The Morning After

The sun had barely risen when Ming found himself standing outside Hua's house, his heart pounding. His hand hesitated on the doorbell, but he knew he couldn't turn back now. He had to see her, had to explain everything face-to-face. The conversation from last night still haunted him, and the memory of her voice—hurt and distant—was something he couldn't shake.

After a deep breath, he pressed the doorbell.

The seconds ticked by slowly, but soon, the door creaked open. Hua stood there, her hair still slightly messy from sleep, wearing an oversized hoodie. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw him standing on her doorstep.

"Ming? What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice guarded.

"I... I had to come," Ming stammered, trying to keep his voice steady. "I needed to talk to you in person. I can't leave things the way they are between us."

Hua stared at him for a long moment, clearly conflicted. But then she stepped aside, allowing him into the house without saying a word. Ming followed her into the small living room, the atmosphere thick with tension. Zihan, her best friend, was not around this morning, so it was just the two of them.

Hua crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, looking down at the floor. "What do you want to say, Ming? You already said enough last night."

Ming felt the weight of her words, and his guilt surged. He sat down on the edge of the couch, running a hand through his hair. "Hua, I know I've hurt you. I wasn't there for you when I should've been, and I let myself get caught up with Xueyao. But it's not what you think."

Hua looked up, her eyes narrowing. "Not what I think? You kissed her, Ming. Twice. And you didn't even check on me once since she came back. How am I supposed to believe anything you say now?"

Ming winced at the harsh truth in her words. "You're right. I didn't check on you, and I was wrong for that. I let my past with Xueyao cloud my judgment. But, Hua, I swear... I never meant to hurt you. I was confused about my feelings."

"Confused?" Hua repeated, her voice rising slightly. "You kissed someone else, Ming. Twice! Do you even know what that did to me?"

Ming stood up abruptly, unable to sit still under the weight of her pain. "I know, Hua. I know, and I hate myself for it. But I'm here now, trying to fix this. You mean more to me than anyone else, and I don't want to lose you."

Hua looked away, her expression hardening. "It's too late for that, Ming. I can't just forget what I saw. I felt like I was nothing to you, like I didn't matter."

Ming took a step closer to her, his voice soft but desperate. "You're not nothing to me, Hua. You're everything. I've realized that now, and I'm sorry it took me so long. I let Xueyao back into my life, but it wasn't because I didn't care about you. I just... I got lost in the past. But now, I see what really matters."

Hua remained silent, her arms still crossed defensively. She was trying hard not to let her emotions show, but Ming could see the pain in her eyes.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness," Ming continued, his voice cracking slightly. "But I need you to know that I'm choosing you, Hua. I don't want anyone else. Just you."

Hua bit her lip, the wall she had built around her heart starting to crumble. "Ming, how do I know you won't just get confused again? How do I know you won't hurt me like this again?"

Ming took another step forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "Because I know now what's important. I know what I want, and that's you. I'm not going to let anyone or anything come between us again."

Hua looked up at him, her emotions swirling. She wanted to believe him, but the wounds were still fresh. "Ming... I don't know if I can trust you."

Ming reached out, gently taking her hands in his. "I know it's hard. But please, just give me a chance to prove it to you. I'll do whatever it takes."

There was a long silence as Hua searched his face, looking for any sign of doubt. She saw none. Ming's eyes were filled with sincerity and regret. Slowly, she exhaled and nodded, though her expression remained guarded.

"I'll give you a chance, Ming," she said quietly. "But it won't be easy. I need time."

Ming nodded eagerly, relief flooding through him. "Take all the time you need, Hua. I'll wait."

For the first time since he'd arrived, a small, hesitant smile tugged at the corner of Hua's lips. "We'll see."