❝because the stars weren't made for you, they're made for us ❞
life and death always met, under the shade of the rusty blue bus stop, as they wait for their rides on opposite ends. they just don't know which one is which.
...
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beijing was china's sprawling capital. millions and millions of people walk on those grey sculpted paths and air-polluted memorials. with it being one of the biggest and well-known capitals that target mainstream productions and worldwide exports, it's only reasonable that it'd all look like this. a clump of high-rise buildings that soar through the sky and hell wrath secrets the lure in the depths of each corner. this was beijing, a land filled to the brim with different people at different times.
as you may know, not everything is bad, there are those that find beauty in such places. china is a historic monument itself, every place has something aging from centuries ago. starting from the great wall to the grand palaces that once held royalty. there are faults and perfections in everything, one just needs to have the eye to find it.
wong yukhei knows this, commonly known as lucas, he has lived here for the biggest part of his life. studying away in a private academy in the capital. if you'd ask, he'd tell; knowing every crook and cranny near and out his vicinity. a boy of wonders some might tell you.
life was hard, everything is hard no doubt. just maybe, he thinks that his was a slightly differentiated hard knocked life kind of pursuit. there was nothing to look forward to, unlike in all those hit 80's - 90's films packed with super kung fu action movies or even those teen drama soap operas that leave the crowd on the edge for more drama. his was... eventful for sure.
after further analysis, he finally concluded that he had three parts to his day.
it all starts at the beginning of every day - his life started at this. with plain toast (made by him) spread with a generous dollop of jam. busy parents gone from the modern condo they owned. just him and the green tea plant by the doorway. just him.
then, afterwards, he heads off to the academy. dressed in a long-sleeved white polo and snuggled in a dark blue vest (the school uniform). from the first stop then dropped off at the fourth checkpoint, a small walk down the crossroad, and lastly the mini-marathon he faces every day when the bell rings.
he huffs a little, just on time.
"mr. wong!" the devil in the brown cheap suit stares at him, annoyed. it pushes its box-ish glasses up the humpy spine of its nose - a nose that looks like it's been broken one too many times. the opening of its mouth shaped in an oddly man-made sneer, unhygienic teeth poking out, sickly yellow in color.
a grungy cough woke him from staring at the demon - thank you, hendery!
he bows down in recognition, "just... on time." it huffs a little, perhaps irritated at the missed chance of humiliation. "whatever, go to your seat! we're about to start."
lucas heads to the last seat left, the second back seat on the far left corner. dropping his bag on the side and melting into a comfortable posture. eyes half-closed, mouth swerve downwards in a depressing frown.
another 9 hours of this, he holds onto life's sake.
the second part of his day starts when the bell rings during their 5th subject (mathematics). the scrawny fresh graduate at the front blinks, confused, when it starts ringing but comes later as a tomato when the realization hits him.
"yes, uh, sorry. class dismissed, please be sure to answer the homework i---" the poor 20 something-year-old lad didn't even get to finish his statement when everyone decided to head off to the cafeteria.
lucas walks off outside the solitary position. a stretched hand reaches his broad shoulder, it ends up on his upper back with a measly unsatisfied pat. ten grins upwards with what his 5 feet and 7 inches self can manage, leans back on his back lifted arms, and cozies himself their way to the infamous food war battleground.
"yes?" he inquires his friend, peering down on the former - ten feels a little offended at such. lucas receives a low hum (nothing) and goes back to walking straight ahead.
on the way, they pass by the barren lockers. a few people walking with them, and others huddled by the mini compartments. one particular group makes his senses go wild, and not your typical wild. he shudders and was about to pass until a dominant whistle stops him in his tracks.
the pitchy whistle makes him breath heavily, aware, scared, still, he stops. from a foot away the brooding aura of a sadistic smirk waft around him - and him only. it seemed as though time stopped for him, even his companion feels no wrong in the situation.
"lucas." the eerily sophisticated voice calls him out, preying on his insides that twist in an inhumane way. that gut-clenching rip that tosses him back.
nodding, he moves away further - ten eyes him weirdly but shrugs as he continues their walk. "xiuying." he mutters somewhere, audible enough that the owner of the name giggles with her cronies. once they reached the cafeteria, yangyang waves at them; beckoning the two boys to sit at the table. shuffling his way on to the middle and landing him a decent seat beside sichaeng and kun.
the erratic, frightened heart of his gets to rest for the remainder of the time.
and finally the third part of his day.
when he walks down a lantern-lit road to the bus stop, it wasn't dark yet so the lights weren't turned on. this part of the day was the most peaceful, most delightful.
this was the part of the day where he could see the beautiful green trees and the cyan sky that cloths the earth of everything. there was no fear, no feelings, all but him.
it was most especially an amazing part because he'd get to buy the treats they sell by the side - which, by the way, were absolutely delicious.
of course, the blazing fondness that lucas has for the third part doesn't end there; however, it does end at the bus stop. the bus stop where he'll board the transport vehicle down four stops along the way. the bus stop where he could wait around, his long legs could idly dangle around the exclusive waiting bench.
finally, he reaches the bus stop and takes a breather.
another thing he likes about the last part, a pretty brunette waiting along with him in the shed. he takes a distanced seat between them and stares meekly at her. he marvels at her side portfolio: highlights of brown hair tied in a semi-high messy ponytail, a navy seal blue dressed uniform - blazer scrunched up until her forearm, sun-kissed skin glistening in sweat and the sun rays that make it an ethereal gold hue. absolutely beautiful. and even for an extended time, she (luckily) had yet to notice his staring.
it seems a bit stalker-ish but lucas knows not to go to the extent some people do to get in jail - he doesn't even know her name. just admiring her from afar is really nice. it completes his days, weirdly enough.
abruptly, he's met with big almond eyes, wide and expressive. her mouth opened slightly as if she was about to say something, she never does. instead, they just stare at each other for an eternity until the other leaves - her bus always comes first.
then in the quick second, she's gone, he feels at the tip of his ears a burning sensation, mildly hot and tingly. it was a comfortable feeling.
