Moon River

Ru Shi

The bell rung for the first break at school. Qingshan stands up and his sketch of the mysterious girl fell out. Qinghue quickly glanced over and picked up the sketch. He puts it straight up to the sunlight.

Confused, Qinghue asked, "Eh, why do you have a picture of Ru Shi?"

"Eh! Give me that back!" Qingshan grabbed the sketch out of Qinghue's hands. Qingshan froze for a moment. "Wait--what? Who?"

"Ru Shi in class 12-A. You drew this?" Dumbfounded Qingshan couldn't believe what he heard.

He laughed and said, "No, She must've given me a love letter." He takes it and puts it back in his notebook.

"Eh, that can't be true. You are like a ball of dust compared to her." Qingshue said while patting Qingshan's back.

Cutting to the next period, Qingshan walked by 12-A. The students in that class were definitely more studious as they were class A. He slowly walked by the class, looking intensely for the girl in his dreams. Could it be the girl that has been reappearing in his dream? Really? He walked so slowly even the teacher, Mr. Lun noticed and scolded him.

"Li Qingshan! You naughty boy! Go to class and stop skipping!" All the students laugh.

Qingshan bows and said, "Yes, sir." Qingshan glanced around the room...there were too many girls in the classroom. He couldn't possibly make anyone out.

"Qingshan! Go now!" Mr. Lun screamed while smacking the front desk.

Being the clever Qingshan, "Teacher. I'm sorry. I don't know my way back to class. Can someone help me?"

The teacher walked quickly to him and said "I'll show you the way!" Qingshan ran back to class. He would have to figure a way to go to that class he thought.

Qingshan rode his bike home that day. He swerved by a group of girls in uniform. He was so curious to think one of them could be his girl. Ru Shi. Ru Shi. He had to remember her name. Content and looking forward to going to class again, he arrived home and his mom stopped him.

"Hey!" hitting him in the chest, "What is wrong with you?" He massaged his chest and said, "Nothing, ma". The corner of his lips were smiling. It's been a while since his mother had seen him smile that happily.

The next morning, Qingshan got up bright and early to try to be the first in class. He casually walked back and forth towards the grade 12 classes. Mr. Lun noticed him. "Eh, boy! Don't go anywhere too far. Our village is trying to promote more students at this school. I want my students to interview you."

"Eh, sir. I don't know what to say." Qingshan said nervously.

"Don't worry. Just say good things even if they aren't true. And say you love studying!" Mr. Lun laughed and walked away. Qingshan stood next to the trees by 12-A. He paced back and forth with his heart pumping so fast. Ahh, he seemed too obvious. He needed distraction. Nearby he noticed Qinghue playing basketball with some boys.

Qingshan walked up to them, "Eh, can I join you guys?"

"Show us what you got, boy!" You might not have known it, but Qingshan was not only really good at art, but he was also excellent at basketball. It seemed like that was one of the few things that he actually enjoyed since he moved from school to school. Before the boys knew it, the bell had rung and it was time for first hour.

While grabbing their things to go to class, Qinghue and a friend said to Qingshan, "hey, we've been practicing every morning and after school for the basketball tryouts. You're kind of late..hmm, you got skill though. I got it! You should try out for the team with us."

"Please, Qinghue. I don't need a team. I AM the team." he replied jokingly.

"Yeah yeah you're good. We need you, dude. It's our last year. We have to win at least one game!" the other classmate said.

"Psh, I'll think about it. What is in it for me?" Qingshan asked.

"Eh, I can hook you up with a girl haahha" Qinghue teased. For some reason, this kid really liked to joke. Qingshan felt some assurance with him though.

"Nah, I don't need—well, hmm, I"ll think about it." Qingshan answered while drinking some water. All the guys laughed and shook hands.

The school day had finished. Qingshan figured he would go audition for the basketball team too. This school for some weird reason made him feel more motivated to do something. Him and the boys were practicing. It seemed like his classmates were still learning how to play basketball Qingshan though. Qingshan swooshes and does a perfect fadeaway and dunks the ball into the hoop. All the boys clap and slap him on the butt.

"Wow, we really found our own Lebron James!" all the boys cheered and laughed together. Just as they were laughing, Qingshan felt something on his shoulder. He shrugged and kept walking while the other guys dispersed too.

"Excuse me, Qingshan" the voice said.

Annoyed, Qingshan turned around, "What do you wan-"

It seemed as if time had stopped. Her skin was so bright and her smile lit up her whole face. Those with that kind of smile just made you automatically smile too. Qingshan couldn't help but smile also and look into her eyes.

"We are helping out promote our school. Mr. Lun asked if we can interview you since you are a new student." she said to him with such cheer.

"Ru Shi." he quietly said under his breath.

Ru Shi paused for a moment. "Um, yeah..How do you know my name?" she looked at her friend next to her. The girls looked confused.

"Ahh Mr. Lun told me you'll talk to me." he replied to her nervously and shyly.

"Great. Are you available to talk?" The other classmate asked him.

"It'll only take five, ten minutes." Ru Shi answered.

Qinghue whistled. Him and the boys were in the back and taking a water break "Yeah!!!" he screamed while twirling someone's shirt. Ru Shi rolled her eyes.

"Can we go sit somewhere?" Ru Shi asked.

"Yeah, but sorry I get anxiety. Can it just be one person interviewing me?"

"Umm sure. If that'll make you comfortable. Lin, I"ll see you back in class." Ru Shi said to Lin. Lin nodded and left. Ru Shi walked ahead of Qingshan while he walked behind her slowly. He smiled to himself. Was magic real? Was fate real? This was too good to be true he thought. They both sat down at an outside table.

"Hm, where should I begin? I guess, what are somethings that you like about this school?" she asked him.

"I guess..." he relaxed a little and put his feet on the chair. Looking around "I guess the girls here are pretty good looking. Better than my old schools." he joked.

"How about something more appropriate?" she suggested.

"Well, I guess you're pretty too if you are asking."

Ru Shi seemed taken aback. This kid had no manners she thought. "Actually no. That's not what I meant. Is there anything pertaining to academics? The teachers... Perhaps extracurricular activities that you enjoy here?"

"Activities I enjoy?" He let out a bit sigh. "I like playing basketball....doing nothing...skipping". Ru Shi rolled her eyes again.

"What do you want people to know about this school?" she asked while looking down at her paper.

"I already told you! The girls are pretty good looking. Come here. Or I guess don't come here so I can have them all haahah" he said laughing.

Ru Shi looked at him with her eyes wide open. This kid was insane she thought.

"Um, you know what. Maybe someone else can interview you." She grabbed her things and started walking away. He grabbed her backpack. All he could see was the back of her head.

"Mr. Lun told me to be lie..it's just a joke."

"Like I said. Someone else can interview you. Let go." she said sternly and walked away. Qingshan being the deviant, antisocial kid that he is rubbed her the wrong way. What was wrong he thought.