8 (IV) A Boy I Can Never Forget

Dinner with Li Jun ended almost too quickly. All the dishes and food were kept and Li Jun wanted to find Xiao-Fen and apologize, which was a surprising act of humility I never expected. He probably was going to stay in the bar for a while so I decided to appreciate this small time for myself. I suddenly remembered the cold piece of jewelry wrapped around my neck. I never mentioned it before because I always felt nostalgic whenever I think of this necklace's past. I carefully took it off and placed it on the dinner table. The moonlight shined on the piece, making it look even more beautiful. It was a silver necklace with a small crescent moon at the center that could fit on my thumb. I treasured this since I got it from the boy I could never forget.

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx

It was autumn and my whole family had a huge picnic together under a huge oak tree that provided shade for everyone. The wind was cool and everyone truly enjoyed the day. I was only five and I wandered around. We were near a lake, surrounded by a thick forest. I was warned not to wander too far, especially towards the forest. I was stubborn and approached the forest, staring at the trees that soared up to the heavens. Then I heard noises, twigs snapping and bushes shaking. I thought a wild animal was spying on me and I immediately paced away from the trees. Instead, a boy pops out from behind a tree and stands in front of me.

His face was covered with dirt and his hair had a bunch of leaves all over. He looked silly, but I was too scared to even make a sound at that time. He tilted his head and stretched his hand, "Hi."

That was the first thing he said. I didn't reply back and only took a tiny step back. The boy surprisingly smiles reassuringly and puts his arm down. He points at the group of people ahead, my family, and asked, "Are you with them?" I nodded and he nodded too. He wipes his hands on the side of his shorts and raises his arm again for me to shake.

"Hi," he said, "it's nice to meet you, Ms. Zhou."

I nervously shook his hand, "H-How did you know my name?"

He puts down his arm and rests them on his hips. "I saw you at the festival. You were with the Zhou Family group."

I nodded. He smiles wide, teeth showing. I take in some courage and asked, "What's your name?"

"Wajun," he replied proudly.

"Wajun?" I repeated. "To dredge?"

He scratched his head, "Well, that's what my Grandmother called me. It's probably because I always played around in her pond and would scoop up a handful of mud to her."

I laughed. "Ew."

Almost as quick as lightning, Wajung grabs a handful of sand from the ground and raises his fists, ready to throw it in my face. I flinched back, only to find out that he was laughing, letting go of the sand. I frowned and rested my hands on my hips. "That wasn't funny."

Wajun's smile fell and he looked down, "Sorry. I was only joking."

I smile back and offered my hand for him to shake, "Let's be friends, Wajun."

And his smile came back.

Xx Xx Xx Xx Xx

My short flashback was cut short as I heard the door close with a small bang. In comes Li Jun, his face full of slight anger and exhaustion. I stand up and approach him. He lifts a smile.

"Done," he whispers as I sigh. He stretches his arms and yawns. "I'll go to bed ahead."

I nod as he makes his way to the bathroom to change into something appropriate to wear when he sleeps. I pull out the necklace to take a quick glimpse back.

Wajun. Jun.

My mind lights up as the thought comes in. Could he be related to Li Jun? The bathroom door opens and out comes Li Jun in comfortable silk attire. He sees me sitting across, eyes wandering off to my imagination and raises his eyebrows. "May I ask what's in your mind right now, Mei Zhen?"

"Do you happen to have a relative with the name Wajun?" I ask almost too quickly.

He thinks for a second but, to my disappointment, shakes his head, "No, I don't think so. Does he have a last name?"

I shake my head too, "I don't know. I met him when I was little."

"Oh," Li Jun replies, "That's interesting. He's not from the Zhou family?"

"I don't think so. We're quite a small family and I've never met anyone named Wajun."

Li Jun nods, "He could be a commoner or could be one of the sons of the other High Families. Who knows?"

I laugh softly. Who knows where that young boy is now. The only image I have of him is a small, muddy, curious boy. Li Jun walks over to the couch provided in our room and begins to lie down. I walk over to him and tilt my head to face him, "Are you going to sleep there?"

Li Jun replies, eyes closed, "Yes. Good night, Mei Zhen."

"But there's a huge bed right behind the couch."

"You can have it to yourself. Don't worry, I find this couch very comfortable."

I grumbled, "Li Jun, please sleep on the bed. Look, you don't even fit in the couch." I point at his legs sticking out of the arms of the sofa. He chuckles. "That doesn't matter."

"Did I move a lot when I slept beside you the other night?" I asked.

He opens his eyes and looks at me. He shook his head, "No. Why do you ask?"

"I get it I'm uncomfortable to sleep with," I say, facing the other way to avoid his gaze. "I got the note. Thanks, Li Jun."

I stand up only to be stopped by Li Jun's hand grabbing my arm. I turn, to see him blush madly. "I-I don't know why but I feel a sense of security when I sleep beside you."

I felt my face growing warm, "Then why are you sleeping on the couch?"

"Maybe you weren't comfortable having me there beside you whenever you sleep."

I slightly twist my arm and take his, "Then sleep on the bed. I want to make sure that you sleep safely and soundly."