CHAPTER #21

[TIME JUMP: To Last Week of the Final Semester of Junior High School]

To the relief of the principle and many of the teachers, the Crane twins would be moving on to Senior High School. Most of the teachers did like Lu He as he was a model student, it was his twin that they disapproved of. Exams were completed, marks were in, but there was still a week of classes left. Most teachers wouldn't care if the students didn't pay attention to them, it was expected. However there were a select few that let the power of being a teacher go to their head. Both Qihe and Lu He wouldn't back down if a teacher was out of line and stood up for what was fair.

Not surprisingly it was the Physic's teacher that Lu He told off. The teacher had been picking on Chyou and Feifei, which angered Lu He. In the end the whole class clapped as the power tripping teacher was put in their place. Lu He got sent to the principle's office, who just told him to wait until his next class and avoid the Physic's teacher for the rest of the day.

In Politics class, the teacher had threatened to revoke their graduation certificates, if the class didn't settle down and behave. Qihe beat Lu He to say something. He educated the teacher how invalid that threat was and compared her to North Korea's President Kim Jong-un. The teacher was so angry and humiliated that she left the class, not caring if it was unattended.

"Wow your brother can be scary with his words too," Chyou observed. "It was almost like debate class or like he was giving a verbal essay. I've never witnessed something like that before."

Fai laughed, "yeah but his arguments were valid and she was being ridiculous!"

Lu He glanced at his twin, who had his feet up on a desk, chair rocked back on two legs and appeared to be sleeping with his arms crossed. He knew that wasn't the case, but it kept the other students from bothering him. It was a smart move, which was expected from a master strategist like Qihe.

The principle was giving the graduating class an hour to clean out their lockers, before they had to attend the last class of the day. Lu He and Qihe had very little in their lockers. The text books had been returned after the last exam in each class. Lu He had some notes and tests, which he gave to girls in the grade below him, to help them in their graduating semester. Qihe had one of his gang clean out his locker, with the instructions to throw everything into the garbage. For that hour, he went to play basketball.

It was finally the last subject. Qihe went to the class, as he had gone to every one of them so far that day, because it was funny that he was showing up on the last day. Most of the teachers understood the humour behind it, but even the ones it annoyed, left him alone.

Lu He was in his last class too, just socializing with everyone. Chyou pretended to try and whip a paper plane at him. He didn't even flinch. Crossing his arms, he raised an eyebrow in challenge to her and said, "try it."

Chyou smiled sweetly at him and then threw the paper plane, which he dodged and it flew out the class window. She went to see where it had flown and saw it hit a teacher in the face. The teacher looked up and saw Chyou.

He pointed to her and yelled, "come down here right now!"

She decided to obey. On arrival in front of the angry man, he yelled at her, "which class are you in?"

Before Chyou could answer, another paper plane hit the teacher in the back of his head. The teacher turned around and there was Lu He holding a paper plane. He threw the one he had in his hand, right at the teacher, then a large group of kids (from their class and the neighbouring one) let sail a whole fleet of paper planes. Lu He walked past the enraged teacher, with a smile so big that his eyes became half moon slits.

The students behind him all yelled, "we graduated!"

Mey came up to Lu He, "I heard that you and your brother are hosting a graduation party at your house tonight, is that true?"

"Yes. I'll post the invite on the school forum, since anyone is invited."

"Should I bring something?"

"Just yourself is fine. There will be food, drinks, music and games. We have an indoor pool, so bring a bathing suit if you want."

Fai jumped into their conversation, "the Crane parties are always lit. Best part is there are no adults to watch us."

"Does that mean there will be alcohol served?"

"Not by us, but sometimes people sneak it in. My brother will be keeping an eye on everyone, so I doubt things will get out of control if that's what you're worried about."

"No worries, I was just curious."

Qihe had guys in his gang from the neighbouring school and it was them that would be watching over the party goers and keeping people in line. He didn't expect any trouble and those guys were just there as a precaution. He had told the leader of that school's delinquents he could become the junior high school King, depending on how pleased Qihe was with his assistance that night. It was the easiest way to keep everyone in line.

"All bedrooms are off limits, the exception being for myself and Lu He. I want one of you that knows how to swim, stationed by the pool, if you know CPR even better. Everyone keep your cell phones on you at all times." Qihe was giving his orders. "If you need to leave your assigned area, call me and I'll have someone replace you. Shorty you and Muscles will be at the front door. Tech you're at the back door with your brother."

"What do we do with the drunks?"

"Call them a taxi and kick them out. If you can't handle someone or a situation, call me or my brother."

"Which one, Xiang Shao or Lu He?"

"My twin."

"Okay Boss." The group of gang guys said and then dispersed to their assigned areas.

Lu He was in the front hall, already welcoming people to the party. Xiang Shao was setting up the gaming station. Qihe made sure the liquor cabinet was locked. "You have permission to choke out any guy who tries to get at this cabinet."

"Qihe, what if it's a girl?"

"Politely tell them no. If they persist and become a pest, call me."

This party was more Lu He's thing, then his own, which is why Qihe was so involved in making sure it ran smoothly. Music was already pumping through the speaker stacks, as one of Lu He's friends was the Dj. The volume in the house grew in direct proportion to the student population inside.

Their father had bought off the cops working in the area, as a graduation present for the twins. Even if a neighbour complained, no one would care. Qihe had to admit sometimes his father's power could be helpful.

Lu He came up to him. "Don't forget to have fun too."

"I am. So who are you hooking up with tonight, Fai or Chyou?"

"I already made Chyou my girlfriend."

"Should I tease Fai or are you throwing him a bone later, no pun intended?"

Lu He laughed, "Fai is dating a guy from the senior high school and a girl from Physics. He lost interest in me."

Qihe grinned behind his mask, "not likely. I bet if you hit on him tonight, he'd be all over you."

"Sometimes you are so evil. By the way I think Mey is coming here tonight."

"She's already here."

"Got to give her credit for being persistent. Will you make her fantasies come true tonight?"

"Did you know that one of those fantasies is you and I kissing each other… never going to happen."

"Wow, she's a little pervert huh?"

"Sometimes that can be fun. Maybe if I'm in the mood, I'll indulge her a little."

Lu He gave his twin a high-five and then left to find Chyou. Qihe saw Ping, said hello, then brought her to Xiang Shao's side.

The party was winding down, because it was 3 am. Qihe found Mey sitting by herself, dangling her legs in the pool. "Did you have fun tonight?" He asked as he crouched down beside her.

"I've never been to a party like this before. It was a little overwhelming for a while, but I love the fireworks you guys had at midnight." She didn't look at him.

Qihe took off his shoes and socks, rolled up his pant legs and put his feet into the pool too. "That feels good." He waved his hand behind him, to dismiss the guy he'd stationed there for the party.

"Did you want me to leave?"

"No, you can stay and keep me company. It's what you want right?"

She didn't answer and he knew what she really wanted. All night long he'd been making out with various girls, but not once had Mey come to find him. Qihe hadn't even felt her watching him at all. It peeked his curiosity enough to search her out himself.

"Mey, look at me." When she still didn't obey, he captured her chin and forced her to face him. "I'm going to kiss you." He took off his mask and made contact with his lips. She immediately opened her mouth. To his surprise, Mey was a good kisser.

He moved his hand off her chin and to the back of her neck, fingers caressing a spot that he knew turned girls on. She didn't stiffen, but also wasn't submitting completely either. Mey broke the kiss. "To be clear… you are just playing with me because you're bored right?"

Qihe shrugged, "does it matter?"

"I'm not a slut."

"I never said you were. But this might be the only time you can be with me, so what will you do?"

She looked down and then back up to meet his stare. "I gave up a long time ago."

"Tell me why you liked me."

Mey sighed, "that's easy. Even though you always wear a mask, you are still very handsome. You're confident but not arrogant. You're strong; mentally and physically. You don't back down from a challenge and stand up for what you believe in. You only bully those who do the same. But the main reason, above all else, is that you like cats."

"That's quite the in depth analysis."

She shrugged. "You asked."

"Want to come to my room?"

"Am I allowed to go there?"

"If you want to, follow me, the choice is yours." Qihe knew she'd follow him out of the pool area. He gathered his things, put on his mask, then locked the pool door as she came with him.

On their way to his room, he sent a text to the gang members to start ushering people out of his house. They reported that Xiang Shao wanted to stay the night, so Qihe went to find him first. "You and Ping can crash in the guest room, I'll show you where it is. Have either of you seen Lu He?"

"He went upstairs with Chyou half an hour ago, we haven't seen him come back down." Xiang Shao winked at his half brother.

"Right, follow me." Qihe showed them to the guest room and then brought Mey to his own room. "Make yourself comfortable, I need to talk to my guys, I'll be right back."

Qihe went through the house, making sure no stragglers were left. Rounding up his gang, he handed out rolls of cash. "This is a bonus for a job well done."

"Thanks man, that's cool of you. Can we take the left over food with us too?"

"Help yourself, but hurry up, I want to lock the front doors."

"Mafia Boy's got a girl waiting, let's go guys." Qihe's second enforcer said knowingly and picked up the left over chicken wings.

Each guy took something from the food table, then he locked the doors behind them. He turned off the sound system, the gaming consoles and all the lights, before returning to his room. Once inside, Qihe sent a text to Lu He that everyone was gone, the doors were locked and the alarm armed. Then he took off his mask and flopped down on his bed.

"Are you tired?" Mey asked from his desk chair.

"No, but relieved everyone is finally gone. This was my twin's party, I don't like people that much to have shit like this."

"You're right he's a lot more social than you."

"I need to take a shower. If you want one too, I can give you some of my sister's clothes."

"Can I stay the night?"

"Up to you." Qihe got off the bed, picked up a clean pair of pyjamas and boxers, then went into his ensuite bathroom and closed the door. He didn't bother locking it, because she was too shy to dare entering, of that he was sure.

Mey's heart was racing as she called her mom, "I'm staying at a friend's tonight, is that okay?"

A tired voice replied, "yes honey, thanks for letting me know. Good night."

She hadn't snooped in his room, while he'd been talking to his guys. Mey had seen elements in his room, that were close to the things she had thought he might have. She had expected to see posters of pretty women on the walls, but other than a gaming poster and a world map, his walls were bare.

Qihe came out of the bathroom in his black satin pyjamas, towelling his hair. "What have you decided?"

"I'll borrow your sister's clothing."

"Towels on the rack are clean, so is the robe hanging on the door. By the time you finish your shower, I'll have the change of clothes ready." He watched her go into the bathroom and heard the door lock, making him smirk.

On his way to his sister's room, he bumped into Lu He. "Qihe, do you have condoms? I ran out."

"Chyou must be having the night of her life."

"I'm sure so will Mey."

"Did you see us going into my room?"

"No, I just know how you operate."

"True. Yeah I have extra condoms, let me first get clothes from Li Na's room."

Lu He followed his brother and received a row of condoms, "I don't need so many, but if you have enough… thanks."

"Have fun brother."

"Back at you." Lu He closed Qihe's bedroom door and returned to his own room. "Clothes, bottled water and condoms." He handed over his collection to Chyou.

She giggled, "so prepared!"

"I aim to please!"

"That's my line and it's time I show you exactly how happy I can make a guy." Her eyes were seductive as she patted the middle of the bed.