Forbidden Love [Jiaqi x Xueer]

28

Right after Yuyan's words, Keyin started bawling while pulling her into a hug, "How I have missed you yelling at us..." Keran sniffed, trying to keep herself together before hugging Jiaqi tightly, "Somehow, Jiaqi remaining silent is very scary...I'm not used to this. Jiaqi say something."

Yuyan smacked her head before glaring at the girl and motioned that she wasn't feeling well. Both Keran and Keyin immediately understood though the taller was still sulky over the smack on her head. The four of them were childhood friends. The four was different in many ways but they were still one at heart.

In the end, Jiaqi gained back her happiness little by little with Keyin always acting cute and almighty, Keran silently laughing at how idiotic she looks and Yuyan smacking Keyin in the head every now and then. It has always been like this. The four were inseparable.

"So how was America?" Jiaqi asked while munching on the chips the two had bought. Keyin shook her head and tsked, "Meh, it was so-so." In which Keran face palmed and disagreed, "This girl thinks too highly of herself. We did learn a lot of techniques to fight."

Keyin rolled her eyes before nudging Keran while Jiaqi giggled at her. Shaking her head, Yuyan muttered teasingly, "Y'all haven't changed at all. I was too dumb to think Keyin would grow more mature and Keran would be smarter."

Jiaqi then sniggered along, "Exactly my point. I mean look at that hideous dragon fruit hair colour. At least Keke have some style." Keyin faked a gasp before pouncing on Jiaqi, "You meanie."

The day went on with the four laughing, chatting about life and crying about sad moments together. Though, Jiaqi can't deny how the three made her feel life wasn't worthless again. She remained positive---maybe with them around, I can move on from Xueer.

That was when she remembered about their scheduled rehearsal for their play that was supposed to be today. Sighing, Jiaqi knew Xueer would have probably forgotten about it too.

Meanwhile, the redheaded was seated on her bed wondering if she should call the latter. However seeing as to how it was so late at night, she ignored it and sighed deeply. She felt as if chains held her down as thoughts drowned her.

Next day came and the two vampires were back in school. Except they weren't alone. Reuniting together, the team of vampires was completed. Jiaqi, Yuyan, Keran and Keyin. Of course when students saw them, whispers started going around.

Keyin was latched onto Jiaqi the entire time. She wanted to have a grand entrance. However, she felt scrutinised under the gaze of so many people, making her confidence slowly fade. Keran on the other hand was oozing charisma though in the inside she was actually very nervous. That was until Yuyan smacked her and laughed, "Stop acting all mighty."

Sensing how nervous Keyin was, Jiaqi turned towards the latter and smiled genuinely, "Aren't you our big tiger? Why are you acting like a cub now? C'mon, let them hear you roar." She then ruffled her hair while Keyin only looked at the older with puppy eyes, "You're still the same mature kiki 10 years ago...i feel so proud." Sniffing fakely, Keyin then wrapped her arms around Jiaqi's waist as the older flicked her forehead laughing.

Huffing, Keyin took in Jiaqi's words as confidence slowly controlled her. She had a huge grin plastered on her face while greeting everyone as if she was a superstar. Each stride they took oozed confidence and charisma by then.

Coincidentally, Shuxin, Xiaotang and Xueer were walking in the four's way. That was until the 2 groups came face to face.

The students suddenly went silent. There was no competiveness tension between them, it was more towards awkwardness. Jiaqi held her breath as her eyes locked with the redheaded. Those same innocent yet wild eyes pierced through her honey orbs. From her peripheral vision, Jiaqi saw Yuyan glancing at her worriedly before shifting her attention to the campus beauty.

The three had undeniable tension between them. Keran and Keyin on the other hand looked at the scene unfolding in front of her, along with Shuxin and Xiaotang. They chose to remain silent because they wanted no trouble.

Noticing Xueer's intense gaze casted on her good friend, Keyin leaned into Jiaqi's ears and whispered, "Do you have a thing with that redheaded? Why is she staring at you like you're her meal?" Jiaqi almost choked upon hearing the curious girl's words.

Xueer felt something come over when her eyes landed on the pink haired girl who had her arms around Jiaqi's waist. The girl was still oblivious to the death stare of Xueer. Who is she? Flames of unknown emotions engulfed her.

"No. We're friends." Whispering back into her ear, Jiaqi awkwardly smiled before Keyin narrowed her eyes. She then pinched Jiaqi's cheeks and cooed out loudly, not giving a damn about the audience they had.

"Aww my baby's growing up. You should've told me earlier that you lik-" Before she could complete her sentence, Jiaqi's eyes widened with her hands cupping Keyin's mouth. Yuyan who was also alerted by what Keyin almost slipped out heaved a sigh of relief while Keran sniggered by the side.

Xueer's mind went wild. My baby? What the hell was that supposed to mean? Clenching her jaws and fists, she inhaled and exhaled before taking a step towards Jiaqi, wanting to greet her like how friends do. But before she could do that, Yuxin slid beside her and pecked her cheek sweetly.

Yuyan growled lowly at the sight before glancing at Jiaqi who seemed unaffected with Keyin distracting her with her antics. However, Yuyan knew that it wasn't enough. Jiaqi was still hurting inside.

Keran raised a brow at the unfamiliar blonde before questioning Yuyan, "Who's that blonde girl? She gives me bad vibes." The latter just sighed with despair, "Liu Yuxin." Keran knew she had seen her somewhere before but she just couldn't lay her finger on it. The feeling was almost too ominous.

"Good morning Xiaotang, Shuxin...Xueer." Smiling warmly, Jiaqi politely greeted. Her eyes that used to twinkle remained dull and lifeless while a smile held on her face. She had to persist for the sake of their friendship. To Xueer, it felt so foreign not having each other in one another's arms while saying good morning to each other. Well at least Yuxin was by her side...right?

Xiaotang wanted to question Jiaqi's sudden formal tone when she remembered that they weren't alone. She would rather ask later in practice.

"Morning Jiaqi, Yuyan and...." Trying to break the awkward atmosphere suffocating them when Yuxin entered the scene, Xiaotang started as her gaze lingered on 'the new ones'. Jiaqi nudged Keyin while Yuyan patted Keran's shoulder for them to introduce themselves.

"I'm Keyin, Xie Keyin. Nice to meet you!" She had a huge grin plastered on her face.

"And I'm Lu Keran." Her intimidating stare was fixated on the four in front of her.

Raising a brow, Xiaotang smirked, "Right, Keyin and Keran. Welcome to Autumn high."

Narrowing her eyes, Keran only nodded while Keyin smiled brightly and thanked her. Yuxin still had that same glare towards Jiaqi though she didn't throw any insults in her way. Pulling the others away, Shuxin quietly scolded Xiaotang, "What was that for? You're making it even more awkward." The latter only hummed lightly.

When Xueer walked past Jiaqi, she could still smell her adictive scent and she could still catch her glance at her. Finally, she could breathe. That was what she thought when she felt someone's gentle, soft and calming touch around her wrists.

"Morning...Jiaqi."

It was Xueer. The taller nodded her head and returned a smile before walking away with the other three. It was cold. It was distant. It felt wrong. That was the first time Xueer felt a sense of insecurity other than facing her parents' scolding.

She felt empty.

"Hey Xueer, are you alright?" Asking, Yuxin placed a hand on her shoulder. She nodded her head weakly before putting on her best smile, "Yea I am...thanks for asking babe."

It was summer. However, it felt like winter for her. Jiaqi's gaze was so distant...and empty. She hated that feeling. She hated the way Jiaqi looked at her. She hated that overly polite smile Jiaqi had.

"No Xueer. You made the right decision. So stop rethinking." She knew deep down that it might not have been the best option. What had she said wrong that made Jiaqi avoid her?