Disclaimer: All rights go to Himaruya-sensei.
A/N: Sorry for delays! I've been…lazy. There is no excuse for not updating on time during the summer. Especially in my case. I'm just lazy. XD I decided to transition to supporting character's POV during these chapters. I hope you enjoy!
The next day, Xiang was overly anxious to leave work and meet up with Mei to practice. He wished they could have kissed, but being so close to her was absolutely heavenly. Hopefully, they could get that close again and possibly talk about a future relationship. It was a bright and sunny afternoon, giving Xiang even more hope and even a small grin.
"Hey, Xiang!" a familiar voice yelled out, as the Cantonese teen approached the dance room.
"Yo, Yong Soo," he greeted. "Where's Mei?"
The Korean just shrugged. "She stayed to herself all day and left without saying a word."
"Really?" Yong Soo nodded in response. "Wow…I should call her when I get home then."
"Yeah. She needs to feel better for auditions next week~"
"Right. Well, thanks, dude."
The two young men departed and Xiang began to walk aimlessly around the building, hoping to see Mei. He wondered what exactly was wrong with her. From Yong Soo's description, Mei seemed distant and distracted. Xiang prayed that it wasn't from the kiss the two almost shared. He would be devastated if that were the case. That meant that she didn't like him more than a friend.
Xiang's train of thought was interrupted due to someone tapping his shoulder. He turned around, hoping it was Mei, but his excitement faded upon seeing it was only his friend Emil.
"Oh, hey," Xiang said, lacking enthusiasm. "'Sup?"
"Are ya ready?" the pale haired boy asked.
"For…?"
"For us to leave and head out to your place," Emil replied impatiently.
Ah, right. Emil had asked if he could come over this afternoon. Xiang didn't mind at all. Emil was like his brother and they had a bunch to catch up on. He laughed to himself, 'We sound like a couple of schoolgirls.' Actually, now that he thought about it, Xiang was acting like a schoolgirl.
He was head over heels in puppy love with Mei and wanted to giggle about it with his best friend. At this point, Xiang really didn't care if Emil wasn't so fond of Mei; he just wanted to talk to him about her.
"Sure, let's go," Xiang said, with a small smile. The two best friends walked outside began to head out to Xiang's house.
Xiang's room was similar to any teenage boy's bedroom. It was in disarray and was decorated to his own personal styles. Except his personal style set Xiang's room apart from other's rooms; the décor symbolized Xiang's Eastern and Western heritage. While Asian paintings and weapons were hung up on the wall, Xiang also had a lot of English music, clothes and movies. Xiang's diverse taste was something Emil always admired about his friend.
Emil sat on the bed, waiting for Xiang to come back while flipping through the other's sketch book. He had to admit, Emil was a little bit jealous of Xiang who is skilled in various specialties but those talents just added to Emil's admiration of Xiang.
Speaking of, a certain Asian teen walked back into his room with a bowl of popcorn and a six pack of soda at hand.
"Took you long enough," Emil remarked dryly, with his nose still buried in the book.
"You could have helped, y'know."
"I know." Both boys revealed a surreptitious smirk and Xiang sat down along with the snacks. Emil took a handful of the popcorn and shoved the stuff into his mouth.
"So…" Xiang began, quietly. "I think I like someone."
Emil almost choked on his popcorn. He knew Xiang for years and never ever has Xiang said he liked someone. The pale haired teen's heart nearly stopped at the thought that it might have been him. It was weird, having a secret crush on your best friend but if those feelings were returned, maybe it wouldn't be so awkward. Emil swallowed his popcorn and replied, "Tell me, Xiang."
A blush rose to Xiang's cheeks and he fiddled with his hands while looking down at them. How cute! Emil thought.
"It's weird. I'm just now realizing but I've never really felt this way about anyone before."
"About who?" Emil's eyes widened with anticipation. He hoped the next word that came out of the other's mouth was "you".
A tiny smile graced Xiang's features and he looked towards Emil, whose heart nearly stopped. "Mei."
Okay, his heart literally stopped. Emil's mouth gaped open and he exhaled a silent breath. Really? Like, was he really serious? He had to pull through his heartbreak, though. With a tight and fraudulent smile Emil said, "Th-that's wonderful."
The happiness on Xiang's face increased ten-fold. "Really?" he beamed. "I'm glad you think so. We almost kissed yesterday…It was great, really." Xiang flushed even more.
Jealousy ran through Emil like it was blood. He wanted to touch Xiang's sweet lips with his own for years and this skank came in and got that close to doing what he only dreamt of. Emil knew he shouldn't be angry because his feelings were wrong and he knew he shouldn't hate Mei because Xiang liked her but he couldn't control his resentment. And that same resentment appeared on his face.
Xiang noticed. "Emil? You okay?"
Emil exhaled deeply. He was going to hate himself for this, he really was. "She's a whore, Xiang."
The concern on his friend's face transformed into one of unease. "Wh-what?"
"I said she's a whore," Emil replied, more quietly.
"That's not true!"
"It is. Remember when we saw her the other day? And she looked a mess? Yeah, she was fucking her boss."
Xiang recoiled in disgust. "Don't say such things."
"It's the truth, Xiang. Accept it."
From the tears accumulating in his eyes, Xiang was putting the pieces together but didn't want to accept the fact that she did it. Maybe she didn't… thought Emil. Maybe it was just a horrible misunderstanding but he didn't want Xiang to like this girl anymore. So he had to do any and everything he could to tarnish her reputation.
"Wh-why are y-you telling me this…?"
Emil looked away from his friend's teary red eyes with shame. "Because…I love you."
"Get out."
He nodded, stood up, and grudgingly walked out of Xiang's room. Emil regretted that conversation they just shared. Rejection was a bitch, but what was even harder was making the one you love cry.
Arthur had just got off from work and was a little too tired to even think about cooking dinner. He cursed himself for not taking the car or calling up Xiang for a ride. He needed after that day at the job. It was hard working with about ninety-five percent of the blokes at the office, especially Francis. Dealing with Francis' lustful ways was thrilling when it was just between the two of them but it was extremely humiliating when Francis flirted with others. Arthur wondered if the relationship they had was even worth it.
Although he was deep in thought, something caught Arthur's attention; the smell of delicious food. Looking up, Arthur's eyes met the sign of a Chinese food restaurant. Smells divine. I guess I could get tonight's supper from this place. He walked in.
The restaurant wasn't exactly posh like the ones he at been to but it was still pleasant. It was petite, had an earnest and comfortable feeling to it and was modestly decorated. Walking over to the counter to make an order, Arthur heard the muffled voices of a man and girl speaking in Chinese from the back room.
Moments later, someone walked out of the other room. "Sorry, about that, aru." The person who approached Arthur was feminine in appearance but definitely a man. A man with big brown eyes and straight flowing dark hair in a low pony tail and looked better than most women. "What would you like to order this evening?" he asked.
"Hm, I'll have the large pepper steak combo with fried rice."
"Coming right up, aru!" Arthur paid for his meal and sat down as the man went to prepare the food.
Arthur sighed as he began to reflect him and Francis' relationship. It was obvious his boyfriend wasn't taking things as seriously as Arthur was. Perhaps it would be in his best interest to see other people, but whom?
"Here's your food, aru. Enjoy!" Arthur looked up and the restaurant worker had him and Xiang's Chinese takeout at hand and a warm smile on his face.
"Ah, thank you very much." The worker placed the box of food on the table and his smile faded upon inspecting Arthur's face closer. "Is something the matter? You look down, aru." His eyebrows burrowed with a sense of worry.
"Its…nothing," Arthur lied, looking at the white foam box.
"You're lying, aru." Arthur looked up and the man was sitting in the chair parallel to his with a serious look on his face. "I'm raising a teenage girl. I know when someone is troubled."
The Brit was slightly taken aback by the other's ability to see right through him so he just sighed and told the guy what was wrong. "Relationship problems."
The Chinese man's stern stare softened into a appearance of concern and motherly empathy. "I understand completely, aru. You can talk about it if you'd like."
Arthur's mouth opened so he could reject the offer but he closed it. The man in front of him seemed trustworthy and caring; Arthur could pour out his soul out to this stranger.
"My boyfriend doesn't appear to comprehend the definition of monogamy," Arthur mumbled.
"Leave him."
"I plan to," a smile appeared on his face.
Both men laughed and when the laughter settled, a thoughtful look appeared on the Asian man's face. "We have completely different problems, aru. Your boyfriend strays away and mine always stays. It's getting a little weird."
"Leave him," Arthur suggested with a smirk.
The Asian looked up and looked the other dead in his magnificent emerald eyes and with the same kind of smirk, he responded, "I plan to."