SMOKING ZONE

25 = YOU

Zhan lay on his bed, the weight of everything crashing down on him. The tears streamed freely, each one a reminder of everything he had worked so hard for and how quickly it all seemed to unravel. He couldn't believe how everything had gone wrong. It felt like his entire future had been stolen from him in one night. He had always believed that hard work and dedication would keep him on track, but now all of that seemed so fragile.

But as he lay there, lost in his thoughts, he heard a soft knock at the door.

"Zhan?"

It was Yibo's voice. Zhan sat up quickly, wiping his tears, but his heart couldn't escape the bitterness that lingered. The weight of his punishment, the disappointment in his father's eyes, and the upcoming uncertainty all pressed down on him like a thousand tons. He didn't even know how to face Yibo anymore, especially after all that had happened with his grandfather and the messy situation with Zoey.

He opened the door, his eyes still red, and saw Yibo standing there, holding a small bag in his hand. Yibo smiled softly at him, but Zhan could see the concern in his eyes.

"Can I come in?"

Zhan nodded wordlessly, stepping aside to let Yibo into the room. Yibo placed the bag on the desk and walked over to Zhan, sitting beside him on the bed. For a moment, neither of them said anything. Zhan just looked at Yibo, his mind still a whirlwind of confusion and regret.

"Your dad let me in," said Yibo.

"I'm sorry," Zhan whispered, his voice shaky. "I never wanted to drag you into this. This mess, all of it... I don't even know what to do anymore."

Yibo didn't say anything at first, just gently took Zhan's hand in his and held it tightly. "You don't need to apologize for anything, Zhan. You're not alone in this. We'll figure it out together. You still have me. You still have a future, even if things don't look perfect right now."

Zhan looked down at their intertwined hands, the weight in his chest easing slightly. "But my graduation... I worked so hard for it, and now they won't even let me attend. It feels like everything's slipping away."

"I understand how much it meant to you," Yibo said softly. "But one ceremony, one moment, doesn't define all of your achievements. You're still the same person, the same amazing person who worked tirelessly to get where you are. And you still have me. We'll find a way to make this right."

Zhan didn't know how to respond to that. He had spent so long fighting for his future, fighting to prove that he could rise above everything. It was hard to believe Yibo sometimes, but in this moment, his words brought a sense of comfort he hadn't felt in days.

Yibo squeezed his hand again. "And about my grandfather... Don't worry about him. He's a hard man, but he'll come around. It'll take time, but I'll be there with you every step of the way."

Zhan let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Maybe things wouldn't be so perfect, but maybe that was okay. Maybe he didn't need to be perfect. Maybe he just needed to keep going, to keep fighting, and to trust in the people who cared about him.

Yibo pulled Zhan into a tight hug, and Zhan held onto him, the warmth of Yibo's embrace offering a fleeting sense of peace.

"You're not alone," Yibo whispered. "We'll get through this."

Zhan closed his eyes, letting the moment sink in. It wouldn't be easy, and things were far from simple. But for the first time in days, Zhan allowed himself to hope. Maybe it wasn't the end. Maybe it was just another beginning.

And together, they would face whatever came next. 

The night was quiet, the only sound being the occasional creak of the house settling and the distant hum of the city. Zhan lay beside Yibo, the warmth of his presence offering comfort amidst the chaos swirling in his mind. For the first time in days, his thoughts felt less frantic. Yibo had stayed with him, just holding him when words were too much, and together they fell asleep.

In the morning, when Zhan woke, Yibo was still there, lying beside him. His head rested on Zhan's chest, his hair a messy tangle, but the peaceful look on his face made Zhan smile, despite everything.

Zhan gently ran his fingers through Yibo's hair, careful not to wake him. He couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for Yibo's unwavering presence. The world felt so heavy on his shoulders, yet Yibo's care gave him something to hold on to, something to keep going for.

When Yibo finally stirred, he blinked up at Zhan, his sleepy eyes brightening when he saw Zhan awake.

"Good morning," Yibo murmured, his voice still thick with sleep.

Zhan smiled, brushing a lock of hair from Yibo's forehead. "Morning. Did you sleep okay?"

Yibo nodded, sitting up and stretching. "Better than I have in days. How about you?"

Zhan shrugged but didn't say anything. He wasn't sure how to explain how his heart felt both heavy and lighter at the same time. He glanced at the clock, realizing it was already late morning. The day he had been dreading was approaching—his graduation day.

The days after that were filled with tense meetings and attempts to dispute his punishment with the university. Zhan's father, ever the pillar of calm, had spoken to the administration, urging them to reconsider, but the response was the same. The decision had been made. Zhan would not be allowed to attend the graduation ceremony.

Though he fought hard to plead his case—he was a Summa cum laude student, his record spotless except for one unfortunate mistake—the university held firm. The scandal was too fresh, and their stance was non-negotiable. Zhan would receive his diploma, but without the recognition of his hard work and without the chance to walk across that stage.

Zhan felt crushed. Graduation wasn't just a ceremony for him—it was the culmination of years of effort, sacrifices, and dreams. To have it stripped away, even if he would still technically graduate, left a bitter taste in his mouth.

That morning, as the day of graduation arrived, Yibo sat beside him, offering quiet support as Zhan sat at the kitchen table, staring at the letter from the university, the final rejection of his appeal.

"I'm sorry," Yibo said softly, rubbing Zhan's back. "I know this was everything to you."

Zhan sighed and put the letter down. He wasn't even sure what to say. It hurt, but the pain was oddly muted now. It had been a few days since the verdict, and while his heart still ached, he had come to accept that it wasn't the end. Not yet.

"I didn't expect them to change their minds," Zhan said, trying to keep his voice steady. "But it still feels... unfair. I've worked my whole life for this moment, and now it's gone. Just like that."

Yibo moved to sit next to him, his hand finding Zhan's. "You worked hard, Zhan. No one can take that away from you. Not even the university."

Zhan squeezed his hand, grateful for the support, but he still felt the sting of the missed opportunity.