Chapter 7: Separation

The school bell just rang, and the army of teenagers that were trapped in their classrooms now surged out trough the front gate. This made it difficult for Lee to enter the school grounds. His meeting with the principal was due in ten minutes and the feeling of anxiety took hold of him even more.

The call came yesterday, and since then, he had a bad feeling about this. What did they want to discuss about Pai and why it had to be a done in person? This wouldn't have caused so much concern normally. However, ever since the day when he left her alone despite promising to be together for that night, Xing started to . From that point on she said she would rather go home alone, and not wait for Lee. And now every time they're home together she does nothing but sleep, as if she was avoiding him. And now this.

A lot of things were on Lee's mind, his concern visible on his face, but he put those aside and entered the headmaster's office.

It was a rather spacious room, filled with antique furniture. The principal sat at his desk, talking ont he phone. He motioned Lee to take a seat. Nervously he sat down and waited for the man to finish.

As he put down the phone, he turned to Lee with a serious look on his face.

'Hello Lee'

'Greetings Sir.'

The principal couldn't help but smile. 'I'm not your teacher anymore, so please call me Tong.'

'I don't think I can do that sir.'

'Nonsense! Those days in the village are long behind us. We've both come a long way since then, you and I. What are you up to these days? University?'

'No sir, I'm working, in order to take care of my sister. '

The headmaster's expression showed confusion. 'But how so? I thought I established a fund for you two, so that you wouldn't have to sacrifice your future for Xing's.

' We are grateful for that, I wish it had been enough sir.'

Tong sighed and for a moment he remembered the old days, his days in the village school, the kids not bright, no but cheerful and hard working, most of the time, their life quiet, my life quiet, with her, and we were happy. Until the day Chairman Mao and his people came.

You and I have lost so much, Lee. I think you more than others.

'Do you know why I called you here?'

'Is it about Xing?'

'Yes. It's been three days, since she last came to school. Is she ill?

'She didn't come to school?' Hei was left dumb struck by this statement

'Yes. Normally we'd get a message from you, if she were ill, but none has come so far so I thought I might confirm with you.'

No, she isn't… I mean she shouldn't be ill.

'I see. One of her teachers saw her yesterday in the city, while coming to work. She wasnt sure if it was her, but when she got here, Xing wasn't there. I assume you had no knowledge of this.'

To Lee this still seemed unreal. 'No, I thought… She said I would no longer have to pick her up at school, that se would come home by herself… And then when I got home she would always sleep, saying that she was tired. I thought she was angry with me.'

'Did you two have a fight?'

'No, it's not like that.'

'Well this behaviouur is not like Xing at all. However as headmaster I can't let this go on. Could youplease talk to her about this and covince her to come back?'

'Yes… yes I'll do that.

' Well then, goodbye Lee.'

'Goodbye sir.'

Lee got up and headed for the door. As he walked toward the front entrance he tried to think of a way to sort things out. This is all my fault, he thought.

As he was leaving the school grounds, he was approached by two girls. They looked familiar. Then he realised they were Xing's friends.

' Excuse me sir, but you are Xing's brother aren't you? What happened to her? Why is she skipping school?

' I don't really know. I'm going to find her and ask.

'She was acting really strange. When I was on our way to school, we met and she was heading in the opposite direction, then she wouldn't talk to me. I followed her to that construction site that was destroyed, she just hangs out there alone. What is happening to her?

'I don't know.'

He started running towards home, wanting to solve this mess he made. In his mind he had already planned what to do and what to say. He will quit his jobs, he will buy their own telescope, every night they will watch the stars. No more work, just Xing.

He almost knocked down the front door when he entered he house. He shouted 'Xing!' but no answer came. He entered her room, hoping to find her asleep. Instead he found a letter.

Brother, I'm gone for good. Don't look for me.

Xing.