"So, has Hwoarang told you about the letter he got from Mishima?" Miharu asks. I vaguely hear the word 'so', but the rest is a blank as I'm so far into my own little world that I completely miss it. Hmm. Jin. Kazama. Jin Kazama.
Jin Kazama. What is this stupid fascination I seem to have with him? And why now? I have a million and one other things to worry about, like this tournament, and school, and my future, and life in general, and every time I try to focus on them, he distracts me by doing something like what he did today. One minute he's shy and polite. Then he's cold. Then he's this whole different sexy person. Then he's even colder than before. Then he's driving me crazy thinking about something he's done or said offhandedly. And the worst part is, as far as I can tell, the only effect I seem to have on him is to amuse him.
"I mean, I know Hwoarang's a good fighter and all, but you know....." Mi continues, and I offer a 'hmm' so she doesn't hit me for not listening.
What exactly can I do? Am I just taking all this too seriously? Is he just being friendly? If you can call ignoring me then looking all sexy and smirky 'friendly'. And why the hell am I getting so stressed about this?
"....in the last tournament." I add an 'uh-huh'.
He has the most amazing look, though. I can't resist those eyes. Whenever he looks at me, that's it. I get all tingly and weird and melty, like I'm the Wicked Witch and someone's thrown a bucket of water on me. It's not exactly a bad feeling, in fact, it's kinda nice, but at the same time, it makes me sort of nervous. I don't get nervous. Xiao doesn't 'do' nerves. So why do I turn into a trembling, girly sort when he looks at me? There's no need for it. At all. But those eyes...
"And I heard that his son was killed when he fell into....." I go for a 'yep', this time, just to add a little variety.
Enough. I'm the one being an idiot here. I really need to start playing it cool. Yeah, that's it! Play it cool, Ling. Next time, you'll be the one who ignores him, and looks like the aloof, unavailable, amused-by-him type. Play him at his own game. Confuse him. See how he likes it.
"I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's not good enough or anything, but...."
Yeah. Starting from now, I'm not gonna think about stupid Jin Kazama at all. I'm gonna forget him, and then when I next see him I can be all, 'Oh, hey Jin, I forgot you existed for a while there, because I'm not interested in you in the slightest, so if you want me, sorry hon, but you're gonna have to be the one who does the chasing. Not that I want you to want me or anything, because as I just said, I forgot you even existed, but if you want to chase me, then that's fine, I mean, there's a chance I might give you a chance, but it's a very slim chance. So there.'
And then he'll be the once who's confused and stuff. Mind you, the above sentence would be enough to confuse anyone. But no worries. Starting from now, I'm not gonna think about him. He's nothing. I don't care about him in the least, and I'm gonna focus on important things that coincidentally don't include him. Like....uh....stuff. And...yeah!
"And I know that he'd hate to hear me say that, but I'm worried, I mean, it really could be dangerous, don't you think, Xiao?"
You know what? I can't stop thinking about Jin's lips...
Later, after I've begged forgiveness from Miharu for spacing out on her and thinking about Jin too much, (although I kept the latter to myself and made a vaguely believably excuse about something to do with a mock exam coming up next month,) I start walking home.
I really hate it when I have to walk home by myself, it's so boring. Plus, it leaves me to think about a certain spiky haired person. And this does not make me happy. It makes me feel all brainless and confused. That honour is usually reserved for Maths lessons. I nudge a pebble with my foot, wondering idly whether Jin just thinks I'm a stupid kid. Even though I'm sixteen and he's nineteen, therefore only three years older than me, I still get the feeling he's only tolerating my existence. Or is that my just insecurity talking? Or that pesky rational side? Whatever, it is, I don't like it.
Okay, time to change the subject. I take out the tournament letter again and sit down on the bench outside the park to read it. Nope, it hasn't changed. It's still all important sounding and stuff. It still has the Mishima logo staring up at me. And it's still - just been taken out of my hands.
"Huh?" I look up quickly, feel my face get hot, look down again, plaster on an angry expression and stand up. I so do not need this right now. Don't I have enough to think about?
"You got one of these?" Jin (who else?) says doubtfully, giving me the once over.
"What's it to you?" I ask, snatching it back and stuffing it in my fluffy panda backpack. In retrospect, this accessory doesn't help make me look less like the tagalong little kid to Jin's mature, quiet, yet annoyingly sexy image.
"Hey, what's with that face?" he asks, surprised, and I wonder whether I've turned really, really red, but then realise that he's referring to the frowniness of my expression.
"Most normal people don't go around taking important letters from unsuspecting people." I snarl, defiance coming as standard.
"I didn't know you were unsuspecting." he mutters in the annoying yet sexy way I've grown almost accustomed to.
"Thought you knew I was there." Still doesn't change its effect on me though. Damn.
"Anyway, why are you surprised I got a letter, huh?" I ask, trying to get my defiance back, but sounding (once again) like Random Lovestruck Teen.
"Well, you know, the King of Iron Fist Tournament? It's no walk in the park, Xiaoyu. It's dangerous. I just think it's strange that Heihachi would send you an invitation, given how small you are."
I grit my teeth as I realise he's only trying to get a reaction from me, and shoot back:
"Size doesn't matter."
"Doesn't it?" he asks, fixing those eyes on me. He's doing it on purpose, I know he is.
"You should know." I snap, knowing the second the words leave my lips that I've just used the lamest comeback ever. Jin's completely unaffected. Must be pretty confident that I'm wrong. Or right. Whichever.
"And how would you know that?" he asks me with a mischevious glint in his eye.
I fumble around for an answer, but can't find one that's suitable, so I settle for a glare instead.
He smiles. "What about strength? I suppose you'll be telling me that doesn't matter soon?"
I wonder how the hell I managed to get into this conversation before replying;
"I may not be as strong as you, but I'm willing to bet that I'm a heck of a lot faster than you."
Jin seems amused at this (as usual) and stares at me just long enough to make me get that tingly feeling before turning away and starting off.
"Since when did this become about me?" he says quietly. Then he turns around to gaze at me again.
"Unless..."
"Unless what?" I snap, cheeks burning, fists clenching at my sides.
"Never mind."
He sets off walking again, and I watch him go, thoroughly irritated, confused, exasperated, displeased, affronted, and various other smart - sounding adjectives that are just a nicer way of saying 'fucking pissed off'. What the hell's his deal?
So, end of day report? Jin's still amused. And me? Well, I'm still infuriated.