Author's Note: Nothing but thanks for the review!! I love them.
Summary : Preview Chapter 1
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Chapter 4
More Than Friends: Close Call
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Mei Zhou's POV
Slowly opening my eyes, from a distance, I can hear the ringing melody of my cell phone. Glancing around at my surrounding, I find out that I have fallen asleep across my bed. Groaning slightly, I sit up and rub my eyes. The room is dark. Switching on a light besides my bed, I glance down at my watch for the time: 7:00.
I frown. I have been asleep for three hours. Suddenly, the telephone on my bedside table rings loudly. Jumping slightly, I reach over and pick up the phone, bringing it to my ear.
"Hello?" I answer, my voice coarsely as I just have woken up.
"Mei Zhou!" exclaims Lei. "Where in heck are you?!"
I frown. "What are you talking about, Lei?"
"Mei Zhou!" he exclaims loudly.
I pull the telephone away from my ear before shouting into the phone. "Stop shouting!!"
Silence.
"Ow..." moans Lei, "You shout loud..."
I sigh and shake my head. "What do you want, Lei?"
"Mei Zhou," he sighs. "Did you FORGET about our get-together today at 6:00?!"
I frown...get together? Now when did we...my eyes widen.
"Oh, shoot!!" I exclaim in realization. "I total forgot! I'm really sorry!!"
I hear Lei sigh over the telephone. "You forgot? You were the one that arranged this meeting. You said you wanted to get together and hang out with some girls. I didn't want to go but you argued that I must? You forgot that?!" he exclaims in big surprise.
I wince slightly at the annoyance in his voice. Lei rarely get angry or annoy; he is usually neutral or doesn't care at all. Well, only when Shan Cai came along did he started to open his heart like I have never...ever seen him do before. There are times that I wonder if Lei really loves her. It seems like he does but he keeps pushing Shan Cai and A-Shi together and that just really confuses me sometime.
"Sorry," I apologize. "I got home and..." I pause before continuing. I do not want to tell Lei about my mother...at least not yet. "...And was extremely tired and...somehow I fell asleep."
I pause, waiting for a reply. When I receive none, I add, "Sorry, Lei. I hope I didn't worry you guys too much."
He sighs. "No, not really. I was extremely worried though; you are NEVER late for this type of outing. And the only time that you will be late for this type of outing is when something happen." He pauses then adds, "Did something happen at home?"
"No," I answer immediately. But then mentally I hit myself in the head. I know that Lei knows something suspicious is going on. He knows me better than the other two, us two being closer when we were young.
"Mei Zhou...what is going on?" he asks demandingly.
"Uh...nothing," I reply, a bit cheerfully. I have a feeling that he isn't buying into this.
"Mei Zhou...," he warns.
I sigh. "Look, Lei. There is nothing wrong with me. I just got really tired after a long day and somehow fell asleep on my bed and forgot about the 'date.' Seriously! Can a guy forget once a while?"
"No," he says immediately. "Not if that guy happens to be you."
I sigh once more, getting a bit tired of this conversation. I am afraid that if this conversation continues any longer, Lei will somehow force the truth from me; he has always had that ability ever since we were kids. Although before I never really minded but only found it quite annoying, this secret is something I do not want him to find. At least not this way.
"Mei Zhou, I know you more than anybody!" he continues. "You can't lie to me as you can to A-Shi or Xi-Men. I can see through you." He stops, allowing me digest all he has just said. Then he asks once more. "What is wrong, Mei Zhou?"
I hesitate. Should I tell him? Should I tell him about my mother...my sickness? It will be nice to share my troubles with someone else, and if I am to share them with others, Lei will be the first that I share them with. With any other situation, I would have gladly share my troubles but this time...this time is different.
"I'm sorry, Lei," I reply. "I can't tell you anything right now. Please, please! Don't be angry with me! I promise...I'll tell you when I feel ready...ok?"
There is silence on the other side. I begin to worry that Lei has hung up on me. But before I call for his name, his speaks.
"All right," he replies quietly, a bit dejected. "I won't ask anymore but you promise to tell me when you are ready?" he asks with a bit worry.
I smile. "Of course," I whisper softly. "You'll be the first to know."
I can hear him hesitate slightly before, replying affirmatively.
"Well...I'll see you tomorrow then," he continues. "And I'll tell the others you're alright."
I nod. "Sure but please don't tell them about this. I don't want anymore people worrying about me, ok?" I plead.
"Don't worry," he replies. I can hear the smile in his voice. "I won't tell anyone."
"Not even Shan Cai?" I press. He always seems to tell her everything.
He laughs. "Not even Shan Cai!
This is a secret only between you and me. Is that okay?"
I smile and laugh shortly. "That's fine. Thanks, Lei."
"Your welcome," he replies. He pauses. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah..."
"Bye then."
I nod and whisper softly, "Bye..."
Then I hear a click from the other side, indicating the end of our conversation. Although I have heard the click, I do not bring the phone back to its cradle. I can feel my eyes slowly unfocused as I remember back to the recent conversation.
Lei knows...he knows...
Suddenly, a knock brings me from my daze.
"Young Master," calls out Goan Jia from the other side. "Time for dinner."
"Unh...I'll be there in just a second," I call back. Standing up, I can make out the retreating footsteps. Looking down at the telephone in my hands, I sigh as I replace the phone into the cradle.
Before leaving the room, I turn around to glance back at the phone once more. Then unlocking the door, I slip out my bedroom and stroll down the many halls to eat dinner...
...Alone as always...
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TBC
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END NOTES: Was that boring? I have everything planned out for the characters like as to how Lei finds out and everything to the last detail but this has never been on paper so..I really don't know how long it will be. But still...I hoped you all enjoy this!^^
