2043 Part 5

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Jian is sitting outside on the lawn with his laptop, editing photos of his trip

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Jian is sitting outside on the lawn with his laptop, editing photos of his trip. Ever since he got home, he has been posting a few on Weibo each day, and he has gotten an overwhelmingly positive response, from people at school. He is feeling good about himself, and grateful for the break the trip afforded him, from his real life. It's Saturday, and the new term will commence on Monday.

He starts to work on some video clips for his Tik Tok, when he hears the electric gate opening. Are they expecting people? Maybe his parents or sister invited someone. He looks up at the gate and it's Ai, he feels a painful thud against his chest, as he watches her walk in. What is she doing here? Irritated by how she is making him feel, he looks back at his computer, and continues to edit, ready to ignore her. It's not long before her shadow looms over him, shading him from the sun he was enjoying. He refuses to look up.

"Hi Jian." Ai says brightly.

"Hey." He responds indifferently.

"Uh...so what are you up to?"

"Just editing pics."

"Oh really...um...can I see?"

"S'cool."

Ai, not used to Jian being so aloof, hesitates a little, before sitting down next to him. She continues to be over friendly.

"Oh those are pictures from your trip?"

"Yup."

"How was Africa?"

"Good."

"I'm so jealous."

Jian says nothing.

"So what was it like? Was it fun?"

"Yup."

"I saw that you bungee jumped...Wow, weren't you scared?"

"A little."

"Oh and that clip of you in the helicopter, flying over the Victoria  Falls...amazing!"

"Uhuh."

"Jian please just stop!" Ai bursts, feeling exasperated.

"Stop what?" He shrugs his shoulders nonchalantly. "What do you want from me?"

"Well...we...we are friends."

Jian snorts and says,

"We haven't been friends for months, you made that pretty clear."

"Okay, you are right... can't we be friends again?"

"Why? Wouldn't I just be getting in the way of your true love story with Song Jun?" He responds sarcastically.

Ai flinches and keeps quiet. Jian is tapping his keyboard furiously now, agitated by their conversation. They sit in silence for a few minutes until a voice from inside the house, yells,

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