Strings Attached (Sequel)

Nervous

January 26th

Huaze Lei

Entering the science building, I head straight for the stairs. It wasn't long until I reached the hall of the physics department, I walked to the research lab Faye's group would do their work. I walked into the lab knowing Professor Jiang would be in there.

"They're not here," Zhou Lei said as I came into view. He put his calculator down and sighed before looking at Professor Jiang.

"The three took a break," Professor Jiang responded as he continued to grade papers. "They should be on the fourth floor unless they went off campus to eat." I thanked Professor Jiang before making my way up to their usual hangout spot they liked to be if they don't head to the cafe or off campus.

Reaching to the fourth floor, I made my way to their usual spot. The halls were empty and quiet except for their familiar chatter down the hall. Approaching them, Faye had her back turned towards me. Gu Weiyi glanced past Faye towards me and Senior Yu Yin noticed my presence before Faye.

"Speaking of the father..." Gu Weiyi spoke and folded his arms and continued to look at me. Faye turned around and I noticed immediately she was fatigued. In this case it could have been from her morning sickness. She smiled lightly as I walked over to the group and the attention was on Faye and I.

"Congratulations Lei," Yu Yin smiled.

"Thank you..." I said softly and glanced towards Faye wondering if she was alright. Gu Weiyi hasn't been on good terms since the incident. For him to text me alerted me that he was concerned for Faye.

"I wanted to tell them," Faye said to me. I smiled at her and nodded to know she is more comfortable around them again.

"That's good. Are you alright Faye?" I asked her as I reached her forehead to feel her temperature was warmer than usual.

"I think I'm okay now."

"Must be morning sickness now that I understand what's happening," Yu Yin said gently. "This is exciting news for you both." Looking towards Gu Weiyi, he did not seem to be in agreement with Yu Yin, but wasn't making Faye feel uncomfortable. I knew he wanted her to be happy even though he was not a fan of mine at this time. Before I could say something, my phone vibrated in my pocket continuously. I took my phone out to see Shancai calling. I frowned slightly confused wondering what Ah Si has done now. I excused myself from the group before walking towards the hall and answering the call.

Faye Calinao

"He never thinks before what he is doing," Ximen sighed. He paced back and forth in the basement of Doaming Si's house.

After Lei finished his phone call, he mentioned there was an emergency with Shancai and Senior Yu Yin suggested I go and take the rest of the day and weekend to rest. I thought Lei would take me with him to Shancai, but instead he dropped me off at Doaming Si's house before heading to the hospital where Shancai and one of her high school classmates were.

It was too cold to wait outside for Lei to return and I was terrified of walking into Doaming Si's house. I question why he would drop me off here when I could have stayed at the school. Lei agreed with Senior Yu Yin that I should end my experimental day to go with Lei. I felt anxious being here even though Ximen and their friend Meizuo were here.

I sat on the couch quietly hugging myself as I listened to Ximen talk to Meizuo about Doaming Si idiocy.  He sent a person to the hospital. For me, it brought back memories. Terrifying memories that I'm not surprised he would put someone in the hospital.

"He never thinks twice about what he's doing," Meizuo said after a moment. My stomach was churning from the amount of anxiety I felt being here. I unfolded my arm carefully and noticed and immediately  my free hand shaking. Meizuo seemed to have seen my shaking and I put my hand down on my lap and averted my eyes to the ground.

"Shancai I'm sure will be angry with Ah Si." I stood up feeling a need to receive fresh air. I wanted to leave here. I did not want to face him. Both Ximen and Meizuo looked towards me. "Everything alright, Faye?" Ximen questioned. As soon as he asked the question, I suddenly felt upset.

"Sorry," I spoke lightly and hid the waver in my tone. "I just... need to use the bathroom. Where is the bathroom?" I wanted to go somewhere so he wouldn't see why I was upset all of a sudden.

"Upstairs, turn right and walk midway through the hall and the bathroom is to the right." I thanked Ximen before making my way up the stairs. Before I could make it to the bathroom, my eyes were a blur and I felt my heart constricting like a heartache. I let my back touch the wall as I attempted to control my emotions. Like any time I felt like this, I would sit down and ponder until I calmed down. I slid down against the wall and let my knees come close to me. I shivered and I felt like I was a bit out of breath. All of my deep breaths were shaky and I was feeling jittery.

"Faye," I heard a soft voice speak and I jumped slightly as I looked to see Meizuo squatting in front of me. His soft expression showed concern towards me. "I knew Lei shouldn't have dropped you off here," Meizuo sighed. "Let me take you to a guest room to rest."

"W-what?" I questioned.

"You need to rest. Isn't that why Lei disappeared when the rest of us left to see Shancai? You must have not been feeling well. You seem exhausted, Faye."

"I'll be fine."

"Faye, you're not fine. Let me help you into a room before Ximen questions why you're crying up here. You know he won't let this slide if he sees you." I finally nodded in agreement and he helped me to stand. Meizuo gently wrapped an arm around me and we began going down the hall and into the foyer where one of the maids approached us.Meizuo asked for a guestroom for me to rest and asked them to make a snack and something warm to drink. 

We walked up the stairs and not long after I was in a room being tucked in under the covers. Meizuo sat at the edge of the bed as he looked down.

"I'll let Ximen know you were feeling tired and wanted to rest."

"Thank you." He smiled and nodded before standing.

"I'll check in on you in a few hours." I hummed as I leaned back on the pillows.

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Next update: January 8th, 2022