Strings Pulled; Huaze Lei

chapter 3: mixed signals

After Shancai kicked Si. I started walking to the music room. Opening the door, I spot the piano. Walking over to the piano, my Louis Vuitton heels click against the floor. Sitting down I begin playing my favorite Mozart piece.

Lei's pov:

Following the beautiful sound of music, I am taken to the music room where I see the girl playing, Meilin. She looks so relaxed. She looks breathtakingly beautiful at the piano. No. I can't think like that. I'm still in love with Jing. Shaking my head from my thoughts, I walk over to the violin and start playing with her, our music melting together in a beautiful melody.

Meilin's pov:

I look over at Lei with a small smile,

"You play beautifully." Wait. Is that a blush on his cheeks?!?

"Thank you. I heard you playing as I was walking and thought it sounded lovely." We smile at each other for a moment before I ask

"Hey do you wanna get someone to eat? I'm starving." Something changes in his eyes as he looks away from me.

"No, and I don't want to be friends with you so can you leave? I need to practice." oh. Why do i feel disappointed? What else should i have expected? Of course we're not friends. But why would he play with me if he didn't want to be around me? Looking away I grab my things and walk out, to hurt to say anything. Frown etched on my face, I pass a distracted Shancai who is holding a handkerchief that belonged to Lei. I didn't even care to ask. I just kept walking, going to find something to eat.

~

The next morning as I walk with Shancai and Zhen to their next class, we pass F4. I look up seeing Si's eyes follow Shancai. Something's definitely happened between them. I look past Si at Lei, trying to make eye contact but he just keeps his face blank and stares forward, not even sparing a glance at me. What is with him?

" Hey, I think Si was looking at you just now." Zhen said. I hummed in agreement still trying to wrap my head around Lei.

"Whatever." Shancai said unbothered.

~

As soon as I walk into my business class I see all of F4 look right at me. People look at me like i'm lost but  right where i'm supposed to be. While I may be a music major, i'm also minoring in business so I can take over the family business later. I scan the class looking for an open seat when,

"Hey! Meilin come sit with us!" Meizuo shouts.

I smile as I walk over and sit down. Meizuo on my right and on his right, Ximen, and right behind me is Lei and next to him is Si. I can feel Si's glare on the back of my head but I ignore it as I get out my book for the class.

"Hey Meilin. How are you adjusting so far? It must be a very different experience in Shanghai than New York." Meizuo asks engaging in conversation

"Decent so far, everyone has been mostly welcoming, some a little too welcoming." I respond with a small smile.

"So we've heard. You're almost more popular than us now." Ximen chimes in.

"I think some of your fans are mad at me. They think i'm taking away their chances with any of you."

"Ah. They'll get over it." Ximen, Meizuo, and I talk for a while until class starts. The whole class I felt eyes on the back of my head as if they were trying to figure me out by staring at my hair like it was full of secrets. The class dismisses and I stand up grabbing my stuff ready to leave when Ximen asks

"Hey Meilin what are you doing later?"

"I think I might head to the mall after my classes and get tea. You guys?"

"Well Meizuo can't go but Lei and I were going to ho there anyways if you want to go with us?"

"Yeah sure!" We all exchange numbers so we can text the details for later and head our separate ways. Ximen and Meizuo actually seem pretty nice, I can see myself being good friends with them.

                                                 ~

On our way to the mall I kept stealing glances at Lei who looked handsome as he always did. I could tell there was something on his mind, something he wanted to tell me. I caught eyes with him a couple of times, quickly turning away before he could see the light blush on my cheeks. While we were walking to the shop Ximen would have conversations with me about my family, my future, and if I would take over my family's business. Our conversation stopped short when we reached the Talents Tea Shop. 

"Welcome." Xiayou greets us.

"So you work here on weekends, Ms. Flying Kick?" Ximen teases, "How hardworking."

"Just order what you want and don't disrupt our work. Hi Mei!"

"Hey Shancai, can I get an iced matcha tea latte?" Shancai nods her head, putting in my order.

Ximen starts talking to Xiayou, who by the looks of it, is very into Ximen and looks nervous as he shamelessly flirts with her.

"I want two drinks." Lei tells Shancai. Shancai just stares at him in a daze. An unfamiliar feeling rises inside me as she looks at him all dreamy-like causing a small frown to make its way onto my face before i quickly get rid of my frown, not wanting any wrinkles.

"Shancai...Shancai!!" Xiayou whisper-shouts knocking Shancai out of her daze.

"Yes, two drinks

"Yes, two drinks." she says stuttering for a second. "Our best sellers are White Jasmine and Red Royal Peach. Which one would you like?" she asks

"I'll take both, and add Meilins drink to my order." he responds

"Oh no it's okay Lei I have money don't worry about it." I reply. Am I overthinking this? Why is he buying my drink, I have plenty of money and he knows it.

"I know. Too late though, I already bought it." he said with a small smile. He's so cute

"Well thank you Lei." my smile mirroring his. 

Shancai hands us our drinks once again smiling at Lei and not even acknowledging me, her friend. "They're ready."

"Thanks." Lei says as he hand me my drink, our hands brushing each other. He's torturing me.

We walk out of the shop and continue shopping in other stores. Soon Lei has to help me carry my bags, since they were covering my arms and slowing me down. The whole time Lei and Ximen laughed and talked with me and we had a great time, already starting to become closer to them.

I still can't get rid of the feeling I got when Shancai looked at Lei like that. I don't know where it came from. Sure he's cute and all but we're just friends right? I mean there's no way he'd like me. Right?

A/N

This chapter took forever i'm sorry! I've been so busy I haven't had time to write at all! Let me know your thoughts and don't forget to plz vote!!