Chasing Happiness

Chapter 3 : Making Friendship

Huo Xiu Xiu is driving him back to school. He sits silently sipping his coffee staring out the window. He told himself to not do homework at all this weekend but he was now behind on work so he needs to do it all tonight.

His birthday was today October 3rd, and Huo Xiu Xiu did get him a small cake yesterday but some family matters pulled her away. So he didn't really get to celebrate and he feels a bit empty because of it. He will buy himself a cupcake at the on campus bakery for tonight. She offered to stay late but he knew she needed to drive back. She also has class tomorrow so she should not be out late. It was his first birthday that he would not be celebrating with family so he feels a bit weird about it. He pushes those thoughts from his mind and focuses on the trees passing by the car.

They arrive at the parking lot by his building soon and Xie Yuchen stares at the building. Regretting coming back. Huo Xiu Xiu pats his leg and smiles.

"Come on", she says. "We both need to rest before class tomorrow". He nods his head and unbuckles his seat belt before he walks out of the car. Huo Xiu Xiu is already out of the car holding his bag. He takes it from her and places it on the ground. He wraps her arms around her, hugging her tight. He does not know the next time he will receive a hug so he will take it now. She smiles into the embrace and leans her head on his shoulder.

"We will see each other soon", she says. "Do not worry about it". She lets go of him and she wipes a tear from his eye. "You will be fine, you can call me whenever you want". He smiles at her and grabs his bag before walking away. He waves to her until he can not see her. He walks into the dorm building and walks up to the elevator. He then looks out the window and sees Huo Xiu Xiu talking to someone. He narrows his eyes and walks back out.

He then realizes that he knows that mop of hair. He runs out to the car. "Xiu Xiu!" he calls out. "I forgot something in the car", he lies.

"Oh, Xie Yuchen", the other person says. He turns around and Hei Yan Jing is smiling at Xie Yuchen. He wears a simple oversized t-shirt and running shorts. The shirt was longer than the shorts, and he sees the man's thighs. His eyes lower for a second to them and he looks up at his face. Hei Yan Jing was sipping water from a water bottle. "I was going on my run when I saw her, she looked sad so I asked her if she was okay".

"Oh haha, this is my best friend", Xie Yuchen mentions. He walks to the car and pretends to look for something.

"Oh, small world", Hei Yan Jing says. He smiles at Huo Xiu Xiu. "Oh I am his roommate, Hei Yan Jing".

"Oh my name is Huo Xiu Xiu", she says. She extends her hand and he grabs it firmly giving it a shake. He knows what family she comes from but he doesn't want to spook her with that information.

"Oh, you're his roommate!" she says suddenly, now remembering the name. He raises an eyebrow at the comment but says no more. "Oh sorry, he has mentioned that he has a new roommate. I was wondering who has the privilege of living with him".

"Oh, yes it has been nice living with him. We both care about classes and our grades. I was worried I was going to get someone who loved to party every weekend", he laughs. He smiles at Xie Yuchen. "He needs to work on communication though, I didn't know he was going home. I thought that he went missing".

Huo Xiu Xiu slowly turned to Xie Yuchen and raises an eyebrow. "I didn't think I needed to tell him", Xie Yuchen tries to explain himself. "We aren't friends".

"You keep on saying that", Hei Yan Jing mutters under his breath. "Alright but at least tell your roommate when you will be gone. I tell you when I have a late shift". Xie Yuchen looks away feeling a bit guilty now. Huo Xiu Xiu looks between the two trying to gauge anything from this relationship.