Paper Boats // xiaodery

five

A shrill sound echoed through the house, causing Xiao Jun to lift himself off the couch and answer the front door.

He pulled the door open, revealing a brunet male, sunglasses sitting on the bridge of his nose.

"Yangyang?"

The boy removed his sunglasses from his face. "Yup, that's me." he grinned, stepping into the house.

Xiao Jun threw his arms around the younger boy, engulfing him in a short, yet tight hug.

"Why are you here?" he pulled back, causing Yangyang to chuckle.

"I miss everything about being here." the other answered. "Including you."

"How's your dad's new house?"

"It's alright." Yangyang shrugged, throwing himself onto the couch. "I mean, it's bigger and grander and whatever, but I really miss my old house."

"Mm." Xiao Jun nodded his head, sitting next to the boy.

"I heard people already moved into my old house."

"Yeah. I know the boy who lives there."

"You do?" Yangyang raised his eyebrows. "Is he cute?"

Xiao Jun scoffed. "That's all you think about?"

"What?" the other pouted. "I've been single for eighteen years, I have the right to ask if he's cute or not."

"Well," Xiao Jun deeply sighed. "He has a cute chuckle."

"Noted." Yangyang said, resting the back of his head on his palms. "Anything else?"

"He's really energetic. He also likes origami."

"Is he the artsy type?" Yangyang observed.

Xiao Jun shrugged. "I've only known him for a month."

"Eh, I bet he's not as cute as the ice cream cashier." the younger boy rose from the couch, patting his friend on the back.

"By the way, did you visit him before you got here?" Xiao Jun raised an eyebrow curiously.

Yangyang laughed. "Of course I did. Anyways, I have to go, I have to be at my mom's place in ten minutes to help her with something. But next time I come, I will meet this boy you speak of."

A quiet giggle escaped Xiao Jun's lips. "Take care Yangyang."

And with that, Yangyang walked out the front door, waving his former neighbor goodbye.

—

Xiao Jun sat on his bed, leaning against the blue wall. He was too invested in the book he was reading, he didn't notice his phone buzz multiple times beside him.

Until he was reading a sentence out loud, but the vibration interrupted him. He reached for the tiny device, eyes landing on the lock screen.

His eyes lit up when he saw text notifications from his mom. Unlocking his phone, he read over the sweet messages, feeling warmth spread through his body.

But he came across one message, feeling his heart sink to his stomach.

She said her and his dad would be back from their business trip in a couple of weeks, by the end of summer break. Xiao Jun would have to go back to university, meaning he wouldn't be able to see them, due to the dorm lifestyle.

He pressed his lips together, replying to the messages. After he finished, he placed his phone on the mattress, sliding down the wall to lay on his back.

His eyes traced the mini patterns on his ceiling until he closed them, letting out a long exhale.

He really, really missed his parents. His caregiver wasn't here anymore either.

But the universe was never on his side.