Twenty-eight

Yibo's Pov

Ten minutes passed, and it was finally time to head home. Zhan, being the gentleman, carried my heavy bag for me, only. It wasn't heavy for him since he's so muscular and all. The docking area with the school buses was already filled with students by the time we got there. One teacher spoke, gaining everyone's attention. "I hope you all enjoyed this trip and made lots of friends. As you all know, we're heading home, so grab all your belongings." There were a lot of cheers throughout the teacher's speech, but I could also see the sadness on the faces of many students. I guess I wasn't the only one feeling a little down about going home. I was more worried about what would unfold when I get home.

When we were instructed to get on the buses, people flooded through the doors of the closest bus. I lost track of Zhan during all the commotions and I didn't spot Cheng anywhere. They probably got on the first bus, which was now full. I waited for a moment, just to see if I would spot them anywhere, but one teacher suggested I get on the second bus instead of standing around. Suddenly I felt that all too familiar unease and anxiety stirring to the surface. I'd hoped to ride with Zhan or even Cheng, but that didn't look likely. I didn't even get to say bye.

I took the seat at the back next to the window as I did on the day we came here. All the noisy chatter and shouting put me in greater discomfort, though everyone settled down eventually. That's when the buses took off.

I watched as the trees passed; I watched the open fields come into view and disappear. I watched houses as they passed, and all the people living their separate lives. What I wouldn't give to live a normal life, to have an ordinary family. Accepting things the way they are now would probably be better than hoping for something greater though, because in the end I know I'll be disappointed. Around an hour after the buses started moving, the teens got hyper. Some stood up, messing around, even though they were ordered to sit. Some threw things, and others just sat in their seats, like me.

For some time, the bus ahead of us was out of sight, though we could usually see it on straightaways. But eventually, we saw it parked on the side of the road. The driver of our bus pulled over to check and see if something was wrong and sure enough, there was. We were told to stay on the bus, but after ten minutes of waiting; the driver allowed us off, though we couldn't leave the area. As I stepped out of the bus, I saw Zhan in the distance. I wanted to run up to him and give him the biggest hug, but that would be weird, especially in front of so many people. I missed him so much even though it was only like two hours since the buses took off. Zhan shot me a smile when he spotted me leaving the bus. We both approached each other.

"I was worried when I didn't see you on the bus since you were right behind me when I got on." He said as he came up to me.

"I lost sight of you." I admitted, embarrassedly, rubbing his cheek before I retracted my hand when I realized what had happened.

"I thought you ran away." He chuckled.

"No way!" I boomed, gaining some unwanted attention. I pouted at him for thinking something so absurd.

All the buses pulled over on the side of the road, waiting for permission to pass. This gave everyone enough time to change buses if they wished to do so. I practically clung to Zhan, not wanting to lose sight of him again. Several people poured off bus one and got on bus five. There weren't enough seats for everyone, so some people had to stay behind. A few minutes later, the buses pulled away and drove off into the distance. Zhan stayed behind, and I stayed with him.

Some hours passed and the driver finally got the problem fixed. He didn't look too pleased. Anyone could hear him swearing under his breath within a two hundred feet radius. During that period, I sat in the grass off of the roadside and watched the sky. Zhan joined me not long after. This moment reminded me of the first day of our trip when we cloud gazed on that grassy hill. A few more people took to the grass a distance away from us and the other teens were being just as loud as usual. Some were on their phones while others chased each other around. When we finally got back on the road, the sun was just about to set. The delay was good for me. I was in no hurry to get back to my living hell. I wouldn't mind if we were stranded here forever. That just means I would get to spend more time with Zhan. Zhan took the window seat, and I sat next to him. I preferred sitting by the window, but I wouldn't dare take it from Zhan. I'd much rather he have it.

I noticed the area, which meant we were getting closer to town. It was fully night out and the inside of the bus quieted. It seemed many of the students fell asleep, including Zhan. He looked so peaceful with his head laid against the glass of the window. Inside, the bus felt cozy as it was very dark, except for the occasional orange light of the street lamps glowing in through the windows. The street lamps made it feel cozier, though. To no one's surprise, I was next to fall asleep.

I woke up to the sound of the bus stopping and rising chatter. People were being dropped off at their houses. I realized it would be awful if I were dropped off at my house. My father would get suspicious if I were dropped off this late. I didn't need that. We were nearing my neighborhood, so I told Zhan I was getting off at the next stop. He asked why, but all I said was that my house was nearby. When the doors opened for the kid who was heading home, I made sure to exit before it shut. The driver gave me a strange look, like I was crazy. I told him the same thing as I did Zhan. I didn't need anyone else getting involved in my family affairs.

After saying bye to Zhan, I ran off towards my house with my nerves growing with every step. By the time I reached my house, I was already a nervous wreck. My heart was racing, my hands trembling, and a mountain in my throat.

Zhan's Pov (Earlier)

It was so much fun bowling with Yibo. I found it cute how he'd get excited even if he only hit one pin. He was bouncing around like a goof. I felt butterflies watching him. His body fit perfectly into mine as I helped him aim one of his shots. This was such an unusual feeling. I didn't want to let him go, but things probably would have gotten a little awkward.

The end of our trip was nearing. I was going to miss not being able to cuddle with Yibo every night. It feels amazing. His small body, his soft brown hair, his intoxicating smell. He always smelled like a basket of fruits, cherries especially. Having him pinned under me out in the rain was something I never imagined myself liking. I had to muster up all the force I had in me from getting excited down there. It would be extremely awkward sitting on his stomach sporting a boner. When we got back inside to dry off, Yibo refused to do so in the bedroom. I guess I can understand him being so shy. He doesn't play for any of our school's sports teams, so he never really changes in front of other people, or at least I assume so.

Waking up to Yibo's face is a delight I'm going to miss. He's always so red when I see him. Is he that embarrassed? He seems to be comfortable around me though, so could it possibly be something else? Nah, I'm probably just overthinking it. I don't even know if he swings that way.

The breakfast we had this morning was good. I'm glad we didn't have to leave feeling sick from food poisoning. At school, the cafeteria food used to be so bad. Kids got sick from left to right, myself included. They were threatened to shut the school down if they didn't improve the food quality. They were forced to make some changes in the end, which were for the better.

I almost cracked when watching the way Yibo stores down his food. It was such a silly yet adorable look on him. Yes, I fully accepted the fact that I find him cute, adorable... and attractive even.

When we got back to the cabin, we both double-checked to see if we packed all of our things. We sat on the deck listening to one of my many playlists, waiting for time to pass. We hadn't planned anything special for today, so we just decided to wait.

When it was finally time to head out, we lifted ourselves from the white stairs of the porch. Yibo was struggling with his bag, so I lifted it from his arms and carried it for him. He gave me a shy half smile and muttered, thanks. We got to the center of the park and it was already filled with students. One of the teachers made a speech, capturing the attention of everyone. "I hope you all enjoyed this trip and made lots of friends. As you all know, we're heading home in just a bit, so make sure to grab all your belongings." The speech seemed to be a success, as many students were cheering.

It was now time for everyone to board the buses. After handing Yibo his bag, I headed onto the first bus, thinking Yibo was following right behind. Just before I sat, I looked behind me, only to notice Yibo was nowhere in sight. I tried to plow my way through the students that poured in through the entrance of the bus, but it was like swimming against the current. It was impossible. The last person finally entered the bus, but the doors immediately closed and the bus took off. I just sighed to myself and plopped back in my seat.

"Yo dude, we've hardly seen you all week!" A familiar voice shouts my way. I look back to the voice and notice it's Adam Armel, one of the guys from the football team. I stood from my seat and made my way to their side.

"Yeah man, I just spent most of the trip chilling in my cabin." I said blandly.

"You should have partied with us, man!"Adam raved.

"That's not what I came here for, though. "I inform him with a small sigh.

"Dude, you're such a buzz kill." He replied, clearly disappointed. Adam isn't a bad guy. He can be pretty annoying though, like most of my friends, he's not as clingy though.

Me and the guys talked at the back of the bus for a while, discussing football strategies, schedules, and girls. They were constantly pestering me about going out to pick up girls with them, but I continuously declined. I just wasn't interested.

The bus suddenly began shaking before coming to a full stop. Banter quickly spread throughout the bus, since everyone was wondering why we'd stopped. I was just as curious as the rest of them, to be honest.

The bus driver got off the bus and told us to stay on as he went over to the engine.

"Omigosh, I'm going to miss my show if we're, like, stranded here for too long." Some girl complained.

"Yeah, I have places to be." Someone else followed behind, sounding worried.

The other buses pulled up behind us and the drivers got off. I overheard their conversation. Something in the engine blew. Luckily, our bus driver knows how to work with cars, or so he says. Soon enough, everyone was permitted on the buses. I was eager to find Yibo. I stepped off the bus and scanned the area, and sure enough, I spotted him getting off the second bus. He lit up when he saw me, which made me happy. We'd become such good friends over the course of a week. I approached him as he did me.

"I was worried when I didn't see you on the bus since you were right behind me when I got on." I spoke as we closed the distance.

"I lost sight of you." He said shyly, rubbing my cheek before he pulled his hand forcefully. It felt amazing for the few seconds his warm, soft palm lasted.

"I thought you ran away." I chuckled.

"No way!" He raised his voice, gaining us some looks. He gave me an adorable pout, making me chortle. The buses being pulled over gave people time to swap seats, and there were more people doing so than I could have imagined. There was a lot of fighting about who would sit where and who deserved a seat. That was expected, though. The minority of students wanted to stay on the first bus as it was still broken down. Yibo and I were in no rush to get home, so I decided to just stay on the first bus. It would save us a lot of trouble this way.

The buses were eventually granted permission to pass. Now only a handful of students left. Yibo stuck close to my side the whole time, probably not wanting to lose sight of me. I would've done the same.

A while later, the driver finally got the problem fixed. He wasn't having a good day. During the downtime, Yibo went over to the hill on the side of the road and lay in the green grass. I followed him and placed myself next to him. A couple of other people got the idea of lying on the hill, only they were a distance away from us. Most of the students just continued being their hyper and rowdy selves, though.

When it was finally time to get back on the bus. I took the seat next to the window in the far back of the bus. Yibo sat down beside me. I turned to give him a small smile. He returned it, only much sweeter. We spent the ride just watching the window. The perfect mix of colors capturing the sky, the vast green land, and the cozy homes. Before I knew it I'd fallen asleep.

I woke as people began getting dropped off at their homes. I glanced at Yibo, only to see the worry present on his face. I wanted to reassure him, but nothing came to mind. At least that wouldn't draw attention, anyway.

"I'm getting off at the next stop." Yibo announced suddenly. I gave him a questioning look.

"Why, is that where you live?" I asked.

"I live in the area." He replied strangely. I would've continued with my questions, but he didn't seem like he was in the mood to answer them.

When the bus came to another stop, Yibo sprung out of his seat and told me bye and walked off the bus. He told the driver he lived in the area so he would just walk home. He received a lot of questioning looks, but he was already too far away from the bus to notice. He'd always start acting odd whenever the topic of home was brought up. He seems to be having family trouble. I guess it's just like everyone else. We all have our rocky moments with our families.

Another twenty minutes passed, and it was finally my stop. I lifted my bag and headed for the front door of my large house. Walking up the path after coming home from school is soothing, despite the location. The flower beds and hedges along the path are just enough to distract me from the thought of my parents sitting inside the house. It's almost like they set it all up on purpose, just to lure me in.