MY FIRST LOVE

FAMILY FRIEND OF MY FIRST LOVE

MY FIRST LOVE

Chapter 2: "Family Friend"

7:15am. Outside Lin Xia's House.

The air smelled like rain.

Chen Yi was already there. Leaning on his bike. School shirt sleeves rolled up. Hair still damp from his shower.

He looked up when he saw her. And smiled.

That same smile from when they were 12. The one that made her forget how to breathe.

"Morning," he said, patting the back seat. "Ready?"

Lin Xia clutched her bag. Yesterday felt like a dream. The car. The girl. The teddy bear she threw at him.

"Morning," she mumbled, cheeks pink.

She climbed on. Careful not to touch him. But the second the bike moved, she had to grab his shirt to balance.

Her fingers curled in the fabric.

Chen Yi didn’t say anything. He just pedaled faster.

The wind in her hair. His back in front of her. This felt right.

"Xia," he said over his shoulder. "About yesterday—"

"She’s your family friend," Lin Xia cut in quickly. "I know."

Silence.

"Right," Chen Yi said softly. "Family friend."

They arrived at school too fast.

---

8:05am. Classroom.

"OMG did you see?!" Mei grabbed Lin Xia’s arm the second she sat down. "You came on his bike!"

Lin Xia buried her face in her book. "Stop."

But she was smiling.

The classroom door opened.

Everyone looked up.

A new girl.

Tall. Wavy hair. Same uniform but somehow she made it look expensive. She held a transfer form in her hand.

"Good morning," the teacher said. "This is Bai Lu. She transferred from Beijing."

Bai Lu scanned the room. Her eyes landed on Chen Yi. And stayed.

Lin Xia’s stomach dropped.

Bai Lu walked straight to the only empty seat.

Right next to Chen Yi.

"Can I sit here?" Bai Lu asked, voice sweet.

Chen Yi looked at the seat. Then at Lin Xia across the room.

Lin Xia pretended to read. Heart pounding.

"Sure," Chen Yi said finally.

The word hit Lin Xia like ice.

---

12:30pm. Lunch.

Lin Xia sat alone. Pushing rice around her bowl.

"Don’t let it get to you," Mei said, sitting beside her. "She just transferred."

But Lin Xia saw it.

Across the courtyard. Under the tree.

Chen Yi and Bai Lu.

Bai Lu was laughing. Touching his arm again. Just like the girl in the car.

Chen Yi was listening. Nodding.

Lin Xia stood up. "I’m going to the library."

---

4:00pm. Shooting Range Club.

Lin Xia signed up for shooting to distract herself.

Her arms shook holding the rifle.

"Like this," a voice said behind her.

Warmth. A hand covered hers. Adjusting her grip.

Chen Yi.

His breath was on her ear. "Breathe out. Then pull the trigger."

BANG.

Bullseye.

"See?" he said, letting go. "You’re good."

Before Lin Xia could answer, Bai Lu appeared.

"Chen Yi," Bai Lu said, pouting. "I need help too."

She held out her rifle. On purpose, she dropped it. "Ah!"

Chen Yi caught it. "Are you okay?"

"I think I sprained my wrist," Bai Lu said, holding her arm.

Lin Xia watched. Her chest felt tight.

"Go to the nurse," Chen Yi told Bai Lu. Then he turned to Lin Xia. "You did great today."

But his eyes were on Bai Lu as she walked away.

---

7:00pm. Lin Xia's House.

Ding dong.

Lin Xia opened the door in pajamas. Hair in a messy bun. Face mask on.

Chen Yi stood there. Holding a plastic bag.

"My mom and dad went on a trip," he said. "For summer. They said I should stay with you guys."

Lin Xia blinked. "What?"

"Just for a week," he said quickly. "To help. And... I made breakfast."

He held up the bag. Smelling like eggs and scallions.

Lin Xia stepped aside. Heart racing.

He was staying. In her house.

---

Next Morning. Kitchen. 6:30am.

Lin Xia walked in rubbing her eyes. Wearing oversized pajamas and a fluffy headband with a cloud on it.

Chen Yi was at the stove. Wearing an apron. Cooking.

He turned. Saw her. And froze.

"You... you look cute," he said, ears red.

Lin Xia’s face went red too. "Shut up."

They ate in silence. But it wasn’t awkward. It was warm.

Her parents came in. "Morning kids! We’re leaving for our summer trip now. Take care of each other, okay?"

Lin Xia nodded. Chen Yi nodded.

The door closed.

Just them.

In the house.

Chen Yi cleared his throat. "I should... go change."

"Yeah," Lin Xia said. "Me too."

But neither of them moved.

---

TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 3...

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Writed by Omahcbeauty

Chapter 2 DONE!