Chapter 60: I DON'T LIKE YOU

“Let’s go,” she said, completely unbothered, like we were already friends.

I turned my head slowly and looked at her like she’d just grown a second head.

She chuckled. “My car broke down, and my driver might take forever to come pick me up,” she explained, brushing her sleek hair over one shoulder. “So, I figured I might as well have some fun while I wait.”

I raised a brow. “And in what way do I look a chaffuer? Are you that friendless to jump into anyone's car you see?”

She tilted her head, smiling like she had a secret. “Yes, i am. Half of the students here are either dumbasses with only money in their heads or just not my type. And, well…” She shrugged. “I’ve been hearing things about you for months now. Never really saw you hanging around with too many people. So, I figured you’d be perfect for the space.”

My lips curled in distaste. If I were in a worse mood, I might’ve slammed her head into the dashboard just for saying that, but I'm visiting my dream place, so I'm trying my best not to let in any negative energy that'll ruin the entire preparing and trip.

I sighed and watched as she put on her seatbelt, then casually ran her fingers through her hair. “So,” she said, adjusting in the seat, “where are we going?”

I stared at her for a second, then without a word, pulled the keys out of the ignition and got out of the car.

I rounded the hood and stopped at her side, pulling open the door and gesturing for her to get out.

She blinked. “What?”

“If I’m taking you out, I shouldn’t be the one driving,” I said flatly, and tossed the keys onto her lap.

She looked down at them, then back at me, her brows furrowing. “Don't you know it's normal that the hosts drives the guests? Besides, this isn’t my car. Why would I drive?”

I nodded. “Because either you drive, or you find a place to stand and wait for that driver you claim is coming.”

She groaned, her head falling back against the headrest. “Ugh. I’m starting to not like you.”

“Get down,” I muttered.

She grabbed the keys, unfastened her seatbelt, and climbed out, walking around to the driver’s side.

I slid into the passenger seat as she got behind the wheel, both of us shutting our doors at the same time.

She shot me a side glance as she adjusted the seat, then clipped her seatbelt back into place. “You better not be a backseat driver,” she warned.

I simply leaned back, and let her start the car.

We soon drove out of the school premises. I leaned back in my seat, scrolling through my phone, catching up on messages and half-ignoring whatever music she had playing through the speakers.

“So…” she started, tapping her nails against the steering wheel. “Where are we going?” they are cute, pink and green. I've never thought about using both colors for my nails, maybe I should.

I looked away. “I don’t have anywhere in mind.”

She scoffed. “You agreed to go out with me and didn’t even have a destination?”

I turned my head slightly. “Drive us somewhere good. A perfect place—if that’s even possible. Three stars minimum. Good reviews. And all their branded items should be from a known brand.”

Xinmei let out a short laugh, giving me a side glance before turning back to the road. “Picky, I see…”

“I prefer the term careful,” I corrected. “It’s not a crime to not want to have food poisoning.”

“Touche.” She shrugged, pressing down on the gas as we merged onto the main road.

A few beats of silence passed before she asked, “Are you going on the trip? Are you packing for it already?”

I nodded.

She sighed dramatically. “You are no fun to talk to.”

I simply shrugged, going back to my phone.

She clicked her tongue. “I bet you are a reader, you always feel like the main character. Seeing the way you walk around in school, and how your encounter with a student always end. Hmmm…" She trailed off. "Makes me think you're the reason Nancy is acting all weird, haven't seen her in school for some time now.“ She tilted her head. "I'm not even sure she sat for finals“

I glanced at her again, unimpressed. “Are you always this annoying?”

She grinned. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

I sighed, locking my phone and tossing it onto my lap.

This was going to be a long ride.

As we pulled into the parking lot, I lifted my head from the headrest, expecting to see a cozy little café, maybe something with gold accents and overpriced pastries. Instead, I was staring at the glowing, obnoxiously large sign of a shopping mall.

I blinked.

Xinmei—or Meimei, as she’d insisted I call her now, because apparently we were friends—shifted the car into park and stretched her arms. “Alright, we’re here.”

I turned to her, expression flat. “This is not a dessert café.”

“Nope,” she said, popping the P. “But this is better.”

I scoffed. “I highly doubt that.”

She rolled her eyes and reached for the door handle. “Come on, Blaaake, we need to work on your ability to have fun.”

I ignored the butchering of my name and leaned back in my seat, rubbing my temple, she's really trying hard to ruin my day. “Fir your information I have fun.”

“Yeah? Name the last fun thing you did besides trying to ruin the lives of people who get on your nerves.”

"And look who is working her way up the list pretty quick"

Meimei grinned and tossed her gleaming hair back. “See. You're so weird"

I cleared my throat, dragging my fingers through my hair before finally unbuckling my seatbelt. “If you make me walk into a thrift store, I’m leaving.” I grimaced.

She gasped in fake offense. “Would I ever do that to you?”

“My keys.”

“Okay, yeah, maybe,” she admitted, grabbing her bag, and hopping out of the car. “But not today. Just trust me, alright? You know I am trust fund bitch myself, but things like this are always the best. Don't you like it when people stare at you like you own the place?” she sighed dreamily.

I stepped out, shutting the door behind me. “Not all *trust fund* babies are attention seekers.”

She frowned. "You're so annoying."

I sighed, letting her drag me toward the entrance.

This was not what I signed up for.