29 Ignorance

Yi Fan had met up with Xiao Ming at the popular arcade near their school. The kids of Qui Elementary School liked to hang out at this arcade because it had the most popular games and fancy prizes. It also was a known spot for skipping students, so from time to time, there were stern-faced teachers skeptically looking around.

"I already told my friends I'm leaving," Xiao Ming said. "My house is close by, so it's not too far from here."

A long silence prolonged, neither of them were willing to talk. Slowly, Yi Fan tried to speak.

"Xiao Ming... I don't want to call the police," Yi Fan softly whispered, the cries and waves of laughter around him drowning out his words.

"What?" Xiao Ming asked. He got closer to Yi Fan.

"Let's not call the police, okay? I don't think the police will help," Yi Fan pleaded with his quivering voice. He was looking down at the concrete ground, too afraid to meet his friend's eyes.

Xiao Ming understood that Yi Fan had his own reasons, and so he didn't pressure him. Yi Fan would tell him when he was ready.

"Okay." Xiao Ming smiled. "But still, stay over at my house. I don't want you to be out on the streets, there are too many dangerous strangers out there..."

Yi Fan nodded, and he obediently followed Xiao Ming to his house. His house was of the middle-class family, complete with a standard 3 bedroom and 2 bathrooms. You could tell it was recently renovated because of its trendy flat roof and long windows.

Xiao Ming pulled out the cover of the keypad, quickly inputting the numbers. Yi Fan nervously rubbed his fingers together, hoping his mom wouldn't ask any questions.

*Beep*

"I'm home!" Xiao Ming shouted, tactfully letting Yi Fan go inside first. As etiquette went, they put their shoes down and wore the provided slippers.

"Xiao Ming?" A thin voice called out, a lady in her late twenties suddenly appearing from the bright hallway.

Her oval face had a beautiful pair of jade-like eyes and cherry pink lips. The woman was lean and slender, her long legs flashily matched with her modest coffee-colored dress. You wouldn't imagine a young woman like her had already given birth and managed a family.

"Mom!" Xiao Ming grinned and hugged the woman.

The woman kindly looked on at her son, patting his head. She slowly turned her head up, noticing the good-looking kid awkwardly standing at the door.

"Oh, is he your friend?" The mom asked, lightly raising her eyebrow.

"Yep. Can he please stay over today?" Xiao Ming begged. "We need to work on our math project together."

"A math project? I thought you hated math..." She said, a little suspicious.

'Nice lie, Xiao Ming. Out of all the lies you could've picked, you picked that one.' Yi Fan thought.

"Uh, let's go, Yi Fan! That math project is very important for our grade." Xiao Ming said in a stiff manner. He then forcibly grabbed Yi Fan's arm and quickly ran up the glass wood stairs. He was afraid his mother would catch on if they stayed in the same room any longer.

--

The two boys entered the messy room, colorful piles of trash and clothes on the floor. Yi Fan casted a skeptical gaze on Xiao Ming who looked to have no shame at all. He casually picked up a few random clothes on the floor and asked, "Hey, you wanna wear this?"

Yi Fan gave him a disgusted glance before angrily kicking some stuff off the ground in response. There was no place to stand on, you could barely see the floor.

"Hey! Stop kicking!" Xiao Ming shouted, gripping Yi Fan's wrist. "This is my room, not yours!"

But he wouldn't stop. He continued, each kick more fervent than the last.

He began kicking and kicking with such ferocity where even Xiao Ming noticed there was a different glint in his eyes. Yi Fan had already reached the ground but continued to kick at it. His toes were starting to get bruised and little pieces of his nails were falling off. It was as if Yi Fan was trying to relieve himself by kicking; now that his father wasn't indirectly present, Yi Fan could do whatever he wanted. He could show how he really felt.

Before Yi Fan realized it, his chin was trembling with guilt. What was he thinking of? From inside his lungs, heart, and mind, he continued to grit his teeth and persistently kick at the ground. His narrow throat tightened up, suppressed sounds pleading to get out.

If he opened his mouth, what would he say?

Xiao Ming slowly let go of Yi Fan's wrist, consciously noticing Yi Fan's confused state. He gently stroked Yi Fan's small back, hoping this consolement would aid Yi Fan, even by a little bit. Xiao Ming couldn't perceive Yi Fan's thoughts, but maybe it was better that way.

Sometimes, ignorance is bliss.