The Distance Between Two Stars

The next day began like any other.The sky was overcast, as if the world outside wanted to mirror the confusion inside Nu Yang.He arrived at school a little earlier than usual. The gate was still open, but only a few students had arrived. Perhaps it was the first time he had allowed himself to walk without rushing.

When he reached the classroom, he noticed that Xiao Xing was already there.

Sitting in his corner, he was carefully organizing his pens on the table. How could anyone be so methodical first thing in the morning?

Nu Yang approached slowly.

— Hi.

He said almost in a whisper. Xiao Xing startled, dropping a pen on the floor.

— Ah, sorry, I...

Xiao Xing quickly bent down to pick up the pen, without even looking at him.

— Are you all right?— I'm fine. I just like to get here early.

Nu Yang scratched the back of his head, not knowing how to continue the conversation. He wasn't good with words, let alone with people. But there was something about Xiao that made him want to try.

— About yesterday...

Yang began, looking out the window.

— You don't have to thank me. I just did what anyone should have done.

Xiao Xing finally looked at him.

— No one has ever done that for me.— That's because no one pays enough attention.

An uncomfortable silence settled between them—but it wasn't a bad silence. It was... calm. For the first time, Yang felt that silence didn't suffocate him.

. . .

During recess, Nu Xian surprised him by sitting next to him on the back steps.

— You and the new guy are getting close, huh?

She raised an eyebrow.

— Since when do you care?

— I'm just saying, maybe... you're changing.

— Changing?

She took a bite of the apple she was holding.

— Yeah. You're... less grumpy.— Thanks, I guess.

— I'm serious. — she said, now in a softer tone. — When you were little, you used to smile more. Then... something changed. And now, out of nowhere, you're protecting cute boys on rooftops.

Nu Yang blushed without realizing it.

— Shut up, Xian.

She laughed, like she hadn't in a long time.

— Just... be careful. Broken people recognize other broken people. That can be beautiful, but also dangerous.

He didn't answer. He just looked at the cloudy sky, as if searching for answers among the clouds.

. . .

Later, after school, he found Xiao Xing standing near the gate, alone, holding a faded blue umbrella.

— Looks like it's going to rain.Yang commented.

— I noticed that too.

Nu Xian had already left with some friends; she didn't want to scare them off with her brother's corpse-like expression.

Seeing Xiao alone, Nu Yang felt a sudden urge to protect him, remembering what had happened on the terrace.

He seemed a little nervous and, though he stammered, he ended up saying:

— Do you want me to walk you home?

— What? I didn't hear you.

— Since we're friends, I thought… that's what friends do.

— Friends, huh? Sounds more like you're asking me out.

He started laughing.

— It's nothing like that, really!

He was truly nervous—maybe even a little flushed.

— I know, I'm just teasing.

— You shouldn't say things like that, you know.

— Sorry.

That made Nu Yang laugh genuinely.

. . .

As they walked under the umbrella—too small for two—their shoulders brushed gently.

— Do you like stars?

Xiao Xing asked, out of the blue.

Nu Yang thought for a moment.

— I've never really paid attention to them.

— You should. When you feel lonely… sometimes looking up at the sky helps. It's like they're telling you you're still alive.

Yang glanced at him sideways, surprised by the sensitivity hidden beneath that fragile appearance.

— Maybe... we're closer to the stars than we realize. — he murmured.

And for the first time, Xiao Xing truly smiled.Nu Yang didn't know why, but seeing that smile brought calm to his heart.

It was as if the storm around him had lifted.

. . .

They walked in silence for a few more minutes until Xiao Xing suddenly stopped.

— This is it.

He pointed to the gate of a gated community, with guards at the entrance and carefully trimmed trees lining the sidewalk.

Nu Yang looked around. It was a wealthy neighborhood, surrounded by large houses with pristine gardens and impeccable façades. A sharp contrast to his own reality.

— You live here?

He asked, surprised.

Xiao Xing nodded slightly.

— Yeah… my parents work a lot, so I spend most of the time alone.

Nu Yang hesitated before answering.

— Must be… pretty quiet.

Xiao Xing gave a half-smile, tinged with sadness.

— Silence doesn't mean peace.

Yang understood instantly. On the outside, everything looked perfect. On the inside... maybe not so much.

— And you? You live with your sister, right?

— Yeah… since…

He froze. The rest of the sentence hung in the air, heavy. Xiao Xing didn't push.

— Since our mother… left.

It was the first time Nu Yang had said those words out loud since the funeral. It sounded strange. As if the words had been sealed away for too long.

Xiao Xing looked at him kindly, saying nothing. Sometimes, silence speaks louder than a thousand words.

— It must be hard. — he said finally, sincerely.

— It is. But then again… so is living, right?

Xiao Xing smiled sideways, like someone who had heard that before.

— Yeah. Living is.

A distant thunder cracked across the sky. The rain started falling harder, striking the umbrella like tiny explosions.

— Run inside. You'll catch a cold. — said Yang.

— And you?

— I live nearby.

A lie. But Xiao Xing didn't question it. He just ran toward the gate and, before entering, shouted:

— See you tomorrow!

Nu Yang just lifted his hand in a wave.

. . .

On the way back, wet and pensive, he looked up. No stars in sight—only clouds, heavy like memories.

But somehow, his chest hurt less.

Maybe… that's what Xiao meant.

Even when hidden, the stars are still there.Waiting for the sky to clear.

Author's Note

Did you enjoy the chapter?Nu Yang and Xiao Xing are already showing that this friendship is going to mean a lot to both of them. Despite their differences and secrets, they share something important: the will to move forward.

Stay tuned—there are lots of surprises coming in the next chapter!Thanks for reading this far—come back soon to see what happens next.

With love,Lu Kawang!