I was little. I barely even noticed anymore.
I walked to lunch and smiled as I saw my three friends. I carried my tray over there and sat it down beside Lei.
I greeted them all and got a hug from both Meizou and Ximen. I sat down and started eating as they told me all about their trip. The boys had gone with my brother to Ibiza. I could not go, my sister and mother wanted me to stay home and start my tutoring. And what those two woman says goes. I had missed them though. They were the only friends I had.
They had had fun on their trip, and I was glad. I did start to roll my eyes a little when Ximen and Meizou started talking about the girls they had landed.
"How was your camp anyway? We never got to ask before we left for Ibiza." Ximen finally said and I shook my head.
"It was fine. We got to go to the Louvre which was pretty cool. Now I can brag that I have seen a starry nights sky. We were told to recreate one of the paintings guess what everyone chose?" I said smirking and looked around at the boys.
"Mona Lisa" The three of them, minus Lei of course say. I smirked and nodded.
"Let me guess, you did not paint that." Lei finally from beside me and I shrugged taking a bite of my food.
"Of course not. I am not unoriginal. I took the scream. It is much more interesting than her. I took a picture of my pieces if you want to see." I said pulling out my phone. As perusal, my brother did not want to see, but the rest of the guys always liked my art.
When we were younger they even insisted that I paint them, it was horrible and I have always wanted to do a do-over. Even though Ah-Si rarely looks at my art I know he likes it. He has a drawing that I made for him when I was ten framed on his night stand. I knew he liked it.
I remember that too well. My mother and sister had scolded him for something. He had like always gotten in trouble. He was down an entire day, that boy could seriously hold a grudge. I wanted to make him feel better so I drew him a drawing of a dove. I had seen somewhere that a dove meant hope and I wanted to tell him that but I could not very well write it out.
We chatted as we ate the rest of the lunch. The guys told me to come to the Brigde room later to hang out. I nodded as we parted ways. Them probably going to their classes. Lei was the last one to say goodbye he stopped in the hall where we were separating for our different classes.
"It is good to have you back En." He said slowly and I smiled and nodded at him.
"It is good to have you back too Lei." I said and he smiled a little at me. Then nodded and turned around going the same way as the other boys.
I had always been closer to Lei than the other boys. He understood what it was like to be different. He was also really into art, just like I was. He enjoyed sharing his art with me, and I in turn shared mine with him.
I knew my bond with him would never be as special as the one he had with Jing. She had been there first, been the one to get him out of his shell. I only knew him when Doaming-Si brought him home with them. And there he was even more out of his shell than before.
Jing and I was much closer too when we were younger. I missed her just as much as Lei did. I think that is why we bonded even more since she left. I hated her for leaving as well. She was the best and I wanted to give her the world. But I was sad about her leaving me with the boys all alone. I missed us having sleepovers after it got inappropriate for us to attend the boys.
I walked to my art classes excited for it. That was until my teacher came and told us that we would be reading about Monet in this class. I hated when we did that. After we had "Read" he would take any questions about the passage. Then we could read even more till next class where there would be a written and practical test on it. I knew it was to prepare us for the exam, but I could never understand it this way. And I would only have tomorrow morning with my tutor to understand it. I hated this art history class.
I was angry and a little sad when I walked towards the bridge room. I knew being with the boys would cheer me up. But I hated that my stupid brain did not work, so now everything would always be this difficult for me.
As I walked there I overheard a girl talking to three, what I assumed freshmen about my brothers' little club. I chuckled and followed just to hear what she had to say.
Besides she seemed to be taking them to the bridgeroom, where I was going anyway.
"They are all very talented, good looking and outgoing." She started describing my brother and his friends. I almost rolled my eyes at that. I had never understood the big fascination with them, but maybe that is because I knew them since we were kids.
"Most importantly at school they all excel at their respected fields. Hauze Lei studies music, and Ximen, Meizuo and Daoming-Si major in business administration. Daoming-Si's little sister Daoming-Enna goes here with them as well. She majors in art. The F4 attracts a lot of attention at school, they always get the best scholarships and they all speak at least three languages. They are not only smart but they have great taste too. The five of them are very close and have been friends since they were little. It's almost impossible for someone new to join them. Therefore, the F4 has always been mysterious." She said.
I almost chuckled a bit at the end, my brother and his friends were like most people I knew. There was nothing that special about us. But now that she mentions it, I guess we do not really let anyone in. I have a few friends in my art class, but they are more class-mates than friends. I never hang out with anyone but them after school. I had not realised until now that we were that closed off. I never really minded either, most people from this school were sheep. I have seen how they follow my friends around sometimes. It is kind of annoying. Plus I have once before only been befriended because of them. I never wanted to be used like that again. Maybe it was for the best that we kept it tight knit like that. I got out of my own thought when the girl started talking to the freshmen again.
"The girls all love them, and want to be like Enna. And a lot of guys want to prove that they are just as good, or better than them. These boys challenge them." She said and started walking a little faster.
"How do they challenge them?" The freshman girl asked, I smirked knowing the answer was where we were headed right now.
"In bridge. Bridge is an international card game that's elegant and civilised. It's competitive and requires skill and cooperation. They are stars of the bridge world as well as here. You have to be really skilled to beat them. But since they founded the bridge club, no one has ever beaten them." She said again I wanted to chuckle.
I still held it over their heads that I beat them once when we were younger and had just learned the rules. I have never played with them since, knowing I would lose. My brother till this day swears that I must have cheated.
I tuned out as the girl described how they each had skills in bridge. I knew all of that, I grew up with them tediously playing all of the time. I knew them like the back of my hand.
A lot of girls wanted to challenge me as well. There was always rumours going around that I was dating at least one of them. It got super annoying so I made the same rule as my friends about being invited for a challenge. I just never invited anyone. Everyone always wanted me to give up on one of them so that they could date them. Even if I have thoroughly stated that I was in fact not. I hated it, I only had to do it with one girl, but that was not really a challenge, I just spread the rumour to get everyone off my back. I had beat her in a dance competition, and she wanted to bet me for Ximen. I agreed because there were witnesses and I won easily. Since then few have accepted the challenge. And I was thankful, I did retire my tutu for a reason. That reason being that I hated ballet. It was so uptight and strict. I liked that it taught me a lot of stuff and control, but after that it was just hard. I never liked it, I wanted to dance however I wanted to without getting yelled at about my feet not being pointe enough.
I did tune in again when she started to talk about me.
"Daoming-Enna does not play bridge, she is an artistic genius. Her art is put into the best galleries in the world each year. She is also trained in ballet, and can play a range of instruments. It's very impressive. She turned to art when she was younger, she is very dyslexic and can barely read. At least that what an article about her said years ago. It has never been confirmed. She is beautiful and a little quiet. Every guy at this school wants a chance with her. But her brother would never let any of them near her, not without going through some vigorous tests. The rumours about them scare most boys from trying these days." She said and I looked down shameful, so that was my reputation, good at art, but still everyone knew I could not read.
I felt even worse now. I just wished that my stupid mind would work properly so I would not have to deal with all of these struggles all of the time. I turned my attention back to their conversation, mostly now to distract myself from my own thoughts.
I did like that my brother had challenges to even come near me. Even though you could probably just approach me if you really wanted to. But I guess the humiliation of what my boys would do to anyone who hurt me in the slightest was enough to keep most boys at bay. I never minded knowing most of them from my first few years when they still tried. They were usually not worth knowing anyway. All of them thought of me as the quiet delicate flower, but I most certainly was not. I was quiet yes, but once I opened up to someone I was sarcastic and I have been told, fun.
"Together the five of them have won many awards for the school, and the school is proud of them.
But is not that easy to challenge them. You have to get the Joker from them first. They made this rule because they got annoyed. You have to find one of them and personally tell them you want to challenge them. If they find you a worthy opponent you get the cards with a time and place of the game. But you need to wager something before the game." She said and I laughed a little as she gave the now seemingly scared freshmen some examples.
I was amused as I listened to her list of some of the wagers that had gone over throughout the years. I knew most of them were rumours. I had been at most of these games after all. I knew the boys just started some of them because they were tired of being challenged constantly. I liked it much better too, I have always thought that bridge was a boring game. I hated it when they played it.
We were finally at the bridge club as the girl asked the scared freshmen if they still wanted to challenge them, then told them good luck. She gave me a small smile and nod as she walked past me. I could almost see the pity in her eyes, and I felt like glaring back, but I decided to keep my expression blank. I could just rant to the guys later.
I smirked a little as I looked at the freshmen they looked pretty scared and I was a little proud that we had that cool a reputation.
They debated a bit if they should challenge them, and tried to yell at the door. I knew none of them would come out even if they were there. I looked at my watch and saw that they should be there by now. I walked out into the hall about to pass the freshmen as my brother and my friends came walking down the hall too. I walk closer to them and stood off to the side as they were stopped and confronted by one of the girls.
Apparently my brother had broken her phone. I felt a little bad for her, she would get nothing out of my brother that way. He was hot-headed and stubborn as well. No way yelling at him from the beginning was going to help. He was a little rude to her but he was always like this with strangers.
I rolled my eyes as I watched the scene unfold. Typical him to get into trouble on the first day.
He just slowly bumped into her shoulder and they all started walking, turning into the bridge room. It was where we spent most of our free time at school. I liked the way they had decorated it. They even designated a small corner of it that I could paint in. I shook my head as she yelled after my brother I slowly walked over to them seemed to freeze as I looked at them.
I wanted to tell her to just give it up already but I had made a rule to not interfeer in my brothers business again. I wished that this was not the case, but I knew him better than anyone, and he was never gonna do anything for anyone but himself. I sighed as I looked them over, they were never gonna win. I was never gonna win in this, but I did want it to go away. I rolled my eyes and slowly pulled out my wallet and took out some cash. I held it out for her to take and they looked at me stunned, I just raised an eyebrow. I was trying to make this right, I knew I should not but I was tired and did not feel like hearing her yell right now. Their eyes seemed to widen as they realised who I was. I just realised that I had unintentionally flashed my student ID. I just sighed and looked at the stunned girl in front of me. I was getting a little impatient, I wanted to get down and see my friends.
"'You're… You're?" She stammered out and I gave her an awkward nod, I was a little bored at this point her eyes seemed to widen even more, which I found fascinating that that was even possible.
"I can't take this. Your brother should be the one paying me." She said finding her confidence. I just looked at her one last time to make sure that she was serious. I then shrugged and put it back before turning and leaving.
I should probably just have stayed out of it, but I did not want anymore disturbances because of this. But I did hate when everyone always just knew me as "Daoming-Si's sister". I was my own person you know?
My brother did these kinds of things all of the time. Most people did not even dare confront him afterwards. I expect after this I would never see that girl again either. Besides it was only a phone, they were not that expensive to have fixed.
I just walked into the bridge room and slammed the door a little behind me as I walked down the stairs. Ximen was sitting reading as was Lei, while Meizuo and my brother was sitting playing with their cards. I walked in annoyed, my bad mood had not remotely improved. I just wanted today to be over already.
"Bad art-history class?" Meizuo asked not even looking up from the cards and I sighed and nodded.
I sat down on the windowsill and put my bag down pulling out that stupid book. I laid down slowly so that my legs were on Ximen's and my head beside Lei's legs. Ximen just gave my ankle a small squeeze as comfort before going back to his book. I always lied there when I was in a bad mood. I had known these guys since we were little, I was probably more comfortable around them than what was appropriate.
"Yes, the professor knows fully well I can't just read the book in class. Yet he does this every now and then. Now I have to wait till tomorrow to read that, and take a test on Monet. I wished I was not this stupid." I mumbled getting my frustrations out.
Most of them barely looked up from what they were doing, and I understood why. They had heard that rant for some years now, with different variations of teachers. I knew they felt for me, but they would never understand what it was like to not be able to do something that to everyone else was very easy. I felt so sad whenever this happened. I never cried about it anymore though. When I was younger I used to get tears in my eyes every time we had to read and I tried but could not. I usually had a computer program that read aloud to me, but most of my uni-textbooks were not available for computer. So I had to rely on myself. I looked up at Lei sad, he looked down at me and away from his own book. He gave me a small smile that actually comforted me.
"How about you try to read the first 5 sentences. Then I can read the next 20." He said quietly so that only I could hear. I smiled a little and nodded.
It was a nice way to do it, because he would usually help me with some of the words in my 5 sentences then he would read some to me. It was a lot easier for me to get through those horrible 5 sentences, when I knew I would not have to read more than that. Plus I was always more comfortable reading with Lei. The only other people who would hear how terrible I was already knew. They had to listen to it many times. Lei had lots of ways to make life easier, I knew he learned it from Jing, and she taught me some things too. He helped me like this sometimes, and in return I helped him with social situations sometimes. Or drawing him a card to give to Jing.
They both helped me a lot. I remember the worst time of my life, I was probably 11 years old, and my parents had invited everyone over for Si's birthday. My mother insisted that my art would not be a big enough donation to the charity. She insisted that we kids show off our talents. My mother had my teacher write a story for me to read out loud at that party. It was right after that news article about my dyslexia broke. She wanted to show all of those rich people that I had no problem reading at all.
I was crying all week terrified of disappointing my mother when I went up at that stage and had to read this story when I knew I could not.
Then came Jing and Lei. Jing had the genius idea, of me just learning it, that way I would just have to recite if from memory, turn the page every now and then, and look like I was reading.
They were incredibly patient as they slowly taught it to me. I did pretty well at that party, but I am afraid it was pretty obvious that I was not actually reading anything.
I pulled up the book and turned to the right chapter and took in a deep breath. I then sat up so that both Lei and I could see what the book was saying know he would have to help with a few of the characters.
"The…French Painter Claude Monet, showed from an early age incredible talent for drawing portraits and caricatures at an impressive speed." I started stuttering and stumbling at the words, Lei even had to stop and correct a few of them.
But I knew I only needed 4 more sentences then he would read it to me. So I continued with my struggle and read it slowly with his help getting through my 5 sentences. I let out a breath of relief when I was finally finished and I smiled up at him proud as I handed him the book so that he could read it to me. He smiled back at me a little proud as well, or at least I hoped that is what he was feeling.
"You did great Enna, much better than normal." He said and I rolled my eyes a little.
"You always say that. I know it is as bad as it always has been and always will be." I said and he just ruffled my hair.
I laid down beside him, this time he joined me in lying down and started quietly reading to me. He did not want to disturb the others after all. I smiled as I laid there and listened. I loved it when Lei read to me. He had a nice and calm voice. And right now he was reading about something that actually interested me so it was even better. I wished that I could have his voice recorded so it could be his voice that read for me on the computer as well. For now I would have to settle with the real deal. Then the bad computer or maybe my maid if she had time.
We went to the rest of our classes and for the rest of the week just continued almost the same rutine. On friday we went out for dinner. The boys all wanted to go out and celebrate our first week back at school. I as always went with them, we sat down at a new restaurant that Ximen had recommended. I smiled as she handed us the menus. I did like this restaurant it was small, and like perusal Ximen had gotten us a table at the secluded part of the restaurant. I always hated it when we went out and people would come up to us. This way we had the privacy to be ourselves.
I opened the menu card and looked it over, it looked weird than it normally did to me. I looked up from the card confused and I received a small chuckle from my brother who noticed and leaned over turning it around so that it was facing the right way. No wonder it looked weird then. Annoyingly I knew I would never hear the end of this from my brother.
"No wonder you can't read when it's upside down. I guess you're both stupid and dyslexic." He said laughing, I glared at him and the rolled my eyes.
"You're lucky I don't hit girls. Otherwise I would have smacked you." I said making him angry again.
I ignored his next comment that was more of an outburst than a comeback. I smirked knowing I had won. I looked back at the menu, the right way this time and started slowly reading over the options.
I occasionally did turn to Lei or Meizuo beside me to ask if I was reading that right. They always asked for extra time to choose so that I could actually read over the options, even when the rest of them were ready. I always appreciated the gesture, they could always order and then tell her to come back for mine.
My brother does that sometimes, but the rest of the boys were raised well and would never do that.
Once I had finally read it and found what I wanted, I held my finger on the thing I wanted and kept it there then lowered the menu, looking at the guys who was already chatting a bit. I nodded as I made eyecontact with Ximen, he gave me small smile and he called the waitress over telling her we were ready now.
I was happy when she was gone and I no longer had to read anything. It was just so confusing, all of these signs had multiple meanings and looked so much allike, they all looked alike to me at least.
"Oh, Enna, did you hear? Si got a cake thrown in his face by the girl from monday?" Meizuo said and my eyes widened in surprise, that was a bold move from that girl.
"Damn, she must have guts. Or a death wish" I said with a pause in between my two sentences.
"She is crazy is what it is. She kicked me in the face this morning." My brother said and I laughed at him, he shot me a glare.
"I thought you said you got bruised from falling. Why wouldn't you tell me? This is so much better, much more embarrassing for you." I said laughing and he glared at me the whole time.
"Shut up, at least I know how to hold a menu properly." He said and I just shrugged, it was an honest mistake and anyone could have made it.
"Did she tie you up afterwards as well?" I asked and the rest of the guys laughed and Si just looked around pissed at us all. He had had a bad day I could tell, but he should have known we would laugh with him a little about this.
"No, that was all us. He makes a good mummy doesn't he?" Meizuo asked and I chuckled and nodded.
"True, I had to take a few pictures with it before untying him." I said and he chuckled.
"We did as well." He said taking out his phone and we laughed as we showed each other our pictures.
"I should sue the both of you for this. I can't believe my best friends and sister would turn on me like this." Si almost yelled, not completely knowing we were in public. This just made us laugh more.
We laughed for a good while until the appetisers came. Si glared at us the whole time asking us to stop. He said it one last time before we started eating and I just smirked at him then looked over at Meizuo.
"I regret untying already." I said and he chuckled.
"Why did you? Pity?" Ximen said with a small smirk and I shrugged.
"I had to. He was my ride home." I said and he laughed a little as we dug in.
Lei was usually this quiet, he did rave a little about the picture though. I sometimes wondered what was going on in that big brain of his. If it was all colours and weird images like mine usually was when I spaced out. I always dreamt up stories and small movies in my head. Until I had them all planned out and was ready to draw them out onto paper. We kept chatting about this weird girl for a while before drifting onto other topics.
After dinner the boys wanted a drink but I was tired knowing I had a to show some of my art to a gallery tomorrow. I asked Si if he would drive me, as perusal he was an idiot and said no. I looked around the rest of them but none of them seemed to want to leave.
"Fine, I will just walk home, a woman very exposed and vulnerable all alone in the cold. Without any means to protect myself." I said being overly dramatic. It never worked, but it was fun to pretend. Unless I was reading or writing everyone at that table I was anything but defenceless.
They seemed to share a look before looking back at me.
"Have a good walk." Ximen said with a small smile and I rolled my eyes at them.
"Seriously, I have to get up early and show a collection to a gallery tomorrow. I could always just take one of your cars." I said with a smirk knowing it would get a reaction out of them.
"No!" They all said in unison, and I almost chuckled a little. But crossed my arms and lifted my eyebrows giving them a look telling them I was serious. Just because one bad driving experience with me, and suddenly I was banned for life.
"Who are you showing to anyway? The usual gallery?" Meizuo said and I nodded with a small smile.
"Yeah, but they have a new investor who was not that impressed with the sales of my last few pieces, so he has to review them personally there tomorrow. I brought the paintings down there earlier today. But I need to be there so early tomorrow to unpack them and make sure that they're all there." I said getting tired already.
"It's the gallery down town right?" Lei said and I turned to him and nodded, he gave me a small smile and a shrug.
"You can stay for the drink then sleep at my place then. It's not that far from there if I remember. Then you won't have to get up that early." He said and I looked at him smiling a little.
It was sweet that he would let me stay on his couch, I had only done that when I wanted to run away from home or if I had gotten really drunk. I only started doing it after Jing left, until then I would usually run to her.
I looked at him making sure that he was serious, I did not want to intrude, he just gave me a small smile and nod. I then turned my eyes from him to Si and he just shrugged.
"What are you looking at me for? I am not our dad, you can do what you want." He said and I rolled my eyes at him with a small smirk.
I knew he deep down cared about me. He might never say so or sometimes not even act like it. But he was always there for me when I was in crisis. No matter what I knew I could count on him. I thought it over for a moment before shrugging.
"What the hell? Only one drink though." I said and they all smiled, we all ordered a cocktail.
I like perusal ordered a rare cocktail, most bars had the ingredients to make it but just did not know. I always asked if they had Gin Hass then if they did not I asked about the ingredients asked them to make it with what they had. It was the only cocktail I liked. I had a weird taste in alcohol, I liked whiskey, but hated most wines. Even Ximen that was usually an expert on wines had a hard time finding ones I liked. A gin hass was the only cocktail I had ever liked. I normally hated gin, but it was just gin, Mango sirup and lemon soda.
As usual the guys teased me for always ordering this cocktail, or having to be difficult and asking them to make it. I just rolled my eyes at them and sat back in my chair with a smile.
"I regret staying out with you already." I said making them laugh.
We had our drinks and cheered for a good first week at school. I smiled and as our glasses touched and I looked around at the 4 boys. They were my best friends in the whole world. I had no idea what I was gonna do without them around at all times. I had this sudden weird feeling I would be alone. They were all gonna go out into the real world, have great successes. Lei would marry Jing they would have a beautiful wedding. Ximen and Meizuo would easily find woman to love and marry. I knew my brother would eventually get married and move to London to run the business. And I would stand still here. I would graduate from school, open my own studio, maybe even gallery. But everyone always bought my art to get into business with my family, not because they actually liked it. I would never see them, and they would all have wonderful lives without me.
"You okay?" Lei whispered pulling me out of my spiralling thoughts. I knew it was just anxiety about being alone at school next year. And I felt like I had a right to be terrified, it seemed so easy for them to leave me as they went to Ibiza. What is to keep them from one day just leaving and never coming back for me?
"I'm fine. Just nervous I guess." I whispered back plainly and Lei gave me a serious look but knew I would tell them at my own pace if I had to.
"You'll be fine. You always have us to help you know?" He said and I smiled and shrugged.
"That is one of the problems I think." I said with a smirk alerting the others.
"Hey! You love us." The three of them bursted out and I laughed with Lei.
"Besides, you still owe us a proper portrait." Lei said and I chuckled and hit him lightly.
"That is never happening. You guys are the worst models I have ever had!" I said and made them laugh, they did all exclaim something along the lines of: we are amazing models. But it was jumbled up because they all said it at the same time, making me laugh.
We chatted for a bit while we had the one drink then all said we would meet up tomorrow. I walked with Lei to the car and he drove the short distance he had home. I was super tired already. I texted my maid to bring my clothes to his place tomorrow morning as we drove.
We walked in comfortable silence up to the apartment and he unlocked the door. I always liked Lei's place it was clean, but cosy. I also liked that it was not as big as my own house. I knew his parents had an estate much like it not far from there. But I preferred his smaller place. I wanted to move out as well, but was saving up for it. I actually wanted to live on my own, and not just off my parents money. Right now I only made enough to buy my tuition and supplies for school. My mother took interest from the paintings, and most of it went to charity, which did not leave me enough for my own place for now.
I kicked off my shoes and took off my coat, then gave Lei a small smile.
"Can I borrow the usual?" I asked and he gave me a small nod going into his own room.
He walked out a few seconds later holding some of his clothes. I had borrowed the same set since the first time I slept over here. A pair of gym shorts that was all too big, but comfortable. And a baggy t-shirt of his. He left the room again and I started to change out of my normal clothes and into that. I liked this set, it was so comfortable and smelled like Lei, it smelled like home to me.
I knocked on the door letting him know I was done, even though the door was slightly cracked. It could not physically close. I had told Lei to fix it many times, but he thought it was part of the charm. Lei walked out but he had a weird look in his eyes. I looked back at him confused.
"I can't find the spare bedspread." He said almost shameful.
I just shrugged and sat down on his couch. I had agreed to sleep here, it was al right. I would just have to manage with the sofa pillow.
"It's fine, I will still sleep here." I said and he looked at me almost annoyed.
"Come on. It's cold, you can't sleep there. I don't even have a blanket you can use." He said and I rolled my eyes.
"Lei, it doesn't matter. Just go sleep. I will be fine." I said shooing him away.
He rolled eyes at me and I was annoyed now. He knew that I hated causing trouble, even for him. So I just defiantly lied down and turned away from him curling up on the small couch.
"Come on. Quit it." He said nudging me.
I just turned my back to him and pretended to be asleep. I will admit that it was slightly colder than I imagined. And I had no idea how, but somehow Lei's sofa had gotten less comfortable.
Lei nudged me again but I did not budge. I could feel him getting annoyed with me. But I did not want to cause any trouble, and I would also not admit that he was right. Apparently it was not up for discussion. After a few minutes of him nudging me and probably contemplating what to do, he wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off the couch and carried me into his room.
I yelled at him to put me down, but once Lei puts his mind to something there is nothing that can be done. I knew that my yells would fall on deaf ears. I even knew deep down that he was right and I could not sleep on the couch without the bedsheets. But I also felt weird about sleeping in his bed. I knew there was room enough for the both of us, but it just felt wrong. He was my best friend. I did not want anything to be weird because he could not find his bedsheets. I was thrown gently down on the bed and I glared at him not wanting to give him the satisfaction of being right. He gave me a small and knowing smile before walking to the other end of the room and turning the lights off. Knowing neither of us could sleep in anything but complete darkness. He walked over to the bed and sat down but accidentally sat on me. I yelled at him annoyed to get off but he did not budge for a while. Finally I got the upper hand and managed to tackle him so that he was on the other side of the bed. I swung my left leg over his stomach and sat down as well. It was his turn to complain now.
"It's not so fun to be sat on is it?" I asked in a playful tone in the dark. He laughed a little but then kindly asked me to get off.
After I felt he had suffered an appropriate amount of time I got off him so we could each lie at a separate part of the bed. I turned to face him in the dark but lying at the edge of the bed so neither of us would be uncomfortable. I already felt like I was invading his privacy immensely I did not want to make it worse.
"Heard anything from Jing lately?" I asked and I could hear him sigh from beside me. I could feel him turn around to face me in the dark.
"No. I kind of still hate her for leaving." He said quietly and I looked down understanding. She was my good friend as well but it was nothing compared to the relationship she had with Lei.
"Sad you're stuck with the rest of us?" I asked in a joking manner, I could hear him chuckle a little. I knew bringing up Jing was always sensitive with Lei, but I knew how to cheer him up, so I was comfortable enough to ask.
"Always. Especially you." He said in a joking manner and I smiled knowing he meant the opposite. Or at least I hope that is what he meant.
"Enna?" He asked after a few moments of silence and I let out a sound letting him know I was listening to him, but I could not bother to answer him right now.
"Are you lying on the edge of the bed, because you're scared of taking up too much of my space?" He asked. One of the things I did like about him but sometimes was an annoying quality, was that Lei would say his entire thought proces if he wanted to.
"Maybe." I said plainly.
I may know them like the back of my hand, but they knew me very well as well. I knew that he knew I hated being a bother or taking up too much space. I liked hiding in the corner and letting my artworks do the talking for me. Lei was usually this way as well, he just hid behind his music. I must have a million drawings of him with the piano or violin. I liked drawing him as he practiced with me. We would sit in the music room and he would practice and I would draw. Then after a while he would sit down to see. I would usually start off by refusing to show him my work. Then we switched places. I would play music and he would draw. Neither of us were that good at each others talent. But we both understood what it meant, and did it because we enjoyed it.
We were good for each other in a weird way though. You would think when two quiet wallflowers became friends, we would spend all of our time together in silence. Become more secluded as we both disappeared into our own worlds. That does happen some times, but mostly we dare each other to go out and interact with real people. Do things we normally do not or is afraid to do.
I turned my attention back to Lei who was lying somewhere on this bed. I had no idea what he had planned after asking that question. I already felt a little anxious and like I was causing too much trouble by just being in his bed and not on the sofa.
I then felt his hand fumble a bit to find my torso. Once he had his one hands on my lower back, he pulled the other under me and pulled me closer to him in the bed, before letting go again. I protested and asked what the hell he was doing. I had no idea what he was doing, this was so unlike him? I already wanted to crawl into a corner and not disturb him. I was a little too close now I could practically feel his breath hit my face.
"I know you. You turn a lot in your sleep. Remember our sleepover when we were 10? You tossed so far you rolled on top of me and ended up in-between me and Ximen." He said and I smiled a little at that memory.
"So what? I am not a kid anymore. I can sleep fine on that side of the bed." I protested not wanting to make either of us uncomfortable. I could practically feel him smile in front of me in the dark, as he slowly shook his head.
"My bed is much higher than our air mattresses. You could fall out." He said quietly and I rolled my eyes at him and thought for a moment. Because the boy while being annoying and stupid at the moment he did have a point.
"What would my brother think if he saw this? It is inappropriate enough that I am sleeping in the same bed as you. You have a reputation to uphold." I said knowing mine was already tarnished beyond belief. He thought for a moment before chuckling slightly then shaking his head.
"This I can justify to Si, but if you get bruises all over from falling out of bed, what would he think we had done in this bed?" He said and my eyes widened I chuckled and buried my face in the pillow letting an oh god escape from my mouth in embarrassment. I hated it but the boy was right. He laughed my reaction and I laughed a little as well. My eyes had gotten used to the dark and I could see outlines of his eyes now.
" get your wish. Good night Lei" I said with a small smirk, I thought I could see him smile before I turned around to the other side to sleep. I heard his good night as well and I slowly lied there thinking about how nervous I was about tomorrow. I had no energy to care about lying here with Lei anymore. I had bigger problems at the moment. He seemed to be able to sense my nervous energy and poked me so that I would turn around. I did and looked at him, he was probably concerned for me. Always seemed to be like that.
"You'll be fine. You always are." He whispered slowly and fumbled a bit in the dark until he took my hand and slowly laced his fingers with mine. I smiled and opened up so that he could do it. He always held my hand when I was nervous. I had no idea how he learned it, maybe it was from Jing. But I always felt so much better when he held my hand.
