I'm sorry for the late update! Here, this is supposed to be a part I of II again, because I'm a lazy writer. Sorry.
Chapter 3
Woes and Wei I
ssx pov
The darkening sky above, the crackling fire in front of me. Somehow, it soothed me, Shang Xiang. I hate it when people take me lightly, especially when they know me as 'poppy's girl'. I hate it so much!
And especially the guy… that guy by the initials G and N. What did I do to get this… this feeling of mixed emotions? Sure, yeah, I do like him, but then, why did he have to say those words bluntly? I know he knows I totally despise that kind of attitude.
A white plate with a blue outline was suddenly shoved before me, interrupting my thoughts. I shot a dirty look at the direction, only to see that it was my best friend. I immediately mumbled a sorry. She only smiled and sat down on the turf beside me, with Xun and him across us, at the other side of the bonfire.
I looked at the sky, thinking again about what had happened that afternoon. Though it really was not anything, why did I cry? Maybe it was-NO! I can't. I just cannot allow myself to think like that. Never. So why am I like this? I never cried!
"Hey, Xiao." I suddenly asked, looking at my best friend. She was probably still drifting in the sky, daydreaming. But-is her face actually pink? No way! Probably just my imagination. I shook my head and smiled to myself.
"Yeah?" she suddenly popped out of her little dream, her eyes having a trace of bewilderment.
"How come, well, you know…" I started in a low voice so that the other two wouldn't hear. "It's hard to love someone…"
Her gazed dropped to the ground, she propped her head on her knees and looked intently at the inferno. But of course, she wasn't really looking at it, since she was thinking of something other than an answer. She can't fool me.
"We-ell…" she started softly. "When you find out that you actually have feelings for someone, it's hard to find out if the guy you like likes you back. Do you get what I mean?" I nodded. "And if he does, does he really like you, or not?" she continued. "And if he doesn't, he would toy with your feelings and all, then leave you to follow him as if you were a dog." She sighed. "It's pretty weird I know a lot about this." Xiao forced out a strained giggle. "It just came to mind."
"Dogs, huh?" oh, great. Ning heard it? Surprise, surprise. He has sharp ears, so what do you expect? But it only came to my mind I hated that.
"Nothing you know." I snapped, currently annoyed. I mean, why should he eavesdrop? Okay, so I do that too. But why does he eavesdrop on girl talk? And why does he have to eavesdrop about this?
"So, what about the plan?" Xiao and Xun asked simultaneously. I looked at the brown haired girl, who seemed a little tense. She wanted to change the subject, so she'll get it. After all, it wasn't only Xiao who was getting annoyed and nervous.
I wasn't exactly sure of the plan, so I admit I was a little scared, and my stomach seemed to flop at the thought. Well, you get the idea… and what will happen if Zhang He says no? Or if he does say yes, he would obviously want something in return. And what if poppy finds out? And what if something happens?
"Hey!"
I practically jumped at the sound of the voice. Xiao handed me a fish on a stick, which was one of the fish I caught that day. I held it out above the heat.
Actually, that has become a tradition among the four of us. Xiao and I started it long ago, a while before the four of us became a foursome. We would cook our fish any way we want and then eat away as we would chat. It's such a nice tradition, as if we were family…
"Shang Xiang! Your fish!" Ning?
I jerked my fish from the inferno, but only to see that my fish was still half cooked. I shot a dirty glare at the laughing ex-pirate. It only made me hate him even more.
Flashback…
"I feel awful." I told Ning. "I just-"
"Shang Xiang…" I looked at Ning, but I only saw a different Ning. "Do you-" he…lowered his gaze? What was wrong with Ning? This is weird…
"Do you like me?" he blurted out.
I just looked at him in shock, and it was as if a small spear pierced through my heart and fell. He looked grave, and I couldn't even recognize him anymore!
The only thing I could muster up was a nervous giggle. I couldn't deny my face was bright red. And of course, deep down I knew that he was just joking…right? So why am I faltering? What's happening to me?
I looked away to avoid his boring gaze, which seemed to burn into my emerald eyes when I looked at him. I wanted to cry for help, as if I was sinking down… how can I handle this kind of situation? I admit and am proud that I have no experience about love at all. And now… it all seemed… its hard to explain this whirl of emotion…
I just stayed speechless. I was on the verge of tears, and I wanted to say 'No I don't you jerk!' but I just can't. Because he's my childhood friend…
End of Flashback…
Tossing and turning, trying to sleep, but only succeeding in staying awake even more. For one last time, I squeezed my eyes shut. In return, I only saw the ceiling. Again. I sighed in defeat. Throwing off the bed covers, I shuffled out of bed and rubbed my eyes and yawned. Yeah, I was sleepy, but I just couldn't sleep, especially if there was something on my mind. And there was. I sighed.
I changed my clothes into my everyday outfit and looked at the mirror. What reflected was a pale girl with dull green eyes. So what?
Then I turned to the door, and trudged towards it. I opened the door and slipped through, unnoticed. I went down the staircase in pure silence and peered around again to make sure no one was following me. I continued to the outside, my haven, our haven. The scent of the early morning dew greeted me upon my arrival. I smiled to myself despite what happened the day before. It was petty anyway.
A shadow was lurking behind The Tree. I saw a small glimpse of it before I disappeared completely behind The Tree. Was it-? No, it couldn't be…
Reassuring myself, but I still felt unconvinced, I went to The Tree.
"You almost scared me!" I giggled again, looking at my best friend. She looked back at me, and we giggled again, then I stopped, regaining my breath. I looked at the surroundings; the beautiful shady trees lined the path, emitting a cool breeze on our faces. The horses snorted in contentment, and we trotted onto the path. "And you didn't even tell Xunie not to tell anyone where we were going!"
She just shrugged. "He wouldn't tell on us, would he?" she reasoned. Xun was somewhat a tattletale, but he was still loyal to us. More loyal to us than poppy, I think. But he's a friend, so I do have to trust him, unlike-arggh! I'm doing it again!
But then it already was a good day, not to be spoiled by some stupid thought. Because it was a cloudless sky and a not so warm day, the breeze tousled my chin length hair a little, and I enjoyed the feeling. I took a deep breath, and exhaled feeling happy. It certainly seemed like a good day. I just grinned to myself.
Probably Xiao noticed it, because she asked me "Why are you smiling?" and I just replied, "Because I think it's a good day today." She just beamed at me, and a grinned at her. I nudged my horse, White Wind, a gray horse, into a full gallop. Xiao followed with Amber Grace, her brown horse by my side.
We rode through the plains, fast enough to be like Red Hare, but not as fast but fast enough or something like that. I'll spare the details because we were moving fast, and the horses knew the way. Anyway, the blue gates were in sight, so we pulled the horses to a trot, they were panting a little already.
There were two guards guarding the gate, and two more on the watch towers, just like ours. Where's the originality?
We halted in front of them. I boldly said, "I want to speak with Zhang He, if you don't mind."
The taller guard, about four inches taller, barked, "No one is allowed to speak with any officer unless they're permitted by Lord Cao Cao!" Pfft… I rolled my eyes and retorted, "But I'm an officer too! And if you don't know who I am, well then ask Sun Jian, who'd definitely be willing to execute you." Well, threats work. And that was proven when the shorter guard went to call for Zhang He. After a few moments, the signs appeared; butterflies.
"Hello!" he greeted in that smooth voice of his, which irritated me so much. I had to suppress a groan.
"We need your help." Xiao piped up, grinning. "You'll be rewarded too."
The gay guy stood there, thinking, analyzing something. Eventually, he agreed enthusiastically. "And in return," he told us as he twirled, "I want that white silk with purple butterflies embroidered on it. Got that?"
I nodded, and he smiled. "Good!" he clapped his hands and twirled again, this time with a combination of hand movements and slides.
"So we need you out here about the day after tomorrow," I began. "And you need to be out here when the sky turns a little orange, and wait on a horse, and follow the orders or else we wont give you that silk."
He nodded and left, sauntering off as if he was dancing.
Phase one completed. I congratulated myself as we cantered back home.
So how was that chapter? Sorry for posting late… REALLY late. I was just lazy, and I lost the draft, I swear. I'm sorry, really. But still, R&R
