That's what ZhengTing felt as he stared out his bedroom window. He was up earlier than usual, all thanks to his restless mind, and he spent his time pondering over possibilities and scenarios. What if he didn't chicken out? What would Meirong say? What would be of the future?
ZhengTing sighed, "I'm such a coward."
He gazed longingly at the park below and a figure caught his eye. Someone was entering the park alone at this hour of the morning. He squinted his eyes, trying to make out the identity of the person. It was a girl, he was sure, but he couldn't guarantee anything else. His eyes followed her for a while before it finally rang in his head, isn't that Meirong?
He could recognize that walk anywhere. She was wearing a hoodie of her favorites and had her hair down.
What is she doing by herself down there? ZhengTing was curious, and his curiosity pushed him to wear something presentable and go to the park.
He rushed through the silent hallway to the elevators and through the lobby to the dewy air of the morning. When he entered the park, Meirong was nowhere in sight. However, ZhengTing had a hunch about her whereabouts, so he went to the lake; a spot they both acknowledged as the best in the park.
His hunch was right, because there she stood, throwing a few stones into the lake in peace.
"Still can't skip stones?" ZhengTing watched Meirong flinch in surprise at the sound of his voice, she wasn't expecting another soul to be up at that hour.
"What are you doing here?!" She whisper-yelled at him, as if afraid to wake the trees.
"I'd ask you the same question."
"I wanted to think," Meirong simply stated as she prepared to throw another stone. Before she could toss it away, ZhengTing took it from her palm and threw it himself. The stone hopped a few times before sinking to the bottom of the lake.
"Weird flex," Meirong scrunched her nose as she picked up another stone to uselessly throw in the lake.
ZhengTing snickered and placed his hands in the pockets of his jacket. "I was up thinking then I saw you walking outside."
Meirong hummed in reply, there was really nothing to say. They were both enjoying the silence. But that was when ZhengTing's head clouded with thoughts again.
You can tell her now. A chance is representing itself to you, take it! Voices tried convincing him. He tried to avoid them, but he soon gave in.
"Hey, Meirong," he called out gently and the mentioned girl snapped her head towards him, "yeah?"
ZhengTing met her almond eyes, here goes nothing.
"I wanted to tell you something yesterday..."
"Yeah, I was going to ask you about that," Meirong said, remembering the way ZhengTing suddenly changed the topic the day before.
"Yeah, uhm," ZhengTing searched for reassurance in her eyes, something was preventing him from saying what he wants.
Meirong's gaze softened. "You know that you can tell me anything, I'm not going to judge you for it ZhengTing."
"Well I-" ZhengTing took a deep breath. "I don't know how to put this without making it sound weird but, I feel like you're always on my mind. Whatever I do, wherever I go, I can't seem to stop wondering about you. What would you be doing? What would you say?
"I started eagerly waiting for the time we see each other, I found myself wanting to spend time with you. It's unhealthy, I know. But when I looked at you that night under the stars, I realized I... I really like you, Huang Meirong."
ZhengTing wished he could shrink into nonexistence after that. Meirong's silence was killing him, and every passing second was like a knife to his heart.
Great, now I messed it up for both of us, ZhengTing scolded himself mentally but he couldn't deny that he was relieved. It was as if a weight was lifted off his shoulders, he wouldn't have to live with the regret of never telling Meirong how he felt. Even though it might be the end of their friendship.
So, he waited.
He waited for a word from Meirong, who was trying to comprehend what just happened. She wasn't in an awkward situation, as ZhengTing thought she would be. She was rather overwhelmed.
Overwhelmed by the flood of emotions in her, the zoo that woke up in her guts. She knew that staying silent for too long would give ZhengTing the wrong idea, and she wasn't going to let her chance fly by.
"ZhengTing I-"
A squeal sounded from one of the bushes around them, and the duo turned their heads towards the direction of the noise, only to see a familiar face standing awkwardly behind a bush.
"Justin?!" They both exclaimed at the boy who ruined their moment.
"It wasn't me, it's her!" He pointed towards another bush and soon a brunette they were all familiar with popped out.
"Xiaoqin?" ZhengTing furrowed his eyebrows in confusion and Meirong did the same. "What are you guys doing here?"
"Gotta blast!" Xiaoqin squeaked and ran away, ignoring the couple's question.
"Hey, you! Wait!" Justin chased behind her, but he didn't forget to give his friends his congratulations, "y'all finally gathered some courage, I'm proud!"
ZhengTing and Meirong watched them disappear, each equally confused and disturbed.
"Were they stalking us?" Meirong asked in a whisper.
"Maybe, but that doesn't matter," ZhengTing shrugged and turned Meirong's face towards him, wanting to finish what they started before they got interrupted.
"Huang Meirong," he began, locking gazes with the girl in front of him, "will you go out with me?"
He didn't need to wait for an answer, for her smile spoke before her words.
"Yes."
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