A Love Like Hail

Chapter 2

EVER SINCE I was young, I've enjoyed watching the way the world unfolds around me. I like to participate in viewing as if this world is not mine at all, but instead a movie playing in front of me on a large screen. I do not belong in this world, I am simply an unbiased viewer with no exact comments. If I am feeling a bit extra on imagination, I am in a big movie theater with only me as the audience. This movie is slow, and there is nothing really connecting, no plot. The only thing that plays as what can be somewhat counted as a protagonist in this movie is Lin Xiawei. She shines brighter than anyone else in my life, and although we have never had any contact before, she plays an important role in my movie.

My movie screen falls away at the sound of my name from Lin Xiawei's voice.

"You look funny when you do that."

I frown, annoyed at her interruption. "Hello to you too I guess."

We are the only ones in the classroom, thirty minutes before school officially starts. I always arrive earlier than everyone else because I have to take the bus for half an hour until I can get to school if it's a good day. A bad day with a lot of traffic would be an hour. So, before the sun even rises fully, I have already left the house as the bus does not come often in my area.

But I am surprised to find that Lin Xiawei is also here this early. Usually she arrives five minutes before class with her huge crowd of friends surrounding her as they make the most noticeable entrance.

Her big eyes land on me, and they twinkle a little in interest. "You know, I realize you are always here so early alone, sitting in your seat and doing that face you did just now."

I try my best to bite back a remark. "And you know, I never took you for someone who broke rules. You do know you can get in trouble for smoking on school grounds, right?" At last, I wait for an unpleasant face to cross her and reveal emotions of fear.

Instead, I am surprised by a bright smile. Genuine. "I never said I didn't want to get in trouble."

"Of course, because you are one of those classic perfect students who are in their rebellious phases?"

She almost chirps in response, setting her elbows on my table as her hands cup her cheeks. "You make me sound so awful sometimes, Song Huiqiao."

That was the second time she used my name that day. I still couldn't seem to get used to it, the way my name rolled off her tongue like that's the way it's always been. Our last and first interaction was not more than a week ago, and she is here like we are friends.

"Get off my table." She fake pouts and doesn't move. "Why are you here so early anyways? Where are your friends?"

"So many questions." I roll my eyes, and it somehow satisfies her. "I can come whenever I please. And those people aren't my friends."

I raise a questioning look. "Wow, I can't believe you are such a two faced bitch."

She grins. "You are so mean to me. Are you not scared I'll ruin your life at school?"

Somehow I manage back a challenging smirk. "How exactly will you do that?"

Someone else breaks into our bubble, and as quickly as Lin Xiawei appeared in front of me, she disappeared just as fast. I knew that that's the type of crowd Lin Xiawei attracted. She could never stay in one place, just like those around her are always interchangeable. I understood suddenly at that moment, as she was swept away by everyone, I am only a temporary interest. I shouldn't get too attached. She was the type of person no one could hold onto, and definitely not by someone like me.

When I looked in the mirror that night, the little confidence I gained from Lin Xiawei's sudden fascination with me died. As an almost grown woman, my features have sharpened compared to the soft ones during my child modeLin days. I was not ugly, but also not the kind of face that can draw attention. My flat nose stared back at me, and my round brown eyes held no charm, not to mention my straight black hair was not like fine silk soft enough to slide through fingers when touched. I was so ordinary, and when once I was okay with that, suddenly a spark inside me told me I wasn't.