My mind had many thoughts going through my head as I rushed Faye to the infirmary in the main building. Everything had happened quickly where Meizuo could not recover from his slow reflex and I had to do something. Without thought I had to take her into my arms and carry her out of the practice room. I tried my best to take the stairs as quickly as I could without causing any more harm to Faye.

It did not matter to me if everyone looked in our direction making us the center of attention. A few of my female classmates asked me in concern if Faye was alright and I shook my head passing them in a hurry. It was Ximen who was on the main floor who stopped talking to Senior Li Mei and rushed to my side asking many questions.

She fainted, because she did not eat today the doctor had told Ximen, Meizuo, and I. She wouldn't be unconscious for very long, but it was recommended to make sure she had her meals. There wasn't anything serious at the moment. The three of us sat around her bed in the infirmary not saying anything to each other.

I knew she was avoiding me after what happened. I wanted to stay in the moment I had with her, but I had to be truthful towards her. After that evening she walked away in tears, I knew I had feelings for her, but my confusion blinded my self conscious that I have always loved Jing. I love Jing, but the painful thought or the idea of hurting Faye pained me. I wouldn't have thought her presence in the short time would have a great effect on me.

My lips on hers was something I wanted more of. Holding her close to me in that moment of time I realized I was more attracted to her than I have anyone. It surprised me that my feelings for Faye at this time were stronger than my childhood, Jing, who I've known to love since we were kids.

How can I have stronger feelings for someone I barely knew? She may not have noticed from our first practice rehearsal together I felt a connection between us even though I had purposely changed the tempo on her. At first we were playing so well together before I wandered into my own thoughts not realizing what I was doing. I was feeling off that day like I had the previous days from the evening we argued. When she told me I had upset her, at the time it did not bother me and I was frustrated with Ah Si. I had put my frustration out on her.

Meizuo had mumbled something to Ximen and I looked away from a resting Faye. Ximen nodded in agreement before looking towards her. Meizuo sent me a glare and I wondered if Meizuo told him what had angered him towards me. He wouldn't tell Ximen if he knew neither of us could pursue her. For Faye's sake he wouldn't betray her. My phone buzzed from my coat pocket and I reached for it to see a text from Meizuo.

You're confusing the girl. Not any girl Lei. You need to figure out who you want

I sighed knowing he was right. I heard a soft groan and looked up from my phone to see Faye stirring slightly. I moved closer to the edge of my seat. Both Ximen and Meizuo look towards her waiting to wake. It took a few moments where her eyes began to open. She blinked a few times before her eyes made contact with me. If this were before Saturday evening, I wouldn't be feeling my heart beating the tempo to the intro to Choplin's, Minute Waltz. It took every muscle in me to keep myself seated and not reach for her hand.

If I wanted to pursue Faye, I first had to decide if Jing is not the one. Not only was this the responsible thing to do, but it also bothered me I may lose Jing. The thought of losing Jing when she has been there for me even my most difficult time made me guilty. It would be best if I spoke with Jing soon.

"No," I heard Faye speak softly. Ximen and Meizuo looked in my direction before turning their attention to her. I must have missed something.

"Can't you two make up already?" Ximen asked. Meizuo raised a brow towards me and I realized this was about the night at the restaurant. Ximen did not know half the things behind what happened. It seemed the three of us were keeping things from him and somehow he did pick up on it. She looked towards me again and I can tell she was thinking about our perfect moment. She looked away from me towards Ximen and shook her head.

She's not ready to talk to me, because I'm in love with Jing and I kissed her. It made me hate myself for not thinking everything through. She wants me to figure out what I wanted.

"Faye," I spoke up realizing this was another one of my not thinking this through situation. My mouth was speaking before I could process what I was saying. She looked over to me confused wondering what I had to say. "Stay with Jing and I tonight." Immediately Meizuo coughed causing us to turn to him.

"She needs rest before our flight Lei," Ximen spoke with all seriousness. "She can hang with you two when we arrive in Sanya."

"One of my staff is a Filipina," I said to him. "I can have her make Faye a homemade Filipino dish so Faye can eat. I can ensure she eats plenty and receives plenty of fluids before the flight." Ximen looked towards Faye and I turned to her and noticed she was unsure about this. "Ximen, Meizuo, and Ah Si have last minute revisions to do for their paper due tonight," I spoke to her now. "They'll be up late working on it and I will make sure you're resting by a decent time." Faye looked towards Ximen wondering if this was okay.

"You can go if you'd like," Ximen said. "Please don't fool around tonight." She nods before looking over to me. Both Ximen and Meizuo stood. Meizuo himself looked unsure of my unusual invitation to have Faye stay with Jing and I for the night. Jing and I were supposed to go out to dinner tonight, but I told her we would have to go for dinner another time. I told her what happened to Faye and she encouraged me to stay with her. "I can make sure to grab your luggage. Everything is already packed?" Faye nods and lowers her eyes. I noticed she is shy or is trying to avoid eye contact when she does that.

Before Ximen and Meizuo said they would leave, Ximen kissed Faye on her forehead. The two left, leaving me with Faye. I quickly sent a text to my staff, specifically Joyce, asking if she can make one of her favorite Filipino dishes that didn't take too long and to make rice.

"Do you need help?" I asked her. She nods realizing it wasn't the time she could be stubborn. I stood up reaching over to help her up as she tried to sit up. I allowed her to swing her legs over the bed. I went from behind to wrap my arm to help her to stand and she grabbed on to my free hand. Once I had her standing, I shut my eyes for a moment, stopping myself from wanting to turn her towards me. I took her bag from the table before we started to make our way out.

....

Jing and I watched from across the table as Faye ate longanisa sausage with rice. She was talking to one of the staff, Joyce. Faye seemed to feel at ease when she found out Joyce was originally from the Philippines. It did not take long for her to switch to tagalog and speak with ease to Joyce. I sat back in my seat and took a sip of my wine as I observed Faye. She was smiling at something Joyce had said.

I had no idea what they were talking about, but Faye continued to eat with ease. This was her third refill of rice. Both Jing and I had finished after our first bowl. I felt a tap to my arm and I turned to see Jing glancing at me before staring at both Faye and Joyce.

"She seems really happy to be having a homemade Filipino dish," Jing started off. I hum in agreement. "It was nice of you to invite her over. I know you two haven't... been on speaking terms since monday evening. Are you two going to be alright? She was very upset that night. I think you should get to know her Lei," Jing spoke lightly. I turned towards her knowing what she was doing. We had a conversation tuesday morning about some of the things that happened. Jing knows Faye and I kissed. She thinks I am falling for the girl without realizing it.

"Jing..."

"I know you won't admit it out loud, but you care for her. More than you have for me in some ways. You... kissed her. You've been constantly thinking about her and have been concerned for her feelings. You say you've only just met her, but you made the first official move by kissing her."

"I'm not sure what to do."

"First you two should be on talking terms. I think after what happened between you two, you have to apologize. You need to show her that you want to be with her."

"But what do I do when she's avoiding me?"

"You're going to have to be patient with her. I can see you care for her and want her to be well. You're going to have to control your temper. It concerns me, because Shancai is also in the picture?" Jing asked questionably. "You never intervene until lunch yesterday when you helped her. Do you have feelings for her also?" I shook my head thinking of the opposing and courageous freshman.

"No.. She is a great friend to have. I couldn't stand there and watch that scene play out. I like her as a friend." Jing nods.

"Lei..." I turned in the direction of Faye mentioned my name, but had no idea what she was saying. "Nakilala ko talaga siya noong unang taon ko sa senior high school." She mentioned me and something along with senior high school.

"You knew Faye in Senior high school?" Jing asks. I frown in confusion.

"No? I don't think so."

"Are you sure? I'm sure she just told Joyce she met you from her first year or senior high school."

"I... think I'd know who she was if we met. There isn't a way I could forget someone like Faye. I never talked to anyone, but you and the guys." Jing took another sip of her wine.

"You should get some rest Miss.Calinao," Joyce was saying. I saw Faye yawning and she agreed. "I can sh-"

"I can bring her to the guest room," I spoke up. All three girls looked towards me. Jing smiled as she took her napkin from her lap. I took the last sip of my wine before standing. I wasn't sure what was running through Faye's mind, but her expression seemed to be a bit unease. Faye thanked Joyce for dinner and exchanged a goodnight with Jing before following me out of the dining area. I led her down the halls towards the main foyer and made my way up the stairs. I made sure to walk slow enough for her to keep up. I walked towards the first door to the right, which was the first guest room. I opened the door for her and at first she stopped in front of me before walking in.

My body leaned against the door frame as I watched her walk to the center of the room and looked around. It was until she was facing me again she stopped and folded her arms.

"Thank you," She spoke. I slowly walked over to her and she began taking a step back. "Lei..." she says lightly. Her legs hit the front of the bed frame. Her eyes widened slightly as I was close enough to her she had to look up. "What are you doing?" I wrap my arms around her waist and allow myself to hug her firmly. Her stiffness was present only for a moment before she relaxed and she hesitantly wrapped her arms around my waist.

"I'm sorry for upsetting you on Monday," I confess gently. I hope this wouldn't upset her or push me away. We remained in this position for a short while. She doesn't respond after a while and I pull away slightly so I could look down towards her. "Faye?" I asked to make sure she was alright.

"W-we should talk about it another time," She said lightly. I could tell that night continued to bother her. "We can talk about it soon. I promise," She says rather shakily and I only nod knowing I shouldn't push it. Slowly, I unwrapped my arms for her and I lowered my eyes unsure what to say.

"Good night Faye. My room is at the end of the corridor, to the left if there is anything you need." I'm sure she won't need me, but just in case, I wanted her to know she could wake me if there was a problem. She thanked me once more before I walked out of the guest room and closed the door behind me. I walked down the corridor until reaching my room and let out a sigh. I opened the door to see Jing looking up from my luggage I still had to pack. Sometimes Jing would pack for me. I walked over to bed and sat down letting out a soft groan.

"Ximen called, wondering how Faye is doing. I told him she's feeling better? She seemed alright downstairs in the dining room." Jing put down one of my sweaters she was going to pack before taking a seat on a chair across from me. "She's alright, right? I had to reassure him that she's doing alright here."

"Faye is alright," I nod slowly and sigh tiredly. "I think I should spend more time with her if she lets me?" I questioned. The thought or the idea of wanting to see if I wanted to pursue Faye instead of Jing is unknown territory. It felt unnatural to me that I knew little about Faye, but I have feelings I could not explain that I never had with Jing. Jing smiled slightly before resting her hand on my shoulder.

"Remember what I said Lei," She spoke softly. I nod and she leaned foreword to kiss my cheek before standing. I looked up towards me before wishing me a good night and leaving the room. I continued on with packing a few things.

❤️