A/N: Yuuuuup. I haven't updated in a while. But APs suck, so it's not my fault. And after I take the exam, I'll have more free time to update!
And yes, this is starting to draw to an end. The climax should be about next chapter.
And just some personal advertisement, but I'm writing this Code Geass/Hetalia AU crossover. If you like Code Geass, please check it out. I'm also rewriting my 2010 NaNoWriMo novel attempting to a Hetalia fic, called The Citadel. That one should be the most frequently updated, since I have around 30,000 words written.
Anyhow, enjoy!
Chapter 7: In Which Most Girls Are Jerks
The next day, Jing Mei woke up at six thirty and got dressed in a pair of jeans and her favorite panda hoodie, just like any other day. Yao was already getting breakfast ready when she trudged down the stairs, feeling tired. Xiang was always the last to get up, so Jing Mei was not surprised when Xiang bolted down the stairs at top speed to grab some breakfast and run for the bus. She herself was already at the door, waiting for him. Yao had already taken the car to school, since he was the only one with an actual insurance policy.
The moment the twins got on the bus, the rumors started. The two girls sitting in front of Xiang and Mei gossiped loudly, not caring that both Xiang and Jing Mei could hear them very clearly.
"Like, oh my gosh, did you hear? That Asian girl totally snagged Anders for herself."
"I know! What a slut!"
"She's not even that good looking. What the hell?"
Jing Mei wanted to go back home and never come out again. Xiang noticed her withering expression and immediate confronted the two girls who had just been loudly gossiping about her. The girls shrank back in fear as Xiang approached them, his usually placid face blazing in anger.
"Please leave my sister alone," he said politely.
They nodded and remained silent for the rest of the trip. Jing Mei could not thank Xiang enough. He just snorted, brushing it off.
"Xiang-muffin! Mei Mei!"
"Since when did you ride the bus, Yong Soo?" asked Xiang irritably.
"Since Kang Dae won't drive me to school anymore."
"Don't you already have your driver's license?"
"Appa and Eomma refuse to buy me an insurance policy." (Korean: Dad and Mom)
"I wonder why," the twins replied in unison.
"Not cool!"
Amid the three's bickering, the bus had finally arrived at school, and the trio rushed to get off the bus. The moment they stepped into the school, the rumors started to fill the hallways once more. Jing Mei gritted her teeth in an attempt to keep a straight face, but the boys openly glowered and scowled at anyone and everyone who dared to say anything about their precious Mei Mei. Mari met up with them half-way to homeroom, and she glared at girls with even more intensity than Xiang and Yong Soo combined. In a way, Jing Mei was thankful for the support of the three, but at the same time, she just wanted to curl up with a cup of tea and hide in her room for the rest of her life.
"Hey, you!"
The group turned around to see a furious Eliisabet, pointing an accusatory finger at Jing Mei. Mari frowned, pulling on Xiang's arm in a subtle attempt to let him know that they should just walk away. Xiang understood, and he quietly placed a hand on Jing Mei's shoulder.
They were just turning to walk away when Ellisabet yelled, "I know your secret!"
Jing Mei froze immediately. The four of them turned to face Ellisabet once more. The blonde smirked, her eyes glinting with victory.
"If you don't demand for a partner change by the end of today, I will tell him."
With that, Eliisabet stomped away. Jing Mei's knees felt weak, and she couldn't hold the tears in any longer. She sprinted to the nearest people-free corner and started to sob. Xiang, Yong Soo, and Mari caught up with her almost immediately, and Yong Soo pulled her into a crushing hug. Jing Mei quietly accepted the comfort, letting her pent-up frustrations go.
"This is completely all our fault," mumbled Xiang. "If we hadn't dared you to text him, this wouldn't have gotten this bad."
"What I want to know is how she found out," raged Yong Soo. "None of us could have possible told her. We don't even know her that well."
"Tina," replied Mari quietly. "She's almost best friends with Eliisabet. Tina probably got really excited about the plan and told Eliisabet. There's no other possibility."
Speaking of the devil, Tina herself (along with Berwald), appeared at the very moment.
"Is something wrong?" she fretted, seeing Jing Mei's swollen eyes.
"Did you tell Eliisabet about the plan?"
Tina looked bewildered. "I don't think so? She might have been there when Berwald and I were discussing it, but I don't think so…Why? What's wrong?"
"She just threatened Jing Mei because of the English project."
Tina gasped. "Oh! Now I remember! She was there. I was too excited, and I completely forgot about how she dumped Anders, and…"
Mari sighed. "Now we really have a situation. The teachers absolutely refuse to change partners, and Eliisabet will tell Anders about what happened if Jing Mei doesn't get a partner switch."
Tina's face hardened. She turned to Berwald. "Ber-bear, can you make sure that Anders doesn't see or talk to Eliisabet at any point today?" The lumbering boy nodded. "Thank you, sweetie. Now, none of you worry. I'm going to have a few words with Eliisabet."
They nodded dumbly as Tina walked away, Berwald trailing her.
"Was that…?"
"Yes, that was an angry Tina."
"I hope I am never on the receiving side of that anger."
Jing Mei sniffled a little.
"You okay now?"
She nodded. The tears were gone, and she only felt embarrassed now. "Sorry about crying in front of all of you."
Xiang smacked her shoulder.
"Xiang-muffin!"
"Don't scare me like that again," was his only reply as he headed off to homeroom. Mari sighed.
"Boys," she snorted. She wrapped an arm around Jing Mei. "C'mon. Let's get you cleaned up and then we can go to homeroom."
"Is everything really going to be ok?" asked Jing Mei.
"Trust me, if you've ever seen Tina in a rage, then you know that it'll all be fine."
"I'm glad you're dating my brother."
"I'm glad you're his sister."
A/N: I'm sorry that I made Eliisabet such a monster, but it necessary. Someone had to be the jealous ex, and I chose Eliisabet for reasons that you will find out next chapter.
Awww…Mari is warming up to Jing Mei. =)
Lemme know what you think!
