You And I

Chapter 19: Trust Under the Stars

While the boys were in the hot spring, Mei asked Yvonne, "Yvonne, how do you feel about Ryan?"

"What do you mean?" Yvonne replied.

Kris jumped in, "Do you like him? I always see you two close together."

Yvonne shook her head, "Nope, he's just a friend. A best friend actually. He helps me tease Mei and Levi."

Jane chimed in, "Is that so? Mei, what about you? If Levi likes someone else, are you going to chase him or just give up?"

Mei was silent for a moment, sinking half her face into the water. Finally, she said, "I don't know." After a few moments, she added, "I'm going back now, guys."

As Mei left, Yvonne turned to Jane and said, "Look what you've done."

Jane feigned innocence and giggled, "What did I do?"

Levi's POV

I told Ryan, "Hey man, I'm heading back now."

"Can you grab me a bottled milk from the counter on your way?" Ryan asked. "Just put it in my futon."

"Sure," I replied, and headed back. I could hear the girls squealing and thought, are they not done yet? I grabbed three bottles of milk-one for me, one for Ryan, and one for Mei.

Mei's POV

I kept thinking about what Jane had said earlier. The idea that Levi might like someone else made my heart ache. I kept replaying moments from the bus and felt a sharp pang of longing. I was lost in thought when I heard Levi come back.

Levi's POV

As I walked to the room, I replayed the scene in the bus, muttering to myself, "Must be nice if that could happen again." I opened the door and was stunned to see Mei changing. Our eyes met, and we both turned bright red. I quickly shut the door and waited outside, feeling embarrassed.

A few moments later, Mei's voice came from inside, "Levi, I'm done. You can come in."

I hesitated but eventually went inside, still flustered. "I'm sorry I didn't knock. I heard the girls squealing and thought no one was here yet."

Mei understood but seemed distant. I handed her the milk and said, "Here."

There was an awkward silence until Ryan and Yvonne arrived. They saw us blushing and the awkward space between us. Ryan grinned and asked, "What's going on here?"

We didn't answer, but they seemed to piece it together quickly. Yvonne said, "You should have knocked, Levi."

I explained, "I didn't knock because I thought the girls were still in the hot spring."

Mei added, "It's my fault too. I was spacing out and forgot to lock the door."

After that awkward moment, we prepared all of our futons. As Ryan was about to place his futon next to mine, he suddenly stopped and, with a grin, looked at Yvonne. "Actually, I think I'll sleep here next to Yvonne. It's colder here. Mei, why don't you take my old spot?" He winked at me and giggled.

I saw right through his obvious lie and sighed. "Wouldn't it be weird for a girl to sleep next to a guy?"

Before I could process it, Mei replied shyly, "I'm okay with it. I trust you."

Her answer took me by surprise. My heart started racing. Wait, really? After everything that happened earlier? She's okay with this? And she says she trusts me? I could hear Ryan and Yvonne giggling in the background. "Don't do anything weird, Levi," Ryan teased.

"I'm not, dude!" I shot back, feeling embarrassed, but Mei giggled at our exchange, which made my heart flutter even more.

As we settled into our spots, we heard the teacher walking down the hallway, checking on each room to make sure everyone was asleep. Mei and I quickly slipped under the covers, pretending to sleep. Our faces were close-so close, I could hear her breathing heavily. For a brief moment, our eyes met, and we both quickly looked away. My gaze wandered to her lips, bright red under the dim light. I could smell the scent of her shampoo, and for a moment, I zoned out, lost in the moment.

The door shut softly, signaling that the teacher had moved on. I slowly pulled the blanket down, and Mei whispered, "Goodnight, Levi," before turning away.

"Goodnight, Mei," I replied softly, still feeling the warmth of the moment.

Then, just as we were about to drift off, I could hear Ryan, Yvonne, and the others giggling. "Shut up, guys. Go to sleep," I muttered, embarrassed. They kept giggling quietly before finally settling down. And slowly, we all drifted off to sleep.