Chapter 12: Ahoy Mates!

~NeRd~

"Right, I'm on my way to the airport now, and I'll meet you guys over at the pier." Closing his cell phone, Mei Zuo sped up and weaved smoothly through the traffic. It wasn't that he was running late, he was just eager to see her. Jing had been in France for over a year, and with her hectic schedule there wasn't much time for idle chit chat. Hands shoved in his pockets, Mei Zuo paced around the area in front of the arrival gate imagining a conversation in his head. He had choked and hesitated to express his feelings a year ago, and he was determined not to let Jing slip away this time. This time he was going to go for it and tell her--he had to.

He rushed over to her the instant she stepped out of the gate and embraced her slender figure.
"Mei Zuo! I'm so glad to see you! I've missed everyone so much!" Jing spoke cheerily. He stepped back to fully drink in her beauty and grace. Her hair was much longer, and the soft curls framed her radiant face perfectly.
"Jing, you should've come back to visit or at least let us come see you!" Mei Zuo protested.
"O I know, I just needed to focus on establishing myself there. I get so carried away when I'm with you guys! I would have given up and come right home if any of you were to have visited before I was fully adjusted." Jing insisted. Mei Zuo took her bags and then inhaled deeply before taking her hand as well. "I'm glad you've finally come home."
~*~
The salty breeze swept up around the gang as they assembled on the pier.
"Cruise? Again? Does this ever get old? Let me guess, we're going to Japan again," Dao Ming Si griped. "Ah Si, my parents just bought a new estate there. If you're not going to buy me a housewarming gift then hush up and come along for San Chai's sake." Ximen shot back at him. Dao Ming Si snarled, but the sight of San Chai made him bite his tongue. San Chai bounded towards them arm in arm with Xiao Yo, both in exceptionally good spirits. Lei strolled casually not far behind them.
"Heya! Ximen!! Are we late?" San Chai asked brightly.
"Of course not. Two lovely ladies like yourselves are worth any wait." Ximen kissed San Chai gently on the cheek, and then wrapped his arm around Xiao Yo and pulled her from San Chai's side.
"Don't get fresh with me Ximen! I'll be watching your every move. Xiao Yo is my dearest friend. Hurt her and your handsome face will need some work!" Ximen laughed along, but he knew San Chai was serious about the threat. For someone of such unimposing stature she could be quite menacing.
"How are you San Chai?" Dao Ming Si asked hesitantly. Even though they had grown to be better friends, there was an awkwardness between them that surfaced time and again. Beyond that one fateful night that he had been able to take her out, they'd only met in groups ever since, much to Dao Ming Si's disappointment.
"Great. I'm really excited about these hot springs Ximen's been bragging about." she replied, throwing a sideways glance at the playboy. An awkward silence ensued before Mei Zuo's car screeched to a halt near them. The elegant Jing stepped out of the car and was immediately surrounded by her dearest friends. After warm greetings, she turned her attention to San Chai.
"You must be San Chai. I've heard quite a lot about you, I'm sorry I didn't have the chance to meet you sooner," Jing said politely.
"I hope they didn't tell you too many bad things about me! I'm pleased to finally meet the Jing that is a role model to every girl at Yingde." In a big sister manner, Jing linked San Chai's arm in hers, and they walked together in lighthearted conversation as everyone boarded the yacht. The two of them found numerous topics to discuss (namely F4) and by late afternoon had already become unbelievably close.
~*~
"I think we should probably head to our rooms to get dressed for dinner. The boys will throw a fit if we're late," Jing suggested. The pair of them headed for their suites in giggles. San Chai had just plopped down on her sofa when there was urgent knocking at her door. She opened it, expecting to see one of the F4, but took a step back in shock.
"Ching He!! What are you doing here? How did you get on this yacht?" San Chai exclaimed.
"I snuck on the boat last night! O San Chai how could you go away on vacation without inviting me? It's been so long since you've spent any time with me!" Ching He whimpered. His jacket was wrinkled and he clutched an overstuffed duffle bag. San Chai could only guess where he had spent the night.
San Chai beamed at her simple friend, "You're right. I'm sorry. Since you're here let me see about getting you a room." She phoned the waitstaff, and shooed Ching He into a room of his own, instructing him to prepare for dinner. With that situation taken care of, San Chai started to evaluate the dresses in her closet. She selected a faint blue strapless dress with satin ribbon trimming. She topped it with a thin white cardigan, and swept her hair into a loose knot. San Chai sat herself at the vanity to make up her face. She wasn't that talented with cosmetics, so she was satisfied with a few pats of powder. With her porcelain complexion and naturally rosy cheeks, she simply glowed in the gentle light of her room. As a finishing touch San Chai slipped in a set of shimmering royal blue crystal hair pins and set off for Xiao Yo's room.

"Xiao Yo? Do you need any help getting...ready?" San Chai's last word was barely audible. She gazed at her friend and smiled deeply.
"Is it too much? Ximen insisted on buying me these clothes. I didn't want him to, but he had them sent to my room anyway." Xiao Yo blushed.
"You look splendid! He should spoil you rotten, you deserve it. Shall we leave for dinner then?" San Chai beamed.
"You look wonderful too. I've never really gotten to see you all dressed up. You always come to work in jeans. These clothes are so pretty, but I'm sure they'll never be as comfortable as a tank and jeans huh?" Xiao Yo contemplated. San Chai nodded in agreement, but she was delighted to see Xiao Yo in formal attire. Xiao Yo's bright eyes and warm brown hair matched exquisitely with the lavender dress Ximen had bought for her. The thin straps of the dress tied into small bows on her shoulders, and the bottom of the short dress ruffled slightly. San Chai would have to remember to compliment Ximen when she saw him. The two girls were joined by an energetic Ching He in the hallway. In a white suit with gold trimmings, his taste in clothing was unique for sure, but it suited his quirky personality.
"Ching He? I didn't know you were coming with us!" Xiao Yo exclaimed.
"Where San Chai goes, I follow!" Ching He proclaimed with a flourish.
"Well come on then, follow me to dinner."
The trio joked and chatted excitedly as they made their way to the dining hall.