Life seemed to change quickly. Li Hua's out look began to change almost completely. Yes, home life was awful but she started to open up at school and become more outgoing.
The girls who approached her the other day were name An Bao and Hui Fen. They were actually pretty nice. They talked almost everyday in class about random topics. Ranging from school to music. One day it dawned on her.
She actually had friends?
The idea made her excited. She never really had friends before if you didn't count Auntie Rong. She had seen Li Yan's friends but they were nothing but snakes. So this was what it was really like?
Her and Su LingTian had gotten closer too. They decided to keep the relationship a secret and just say they were friends. That way it would be easier for the both of them.
He introduced her to his friends and they were all friendly, especially Lu Ting. He joked around with her a lot but hidden behind his bright smile were cold eyes.
It wasn't very hard to miss and she understood immediately, she was the same way. Before, she never let her guard down and everyone was suspicious. Game recognized game and he was sizing her up big time.
Lu Ting thought it was strange for Su LingTian to be so close with a girl. Especially after what he saw in the hallway a few weeks ago. Was this the girl? They definitely had the same figure now but so did half the school. He'd have to examine her more to really find out.
Why was he so invested. He had no idea. He was just being good friend and this was what good friends did...right?
He shook the thoughts from his head and realized Li Hua was staring at him. Her expression dark. If he was honest she was a little scary.
"So Lu Ting, what do you like to do in your free time?" She suddenly asked. Her voice was warm but felt off.
"Well I-"
Before he could finish the bell rang.
Li Hua sighed "Oh well. We'll have to finish this later."
"Yeah it was nice talking to you."
They stood there for a second, the air tense.
"Well we should get going. I'll walk Li Hua to class."
"Ok! I'll catch up with you later."
As he watched them walk away, a wave a sadness crept into him. Feeling uncomfortable, he tried to shrug it off and walked away.
~~~
As they walked to class together, Su LingTian would occasionally brush his hand against hers. It was something they came up with together, a subtle way of showing affection.
They made it her class but as she was about to walk in her suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulling her over to the side.
"Hey. Um, if you aren't busy later you want to go do something after school?"
Hearing this she was shocked. She had seen this in many dramas before but she never thought it would happen to her.
"Uh. Of course I'm free!" She stammered.
He laughed and ran his finger through her hair.
"Hey!"
"Ok meet me at the garden. I'll see you later, flower."
Flower was his nickname for her. It was supposed to remind them of the garden and how their love bloomed there too. On a less symbolic level, her name meant flower as-well.
~~~
After he left she went in to class. She was having a hard time focusing, often biting her pen. An Bao noticed and while they had a small break she questioned her.
"What's got you so worked up?"
"Well, If a guy asks you out is it a date? And if so what do people usually do on dates?" She was full of questions. The shows she watched were full of drama and was obviously over the top. She really had no idea what to expect.
Hearing her question, An Bao perked up "That's it?! Well it's a complex question. It really depends on the person." An Bao had a lot of experience dating so she felt she was an expert. However, seeing Li Hua's expectant face she decided to tease her a bit.
"Some guys will probably take you on a grand date with many activities planned. Oh like a horse carriage ride!" She continued to blabber on about complete nonsense. If An Bao had one quality it was excessive talking.
It was obvious she wasn't being serious and Li Hua's once big smile became an annoyed frown. Seeing the joke was over An Bao sighed.
"Yeah, you get the point. Anyways I'm curious! Is someone trying to ask our beloved ice princess out."
What had started out between a bunch of guys had spread to half the school. Honestly she didn't mind the nickname, she thought it was cute.
"Of course not! I was just asking because I read it in a book." She deflected. She considered her and An Bao friends but they weren't necessarily close. She also felt some people needed secrets as it was only human.
"Mhmm...." An Bao said as she looked at Li Hua. Her face was one of annoyance, basically saying "yeah right" without saying "yeah right."
"I'm serious!!"
"Ok... just know any boy trying to get to you must go through me first!" She said proudly.
"Of course!" Li Hua laughed. Her and Su LingTian were almost together for a month now and An Bao had no clue. "Go through her" her butt.
Still the question remained. What was Su LingTian planning to do later?