Behind The Mask

Setting: Elite Boys' High School Dormitory, Morning The sound of an alarm clock echoed through the otherwise silent dormitory. A single bed was neatly made, with an unassuming book lying on the nightstand next to a school uniform. The clock ticked to 7:00 a.m., and the doors to the four-person dorm room creaked open. Li Xin, standing at just 5'3" with long, curly brown hair, entered the room quietly. He had only just arrived at Sanli Academy a few days before and was still adjusting to the strange new reality of living here. Sanli Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in the country, was well known for producing leaders in business, science, and entertainment. But there was one major catch—this was a boys' school, and Li Xin was the only one to ever be accepted as a boy. After a brief discussion with the principal about his scholarship application, he had been offered a place in the senior year as a special case. Li Xin had disguised himself as a boy to avoid attention, cutting his hair short and binding his chest. Yet, despite his efforts to blend in, the pressure weighed heavily on him as he navigated his new life. The dormitory room was sparse, with four beds and a desk in the corner. Li Xin had been relieved when he first arrived to find the dorm empty, as it was a holiday weekend. He had assumed he would have the room to himself. But now, as he took a deep breath and adjusted his school uniform, he knew the boys would be returning today. --- Zhang Wei entered the room first. Tall, with piercing bright blue eyes and messy, sandy-blond hair, he exuded an effortless charisma that made heads turn wherever he went. At 5'11", he looked down at Li Xin with a mixture of curiosity and disdain. He was the son of a wealthy businessman, and he had grown used to getting whatever he wanted, including the top dorm room at Sanli Academy. The last thing he expected was to find a new roommate, especially not a new guy. He crossed his arms and surveyed the room with an irritated sigh. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice cold and sharp. Li Xin straightened, trying his best to maintain composure. "I’m... your new roommate," he answered hesitantly, trying to sound as neutral as possible. "Li Xin. I just transferred here." Zhang Wei’s eyes narrowed. He was not used to sharing space with anyone, let alone with someone like him. The idea of a new roommate made him uncomfortable, but the principal had insisted on it, leaving him with no choice. "Great," he muttered sarcastically. "A new roommate. Just what I needed." He gave Li Xin one last look before walking toward his bed. He was still processing the situation but was determined not to let it affect him. --- Chen Lei was the second to arrive. With his playful grin and flirtatious demeanor, he was already known as the school’s resident playboy. At 5'9", his sharp features and carefree attitude made him the center of attention wherever he went. He was also wealthy, though he never flaunted it as much as Zhang Wei. When he walked in, he looked at Li Xin with surprise. “Well, well, what do we have here?” He grinned, his eyes flickering with amusement. “A new addition to the dorm? I like your style, man,” he said, assuming that Li Xin was another guy, just like the rest of them. He made his way to his bed, tossing his bag carelessly onto the floor. Li Xin stiffened, realizing he had no idea he was a girl. "I'm just here to study," he said quickly, hoping to deflect his attention. But Chen Lei wasn’t one to ignore the new guy. "You know," he said, with a mischievous glint in his eye, "we have a tradition around here for the new roommates. Maybe you’ll want to be part of it." Li Xin glanced at him, trying to figure out what he meant. He didn’t seem hostile, but there was something about his demeanor that made him uneasy. Before he could respond, the third person entered the room. --- Liang Wei, the quiet nerd, walked into the room, his thick glasses perched on his nose. He was shorter than the others at 5'7", and his slight build and unassuming nature made him easy to overlook. But his mind was sharp, and he was one of the top students at the academy. He had a passion for science and technology, often getting lost in his work. He looked around at his three roommates, giving a polite nod to Li Xin, who was still adjusting to the strange situation. He had been the quiet observer during the earlier exchanges, but now, he spoke up, his voice soft but steady. “Hello. I’m Liang Wei. It’s good to meet you.” Li Xin smiled back, relieved to meet someone who seemed kind and understanding. "Nice to meet you," he replied. --- Just as Li Xin was about to settle in, the final member of the group arrived. Zhang Wei’s best friend and childhood companion, Liang Chao, walked in with a playful swagger, his childish demeanor contrasting sharply with the other boys. At 5'10", he had a youthful, almost mischievous appearance, with dark brown hair and a carefree attitude that made him a favorite among the girls at school. Despite his seemingly innocent charm, he was well aware of the attention he received from everyone around him. He caught sight of Li Xin, and his eyes widened in shock. "Wait, who’s this?" he asked, his voice full of playful curiosity. Li Xin smiled nervously. "I’m Li Xin. I’m your new roommate." For a moment, there was an awkward silence. The boys exchanged glances, but no one spoke. It was clear they were all confused by the situation, but none of them seemed to know how to address it. Zhang Wei broke the silence. "He’s just here to study. Let’s leave him alone." But Chen Lei had other ideas. "Yeah, let’s just see how long he lasts in this dorm. This place isn’t exactly... easy for new people." Li Xin’s heart raced, but he refused to back down. He wasn’t going to let the boys get to him, no matter how difficult things became. After all, he had a secret to protect, and he wasn’t about to let anyone uncover it. --- As the day went on, Li Xin spent most of his time in the dorm, trying to blend in with his new surroundings. He could hear the boys talking about him, their whispers filled with curiosity and suspicion. Despite their initial coldness, there was something about him that seemed to draw their attention. Zhang Wei especially kept his eyes on him, though he remained distant. It was as though he couldn’t decide whether to ignore him or confront him about his presence. But Li Xin had his own worries. He had to keep up the act. He had to be convincing. Zhang Wei, Chen Lei, Liang Wei, and Liang Chao might have no idea he was a girl yet, but it wouldn’t take long for someone to figure it out. And if that happened, everything he had worked for would come crashing down. For now, he was determined to stay focused. He had come here for a new life, for new opportunities. And he wasn’t about to let anything, or anyone, stop him.