Disclaimer: We should all know by now that I am not Hidekaz Himaruya.
A/N: Another chapter of your secret addiction ;) Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope it's good. It's longer but I think I put a little too much dialogue in this chapter. Tell me what you think. Thanks again :D
The week passed by quickly and was relatively uneventful for both teens. Monday came and Mei sought the opportunity to execute her plan. With auditions approaching that next week, Mei told Yao that she would be practicing late more often. That was true, but she never told her brother that she was practicing with Xiang. If she told Yao that, the chances of her actually going over to the musician's house were zero to none.
Mei lounged around the company as she waited for Xiang to leave orchestra practice so the two could depart to his house. Mei was in such a good mood, she didn't even care that a certain Korean had attacked her with an affectionate hug.
"Meimei!" Yong Soo shouted as he tightened his hold on the girl, taking her breath away.
"Y-yong…s-soo…" she gasped.
The boy let go and smiled sweetly at her. "Have you been practicing?"
Mei nodded. "Not as much as I like to but Xiang and I are gonna help each other this week."
Yong Soo stuck out his bottom lip. "Awww! You should practice with me~"
"Maybe next time?" Mei suggested with a polite smile. "Who are you auditioning for?"
"Gisele's love interest~" Yong Soo gave Mei a grin. Mei's face paled. She knew that Gisele and Duke Albrecht shared a dance duet and kiss sometime during the ballet. Yong Soo wasn't a terrible person…she just found him repulsive for some reason.
"Um…Good luck then," she smiled tightly.
"Same to you~ I hear the competitions tough for Gisele," Yong Soo stated.
Mei's eyebrows rose from curiosity. "Really? Do you know who are gonna audition?"
"All I know of is that really pretty girl: Natalia," Yong Soo muttered while blushing slightly. He paused for a minute and became a little nervous; his mouth opening and closing but no words coming out. "Sh-she's not as pretty as you, Mei!"
Mei laughed softly and placed a friendly hand on the frantic Korean's broad shoulder. "It's 'kay," she assured. "She's cute and talented. But I'm gonna get the part, of course~"
"Right!" the young man agreed while raising an encouraging fist. "I'll be cheering for ya!"
"Xie xie ni," Mei thanked. She hugged the taller boy gratefully and turned around. Xiang was in her view, walking towards her and Yong Soo. He was the same: handsome features stifled by a blank expression, thick brows, eyes like dark honey, and a tall, strong frame. As he approached them, Xiang's lips curved up slightly when he looked at Mei and his eyes intensified with hate at Yong Soo.
"Hey, Mei. Yong Soo," he greeted. The other two waved at the new person in their group. "Hey, Xiang! Guess what? I can come over today!" Mei announced, almost singing her words.
"Really?" Xiang questioned, a grin spreading across his face. Mei bit her bottom lip and nodded, a flush of light pink spread across her cheeks at Xiang's smile.
"Great. You can ride with me on my motorcycle." God, this guy was beyond cool. Musician, awesome hair, and a motorcycle?
"Okay~ I'm ready now," Mei turned to Yong Soo to bid him farewell. "We can practice tomorrow, kay?"
Yong Soo grinned and nodded eagerly. "I'll be ready! Have fun, you two~"
The duo waved goodbye to Yong Soo as they headed outside to the parking lot. Xiang smirked and commented to himself. "He's not that bad anymore."
Mei heard Xiang's quiet soliloquy and looked up at him, with a confused expression. "What did you say?"
"Oh, I, um, said that Yong Soo isn't that bad anymore," Xiang explained, his face flushed from embarrassment.
"Oh? Why is that?"
Xiang's face flushed even deeper as he hesitantly replied, "He learned to keep his hands off you." Mei grinned from ear to ear as she linked arms with Xiang and lead the blushing boy to the red and gold motorcycle in the parking.
"I guess this is yours? It's the only bike out here," Mei assumed, walking over to the vehicle.
"Yep. My brother got it custom made just for me," he reached onto the side of the motorcycle and retrieved a helmet for Mei and himself. "We have a thing for cars and such."
Mei giggled slightly and rolled her eyes playfully. "Just like boys." Xiang just shrugged his shoulders. After a moment of silence and looking at the machine, Mei was baffled. "So…" she began. "How do I get on this thing?"
Xiang smiled slightly as he began to school Mei on motorcycles. "Well, first, I need to get on. You get on right behind me, stay close, and hold on tight. Oh! And don't forget your helmet."
"Just like the movies?"
He chuckled. "Just like the movies."
Xiang fastened his helmet and proceeded to get on the bike. He gripped the handles with a slight pressure and used his foot to prop up the motorcycle. Mei slid on her helmet and stared at Xiang and his bike, wondering how she should get on. It was big and she was, well, small. Mei decided she would approach the bike like it was a horse. Except this would be tough considering she never rode a horse. Mei lifted one leg over the bike's seat and onto the other side and positioned the other leg perfectly so she was straddling the bike just like Xiang was.
"Took you long enough," Xiang laughed.
Mei pouted and wrapped her arms around Xiang's body, placing the side of her face in the leathery warmth of his jacket, inhaling its fresh scent. "Hush, you. Just drive," she sighed.
Xiang nodded silently and pressed a button. That button activated the bike's engine; the sudden roar startling Mei slightly. He revved the engine a few times before looking behind him at Mei, who had pressed her face deeply into the confines of his back. "Ready?" he asked. Mei nodded quickly and shut her eyes as the cycle took off at a lightning speed.
The sudden take off caused Mei's face to press harder into Xiang's back. Not that she complained. The girl was scared shitless and Xiang was soft and he…smelled lovely. Mei kept her eyes closed for the duration of the ride and she remained attached to Xiang until the roar of the engine turned into a small purr, that is.
Refusing to open her eyes, Mei asked, "Are we here?"
"No," Xiang simply said. Mei opened her eyes lifted her head, looking around. "It's just a red light," Xiang added.
"It's not that bad, Mei."
"I know. But the motorcycle is just so fast and what if I fell off and what if…" Mei began listing off the worst case scenarios but Xiang interrupted her freak out.
"Mei, hush," he murmured and she did as she was said. Xiang laughed lowly causing Mei to scowl. "You're just as worrisome as the day we first met." Mei's face softened into a smile.
"Just hold on tight," Xiang warned.
"Bu-"
"I'm right here," he assured. Mei swallowed a lump of spit and nodded, her trust was in Xiang but she was still a little frightened. Suddenly, the bike took off from the longest red light ever and the two were off again.
Mei was definitely not expecting the bike to take off at that moment. Her fingers sunk deep into Xiang's torso and her eyes widened with surprise. Looking up at Xiang, Mei noticed his features were calm as usual. Mei took a deep breath and reassured her life was not in danger. As they rode along, Mei took the time to admire all of the sights (including Xiang).
When the bike came to another stop, Mei asked, "Another red light?"
"No," Xiang replied, taking off his helmet. "My home."
Xiang got off of the vehicle and waited as Mei did the same. She followed Xiang to the entrance of the home, taking in its beauty. The house was huge. With its colonial design and intricate architecture, Xiang's home could put a multimillion dollar mansion to shame.
And as they entered the home, Mei feasted her eyes on an interior that she had only seen in movies.
"Wow, I can't believe you live here," she breathed, idly following Xiang and looking around in admiration.
"I can't either," Xiang chuckled. He led Mei through a series of hallways until the duo reached Xiang's music room. "My dad is a wealthy businessman," he explained. "He can't be around much so he compensates by giving me and my brother all sorts of stuff."
"Ah," Mei replied, nodding and surveying the room. That was the complete opposite of her family; which consisted of her, Yao, and more recently Yao's boy toy, Ivan.
Xiang took a seat at his snow white piano and began to play some scales and exercises, to warm up. He motioned for Mei to come into the center of the room and away from the clutter so she can have more room to dance. Mei did just that and began to stretch. She bent over, stretching her thighs and hamstrings and then she proceeded to stretch out her back and arms.
"Kay, ready," Mei announced and got into position. The two looked at each other and Xiang put his hands on the keys. They gave the other a silent nod and as he began to play, she began to dance.
The song was one from a tranquil scene in the ballet. The melody that came from the piano was light and jubilant yet peaceful; something like the first dance at a wedding. Giselle, portrayed by Mei, danced a love duet with the undercover prince she fell in love with.
Xiang became fond of the particular song while playing it (he had even memorized it), and he enjoyed the choreography even more. Mei didn't have a partner for her dance, but she still performed spectacularly. Her arms and legs moved effortlessly and gracefully as the ballerina transitioned into a series of three pirouettes. Mei's legs elongated into a move he didn't even know the name to. He had to admit, Mei was great. And that body…Wait, what?
The Cantonese teen blushed deeply and shook his head, turning to pay attention to the music, and not Mei. But he noticed she wasn't dancing anymore.
"Why'd you stop?" she asked.
Ah, he was so mesmerized by the girl, he had forgotten to play. "Sorry," he said, blushing deeply. "My mind was…elsewhere."
"Oh, it's okay. I was getting a little tired. Long day," Mei explained. She walked over to Xiang and sat down next to him on the piano bench. He looked at her, confused as she looked intently at the white keys of the piano. Mei bit her bottom lip and positioned her delicate fingers on the keys and began to play. Xiang recognized it as Beethoven's Fur Elise.
"I didn't know you played," he said when she finished, shocked and breath taken.
Mei winked. "There's a lot you don't know about me~" The two laughed and Mei began to explain. "I had piano lessons when I was in middle school. That's like the only song I remember…other than Chopsticks."
"Well, I think you sounded great. If you want, I could school you in piano."
"You rule! But I have to school you in dance~"
Xiang nodded, with a tight smile. He wasn't the best dancer, but if she would dance with him, he'll do his damn best. "How about now?" Mei suggested.
"Wh-what?" That caught him off guard. "Don't you want to see my songs?"
"I can wait. I'd rather dance with you." Xiang blushed. She really wanted to dance. "O-okay," he said, giving in. "Just a warning: I suck." Again, they both laughed.
Mei got up and walked to the center of the room and with a smile, she reached out her hand to Xiang and said, "I'll go easy on ya~"
Xiang smiled and followed Mei, taking her hand. "Kay. So what's first, teacher?"
"We shall ballroom." Mei moved her body closer to Xiang's, taking his free hand and placing it on her waist. She took her other arm and wrapped it around his neck. God…she was there. So close, so warm, so soft. Xiang knew Mei felt it too; he knew she felt good to be close to him. He heard it in her voice when she whispered, "Take the lead."
A burning red flush streaked over his face. Xiang had no idea how he should have interpreted Mei's words. Did she mean in dancing or…something else? There was no denying it, Xiang liked Mei. And the possibility of her feeling the same was likely. The only way Xiang could know is if he took the lead. In something else.
Slightly parting his lips, Xiang moved closer to Mei's face, his heart was racing and his breathing trembled but his face remained calm. Mei seemed more surprised than repulsed. Actually, she kind of wanted to kiss him. So, the girl closed her eyes and leaned his as well.
The two were so close; they could feel the slight warmth of the other's breath and taste them, too. Mei's flavor was plum and Xiang's cherry. Their lips were separated by mere centimeters and the teens were dying from the anticipation of the kiss. As they inched closer to paradise, footsteps came closer and they were interrupted by the door opening and a question.
"Xiang?"
Mei and Xiang pulled away before Arthur could open the door completely and see them in that position. Even though she knew the intruder didn't see, Mei was still embarrassed. Her embarrassment faded and curiosity appeared upon seeing Xiang's brother. He was European with blonde hair and green eyes and Xiang was not. Maybe one of them was adopted?
"Hey, Arthur," Xiang greeted coolly, despite the circumstances. "This is Mei Wang. Mei, this is my brother: Arthur Kirkland."
"It's nice to meet you, sir," she said, bowing her head slightly. Arthur let out a chuckle. "I am not that old, young lady. Nice to meet you, as well." Mei smiled, too. Arthur was friendly and polite, so she concluded she liked him.
"What did you want?" Xiang asked his brother. He didn't mention that his sibling rudely interrupted a kiss that was going to happen.
"Ah, I wanted to tell you that I've returned home for the evening and I'll be in my room if you need anything."
"Right. Thanks for letting me know." Arthur nodded and headed out elsewhere. As soon as he knew his brother was long gone, Xiang turned towards Mei, grabbed her by the waist and held her tight. "Now where were we?" He leaned in closer. "Ah, yeah."
Instead of moving closer to him, Mei pulled away from Xiang, much to his surprise. "Xiang, we shouldn't."
He looked confused and a bit worried. "What? Why?"
"I need to get home."
"I could give you a ride. Let me just grab my-"
"No," she interrupted. "No, thanks. I'll take the bus. It's not that far."
"Suit yourself then…" Xiang muttered, looking down. What was up with Mei?
"I had fun though," Mei lifted his face up towards hers and smiled, causing him to smile back. "See you tomorrow?" Mei distanced herself from Xiang and walked over to the door and turned back to him. He nodded and she left out.
"See you tomorrow," he said dreamily.
Except he didn't see her tomorrow.