CHAPTER 5 (PT 1) - Newsflash

It takes me more than a few minutes to register that the alarm is actually ringing. I groan, trying to open my eyes but they resemble two glued pieces of paper. I flop to my side, pulling the mat closer but someone very rudely kicks my stomach. 

"Wake up. I'm this close to leaving you here." 

That wakes me up alright and I squint my eyes. They are bleary, taking a few seconds to focus but when they finally do, I don't see anything but an empty sauna room. A lone older couple is on the other side of the room, directly opposite from us but apart from that, the room is deserted. 

I quickly sit up, grunting when the blood rushes to my brain too quickly. I wince, holding my head in my hands and I look around until my sleepy eyes fall on Liu Xuejun. He looks a lot better than he did yesterday. His eyes are still big and beautiful but any sign of redness is completely gone. So are the dark circles. 

Don't be shy, drop the brand of foundation. 

His gaze is unreadable as he stares at me, lips pulled into a tight line. Xuejun has seen me like this countless times yet it's been two years and I can't help but feel conscious. Subconsciously, my hands shoot up to the sides of my mouth and thankfully, I don't sense drool stains. 

"When did you wake up?" My voice comes out groggy and I cough. My throat feels horrible, too scratchy and I can't feel my nose. Oh heck, I think I caught a cold. But nothing in Xuejun's face changes and he looks down at me. Literally. Really, when did he get so tall? And though it's an inch or two, my mind cannot help but lament. We used to be the same darn height. 

"Way earlier than you." And the recent frost in his voice is chiller than yesterday. 

I sigh. It is too early for this crap and honestly, I'm done. "Xuejun," I say, curtly. "I know I've been a jerk. I shouldn't have left like that. I should've explained. I'm sorry, okay? Like, really sorry. A thousand times. So stop talking like an angsty teenager going through puberty twenty four seven. It's not you." 

Liu Xuejun doesn't say anything and just like that, he bends down to retrieve his mat, completely ignoring me. 

"Xuejun, don't ignore me!" 

Silence. 

"Liu Xuejun!" 

More silence. 

Would you look at this brat— 

I raise to my feet, nose scrunched up, my imaginary hackles raised. I stomp the few steps up to him and the audacity of this kid! He looks up lazily, his jaw set and eyes unhindered as they stare at me, taunting, and it takes every fibre in me not to snap.

I poke my finger on his chest repeatedly, hoping they'd drill holes. "Look here, Liu Xuejun. I did not lose sleep and get a cold just so you can be an annoying piece of shiz."

A dry chuckle escapes Xuejun's mouth and his eyes are super unimpressed as they gaze at me. "Shit, Winter. Two years and you're still cursing like an elementary school kid?" 

God, is it wrong to punch a half celebrity? Seriously. 

I huff, turning away. I'm too worked up to speak and a tiny part in me is in disbelief over how much he has changed. Heck, this kid used to run behind me with a goofy smile, acting cute so that I'd buy him more coffee! 

I press my eyes shut, taking a moment to compose. Every inch of me is uncomfortable and my nose itches. "Liu Xuejun, pack your things. We're going back." 

He doesn't reply, only crossing his hands across his chest. "What?" I bark out but end up coughing a fit. Ah, I feel like dying. 

Xuejun waits till I recompose and I notice the old couple at the far end staring at us. Before we could become the fodder for gossip to an old neighbourhood, I tug at Xuejun's hands, pulling him to the locker room. His fingers are as slender as I remember and I hate the familiar feeling. 

"I heard that you've a schedule today afternoon. You'd make it if we leave now. Your bandmates are worried."

Finally something cracks in Xuejun's impassive face. His eyes are still unreadable but his lips quiver and his nose flares, obviously worked up. "I'm not going back, Winter," he says hoarsely. His hands in mine tighten and even though I know where this is going, I can't help the anger washing in me. 

"What did you say?"

"I'm not going back." 

We've stopped walking, standing awkwardly in the stairs leading down to the locker room. But good thing, since it is morning, it is deserted. Somewhere above us, I hear the ding of the lift going off so I presume we'd have some privacy. 

I push Xuejun against the wall but it's like there's zero resistance in him, because it only takes a light tug for him to be pushed back roughly. Fresh, morning sunlight pours from the window behind us, lighting up Xuejun's blank eyes. His eyes are as big as I remember, lashes pretty long for a guy. But where once two dazzlingly kind, fiery eyes used to be, there are lifeless pupils there, refusing to look at me. 

Just what happened? 

"Liu Xuejun." My voice sounds unnatural to my own ears. With my blocked nose and scratchy throat, it comes out sounding muffled and rough. "Do you really think you have the luxury to say you're not going back?" 

I tug at his collars, pulling him down. His eyes are finally at the same level as mine and there's an indescribable emotion poured into them. "Yes, I'm a selfish bastard. I'm not going back," he whispers. 

A wave of disappointment washes over me, engulfing every limb, every hair. 

"Why?" My voice comes out in a whisper too. 

Xuejun doesn't hesitate before replying. "I just don't want to." 

The anger I had pushed back for an entire night courses in and I tighten my grip on his collars. "Then why the heck did you debut, you piece of shit?"

As soon as the words are out, the anger in me fizzles out like a deflated balloon. I hurriedly look left and right, but thankfully, there doesn't seem to be any sauna guests. A sour laugh interrupts me and I look back to find Xuejun's smothering eyes gazing at me almost cruelly. 

"Oh look who is finally swearing. Fancy seeing you ask that." He roughly pushes my hands aside, effectively freeing himself from my grip and straightens up with a snarl.

"Newsflash, I did not want to debut."