Chapter 18: Really Bad Timing

"Hey the captain says we'll be docking in about an hour. Did you make sure everyone's all set to go?" Ximen asked Mei Zhou while methodically looking over his to-do list.

"As usual I can't get in touch with Lei, but San Chai's phone is off too. Should I go look for them?" Mei Zuo started towards the door.

"Sounds good. I'll meet you on the upper deck in a bit." The group was all assembled on the upper deck, taking in the view as they neared the shore.

~*~

Lei reached for his violin case and carefully tucked the instrument away. San Chai stood silently in the doorway waiting for him to respond. The quiet in the room was deafening, and the monotone ticking of a large grandfather clock in the room resounded dully. Unnerved, Lei made his way to the bar, seated himself on a stool and poured a drink. A drink was meant to calm his nerves as he continued feigning nonchalance. After taking a few sips he finally turned to face her. "What do you want to talk about?"

[Gah. What DO I want to tell him? What's there to say now?] It took a couple of "umms" and a "well" before she could reply to him. "I just thought you seemed a little off at breakfast."

"Nope."

"Well I'm here if you want to talk, Lei."

"There's nothing."

"I see. That's why I'm getting obnoxious one-line responses huh?"

"Never talked much anyway." [I don't know what to say to you San Chai. It's draining all my energy to keep from pulling you close to me and keep you by my side forever.]

San Chai's patience was wearing thin, but she went on, "I can't believe Ximen. He and Mei Zuo KNOW nothing happened last night. I wasn't lying."

"I didn't accuse you of anything," Lei remarked.

"I'm so tired of this lovey dovey mush. Why can't well enough be left alone?" San Chai griped.

"Everyone's glad to see you and Ah-Si make progress," Lei muttered.

"Well some things just don't concern everyone."

"If you didn't do anything, why are you so worried about what people think?" Lei's tone was almost bitter. [Cool it Lei. Don't blow this up bigger than it needs to be.]

Taken aback by his remark, San Chai scoffed, "It matters to me what you think. It's always mattered."

"Why?" Lei sipped his vodka.

"Because I thought me and you were special, but I guess not," San Chai's voice softened.

"We are," Lei assured her. [You'll never know just how much, fish face.]

"Heh. I know you have someone dear to your heart," [Oops! I wasn't supposed to have seen them yesterday!] San Chai bit her bottom lip in a panic.

"What are you talking about?" Lei was puzzled.

"Grr, pick up the phone!!" Mei Zhou snapped his cell shut in frustration. He was on the lower deck now and hoped the two of them were somewhere nearby. Nearing the sun room he heard familiar voices and smiled. At the doorway, Mei Zhou opened his mouth to speak but sensed that Lei and San Chai were having some sort of deep discussion. He wanted to back away, as that would be the decent thing to do, but he was far too curious about what the two were conversing about so intensely.

"I um… I saw you yesterday," San Chai told Lei.

"Uh-huh," Lei was eager to hear what point San Chai was trying to make.

"Well, I'm happy for you Lei. I really am. I'm glad you found someone you care for, and she's gorgeous too." [I wish it was me though. Who am I kidding though? She's a supermodel law student. I'm the girl he calls fish face.] San Chai tried to smile.

"Someone I care for?" Lei was really lost now. [Does she know? Is she trying to "let me down gently"?]

Leaning against the door frame unnoticed, Mei Zuo found the conversation was getting really juicy. [So Lei likes someone huh?] He should've backed away, but curiousity wouldn't allow it.

"Yeah. When I was walking around yesterday I saw you with Jing," San Chai blushed a little.

"What did you see?" [Crap. I hope she didn't get the wrong idea.]

"Well you guys make a really cute couple. That's all," San Chai decided that was the best reply.

"You saw us together last night?" [Not kissing I hope.]

"It's not that I was trying to, I just happened to see you guys kiss," San Chai directed her eyes to the counter top.

::Bam::

In his fury, Mei Zuo punched the door and took off. [Lei and Jing. I should've known.]

"Did you hear something?" San Chai asked Lei.

"Yeah, something probably fell. But San Chai I think you misunderstood."

"Misunderstood what?"

::Grandfather clock chimes::

"O no! Lei, look what time it is! We're supposed to be upstairs! We'll be docking any minute now! We'll finish this at the house."

[DAMN IT.] Lei watched her zip out of the sunroom and cursed himself. He finished his drink and reluctantly headed for the upper deck, in a dreadful mood.

~*~

"Mei Zuo did you find them?" Ximen asked his best friend.

"No."

"Well, let's give them a few more minutes. What's wrong with you?"

"Nothing," Mei Zuo shook his head and put on a smile. He had plenty of experience in relationships, and it taught him the virtue of a cool head. He'd talk to Jing and Lei, but first he had to clear his thoughts.

"Sorrry!!" San Chai huffed as she came running towards them.

"San Chai!!! I was worried about you!" Ching He squeaked, seeing his heroine arrive.

"Making a habit of the late fashion entrance huh?" Ah-Si scoffed, oblivious to the sighs his friends let out.

"FASHIONABLY late. And no, I had some last minute things to take care of."

"Well all our luggage has already been carried out, we're just waiting for Lei now. I hope he didn't fall asleep somewhere," Ximen laughed.

"Look there he is now," Xiao Yo pointed to the lanky figure sauntering down the hall.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 18 posted in a hurry, like I promised. Someone will become a couple in the next couple of chapters, and the story has one more major conflict to resolve. Thanks for reading!