My Lethe

Im grateful to be here with you.

Qiang and Zhang Wei's relationship is slowly moving forward. 😊😊
This isn't on schedule but I uploaded this chapter just because I was bored and had nothing else to do so I wrote this and didn't want to wait to post it tomorrow xD
Comments and votes are appreciated as always!!

This was the fourth day since Zhang Wei's been absent from school.
Every morning Qiang waited until the bell and left after seeing Zhang Wei didn't show up. This was truly not like him. But on the fourth day, Qiang began to wonder exactly where Zhang Wei was and if that night he visited his home and accepted rejection that it wasn't exactly rejection.

At lunch time Qiang rushed to the teacher's room. Of course the home room teacher knew where Zhang Wei was and Qiang needed to know too.

"Where is Zhang Wei?" He asked. The home room teacher flipped through papers before pushing the folder aside and looked up at Qiang.

"Presumably at home. I've seen many students like him. He will drop out soon too." The hint of carelessness in his voice aggravated Qiang so much. Who did he think he was to speak about Zhang Wei so carelessly and with such disrespect?!

"Drop out? What reason would he have to drop out? He is incredibly smart and well rounded. As his homeroom teacher it's your responsibility to know where your students are and what he is up to!"

"Aren't you close to him? Wouldn't it be your responsibility too?" The teacher returned to the folder. Qiang was so angry at this point. How could a teacher behave like this?

"Are you even a teacher?"

"I'm a teacher who has too many students and responsibilities to be able to worry about every single one. And on the other hand, I heard he comes from a no good school and no good family. He must not have discipline or a vision for his future and when he saw the type of work we do at this school he decided he can't do it," Qiang couldn't believe it! He really was a terrible a teacher. Out of anger he slammed his hands on the desk but remembered that if he got into trouble one more time his life in China was finished. With that thought in mind, he bowed and left the office.

If the teacher didn't know what was going on and he would have to go to Zhang Wei's house and see for himself. He hoped that Zhang Wei was simply laying around his home and being lazy and worried that perhaps he was too sick to leave the house!

~~~~~~~~~

Qiang knocked on the door of Zhang Wei's home for several times without getting a response. He couldn't believe how difficult it was to get in contact with Zhang Wei. He barely answered phone calls, replied to texts, or came to the door.

On an impulsive decision Qiang turned the door knob, hoping that it would be unlocked. To his surprise it was. Then without a thought Qiang opened the door. He figured that the owners were out working or running errands, and stepped inside. Zhang Wei was sure to be home.

Their home was much smaller than his own but it was so comforting. It was warm and smelled deliciously, giving him a happy feeling. If he were Zhang Wei, he wouldn't leave either. Without knowing where to go Qiang explored each room in the house until he met with one last door. No other room was occupied, so he hoped that perhaps this would be Zhang Wei's.

"Zhang Wei ?"

Qiang opened Zhang Wei's bedroom door and hesitantly entered it. Zhang Wei jumped out of his bed with such shock. Why and how was Qiang in his bedroom?!

"Did you let yourself in?"

Qiang went further into the bedroom until he stood at the end of Zhang Wei's bed. Without permission he sat down.

"What kind of person are you that you think it's okay for you to enter someone's home and even sit on their bed?" Zhang Wei violently kicked Qiang's side until he fell off of the bed. Qiang didn't take offense to it. He simply sat back down and held down Zhang Wei's feet when he attempted to kick again.

"A person that cares about a friend," Zhang Wei appeared to be healthy and well rested. That made him wonder about why on earth Zhang Wei would be absent for so long," Are you ill anywhere?"

"Do I look ill to you?" Zhang Wei said and kicked Qiang's hands away. Why was Qiang always prying?

"Then where have you been?"

"I was returning to school tomorrow," He said and relaxed. Some how Qiang sensed that Zhang Wei was letting his walls down, so he laid back. He spread his arms out above his head, causing the tips of his fingers to rest slightly against Zhang Wei's. Neither of the boys moved their hand.

"Good. It's not the same without you." Qiang moved his head up, allowing himself to get a good view of Zhang Wei. He had found the younger boy to be so beautifully handsome. It caused his heart to beat so violently in his chest. The more he watched Zhang Wei, the harder it became for him to keep away. It was so hard that he slowly inched up towards Zhang Wei until he laid beside him.

"Qiang, I apologize for the other night."

Qiang looked over. Zhang Wei was forgiven the moment he saw him in the room.

Qiang moved his hand over and intertwined his fingers with Zhang Wei's. Zhang Wei's immediate reaction was to pull his hands away, but Qiang's grip only tightened.

"Won't you let me hold your hand? I just want to hold it." He said. At that moment, Zhang Wei suddenly remembered what Qiang said at the go cart complex. When the words replayed in his head, Zhang Wei's heart softened yet again. He wasn't a person who could easily face someone who reached out for him.

Zhang Wei took a deep breath and stared up at the white ceiling.

Should I move closer?

Should I kiss him?

Should I hold him?!

Zhang Wei began to get overwhelmed with thoughts. He wasn't sure how to comfort Qiang but he surely knew he would have to. The thought alone of what Qiang might have in mind made him sweat! However, suddenly, Qiang spoke.

"Thank.. You." He said.

Because all Qiang truly wanted to do in that moment was be with Zhang Wei. He wanted to be beside him. He did not want anything more from him but for him to be at his side.

"Are you really grateful?" Zhang Wei looked over.

"I'm grateful to be here with you."