Requital hope

Forty-seven

Zhan's Pov.

(play the song)

"Zhan... I like you.. Like, I really like you." He mumbled with his face noticeably flushing a dark shade of red. I sat in my seat trying to comprehend what he said. He likes me? As more than a friend? I don't know if I'm jumping the gun but that's what it seemed like to me.

"Cindy knew this so she offered to help me." He continued with his soft voice.

"Help you? W-with what?" I asked, leaning closer to hear Yibo. He went silent at my question.

"Help win you over." He said, dropping his head. S-so he does actually like me?!

"I.. she told me to leave a letter in your locker. She also told me that you would appreciate it if I washed your football uniform. I'm guessing it was also her who pushed me into you in the halls that day when I.. when I knocked all of the school awards and trophies from your hand." He dully explained. I felt like I was hit with the biggest curve ball as everything suddenly started to make sense. Yibo hasn't explained everything but from what he's told me I can tell Cindy's been lying about some of the stuff she's told me, and that's all the proof I need to see that Yibo is innocent.

"Yibo, I..." I didn't know what to say. My mind was all over the place. I felt a slew of emotion wash over me, excitement, happiness, sadness, terror.

I've been so damn awful to him. Since I've
I have known Cindy much longer than I have Yibo. I assumed I knew her better, that I assumed I could trust her.

Even though Yibo showed nothing but kindness and timidness I was still quick to abandon him. He was already leading a hard life but on top of that Cindy pit the whole school against him. I wasn't by his side when he needed me, as I had initially planned, and because of this he felt the need to take his life. My heart ached, reminding me of how I wasn't there for Kat either. Knowing I failed someone like that again crushed me.

"I'm sorry." That was all I could say. Thinking over the past month, everything I've done during that period, it made me feel awful, and disgusting.

"Yibo, I'm so sorry. " I apologized again,
my nerves are eating at me. He turned his head away from me. It seemed he wasn't ready to forgive me... I understand that I've been a total dick to him, I don't deserve to be forgiven.

"I need some air." I said, feeling sick, uneasy and tight chested.

I left the room in a hurry, rushing down the stairs and out the front door. I've tried relaxing several times today but every time something happens. I'm glad Yibo cleared things up though, I wouldn't want to live a life around lies. My phone abruptly went off, snapping me from my thoughts. I bit my lip when I saw that it was Cindy. I tried my best not to smash the phone across the walkway. It was frustrating knowing that she was the root of all the problems and she's been pulling her schemes right next to me this whole.time. I'm stupid for not realizing it, I mean even my brother who's far more hot-headed than me had enough sense to know something was up, but I continued disregarding him because I thought I was in the right.

Instead of letting my mind wander on the situation I cleared my head and tried catching my breath as I originally intended. I should be focusing on making sure Yibo is alright, that kid has been through so much, I don't know if it's safe to leave him alone. After collecting my nerves I returned to my bedroom. Yibo was nowhere in sight, that wasn't until I reached my bed that I saw him. He fell asleep snuggling up in my blanket, still in nothing but his penguin briefs. He looked beautiful, as unusual as it is to refer to a guy being beautiful he truly did look beautiful sleeping peacefully under the covers.

"Is it true... does he really like me?" I murmured to myself, taking a seat next to
the bed. I'd be one lucky son of a bitch if
he did. A few months ago I would've frowned at the thought of being with a guy, but now... I know for a fact that I'm in love with this little goof. I hadn't realized my feelings toward men until I met him, of course, he's still the only one I'm attracted to, though that's probably because I don't think any of my friends are good-looking, though I know that's just me since everyone seemed infatuated with them and their looks.