Time passed by really fast. Midterms is nearing and the four friends are engrossed in reviewing their lessons together. Zhang Lei placed her full focus on her math lessons and with Li Jei's help she was able to comprehend their lessons more. And her grades are immensely improving. She was pleased with her progress. Xiu Yeng is also improving and she and Wung Jun were getting a long quite well but the bickering and teasing has intensified as well.
"Jie, are you in love with Zhang Lei? I mean, the way you treat her and how you look at her... every time you guys are together. I can tell that you're changed too." Wung Jun asked Li Jei after sipping his milkshake while they were sitting on the bench near the field where the girls are chatting. Li Jei smiled and looked towards Zhang Lei. "Honestly, I am. I never felt anything like this towards a girl before. She inspires me to do something outrageously unbelievable for me to do. I don't know, probably this is what being in love is, you know. You go crazy. All I want is to see her achieve her dreams. I want to do everything just not to lose those wonderful smile, I want her to be happy all the time."
"So cheesy bro, you are really in love. Did you confess already?" Wung Jun asked with a big smile showing his white crooked teeth. "No not yet, I doubt it if she would like me back, I am out of her league." "What? Where did that negativity came from, a while ago you said that being in love you do stuff outrageous and crazy and all those cheesy stuff. And now you chickened out? pfft… You should tell her soon she might be snatched by another guy. By the way,you did asked her out one time right? What happened" "Yes but we did not have a chance to talk, she got a call from her mother that she went back home right away." "Tell you what,leave it to me. I'll help you. Trust me." "I'm scared about the last part bro." "Hey, how dare you, you don't know what your buddy is capable of? Watch and learn." Wung Jun smiled while raising his eyebrows playfully. Meanwhile,
Zhang Lei knew that her crush was looking at her from the benches. She can't help but keep on smiling and redness crept on her ears and face. She glanced toward him whenever he is not looking. He is so cute when he smiles. One of her classmates, Meiling that was with them noticed this. "Zhang Lei why are you blushing?' she asked. "Hmmmm probably the reason is somewhere in the benches over there." Xiu Yeng said teasingly. Another classmate asked, "Is it Wung Jun or Li Jei? I know you guys are close with those two." "I hope it's Li Jei you look good together..." another girl said. They were teasing Zhang Lei to the point that her face turned into a red tomato of embarrassment but she never said a word, she was just laughing with them. "Definitely, it's got to be Li Jei, Wung Jun is already taken." their classroom representative named Kim joined in. "What? Wung Jun has a girfriend? Who? I she from our school?" "Of course she is, her." pointing towards Xiu Yeng. "What, heck no. No no no... Xiu Yeng voices her protest really loud. She was denying it. "That idiot no way."
"But don't deny it, he is cute and he is helping you with your math problems isn't that makes him a nice guy?' "Or perhaps he is also helping you with you 'love' problems?" Hahahaha everybody erupted in laughter and teasing just enjoying themselves. Xiu Yeng in the other hand was red in embarassement.
After class Zhang Lei was already up and ready to go to the library when Xiu Yeng was still sitting on her chair with a pout on her face. "Come on Xiu Yeng get up, we're going to be late." "I'm not going." still pouting Xiu Yeng said. "Why? Are you bothered with what the girls were saying at lunch time? Please don't be affected by that they are just teasing you. Unless there is something really going on in there." Zhang Lei pointing at her heart and chuckled. "Please spare me the nightmare Zhang Lei. never will I be in love with that playboy." Xiu Yeng puffed her face. "Okey fine, let's go, your prince charming is waiting for his lady in the library we need to hurry not a moment to waste." Xiu Yeng hurriedly pulled her bestfriend out from the room. Zhang Lei let Xiu Yeng drag her out from the their classroom.
It's midterm week, and their first exam is math. Zhang Lei was trying to contain her nervousness but this did not slip from Li Jei. He knew by the way she breaths and her facial expression that she was anxious. He called her and whispered, " Zhang Lei look at me." She obeyed what he said and their gazes are locked. He smiled took her hand and said "take deep breaths, inhale exhale like this. Just relax, you got this, okey?" "I can't help it Li Jei, what if..." "Sshhh... don't entertain negative thoughts. "You will make it, I promise." he said encouragingly.
The proctor entered and said in a very strict voice. Go back to your seats and keep quiet. I will pass the test papers and I will give you two hours to finnish this exam. Finish or unfinished when the time is up, pass your papers." All exam results will be posted on Friday at the bulletin board.
Zhang Lei took deep breaths and prayed to all the gods that she will able to answer all the questions in time.
The students are all waiting anxiously outside the faculty office bulletin board that any minute now the test results and ranking will be posted. Atlast the office doors opened and their teacher posted the results. " Ohhh I'm scared to look at it Xiu Lei." Zhang Lei said while placing her hands over her face. " I'm with you Zhang Lei, I'm scared too." "I'll do it for you." Li Jei suddenly appeared from nowhere and offered. "Me too." Wung Jun raised his right hand for Xiu Yeng. So the boys squeezed through the crowd to take a look at the results. As expected Li Jei ranked first, Wung Jun is on the top five too. Surprisingly, the two girls are in the top 20.
They went back to where the girls where waiting. "So, did I make it?" Zhang Lei asked worriedly. LLi Jei's expression was unreadable " Come on you two spill the beans, we are dying here!" Xiu Yeng said. "Actaully..." started Li Jei " What?" Xiu Yeng impatiently said "Both of you passed and on the top 20 over all." "Huh?" both of them were shocked and then suddenly held their hands and jumped up and down shreiking "yeeheeyyy, we passed!" After they recovered, Zhang Lei said, "We would not make it without your help guys, with that we are forever thankful." she was really glad and was all smiles to Li Jei. Li Jei did not say a word he just smiled showing his dimples again, came nearer to Zhang Lei and handed her something that he was hiding behind his back all this time. "Here, open it, my gift for you." "For me? I should be the one who suppose to give you something for your help. But thank you. What is it?" "Open it." he smiled. She opened the present and was spechless again. It was the stuff toy that she liked so much during their school festival. " Thank you I love it." Zhang Lei smiled and they gaze with other happily. Upon seeing this, Xiu Yeng knew right away. And she was happy for her bestfriend. The guy next to her was also beaming. They looked at each other and without any words understood what the other wants to say. They need to help this two love birds get together soon.