thirteen

"Since then, I just… didn't really care. I mean, I never hit on anyone at school, too risky. But people I know of a guy who got me a fake I. D, and I hit the clubs." He gave me a wink, grinning.

"How come you never told me?"

"Guess I thought you'd freak out or something. Until I started noticing the way your stare lingered on my lips and... other areas." He turned his gaze back to the ceiling, that grin still fixed in place, looking more smug now than anything. I rolled my eyes but couldn't keep the faint blush away. "Plus, the fact that you liked to mess around with me showed you weren't straight."

Dude, I'm still straight. I'm like those rulers, you know, the flexible ones,

"Oh, I know you're flexible," he said in a provocative tone, slipping me a quick wink before turning his head back. I fought the urge to elbow him, or jump on top of him - the latter sounded more fun.

"Shut up, Zhan," I rolled my eyes, my cheeks growing hotter. But he just laughed in return. I sighed in contentment, letting the conversation fall into a comfortable silence. But it didn't stay comfortable for long because I, being an idiot, completely forgot that my parents were even still on earth. And so when I heard them slam the front door shut and shout out my name from the bottom of the stairs, my heart jumped up my throat and I fell off the edge of my bed with a heavy thud and a loud. "Fuck!"

I scrambled around for my clothes, tossing Zhan his whilst I was at it. "Hurry, get your clothes on. Quick!" I could hear my mother's voice calling out my name, accompanied by the sound of footsteps climbing the stairs. "Shit, shit, shit," I muttered as I threw on my shirt and pulled on my jeans. I glimpsed Zhan shuffling towards the bathroom as he struggled with his joggers, trying to pull them up and run at the same time.

After watching Zhan stumble through the en-suite door, I swung the bedroom door open just as my mother was about to knock. She stared at me with wide, surprised eyes.

"Yes?" I breathed, feeling a very unusual, slightly too-happy, smile entertaining my lips. She stayed silent for a moment longer, taking in my dishevelled look before pulling her hand back and fixing a suspicious stare on me.

"What were you doing? Do you have a girl in there?" She questioned, trying to peek over the top of my head with a disapproving curl to her lips. I swallowed, fighting back the attack of panic.

"No!" I blurted out too fast in answer. I cleared my throat and started again. "No, I don't. Sorry, I was just… doing some exercises with Zhan. Oh, Zhan's here, by the way." I realized I was speaking too fast, trying to breathe and calm myself down.

"What is he doing here late at night? Yibo, what've I told you about having friends over on weeknights?" Her eyebrows curved down, and she placed an irritated hand on her hip. I desperately fought not to roll my eyes. Thankfully, coming out victorious.

"Problems at home and stuff. He's staying here for a couple of days until things settle down, if that's okay?" I placed my best pleading and sympathetic expression on my features. In return, she sent me a gentle smile.

"Alright then, as long as you behave together, then that's fine." She turned to leave, and I was about to shut the door again before she swiftly turned back and said. Don't leave the door unlocked and the alarms off again, Yibo. Especially when you're upstairs. Your fathers is not very pleased about that, so stay away from him tonight unless you want a lecture. With that, she sauntered off, and I finally closed my door and collapsed on my bed with a huff of relief.

"Is it safe to come out yet?" I heard Zhan whisper, looking towards him to find him peeking around the bathroom door. I nodded, and he stepped out, his joggers securely fixed on his legs, but apparently he cared little for his shirt, as that was nowhere in sight.

"Bloody hell, bit uptight tonight, isn't she?" He acknowledged, collapsing beside me. I said nothing in return, paranoid that she was listening somewhere.

Instead, I replied with, "That was close," in a small voice that sounded more as a realisation. "I don't know what they'd do if they found out, Zhan. Probably kick me out onto the street and cut me off from my allowance."

"I don't think they'd do that," he attempted to reassure me, but his voice didn't sound very convincing. "At least your parents are still together." He added as an afterthought. 'Least your dad isn't cheating on her with some whore from the office. Or maybe he is. Guess you'll never know. I turned to look at him with apparent shock.

"Thank you, Zhan. That's a comforting thought." He turned his head and gave me a sad smile, mouthing the words I'm sorry before sliding his fingers into my hair and leaning forward, just far enough to press his lips against mine in a gentle kiss.