Mistakenly Yours

Li Miao sensed the whispers swirling around her like wisps of smoke. Each step down the crowded hallways pulsed with a silent accusation.

 

That post was definitely a deliberate attack on Xu Yue. I need to figure out the bottom of this.

 

Her eyes found their mark, one of the girls who'd once trailed her with unquestioning loyalty. Li Miao fell in behind, her footsteps muffled against the worn tiles. Their path veered away from the noisy thoroughfares to a secluded rooftop.

 

Pressing herself against the cold, rough surface of the door, Li Miao's breaths were shallow, her heart racing as she listened in.

 

The voice that pierced through the silence was unmistakably Qi Rui's, which made Li Miao's stomach turn. 

 

"That slut definitely slept with one of them! How else did she convince anyone?" 

 

Qi Rui's words sliced the air, each syllable dripping with venom. Her fists clenched and unclenched, nails digging into her palms.  One foot slammed against the floor, then another, echoing her rage.

 

"We have the note and the trash ready. When do we start?" The second voice was a tense whisper of eagerness and fear.

 

"Now. She always heads past the East building," Qi Rui responded, her tone cold and calculating. She had been watching Xu Yue for the past few days, planning her next move with precision.

 

Hidden from view, Li Miao's hand flew to her mouth, stifling the gasp that threatened to give her away. The pounding of her heart was deafening in her ears. Xu Yue was in danger.

 

I need to save her!

 

---

 

Xu Yue pushed through the school doors, a shiver rippling through her with the rush of frigid air. Outside the east building, something clattered against the pavement near her feet. 

 

Unable to see the source, she bent down to pick it up. It was a rock with the image from before tied to it, with a note on the back that said, “Trash belongs with trash.”

 

A prickle of unease crawled up her spine. Above, on the balcony, shadows shifted. Someone giggled, the sound sharp against the biting wind.  Just as Xu Yue looked up, a new weight slammed against the ground beside her. 

 

She reacted, but it was too late.  

 

Li Miao was already there, shoving her hard at the same instant, a torrent of dirty water filled with heavy trash cascaded from above.

 

Li Miao took the full brunt of the icy torrent, her body crumpling. Shock pulsed through the onlookers; gasps and muttered curses replaced the laughter echoing moments before.

 

Xu Yue's gaze shot upward. Qi Rui stood silhouetted against the fading light, her mouth a perfect O. Then she whirled and disappeared inside.

 

Xu Yue tore her eyes away to find Li Miao huddled on the wet pavement, trembling so violently her teeth chattered. Xu Yue yanked off her sweater and draped it over the shivering girl without thinking. Li Miao's eyes finally found focus, searching hers.

 

“Are you… okay?” Li Miao choked out, the concern radiating from her a jarring contrast with Xu Yue's expectations. 

 

“…You…” Words failed Xu Yue. 

 

How can you worry about me when you’re in this state? 

 

From across the courtyard, angry voices surged as someone alerted teachers, but the sounds seemed distant. Li Miao slumped, her eyes fluttering closed.

 

---

 

Li Miao was taken to the nurse's office and given a warm shower. Her breathing was weak from the freezing temperature that had shocked her body.

 

Xu Yue sat next to the bed, devastated. Finally, breaking the silence, she looked at Li Miao. 

 

“Why did you push me away?” She asked. 

 

“I… heard them… and they were planning… on hurting you…” Li Miao’s words were cut short by her breathing. 

 

Xu Yue’s face broke in tears in a rare instance of emotion, angry at the circumstance. “You should have told the teachers! How could you do it by yourself?” 

 

Her knuckles whitened against the fabric of her shirt, and her grip was so tight she felt it might tear under the strain. With a whisper, she said, “You should have told me…”

 

Li Miao, with her eyes closed, “I… didn’t have time… I couldn’t find you…”

 

The doubts slammed into her, wave after relentless wave, stealing her breath, threatening to pull her under. 

 

You can’t trust her, Xu Yue. You know what she used to be!  No one suddenly becomes nice! Think about what happened before - you, your parents! Why would you believe her?

 

But… 

 

She remembered Li Miao’s expressions towards her, her blushing face when Xu Yue held her chin, her sparkling eyes when she talked about her favorite mascot, and the warm smile in her selfies. 

 

Xu Yue leaned forward, the chill of Li Miao's hand jolting her. It was the first time Li Miao’s hands were colder than hers. Their fingers tightened instinctively, an almost desperate grasp. Hot tears traced paths on Xu Yue's cheeks, landing with soft, stinging plops on their clasped hands.

 

“You idiot… you should have just let me get hit!” She choked out.

 

Li Miao's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze widening in surprise at Xu Yue's tears. Then, a hint of her familiar, mischievous smile ghosted across her lips. 

 

“Was I helpful?”

 

The barrier to Xu Yue’s heart shattered like glass inside of her. Her heartbeat rapidly increased as she stared at Li Miao’s beautiful but fragile smile. 

 

“Yes…” 

 

Yes, Li Miao has changed.