Chapter 14

Dangerous Guy on the Loose

The guy's brown eyes narrowed. White flakes of snow clung to his short black hair, to his eyebrows, and to his shoulders. He raised one hand.

GuiGui hesitated.

What was in his hand? What was he showing her?

It was some sort of badge. A card above the badge said FBI.

The man took a step back and then another, as if demonstrating to her that he meant no harm.

Her heart still pounding, GuiGui hesitated, then pushed open the door. The air was cold and wet from the falling snow. The sky was low and gray.

"What do you want?" she called out.

"Sorry if I startled you," the guy said. "I'm Agent Calvin Chen of the FBI. Are your parents home?"

Through the snow, GuiGui could see a black Chevrolet parked on the street, probably his car. Agent Calvin continued to hold up his badge and ID card.

"No, they're not home," GuiGui said hesitantly, staring into his brown eyes. They were as clear as marbles. They stared back at her as if seeing right through her.

"Can I ask you a couple of questions?"

GuiGui nodded her head yes and pushed the door open wider. He lowered his badge, then shoved it into his trench-coat pocket. "I'll only keep you a second," he said. He followed GuiGui into the small hallway.

"What's your name?" he asked. GuiGui told him.

He wiped his well-polished shoes carefully on the mat. Then he raised a hand and brushed the wet snowflakes from his hair.

"Am I in trouble?" GuiGui asked, staring down.

He smiled, a tight-lipped smile, but his brown eyes lit up, warmed for a second. He shook his head. "Nothing like that. My partner and I are canvassing the neighborhood," he told her. Then he quickly added, "You know--- going house to house. We've been assigned to look for a young man."

"A young man?" GuiGui crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"We're hoping someone has seen him," Calvin said. His eyes went beyond GuiGui to the kitchen. "You go to Taipei High School?"

"Yes," GuiGui replied. "I just started last month. We're new in town."

"Nice town," Calvin said dryly. GuiGui couldn't tell if he was being sarcastic or sincere. He turned his eyes to her. "Maybe you've seen the young man. He's medium height. Medium weight, only he looks like he works out. He's got brown, straight hair. And dark eyes, almost black. When last seen, he was wearing jeans and a leather jacket."

"I don't know," GuiGui replied. "A lot of guys look like that."

"Think about it," Calvin said. "Anyone at school fit the description? Do you work? Maybe someone at work?"

With these words, a face flashed into GuiGui's mind.

Aaron Yan! GuiGui thought.

Oh my goodness! YaLun fits the description perfectly!

"Is--- is this boy dangerous or something?" she asked, unable to keep her voice from trembling.

Agent Calvin nodded, his expression turning somber, his cold brown eyes narrowing to slits as he studied her reaction.

"Yeah, he's dangerous all right," he said. "And we have reason to believe he might be in the Taipei area."

GuiGui started to say something but stopped. She couldn't decide what to do. Should she tell Calvin about YaLun?

"If you've met anyone who fits this description, you should tell me about him," Calvin said, as if reading GuiGui's mind. He shifted his weight, shoving his hands into his trench-coat pockets,staring at her expectantly.

"You said brown straight hair?" GuiGui asked, stalling for time, thinking hard. "And looks like he works out?"

Agent Calvin nodded.

YaLun always seemed so dangerous, GuiGui thought. I guess he really is dangerous.

"A boy came into my dad's restaurant where I work a few times," she said slowly. "I guess he kind of fits that description." She uncrossed her arms but couldn't figure out what to do with them, so she crossed them again. She leaned against the banister, feeling very nervous.

Calvin pulled a small notepad and a ballpoint pen from his shirt pocket. He scribbled something on the pad.

Just like a TV detective, GuiGui thought.

"Did this boy give you a name?" Calvin asked, keeping his eyes on the notepad.

"Yes. YaLun. Aaron Yan," GuiGui said. "He told me to call him YaLun. He said everyone called him that."

"YaLun," Calvin repeated, writing it on the pad.

"He's been in trouble before?" GuiGui asked, picturing YaLun, thinking about how angry he could become.

Cavin didn't answer. "Did you go out with him?"

"No!" GuiGui replied more loudly than she'd intended. "No," she repeated. "I just talked with him a couple of times. In the restaurant. He only came in a couple of times."

"Did he tell you where he's living, GuiGui?"

She shook his head. "I don't remember. No. I don't think so. He said he was looking for a job."

Calvin wrote that information down, his eyes on GuiGui. "Does he go to your school?" he asked, lowering the notepad to his side.

"Huh?"

"Your school. Taipei High. Have you ever seen this boy YaLun in your school? Sometimes he enrolls himself in high school. He's twenty , but he looks about seventeen." Calvin waited patiently for GuiGui's reply.

"No," she told him. "Ive never seen him in school. Only in the coffee shop."

He asked her the name and address of the coffee shop. She told him.

"You've been very helpful," Calvin said, shoving the pen and notepad back into his shirt pocket. He handed GuiGui a business card. "If you think of anything else that might be helpful, please call my partner or me. The number's on the card."

He turned and started to the door. "If you see him again, call me--- okay?"

"Okay," GuiGui replied, holding the card tightly in her hand.

"And don't take any chances," Calvin warned. He glanced outside. The snow had stopped. There was not even a trace of it on the ground. His partner in a dark trench coat waited beside the Chevrolet.

"Chances?" GuiGui asked.

"Play it safe for a while, okay?"

"Okay," GuiGui said softly, not moving from the banister.

"And don't lose my card," Calvin said, pushing open the door. "If you see this YaLun guy, call me right away."

He slammed the door hard behind him.

GuiGui watched him cut across the yard, taking long, bouncy strides, the big trench coat flapping behind him. Then she closed the front door, locked it, and leaned her back against it.

She closed her eyes, still gripping the agent's card in her hand.

YaLun had always seemed angry, but she had no idea he was dangerous. No idea he was wanted by the FBI.

And YaLun had actually asked her out on a date.

"Let's do something wild," he had suggested to her.

Something wild.

What would have happened if she had gone out with him? What would he have done to her?

And then she had another frightening thought: What if YaLun comes back to the restaurant?

What would she do then?

Chapter 13

Another Invitation...

"Mother," GuiGui replied impatiently, "there's no way to practice a saxophone softly." She shuffled the music sheets.

"Maybe you could remove the mouthpiece," her mother said, her face disappearing behind the newspaper.

"Why are you always making jokes about my saxophone playing?" GuiGui asked, staring across the living room at her mother.

"I don't want you to get a swelled head," Mrs. Wu replied from behind the newspaper.

"Why don't you ever encourage me?" GuiGui asked, her voice rising.

"I don't want to encourage you," her mother said. "I hate the saxophone!"

GuiGui raised the instrument to her lips and deliberately made it honk as loud as she could.

Her mother jumped in her seat, nearly dropping the paper. She lowered the paper to glare at GuiGui. Then they both burst out laughing.

"Okay. Truce," Mrs. Wu said.

"Truce." GuiGui raised the instrument to her mouth and wet the reed, preparing to launch into her part, when the phone rang.

Startled, she lowered the instrument to the floor and walked over to the phone. "Save by the bell!" Mrs. Wu exclaimed gratefully.

"Hey, that was a short truce!" GuiGui exclaimed and picked up the receiver.

"Hi, GuiGui. Is this too early to call?"

It took her a moment to realize it was Wang Zi. "Hi. No. We've been up for hours."

"Who is it?" her mother called from the other end of the room.

"It's for me," GuiGui told her. She turned to the wall for a little privacy. "Hey, where'd you disappear to last night?" she demanded of Wang Zi.

"Huh?" her question seemed to surprise him.

"Come on, Wang Zi," she said impatiently. "When I came back to the kitchen, you were gone. What happened?"

"What? Didn't you hear me yell good night?"

"No," GuiGui said.

"I called to you, I said I had to go. I thought I heard you answer me. Don't you remember? I said I'd call this morning?"

GuiGui didn't remember any of it. Was it possible tha she just hadn't heard him? "Well..." She didn't know what to say.

She had been so hurt when she had found him gone. Hurt and confused. Finally she'd decided that he was feeling too shy to meet Hebe. Or maybe he was so romantic, he really wanted to keep their secret date a secret.

"Well, I'm glad you called," she said finally.

"Who is it?" her mother called from behind her newspaper. "Is it a boy?"

"Mom--- please!" GuiGui pleaded, holding her hand over the mouthpiece.

"Excuuuuuuse me!" her mother cried sarcastically, loud enough so GuiGui missed what wang Zi was saying.

"I'm sorry, Wang Zi," she said. "What did you say?"

"I asked if you wanted to go out tonight. You know, sort of finish our first date."

He's really sweet, GuiGui thought. She started to say yes, but then remembered she couldn't. "I can't," she told him. "I have to visit my dad in the hospital, and I've got tons of homework. I haven't even started my writing assignment for the class."

"Oh. Too bad." Wang Zi sounded very disappointed.

This had the opposite effect on GuiGui. Hearing the disappointment in his voice made her feel great.

"Uh--- maybe you could come meet me after work tomorrow night," she suggested, surprising herself with her newfound boldness.

"Yeah. Okay," Wang Zi replied. "That sounds good."

She told him where the restaurant was and that it closed at seven. She warned him that she would smell of french fries when he picked her up. She always smelled like french fries after work. The grease smell seemed to stick to her hair.

"That's okay. I like french fries," Wang Zi replied.

They chatted a while longer, about the movie they had seen in the night before, about their short, chilly walk high above the river, about school. He seemed reluctant to get off the phone, which pleased GuiGui.

When she finally hung up and turned around, she was surprised to see that her mother had lowered the newspaper to the table and was staring at her from across the room.

"You've got a boyfriend?" Mrs. Wu asked.

"Mom, you don't have to sound so amazed!" GuiGui exclaimed angrily. "It is possible that a boy might like me, you know."

"I'm sorry," Mrs. Wu said quickly. "Is he the same boy you went out on a date with? What's his name?"

"Yes. Wang Zi," GuiGui replied. "He's new in school too."

"That's great," he mother said sincerely. "When can I meet him?" Glancing at her watch, she tossed down the paper and stood up. "Oh, no. I've got to get going. I'm taking an extra shift this morning," she said before GuiGui could answer her question. A few minutes later she was out the door.

Listening to he mother drive off, GuiGui bent to pick up her saxophone. But her eye was caught by something out the window. It was snowing.

What a strange October, she thought.

Forgetting the saxophone, she stood up and took a few steps toward the big picture window that looked out on the front yard. An early snow with fluffy white flakes as big as feathers.

How beautiful, GuiGui thought. It's so soft and pretty, it doesn' t look real.

Deciding to get a better view, she ran to the front door and yanked it open.

"Oh!"

She gasped when she saw a tall young man in a dark trench coat. His face was nearly pressed against the glass of the storm door, staring down at her with the coldest eyes she had ever been.

Chapter 12

Save By The Doorbell

"I'm so chilled," GuiGui said, wrapping her arms around herself. "How about some hot chocolate?"

She was surprised by the disappointed expression on Wang Zi's face. His cheeks were two bright red circles. "Huh?"

"Hot chocolate," GuiGui repeated. "I'm going in the kitchen to make some. Okay?"

Why did he seem so distracted? Was it just his shyness?

Was he as excited as she was? After all, he had admitted that this was his first date too.

"Yeah. Great," he said, his expression brightening. "I'll help."

"No need," GuiGui said, starting across the dark room toward the hallway. "But you can keep me company."

"Where's the bathroom?" he asked suddenly, standing up.

GuiGui pointed it out and hurried to the kitchen. She clicked on the light, filled the kettle, and turned on the burner. She put two coffee mugs down the counter. Then she walked over to the cabinet, reached up and pulled open the door, and searched for the envelopes of powdered hot chocolate mix.

This date is going so well, she thought happily.

She glanced at the kitchen clock above the cabinet. Eleven-forty. She wished it weren't so late. She wanted the night to go on and on.

She was still searching the cabinet, when Wang Zi creep up behind her. He held the cord between his hands. Once it was in place around her neck, he would pull it tight, as tight as he could, and wait for her to suffocate.

It wouldn't take long.

It wouldn't really quite easy.

Of course, it would have been easier if she had let him push her over the cliff.

He had been ready to push her up on River Ridge. One shove. So quick, so clean.

But she had decided not to cooperate.

Some things are worth doing the hard way, he decided, slipping silently behind GuiGui.

If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right.

He raised the cord, staring at her black hair.

His hand didn't shake, not even a tiny tremble.

That's because it's not really my first date, he thought.

He raised the cord higher. Up, up.

He was close enough to smell her perfume, close enough to read the tag that was sticking up from the neck of her sweater.

He hated girls who didn't tuck their tags in.

His sister was a slob too.

Goodbye, GuiGui, he thought.

Good night.

He moved his arms forward, the cord in place.

The front doorbell rang.

"Oh!" GuiGui cried out.

He dropped his arms, struggled to change his expression, to make his face blank.

"wang Zi--- I didn't hear you come in here!" GuiGui exclaimed breathlessly. She dropped the two hot chocolate envelopes into his hand. "Here. Put these in the cups. I'll see who's at the door."

He watched her hurry out of the kitchen. Then, gritting his teeth angrily, he bent down and picked up the length of the cord from the floor.

So close.

So close.

He glanced at the clock. Who could be there so late? Who could be interrupting their first--- and last--- date? Her mother? No. Her mother wouldn't ring the bell. Besides GuiGui had said her mother was working all night.

Settin the hot chocolate packets down beside the two mugs, he crept to the doorway to listen, wrapping the cord carefully around his hand as he walked.

Wondering who it could be at this hour, GuiGui pulled open the front door. "Hebe!"

"Oh, GuiGui," Hebe wailed. "I just feel terrible coming here like this." Her eyes were red rimmed, her normally perfect straight black hair completely messed up.

"Hebe, what's wrong?" GuiGui cried, holding the door for her.

Hebe walked past her into the hallway. "It's Chun. We had a big fight. I think he's breakin up with me, GuiGui. I really think he means it this time."

"Come in," GuiGui said distractedly. She looked toward the kitchen to see if Wang Zi was coming out.

It's so like Hebe, GuiGui thought unhappily, to burst right in and not even ask if I have a date or if I'm busy or anything. She's obsessed with Chun, she can't think of anyone else.

Hebe caught her glance. "Oh, I'm sorry, GuiGui. Is someone here? You're not alone?" she followed GuiGui toward the kitchen.

"I have a date," GuiGui whispered, unable to keep a smile from bursting across her face.

" A date?" Hebe whispered back, stopping to examine herself in the hall mirror on the wall. "With a boy?"

GuiGui flashed her friend a dirty look.

"I'm sorry," Hebe said, raising her hands to her cheeks. I'm just so upset. I didn't know who to talk to. I've been crying and trying to drive and I thought---"

"Go sit down," GuiGui said, pointing to the living room. "I'll be right back. I want you to meet him."

Hebe hesitated, then obeyed her friend's request. GuiGui hurried to the kitchen.

"Wang Zi, I'm really sorry," she said, keeping her voice low so Hebe wouldn't hear. "I guess our secret date can't be a secret anymore. My friend Hebe is here and---"

GuiGui stopped short. Her mouth dropped open.

To her astonishment, the kitchen door was wide open. And Wang Zi was gone.

Chapter 11

His Second Chance... Her Badluck

GuiGui was so much like his sister.

Or at least the way he remembered her.

You were the lucky one, jie jie, he thought. You went with Mom.

You didn't get the drunken beatings night after night. You didn't live in a horror show you couldn't escape from.

You and Mom had it nice. YOu ran away and left me. You didn't tell me where you were going.

You didn't write to me. You didn't call.

You and Mom had such a good life.

And you never even thought about me.

Well, I've been thinking about you, jie jie. I've been thinking about you and Mom a lot.

A lot of girls deserve to die because of you.

A lot of girls are going to die.

And then someday I'm going to find you two.

And you're both going to die.

Just as I died every night. Every night.

Just as I wished I were dead.

He opened his mouth and sucked in a cold lungful of air.

Holding his breath, he stepped up behind GuiGui and raised the length of the cord, ready to lower it around her neck.

###########################################################

The twin lights startled them both. Wang Zi had just enough time to jam the cord back into his pocket as GuiGUi spun around. "What's that?" she cried, her voice a whisper.

Car headlights.

Another car was pulling in beside theirs.

"The lights--- they scared me," GuiGui said, holding on to his arm. "We were so alone and---"

"It's getting too crowded up here," he said, laughing a bit too loudly. "Let's go." He took her hand, leading the way quickly back to the car.

His heart was pounding. When he saw the headlights, his first thought was that it was a patrol car out searching for the old car he had stolen earlier that afternoon.

But it wasn't the police. It was just two teenagers looking for a place to make out.

They had ruined his plans, ruined his night.

He'd have to take her home and then dump the car.

He'd have to kill her another night.

Be patient, he told himself, holding open the passenger door for her, forcing a warm, reassuring smile on his face.

Be patient. There will be other nights.

This girl's time will come.

Soon.

He started up the car and backed onto the road. Then he switched on the headlights, the thick woods lighting up in front of them.

GuiGui shivered, putting her hands into her coat pockets. "That was nice," she said dreamily, sliding down low, resting her head against the back of the seat. "It's so beautiful up here."

"Yeah," Wang Zi agreed, eyes straight ahead on the road.

She realized she'd never felt this happy. Even at her old school, she had been an outsider, always the lonely girl, the one who stayed home watching TV on Saturday nights while her friends went to parties and out on dates.

"Why don't you do something with your hair?" her friends would insist.

Or: "Why don't you loose a little weight?"

Or: "Why don't you wear something a little sexier, a little more daring?"

Everyone always had plenty of advice for GuiGui.

But now she didn't need their advice. Now she was out on a date with a boy who really liked her. With a boy who kissed her and took her on a romantic walk high above the river, high above the town.

Feeling so happy, feeling so comfortable, she leaned against him and whispered. "Why don't we go to my house?"

He didn't react immediately. He seemed to be lost in thought, far away somewhere.

For a moment, GuiGui thought that maybe he handn't heard her. But finally he said, "Your house?"

"Yeah," she said, smiling at him. "There's no one there. My mom's at work and my dad's in the hospital."

He kept his eyes on the windshield, but GuiGui could see a smile cross his face.

The smile made her feel warm all over.

He likes the idea, she thought.

He likes me.

I'm going to be alone in the house with a boy I like.

She felt excited and nervous and happy and worried all at the same time.

She closed her eyes for a few seconds, surrounding herself in silent darkness. When she opened them, she felt a little calmer.

She directed Wang Zi to her house.

He didn't make any comments or jokes about their street, the way other Taipei kids did when she told them where she lived. He probably doesn't know about this street, she thought. He's too new in town. He hadn't heard about any of the terrifying things that supposedly happened here.

GuiGui practically leapt out of the car. She loved their street! It was the happiest street she had ever lived on. And this was the happiest night of her life!

He followed her up the walk. The front stoop was dark. She had forgotten to turn the porch light on.

She searched in her bag for the keys but dropped them on the step. They both bent down to retrieve them.

He grabbed them first. She hoped he didn't notice how her hand was shaking as she struggled to unlock the door.

This is crazy, she thought. I have no reason to be this nervous.

She clicked on the hall light. She tossed her coat onto the front stairway. He removed something from his jacket pocket, then tossed his coat down beside hers. Then she led the way into the dark living room.

When she reached to turn on the lamp beside the couch, his hand gently took hers and pulled it away.

Before she had a chance to take a breath, he had wrapped his arms around her and was kissing her hard, kissing her until she could barely breathe.

"Wang Zi---" she whispered, pulling her face away, her heart pounding, her head spinning.

But he didn't let go of her.

He held her, tenderly but in a firm embrace, and guided her down beside him on the couch.

He kissed her again, long and hard.

She shivered.

She closed her eyes, then opened them wide. She wanted to see him, wanted to see everything. She wanted to see it all clearly, even in the dim light filtering in from the hallway, wanted to see it so she'd remember it. Remember it for always and always.

She shivered again.

And realized she was cold. Still cold from their walk. Still cold from the drive back.

How can I be thinking about anything at all?

He kissed her again, kissed her until they were both breathless.

The light from the hall seemed to shimmer. The whole room seemed to tilt and whirl, as if they were flying, flying on a magic carpet, high over the ground, looking down on the shifting, whirling, spinning darkness below.

GuiGui drew away, trying to catch her breath. As she closed her eyes and rested the back of her head comfortably against his shoulder, Wang Zi removed the length of cord from the back pocket of his jeans.

Silently he fingered it and prepared to strangle her.

Chapter 10

Into the Dark...

"To the movies," Wang Zi replied quickly, his eyes straight ahead, both hands on the wheel.

"But the mall is that way," GuiGui told him, pointing.

"I know," he said softly. "The same film is playing at Wulang. I saw it in the paper."

GuiGui stared out the car window, hiding her disappointment. This was her first date, after all. She wanted to go to the sixplex at the mall where all the Taipei High kids hung out, where everyone would see her with Wang Zi.

Why was he taking her to the movies in the next town?

She stared out at the houses passing in the darkness. The radio was turned to an oldies station, and a Beach Boys song filled the car.

The rain had finally stopped that afternoon. It was clear, cool Saturday night; the grass and trees, even the street were sparkling from the recent rain.

Even in the dark everything seems much cleaner, much brighter, GuiGui thought. Was it because of the rain? Or because she was out on her first date?

Suddenly she realized why Wang Zi was taking her to Wulang.

It was their first secret date. He was keeping it their secret.

Their private, romantic secret.

She turned and smiled at him, watching his serious expression as he drove, feeling better, feeling nervous and happy at the same time.

"This is a great car," she said, running her hand on the seat. "How old is it?"

"I'm not sure," he replied. "Late seventies, I guess."

"Did your family buy it when it was new?" GuiGui asked.

"Yeah... uh-huh. It's the only car I've ever driven," he said.

"You'd better put on the defroster, don't you think?" GuiGui asked. "The windshield is getting all steamy."

He slowed to let a car pass, then reached his right hand to the dashboard trying to slide on the defroster. GuiGui laughed as he turned on the air conditioner instead.

She stopped laughing when a disturbing thought flashed into her mind. If his family has had this car most of his life, why doesn't he know how to work the defroster?

"How come you can't work the defroster?" the question just slipped out of her mouth. "I mean, you said this was the only car you've ever driven."

In the light of the passing streetlights she could see his cheeks go red. He slowed the car a little, his eyes straight ahead on the road.

"I guess you found out my secret," he said queitly, seriously.

She felt a sudden stab of dread. "Your secret?"

"Yeah," he said, glancing at her for a split second. "I'm a complete klutz."

He laughed and slapped the wheel with his right hand. She laughed too, mostly from relief.

"I was hoping you wouldn't find out my deep, dark secret," he said. "At least not so early on our first date. But it's true. I'm a complete klutz. I can't even turn on a defroster."

"I'm a klutz too," GuiGui admitted. She told him about the time her saxophone case had come open just before a band concert at her old school, and her mouthpiece and another section fell off the stage, and she had to climb down and get them in front of the entire school.

"That's pretty klutzy," he said. "But at least you can work a defroster."

They told each other stories about their klutziness the rest of the way to the movie theater. It was the easiest, most relaxed conversation they'd had.

He has a great sense of humor, GuiGui thought. She wondered if he liked her.

He seemed to. He seemed looser, more relaxed than he ever had with her before.

"There's a parking place," he said and backed the car easily. He cut the engine and the lights, pocketed the car key, and pushed open the door.

As the ceiling light came on, GuiGui saw that Wang Zi had left his wallet on the seat. "Hey---" she called to him, picking up the wallet.

He grabbed it from her so quickly and with such force that he frightened her. "Sorry," he said, frowning down at her. "Didn't mean to startle you." He jammed the wallet into the back pocket of his jeans and slammed the door shut.

What was that all about? GuiGui wondered, pushing open her door and climbing out.

He didn't think I was going to take his wallet, did he? That's ridiculous.

She forgot the whole incident as Wang Zi, smiling warmly at her, put a hand on her shoulder and guided her toward the movie theater.

The movie was actually pretty funny. GuiGui usually didn't enjoy that kind of film, but sitting so close to Wang Zi, out on her first date, feeling happy, she found herself laughing a lot, and even sorry when the final car chase came to a crashing end and the lights came up.

The night was surprisingly warm as they made their way out of the theater.

"That was pretty dumb," Wang Zi said smiling, his hand resting gently on her shoulder as they walked to the car.

"Yeah, but it was funny," she replied.

"Hungry?" he asked.

She shrugged.

"Know what I'd like to do?" he stopped beside the car and stood close to her on the sidewalk, his dark eyes glowing excitedly in the light from a streetlight.

"What?"

"Drive around, then park somewhere and talk," he said, staring into her eyes.

"That sounds great," GuiGui said.

"Do you know a good place to go?" Wang Zi asked, glancing down the street.

"You mean you don't go parking with girls every week?" GuiGui teased.

He chuckled. "I'm new here, remember," he said. "Give me a break."

"Well, I'm new too," she said. But I guess we could go to River Ridge. That's a place on the cliffs above the river. Hebe said kids go up there a lot."

"Who's Hebe?" he asked, sounding suspicious.

"My friend," GuiGui told him. "She's just about the only friend I've made so far in Taipei," and then she shyly added, "except for you."

Instead of acting pleased, he frowned. "Did you tell Hebe about our date?"

"No, of course not," GuiGui said. She pulled open the passenger door. "It's our secret, remember?"

She smiled up at him and his expression relaxed. "Of course, I remember."

He walked around the front of the car, opened his door, and slid behind the wheel. A minute later they were driving back toward Taipei, silently, comfortably, the radio playing softly in the speakers.

"How do you get to River Ridge?" Wang Zi asked. Then he answered his own question. "I guess you take River Road."

"I guess," GuiGui replied. "Oh. I love this song." she sang along for a few seconds. "Do you always listen to an oldies station, Wang Zi?"

He didn't reply. He stared straight ahead through the windshield, but his thoughts seemed to be a million miles away.

"Wang Zi?" she touched his arm.

"Oh." he shook his head. "Sorry. I was thinking about something. This is a great song, isn't it?"

River Ridge may have been a popular parking spot for Taipei High kids during the summer, but on this October night, it was completely deserted.

Wang Zi pulled the car right up to the cliff edge and turn off the headlights. Below, the river flowed silently. Just across the river stretched the town of Taipei, mostly dark except for a few twinkling lights from houses and blinking traffic lights.

GuiGui could feel her heart racing. Her entire body was tingling. She felt so happy. She felt like singing, or maybe throwing open the door and flying out of the car, flying over the cliff, over the river, into the dark sky, over the twinkling town below.

Wang Zi dropped his hands from the wheel and turned to her, smiling. He slid one arm behind her on the back of her seat.

He's going to kiss me, she thought happily.

I'm up here on River Ridge, parked with a boy who likes me.

My first date, she thought, smiling back at Wang Zi, leaning toward him as he pulled her close. My first, secret date.

She licked her lips. They felt so dry. But before she could finish, his lips were pushing against hers.

The kiss was awkward and brief.

But he was smiling as he pulled his head back. "Nice night," he said.

GuiGui nodded. She wanted the kiss to last longer. She wanted him to kiss her again, to hold her.

She had fantasized about a night like this so many times.

She wanted it to be just like all her fantasies.

But Wang Zi removed his arm from behind her and replaced it on the wheel. "Feel like taking a walk?" he asked softly. "A short one. It's so pretty up here. I like looking at the town, don't you?"

He pushed open his car door without waiting for her reply.

GuiGui pushed her door open too. He's so romantic, she thought. He was always so shy in school. But up there, he seemed more confident, self-assured.

Maybe it's because he's starting to feel comfortable with me, GuiGui thought.

She forced herself to calm down. The light in the car went out as she closed the car door behind her. The night grew much darker.

"Wang Zi?" for a moment she couldn't find him. Then, as her eyes adjusted, she saw him standing at the cliff edge, his hands in his pocket, staring over at the town.

"Look," he said, turning back at her and motioning for her to come stand beside him. "It doesn't look real. It' like miniature town from up here."

She took a few steps but hesitated several feet behind him.

"Come on over," he called impatiently.

GuiGui took another step, then stopped. "I can't," she told him. "I'm afraid of heights."

For a second, disappointment crossed his face. It quickly disappeared when he hurried back to her and put his arm around her shoulders.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know," he apologized, guiding her away from the cliff toward the woods behind the road. "We'll walk this way," he said softly. "I like the woods at night too, don't you?"

"It's a little cold," she said with a shiver, her breath steaming in front of her. "But I like it," she added quickly. "It's so peaceful up here. I feel as if I'm million miles away from home."

Their sneakers scraped against the dirty path. As they made their way under the first trees, it became even darker.

Wang Zi slowed his pace, let GuiGui get a few steps ahead. Then he pulled the length of cord from his jacket pocket, silently untangled it, and pulled it between his hands with a quick snap.

Chapter 9

Too Bad He Got Rejected

GuiGui raised her eyes to the window and saw that it was as black as night outside and pouring rain. The snow of the day before had lasted only a few minutes. This afternoon GuiGui had been concentrating so hard on her music, she hadn't even aware of the rainstorm.

"Mom--- are you okay?" she cried, rushing across the room to help pull off her dripping raincoat. "Why are you home so early?" She glanced at the clock. It was four-thirty.

"Don't ask," her mother replied. She shivered and turned to GuiGui. "I'm chilled to the bone."

GuiGui gasped when she saw that her mother's white uniform was stained with dark red blood.

"Mom--- what happened?" she cried.

"We had a little accident at the home," Mrs. Wu said. "One of the patients slipped in the bath and got cut. It looks much worse than it was. Only my spare uniform is here. Upstairs. I had to come all the way home in this downpour to get it."

"Then you're going back to work?" GuiGui asked still holding the raincoat.

"Yes. I have to take Xia Lan Xiong's shift too. She has the flu." She headed up the stairs to her room to change. "Oh, look at my shoes. Soaked through, and they're my only pair."

GuiGui followed her to her room. "You're always at the nursing home, Mom. I never see you anymore."

"GuiGui, don't start complaining," her mother said sternly. "I'm not in the mood. Believe me." She stopped at the door to her room and turned around. "I'll be home Saturday night for dinner. I don't have to go to work until late that night. You and I can have a nice dinner together and chat."

"No, we can't," GuiGui said.

Her mother's expression changed to bewilderment.

"I have a date," GuiGui told her. "With a boy."

Mrs. Wu's eyes went wide. "Hey, that's great."

"No wisecrack?" GuiGui asked, finding herself a little disappointed that her mother hadn't cracked her usual sarcastic joke.

"I'm too wet for wisecracks," her mother said. "Besides, I'm happy for you. I know how lonely you've been."

As he mother changed into a clean uniform, GuiGui told her about Wang Zi, how he was the new boy in her homeroom, how they went for a walk in Taipei Park, how he seemed shy but nice.

Mrs. Wu, pulling on the white skirt, appeared very pleased. "Can't wait to meet him," she told GuiGui, smiling. She straightened the skirt. "Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I talked to your dad."

"And?"

"And he's out of intensive care. He's in a semi-private room. The doctors think he'll be able to come home in a week or two." She hurried over to GuiGui and gave her a quick hug. "Isn't that great?"

"It sure is!" GuiGui exclaimed happily. "And that means we can visit him at regular visiting hours." She glanced at the clock on her mother's bedtable. "Oh, no! I'm going to be late for work. I'm relieving Kristy tonight, and she really gets steamed if I'm two seconds late."

"Come on. Get your coat," Mrs. Wu said, staring into the dressing mirror. "I'll drop you off on my way."

###########################################################

The rain kept most customers away from the coffee shop. A few people came in, shaking the water off their coats, rubbing their hands, and shivering from the cold. It was a big night for soups, and chili, and steaming cups of coffee.

But GuiGui spent most of the time sitting in a booth in the back doing her geometry homework. She had nearly finished the last problem when a dark figure slid silently into the booth across the table from her.

"YaLun!" she cried, startled.

He grinned at her, water dripping from his brown hair down his forehead. He pulled off his jacket and stuffed it beside him on the seat. He was wearing a faded blue shirt under the jacket.

"How's it going?" he asked, shaking his head.

GuiGui closed her notebook. "Slow," she said. She felt a chill. He was staring at he so hard, so intensely. Her stomach suddenly felt fluttery, her throat tight. She glanced to the kitchen. Ernie was sitting on a stool near the sink, doing a crossword puzzle in a folded-up newspaper.

GuiGui slid out of the booth, eager to get away from his unblinking eyes. "What can I get you?"

"Coffee," he said, tapping his fingers rapidly on the tabletop. "And a doughnut if they're not too old."

"They're from this morning, but I think they're okay," she told him.

Why does he make me so nervous? she asked herself as she dropped the doughnut onto a plate, then headed to the coffeepot. Is it because I'm attracted to him?

Or is it because there's something strange about him, strange and dangerous?

Does he like me? she wondered. She filled the cup too full. She tilted it and let some pour off the top.

No. He doesn't like me. It's not like I'm pretty or anything. Maybe he's really lonely. Or maybe he's just playing games. Maybe he's secretly laughing at me.

Yes, she decided bitterly. He's probably laughing at me.

She decided to try to find out more about him.

After setting the doughnut and coffee down, she slid back into the booth. He didn't look at all surprised. His expression was blank, unreadable. He took a big bite of the doughnut, flakes of sugar sticking to his lips.

"So where are you from?" GuiGui asked, trying to sound casual.

He chewed, then swallowed, then took a sip of coffee. "From around," he replied, his dark eyes gleaming.

"Where's that?" GuiGui asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Just around." He took another bite of the doughnut. "I move around a lot."

"You're not in school?" she asked, determined to get information from him, any information.

"Yes," he replied quickly.

"Where?" GuiGui asked.

"Well, actually, no," he said, avoiding her stare. "Dropped out." He took another sip of coffee, looking at her over the steaming cup. He grinned. "I'm a high school dropout."

She laughed uncomfortably. "School isn't so bad," she said. "I'm in the band."

She immediately regretted revealing that.

Why did I tell him that? she wondered, feeling her face grow hot. It sounds so dorky.

"What do you play?" he asked seriously. "Tuba?"

He didn't seem to be joking, but GuiGui was insulted. He thinks I'm so big and fat, I should be playin tuba. Why didn't he say flute?

She shook her head. "You're making fun of me," she said, turning her eyes to the kitchen. Ernie, hadn't moved.

"No, I'm not!" he protested, raising both hands in the air. "I just thought maybe you play tuba."

"Well, I don't," she replied sharply. "I play saxophone."

"That was my second choice," he said, lowering his eyes to his coffee cup, a hint of a smile crossing his lips.

"So, do you work?" GuiGui asked, changing the subject.

"Do you like to ask questions?" he snapped, his smile fading.

"Sorry." Again, GuiGui felt her face grow hot. "Just curious. If you want me to go, I'll---"

He reached across the table suddenly and grabbed her arm. "No. Stay." He didn't seem to be aware of his own strength. His tight grasp was hurting GuiGui. She was about to protest when he let go and pulled his arm away.

"I'm looking for a job," he said, his expression a blank again. "My mom and dad, they want me to get a job. You know, until I decide what I want to do."

"Where have you looked?" GuiGui asked.

He let his eyes survey the empty coffee shop. "Well, this place looks pretty good," he said, his smile returning, his dark eyes gleaming. "Looks like you could use some extra help here. What do you say?"

GuiGui sighed. "Not funny. Where have you been looking?"

"Well, I had an interview at the mill," he said. "I think it went pretty well."

"The mill has been closed for years," GuiGui blurted out. "My friend Hebe drove me up to see it."

"Oh. Then I guess the interview didn't go very well," he cracked at his own joke.

She had caught him in a lie.

Maybe, she thought, everything he says is a lie.

What is he trying to hide?

Suddenly he reached across the table again and touched her hand. "Hey--- you busy Saturday night?" he asked. "Let's go do something wild."

I can't go out with him, GuiGui thought, realizing that her heart was pounding in her chest. I don't know anything about him.

And I don't trust him.

She suddenly remembered Wang Zi.

"I already have a date for Saturday night," she said.

YaLun stared at her as if trying to decide if she was telling the truth. "Too bad," he said finally, jumping to his feet.

GuiGui looked up at him. His features were tight with anger.

He reached into his jeans pocket, then tossed two rolled-up dollar bills onto the table in front of her.

His face was red. His eyes were narrowed, his lips drawn tight.

"See you," he said coldly.

"Yeah. Okay," GuiGui replied in a tiny voice.

He grabbed his jacket with an angry jerk, then turned and stomped toward the entrance. He pushed open the door and stepped out into the rain, still carrying his jacket.

"Wow," GuiGui said out loud, not moving from the booth.

What a scary guy, she thought.

Like a bomb ready to explode.