The bus ride back from camp was unusually quiet for Meiyu. Her classmates laughed and chattered around her, sharing memories of ghost stories, midnight snacks, and the lanterns glowing across the lake. But to Meiyu, the laughter felt distant, like it belonged to a world she wasn't part of.
She sat by the window, chin resting against the cool glass, watching the trees blur into gray-green streaks as the vehicle sped down the road. Her chest still ached from the night before.
On one side of the bus, Haoran sat surrounded by his usual group of friends. He smiled when they teased him, answered their questions politely, but his eyes kept wandering to her. Every time she glanced his way, he looked away quickly, like a thief caught in the act.
On the other side, Zhao Yichen leaned back in his seat, earbuds in, head tilted as though he were sleeping. But Meiyu knew better. She could feel his awareness on her, sharp as ever. His arms were crossed, his jaw tight, and though his expression was unreadable, she could tell he wasn't at peace.
Her stomach twisted.
Two confessions. Two hearts. And hers… still a mess.
---
When the bus pulled up to the school gates, relief should have washed over her. But instead, dread settled in her bones.
"School again," her best friend Mingxia sighed dramatically, stretching her arms as they got off. "Back to boring classrooms and pop quizzes. At least the camp was fun."
"Yeah," Meiyu muttered, forcing a smile.
But her unease wasn't unwarranted. By the time she walked through the hallway doors, whispers had already started.
"Did you hear? Xu Haoran confessed to her at camp."
"No way, seriously? What about Zhao Yichen then?"
"I heard they almost fought over her by the lake."
"She's so plain, though… what's so special about her?"
Meiyu's steps faltered. Her cheeks burned as the words slid through the air, soft but sharp enough to cut. She gripped her bag strap tightly, staring at the floor.
Mingxia noticed immediately. "Ignore them," she said firmly, looping her arm through Meiyu's. "They're just jealous. Don't let it get to you."
But it was easier said than done. Every glance, every giggle felt directed at her.
---
At lunch, she tried to escape to the library, thinking the quiet would calm her. But she didn't make it far.
"Meiyu."
The voice stopped her in her tracks.
It was Haoran, standing by the window, sunlight spilling over his neat uniform. His expression was gentle, though his eyes held a hint of worry.
"Can we talk?" he asked softly.
She hesitated. Part of her wanted to run. But another part—the part that remembered his heartfelt words under the stars—nodded.
They found an empty corner near the stairwell. Haoran leaned against the wall, his gaze searching hers.
"I didn't mean for things to get out of hand," he said. "I didn't expect the rumors to spread so fast. I just…" He sighed, brushing a hand through his hair. "I don't regret telling you how I feel. But I hate that it's putting you in a difficult spot."
Her chest tightened. "It's not your fault."
He smiled faintly. "Maybe not. But I want you to know… I'll wait. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait until you figure out what you want."
The sincerity in his tone made her heart flutter and ache at the same time. She opened her mouth to respond, but before she could—
"Of course you'll wait."
The voice was sharp, laced with ice.
Yichen stood at the bottom of the stairs, arms crossed, his eyes locked on Haoran like daggers.
Haoran straightened, his expression neutral but tense. "Yichen."
Yichen took a step closer, his presence overwhelming in the narrow hallway. "Always so patient. Always so perfect. Tell me, Haoran—do you really think she needs someone who stands around waiting instead of fighting for her?"
"That's not it," Haoran said calmly. "I'm giving her space to choose freely."
Yichen's lip curled slightly. "Or maybe you're too afraid to push because you know where her heart leans."
Meiyu's breath caught.
"Enough!" she said, louder than she intended. Both boys turned toward her, startled.
Her hands trembled as she clutched her bag. "I can't keep doing this—being pulled back and forth like I'm some prize. I… I need time. I need both of you to respect that."
The hallway went silent.
Haoran looked at her with quiet remorse. Yichen's brows furrowed, his jaw tight, but after a long pause, he muttered, "Fine. Time. But don't expect me to sit still."
With that, he brushed past them, his shoulder grazing Haoran's as he went. The tension between them was electric, even in that brief contact.
Meiyu exhaled shakily.
"Sorry," Haoran said softly, guilt in his voice. "I didn't mean to upset you."
She shook her head. "It's not your fault. I just… need to breathe."
He nodded slowly, his gaze tender. "Take all the time you need, Meiyu. Just remember—you're not alone."
Her heart twisted again, and she hurried away before her emotions overwhelmed her.
---
The rest of the day dragged on, filled with stares and hushed voices. By the time she got home, she collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow.
She wanted everything to go back to the way it was before. But deep down, she knew that was impossible.
Her phone buzzed.
A message from Haoran: Did you get home safely?
Almost immediately after, another from Yichen: Don't let the rumors bother you. They'll shut up soon enough.
She stared at the two messages, her fingers hovering over the screen. Her heart pulled in two directions, torn and confused.
With a heavy sigh, she turned her phone face down and closed her eyes.
---
The next morning, the storm only grew worse.
Someone had posted on the school forum—a blurry picture of her, Haoran, and Yichen standing near the lake at camp. The caption read: A love triangle? Zhao Yichen and Xu Haoran fighting over Liang Meiyu?
By lunch, it felt like the entire school knew.
"She must think she's so special."
"Poor Haoran, caught up in this mess."
"No, poor Yichen. He's the one with her all the time."
The whispers gnawed at her until she couldn't take it anymore. She slipped away to the rooftop, needing space, needing air.
But she wasn't alone.
Yichen was already there, leaning against the railing, the wind tugging at his hair. He glanced at her as she stepped out, his expression softening ever so slightly.
"Couldn't stand it either, huh?" he said quietly.
She nodded, hugging her arms around herself. "Everyone's talking…"
"Let them talk." His voice was firm, protective. "They don't matter."
"But it hurts," she whispered. "I never asked for any of this."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Yichen stepped closer, his gaze locking on hers.
"I know I'm selfish," he admitted. "I know I push too hard. But Meiyu… I can't help it. When I see you hurting, I want to destroy everything that makes you feel that way. And when I see him looking at you…" His voice dropped, rough with emotion. "I want to tear the world apart."
Her breath caught.
Before she could respond, the rooftop door creaked open again.
Haoran stepped out, his eyes narrowing at the sight of them standing so close.
The tension snapped taut once more.
And Meiyu realized—this was only the beginning.
---