You And I

Chapter 24: Unspoken Truths

Mei's POV

I couldn't stop thinking about that picture Levi had. Why would he have a picture of Jane? Could it be that he actually likes her? My mind was racing, and it felt like everything had suddenly gotten more confusing. Every time I saw him, I kept wondering what he was hiding. But when I asked him how he felt about Jane, his answer was straightforward: "We're just friends." It should've made me feel better, but it didn't.

We walked home, the conversation hanging in the air. "Why did you ask about Jane?" he asked me.

I couldn't tell him the real reason. "It's nothing," I replied quietly, trying to shake off the doubt gnawing at me. We said goodbye, and I watched him walk away, feeling unsure of everything.

Levi's POV

At home, I placed the picture of Mei I got from Ryan in a frame. It was a candid shot, just her being herself, and I couldn't help but smile as I admired it. Everything about that trip was perfect, especially spending time with her. My thoughts drifted as I lay in bed, the picture nearby. Slowly, I fell asleep, thinking of her smile.

The next morning at school, I could tell something was off with Mei. She seemed distant again, like she was still stuck in her thoughts. I asked her, "Hey, what's wrong?"

She hesitated before replying, "I'm just overthinking... and I lost my notebook."

I wanted to say more, to ask what was really bothering her, but before I could, Ms. Romero interrupted class to assign us a task. "Mei and Levi, can you bring the paperwork to the faculty office?" she asked.

We did as we were told, and when we got to the office, the teacher thanked us. As we were about to leave, Ms. Romero called Mei back. I said I'd wait for her outside.

Mei's POV

As I stayed behind in the faculty room, Ms. Romero pulled something out from her desk and handed it to me-it was my lost notebook. "I think this belongs to you," she said with a smile.

But then I noticed something else. My eyes widened when I saw the picture of Jane and me changing in the background-the same photo Levi had. Confused, I blurted out, "Ma'am, why do you have that photo?"

Ms. Romero smiled kindly and said, "Oh, this? Levi surrendered it to me yesterday. He noticed the background and didn't want anyone to see it. Sweet, isn't he? Don't tell him I told you-it's our little secret."

I felt a wave of guilt rush over me. All this time, I had been overthinking, assuming the worst, when Levi was just looking out for me. I had doubted him without reason. I thanked Ms. Romero and hurried out of the room, feeling lighter than I had in days.

Levi's POV

When Mei finally came out, she had a smile on her face again. I noticed immediately and asked, "You feel better now?"

She nodded and said, "Yeah, Ms. Romero found my notebook," smiling brightly. For a moment, everything felt right again, and we walked home side by side, talking like nothing had happened. The weight that had been hanging over us seemed to lift, and I was just glad to see her smiling again.

As we walked home, I couldn't help but think about how lucky I was to have her in my life. Maybe one day, I'd find the courage to tell her just how much she meant to me.