The next day, after that lunch I couldn't stop thinking about Lai. She was so cute and sweet. When she talked about her paintings her eyes sparkled. It was the most animated I had seen of her.
My friends liked her too, they couldn't stop talking about how nice she was compared to most of the girls that surrounded us. I had to agree. I never liked talking to someone so much before.
Later on, I was studying in one of the private rooms in the library after lunch when Kit called out after looking at his phone. Both Jun and I jumped.
"What!" we both shouted.
"Look at this," he held his phone out and we watched in silence. "Someone filmed Lai getting a drink thrown at her. There are lots of horrible comments."
"Is that our cafeteria?" Jun asked and Kit nodded.
Kit instantly started typing. I took out my phone and opened Facebook. I read through more of the vile comments and my anger grew. Then Kit's comment popped up.
'Who says she stole us? We choose to sit with her, not the other way around. She's talented, funny and honest. We don't sit with anyone who is fake, vile or would do something like this. All of you should be ashamed of yourselves. This is cyber bullying, if it happens again here or in real life I will have you all thrown out of school. Everyone in this video, as well as everyone that has commented, will be suspended, you all know who my father is and the school's policy about bullying.'
Jun and I both smirked at Kit after we finished reading. I then started to type as well.
'It's really sad to see so many of you think you dictate who we should spend our time with. You think you all know better about who should be around us. Guess again! You are all wrong! How dare you bully someone out of jealousy just because she interests us way more than any of you have been able to.'
Jun laughed at my comment and he started to type too.
'Lai, I hope you aren't reading all these toxic comments but if you are, read ours only. We are sorry you were targeted because of us and we hope you forgive us. Just remember that we wanted to sit and talk to you, and we hope we get to do it again soon!'
---
The next day we went in search of Tine just before lunch. He was heading out of the faculty when we managed to catch up to him. I thought he would have been upset with us since it was our fault she was picked on but he nodded when we asked him to see Lai.
She was at her condo having decided to stay home today. I couldn't blame her. The video had been taken down but many people had still watched it. Luckily Kit managed to save it and screenshot all the comments before it went.
Naturally, she was surprised to see us and I expected her to tell us to go away. Instead, she stepped aside for us to enter. We waited for her to get us a drink, which we insisted she didn't need to do before she finally sat down. Lai avoided our gaze. I could tell she was embarrassed.
"Lai, we're really sorry for what happened to you. It's all our fault, we won't blame you if you never want to speak to us again," Kit grabbed her hand as he apologised.
She, finally, looked up at us then. Shock, surprise or both were written all over her face. I took it as a good sign. I agreed in some part with what Kit said, it being our fault and all but I didn't like the part about her not speaking to us again.
"It's not anyone's fault but the ones that did it and commented online. You had no idea that would happen so how is it your fault?" She asked, squeezing his hand before pulling her hand free.
"Yeah, you didn't go to her, the first day, with the intention of sitting with her. You guys only sat with her because those girls were being mean. If they hadn't you would have sat somewhere else, right?"
We all looked at Tine and nodded. Though inside I was shaking my head. I had gone there with the intention, to at least see her, and sit near her if possible. I wasn't sure if I should thank those girls or not, since they were the reason I got to actually sit and talk with her. I glanced at Lai who seemed to look hurt at Tine's words and our agreement.
"Well, it's not entirely true," I added and Lai lifted her head with wide eyes. "I didn't go there with the intention to sit with you but when I saw you drawing I wanted to talk to you."
A very cute blush spread across her cheeks, I wanted to pinch them so badly. I smiled at her and she, adorably, ducked her head. I could see my friends watching me but I ignored them as best as I could.
"Anyway," Jun laughed, breaking the small silence that had fallen. "Are you doing ok?"
Lai gave us all a small smile and nodded. She tucked a stray hair behind her ear and my fingers itched. The action made them ache to copy it.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm used to stuff like that so it doesn't bother me as much anymore."
I hated that she was used to things like that happening. A huge part of me wanted to scream at her 'not to be used to it!' but another part of me was proud of how strong she was.
"How many times do I have to say it, Lai? You shouldn't be used to things like that!" Tine all but shouted my thoughts.
Kit and Jan were nodding their heads in agreement whilst Lai and I just chuckled at the angry puppy look they were giving.
"I know Tine, you know I don't mean that it's okay what they do, but I don't let it get to me."
"Tine's right, you should report it either to the school or to the police," Kit added.
Lai shook her head with a chuckle, "If I do that then my dads will lock me away or stick to me like glue. They taught me to be strong but they will wrap me in bubble wrap if I let it get to me so much I have to report it. Obviously, if it gets worse or more violent, then, I will report it. All it is right now is silly childish pranks and taunts."
"Dad's?" I asked curiously.
"Yeah, I have two gay dads. One's a baker the other is a police officer."
---
We'd spent a few hours at Lai's that day. She'd returned to school the next day and we would meet her, Tine and his friends most lunchtimes. If we couldn't then we would meet up later. I loved that I was able to see her every day.
Kit and Jun were just as happy. Kit would talk about her drawings and Jun loved her baking. Sometimes she brought us something she had baked to try. Everything was always so good.
Today I was beyond excited and a little nervous. Kit and Jun had to study for a coming exam and Lai had messaged that Tine and his friends had a project to finish. She'd asked if I wanted to meet up later with everyone else when I told her my friends couldn't make it either. I quickly shut that down, we were meeting even if it was only us two.
I half lied to her saying that I was worried something would happen if she ate alone. It was partly the truth but I Lainly just wanted to spend time with her. This will be the first time since we started hanging out that we've been alone.
Lai was, as usual, already waiting at one of the long tables when I made it to the cafeteria. Her head was down as if she was drawing but I couldn't see her sketchpad. I guessed she was trying not to catch anyone's attention.
"Excuse me miss, is this seat taken?" I asked in a deep voice.
Her head shot up and I started to laugh. A cute smile broke out on her face and I swear my heart skipped. She started laughing and shook her head. I sat across from her and laughed even harder as she tried to scowl at me.
It was then I noticed her eyes were a little red as if she had been crying. I waited until we had both collected our food and set back down before addressing it.
"Lai?"
She looked up at me with a smile.
"Have you been crying?"I asked.
Quickly, she shook her head, too quickly for me to believe her.
"Lai!" I said sternly and she sighed.
"It's nothing really."
"Tell me anyway," I ordered.
"On my way here, whilst I was crossing the road, a group of girls knocked into me from behind. I fell and hurt my knee and I could hear them laughing. It wasn't all bad some people helped me up."
Without a word, I stood up and headed to one of the food stations for a first aid kit. When I came back, I took the seat next to hers and told her to show me her knee. Reluctantly, I could see her raise her leg and lift her skirt to reveal a huge red scrape down her leg.
She winced as I cleaned it but didn't argue or shy away. Once I was satisfied it was clean and covered I took the kit back. When I returned to the table Lai had her head down once again. I hated that she had so little confidence in herself she couldn't even sit with her head held high.
"Let's eat," I told her when I sat back down.
Silence surrounded us as we ate and I didn't know what to do to fix it. Lai refused to even look at me. I could see her cheeks were a lovely crimson colour and I couldn't help but smile.
Once we finished, I walked her outside and stopped her from leaving straight away. She looked at me quizzically. Suddenly, I felt nervous.
"Erm… I'm sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable back there."
Lai gave me one of her small smiles and my insides jumped.
"You didn't," she reassured. "I'm just not used to guys like you caring for me."
I raised an eyebrow at her.
"Guys like me?"
A blush crept up her neck and all over her face. Now I really wanted to know what she meant. I hope it was what I was thinking.