𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗗𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗠, zhong chenle

四

FOUR — day dream.

Yuyan made her way to school, a jaded expression plastered on her face. Although she seemed quite relaxed, she was, in fact, heavily preoccupied. How will her day go? Will Chenle and Renjun still be nice, or will they not even acknowledge her existence just like in her dream? That simple thought made her head drop.

She kicked a pebble, questioning herself. Does she actually enjoy Chenle talking to her, or does she like the idea of him talking to her? The tight feeling in her stomach made her wonder if she even likes his company.

With a big dilemma presenting itself to her, she continued kicking the same rock while still in doubt. Yuyan lifted her head when it fell into a manhole, to see that she was right in front of her school.

Just as she stopped thinking about them, she saw the two boys talking with a group of people close to the school's entrance, including the girl in Yuyan's dream. The brunette was hoping they wouldn't notice her, she only wanted to find Meiling and go to class; she wished to have a calm morning.

However, it seemed like it wouldn't be the case since Chenle noticed Yuyan and called her over. The girl glanced at him, something she shouldn't have done. The raven-haired was now making signs for her to come.

She didn't want to be rude and ignore him because he was just trying to be nice. And in any way, she'd have to walk past him. Yuyan ambled to them, head hung low, dragging her feet. She shyly greeted the group and tried to smoothly stand away from them. She didn't even last a few seconds as Renjun immediately pulled her back by his side.

"Don't be shy Yuyan, we know each other. We're friends, right?" Renjun asked her while smiling.

"Yeah," she responded, feeling her face heat up.

"Renjun! You made her uncomfortable!" yelled Chenle.

"How would you know, huh? And you should seriously stop yelling, our poor eardrums!"

"Says the one who..."

The boys continued to bicker when a red-headed girl approached Yuyan.

"Don't mind them, they're a bit weird sometimes," she said while patting the brunette's shoulder.

"By the way, I'm not sure if you already know, so my name is Ning Yizhuo. But you can call me Ningning," she winked and smiled at Yuyan.

The girl met her eyes and noticed facial features she couldn't distinguish in her dream. Gorgeous, she thought.

"Nice to meet you, I'm Yuyan," she replied while shaking her extended hand.

"I know," she grinned, "Chenle often talks about you."

Yuyan looked at her with wide eyes. What the heck? Chenle talking about her? It seems that we indeed learn something new every day. But why would he?

Ningning laughed a bit, noticing the girl's expression.

"You really are cute. I understand why Chenle has–"

"What are you saying Ningning? You're not rambling about anything, right?" interrupted the raven-haired.

"No, no, don't worry. I'm just trying to know better the one you always talk about," she replied with a smirk.

"You don't need to listen to everything she says, she talks so much nonsense," Chenle told Yuyan.

"Me? Talking nonsense? I'm sorry but I only speak the truth."

"Yeah right, you lie like a rug."

"Shut up Renjun, we never asked," said Ningning with a fake aggressive tone.

Yuyan felt a bit uncomfortable. They were, without doubt, funny and kind, but what Ningning said was still lingering in her head; she had to talk to Mei about it.

She tried to take French leave while being the most subtle one can be, but Chenle grabbed the sleeve of her uniform and continued talking. He even escorted her to her classroom and her seat. Meiling looked at her sit open mouth, waiting until Chenle rejoins Renjun before asking:

"Did I miss a chapter?"

"I have things to tell you," muttered back Yuyan.

She tried her best to explain everything to her friend without omitting any details, while also being as discreet as possible. Her friend ended with eyes and a mouth agape open, shock and surprise could be read all over her features. It was a really incomprehensible situation, it felt like a drama.

It was so absurd that Yuyan started to think that Mei could be right, maybe Chenle liked her and just never really dared to talk to her. Although she wasn't really his style, it could totally be possible, and that possibility didn't leave Yuyan indifferent. It would be great if he had a crush on her, but she knew it was only a small probability.

⋆⋆⋆

The morning classes had ended; it was finally time for lunch, after hours of listening to the long and boring monologue of teachers. Yuyan and Meiling were making their way to the cafeteria. Chenle, Renjun, and Ningning had quickly caught up with the girls.

"Would you guys like to eat with us?" asked Renjun.

"Uhm, yeah," replied Meiling shyly.

"Perfect!" exclaimed Chenle, excited.

The three girls laughed upon seeing him hop everywhere like a child. When they arrived at the cafeteria, the small group took their lunch and settled at a table. They laughed and talked together for a moment, until Chenle asked to see Yuyan, alone.

The brunette's cheeks changed colours as she stood up to follow the high schooler out of the building. He gently grabbed her sleeve and took her to a park. The boy sat on a bench and she did the same, awkwardly playing with her hands and trying her hardest to avoid all eye contact.

Noticing her state, the raven-haired tenderly cupped her face, before having a change of attitude. The confident and loud Chenle suddenly became a shy, stuttering tomato.

"I d-don't know how to tell you this... I don't know what to do either... I'm scared y-you'll r-reject m-me.."

"Uhm, you... I, uh," stammered the girl.

"Uh, do you, like, allow me to?" asked Chenle while eyeing her lips.

"I, uhm, yes."

He closed his eyes before slowly leaning in. Yuyan did the same, just like the female lead of a drama would. As Chenle's lips were about to connect with hers, he said:

"Wake up Yuyan."

FIN.