❦ ♪

CHAPTER EIGHT : popularity

"mei's so popular."

❦ ♪

— mei pov.

hao
@zhangha00

so what's your relationship with
hanbin then

bro Wtf

neither of u have explained why tf
u were at his house to study today

he offered me to thats all pal

u already seem close though

we aren't close he's just nice to me
unlike SOMEONE.

okaayyy??? the rest of my group
is nice to u and ur not going to
their houses are u💀

omg
are u jealous
are u in love with me

mei i'm going to dropkick you

omgggg😊😊😊😇😇ur so romantic
hahahahaha ur not denying it

no i'm not in love with you or jealous
stop ignoring me and tell me why ur all
nice with hanbin do u like him or something

i don't like someone that easy you know xx

idk maybe u do

ok but no i don't like him calm yourself
slash ess are ess‼️

okay just making sure you don't
but still, you're always so close he
deadass held your hand yesterday

bro idk why he did too idk why ur
blaming it on me when he's the one
that held my hand

ik but ur just scaring me..

sorry Top student

why are u more annoying on
text 😭😭

cause i get distracted when i see ur
face😍😍😊😊❤️❤️❤️

oh my days
ur so weird

ok that hurt ur also weird

idk why my friends want to be close
with u when ur like this

cause i'm cool and hot and smart

u sure ur not describing me?

Kys❤️

no thanks
you know it's true

ummm maybe but whatever i'm still better

am i not older than you

omg... i forgot when is it

july 25

wtf ur older than me by a DAY
fuck you

it means i'm always one upping you

omg die i hate it here

u die first

die for me

ur weird

hanbin wouldn't treat me like this

ofc he won't he's like the nicest ever

i wish you weren't annoying so he could
to me more❤️

"i don't like him"

boy i'm a new student i want more friends
just bc ur all attractive men doesn't mean
i want all of u (it definitely does)

so u want me

yeah
no

oh wow so u do😓

shut up i said no after

acting like u didn't call me hot like
yesterday...

i ummm didn't

"hot man" this you??

loll idk what ur talking about top student
hahahahaaha!!!!

don't lie now mei

u want me don't u

??? it's the other way round

nooooo hahaha u want me

uve been flirting with me everytime
we speak but okay

hahahaha😅😅what

i'm so glad ur not this weird in person..

don't lie u would def blush if i spoke to
u like this in campus🤭🤭🤭

yeah no

can i try it then

sure but i won't be reacting like
all giggly

boringggggg

ur boring u don't study

ST*DYING is boring

it isn't

you have no life u study like everyday

i probably have a better life than u if
i'm studying this much

ur just boring

u were copying my notes

THATS CAUSE I NEEDED HELP??

atp u won't even get top 2

who's the 2nd rank

renjun

omg Why didn't my bff tell me this

probs cause he wants u to feel better
abt ur egotistical self

I'm heartbroken

what did u get in the entrance exam

full marks

say word

ew u sound like a british teenager but word

wtf how

what did u get

98..

LOL see i'm better

not at violin

shut Up

u and ur basic ass classical music
piece

it's better than whatever u played

it was my song

omg ur a musician fr

💀yeah

what song was it

it's called always

do u sing in it..

yes

SHOW ME IT

ew no

pls❤️😓

no it's a somg that's not for u

omg why
is it about sexism

??????? no

what is it then

i'll show u the full song one day but
not now bc i don't like u

aww bummer💔💔

... okay

u will show me one day right right right

if we get along maybe

YAY

now can u leave me alone i wanna
study..

LOL #NERD

kys

only for u bf🤭🤭🤭

bye mei

OMG HE SAID MY NAME😭😭💔💔
seen.

wait annoying top student can i have ur
number i wanna give u a really funny
contact name

um
why

i just said why u dumb fuck

can i trust u with my number

obviously im not one of ur stalkers wtf

but ur obsessed w me

JUST GIVE ME UR NUMBER
BITCH OMFGDH

ok whatever fine but if ur weird
i am going to block ur number

okkkkkayyy😊😊😇😇😇

now fuck off i wanna keep my first
place rank

this ain't a race but i still take first place😜
take ur man just to shove it in your face❤️
seen.

❦ ♪

— renjun has added you to "mei's slaves"

mei's slaves
10 members

haknyeon:
HI MEI

omg hi.....
why am i here

renjun:
cause ur lonely ass needs more
friends bff x

Wtf Renjun❤️
i'm also mad at u rn grrr

renjun:
oh no what i do bsf💔

YOU DIDN'T TELL ME YOU
WERE SECOND IN RANKINGS??

renjun:
Oh um

i feel betrayed
jeno save me

jeno:
why me

ur like renjuns other bff tell him off

jeno:
yeah renjun why would u do that

renjun:
...

yangyang:
girl who told u that

my boyfriend

renjun:
ZHANGHAO TOLD YOU??

i was joking abt the boyfriend thing but..
yeah he told me

haknyeon:
not renjun knowing straight away😭

RENJUNNN U DIDNT TELL ME

renjun:
BC I FELT BAD

u lied to me...💔u said that u didn't
get ur ranking bc only top 5 and last
place do... I'm so mad

donghyuck:
i mean he's right with that but he
did get his rankings cause he's 2nd x

literally sobs

renjun:
cmon ur gonna come 1/2nd anyway

BUT I FEEL BETRAYED
we've known each other since we
were Burrito Babies

yangyang:
is she normally this weird

renjun:
yeah

renjun:
sorry mei

it's ok.................

donghyuck:
anyways i have a question

donghyuck:
so like... do we call you mirae
or mei i'm always confused x

chenle:
i'm more used to mei sorry

since ur renjuns friends we can go on
the mei basis x but only u guys x

renjun:
she has this weird thing only letting
people she likes call her mei

hao calls me it.💔

yangyang:
u two seem to get along really well!

kmt

yangyang:
Sorry

jk it's ok i got his number and i'm giggling
sooo baddddd HEHEHEHEHEHEHEH

renjun:
sometimes i really question if ur
bipolar or not

jaemin:
how the hell did you get his number

jaemin:
no one but his group has it

idk i asked and he gave it to me
is this a sign he wants me

jeno:
idk if that's how it works but maybe

jaemin:
no

yangyang:
maybe he felt bad

donghyuck:
i don't think so mei!

xiaojun:
possibility is small

chenle:
maybe he does want u!!

haknyeon:
don't help her delusions

renjun:
mei😭😭

oh Fuck💔 ur all mean

xiaojun:
im confused do u have a crush on
him or something

ew no am i not allowed to find him
very very fucking attractive

xiaojun:
fair point

jeno:
real he's so fine

renjun:
to the point girls stalk him😧

jaemin:
yeah i bet he's scared asf

donghyuck:
i tried to get into campus and some bitch
was like "give me hao's number pls!!" like
hoe the fuck are u talking about no

LLLLLL i'm better i got from asking
i'm special omfg hehehehheeheh

donghyuck:
i feel like he's seeing someone tho
idk maybe i'm just stupid

Why would you say that❤️

renjun:
u js said u didn't like him...

chenle:
LOL

i don't want to hit on a taken man..

renjun:
he's single idk what hyuck's on about

donghyuck:
sorry he's so like against love i thought
he had someone. Soz. xx

jeno:
mei u still have ur chance!!!

guys i think i have a problem actually

jaemin:
omgg u just realised!!!

yangyang:
BYEEEEE

renjun:
JAEMIN

chenle:
BYE 😭😭

i don't want him to think i actually like him
uh ohhhhh😧😧😧😧

chenle:
girl atp he probably does

jaemin:
or maybe he thinks u like hanbin

he keeps asking me what's between us
like idk but we're friends so💓

renjun:
he always looks mad whenever he
sees hanbin and mei together

u sure thats not just bc he's always angry
whenever i'm around

renjun:
idk maybe x

xiaojun:
u and hanbin do seem very close tho!

WE AREN'T he's just nice and cute so
i'll feel bad if i accidentally hurt him

haknyeon:
awww ur sweet

LOL😊🔫

jeno:
hanbin's so nice

chenle:
his whole family is

WORDD HIS MOTHER ALWAYS CALLS
ME PRETTY OMFJEKSSLS

renjun:
girl u are pretty

i know but like💔the mother

jeno:
SHE RLY SAID I KNOW

renjun:
she can't take compliments in person
only on text🙄🙄🙄

Sorry❤️
anyways am i goof enoug guys am i being
seen as a friend here Hi imm being nice

haknyeon:
yes we accept u

jeno:
u say that like she's coming out

yangyang:
so proud of you queen!!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍🌈❤️❤️

haknyeon:
??/!/!:&:

LAWLLL THANKS BFFS
my gfs from my old school texted me
brb guys sorry x

❦ ♪

potential tiktok thirstrappers
5 members

shuhua:
HUANG MEI

HEYY

shuhua:
do u have lectures tmr and the day
after bbg it's urgent

i have a morning one tomorrow and an
afternoon on the day after why xx

yuqi:
xiaotings throwing a party

xiaoting:
for the girlies x

yuqi:
all the girlies (that like u) keep talking
abt how they miss u and xiaoting said
we can throw a party in honour of u

OMFG REALLY I FUCKING LOVE YOU
GUYS STOPPP I WANNA GO💔💔

ningning:
COME THEN BABE IT'S FOR U

ningning:
no men allowed tho.

who said i wanted to bring men

xiaoting:
WOOOO mei can we get ready at ur
house Pls i miss ur expensive ass
makeup and shit

ofc babygirls u can come whenever

yuqi:
i love you so bad

shuhua:
WE ALL MISS U SO BADD

xiaoting:
r u gonna be drinking mei😓

ofc i am ❤️ my parents might get us
some drinks too if u want more

ningning:
omfg this is why i love ur parents

xiaoting:
real always getting us the best drinks
too 💔💔💔i love them

xiaoting:
but yes pls we need some

i'll be able to go as long as i study after

shuhua:
DID U JUST SAY STUDY WTF

yuqi:
LMFAOOO

ningning:
don't lie to us💋

WHATT I AMMM they do monthly exams
or wtv Ugh i need to beat that hao guy

xiaoting:
ur boyfriend*

shuhua:
she wishes

awwwwwwww No
anyway❤️what time is the party

xiaoting:
9 but we can get ready at urs and
then we can go to my house to prepare

OMGGG BET

ningning:
YAYY I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE U AGAIN

ME TOO and also guess what...

shuhua:
did u already make out with someone

NO LOLLL (i lowk wish)
i got hao's number

xiaoting:
NO WAYYYY MEI OMFG

ningning:
girls here would DIE for that ur so
lucky omfg

yuqi:
it's her pretty privilege

this means he wants me right

shuhua:
IT DOES OMG

xiaoting:
HE WANTS YOU SO BAD

yuqi:
zhangmei ship

yuqi:
let's manifest

ningning:
YES

ur all way more supportive than the other gc
they were all saying no🙄💔

ningning:
don't worry babe he wants u fr

xiaoting:
u should def send him a pic of the fit
u wear xx

ur crazy i'm not doing that i met him a
week ago...

yuqi:
WELL SEND IT SOMEONE ELSEEE

yuqi:
maybe one of his friends

I'm scared of them❤️

shuhua:
what about the one that follows you
on instagram

HANBIN?? no shot

shuhua:
cmon u need a man (hao)

yuqi:
they all probably like you

DON'T BE LIKE THAT THEY ALL
THINK I'M A BITCH😓😓😓

yuqi:
a hot one

ningning:
REALLL

xiaoting:
or just post it on ur story actually

xiaoting:
all of the boys from that uni follow u
so u can probs find someone then..

xiaoting:
but i will still root for hao❤️

LMAOO OKAY x

shuhua:
mei's so popular

yuqi:
nepo baby❤️

kys❤️

yuqi:
ily x

ningning:
init miss 500k followers

ningning:
one of them is your MANN (hao)

don't be silly now...

shuhua:
i don't think everyone in our skl
knows ur paired with hao

Thank god i'd get jumped if some of
those (bitchy ugly ass annoying) girls
found out

shuhua:
(yunji)

yuqi:
GOD FORBID

is she the one that always picked
arguments with me before i got kicked

xiaoting:
ya ur hater x

it's ok she's jealous of me
last place in the uni is crazy🤣

shuhua:
BYEE but anyways what time should
we go to yours tomorrow mei bby x

i'll ask mother first wait
seen by all

she said i can go btw‼️and she'll give us
some drinks but anyway u can come at 5

shuhua:
AWWW TELL HER WE SAID THANKS

yuqi:
can we use ur wardrobe❤️

ningning:
pls sugar mommy❤️

xiaoting:
real❤️

BYE?? OFC DW GIRLIES
anyways i just got added into a gc from a
boy from my skl... bit scared girls😓

xiaoting:
OMG OPEN IT NOW IT COULD BE
SOMEONE TRYING TO HIT ON YOU

it's hao's little college friend
gtg guys❤️gonna admire hao's pfp
whenever he texts heheehejeheheh

shuhua:
delulu

❦ ♪

— gyuvin added mei to 'future dropouts 2

future dropouts 2
10 members

gyuvin:
haayyy

taerae:
oh so u were fr about making it

hao:
...

why is it here

ricky:
why is what here

yujin:
probs talking abt hao

yeah thanks high schooler

yujin:
ofc x

gyuvin:
soooo mei

what

gyuvin:
you have no lectures today right

no

gyuvin:
u should talk to us and get to know us
all!! become friends

what on text

gyuvin:
yes but u can hang out with us later
if you want.. and if the guys want

hanbin:
yes

hao:
no

ok i'm coming

hao:
i literally said no

do yall hear smt🤣🤣🤣😂

yujin:
ur future bf?

omg
yujin
i love you

hao:
💀

jiwoong:
did you just confess your love to a
16 year old

yeah so what
i love him already he's my friend

yujin:
i said a few words and i'm her friend
GET ON MY LEVEL

hao:
she's already going to hanbin's house
try his level😐

hanbin:
Ummm right!

yujin:
omggg.. @gyuuvinn ❤️🔺

gyuvin:
OMG UR ONTO SOMETHING

jiwoong:
wtf is a ❤️🔺

yujin:
dw abt it <3

ricky:
WAIT WHAT

matthew:
did u js say she was at hanbin's house

yujin:
BESTIES things

hanbin:
...

um well
i was studying right and some fuckface
decided to interrupt and degrade me

hao:
it was funny don't lie😊u kept
shouting at me for finishing a
second after you

yeah cause u kept looking down on me
and my amazing abilities u fucking cunt

taerae:
do u have a degrading kink

jiwoong:
??????? TAERAE

no but i'm a bit slut for academic
validation though xx

hanbin:
✍️

gyuvin:
hmm...

matthew:
aren't we all though

hao:
yeah ❤️

stop fucking copying me

hao:
u literally copied my notes yesterday
and my writing while studying

ok but ur copying me now

hao:
am i not allowed to like academic
validation... i'm the top student
remember that

no

ricky:
oh so hanbin was fr when u said u
argue a lot... i thought i saw enough
on the table but

hanbin:
istg bro it's nonstop i almost kicked
them out

soz blame hao
degrading little bitch

hao:
look who's saying little

taerae:
lowk thought mirae would have a
degrading kink if hao kept doing it

that's so real but no i feel like killing
him then myself when he's talking to me

hao:
ur literally obsessed with me

okkkk so what

gyuvin:
mei i love u already are we friends
now pls pls pls be our friend

ummm maybe not hao tho

gyuvin:
u can leave him for the dating right❤️

ur my new bestfriend gyuvin

gyuvin:
YUPPPP

ricky:
what ab me i'm basically your neighbour

ur weird but ur hot so

hanbin:
he's 4 years younger

idk why complimenting a hot man makes
me seem like a cougar but ok❤️

hao:
weirdo

gyuvin:
ANYWAYS!

gyuvin:
we're all going to my house latah do u
wanna come and become besties x

shore xx

gunwook:
pls don't shout at hao again

i can't guarantee i won't but i'll try x

jiwoong:
wait so u actually wanna hang out w us

why not i feel in a friendly mood today x
but if i curse at you later on soz

yujin:
bipolar x

kinda x

hao:
bruh why did i agree to this

bc u love me

hao:
wake up

ricky:
omd

ricky:
anyways

ricky:
mei we can send u the address and u can
come later if that's okay

yeah sure idm
i'll try be nice❤️❤️❤️considering i
gave a horrible first impression

matthew:
ya u intimidated me

taerae:
^^

my bad!!! ❤️
anyways see u there ig x
thanks for inviting me😊😊

hao:
wow look at u being thankful

shut your mouth

gunwook:
oh god

❦ ♪

— hanbin pov.

my passenger princess

meiii

hii

how are you getting to gyu's house?

idk probably my mother

i can pick you up

no it's okay i feel bad u keep
offering it's okay

oh come on it was once and
it'll be easier trust me

but likeeeeee

pleaseeeeee

omg fine😓😓😓😓i can't say no
to u it's annoying

:) thanks
so i'll pick you up later right?

sigh
fine whatever sung hanbin

be thankful ur my passenger princess

that contact name is still cute

whats mine?

eh i'll tell u another time

WHAT
MEI

culaterrrr🤞🤞

❦ ♪

- 3rd person.

hanbin smiled, watching mei get into his car. "hello passenger princess." he jokes as she sits down in the passenger's seat. "are you excited to see them all?"

mei rolls her eyes. "shut up hanbin." she puts on her seat belt and looks to her side, making eye contact with the boy. "i regret wanting to come now."

"how come? are you scared?" he asks, looking at her in worry.

mei shakes her head. "no, i'm never scared." she lies. "but what if i accidentally do something that makes them hate me?" she sighs.

"you won't. if they hate you, i'll defend you, okay?" he says with his sweet smile that almost made the girl melt at the sight of it.

mei gives him a genuine smile back. "thanks."

hanbin accidentally got too caught up looking at her and when he notices, he coughs. mei obviously saw this and laughs to herself as hanbin faces the front.

hanbin starts the car and coughs again. "you have a pretty smile." he says quietly, probably in embarrassment.

mei's eyes widen. "you think so?" she asks, looking out of the window.

hanbin chuckles. "i wouldn't lie."

mei sighs. "why are you so nice? i've literally been a bitch."

"you haven't. you've only told me to shut up when i said things when you were mad." hanbin chuckles. "i don't know what makes you think you're such a bitch."

mei shrugs. "maybe i've just been hearing the insult too much."

hanbin nods. "probably, but i don't think you are one."

if only he knew how bad i could sometimes be, he would hate me. she thinks in worry.

"so, are you doing anything tomorrow?" he asks, trying his best to not make the 5 minute drive to gyuvin's house silent.

"yeah, girls from my old university are throwing a party for me, since they said they missed me." mei says, playing with her hair (which became a big habit for some reason).

"oh wow, you really are that popular, a party just for you?" he laughs.

"well, you know, top student things." mei snickers. "but i'll have to make sure i can make it to the lecture the day after, i don't want to be in uni hungover."

hanbin laughs. "so you're going to drink?"

mei hums. "it's bad that any minor inconvenience in my life has to resort to drinking alcohol but it's okay." she snorts.

"i'm not that much of a drinker, but i can agree with that." he says in a small agreement.

"how about your group? are they drinkers? besides that high schooler." she asks.

"they're not big drinkers, but if it was a party then they probably would." he shrugs.

mei nods. "fair enough. renjun's usually my buddy but it's obviously for all girls."

"how were you like in your old university?" hanbin changes the subject in interest to something else. "were you liked or?"

"yeah, you could say that. there was just a few bitches that didn't fuck with me but i don't care."

"ooh tell me, what's the drama." hanbin asks, making mei snort.

"well there's this girl caller yunji, and she's like a big hao fangirl or something. she always caused problems with me because i was always smarter than her." she explains.

"oh of course it's a hao fan." hanbin chuckles. "tell me more, i'm actually interested."

mei turns to him. "hm, fine."

❦ ♪

so, it's been 30 minutes since mei was in gyuvin's house hanging out. to everyone's (and mostly mei herself) surprise, she was getting along with them well and was shockingly being somewhat nice to them.

mei didn't expect herself to suddenly act nice to a friendgroup she was scared of and lowkey didn't really like, but here she was, helping yujin with his homework.

hanbin felt a little annoyed seeing her give the other boys attention, but he had hao by his side. the duo were just sat with each other in the corner sharing a cup of noodles as mei laughed with the others.

"han yujin!" mei complains, hitting yujin with one of gyuvin's pillows. "that's not how you do it!"

"you do it then, miss top student." yujin rolls his eyes, passing the older girl his homework.

mei smiles and she sets it on the table. "yujin how can you get this wrong, it's the easiest maths equation-" ricky laughs, looking at the sheet of paper.

yujin glares at the older boy. "shut up, i'm still learning. you're in university."

mei chuckles and take's yujin's pen out of his hands, making the youngest look at her. "okay, look. let me explain this all for you." she says.

hanbin watched her softly explaining things to yujin and writing things down. the other boys had already gotten bored and walked away at the sight of maths.

"damn she's fast at figuring things out." gyuvin says in shock to the others. "yujin already looks like he got another braincell."

hao scoffs. "you're praising her for doing a simple high school equation."

"don't be jealous, hao." jiwoong chuckles. "she's actually nicer than you said."

"she's so annoying on text." hao complains. "she non stop talks to me."

"it's a sign~" gyuvin sings, causing hanbin to give him a don't look.

"so you text?" gunwook smirks. "wow, progress between the rivals already."

"shut up." hao rolls her eyes. "nothing is going to happen between us, you're all just weird."

hanbin smiles at what hao said. "anyway, you know the other uni, the all girls one are throwing a party for her?"

"what do you mean, like just for her." ricky asks, making hanbin nod.

"it's cause she's obviously popular or whatever so they all miss her and they're having a party." hanbin explains.

"we never have full school parties, we would get snitched on so fast." ricky complains. "we should do a joined one one day." he suggests.

"yes!" matthew agrees. "we should definitely do it for hao's birthday."

"my birthday's in like four months, matthew." hao sighs. "and i don't want a party with everyone in our school and the all girl's one."

"don't be boring!! it's our first year, have some fun." taerae agrees. "though i would hate to take care of you guys."

gyuvin snickers. "we could even play games and hao and mei can–"

"guys!" yujin shouts. "i did it!!" he says proudly as mei claps with a smile behind him.

"aww well done!" the others all say, running up to him and congratulating their youngest.

"gyuvin." hanbin says, tapping the boy with a whisper. "can i talk to you real quick?"

gyuvin nods, smiling. "what's up?"

"can you stop making jokes about hao and mei? please?"

❦ ♪

soooo we have a 3/4 short texting filler chapter and the rest being a rushed hangout LOL soz x

next chapter's gonna be fun 😉