by your side [ liu yangyang ]

P R O L O G U E

His bright smile was probably the best thing she saw in her whole life. The way it can make others around him smile whenever they saw it, she couldn't really express its beauty in words. Liu Yangyang was an angel that fell from heaven above, sitting down in front of her in a cafe by the corner of the street.

Judging by the busy streets, everyone was out enjoying their weekends since it was a good day. The weather was just nice, anyone can do whatever they want to do under the smiling rays of the sun. But in Xiaoyue and Yangyang's case, both decided to meet up at the cafe to hang out.

"Why did you even call me out here, Yangyang? You know I don't like going out," she said, almost just mumbling.

"I just wanted to hang out with you. Besides, you're always locked in your room. Sometimes I start to wonder if you're a vampire," he replied, a soft chuckle escaping from his lips.

Not fascinated by his reason, Xiaoyue sighed. She sipped on her hot chocolate drink, looking to her side to be met by a family of three passing by hand in hand. She internally smiled, remembering the days when everything was as happy and pure as the family that passed by. The look of nostalgia didn't seem to escape from Yangyang's gaze, making him speak up before she had the chance to stop him.

"You miss your family, don't you?" Yangyang muttered, making Xiaoyue sigh and look down on her fingers.

"It shouldn't matter whether I miss them or not. They probably don't care, and besides... We're not that close to tell them that I miss them," she answered, her voice passing as a whisper.

"You have me, okay? We're best friends. If you don't feel like home, you can always call me. I'll be by your side," he said, a smile plastered across his lips.

It was as if the sun itself shone down on her, after hearing Yangyang say those words. No one has ever told her those kinds of things, even her family. No one really understood her better than Yangyang did. Even if she didn't say a word, Yangyang would understand. Even before she could mutter a word about how she feels, he would understand. 

"If no one wants to stay by your side, I'll be here. I promise," he said, sticking out his pinky. "We're best friends, after all."

Xiaoyue sighed, looking sidewards. The blush on her cheeks would give it out, she didn't really wanna tell Yangyang how she felt. In all the years Yangyang was with her, he always made her feel like she was right beside sunshine itself. His words were always so comforting in their own way. 

"Stop it, you're being too cheesy," she said, linking her pinky with his. The grin on his lips was something she wanted to treasure forever.

"You can't get rid of me that easily, you know?" Yangyang said, laughing a bit.

"Annoying," she muttered, making Yangyang groan and comically hit his head on the table. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, playing with Yangyang's hair after.

It sounded like a perfect day, except that it wasn't. It was a day filled with comfort and a cherished promise of being by her side, almost perfect... If only he didn't go away for another country the next day, leaving her and the promises he made with her.

"I'll be by your side,"