The school canteen buzzed with life—laughter, the clatter of trays, the endless hum of conversations blending into a chaotic symphony. Amid the noise, Shang and Elise occupied their usual spot, idly picking at their food as they dissolved into giggles over one of Elise's absurd stories.
Then—
Ding!
Shang's phone vibrated against the table.
She ignored it.
Ding!
Her fingers clenched around her spoon. Just moments ago, she had been laughing, carefree. Now, a shadow of unease flickered across her face.
Elise, ever perceptive, caught the change instantly. "Okay, what's up with you?" she asked, nudging Shang's arm. "You were just laughing, and now you look like you're about to throw hands."
Shang exhaled sharply, rolling her eyes. "It's nothing."
Elise raised a brow. "Right. And I'm a calculus genius."
Shang hesitated before finally picking up her phone. Her stomach twisted as she read the message.
[Unknown Number]: Why are you ignoring me?
A chill ran down her spine.
[Shang]: Who the hell is this? Stop texting me.
She hit send and tossed her phone onto the table. "Creepy."
Elise leaned in. "What's creepy?"
Shang hesitated. Then, finally, she muttered, "Someone keeps texting me. I don't know who it is."
Elise wrinkled her nose. "Block them. Immediately."
Shang was about to do just that when—
Ding!
Another message.
Her heart pounded as she hesitantly checked the screen.
[Unknown Number]: Oh, so now you're paying attention?
A shiver crept up her spine.
⸻
Meanwhile…
The rhythmic sound of a basketball echoed across the court.
Sweat trickled down Shawn's forehead as he sprinted across the pavement, muscles burning with exertion. Across from him, Yuan effortlessly launched a three-pointer, the ball swishing cleanly through the hoop.
A chorus of cheers erupted from the students watching on the bleachers.
Shawn caught the ball, shaking his head. "Damn. Showing off much?"
Yuan smirked, wiping sweat from his brow. "Just in a good mood."
Shawn scoffed, dribbling past him. "Or maybe it's because of a certain fake girlfriend?" His tone was playful, but there was an edge to it—something unspoken lingering beneath his words.
Yuan stepped into his path, arching a brow. "What's with that tone?"
Shawn smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Nothing. Just saying—you seem really into this little act of yours."
Yuan spun the ball between his hands. "And you seem bothered by it."
Shawn clenched his jaw. He let out a dry chuckle, masking whatever was gnawing at him. "Why would I be? It's your game, not mine."
Yuan studied him for a moment before flashing a knowing smirk. "Good. Because I do enjoy playing."
And with that, he effortlessly sank another shot into the hoop.
Shawn didn't respond. He simply ran a hand through his hair, brushing off the strange, unfamiliar irritation curling inside his chest.
Whatever it was—he wasn't ready to name it.
After the intense basketball game, the group of friends gathered near the locker rooms, still catching their breath. The energy was high, and everyone was in the mood to celebrate.
"Damn, that was a good game!" one of their friends, Jake, said as he chugged his water.
"Hell yeah! We should do something fun tonight," another guy, Marcus, suggested.
Yuan, who was wiping his sweat with a towel, smirked. "How about we hit up a bar after school?"
A few guys whistled in excitement. "Now that's what I'm talking about!"
The group laughed, already hyped about the plan
"Alright, it's settled then. After class, we head to the bar," Jake confirmed, clapping his hands.
As they started heading out, Shawn stayed behind for a moment, exhaling deeply.
"Yo, Shawn! You coming or what?" Yuan called out.
"Yeah, yeah. Let's go."
⸻
That Night…
Shang groaned as her stomach rumbled, breaking the silence in her bedroom.
Great. Now I'm starving.
Annoyed, she grabbed her phone and fired off a text.
[Shang]: I'm hungry. Let's grab food.
Elise replied instantly.
[Elise]: THANK GOD. I thought it was just me. Let's go!
Minutes later, they sat outside a 24-hour convenience store, steaming cups of instant ramen in their hands. The night air was crisp, the distant hum of traffic and occasional bursts of laughter filling the silence between their conversations.
They gossiped about school, annoying classmates, and even the absurd rumors floating around about Shang and Yuan being a couple.
It was peaceful.
Until—
Shang suddenly froze.
Elise, mid-sip of her drink, frowned. "What's up with you?"
Shang's heart pounded as her gaze locked onto two familiar figures stepping out of the bar across the street.
Yuan.
Shawn.
They looked unfairly good for two guys fresh out of a night out—Shawn's shirt slightly unbuttoned, his lazy smirk confident as he laughed at something. Yuan, meanwhile, trailed behind, hands tucked into his pockets, his face unreadable as always.
Panic surged through Shang.
She grabbed Elise's arm. "Elise, hide me!" she hissed, practically sliding down the bench.
Elise blinked. "Wait—what? Why?"
Shang shot her a glare. "The two MENACES are here!"
Elise glanced toward the bar entrance and let out a snort. "Oh my god. You're actually hiding?"
"Yes! And keep your voice down!"
But it was too late.
One of their friends—Caleb—had already spotted her. A slow, amused grin spread across his face.
"Hey, isn't that Shang?"
Shang groaned, grabbing a napkin and pretending to wipe her mouth. "Perfect. Just perfect."
Elise barely contained her laughter. "Congrats. Your hiding skills are top-tier."
Shang didn't wait. She grabbed Elise's wrist and bolted.
"WHAT THE—?!" Elise yelped as she was yanked forward. "SHANG, WAIT—"
"JUST RUN!" Shang whisper-yelled.
Behind them, voices filled the night air.
Caleb: "What just happened?"
Yuan chuckled, shaking his head. "Kě'ài." (Cute.)
Shawn, however, remained silent, his eyes lingering on the spot where Shang had stood moments ago.
⸻
Later That Night…
Shang stomped toward her house, muttering to herself.
"Of all people, why did I have to run into them?! Is the universe punishing me?!"
Then—she froze.
A sleek Porsche sat parked in front of her house.
And leaning against it, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression—
YUAN.
Her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.
As she got closer, he tilted his head slightly, his eyes glinting under the dim streetlight.
"Nǐ zěnme xiànzài cái huíjiā?!"
Shang blinked. What the hell did he just say?
Rolling her eyes, she crossed her arms. "Oh, great. Now you're throwing Chinese at me? I don't understand you."
She scoffed. "And even if I did, why do you care? Are you my dad now?"
Yuan smirked. "As your boyfriend, I have the right to ask."
Shang nearly choked. "BOYFRIEND?! Have you lost your mind?"
Ignoring her, Yuan pulled something from his pocket—a delicate silver necklace, the pendant gleaming under the streetlight.
He held it out to her. "Wear this."
Shang stared at it. Then at him.
Her heart raced.
Before she could react, Yuan was already sliding into his car, smirking. "Tomorrow. 9 a.m. Don't be late."
And then, just like that—he was gone.
Shang stood there, fuming.
The audacity.