Forty-one

Yibo's Pov.

She dropped me off on the street near my house as I tell everyone to do. We exchanged goodbyes and she drove off. I returned home in the thick fog that swallowed up the neighborhood. It was a pretty creepy sight but I've grown accustomed to the occasional fantasy-like mist.

The house was silent upon entering, and surprisingly stayed that way. I spent most of my night just reading, with the occasional thoughts of the game from earlier today passing through my head. I really felt bad for Zhan. He deserved that victory. I was rooting for him but in the end, it didn't matter, he still seemed so down after the match. Hopefully, the guys will be able to cheer him up during the after party, or dinner rather. It isn't really a party since they weren't celebrating their win.

The thought of Zhan also got me thinking about what it was he was going to tell me. It seemed pretty important, and now I'm going crazy trying to figure out what it could be. I decided it would be best just to go to bed and rest up for tomorrow since work continues as well.

Zhan's Pov.

On the drive to dinner, the guys were as loud as hell. It's almost like they forgot all about the match, or they were trying to forget. Even if that were the case they were still too freaking loud. I didn't bother saying anything though.

"What are you guys going to order?" Yubin asks, popping his head over the seat.

"Something light with a salad." Zhao said, staring at her phone.

"I'ma get a burger!" Meng growled.

"Same!" Ji Li quickly lifted a hand.

"I don't know yet. " I answered. My mind was still too wrapped up with the game and Yibo. I couldn't tell him how I felt. The moment seemed ruined after being interrupted. I guess I'll have to try again some other time.

We arrived at a diner. Yubin gave directions to one of the guys from my team and he drove. Nicholas and Clark came along too. We had to take the guy's car because it can hold up to eight people, and with so many of us going it only made sense.

Heads turned as the rowdy group and I entered the diner. We found a table and ordered our meals. I got a sloppy Joe sandwich. It reminded me of the trip, the day I and Yibo shared our food. He was so shy and goofy, I still find it unbearably cute. It's becoming increasingly hard to resist him every day.

The loud surroundings snapped me out of my daze. The guys were messing around. There were plenty of jokes being thrown around, some borderline offensive. Soon enough the girls were joining in. They were all having fun, forgetting about the game. It was probably better this way.

I would've gone home early but I didn't bring my car. It was still at the school. I had to sit through all of their unbearable shenanigans. If I'd known it would be like this I would've just hung out with Yibo. They knew how frustrated I was yet they continued bugging and teasing me. I did nothing but sigh and roll my eyes.

After dinner, we were dropped off at the school to get our vehicles. I said a barely audible bye to everyone before heading over to my car. It felt so much better being alone. The largest sigh of relief escaped me.

I started my car, pulled out of the driveway, and headed home. I would still like to hang with Yibo but it's getting late, it's currently eleven pm, and I have a feeling he wouldn't be up for it.

Halfway home my phone went off. I was excited, hoping it was Yibo, but when I saw the caller I realized it was Cindy. I released a long sigh before answering it.

"Hello?" I started.

"Hey Zhan." Her voice was soft.

"What's up?" I asked, wondering why she was calling me.

"I.. we have to talk." She struggled.

"About?"

"I think I know who's been messing up your lockers." She says with hesitation.

"Who was it?" I questioned. Does she really know? If so I can finally confront them about it.

"I think we should talk in person... It'll be easier to explain." She said nervously.

"Alright, where do you want to meet?" I asked. She went silent, probably thinking about a place.

"How about my place if that's okay. I have

something to show you, I think I'll be able to explain it better that way." She informed

"Alright, I'll be over in a few." I agree before hanging up.

I pulled into her driveway and got out of the car. I took a moment to prepare myself for what Cindy was about to tell me.

After collecting myself I walked up to her front door, giving it a soft knock. I didn't want to disturb anyone since it was so late. I waited for a moment before hearing footsteps approaching the door. It opened and Cindy's mother stood in the doorway.

"Hello Sean." She greeted, turning my neutral expression into a frown. I hated when people called me that.

"Hi Mrs. Morris, Is Cindy home?" I asked, looking into the house.

"Yes, why do you need her so late?" She asked with her expression going sharp.

"She called me over. She had something

urgent to show me." I explained, trying to convince her to let me in.

"Alright, but I better not catch you two doing anything sexual." She scowled. Wow, way to be blunt. I'm sure my reaction made it very clear that that wasn't my intention.

Just as Mrs. Morris let me in, Cindy came down the stairs.

"Hey Zhan." She said with a serious look on her face.

"Hey, are you ready to show me?" I asked, walking up to her.

"Yeah, follow me to my room. It's best if we talk there." She said, and so that's where we went. I looked back catching her mother glaring at me with suspicion. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.

When we reached her room she opened the door inviting me in then shutting it behind us.

I released a deep sigh. "Alright, it must be

important if you had me come over here."

She paced around the room silently for a moment. It built up the tension. Suddenly she came to a complete stop.

"You know what, enough stalling..." She sighed. "The person who's been going through your lockers and destroying your stuff has done much more than that." She began. "There were several occasions they tried getting in your way." She explained. The room went silent.

"So... who's the person behind all of this?" I asked. She lowered her gaze to the floor with a pained look crossing her face.

"It's..." She paused for a while. "It's Yibo..."

.

.

.

.

I almost pushed her out of my way with rage. Who does she think she is to accuse someone like him?

"How could you say that, how could you accuse him of such a thing?! He's been a great friend to both of us!" I shouted, approaching her aggressively. She tensed at my reaction, but didn't move an inch.

"I know, it sounds stupid, right? I spent the

longest time telling myself the same thing." A pained chuckle escaped her. I froze in my spot.

"Look, I want to believe he's innocent as well but.." She said, her voice going low.

"What proof do you have that it's him? What evidence do you have to back this accusation up, huh?" I asked, clenching my fists.

"That's the thing. Whenever I and Yibo hung out he'd disappear at the strangest times. It took a couple of times before I caught on." She explained, her voice still low.

"I started following him in secret. I caught him doing things..." She paused again. "It's better if I show you." She pulled out her phone and connected a cable to it. She turned on the large TV that sat in front of her bed. seconds later a video began playing. Yibo... it was Yibo on the screen. He stood next to my locker looking back and forth before entering the combination. The video suddenly ended as the camera was pulled around the corner.

"I had to cut it short so he wouldn't catch me." She said.

"This still doesn't prove anything." I said, still angered.

"It doesn't, but that's not the only video." She said, playing another video. It was the same thing as last time, only now it was my locker in the boy's locker room.

"That's where it starts getting a little strange." Cindy said with discomfort. "There's more" Yet another video started. It was of Yibo walking through the halls of the school to the coach's office. This time he looked suspicious, but I didn't understand the point of this one. Cindy seemed to see my confusion and explained it to me.

"Remember how the game turned out? Wasn't it odd how the other team could read everyone's moves ahead of time, almost like they had your plan sheet? Well... they did. I spoke to one of the guys from the other team and bribed him into giving me information. He told me that some kid sold the plans for a reasonable price. I guess they were testing the water during the beginning of the game to see if the plans were real." Cindy explained. I can't believe it, there's just no way it's Yibo. I couldn't have been getting fooled all of this time, could I?

"Did you notice anything out of place when you went over to his house?" She asked with her eyes narrowed.

He never let me into his house." I said slowly, suddenly realizing how suspicious it seemed

"Same here. Whenever I mentioned his house he'd get all awkward." Cindy said, playing with her finger. It was the same reaction he'd give me. My heart ached so much, what if this was all true? What would I do? What could I do?

"I'm not doubting him yet. I need more information before I can judge him." I said, still trying to convince myself that he's innocent.

"Ask him where he was during any of these times. I'm sure you'll get your answer then." She said while disconnecting her phone from the display.

"Alright... I guess I should be going." I told her, making my way out of her bedroom.

"Okay.. " She replied, turning her head towards me. As I exited her room I caught her mom scampering away from the door.

"O-oh uh... sorry to hear about your friend..." She said sadly, rubbing the back of her head. I just nodded blandly at her before heading out to my car.

My mind was in a spiral going over these

thoughts over and over again. It just can't be... There's just no way Yibo can be who Cindy says he is. Though I'd known Cindy much longer than I have Yibo so I trust her too. I guess all will be revealed tomorrow.

I spent the rest of the night burying these

thoughts, trying to enjoy myself. Let's just say that didn't work out. This news after losing such an important match was really heartbreaking.

I was hesitant to go to school the next morning since I'd be getting an answer to the question raging at the back of my head. What happens if he turns out to be guilty?

I pulled into the school's parking lot before exiting my car. I pulled out all of my essentials and headed for the door. Just as I got around the corner there stood Yibo... I was hesitant at first but I made my charge towards him.

"Hey Zhan." He greeted me brightly.

"What were you doing here on Friday after class?" I asked, my voice going deeper than intended.

"What a way to greet someone." He jabbed with sass. Normally I would've found this funny but I'm certainly not in the mood.

"Answer the question!" I raised my voice, feeling my anger clawing at the surface.

"A-alright." He stuttered, taking a step backward. It took him a moment to remember.

"I was getting some books and leftover schoolwork from my locker." He lied. My heart shattered at that very moment. It was all lies... All of the memories of our trip came rushing back to me. They all suddenly became so painful. I felt so strongly about this kid and now I find out he's been taking me for a fool, and I guess that's what I am for letting my guard down around him. All of that moment we had. How could anyone tell they were fake? Did he make all of this up just to make a fool of me? I bet that time he tripped me in the hall was intentional too. I got in a heaping amount of trouble from that. The list of consequences was huge, but I just paid them off with my parent's money since they have plenty.

I had to do my best to hold in all of my anger, otherwise, his face would be in pretty bad shape. I wouldn't want to do that because for some reason I still have feelings somewhere deep down for him. Instead of continuing the conversation I just headed into the school. He kept calling out to me but I just told him not to talk to me. It hurt me but if I stayed around him any longer I'd be in more pain.