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" Well .. I guess the couch is fine .. "
To say Hu tao was horrified would be an understatement , the futon she rolled out was in such a shameful state . Torn edges causing a spillage of fluffy insides onto the wooden floor . She couldn't be blamed really , she didn't use the futon that much , having a bed of her own . It *was* meant for guests but her awkward and frankly scary demeanour made making friends for sleepovers very hard .
Since kindergarten all the way till now in university , the moment a new friend caught wind of her family's business and how she was supposed to continue the legacy , they would avoid her like the plague . Sometimes it's fun , she could be left alone , getting her homework done in record time , always top of the class , even getting window seats at the coffee shop she regularly frequents .
But most of the time .. it was really , really lonely . Though that didn't mean she literally had zero friends , Xiangling was her first friend , an aspiring cook with simply stellar skills ( even if she has a tendancy to put rather .. interesting ingredient combos together ). Xinyan , even if she was a year older than her , always took an interest to her activities , like a sister she never had . She likes to hang out in her room , playing tunes on her guitar while Hu tao studies .
Yanfei didn't really come into her life till very recently . A transfer student , studying law but taking a break to do a year in psychology . She could tell Yanfei was a smart cookie . Always first in class and last to leave , never has an issue with the other students , very talkative and very , very , very pretty .
And that's when we cut back to present time , a few more minutes till night's peak and a very horrified look on Hu tao's face . She wanted to break down then and there .. she felt like an idiot . While yes Yanfei's presence was very short notice , still she felt like she should've made sure the amenities was all up to spec .
" It's .. fine .. you're my guest , and I've been taught to value and honor them . You can use my bed . I'll use the couch . "
Her voice was shaky .. as if ready to receive a lashing out ..
But instead , she only felt warmth ..
It was a hug .. Yanfei was hugging her ..
" Hey .. it's alright .. I suppose I'm to blame .. I sort of forced you in this predicament . Don't beat yourself up too much . Besides .. it won't be the first time I would be sleeping in something that's not a bed . "
Her smile was .. to put it simply , ethereal .
Lost in her dreams she didn't realise Yanfei had excused herself , leaving her standing there alone , mouth slightly open . All until the roar of a thunderstorm began outside .
She heard a screech , followed by a knock on the door .
" Promise to keep this between us .. but .. is it at all possible to .. share that bed .. I'm no good with thunder .. "
Silently nodding , she stepped to the side , allowing entrance once more as she hurriedly made sure the curtains were shut tight . She hesitates .. but pulls out a small case with ear plugs Xinyan gave her one time they went to a concert together .
" It probably won't help much , but squeeze them before inserting , they should fill out to your ear holes . "
She expected rejection again , but only found laughter as Yanfei accepted her help .
It didn't take long for the thunderstorm to meander away from them , she glances at the clock on the wall .. 2 am , then her eyes fall on the sleeping woman next to her . Out of respect .. and honestly fear of being called a weirdo .. she is as far as physically possible withing the bed they shared . The wall on her back meant she didn't really have to strain herself to prevent falling , but seeing her so calm .. when she's always known her to be talking her mouth off or the puzzled look she has as she's mentally solving problems presented to her ..
She didn't meant to , she couldn't help but want that moment to be seared into her mind .
Subconsciously she reaches out , poking her cheek , as if another method of pinching herself , rest assured her cheek was real .. and very soft . She watches as her nose scrunches up before her features return back to stoicism .
It was fleeting , the moment they 'shared' . Yanfei turns over and Hu tao only is left with staring at her salmon colored hair .
She sighs .. rolls over herself before allowing rest to take her .