Meteor Garden AU

Bridge

Meiling arrived at school bright and early the next day. What her mother said the day before was still lingering in her mind. She gently smacked her head a few times until she reached her locker. She l stuffed her bag in it and made sure it was closed this time. The large clock on the wall read 10:50 AM.

Meiling would get out of class with a few minutes to spare before going to the bridge room. Meiling was majoring in music with a few business classes and a fashion class. For every class she would sit right in the front row, closest to the door.

The first pages of her notebook were flooded with notes the teacher instructed everyone to copy. They also received a homework assignment due the next class. It was 11:40 and Meiling hurried out of the room when the teacher announced that class was over.

She walked outside the building and to an on campus cafe. Meiling liked to try a new drink everyday so she ordered a Purple Passionflower Tea. The cashier scanned Meiling's phone to pay and wished her a good day. On her walk to the school she sipped her tea leisurely. When she noticed it was 11:58 she started running.

She made it to the bridge room two minutes late. There was no one waiting outside, so she just walked in. Her footsteps lightly echoed down the steps and there she saw the four handsome boys standing at a table, Shancai was there as well. Nothing had started but the shorter girl was already looked mortified.

Meiling walked forward without anyone really noticing. At least not until she pulled out a chair and sat. Everyone had their eyes on her.
"Are we gonna start or what?" Meiling asked with a lifted eyebrow.

"Since it's your first game, pick who you want to go against," Ximen, the redhead with glasses, said. Meiling eyed the four boys from head to toe. She pointed to Si. "You and Mei Zuo," Meiling chose. Honestly, she chose Mei Zuo because he didn't look like he'd be good at bridge.

After half an hour of playing, the game was near an end. Both teams needed one more trick. It was Meiling's turn. Everyone had one card left. Not a single Ace of Spades was placed yet. Meiling hoped Shancai had that card. Meiling put her 5 of Spades down. Daoming Si only had a 3 of Spades.

Everyone looked at Shancai. Meiling took a sip of her tea and Mei Zuo chuckled. "She has a 9 of Spades." It was true. Shancai placed her card down and held her head in her hand. Mei Zuo played the Ace and put his hands together. "I believe that counts as our point and we win."

Shancai frowned. "What do you want?" She asked. Daoming stood up and walked towards her. Shancai backed up in fear but bumped into the staircase. Daoming Si had her trapped. "Take me out. On a date." He said. Meiling choked on her tea for a second. Mei Zuo reached out and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" He asked.

Meiling scooted away from him but his hand remained on her shoulder.
"You played good for your first time," He whispered and she laughed a little. She stood up, straightening her dress. "That's because it's not my first time."

Ximen leaned near them, elbow propping him up on the table.
"Her family owns a lot of famous casinos in America," he mentioned.
"Yup. But I still lost, so what do you want? We had a bet," Meiling admitted.

"Let's hangout. Today. As friends." Mei Zuo said with a charming smile. "Right now?" Meiling asked, skeptically. Mei Zuo nodded. "Go get your stuff, I'll wait outside," he told the girl. Meiling did so. As she walked alone she thought long and hard. 'Mei Zuo is from an important business group. He's only two years older than me. Mom would like him.' But she quickly pushed those thoughts away and scoffed.