Relationship Status: It's Complicated

Unpleasant Exchange

(Art by ChubnChocolate, Characters: Salaah (left) Aesmond (Right))

"Baobei, did you practice your speech?" Bai Yusheng asked as they moved between them all. They had all gotten to school early to prepare for the new semester student body meeting. Bai Yusheng had coffees ready in the council room as soon as they arrived, but now they were all backstage. The sound of the auditorium filling up was a bit daunting from behind the curtain. 

Bai Yusheng's hands grabbed his attention as they straightened his tie and buttoned his blazer properly. "Are you alright? Did you hear me, Shidi?" 

"I heard you," Naki whined, peeking at the curtains again. "I practiced, Gege. I promise. Can we just get it over with?" 

Bai Yusheng gave a soft smile, kissing his cheek and catching his hands in theirs. "There is no need to be nervous. You have many fun plans for the semester. I am sure everyone will be excited to hear them. If you become too uncomfortable we will be right behind you to pick up where you leave off." 

"There's no pressure, Baby," Aiden echoed the sentiment. He had been off to the side with Saalah and Sega but had come around to check on their youngest member. "It'll be over before you know it. Then we can all go get some hot breakfast in our bellies."

He wasn't much of a big speech guy, either, so he could understand Naki's hesitance. Saalah peeked up from where he had been looking down at Sega's phone as the man went through his speech document one last time. Saalah's hand was tucked snuggly in Sega's back pocket, occasionally rubbing but mainly just resting there. 

"Relax, Rabbit. Cactus won't let you choke up there. You'll do fine." Sega looked over at Salalah, pinching the man's arm. "Alright, Dragon, hands off or I'm sending you to iron my pants last minute." 

Saalah gave a firm squeeze that made Sega jump before releasing him with a smile, going over to Aiden instead. "That would be an invitation for trouble," Saalah replied just as Dean Alfonz approached. 

"The last thing we need is more trouble. Let's hope this semester onwards is less eventful than the last, hm? Have we gotten the chaos out of our system?" Alfonz looked pointedly at Sega who only sighed. 

"Dean Alfonz, we have made incredible progress as a team. I believe together we will accomplish many great things before the year is up," Bai Yusheng responded, walking with him over to the stage curtains. 

"If you think so, then I am assured its true. I will miss your presence on campus when you graduate. You do half the work of keeping everyone in line and accountable. I may actually have to work again." Alfonz grinned and chuckled. 

"I have a protege in mind who will keep things running just as smoothly," Bai Yusheng assured. "You will also still have Li Jun and Xiu Ying for another year as well as Khalko and Kisho. The systems I have created should keep everything in order for you and the student body." 

"Whatever you choose to do after you graduate, I just know we will continue to hear about it and be proud. Now, let me go address this crowd so we can all get going with the rest of our day." 

Naki made quick work of his speech, mostly because he rushed it and read his cards blatantly, but he wasn't there to finesse the crowd. His Gege and Sega could do that. Naki flew back through the curtains, pausing as if he'd just ran.

"Why is our student body so huge! I only looked up one time and that was enough!"

Bai Yusheng rubbed Naki's back soothingly. "You did great! We understood mostly everything. Your nerves came out a little, but your words were clear."