[2.1] A Newly Couple is 'kinda' Brimming: The Group is Done, Astrid!

Earlier that morning, before Yu came to school, Mei was walking off the bus. She was joyful. She was brimming. It was almost like you could see flowers upon looking at her face. At least, that was what the spectator said.

"I have a boyfriend. I have a boyfriend!" She was still on a bout it in her head.

She cheerfully walked into the building. In just two steps, she heard someone familiar, "Hey, Mei! You seemed very happy. What is it?"

"Astrid!" She ferociously thought.

"Hai, Mei. Good morning!" Nanda was there too.

"Hi... Morning", Mei replied unenthusiastically.

"Oh, what's wrong? We made your mood down?"
"Nothing. Let's just go to class."
"Hey! What's your problem?!"
"Nothing! How about you?"
"I don't have a problem."

They were going at it even on their way to class, until...

"Huh? Why are you stopping?" Astrid asked.

Mei felt a disturbance in the atmosphere, "I felt someone following me."

Mei looked around, but didn't find anyone lurking around her or her "friends".

"I wonder who that was", she said.

Astrid felt annoyed and said, "You seem so confident. You got a stalker or something?"

Mei wanted to get back at her, but held herself, "I don't want to make them worried", she thought.

"Hey! Say something!"
"Nothing, it's just a feeling."
"Then let's go."

Mei kept up her pace, and Nanda whispered, "Did something happen to you yesterday?"

Mei quickly shoved it, "No. Nothing."

"It seems not. You got groped or something? Is that why you were so on alert just then?"

It hit her right on the nerve, "I... I..."

Nanda felt sorry and hugged her without Astrid knowing.

"Oh, you sweet summer child. I'm sorry I can't be there with you. I hope you were okay."
"I'm okay now, Nan. You don't need to wor..."
"I have to! You are my friend. Unlike Astrid, I care for my friend."

Astrid felt a disturbance around her. She turned around and asked, "HEY! What're you whispering about without me? Answer!"

Nanda quickly answered after releasing her hug, "I was just talking about her cuteness today", she smiled very widely. Mei looked at her, disturbed. She knew Nanda was faking her smile.

"Really?"

Mei answered while still frowning, "Yes."

Astrid almost didn't buy it, but she passed, "Whatever!" and continued walking.

Nanda was giving a very quick sign language to Mei, "Rest assured. You're safe with me."

Mei smiled and signed back, "Thanks, I appreciate it."

They arrived at class and met with their other group member. Astrid immediately ran straight to them, while Mei and Nanda walked slowly to the group circle.

"Yo, have you guys seen our final test score? It has been posted in the hallway!"
"No way! They have?"
"You guys want to see it?"

Mei heard that and said, "I'll... I'll see it at lunchtime."

Everyone was feeling okay with that statement, "Alright, find by us. Let's go, Astrid."

They went ahead and left Mei behind with Nanda. Nanda said, "I'll... look for your score. You're feeling down this morning, so just rest and sit in your seat, okay?"

"Thanks, Nanda", Mei said while about to sit, and Nanda went out of the class.

*Inhale heavily*
*Exhale heavily*

"What a morning that was", Mei thought, "I have to endure this before Yu came."

Speaking of the devil, he had arrived. Mei looked at him and smiled. He was trying to wave, saying hi. She thought that was cute. Before she waved back, she looked around for her "friends". The coast was clear, she waved back convidently.

After that, she looked over her shoulder at the window. She supported her face with her left arm while her right arm supported her left arm.

She looked gloomy. Her mind wandered as she looked at the sky. Not long after that, Mei got jumpscared by one of her "friends", "YOO! You wandered off again, Mei."

"Ah, Kate. You scared me."
"You seemed so down, girl. Relax! I saw your score. You're safe, girl. You didn't need to redo classes."
"... ah, right. Thanks, Kate."

She knew she was not the smartest of the bunch, but that wasn't what was on her mind right now. She was thinking about leaving the group. She was scared to ask Astrid.

"She was right, Mei. You're good!"
"Ah, Nanda. Thanks to you, too."

Kate grabbed Mei on the shoulder and swung her, "Cheer up! Don't be such a gloomy girl! We're going into a Christmas spirit, and this is how your mood is? That's not right, was it?"

Mei felt she was about to puke from Kate swinging her body. Nanda looked at it and said, "Eh... Kate, you're making her dizzy."

"Oh, sorry."

Mei stood up and tried to steady herself. She bumped into Astrid and fell.

"Are you on drugs or something? What the hell was that?"
"Kate made me dizzy."

Mei tried to stand up, but Astrid pushed her back, "You're scored higher than me, and you aren't confident with your score? Answer me! Why didn't you come with us?"

"Astrid, I think this is not the time..." Nanda tried to stop her, but Astrid slapped Nanda's hand that tried to reach out.

"You're not the one talking here, Nanda. Get out of my conversation with her."

Nanda tried her best to stop Astrid, but alas, it didn't work. Astrid kept pushing Nanda away, which led to Nanda accidentally revealing Mei's secret: "Mei was groped yesterday, Astrid. Stop being mean!"

Everyone in the group gasped, but not Astrid. She said, "Oh... so that's why you were so confident you were being followed this morning, huh?"

Nanda closed her mouth and regretted arguing with Astrid. She looked at Mei and gave a "I'm sorry" look.

Astrid grabbed Mei's clothes and pulled them up, "Answer me, Bitch!"

"You don't need to know! It's my problem!"
"Your problem? It's my problem too. You're in my group! THAT'S why!"
"Let go of my collar. You'll gonna rip it, Astrid."
"Then answer! You were being lovey-dovey this morning, and you thought it didn't bother me?!"

At that moment, people nearby listened and looked over.

Kate, "Astrid, stop!"
Astrid, "Answer!"

*Slap*

Mei, "No!"
Astrid, "Don't make me say it again!"

*Slap*

Nanda, "Astrid, people are watching."
Astrid, "Shut up, Nanda."

*Slap*

And then, Mei answered, "I... I have a boyfriend."

People who heard gasped. Astrid let go of her palm, "You shitting me?"

"You saw it, Astrid. I feel happy after a long time of not feeling happy. What do you think it is?"

Astrid backed up, and Mei approached her.

"You know what, Astrid. THAT'S IT! I QUIT!"
*Slap*

People on the other side of the room heard it and looked over.

"I have looked up to you since we were in second grade. I never thought you'd be this... this... YOU'RE SUCH A SON OF BITCH, ASTRID! I HATE YOU!"

Everyone in the group moved back. They have never seen Mei this furious.

"You... You slapped me."
"So, what? You gonna cry about it?"

Astrid tried her best not to cry, "You... You..."

"I'm done!" Mei looked over to Yu, "I'd rather spend my time with a group that I'm comfortable with", her eyes filled with such anger when people looked at her.

Kate and Nanda, in shock, said, "Yu?"

Mei locked her gaze on Yu and approached him with such confidence. She arrived in front of him and squished his cheeks. "Mei... what are you doing?" he asked. Without thinking twice, she kissed him with such passion.

"Goddamn, girl", Kate was in pure disbelief.
"Even I didn't see this coming", Nanda replied.

Not long after that, the group heard a loud thud.

"Astrid! Astrid!" One of the friend groups dropped down near Astrid to help her.

"Eh, so what happened next?" Nanda asked.
"Idontknow. You asked me?" Kate replied.

<To Be Continued>