My Little Mind Reader

8. Friends Both Old and New

Phana's POV

Again! Every time I turn around there is another person who is clearly after my Yo. Ming, who supposedly protects Yo and warned me away from him, keeps leaving him with unacceptable guys. He objected to me watching over Yo, but according to Ming, this neanderthal named New is fine. I beg to differ!

We're sitting down eating some snacks together, but every time I try to start a conversation, New keeps talking about his own opinions. Excuse me, like I care what you think!

"There are some good movies coming out this weekend," I tried once again to regain Yo's attention. "Maybe we could go?"

Nothing else had worked, I had to go with the direct approach.

"Sure," Yo said, his smile making my heart skip a beat. "But can we make sure it isn't a romance?"

"You don't like romance movies?" I asked. Half my plan down the drain.

"New just broke up with his girlfriend," Yo said, "so it's better if we watch action or comedy right now."

"Thank you, Master Yo," New said, his mocking grin directed at me, "you're very thoughtful."

I hate New.

"Please don't call me Master," Yo said. "I keep asking you to call me Yo."

"I couldn't do that," New said. "You're my boss."

"My dad is your boss," Yo insisted. "I'm your friend. You call Ming by his name. Please?"

Yo turns his face toward New with a pout that makes my knees weak.

"If it will make you happy, Yo," New said.

"Thanks," Yo said, looking at New with a shy smile. Ugh, I really hate New.

The Moon and Star practice is just about to resume and other than being treated like a kind friend and apparently inviting New out to the movies, I'm making no progress with Yo.

"Yo!" Ming called out. He and Forth are running up, ruining any last minute attempts I might have made to schedule an actual date. "We've got to hurry, our break is over."

Yo and Ming return to the practice area and New excuses himself to do whatever it is that he does. To me, it looks very much like standing around ogling my future boyfriend.

"What were you and Ming talking about for so long?" I asked. I had a terrible feeling that Forth was very interested in Yo, and Ming didn't appear to be warning Forth away. I hate Ming.

"We were just talking about family stuff," Forth said, not even looking my way. Forth's eyes were glued to Yo as he went through the dance routine with the other Moons and Stars. If I stand any chance, I need to make sure he knows that I have feelings for Yo.

"Listen," I said, keeping my voice low, "I don't want any reason for us to stop being friends, so I think I should tell you that I intend to ask Yo to be mine."

"Yeah, right," Forth said, disbelief coloring his words.

"I'm being serious," I said. Jerk. We're supposed to be friends.

"I don't want to be rude," Forth said, which basically meant he was about to say something rude, "but you've never dated a guy and you've never dated anyone for more than a couple of weeks."

"Why does everybody bring that up?" I asked. "I know this is a first for me, but believe me when I say that Yo is different. I really care about him."

"Pha, you're my friend so I want to be honest," Forth said, looking directly at me. "I'm sure Ming has already made it clear, but let me be more specific. You are not allowed to hurt Yo. He's had enough pain in his life. He's sweet, he's gentle, and he matters. So if you think you can play with him and then discard him like all the girls you've dated, stop right now. I will break every bone in your body before I allow that to happen. It's not a joke, it's not even a threat. That is a promise and I always keep my promises."