Begin Again

Chapter 05

10 years ago.

"Haikuan! Guess what?" Zhan yelled as he came in running through the doorway. He stopped right in front of Haikuan's desk. 

Haikuan looked up from his book. He was sitting at his small desk inside their shared dorm room studying for an exam, "What?"

"Xuan asked me out! Finally! We are going on a date," Zhan said happily. His adorable signature smile appeared.

"Wow... after all that shagging you finally get a date with him. That's awesome! I guess all your nagging finally paid off," he teased his friend still keeping his eyes on his book.

"Shutup!" Zhan replied while playfully punching his arm.

Haikuan turned the page on his book and then looked up at Zhan. "I guess I shouldn't wait up for you right?" he asked raising an eyebrow.

"I'll probably spend the night in his dorm. I'll make sure to take my keys just in case," he said making his way to his side of the dorm and began packing a few overnight necessities. 

"You said that last time and he kicked you out in the middle of the night after you gave him what he wanted."

"He needed to be up early for a test and knowing me he asked me to leave. You know how I can get!"

"Whatever makes you sleep at night," he said rolling his eyes and focusing back on his book.

8 years ago.

"Zhan! I'm back. I brought you some noodles from the student center," Haikuan said as he entered the dorm. Zhan was in bed under the blanket. Haikuan walked up to him and pulled the blanket down carefully.

Zhan was crying.

"What happened?" He asked placing the hot noodles on his small desk.

"He yelled at me in the library in front of everyone because a girl asked me for my number during class. I gave it to her because we were going to work on the science project together, and Xuan didn't like that." Zhan was sobbing.  He took a deep breath and continued, "He's not taking me to the club this weekend. He just called me and told me to forget it and that I can go with her instead."

"Fuck man. He's always giving you shit over the stupidest things. How do you still put up with him?"

7 years ago

"Happy Birthday Zhan!" Haikuan, Zuocheng and Yubin shouted in unison at Zhan. They had walked all across campus with balloons, a small cake, and flowers to surprise their best friend. They had found him sitting by the large oak tree in front of the library with Xuan.

The 3 friends hesitated at first, but Zuocheng moved first and gave Zhan a big bear hug and handed him the flowers. Yubin hugged him next and handed him the balloons. Finally Haikuan lit the candles on the cake. "Make a wish, Zhan!" Zhan closed his eyes and wished for the thing he wanted the most. To be Xuan's forever no matter what. He opened his eyes and blew the number 23 that was rapidly melting on the cake. The guys all cheered and clapped. Zhan was smiling ear to ear, until he turned to Xuan. He was furious. The trio noticed right away when Zhan's demeanor changed. They all looked at each other and knew that they had to leave.

"We got to go to class, but we'll see you later," they said and waved goodbye. Zhan quickly waved goodbye and turned to face Xuan, "Babe..."

"I got to head to class. I don't know if we'll be able to go out tonight...," he said but Zhan cut him off.

"Babe, they're my friends. My only friends. Please don't get jealous. You know I only love you!" Xuan grabbed the cake and threw it in the trash bin by the tree. He then walked away from Zhan.