University High (Yizhan Fanfiction)

Chapter 34: Restart

*More angst..and will continue for the next few chapters..  Not for the faint of heart. Sorry I just had to say this again but please if you choose to continue reading do it at your own discretion and risk. For those angst haters or who happen to find any part of the story disagreeable so far, please remember you don't have to force yourself to read and be in agony over something that you are against.  No one is forcing you or anything so there is no need to be angry or blame the author for penning her imagination. Reading this or not is entirely your choice. Be nice and be happy!

Xiaozhan was so tired he slumped in bed soon as he got home. That night he had a dream.

Yibo and him were holding hands and walking on the sea side. They were barefooted and they felt soft sand on their feet as they leisurely strolled along the shorelines. Splashes of cool waves crashing silently on their feet.

They might've built sandcastles, ate ice creams, he could not remember. But it was sunset and the sky was painted with burgundy and salmon hues.

Zhan took off his shirt and pants and got into the water with just his underwear. He pulled Yibo's hands and he followed suit. They swam together and played in the water for abit. The water felt cool in his skin. Their bodies were slippery and drenched in water. His abs were glistening in the sunlight. Their hard bodies pressed against one another. Their kisses tasted salty but its sweetness lingered in their hearts. When their lips parted, the sun had set and the crimson sky turned slightly grey.

They walked back to the car side by side. He turned to look at his lover but Yibo was no longer by his side. The wind turned chilly all of a sudden. Xiaozhan turned around and grey skies and vast emptiness greeted him. No one was around. He broke into cold sweat and began to panic. He called out his name several times. No one answered. Only the sound of the wind and the waves called back to him.

It was morning when he woke up. His pajamas was drenched in sweat. His fingers touched his face and his cheeks were soaked in tears.

He glanced at his fingers and saw the platinum ring circling his finger. The last time he was at the hospital, they wore matching rings. He stared at the ring for a long while before pulling it off and put it inside the drawer on his nightstand.

He had thought about it long and hard. If he did not remember anything or their relationship, then the ring would only be a burden to him. The last thing he wanted was Yibo to force himself to be with Zhan out of sheer obligation and responsibility instead of love. Or an even worse outcome where Yibo would reject Xiaozhan outright. If that ever happens, he knew in his heart he surely would not be able to handle it. It was best to let things run its course. Let him adjust to the completely new surrounding. Then they would be close again and he would eventually remember on his own.. Right?

He walked to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. He looked like a mess. He got into the shower and let the water wash down his tears. Next, he prepared the room next door and moved Yibo's stuff there. He had to do what he had to do. Yibo surely would not feel comfortable sleeping in the same room with some guy he just knew. After all, he needed to adjust himself to a completely new surrounding. He reassured himself this was only temporary. Yibo should be even more confused that he was so he should be patient and give him time.

Yibo would be discharged that day and Xiaozhan had promised to Zoey that he would pick him up. He got to the hospital and entered the room. Yibo was sitting alone on the bed. Xiaozhan was slightly glad that girl was not there.

"Hi.. you look awfully young to be my uncle."

"Huhh?!?"

Xiaozhan remembered Yoona had called him uncle in front of Yibo last night.

"Ooh, hi, I'm Xiaozhan, you used to call me Zhange." Xiaozhan extended his hand and met Yibo's. His hand felt warm and familiar where they touched.

"I'm sorry, I can't remember who you are. Please be patient.. I really hope I can figure things out soon."

It was the same face, the same voice, the same person. The same guy who had been lying in bed for two months that was his lover. The face that he watched had their eyes closed the entire time. He had been hoping that they would open again, wishing they would gaze at him lovingly like it once did. His voice that he could only hear in his dreams rang like music in his ears. He had been waiting to hear them again.. everyday he waited... and waited. The hands that he held on everyday for two whole months were touching his again.

This stranger had the same pair of eyes, the same voice, the same warm hands that belonged to his lover.

Maybe his soul had been stolen away and replaced with a total stranger's.

The eyes that once were full of love was no more. He was just being friendly to him, with no feelings attached.

Their eyes met for a moment, Yibo stared at him, trying his best to fathom the relationship they had. Xiaozhan saw the confusion and looked away dejected, trying his best to hold back his tears.

He reassured himself again and again. There must be a faint trace of his love in there somewhere.

He gave Yibo the breakfast he had bought for him earlier and sat next to him. He looked to be enjoying it so much that Zhan gave him his share too.

"Umm.. I'll help you pack then we can head home."

"Okay. Thanks."

Xiaozhan flung Yibo's bag across his shoulders and his other hand was holding Yibo.

"Be careful walking, you haven't walked for two months. Hang on to me."

Xiaozhan flung Yibo's hand across his shoulders and helped him walk outside. The nurses helped him with the bags. He thanked them before saying goodbyes.