Silence filled the ground as the foursome stood there frozen by the little one's sudden confession. Ning was socially awkward but at the same time she never stopped herself from saying what her heart felt atleast the sweet parts and today she did the same thing.
"...Ning...you shouldn't say such things all of sudden...my heart won't be able to handle it." Yuan said as he placed his hands on his chest dramatically.
.
After that Ning seemed to have finally realized what she said as her face turned red form pale and she quickly turned her heels and walked towards the washroom.
"Haha, Ning is just like that she says what she feels...I guess you guys must have got a hint of her personality by now..." Ling said as she looked at the two boys.
.
Yuan nodded his head in an understanding manner because as unrestrained boy he was, he was also a softie from inside and he cared a lot about others and their feelings probably more then his.
"Ning is cautious yet naive...no wonder you are so protective for her." Yuan said as he looked at Ling who smiled and shrugged.
.
"Ling..." Feng who was silent from the beginning fianlly spoke his head still looking at the ground.
"She said she feels safe with us....does that mean she doesn't feel safe with others?"
Silence fell all over again.
"Ling?" Feng called her but this time his eyes meet with hers and they were tensed and worried.
.
"Feng Ge, our Ning doesn't talk much and as an introvert she might feel intimated by others...maybe that why she said that." Yuan said as he placed his hands on his shoulders.
"Yuan do you think I didn't think of that possibility? But she said 'safe' not 'comfortable' and everyone is well aware of the difference both the words."
.
"But Ge you know your words are very heavy...maybe we might not be able to hold it." Yuan said as his smile disappeared while Ling gulped and Feng eyes looked at Ning who was running towards them with the same soft smile, she isn't able to control.
"What are you guys taking about?" She asked while titling her head.
.
Three of them shared a lot as Yuan placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled.
"We were discussing about how to protect you form all the eyes during the sport meet. Who knows? How many people will fall for our little Ning."
"Yuan!! You are making fun of me aren't you?" Ning asked as she looked at him and pouted a little.
.
"Not at all! I am litreally saying that truth if not than ask them. You know both of them can't lie to you." Yuan said as he pointed and Ling and Feng who nodded their head and quite agreed with Yuan unannounced suggestion.
"You guys are funny." Ning said as she gave out a soft smile and held Ling hand as they started walking around the field again.
.
"Its feels nice to see her smile, Ge do you remmber in our middle school days Ning rarely laughed and looked as if she was always on edge but back then she didn't have any friends too..."
"But now she has us and we will make sure that smile never dissapers form her face." Feng continued as he looked at Ning signaling them to come.
.
School ended with lots of homework and pressure for the upcoming exams which didn't really tensed them much as there mind was already occupied by the upcoming sports meet.
"So, let's meet here again after practice and Feng look after her." Ling said as she looked at Feng which her eyes warning him not to let the past repeat itself.
.
"Don't worry, I will keep her safe and sound. Now leave." He said while shooing them away.
Ling rolled her eyes while Yuan have them a thumbs up before running towards thier area.
.
"Ning are you ready?" Feng asked as he looked at the girl beside him sitting at a distance of 2 metre silently.
"Huh? Oh yeah." She said but her gave clearly showed that she was having second thoughts.
Feng couldn't help but smile at her with a sigh leaving his lips.
.
"You know as much I like to tease kids I must let you know I am not gonna eat you up. So just relax. You said it yourself you are safe with me." He said as he placed his hands on her hair and ruffled it softly.
Ning looked at Feng her eyes were like that again...looking at him with amusement and hope not at all fighting the small smile that crept on her lips.
.
Feng was caught off guard and suddenly thought it was just the beginning of spring he couldn't help but feel warm not anywhere at mostly at his cheeks.
"L-Lets S-tart!!" He said as he removed his hands and walked towards his bag pack that laid in the ground.
And Ning who changed in her long joggers started to stretch her arms and legs.
.
"Have you ever played three leg before?" Feng asked as he placed the white ribbon on the bench and kneeled on the ground to tie his shoe laces.
"...Not really...Ling sometimes forced me to play with her...but after I snapped she stopped pestering me..." Ning said as she looked at the ribbon and her hands trembled at little.
.
"Ning I don't know if you are aware of this or not but I need to have physical contact with you for this game..." He said and Ning shoulders stiffened.
"...*sigh* It's unavoidable...and I don't want to force you in anyway so you still have time to back off now." He said as he looked at her.
.
Ning stayed quiet and played with her fingers, her face looked calm and her eyes no longer showed any emotions...and it was at that time Feng realized...the girl before him showed what she wanted to and the same time she knew how to hide, just like now.
"(Looks like there is still a wall between us...but I don't get why?)"