Forbidden Love [Jiaqi x Xueer]

29

It was in the afternoon during break time. Jiaqi headed straight to the toilet with perspiration trickling down her forehead and neck. Xueer, Xueer, Xueer. That was all she could think of during practice. The redheaded occupied her mind throughout the entire practice match.

Her teammates and coach knew that something was off when Jiaqi missed a three point shot---she never misses. The official inter high tournament would be starting the day after the next, yet Jiaqi seemed like she was lacking behind, making everyone worry.

With gritted teeth, Jiaqi groaned frustratingly as she punched the sink. Splashing her face with ice cold water, she tried to collect her thoughts together. Jiaqi hated what she was feeling. Because of her emotions, she wasn't able to concentrate at all. And because of this, her team's efforts would be put into waste. That was what she thought.

Her knuckles were red and severely bruised. Her eyes were glassy with tears threatening to fall. And her heart was as bruised as her knuckles, or even more. She was too caught up in exasperation and fury that she didn't notice a certain someone entering the bathroom.

In that moment, she felt that same warmth around her. That same touch and feeling. It brought both pain and happiness. She couldn't face her. Her eyes remained stuck the faucet while the pair of arms tightened around her waist.

The short haired girl clenched her fists before firmly and politely started, "Please let go. I have to get back to practice."

Xueer remained silent, she couldn't. Xiaotang had called her moments earlier right after seeing Jiaqi's continuous missed shots, saying that she should consult with her. Xueer came rushing from the dance studio and searched the whole vicinity, incredibly worried about Jiaqi. Even Yuyan didn't have the heart to stop her. At last she found her in the farthest toilet from the basketball court.

"No...I won't let you go unless you tell me what's bugging you."

Jiaqi sighed with exasperation. Finally having the courage to look into Xueer's eyes, she hissed, "Kong Xueer. Let go."

Though taken aback by Jiaqi calling her by her full name, the campus beauty persisted and shook her head. "Jiaqi...what did I do to make you avoid me?"

The latter remained silent while her venomous gaze pierced into Xueer's before using all her strength and harshly spun her around, pinning her against the sink. "Are you that dense?" Her ears were turning redder by the second as her grip around Xueer's wrists tightened.

"Can you not see the obvious? Or are you acting oblivious?" Through gritted teeth, Jiaqi's voice rasped as she punched the sink again, the vibrations from the hit sending chills down the redheaded's spine. Xueer felt inferior and little under the gaze filled with anger and despair that Jiaqi had.

"I don't...I really don't, I'm sorry." She felt a strong sense of guilt overcome her as she stared into those depressed orbs of hers.

The latter's heavy breathing echoed in the empty toilet as she tried controlling her frustrations. Just then, she felt the gentle caress on her cheeks. Grazing her thumb against her cheeks, Xueer continued in a soft voice, "But I hope to know...so I can fix this mess I created between us. Jiaqi, there's nothing to hide. Even your deepest secret is with me."

In that moment, she felt all senses of what's right and wrong left her. Everything was a blur except Xueer. Collapsing onto Xueer who instinctively caught her in her arms, Jiaqi's tears forced out, "You don't understand Xueer...no matter how many times I tell you, you just won't."

The campus beauty felt her heart break when Jiaqi's voice did too. The all mighty vampire she was had completely vanished, leaving a frail and fragile broken hearted girl behind.

"Jiaqi...don't be afraid. I'm here to listen."

The taller girl shut her eyes tightly while contemplating whether to tell or not. If she did, it would be a confession. If she didn't it would be a rejection. After moments of silence, she made a choice.

"I love you Xueer. And not in a friendly way, what I mean by love, is loving you as my lover."

Jiaqi felt a huge boulder lift from her shoulders. There's no where else to run. There she was in Xueer's arms confessing her love to her. Even when she was in a relationship with someone else.

She didn't dare to look up into her eyes. She couldn't. Feeling the warmth surrounding her slip away slowly like how reality did, Jiaqi knew that was the end of their friendship. She was a vampire, a monster while Xueer was a innocent little human. They weren't fated to be from the beginning, and she knew. However, she sacrificed a lifetime's pain in return for a few moments of affection which would now end.

Xueer stepped away from the sink, still processing the latter's words. She loved...me? Her mind was malfunctioning. A sensation of tingles lingered in her stomach and skin. A wave of euphoria washed over her. Yet a moment of grief struck her. She accepts how Jiaqi felt towards her, however, she couldn't return it.

She liked Yuxin. And she still did. That was why she even gave her another chance. But wait, she liked, not loved.

Just as Jiaqi was about to reason it out and try to get rid of the tension between them, Xueer pulled her into a hug without saying anything.

The fog of uncertain feelings had faded away. Xueer knew how she felt. She knows all too well now. When she kissed Jiaqi, it felt like it was the two of them against the world. When she was embraced in Jiaqi's arms, she felt secure, loved and safe. When she sees Jiaqi's bright smile, she would smile too.

With Yuxin, she felt like more of a friend. There was no romantic sparks, no butterflies in her stomach, and no excitement in doing something intimate. In those seconds after Jiaqi had said those words to her, Xueer had her hesitations and uncertainties ,that she had tried to get rid of for the longest time, cleared up almost instantly.

Jiaqi was her home, her happiness, and lastly, her true lover.

Locking eyes with Jiaqi who seemed confused and almost as if dull, Xueer brushed her strands of loose hair behind her ear.

"You know...I had always questioned myself. Why do I feel emotions I had never felt with Yuxin when I'm with you instead. Why do I feel somewhat special when I'm around you. Thoughts of me being in love with you did cross my mind. But I was stupid to not realise. I was blinded by my thoughts of Yuxin being my first love and forever being my lover."

She then continued as her sincere and affectionate eyes gazed into Jiaqi's, "However, I finally understand what love is. And that's thanks to you."

Xueer's eyes flickered to the soft kissable lips of Jiaqi's before looking back into her eyes.

"I love you too, Xu Jiaqi."