Lai relaxed and started to enjoy herself as the night wore on. She laughed and joked with us like normal. Though, I was a little distracted by what had happened earlier.
When I saw her leaving, I hadn't hesitated to follow her. The look on her face when I caught up to her told me she was upset. However, I couldn't figure out what. As far as I could tell no one came near her when she arrived, so it must have happened before she came in.
Then she'd left again. That time I knew why she was upset. At least I thought I knew. My heart jumped when she implied that she didn't like seeing me happy with another girl.
To me, it seemed like proof enough that she had feelings for me. Maybe if I pushed a little then something could happen. My friends were pushing me to admit my feelings for her. They'd noticed how I was when she was around. It's funny how observant they were of everyone but themselves.
Lai was funny, sweet and beautiful. It killed me that she didn't know that about herself. I liked her almost from the very beginning. When I stepped in to help her, the small smile and tentative thank you she gave me pulled at my heart a little.
Then when we ate with her, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about her drawings drew me in. Spending time with her only built up what had started.
Later that night, we all headed outside and I itched to take Lai home but I knew Tine would most likely do that since they lived in the same building.
"I'm sorry Lai," I heard Tine say.
He was hugging her and apologising over and over again but I didn't know why.
"It's fine Tine, I can make my own way back. It's not that far."
Tine was holding up one of their other friends and hailing a taxi. I moved forward as one arrived.
"I'm really sorry Lai, I can't leave Pin to get home by himself."
"Tine, I told you it's fine. I'm a big girl, I can find my own way home," she assured him, helping him get Pin into the car.
"I'll make sure she gets home safe, Tine," I told him, stepping up.
"You really don't have to," Lai insisted, turning a slight shade of pink.
"Really P'Nodt? That would be great, thanks."
With a smile, I waved him off as the car drove away. Kit had already slunk off with a very drunk Jun. So, there were only the two of us standing outside the bar.
"So, shall we?" I asked her, indicating to the taxi that had just arrived.
We climbed in and butterflies started to flutter in my stomach. For the first time in a long time, I was unsure of what to say or do. I'd not felt like this for years, not since my first date.
We arrived at her place quicker than I liked. I paid and followed her out. She tried to rush inside but I stopped her.
"Wait!" I called out and she paused, looking at me expectantly. "Well, I was wondering if you'd like to watch a movie with me tomorrow?"
Lai blinked several times, that blush reappearing once again.
"Sure, erm … who else will be coming?" she asked.
"No one, just us," I told her quickly.
"Us?" she blinked rapidly.
"Yeah us, just you and me. What do you say?"
Lai looked like she couldn't quite understand what I was asking but she slowly nodded her head. I smiled widely and said goodnight. I pumped my fist slightly before quickly jerking my arms back down.
Lai had turned around and was looking at me strangely. I waved her goodbye before heading home.
----
The butterflies were back in full force as I stood waiting for Lai outside the cinema. I arrived about half an hour early, too excited to wait around at home. As the time ticked away a feeling of dread started to fill my stomach. I started to panic thinking that she wasn't coming. Did I push her too much? Did she change her mind?
I was so lost in my thoughts that I jumped when she called my name. Lai was trying and failing to hide her smile and laughter. I could feel my cheeks heating up.
"Sorry," she chuckled.
I tried to glare at her but it was no use, she was too darn cute for her own good. I knew I was doomed.
Lai picked the movie, to be honest, I have no idea what it was about. Something with superheroes I think. I was too focused on her. Our arms were slightly touching and I was desperate to hold her hand. Her eyes were glued to the screen like she was entranced by the story, she looked stunning.
When the movie was over, I suggested going for a meal. At first, she was nervous, barely speaking much like she had when we first met. However, as we ate she opened up to me.
She told me about her family and how she was treated in school. I laughed when she told me how overprotective her fathers and uncle are but became sad when I saw the light in her eyes dim when she spoke about being bullied.
I had already guessed she had been picked on, especially with the way she shrinks away when confronted or teased. Lai then asked me about myself, and I was happy to oblige.
When we finished I insisted on taking her home. She had tried to argue but I wouldn't let her. On the drive back we were silent but it was a comfortable silence like we were just content to be in each other's company.
When we reached her place I walked her inside. She kept on insisting that I could go but I didn't want to leave. I think she must have sensed that so she asked if I wanted to see a painting she was currently doing. Naturally, I jumped at the chance.
I hadn't noticed a small studio-type area in the corner when I had been there before. Though, I have no idea how I could have missed the easel and paints.
"Is that Tine?" I asked, feeling a little jealous.
Lai nodded and laughed.
"Yeah he hadn't liked posing but I needed a model. My tutor isn't happy though as he said he can tell it's the same model. He says I have to try and draw different people."
"I'll model for you," I said without thinking.
Lai blinked up at me and I watched her blush creep up her neck and into her cheeks. I'd been thinking about offering ever since she first said about needing new models.
"Jun and Kit will model too," I added to fill the silence. "We all have different body types so that should please your teacher."
She seemed to think over my offer, as she moved away to sit on the couch. I followed her and waited. As the silence filled the air I started to wonder if I had made her uncomfortable. I was about to retract my offer when she turned to me.
"If you're sure?" she asked tentatively.
"Of course! I wouldn't offer if I wasn't," I told her.
"But you can't just speak for P'Kit and P'Jun. They might not want to do it," she asked.
I chuckled as I took out my phone and dialled Kit's number. He answered after the third ring.
"Yeah!" he sounded like he was still hung over or drunk.
"Hey man, I've got a question to ask. Is Jun with you?" I asked.
Kit grunted, which I found odd.
"No, he's not. What's up?" Kit sounded angry, hurt or both.
"Erm … no problem, I'll give him a call soon. Would you be willing to model for Lai? She needs to draw different body types."
"Yeah sure no problem," he said before hanging up.
That was also another odd thing. He never hung up just like that, not without saying goodbye. Something was wrong with him, I should go see him later.
When I dialled Jun's number it was pretty much the same thing. He grunted when I mentioned Kit and then after saying he would model he hung up without a goodbye. Something was going on, I wasn't sure what but I knew something was.
When I looked at Lai she seemed to be thinking the same thing. I smiled at how concerned she looked for my two friends. Well, they are her friends now.
"Are they ok?" She asked. "I think something's wrong with them."
"Yeah, I agree. I'm going to go see Kit first. Do you want to come?"
Lai nodded eagerly, already heading for the door. I smiled widely as I followed. This was one of the things that I liked about her. Not only was she kind but she was willing to step in and help.
---
It wasn't a long drive to Kit's so we made it within ten minutes. It took him too long to answer the door though. When he eventually did, his eyes were red and swollen. Lai instantly moved forward and wrapped her arms around him.
Kit burst into tears as she gripped him tight. Gently, she moved them both back into his apartment and I followed, closing the door on my way.
Eventually, Kit stopped crying but Lai still held onto him. I was feeling a little jealous of my friend. Which made me feel like a huge jerk. My friend was obviously in pain and I was being a jackass for hating how close they were.
Lai rubbed his back gently and that did nothing for my jealousy. Instead, it spiked it up another notch. I wanted to interrupt them but I didn't know how without sounding like a jealous idiot.
"Can you tell us what happened?" Lai asked.
Kit sat up and wiped his face before nodding. He took a deep breath as we waited.