MY FIRST LOVE

SAME BICYCLE OF MY FIRST LOVE

MY FIRST LOVE

Chapter 3: "Same Bicycle"

6:45am. Lin Xia's House. Day 2 of Summer.

The house was quiet. Too quiet.

Lin Xia tiptoed to the kitchen. Her cloud headband was crooked. Pajamas too big.

Chen Yi was already there.

Not in an apron this time. In a white t-shirt and shorts. Cooking eggs. His back to her.

"Morning," she said softly.

He jumped. Spilled a little oil. "Xia! You scared me."

He turned. Saw her. And his ears went red again.

"Did you sleep okay?" he asked, quickly looking back at the pan.

"Yeah," she mumbled. "You?"

"Fine."

Lie.

She heard him moving around at 2am.

They ate breakfast in silence. But this time, the silence was different. Not awkward. Just... warm. Like they were already a family.

Her parents’ suitcases were gone from the hallway.

Just them.

---

7:20am. Outside. The Bicycle.

Chen Yi was wiping down his bike.

Lin Xia came out in her school uniform. Hair in two braids.

He looked at her. Then at the bike.

"Same bike as yesterday?" he asked.

"Yeah," Lin Xia said. Her voice was smaller than she wanted.

She climbed on. This time, her hands went to his waist immediately. No hesitation.

Chen Yi stiffened for half a second. Then he started pedaling.

The wind hit their faces.

"Hold on tighter," he said. "There’s a turn coming."

Lin Xia’s arms squeezed. Her cheek almost brushed his back.

Her heart was beating so loud she was sure he could hear it.

Family friend. He said she’s just a family friend.

But why did it feel like this?

---

8:00am. School Gate.

They stopped.

Chen Yi hopped off first. Then held the bike for her.

Lin Xia got off. Cheeks pink.

"Thanks," she whispered.

Chen Yi nodded. "See you in class."

But before she could walk away—

"Chen Yi!"

Bai Lu.

Running toward them. Hair bouncing. Uniform perfect.

She stopped in front of them. Out of breath. "I missed the bus. Can I... can I ride with you tomorrow?"

Lin Xia froze.

Chen Yi looked at Lin Xia. Then at Bai Lu.

"The bike only fits two," he said.

"Oh," Bai Lu said. Her smile dropped for a second. Then came back. "Right. Maybe I can sit on the front bar then?"

Lin Xia’s hands clenched.

"I’ll walk," Chen Yi said quickly. "It’s not far."

Bai Lu’s eyes widened. "No, don’t! I’ll take the bus."

"It’s okay," Chen Yi said. Then he looked at Lin Xia. "Right, Xia?"

Lin Xia nodded. Too fast. "Yeah. Bus is better."

Bai Lu smiled. But it didn’t reach her eyes. "Okay. See you in class!"

She walked away.

Lin Xia and Chen Yi didn’t say anything.

They just walked to class. Side by side.

---

12:10pm. Rooftop.

Lin Xia came here to eat alone.

But Chen Yi was already there. Sitting on the edge. Legs dangling. Eating a sandwich.

"You come here too?" she asked.

He patted the spot next to him. "Sit."

She did.

For a while, they just ate. Watching the school below.

"Bai Lu asked me about you," Chen Yi said suddenly.

Lin Xia choked on her water. "What?"

"She asked if you were my girlfriend."

Lin Xia’s face went nuclear red. "What did you say?"

"I said no."

Her heart dropped.

"I said," Chen Yi continued, looking at his sandwich, "that you’re my childhood friend. That we grew up together. That you’re... important."

Lin Xia stared at her shoes. "Oh."

"Is that okay?" he asked quietly.

"Yeah," she whispered. "That’s okay."

But it didn’t feel okay.

---

4:30pm. After School.

Rain.

Not heavy. Just a drizzle.

Lin Xia didn’t bring an umbrella.

She was walking fast when a bike stopped beside her.

Chen Yi. No helmet. Holding one umbrella.

"Get on," he said.

Lin Xia climbed on. This time, she didn’t just hold his shirt.

She wrapped her arms around his waist. Fully.

Chen Yi didn’t say anything. But she felt him relax.

The umbrella covered both of them.

At a red light, he said, "Xia."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing," he said. "Just... hold on."

And he pedaled faster.

Water splashed. They both laughed.

For a moment, it felt like no one else existed.

Just him. Her. The bike. The rain.

---

8:00pm. Lin Xia's House.

They were drying off in the living room.

Chen Yi handed her a towel. Their fingers brushed.

Both of them pulled back like they’d been burned.

"Um," Lin Xia said. "I should go change."

"Yeah," Chen Yi said. "Me too."

That night, Lin Xia lay in bed staring at the ceiling.

Bai Lu wanted to ride the bike.

Chen Yi said no.

But he also said "no girlfriend."

What did that mean?

Down the hall, Chen Yi was also staring at the ceiling.

Thinking about her arms around his waist.

Thinking about how right it felt.

---

TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 4...

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Writed by Omahcbeauty

Chapter 3 DONE!