MY FIRST LOVE

THE EMPTY CHAIR OF MY FOREVER

MY FIRST LOVE

Chapter 4: "The Empty Chair"

7:10am. Lin Xia's House. Day 3.

Breakfast smelled like soy milk and fried dough.

Chen Yi set two bowls on the table. Then sat down.

Lin Xia came in. Hair still wet. Wearing her uniform.

They ate. Like they’d done this for years.

"Did you finish your math homework?" Chen Yi asked, passing her chopsticks.

"Yeah," Lin Xia said. "Thanks to you explaining it last night."

Their knees bumped under the table.

Both of them pretended not to notice.

---

7:50am. School Gate.

The bicycle stopped.

Lin Xia got off. This time she didn’t let go of his sleeve right away.

"See you later," she said.

"See you," Chen Yi said.

Bai Lu was already at the gate. Watching.

When she saw Lin Xia get off Chen Yi’s bike, her smile tightened.

---

8:00am. Classroom.

Lin Xia walked in.

Her seat. The one by the window. Had a bag on it.

Bai Lu’s bag.

And Bai Lu was sitting in the seat next to it. The one that used to be empty.

The one next to Chen Yi.

Lin Xia’s steps faltered.

Chen Yi looked up from his book. When he saw Lin Xia, he frowned.

"Xia," he said. "Sit here."

He patted the seat on his other side. The one he’d saved.

Lin Xia hesitated. Looked at Bai Lu.

Bai Lu was smiling sweetly. "Oh, is this your seat? Sorry, I didn’t know."

"It’s fine," Lin Xia mumbled. She moved Bai Lu’s bag and sat down.

Chen Yi handed her a milk tea without looking. Taro. Her favorite.

"Thanks," Lin Xia whispered.

Bai Lu saw it. And her eyes narrowed for half a second.

---

3:30pm. Shooting Range Club.

Lin Xia was practicing alone.

Her arm hurt. The rifle was heavy.

"Like this," a voice said.

Chen Yi. Again.

He stepped behind her. One hand on the rifle. One hand on her waist to steady her.

"Don’t shake," he murmured in her ear. "Breathe."

BANG.

Bullseye.

"See?" he said. Letting go slowly. "You’re a natural."

Lin Xia’s face was red. "Thanks."

"Chen Yi!"

Bai Lu. Running in. Holding her wrist.

"It hurts," she said, pouting. "Can you help me?"

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

"I’ll take you to the nurse," he said.

Lin Xia’s chest tightened. "I’m done anyway," she said quickly. "I’ll go home."

She packed up fast and left.

Behind her, she heard Chen Yi say, "Wait, Xia—"

But she didn’t stop.

---

6:00pm. Lin Xia's House.

The door opened.

Chen Yi. Carrying two bags of groceries.

"I got ingredients," he said. "Thought we could cook together."

Lin Xia was on the couch. Pretending to watch TV.

"Oh," she said. "Okay."

In the kitchen, they worked in silence.

Chen Yi chopped vegetables. Lin Xia washed rice.

"You left early," Chen Yi said finally.

"Yeah," Lin Xia said. "Tired."

"Because of Bai Lu?"

Lin Xia’s hands stopped in the water. "What?"

"You were upset," Chen Yi said quietly. "Because I took her to the nurse."

Lin Xia turned off the tap. "No. I’m not upset."

Silence.

Chen Yi put down the knife. "Xia. Look at me."

She didn’t.

"Xia."

She looked up. Eyes wet.

"I saved you a seat today," Chen Yi said. "Every day. Because I want you next to me. Not her."

Lin Xia’s breath caught.

"But she needed help," Lin Xia whispered.

"And you need me," Chen Yi said. "Don’t you?"

Lin Xia didn’t answer. She just turned and ran to her room.

Behind her, Chen Yi sighed.

---

10:30pm. Hallway.

Lin Xia couldn’t sleep.

She walked out for water.

Chen Yi was in the kitchen. Also getting water.

They both froze.

"Can’t sleep?" Chen Yi asked.

"No," Lin Xia said.

He poured her a glass. Handed it to her. Their fingers touched.

Neither pulled away this time.

"Xia," Chen Yi said softly. "The chair next to me. It’s yours. Okay?"

"Okay," Lin Xia whispered.

He smiled. Small. Tired. "Good. Now go to sleep."

---

Next Morning. Classroom.

Lin Xia walked in.

Her seat was empty.

Chen Yi’s bag was on the other seat. Saving it.

Bai Lu was at her own desk. Watching.

Chen Yi looked at Lin Xia and patted the seat.

Lin Xia sat down. Heart pounding.

Bai Lu stood up. "Teacher, can I move seats? I think I learn better in the front."

The teacher nodded.

Just like that, Bai Lu moved.

Now there was space between her and Chen Yi.

And Lin Xia was right there.

Chen Yi leaned over. "Told you," he whispered. "Empty chair. For you."

Lin Xia smiled. For real this time.

---

TO BE CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 5...

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Writed by Omahcbeauty

Chapter 4 DONE!