Chapter 26: An Unspoken Bond

Mei Lin sat by the window in her room, the late afternoon sun casting a warm glow over the wooden floors. The delicate scent of lavender floated from a nearby diffuser, calming her nerves, but her mind remained restless. She had spent the better part of the week avoiding any contact with Li Wei. After their last conversation, she needed time to process everything—the misunderstandings, the unsaid words, the distance that had grown between them.

In her hand, she clutched a sketchbook. Drawing had become her solace, a way to untangle the complexities of her thoughts. Yet, each stroke of the pencil led her back to one person: Li Wei. No matter how hard she tried, his image seemed to dominate her art. His intense eyes, his furrowed brow, the way he'd watch her without saying anything, it all haunted her.

She flipped the page over, revealing yet another unfinished sketch of him. Frustrated, she tossed the sketchbook aside and let out a sigh. Why can't I get him out of my head? Mei Lin pressed her hands to her temples, as if that could somehow erase the memories of him. But she knew better.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Li Na.

Li Na: "Hey, haven't seen you at school. You okay?"

Mei Lin hesitated before typing a reply.

Mei Lin: "I'm fine. Just needed a break."

Li Na: "You can't avoid him forever, you know."

Mei Lin bit her lip. It was almost like Li Na could read her mind sometimes. But she didn't want to talk about Li Wei, not now.

Mei Lin: "It's not about him."

Li Na: "Liar. Come on, talk to me."

Mei Lin sighed, running a hand through her hair. Li Na wouldn't let it go, and truth be told, Mei Lin didn't really want to be alone with her thoughts anymore.

Mei Lin: "Fine. It's complicated."

Li Na: "I'm coming over. Be ready."

Without waiting for a response, Li Na ended the chat. Mei Lin shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips despite her mood. Li Na was relentless when it came to her friends. If anyone knew how to break through the walls Mei Lin had built, it was her.

---

Less than twenty minutes later, Li Na was sprawled across Mei Lin's bed, flipping through the sketchbook Mei Lin had carelessly discarded.

"These are really good," Li Na said, holding up one of the sketches. "But, seriously, Mei Lin... why haven't you told him how you feel?"

Mei Lin sat across from her, hugging a pillow to her chest. She looked away, embarrassed. "It's not that simple."

Li Na raised an eyebrow. "Why not? You like him. He clearly likes you."

"He's... different," Mei Lin murmured. "He doesn't say anything outright. And when he does, it's always cryptic. Half the time, I don't know if he's mocking me or trying to protect me."

Li Na placed the sketchbook on her lap, her expression softening. "Li Wei's got his own baggage. I mean, he's under so much pressure from his family. That kind of responsibility—it weighs on people. But if you don't talk to him, how will you ever know what he really feels?"

Mei Lin fell silent, her thoughts swirling. She knew Li Na was right, but there was a part of her that was terrified. What if she confronted Li Wei, and it only pushed them further apart?

"I... don't know how," Mei Lin whispered, her voice barely audible.

Li Na leaned forward, grabbing her friend's hands. "You've faced worse things than this, Mei Lin. Don't let your fear stop you. If you don't say something, you'll regret it. And besides, the way things are right now, you're both hurting."

---

The next morning, Mei Lin stood outside the school gates, staring at the main entrance. Students passed by in groups, laughing and chatting as they hurried to their classes, but Mei Lin's feet felt glued to the ground. Her mind kept replaying Li Na's words from the night before: You'll regret it if you don't.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, heading inside.

She didn't have to look far to find him. Li Wei stood near the lockers, surrounded by a few of his usual group, but his eyes were distant, as if he wasn't paying attention to anything they were saying. For a moment, Mei Lin considered turning back. But something inside her urged her forward.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she walked up to him.

"Li Wei," she said softly, hoping her voice didn't betray her nerves.

His eyes snapped toward her, surprise flashing across his face. He quickly composed himself, stepping away from the group. "Mei Lin."

There was an awkward pause as they stood facing each other, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily between them. Mei Lin felt her heart race, and she clenched her fists, trying to muster the courage to speak.

"We need to talk," she finally said.

Li Wei's brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded. "Alright."

They found an empty corner of the courtyard, away from prying eyes and curious ears. Mei Lin leaned against the wall, staring at the ground, while Li Wei stood a few feet away, his posture rigid.

"I'm... sorry," Mei Lin started, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've been avoiding you, and I shouldn't have. It's just... I don't know how to handle all of this."

Li Wei's expression softened, but he said nothing, waiting for her to continue.

"I don't know what's going on between us," Mei Lin continued. "But it's confusing, and I don't want to keep feeling like this—unsure of where we stand."

Li Wei took a step closer, his gaze steady. "I never meant to confuse you."

"Then what did you mean to do?" Mei Lin's voice cracked slightly, the vulnerability in her words catching her by surprise.

Li Wei looked at her for a long moment before speaking. "I've never been good with words. But... I don't want to lose you."

Mei Lin's breath caught in her throat. It was the closest Li Wei had come to admitting his feelings, but it still wasn't enough. She needed more.

"Then stop hiding behind all these walls," Mei Lin said, her voice firm. "Tell me how you really feel."

Li Wei's jaw clenched as if he was wrestling with himself. After a tense silence, he finally spoke, his voice low but full of emotion. "You're the only person who's ever made me feel... like I'm not alone."

Mei Lin's heart raced as she met his gaze, the vulnerability in his eyes taking her by surprise. Slowly, she reached out and took his hand. "Then stop pushing me away."

Li Wei's fingers tightened around hers, and for the first time, Mei Lin felt the tension between them start to fade. The unspoken bond that had always been there was finally acknowledged.

As they stood there, holding hands, the world seemed to quiet around them. Neither of them spoke, but for the first time in a long while, Mei Lin didn't feel lost.

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End of Chapter 26

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