funny story

What was he thinking? No, scratch that, he was not thinking at all. That made more sense, otherwise he would not be in this predicament.

Curiosity got the better of him when he heard a familiar voice. He had told him about this place but did not expect him to show up so soon. Especially with company.

So he came up with the great idea to grab his laptop and take a seat nearby. Míngzé would listen to them while working. It was only when he sat down that he realized how absurd it was, but he could not possibly leave.

And then the worst thing imaginable happened—

Did you like what you heard?

Reflectively he slammed his laptop shut as he looked up. He looked more like a fish out of water than anything else and he hated it. “I wasn’t—” he began before pausing. What to say? What to do?

Míngzé cleared his throat. “I should probably be going.” Yes, running away was his only chance. He already grabbed his laptop and shoved it into his bag with haste.

How could he have been so foolish as to think this was a smart idea? Míngzé lifted his bag on the table, tucking away his laptop to make for a swift escape. No way he could ever show his face to Lamar ever again. What a fucking idiot he was. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Míngzé listened to the woman while she was talking. He did not know what to expect, but what she said stopped him in his tracks. “A surprise party?” he repeated her words to make sure he heard right. His hands rested on his bag as he turned his gaze towards her.

Slight hesitation was written in his eyes. She mentioned that Lamar would be glad to see him there. “You think so?” Here he was, running for his life, when receiving an invitation to a surprise party. Not what he expected. “We’ve only known each other for— I guess a few weeks.” He would not count the tragic incident at the lake.

Míngzé pulled the chair back again, that way he could sit down once more as he thought it through. The bag ended up on the ground again.

A hint of a chuckle sounded, his lips slightly pulled in a smile. Who’d have thought he was still capable of doing something good? These days he felt like all he could do was the opposite of good. But here this woman was, saying the opposite. “He’s also great company,” Míngzé agreed, staying a bit reserved towards the woman he did not know.

It was to be a surprise party for Lamar’s party and one of the reasons he should come was because she and some Codes were amazing hosts.

“Alright,” he said as he loosely crossed his arms. All that held him back was the fact that there would be people he did not know. Probably all of them. “Where and when is this surprise party?” It would be a huge step for him if he did this.

Míngzé raised an eyebrow at the woman in front of him. He had no idea who Cody was or where his place was located, only that it was outside the city. It might be a struggle getting there, but he would find a way. Although a taxi would be rather expensive.

“That works, as far as I’m aware I have nothing planned that day.” It would be good for him too, to engage in some normal activities. Did this mean he would join them? Surely started to look like it.

“My name is Míngzé,” he introduced himself and gave her a name to add to the phone number he would dictate when she was ready for it. It was still hard to believe how it had come to this point, but he was not complaining.

“And just— I wasn’t— What I want to say is sorry, for eh— you know.” Míngzé was too embarrassed to admit that he had been listening in on their conversation.

The puzzle pieces fell together. Finally he could put a name to the woman that had changed his view these last weeks. In a way he was grateful, but finding her here in this situation made it more difficult. How was it possible that she knew Lamar and that they were this close? It made him recall their conversation and all he’d told her.

Míngzé breathed in sharply. As she spoke he had no idea what to tell her, afraid that perhaps he had already ruined his reputation with her. Slowly he raised his bag over his shoulder.

Would it change anything now that he knew of Lamar’s affinity? He liked to think not.

“It’s the last thing I want too.” Was all he said to her and Míngzé hoped that she could hear the sincerity in his voice. He wouldn’t know what to do if he fucked this up too. “I’ll leave before it can happen.” One thing was for sure, he would not ruin someone good like Lamar.

“You too, Shaelyn, see you at the party.” It did not happen often that someone could pronounce his name fluently, but this woman did it with no effort at all.

Míngzé did not move from where he stood until she was gone. Doubt was infiltrating his mind, but he tried to push it away. It had to be fine.