(ch.4)

"You guys, it's 10 pm, my parents are going to yell at me if I don't get home at 10 pm," Jia Li marked in a scared tone as she looks at her phone.

Da-Chung pulls out her phone as she said "Oh you're right, what should we do since we live an hour away," in a confused tone, the others shrugged. "How about I have my dad book a hotel room for us," she suggested.

Chin asks "Are you sure your dad will let us do that and I'm pretty sure we can't still be in a hotel room if we're under 16," in a calm tone.

Da-Chung said "You're right, let me call me dad to see want he can do," in a calm tone as they stop skating. After she talked with her dad, she said "My dad said he'll call me again once he finds out what he could do," in a calm tone as they sat down. After what seems like 30 minutes, her dad calls her back, "What's the plan?... Oh, so we can't stay at a hotel than where are my friends and I going to spend the night? It's almost 10 pm... are you sure nothing is going to happen if we stay with them for the night... fine, we'll stay with the Yang family... ok, bye," in a calm tone then she hung up.

"So we have to stay with a family for the night," Jia Li asks with a confused tone.

Da-Chung answered "Yeah, my dad's friend's house because no hotel will let us stay since we're under 16 but I've stayed at their house a few times," in a calm tone.

"What should we call them? Do they have any kids? Is there anything we need to know," Chin asked in a calm tone?

She answered "You guys can call them Auntie and Uncle or Mrs. Xiao and Mr. Yang. They have two girls and one boy but I've only seen the girls, not the boy. Things you need to know are we can't be too loud, do stupid things, eat junk food late at night, respect their property, knock on doors before entering, and pick up after ourselves. Other than that we can do whatever we what," in a cheerful tone.

Mei Zhen asks "How are they like," in a curious tone.

"I'll tell you guys as we're heading back since they're coming here soon," she marked, they nodded so they head back. "They're pretty nice, not too strict, they are welcoming to anyone no matter your status as long as you're not rude," in a calm tone.

Mei Zhen said "They seem pretty cool, let's hope things will be fine while we spent the night," as Chin and Jia Li agreed. When they got to the entrance, they saw a car parked there, just then a woman, that looks like she was in her early 30s, came out of the car, waving to them. "Hi, you guys, get into the car," in a cheerful tone.

As they were walking toward her, Da-Chung shouted "Hi, Auntie," in an excited tone. When they got into the car, Da-Chung asks "Where is Uncle," in a curious tone.

"He's at home, working. What about you girls? Why are you guys out here so late, it could be dangerous," in a calm tone as she begins to drive off.

She answered "We just want to hang out but before we knew it, it was almost 11," in a calm tone.

"Don't you guys see each other every day, why hang out until so late," Mrs. Xiao said in a confused tone?

Da-Chung replied "Auntie, we can't see each other every day since my friends live like an hour away," in a calm tone.

"Wow, I guess that's reasonable but where were you guys going to stay if it wasn't my house," she said in a composed tone.

Da-Chung looks at her friend and hesitantly answered "I think we would just skate back to our own houses," in a quiet voice.

"Aiya, if you guys don't have a place to stay, you guys can come to my house," in a chatty voice, they nodded. As they drive past luxury houses, Mei Zhen, Chin, and Jia Li were really taken back by all of the big, beautiful houses as their eyes sparkle. Da-Chung chucked at what she was seeing as she said "You guys look like little kids when they see toys," in a teasing tone.

"I don't care," Mei Zhen marked in an emotionless tone as Chin and Jia Li agreed.

Soon they stopped in front of a really big house, the auntie said "Ok, we're here, let's go in," in a cheerful tone as they got out of the car. "Woa~ it's so big," Jia Li screamed in amazement.

Chin nervously smiles as she marks "I don't think I have the guts to step in this house, it's too beautiful," in a nervous tone.

The auntie joyfully giggled and said "Come on, let's go in. Don't be shy," in a benevolent voice as they went in. "You guys sit down, let me go get guys something to drink and some fruits," in a calm tone as she went to the kitchen. Just then, Mei Zhe and Jia Li's phone started to ring, they told them that they were going somewhere else to answer their phones. When the auntie came back with a plate full of fruits as a servent followed behind with a tray of juices, she asks "Oh, where are the two other girls," in a confused tone as she sat down setting the fruits on the table.

"They had to answer a call, they'll be back," Da-Chung replied in a calm tone. Da-Chung's phone started to ring, it was from Chin's brother, she answered, then she handed her phone to Chin as she noted "It's your brother," in a calm tone. "Hello, Brother," she answered.

"Chin, where are you," in a panicked tone.

She replies "I'm at a friend's house, why," in a confused tone.

He said "You should come back now," in a serious voice.

"Brother, I'm over an hour away, what happened," in a confused tone.

He answered "Mom was being rushed to the hospital. Why didn't you pick up our calls," in a flustered tone.

Chin asked "What! How is she? What happened? My phone broke, that's why you guys couldn't reach me," in a shocked tone.

"She's sleeping right now, I don't know what happened but when I came to check on you two, I saw her passed out on the floor. How did your phone break? Do you want me to buy you a new one," in a calm voice?

Chin hesitated "Well I bumped into someone but they said they'll buy me a new phone. Does mom have anything serious," in a calm voice.

Her brother didn't say anything but then he said "Mom has lung cancer, it's terminal, we don't know how much longer she has to live," in a quiet tone.

Chin looks, with tears in her eyes, at the aunt and asks where their bathroom is, she answered "Down the right, then it should be the first door to your right." Chin went to the bathroom as she couldn't control her tears anymore. Chin asks "How long have you known that mom has cancer," in a serious tone.

"Well I've known this since September but that's when it was still treatable," he answered.

That made Chin cry harder, she sobbed "Brother, you jerk! Why did you tell me earlier and why didn't mom treat it while it was still treatable," in an upset tone.

Her brother answered "Sorry, Chin, I didn't tell you because mom begged me not to tell you. The reason mom didn't treat it was because she didn't have enough money for treatment and for you to go to school, I don't either," in an apologetic tone. He continues "Once again, I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but you have to act like you don't know anything because I'm not supposed to tell you or Jinyu. I have to go now, bye-bye," in a calm voice, she hummed then he hung up.

Chin looks at herself in the mirror, her eyelids and nose were red, she splashes her face with cold water, then she went back to where her friends were. As she was walking, she just kept thinking about her mom so tears begin to fill her eyes again, she tried to stop but couldn't. When she enters the room, she saw her friend, the aunt, and what seems like 10 boys, Da-Chung and the guy, that she was arguing with earlier, were bickering.

They all were laughing and having fun until the aunt saw Chin, she stood up with a concerned face as she asks "Omg, sweetheart, why are you crying," in a worried tone.

They looked at Chin, her friends immediately ran to her, Da-Chung asks "What happened? Why are you crying," in a soft voice as they look at her with worried faces. Chin just hugs her, without saying anything, and begins crying in the crook of her neck. Mei Zhen and Jia Li just patted Chin's back as Mrs. Xiao sent the boys away.

After Chin has calmed down, Da-Chung asks again "Why were you crying," in a soft voice.

She answered "My mom has terminal cancer and I don't know how much longer she has to live," in a down tone as she was wiping her tears away.

Her friends gave her a tight hug, Da-Ching said "I'm sorry to hear that but the least you can do is spend as much time as you can with her," in a sympathetic tone as they let go of her.

"We know you'll be a strong girl for your mom," Mei Zhen noted in a calm voice as Jia Li agreed with her.

Just then aunt walks in, she said "Sorry if I'm interrupting but I wanted to give you a hug," in a soft tone as she opens her arms. Chin hugged her, she added, "Whatever is going on, I hope it'll get better."

Chin mumbles "Thanks, I hope things will get better too," in a thankful voice.

Mrs. Xiao said "You girls should get ready for bed, do you guys have extra clothes," in a calm tone.

Da-Chung answered "No, we don't, can we borrow Bo-Yu and Bing-Qing's clothes for the night," in a relaxed tone.

Mrs. Xiao answered "Well they took all their clothes with them, you guys can borrow mine or my son's clothes," in a joyful tone. She added "But judging by the height of you guys, my clothes are too short for you guys so I'll go get my son's clothes," as she went upstairs, to her son's room.

Da-Ching said "Come on, let's go to my room. Yes, I have my own room, that's how often I'm here but I only bring clothes enough for how long I'm going to stay here, then bring them back home," in a calm tone as they were going to her room.

When the aunt came in, she noted "Here are the clothes. When you guys are done changing, call me, I'll come to get your guys' clothes for the maid to wash so you guys can have your clothes clean when you guys leave," in a calm tone as she left.

Once they all showered and changed, the clothes fitted Chin's friends but the pants didn't fit her, she asks "What should I do, the pants are big for me and there's no string for me to make it tighter."

"I'll go get auntie," Da-Chung noted as she left.

When Da-Chung came back with Mrs.Xiao, she had a few more pants and marked "I heard that your pant doesn't fit you, try these and see if they fit," as she handed the pants to her.

Pants after pants, none of them fit her, she handed them to Mrs. Xiao, she said "Auntie, they don't fit me, it's either it's doesn't fit my waist or they're tight on my legs," in a truthful voice.

Mrs. Xiao commented "I don't know what fits you," in a confused tone as she sat on the bed.

Chin answers "It's fine, I can just wear one of the pants, I don't want to bother you," in an assured tone as she took one of the pants.

The aunt asks "Are you sure," in a curious tone, she nodded, "Ok, I'm going to bed now," as she left.

Da-Chung asks "What should we talk about," in a curious tone as they sat on the floor.

The Chin asks "You guys have a hair tie so I can tie these pants," in a calm tone, they shook their heads, she disappointedly sighed.

Jia Li suggests "Why don't we use the safety pin I have one," in a calm tone.

Da-Chung said "No, we can't use that. Chin has a phobia of needles and pins, as known as trypanophobia, it's best if she doesn't see it or she might scream bloody murder," they nodded.

"It's okay, I'll just wear my shorts," Chin noted as she took off the pants. They were on their phone for a few minutes, then Jia Li asks "Chin, are you okay? Why are you shaking so much," in a worried tone as they turn their eyes onto her.

She answered, "I'm kinda cold since I'm only wearing a t-shirt and shorts." Da-Chung was sleeping so Chin woke her and asks "Is there a small blanket that I can wrap myself in," in a curious tone as she was rubbing her arms.

Da-Chung sat up and answers "No, just cover yourself with the blanket on the bed," in a calm tone.

"It's too big and heavy for me."

Mei Zhen asks "Wait, Da-Chung, where are all of us going to sleep, I don't think this bed with fit all of us," in a confused tone as she looks around.

She looks around and said "You're right, I don't think you guys will be able to sleep on the floor since it'll get cold," in a calm tone. "But I don't want to wake up auntie and uncle, the maids already went home so..." she added as her voice got quieter.

Mei Zhen smirks as she said "That means you'll have to ask her son," in a teasing tone, she just frowns.

She answered "No I don't, I'll just find something," in an annoyed tone. Da-Chung didn't say anything for a few seconds, then sighed and marked "Fine, you're right but one of you guys go with me," in a serious tone as she got up while Mei Zhen, Jia Li, and Chin was giggling.

Mei Zhen marks "Chin goes with you, you guys could ask for a sweatshirt while you guys are at it," which made Chin stop laughing, which made Mei Zhen and Jia Li laugh harder.

As they stood in front of the son's door, Da-Chung knocked on his door a few times, then waited. Just then a half-naked guy opened the door as he asks "What do you want," in a sleepy tone, rubbing his eyes.

Da-Chung hesitated "Um, Wang Lei, is there any extra mattress so my friends can sleep on, and can we borrow two sweatshirts since my friends are really cold," in a nervous tone.

"Yeah, let me get the sweatshirts first then we go get the mattress, along with a blanket," he answered in a calm tone as he went back into his room. He handed Chin the sweatshirts, then he asks "Which one of you two are going to come with me cause I only need a person to help," in a curious voice.

Chin blurted "Da-Chung will go with you, I have to go to the bathroom," in a teasing voice then she runs back into Da-Chung's room.

"Why do you have two sweatshirts, you're the only one that is cold. And where is Da-Chung," Jia Li asked in a confused tone.

Chin shrugged as she answers "I don't know, she asked for two since two of us are cold so he gave us two and she went with the guy to get a mattress and a blanket," in a calm tone, then she put a sweatshirt on.