13
Kevin got out of the lift and into the living room, Joan, another girl and Luke were sitting on the couch watching some video.
"Hey, why aren't any of you going out? It's Valentine's Day," he teased,
"'Cause we're boring and none of us have a date," Joan said, still staring at the T.V,
"And 'cause we prefer a night of pizza and videos, to a candlelight dinner at a fancy French restaurant with a waiter called Chum who breathes down your top," Xiao said, mindlessly staring at the flicking screen,
"And… I'm having a greater time with these two young ladies," Luke joked glancing at Xiao. Kevin laughed,
"Sure, so mind if I join you?" he asked, Xiao cleared a space on the couch next to her not thinking, Kevin paused. Xiao suddenly realised, and felt red in her cheeks,
"I'll get some drinks," she said, getting up and going to the fridge. Kevin wheeled closer to the side of the couch and turned to the T.V. Xiao came back, put the bottles of ginger beer on the table and sat at the side of the couch,
"So, been picking up girls in the rain tonight?" Xiao asked, Kevin smiled,
"Not tonight," he said,
"So who was the girl you were with late last night that had mom worry?" Joan asked, Kevin stole a glance at Xiao, and then kept to the screen,
"A girl that just needed a ride, and a coffee," he said, Xiao smiled,
"Was she pretty?" Luke asked, Kevin stole another glance at Xiao, a little longer this time,
"She was beautiful," he said, looking at Xiao, who blushed and bit her lip nervously. Joan saw them looking at each other, she smiled and didn't say anything. Luke frowned when he saw Joan smile, and then he saw what Joan was smiling about,
"So, Xiao… did you leave anyone behind in New Zealand?" Luke asked, Xiao looked down,
"Of course, I left my family, and friends-"
"Boyfriend?" Luke cut in, Joan frowned and gave him a nudge, "What? Just curious!" he said innocently. Xiao looked away and turned to the T.V,
"I… haven't quite, left him behind-" Xiao muttered, Joan turned to her,
"So you're still with him?" Joan asked quietly,
"Um… not really,"
"I don't get it," Joan said, Xiao sighed,
"Neither do I," Kevin said, and went to the lift. Xiao didn't know what to do, should she tell him to wait, come back? Or let him go?
"Kevin wait!" Xiao said getting up to the lift, Kevin shook his head as the lift doors shut. Xiao stood in front of the closed doors, opening and shutting her mouth, not knowing what to do or even say. Joan frowned at Luke, who gave the 'It-Wasn't-My-Fault' look. Joan shook her head,
"Some genius," Joan said and crossed her arms. Xiao picked up her bag and stuffed her pillow into it, "wait Xiao! What are you doing? It's past midnight," Joan exclaimed, "you can't go wandering around town at this time," she said. Xiao got to the door,
"Thanks for inviting me over Joan, I had a great time," Xiao said, with a little smile, and a sigh she shut the door.
"Whoa wait Xiao Su!" Luke called getting to the door,
"Let her go Luke, you just ruined both of them. Just let her go, before you do something to screw anyone else up." Joan paused. "And people call you a genius, but you have no compassion…" Joan shouted, louder than she intended. Luke turned on his heel, and went upstairs without a word. Joan sighed, running her fingers through her hair, she switched off the T.V and flopped on the couch.
~