Eloping with the School Heartthrob

He wore blue jeans and a white baseball shirt, looking especially clean and handsome. As Xia Wei put it, it was like a swan suddenly appearing among ostriches; the ostriches didn’t notice anything, but the onlookers were all brightened up. When Xu Nuo saw him enter, her face immediately fell, and she sat down in the coolest pose she could muster. I didn’t know his real name, only remembered his screen name as “Pingzi.” Originally an online friend of Xu Nuo, they later transitioned from online to real life, from strangers to holding hands. Seeing them together, it was clear that Pingzi had provoked Xu Nuo somehow. Sure enough, Pingzi, with a very serious expression, took Xu Nuo’s hand, half-kneeling in front of her, even more affectionate than the male leads in Korean dramas: “I’m sorry, I’ve been waiting for this afternoon’s game for years, it’s just a little hobby of mine, please don’t be angry, okay?” Xu Nuo said nothing, holding her head high and not even glancing at him. Pingzi wasn’t in a hurry, still looking deeply affectionate: “I was wrong, I promise I won’t watch TV anymore unless you approve. Don’t be mad anymore, okay?” Happiness is the same for everyone; Xu Nuo still had her lips pursed, but it was evident she was softening. Xia Wei coughed twice and said, “Someone, take the opportunity when you can, it’s lonely at the top.” “Ha.” I laughed along, carefree. Xia Wei continued, “If you don’t forgive him soon, the audience might start throwing chairs.” “Alright.” Xu Nuo made a face at me and Xia Wei. Pingzi quickly said, “Today is Valentine’s Day; I bought some fireworks. Let’s go set them off together. You said you wanted to see fireworks on your last birthday, right? Look how good my memory is.” “I’ll forgive you this time, but don’t make me angry again, okay?” “I swear I won’t.” It was really sickening. Xu Nuo’s face finally cleared up, and she playfully hit Pingzi. They stood up, hand in hand, as if nothing had happened, and after a while of flirtation, turned to Xia Wei and me with a coy expression: “Ugh, so annoying, why buy fireworks? I can’t go out with you guys to sing karaoke now. Hmph.” Xia Wei said, “You two get lost already. Xu Nuo, everyone can see you’re thrilled inside, yet you still lie to us. You’re really something.” With a grand gesture, she allowed Xu Nuo to leave. After Xu Nuo and Pingzi left, I suddenly felt an emptiness in my heart, fearing that Xia Wei might leave too. It was too late for her to go home alone; it wasn’t safe. Xia Wei hadn’t expected Pingzi to take Xu Nuo away, so she couldn’t decide whether to still go to the KTV. We sat down again to drink, she was texting, and I was lost in thought with my head propped up. The music in the bar was loud, people bustling around, but I still felt uneasy. “Why don’t you stay at my place?” After sending her message, she patted my shoulder generously, “Tonight, let’s stay up all night and have fun, how’s that for sisterhood?” “Of course.” Before she could finish her passionate speech, her phone rang. After answering the call, she smiled apologetically; that smile sent a chill down my spine. Sure enough, after smiling, she said something that chilled me to the bone: “Xiao Wu, you’ll be alone tonight. Something urgent came up, and I have to go.” “Where are you going?” I asked. “It’s Valentine’s Day, someone invited me to celebrate.” “Can I come along?” “No way.” She turned to Cheng Siwei and said, “Cheng Siwei, can you take me to ‘Medusa’ later, please?” “Sure.” Cheng Siwei nodded. She called over Gu Nanxiang, looking displeased but still said, “Hey! Xiao Wu, you take care of Gu Nanxiang tonight. If she loses a hair, I’ll hold you accountable.” Without waiting for an answer, she ran off. Xia Wei left, Cheng Siwei left, and Xu Yang left too. The situation changed so quickly it was beyond my expectation. In just a few minutes, those fairies had vanished one by one. I’ve always had bad luck; whatever I fear tends to happen. Facing Gu Nanxiang alone gave me a headache; I wished I could tuck my head into my shell like a turtle. I said, head down, “I’m going home too, it’s too late to disturb you.” “Isn’t it too late? Your home seems quite far.” “It’s okay.” “Why don’t you stay at my place?” “Ah?” I looked at him in surprise. “My parents aren’t home; if you’re willing, come over. I’ve had too much to drink to drive you home, so this is the best I can do. Don’t overthink it.” I forced a smile. “I need to use the restroom, don’t leave.” With that, he walked away. Watching his retreating figure, my nose started to sting. I was drunk, unsure of what to do—leave or follow his suggestion to stay. My heart was a mess, after all, he was someone I really liked. I thought what they said was true: you can forget everything, but you never forget your first love. Ah, my first love was actually an unrequited one. Thinking of this, I sniffed, curled up on the sofa with a glass of red wine, gulping it down like juice. After a while, someone took the glass from my hand, saying, “Don’t drink anymore, let’s go home.” It was Gu Nanxiang’s voice, very gentle, full of tenderness. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to be drunk, not speaking; I was afraid that if I opened my eyes or spoke, tears would start falling. I stayed still, curled up like a dead cat. Gu Nanxiang sat beside me, sighing deeply; that sigh hurt me to the core. He said, “Xiao Wu, actually I…” I suddenly sat up, cutting him off, “I’m sorry, I’m tired.” I didn’t know why I was so afraid of Gu Nanxiang speaking to me with such a sad tone; I’d rather he yelled at me rudely, ignored me, or just left without a word. Standing up, I felt dizzy, looking down to see the empty wine bottle on the table. Xia Wei had said that women naturally have a good tolerance for alcohol. Since getting drunk at Lasika last time, I hadn’t touched alcohol, but today, I really needed to get drunk. Xiao Wu, you’re quite the girl, actually drinking a whole bottle by accident. The wine was brought by Cheng Siwei, expensive as blood. Gu Nanxiang supported me out of the bar; I must have been really drunk, otherwise, why would I rest my head on his shoulder, not wanting to move, my heart beating out of rhythm.