SHE'S MY FIRST LOVE

, Mei ended up e

the previous patrons, which the owner quickly cleared away before giv

such a humble establi

t to fancy, pristine places-well, as m

amenting her current situation.

y, she remai

ne fried rice with egg, please." Then he

can I. Mei called for the

t his phone, scrolling throu

n April, during their breakup. After a heated argument, they deleted ea

. it suited her bett

rkling black eyes, long lashes, high

he'd kissed

, searching for something to distract himself. Any

courage to look directly at Me

one, took hers out as well. But the mo

n

ei nestled in Otis's arms during their first embrace. She'd deleted mo

keeping it didn't seem like a big deal. But

locked the phone and placed it fac

pitiful sound as i

skipping a beat. He looked up

.. what'

id I? Wait, why am I nervous?

s back, trying to re

behind her ear and sa

ed. "Sure doesn't lo

s she picked up her phone and wiped i

hen. If y

further and went

e legs in sneakers. Her feet weren't big-proba

hose sn

he pair he'd bough

e more certain he beca

h and slightly pinkis

t

ing to banish the strang

ced at Otis, pretendi

same, though perhaps

working ou

toned now. If he lifted his sh

tis wasn't looki

king at he

ridge is admiring the view, while someone in

ace tur

at my legs?!

lled her legs back slightly

her calves-slender, smoot

gain, this time with

quickly raising his head

rms, frowning as

at my legs, weren'

er legs before... He coughed awkwardly. "No, no. You

that's true, then tell me-w

ticed you're still wearing the s

e, glanc

e... the sneak

fumbled for a respons

"Could it be you're

things. That's all. I've always been practical-p

at himself.

crossing her arms. "Who

d his mout

usly,

with egg were placed on the table. The golden grains of rice

smiled and said, "Give it a try. I

s, huffed at each oth

s ever. I thought for a second sh

i was always a bit frugal-somethin

es would light up, hands clenc

sig

and, was eating in

ay something to make fun of

onto anything? What'

ing how they used to playfully tap each other

feeling from back the

s grew

e m

silly feelings. Right now, the priority i

n. Without my rose-tinted g

, "Otis, since we're roommates

oked up

ter dinner and buying some

gs crossed, while Otis

ei began listing her rule

shower, you stay in your

alright." Like I'd want

ll evenly. And the hours each of us

at's way too extreme. How am