The first week of school came and went, quicker than expected. The air was crisp and clean, the last bits of summer fading away as the nights grew longer and the temperature dropped.
I wasn't too upset about it, though. The trees were beautiful around now, painted in beautiful orange hues, and since it was a weekend, I could spend it with my friends!
Xiangling was the one with the idea. She mentioned it to us during lunch on Friday.
"We should hang out at my house!" She had said. We were all available, so it worked out. Everyone was going.
When Saturday came, I took my time to get ready. I put on Venti's blazer over my outfit as a jacket. In the late afternoon—our meeting time—I left the house. Xiangling's house was just a few neighborhoods away, so I decided to walk.
Just as I entered Xiangling's neighborhood, I noticed Bennett close behind me.
"Were you just gonna stay quiet?" I said, running toward him to accompany him.
"Heheh, sorry! I thought you might wanna walk alone," he replied, "I've never really hung out with people other than you, Fischl, and Razor, I'm a little nervous I'll mess up!"
"Don't worry, Bennett. You'll be fine," I reassured. We had been his only friends since freshman year, the only people to give him a chance. Everyone else had their own friends already or simply refused to talk to him.
We arrived at Xiangling's house, and knocked on the yellow door. She opened it with a smile.
"Hey guys! Come on in, I'm just finishing up some snacks!" The house carried a heavy aroma of delicious food. On the living room table there was popcorn, cookies, nachos, and f/s (favorite snack).
"Hey guys," Chongyun said from the living room couch.
"Nice blazer, Y/n," Xiangling said as she carried a bowl of chips to the table, "From your boyfriend?" I rolled my eyes.
"Sure, whatever," I replied.
"Oh, so he is your boyfriend?! Called it!" She cheered, lightly punching Chongyun on the shoulder.
"It's from Venti, if that's what you're asking," I said. Bennett chuckled.
Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Xiangling rushed to open it.
"Hey! Come on in, guys!" Hu Tao and Venti stepped inside. Venti's eyes immediately glanced towards me.
I smiled towards him, and he immediately came over to the couch to sit next to me.
"Oh, you guys came pretty quick too!" Xiangling said as she opened the door for Fischl and Razor.
"Poor Razor, she probably made him tie her corset," I said to Bennett. He laughed, and Fischl scoffed.
"She couldn't reach," Razor replied.
"Did you invite Xingqiu?" Venti asked Xiangling.
"Of course I did, he's always late," She responded. I laughed.
"Might as well start now," Xiangling said, "wanna play a game?"
"Ooh, sure! Let's sit in a circle!" Hu Tao cheered.
"What is this, Kindergarten?" Venti laughed. We gathered around, I sat between Xiangling and Fischl. Venti sat right across from me.
"I've got one! Truth or Da-"
"I'm here!" Xingqiu let himself in, carrying a book.
"Were you late because you were reading?!" Xiangling exclaimed.
"Of course he did," Chongyun chuckled.
"What're you playing?" He sat down next to Chongyun and Xiangling.
"Truth or dare!!" Hu Tao said. She sounded pretty impatient by now.
"Ah, okay. Begin!"
***
"Truth or dare, Chongyun!" Xiangling smirked.
"Um, truth," he replied. Xiangling giggled.
"If you had to date anyone here, who would it be?"
"I don't know... you?" He answered, sounding disappointed in himself. The group laughed a bit.
"Okay then, you go!" Hu Tao smiled.
"Hu Tao, truth or dare?" He asked. Her grin grew wider.
"Dare, obviously!"
"Um, show me your search history."
"Hey, that's an invasion of privacy!"
"Oh, so are you gonna chicken?" Xiangling teased. Hu Tao rolled her eyes and passed her phone to Chongyun. He glanced at it briefly, before handing it back to her.
"It wasn't too interesting," He concluded.
"Yay, my turn! Venti, truth or dare?"
"Truth, for now," he said. We made quick eye contact before he looked away, eager to receive his question.
"Is it true.... that you're madly in love with Y/n?"
Xiangling snorted, and Fischl let out a chuckle. Venti's face flushed pink.
"Sure, I am," He replied.
"So that's why they have his blazer on!" Xingqiu laughed. I felt my face warming up.
"Their infatuation flourishes, yet to prevail!" Fischl exclaimed. I noticed Chongyun and Razor exchange confused looks.
"No way," I mumbled, Xiangling's finger jabbing me teasingly.
"Oh, the drama!" Xingqiu chuckled, "you two lovebirds, you've only known each other for a week!"
Venti and I gazed at each other. We both remembered our childhoods together fondly. No one else knew, yet.
"In the spirit of the moment," Venti started, "Y/n, truth or dare?"
I paused to think for a moment. He had too many possibilities, either way. Knowing him, whichever choice would leave me equally embarrassed.
"Fine, dare, I guess," I stated. He began to smile, and whispered something to Hu Tao. she nodded, and tried to hide her laughter. He beckoned to Xiangling, and whispered the same thing to her. She attempted to stifle a laugh, as well.
"Okay. I dare you to close your eyes. And keep them closed for a little while," He smirked.
What the hell was he about to do?
"That's dumb," I said, but closed my eyes anyway. I could hear my friends around me giggling, as something shuffled along the floor.
"What're you doing?" I asked. He shushed me, telling me to keep quiet.
The rest happened within seconds.
I felt two warm hands cupping my face, and quickly his lips collided with mine.
He kissed me?! Here?!
My eyes shot open. He was still only inches away from my face, his hands still resting there.
"Oh my god, he really did it!" Xiangling gasped. Hu Tao giggled.
"He did!! Told ya they're in love!" I was too stunned to speak. I just remained staring at his bright red face.
"Wow, good for him!" Bennett said happily. Razor looked on with confusion.
"I bet he's a good kisser!" Hu Tao whispered to Xingqiu.
"Haha, I've been their number one since the start!" Xingqiu boasted.
"No way! It's me!" Xiangling pushed him. Chongyun laughed quietly to himself as Fischl cackled loudly.
"Are you okay? That was fine?" Venti asked. I was in shock.
My first kiss had to be like this?!
(This chapter is our reward for 1k. I wasn't planning on having them really kiss until much later. But everyone knows it doesn't count i truth or dare. Sorry :)
Aaaaand kinda forgot wednesday was a while ago, sorry abt that!
BTW this is our longest chapter so far, at 1123 words. yay us! )