Tides Of Healing Love

6. Apologies.

The next day, when Zhan came to the class he was met with, Yibo seemed to be waiting for him and as soon as he talked to Zhang , got up , "Zhan... I..."

"I don't want to talk to you right now." Zhan said as he sat on his place and Yibo came near him, but Zhan just glared at him and said rather rudely and in a loud, "will you leave me alone!"

Yibo flinched as he looked at Zhan and then walked away, the class gradually started to fill up and Zhan felt like a headache creeping up.

Not being able to properly sleep properly as well as his poor eating habits were not getting to him, the constant frustration and pent up anger that he had no way to let out was also making it hard for him to function properly.

The classes went by nicely and soon it was time for recess.

Zhan left the class quickly, he wanted to be alone at the moment, he had no intention of meeting or talking to anyone, however things didn't go as planned as he suddenly felt someone grabbed him from behind and when he turned back it was Grady.

Zhan felt anger bubbling up in his nerves but he took a deep breath and tried to control himself and gave Grady a cold look, "get lost." he said and tried to get out of his hold but Liam came to his other side and stopped him from leaving.

Grady spoke, "Why so cold huh? we used to be best friends once upon a time."

Zhan smirked, "We used to be not anymore."

Grady spoke, "come on if this is about Brenna then forget it, she and I are in love with each other."

Zhan shoved him back and said, "this isn't about Brenna or anyone, this is about your rotten personality and shitty upbringing, for me Brenna is nothing but a whore you are just one of her customers who is desperate for some attention nothing more."

Grady glared back at him and said, "why so salty huh?" Grady then smiled and said, "You know even if you hate me I don't, I still care about you, so tell me how are you doing? how is your dad? and how is your mom? she must be feeling very lonely these days right?"

Liam chimed in and said, "do you want us to keep her some company at night ?"

And as soon as Zhan heard these words hell broke loose.

He jumped at the two of them and he wanted nothing more than to fucking kill both of them.

A huge fight ensued between them and Zhan was ready to kill these two, Brenna came there as well, "What the hell are you guys doing!" 

Yibo rushed there as well and immediately ran to Zhan, he grabbed him and tried to pull him back, "Zhan calm down, ZHAN YOU HAVE TO FUCKING CALM DOWN!" Yibo yelled but instead, Zhan just pushed him back with so much force that he fell back.

Zhan had lost his mind completely and talking about his mother was the last straw for him, Yibo rushed back to him but this time there was someone else who helped Yibo as well.

The two were able to pull Zhan back and this time Simon stood before Zhan and said, "Just stop it!" Zhan glared at him and he looked like he was ready to fight him as well but before they could the Principal came there and stopped them.

~~

Grady and Liam's parents were already at the office and only Zhan's side was left.

A knock on the door was followed by Cheng entering the room, he looked haggard and exhausted as well and he just glanced at Zhan and then at Grady, Liam, and his parents.

While the others were sitting Zhan was standing, and Cheng also stood beside him, the principal didn't even ask him to sit down.

"What's the problem?" he asked.

Grady's father stood up and said, "Your brother has attacked my son!"

"What more can we expect from the fatherless bastard."

"Like father like son!"

Zhan clenched his fists tightly, and then the principal said, "this kind of behavior is really unacceptable Mr. Xiao, fighting on the campus grounds is prohibited! Just how much more do I have to excuse the behavior of your brother till he learns his lesson?

I understand that things are hard, but the way he is reacting, it just seems like he is going to become like his father!"

Liam's mother spoke, "Exactly! A fraud, an assaulted, and maybe more. Mr. Smith are you sure that someone like his should be allowed to study here after all he has the same blood as his father, sure he would do the same bad things he did."

Grady's father spoke next, "And you as his elder brother, what kind of example are you setting for him?"

Cheng was silent before he looked at Zhan and said, "Did you throw the first punch?"

Zhan looked at him with disbelief and shock, he knew for sure that his brother was going to make him say sorry, so he glared at him and Cheng asked more sternly, "did or did you now throw the first punch?"

Zhan clenched his fist and gritted his teeth before he gave a soft nod.

Cheng sighed and stood before as he faced the others, "It's my fault, I am sorry for my brother's actions." he then bowed before them and Zhan was shocked since he didn't say anything to him.

The principal was about to say something but Cheng said, "Things are indeed hard for all of us at the moment especially for my brother, since his two best friends have turned their back on him, just like everyone else.

But Mr. Smith, please give him one more chance, he has given three years of his life to this college, and won some trophies as well, my brother is not useless he is down and he needs a little bit of motivation and support, please don't let some months of reckless behavior overshadow his three years of efforts. I have faith in him as his teacher I request you to have some faith in him as well." Cheng then looked at Liam and Grady's parents and said, "I am ready to pay for damages."

Grady's father said, "oh forget it, we are not that petty to ask money from people on the verge of bankruptcy."

Liam's mother said, "With a brother like that, you and your family might end up on the streets, you can't provide us any compensation, perhaps join hands and apologize properly."

Zhan's eyes were red and filled with tears and he wanted to say something but Cheng stopped him and he looked at everyone and did as he was told.

After Grady, Liam, and their parents left the principal looked at them with disinterest and coldly as he said, "This is the last chance Zhan. Your brother has also completed his education from this college be more like him and follow in his footsteps."

"Thank you, Mr. Smith, but the thing is, his situation is far more difficult than mine, he does not need to follow my path, he will have to make his own" Cheng said as he walked out of his office followed by Zhan.

As they slowly walked a tear slipped Zhan's eyes as he looked at Cheng who was walking ahead and called out to him, "brother."

Cheng stopped and looked back at him, Zhan had expected a cold look, stern and hateful eyes, but instead, he saw a smile.

Cheng came near him and wiped his tears as he kept his hand on his shoulder, while Zhan said, "I am sorry, I am really sorry."

Cheng gave his shoulder a squeeze and said, "let's have some coffee shall we?"