Welcome back guys!
~Enjoy!~
~No One's POV~
That day was a hard day for Rose. She decided to clip some of her courses so she could graduate early if or when she chose to do so. She stopped around the corner when she heard Ximen call out to Lei. She sighed as she waited there, knowing they wouldn't let the weekend go.
Ximen was the first to speak.
[Lei. Let's talk.]
Meizuo sighed as he chimed in.
[You know something?]
They walked up closer to him before continuing their conversation. Lei stared at the ground as Ximen spoke.
[Lei. You know what this means for Ah Si, right?]
Lei turned to face them as Ah Si walked up. He looked at Ximen then Meizuo.
[I know.]
Then looked at Ah Si.
[There's nothing to talk about.]
He turned to walk off but was stopped by Ximen.
[Huaze Lei.]
Rose shook her head at the anger rising in Ximen's voice.
[What is going on?]
It hadn't occurred to Rose that the boys might genuinely be confused. After all, Ximen had always thought that she would naturally choose Ah Si over the rest of them...but what he didn't know was why she hadn't. She just assumed he understood.
[Are you really dating Rose now? Has she really chosen you?]
Lei quickly turned to look at Ximen again. The thought of Rose even considering him again hadn't even crossed his mind. He'd forgotten to take his own feelings seriously. It was possible for him and Rose to start over. See where things would go. See if she could forgive him for not being strong enough to continue to love only her the way Ah Si had. But even Meizuo was worried about what would happen between the four of them like this.
[No way, right? You wouldn't use Rose like that. You'd never ruin Ah Si's chance to fix things with Rose.]
Lei looked at Ah Si before looking at the ground again. He wasn't using Rose to get over Jing. It was Jing that helped him realize he still loved Rose and that what he felt for Jing wasn't real love. For it was Rose that he spoke about with a smile on his face, not Jing. Ah Si knew this whole thing was his fault. He wanted to change that. Yet, Lei wondered that with Rose showing obvious feelings towards them all, if that was even possible. Wondered if the betrayal she felt towards Ah Si would melt away so easily.
Ximen's voice drew Lei from his thoughts.
[Lei, have you lost your mind after losing, Jing?]
Ximen's anger was clear now.
[You have gotten any other girl.]
Rose had had enough. She stepped around the corner of the hallway and slid her sunglasses up onto her head.
[Enough!]
The boys turned to her as she glared at them. The color of her red hair was striking against her pale skin. She really looked like a rose flower now. Thorns and all.
She walked towards them. Her heels clopping against the tile floor. It was the first time the boys had seen her in stilettos. She had worn a navy blue v-necked sweater dress and black tights. The gold ribbon around her neck made the outfit. They boys couldn't help but stare at her. Even Ah Si.
She stood beside Lei, the top of her head even with his eyes.
[I'm sick of the lot of you trying to act like the only person in this group that matters is Daoming Si.]
She crossed her arms as Ximen and Meizuo looked at her in shock. They hadn't heard her call Ah Si by his full name in a long time. They knew something was wrong now.
Ximen blinked pretty hard before he spoke.
[Rose, we didn't mean it like that.]
She pointed at him.
[I've had enough of this whole thing. I am not a child. The fact that you boys keep trying to control me like a dog on leash is pissing me off!]
Meizuo chewed the corner of his cheek before speaking.
[Rose, we're just trying to understand what's going on.]
[You really want to know? Lei kissed me and I kissed him back. Ah Si walked up on it and then decided we were no closer than strangers on the street.]
Ah Si's jaw clenched in both anger at Lei and himself. He could see the pain in Rose's eyes but he didn't want to play this game again. He just wanted to focus on the two of them...but she wanted Lei and it pissed him off even more.
Ximen and Meizuo looked at each other in shock before looking back at her.
[You have to be kidding. Very funny, Rose.]
[You'd never let Ah Si shut you out like that.]
Rose scoffed as she looked at Ah Si.
[He didn't shut me out. I shut him out. He was right. Nothing about this is fair.]
She looked at Lei before smiling at him and turning back to the others.
[I do wonder what he'd think about you kissing me when you wanted as well, Meizuo.]
[Don't bring me into this.]
[Funny. I thought we were all in this together.]
Rose then walked off towards Ah Si. His gaze followed her until she was behind him. She never spared him another glance and Ah Si lost it. He walked up to Lei and said the one thing, the boy's never thought they'd hear.
[Lei, listen carefully. From today onward, you are no longer my friend!]
In disbelief, Meizuo tried to stop him.
[Ah Si. Are you really going to kill our friendship over something we already know how to handle? You can't be serious.]
Ah Si grit his teeth before speaking again.
[I'm not the one who killed our friendship. It was Huaze Lei.]
With that, Ah Si walked off. Shoving his shoulder into Lei's as he walked past him.
Meizuo tried to stop him again.
[Ah Si, don't do this!]
But Ah Si wasn't listening. Lei was hurt as he looked at Ximen. But he knew this meant he was free. Free to play the game the way it should be played. Meizuo looked at Lei and shook his head. He knew Rose wouldn't give up like this. But he was worried about how far this would go before she'd knock some sense into Ah Si. He had always told her she could do what she wanted because she was single. Yet, he wasn't so sure that she was even giving this any thought. She could be just as immature as Ah Si sometimes.
~Rose's POV~
Nothing could have prepared me for this day. I have never wanted to just uproot and disappear like I did right now. I wanted to give Dao a war and yet I was unsure how I was going to do it. I needed to anger him past his breaking point but I needed his sister to help me with that, though I did wonder if that was the correct course of action at this point. Dao had changed...but I wondered where some of that change was. I was in the library when Meizuo called me.
[What do you want Mezzie?]
[Do you know Ah Si just ended our friendship with Lei?]
I sighed as I rubbed my forehead.
[I guess you want me to fix that?]
[Tell me you have a plan.]
[Are you kidding me? How do I plan any of this out? He doesn't even want to know me. How do I fix your friendship when I can't even fix mine?]
He sighed as I stared out of the window.
[I'm sorry, Mezzie. I'm going to try and tip him past his breaking point but I'm not sure if I can.]
[Do you remember the day Ah Si told his mother he was going to marry you or he'd be single forever?]
[Off the top of my head? No. But I remember his father arranging a contract with my father which Dao signed and gave to me in Budapest.]
[Rose...You signed it.]
I stared at the table I was sitting at. That, I didn't remember.
[You're joking.]
He sighed again.
[I wish I were. We all had contracts drawn up when your father came and took you away. You were relapsing into depression pretty hard and we were worried about you. Your father came and got you without ever having told us. They changed your name and tried to give you a new life, but they were taken from you. When you came back, we swore that you'd never leave again. So, we handed you the contracts and promised we'd be together forever. No matter who you chose. You kept the contracts until the day we were told you were dead. However, you had signed the contract Ah Si had given you in Budapest and Ah Si burned it. Hoping it would tie you two together in the next life.]
I shook my head.
[Meizuo, I wouldn't have signed it.]
[What do you mean?]
[Much like Ximen, at the time, I believed love was impossible. Especially with one person when I selfishly wanted you all.]
[Are you sure?]
I scoffed.
[Trust me, I would remember making that decision. Especially when I had decided that I wouldn't choose anyone.]
[Really?]
[Don't sound surprised. I was a coward then. But I'm not any more. Besides, I've asked his sister to come home.]
[Tell me you're joking.]
[I'll see you later Mezzie.]
[Rose.]
I hung up on him as I got up and walked out. They thought I was engaged to Dao and he was still carrying that with him. Well...sounds like a personal problem, doesn't it?
I smiled when Kai started walking alongside me.
[Are we good, Kai?]
He nodded as he looked at me.
[I'm sorry I've been avoiding you. I just wasn't sure on how to face you since you knocked those girls off their high horses.]
I grinned as I looked at him.
[I get it. I don't blame you. I was having a hard time then. I just kind of...lost it so to speak.]
[Don't get me wrong Xue, they deserved it. They were bullying you. That's why they haven't pressed charges. They know they were wrong.]
I nodded as he smiled.
[My sister's sick now too. So, don't be surprised if I don't spend much time with you. I'm trying to get things sorted out so she can go into the hospital.]
I stopped walking as I looked up at Dao who was resting on a staircase. He turned from me as I shook my head.
[What's wrong with Daoming Si? Did you two have a fight or something?]
I scoffed.
[When are we not fighting?]
[True.]
I started walking again as Kai followed.
[Is your sister alright? Do you guys need any help?]
He shook his head as he smiled.
[We're pretty sure she has cancer but we're going to find out.]
I nodded as I took his hand.
[Listen, Kai. I trust you, okay? That means we're friends and that qualifies you as family. I don't trust just anyone much any more. So, if you need anything, and I do mean anything, just let me know, okay?]
He nodded and grinned at me.
[Thanks, Xue. I promise, I'll let you know.]
[Good. Are you joining me for lunch?]
[No. I have to go get my sister from school. She's not feeling well and our parents are on a business trip.]
[Tell her I said to feel better, okay?]
[I will. Later, Xue.]
I waved him off as he walked away. I bought a few sushi trays and went up to the roof. I knew Lei would be there after what happened earlier. I wanted to make sure he was okay.
I smiled at him when he looked at me.
[Hi, LeiLei.]
[Hi.]
[You hungry?]
[Yeah.]
[Here.]
I handed him a try as I sat down beside him. I looked at the wall and smiled.
[Is that Dao?]
[Looks just like him, right? That must be how he's looking right now.]
[If his eyebrows were thicker and he had horns, I think it'd be perfect.]
He grinned as he looked at me.
[Perfect. Now that would look like him.]
[All I do is make him angry, huh?]
I looked at him as he looked at the ground.
I ate a few pieces of sushi before I sighed.
[I'm sorry, Lei.]
[Why are you sorry?]
I set my tray down as I looked at him.
[When I went for that second walk, I knew I'd find you out there. It was like I wanted to find you. Apologize for lying about remembering that Christmas...if I had just stayed in my room with Dao, none of this would have happened and we'd all still be friends...]
I got up and walked over to his drawing.
[This is all my fault. I just wanted to pick up where we all left off...try to understand why I'm so hesitant with all of this…]
Lei wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me.
[I kissed you, because I wanted to. This is my fault. Not yours.]
I turned to him as he took my hands in his. He sighed and then smiled warmly at me.
[Let's go on a date on Sunday.]
[Like an official date?]
He nodded as I smiled at him.
[I hardly believe that you're okay that fast.]
He squeezed my hands as he looked at me.
[Rosie. You know me better than that. If I didn't think it a good idea, I wouldn't ask.]
[Hmm.]
He tucked my hair behind my left ear as I bit my lower lip, never letting my hand go as he did so.
[Before I say yes, I have a question.]
He tilted his head as I smiled.
[How do you know that I don't love you boys out of habit?]
[Do you smile when you talk about us?]
[Most of the time.]
[Do you feel like you have to hangout with us or do you want to?]
[Want to...and have to.]
[Rosie.]
[What? I don't like people.]
He smiled as he gave me a look.
[Rosie.]
[I know. I'm sorry. You're giving me the same speech Jing gave you...aren't you?]
He nodded and I sighed.
[Alright. Why not? Dao's already pissed off at us, mind as well go for it.]
[Rosie.]
[I'm saying yes, Lei. Let's go on a date Sunday.]
He grinned as he hugged me. I hugged him back and looked at our lunch.
[We should eat.]
[Agreed.]
We sat back down and finished our lunch. When we were done Lei started to go to class but stopped to turn to me before he left.
[You alright, Lei?]
[Why did you dye your hair?]
I tilted my head in question as he looked at me.
[Do you hate it?]
I pouted a little as he smiled.
[I've always wondered what color rose you'd be.]
With that he walked off. I giggled as I shook my head. I guess that means he liked it. I sighed as I looked at my schedule. I needed to study. I was also bad at math...I guess that meant I was hanging out with Ximen for a while.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and called him.
[You have the worst timing on the planet.]
[Do you want to help me, or not?]
[Depends on what you want help with.]
[Two things, to be honest. The first one being math...I'm trying to clip a few courses and I'm terrible with math. The second one is helping me move.]
[Move?]
[I wanted to get everything out of that witch's house and into mine.]
[So you found your old place.]
[Xi...please…]
He sighed.
[Fine. I'll call Meizuo and see what he can do about getting you packed. We don't want you there at all. Or alone at that.]
I nodded.
[I get it.]
[And as for the math...well...I'll meet you at your place in an hour.]
[Really?]
[Did I stutter?]
[Thanks, Xi.]
[Don't mention it. Ever.]
I giggled as I hung up. Today was going to be a long day.
~No One's POV~
True to his word, Ximen showed up at Rose's house ready to make sure she both remembered her mathematics and like a true F4 member, he showed up with a sample test she could practice with. They drank tea, practiced, and argued all afternoon. Rose really hated math. She wanted to be an artist...but life had a way of making you change your wants based on your needs. At around Eight, Ximen left Rose to complete her practice test for the second time. He gave her four hours and at Midnight, he came back into her study and shook his head as he saw her sleeping on her arm. Rose must have been exhausted. In his opinion, she was doing too much, too fast. Clipping courses was a good idea in theory when it came to her but to actually watch her study was painful. Ximen smiled as he brushed her hair out of her face, his hand laying on the side of her neck as he tilted his head to look at her. He could see the dark circles forming under her eyes. She wasn't sleeping well. He understood as he didn't do much sleeping either. Ximen sighed as he tilted her gently into his chest, sliding one of his arms under her legs as he did so.
He carried her carefully, and gently up to her room. He laid her on the bed as easy as he could and took her shoes off. Ximen then slipped his shoes off and laid on the bed beside her. Rose slept better with someone laying beside her. She'd never admit it, but she suffered from severe nightmares. The kind where you try to scream, only to end up waking up silently screaming to yourself with tears running down your face. She had insomnia because she was afraid to close her eyes. Ximen didn't blame her much, with a haunting past like hers, he wouldn't sleep well either.
He picked up a book that looked interesting and started reading. It wasn't long until Rose rolled over and cuddled into him, laying her head on his chest as she did so. Ximen looked down at her as he wrapped his arm around her. She was cold so he pulled the blanket over her. He to himself when Rose got closer and tucked her head in the crook of his neck. Rose was maybe the only person Ximen could actually say made him feel a certain kind of uncomfortable. He would never admit out loud, but much like Meizuo, Ximen held feelings for Rose. Beijing was his tipping point. But, Ximen knew he had to hide it. Rose had enough to deal with.
Ximen kissed the top of Rose's head as he went back to reading. Things would never be as simple as they were now. Besides, he didn't believe in love...or did he?
/\/\/\/\/\/\
The next few days went a lot like that. On Friday, Rose took her test and passed, but barely. It was all she could do to contain her excitement as she rolled out the test hall half asleep but still wired like no tomorrow.
~Rose's POV~
[XIMEN!]
I was running towards him with my exemption permission slip in hand. He looked surprised to see me but that didn't stop me. He leaned down as he caught me when I jumped on him.
[I PASSED!]
He picked me up and spun me around as he smiled. Then he sat me down and was grinning as he looked at the paper.
[Well, would you look at that. You really are bad at math...you barely made it.]
I smacked the back of his head and he flinched. He rubbed it as I pouted at him.
[I still passed.]
[Yes you did.]
He rubbed the top of my head as I beamed up at him.
[I'm going to go back to that other place and start packing.]
[Why don't we eat lunch first. My treat.]
I gasped playfully as he frowned at me.
[You? Buying me food? I should be so honored.]
He walked off as I followed him.
[Keep it up and I'll make you buy.]
I chuckled as I started walking beside him.
[How's Daoming Si doing?]
Ximen looked at me as he sighed.
[He's acting out. Much the same as he used to. Meizuo said you called his sister in for help.]
I nodded as I wrapped my arms around his one. I was caught off guard by the gaggle of girls and now random guys that were following us.
[Is this normal Xi?]
He smiled as I looked up at him.
[How do you boys deal with this all of the time?]
[Well...the guys are new so not all of the time and ignore them. They leave when they get bored.]
[I'm a little uncomfortable.]
And with that he snapped his fingers and the people left. Ximen walked me all the way to the cafeteria, my mouth agape. He snapped his fingers and the crowd dissipated? Now that's power.
I shook my head in disbelief as I sat at a table and waited on Ximen. I waved at Meizuo as he joined me.
[Tell me you love me.]
[I do. Why?]
[Not only do I have you packed up and moved out of your trap of a house but as of this afternoon, you will have officially moved into your childhood home.]
[You're kidding?]
[Not at all.]
He took a bite of his sandwich as Ximen handed me my tray.
[So, did you pass your test?]
I excitedly handed him my paper.
[Well look at you. If I'm not mistaken...you could either graduate early or with us if you wanted to.]
He gave me my paper back and I folded it as I placed it back into my pocket.
[Graduating with you Rose...would be exciting.]
I rolled my eyes as I smiled at Ximen.
[Could you boys behave for even a second?]
Ximen chuckled as I looked at Meizuo.
[I'm serious. You're nothing but trouble.]
[Says the trouble maker.]
I pouted at him as he rubbed his nose against mine.
[You can't deny it.]
I turned to my food and pouted as I ate.
[I wasn't. I just didn't want you saying it out loud.]
They laughed at me as I ate. I was being picked on. Good. Means they still love me. Now if only I could Dao to do that...but wait, we were strangers now. We had to deal with that first.
Meizuo and Ximen show up at my house a few hours later with the moving truck. I was so excited to be home for the first time in forever that I was wired well past midnight. Ximen finally bailed and Meizuo opted to stay with me.
When we were both showered and changed for sleeping, we settled down on the love seat in front of the fireplace in my room. My legs were laying on his lap and we were both reading. There was something weirdly simple about moments like this. But something bothered me and I just couldn't put a finger on what it was.
I set my book down and looked at Meizuo. I've found that there was always something fascinating about each one of my F4 boys. Meizuo, being the most reasonable one of the group, was my best friend. The one I trusted with everything. The one I loved and hadn't realized it until now.
[Hey, Mezzie?]
[Hm?]
[What would you say, if I told you I loved you?]
[I'd say you're delusional.]
I kicked him playfully a few times and he smiled as he set his book down.
[Alright. Alright.]
He chuckled as he shifted and laid on top of me, his back resting on me as he continued to read.
[Not that this is fun and all, but why do you ask?]
I sighed as I placed my book on the table behind me.
[I've been thinking about it for a while now...and...I know you keep telling me not to drag you into this...but...a part of me...really does have feelings for you.]
I wrapped my arms around his neck and he closed his book, letting it drop to the floor as he did so.
[You have a date with Lei, don't you?]
I started laughing.
[Sunday. But I'm being serious, Mezzie...I've come to realize that I might be a bit of a deeper hole than I was last time.]
I scooted down to lay my head on the armrest as he shifted onto his side and laid beside me with his back against the cushions.
He crossed his arms as he looked at me.
[Hole?]
I nodded as I shifted to face him.
[I'm not going to beat around the bush with this...I'm pretty sure I can name a reason I'd be in love with all of F4. And to be honest, I'm loving this weird warmth that I get when I'm around you guys. I always feel safe and no matter how much drama occurs, so far, I feel so loved by you guys that I'm not sure how this whole thing is going to play out…]
He stared at me for a moment before he spoke.
[Why would you fall for me? Or Ximen, for that matter?]
[Which one do you want me to explain first?]
I smiled as he chewed on the inside of his cheek. He wanted his first. I could tell. I rubbed my forehead before crossing my arms.
[It's never really crossed my mind until recently. How you listen, how make me smile, how you know me so well, and I think the thing that gets me the most...is how you kiss me.]
He furrowed his brows slightly.
[You're smart, kind, sweet, and you've never wanted to complicate my life any more than it already is. In your own way, you love me in the best kind of way. You love me just enough to make my happiness enough for you. But I've often wondered, here recently, if that's really all there is to it. I've learned to be overly observant with people these last few years. I can see the hurt I cause you at times. I can see it in all of you whether you guys want to believe it or not. All I've ever wanted was to be able to explore my feelings for each of you. And as much as you've tried not to, you want to explore that feeling too. That's why you comfort me the way you do.]
He looked down at his arms and I scoffed.
[As for Ximen, well, I don't know. He's cold most times, but he's warm hearted when he wants to be. He's kind in his own way. And whether he admits it to himself or not, he's very loving. He's always making sure that when it comes to me, that everything is for my best interest. He's trying to protect me like a big brother would do but sometimes, I think, he slips. Like how he kisses my forehead or my cheek when he thinks I'm asleep. Or how he pets the top of my head with a slow and tender touch. He's also pretty cocky and I admit it's annoying but at times, it's just sexy as hell. And I wonder, if I could just remember Beijing more clearly, what that would tell me.]
I shrugged as I chewed the inside of my cheek.
[That's kind of it. I know that explanation sucked but it's the best I can do right now.]
He looked at me and sighed slightly.
[What part of don't bring me into this, don't you understand?]
I stared at him in disbelief before I could find my words again.
"Wow."
I rolled off the sofa and got up.
[You know what, Meizuo? Just get out.]
[Rose.]
I pointed at my bedroom door as I started walking to my bed.
[There's the door. Don't let it hit you on the way out.]
[Rosie.]
I ignored him as I walked to my bed. I had pretty much confessed to him and he...what? Rejected me? Ignored me? Lord knows I had no idea. But I wasn't expecting him to say that again. It was a little too late for that. He was in this and that was that.
[Evervine Rosealine.]
I froze. I hated hearing my whole name. Especially from my boys. They normally only ever said it when they were serious about something.
I leaned against my bed post.
[What?]
[I didn't mean it the way it sounded.]
I rolled my eyes as I stood there.
[I'm sick of hearing it, Feng Meizuo. Just leave me alone.]
Arguing with him was pointless. I had decided here recently that I wanted to discover my boys all over again. But here he was, in his own way, shutting me out again. I was tired. We're not supposed to fight like this. None of us are.
I slid my hands into the pocket of my pants when I heard him get up. Instead of hearing the door open, he wrapped his arms around me, and I turned my head to look at him as he placed his chin on my shoulder.
[I hope you know you're killing me, Rose. Ximen and I have tried to keep your life as simple as possible when it comes to us but you're making it hard.]
I couldn't help but stare at him. I wasn't sure where this was going.
[The reason I keep telling you not to bring me into this is because it's hard enough for me as it is...and you have enough to deal with.]
I thought about it for a moment and knew I needed to push him.
[Then tell me you don't like me. Tell me that nothing we've been through has made you love me in the slightest.]
I place a hand on the thigh that his bullet wound scar was on. His immediate reaction was to tuck his face into my neck. I knew his heart was beginning to race. It took him a moment to regain composure and then he slid his hand on top of mine, lacing his fingers with mine as he did so.
[Rosie.]
[Mezzie, please. Don't act like this. I'm tired. You took me to Paris and you let your walls down. Just because I was gone for a while doesn't mean I'm letting you put them back up. You wouldn't have done and said the things you did when this happened if you felt nothing…]
He sighed and then kissed my neck.
[You're not going to let this go are you?]
[No. Either admit it, or get out. Because the next time I say anything, it'll be in public.]
He groaned slightly as he stood up straight and turned me around to him.
[Paris was a long time ago, you know.]
[Mezzie.]
[I know.]
He placed his forehead against mine.
[This isn't going to do either of us any good.]
[Leave.]
He smiled as he kissed me.
[Meizuo.]
[I admit it.]
I smiled as he kissed me again. Over and over again. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he deepened the kiss. That same licorice and spice flavor was starting to become addicting. Mezzie had settled his hands on my hips when he chose to pull away. I started to protest but then he kissed my ribbon on the side where my scar was and I became uneasy.
[Mezzie…]
He smiled as he kissed just under my earlobe. I could feel the heat rise in my cheeks as I ran a hand up and into his hair on the back of his head.
[I know, Rosie.]
I smiled as he kissed my forehead once more.
[Why don't you go ahead and lay down. You looked tired.]
I pouted at him as he straightened up, forcing me to wrap my arms around his waist as I could no longer reach his neck.
[Not going to join me?]
I bit my bottom lip playfully as he shook his head.
[You're still too uncomfortable for all of that. Now behave. I'll join you later.]
He went back to the sofa as I sighed. He wasn't wrong, but he could have been more fun to play with.
~End of Chapter 9 part 1~
Hope you guys liked it!
Do you think Meizuo might have a chance at being chosen?
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