two players; lin yanjun

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third person pov

"Do you really have to go? Why can't I go with you," ten year old Minghao Huang, asked his older sister who was just a little taller than him.

"Because if we both go, Mom is going to be alone, remember? Plus, don't you think you're a little too young to live in a different country without parents?" Fourteen year old Xiulan smiled, ruffling his hair which caused him to pout, crossing his thin arms over his chest.

The two of them were in the guest house that they used more for playing with Zhengting and Chengcheng. It was like a play house for them, but they had begged their parents to let them actually live there. Their parents posted security guards outside of it, but only allowed it since Xiulan would live there with her brother, knowing she'd take care of him.

"But we'd be there together..."

"I know, but Dad said only me. I'm sure it'll be just as cool going to school with Chengcheng," Xiulan insisted, trying to find a way to make it easier for her younger brother to let her go.

"But, Lani, Cheng-ge is annoying."

Xiulan raised an eyebrow before looking behind Minghao and speaking, "I'm sure he didn't mean that, Nomnom."

Minghao's eyes widened and he spoke as he turned, "Cheng-ge I didn't mean - hey! He's not even there..."

"I know," she giggled as he looked back at her with a frown. "See? You'll be fine here without me as long as you have him and Tingting."

"I rather you be here," Minghao pouted once again. He pushed his lips out and looked up to his sister with puppy eyes that he knew never really worked with her.

She sighed, shaking her head at him.

"I promise you, you'll be okay here and I'll be okay in America. Seriously, how hard could it be?"

"You don't even know how to talk to guys," Minghao murmured. "You get all flustered and stuff, how do you think you'll be able to speak to people who don't speak our language? You get really shy."

"Not true!"

"Yeah it is!"

"No it's not!"

"Then how come you get all flustered in front of Ting-ge?"

"Th-That's a different story. Anyways, that has nothing to do with anything," she crossed her arms now, hear turned away from him. He didn't say anything and she suddenly heard a sniffle which made her head turn. "Minghao..."

He refused to look at her, but when she poked his side, making him release a laugh, he looked up at her. Tears stung his eyes, ready to spill over like when a tub is full of water.

"I...I don't want you to go, Jiejie," he finally cried, throwing his arms around her. "It's too far. We've never been far from each other."

"I know," Xiulan frowned, eyes burning as she slowly hugged him back. "But you can call me anytime. I promise I'll answer or call you back."

"It's not the same. Dad won't take me to the park to see the moon and stars and I don't want to go sleep with Mom after a scary movie. She'll yell at me."

"Then don't watch scary movies anymore," Xiulan laughed through her tears. "And you don't need to go to the park to see the moon and stars. You can see them anywhere as long as you look up at them."

"I know, but it's better when you swing and look up at the stars and moon. It's like you're up there with them," he mumbled as the two pulled away. The tip of Minghao's nose was red like Rudolph's and tears stained his cheeks. Xiulan smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"One day when I come back we'll go to the park and swing while looking at the night sky. I promise, but for now you'll have to look at them and pretend I'm beside you, okay," she told him, offering him her pinky.

He stared at it for a moment. He didn't want to promise. He didn't want her to come back one day. He wanted her to stay, but he knew she couldn't even if he anchored her to the floor.

"Okay...but I also want you to buy me ice cream," he quickly stated, wiping his eyes with his sleeve then giving her his pinky.

"Alright," she giggled, hooking their pinkies and shaking them.

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Justin went into his room, slamming the door behind him while Scarlett had done the same without the dramatic slam of the door. She already caused havoc with punching a hole through the wall.

Although she felt bad about what Justin said, she was still angry over Chengxiao. She wouldn't let that go even if he brought her ex up.

Scarlett sat on the edge of her bed, her hand stinging and blood covered her knuckles where there was broken skin. She had brought out her first aid kit and was silently cleaning the wounds.

A knock on Scarlett's door sounded and before she could protest to the person not to open the door, it swung open revealing Yanjun.

"Get up...we're going to the hospital," he said looking at her. A hand resting on her door knob while the other was in his pocket.

"I don't need to go to the hospital. It's not broken," she said, not looking at him, but focused on her hand.

"Stop being stubborn. We're going to the hospital," he said, unmoving.

"I said I don't-"

"Would you please just listen to me? At least let me take you to the hospital if you're just going to ignore me while you're home," he said looking away from her as she looked over to him. He looked paler than usual and he looked a little tired. Was it because of her?

"Yanjun...we need to talk," the words tumbled out of her mouth.