Just like that, Yixing and I slipped into a routine. I would drive him to and from school everyday, and in exchange, he walked me to and from every class, and sat with me on every lunch break. Two weeks passed like that, and I found myself adapting to his constant presence around me, learning to take his idle jokes and teasing in stride, while he learned to keep his mouth shut when he found that I wasn't particularly in the mood.

I got used to his wide array of bright, fruity scents and his colourful attire, which made it almost impossible to be invisible in the hallways when we walked together. People would stare and gossip, and I would try my best to ignore it, even when we were called a myriad of synonyms of seizure boy and that quiet kid. Yixing on the other hand, simply didn't seem to care, or even notice.

Despite all that, I never really got to know much else about him. I didn't know if he had siblings, or parents for that matter. I didn't know what his life was like. I didn't even know what his hobbies were. Every conversation we had was shallow and surface-level at best, and almost always initiated by him.

I was okay with that.

Having Yixing around was a good distraction from my own sordid thoughts. No matter how I spun it, there was really no harm in keeping him around. We would graduate high school in a few months and probably never see each other again, anyway. For the same reason, I figured it was probably best not to get too close, no matter how curious I was about him.

Not even on this particularly gloomy day, as he quietly, stared out the car window while I drove him home.

After an eerily quiet ride, I pulled into his now familiar driveway, turning toward him. He continued to stare out the window listlessly and I couldn't help but admire the side of his face, the sharp contours of his features, and his bright, albeit somber eyes.

Catching myself, I cleared my throat. "We're here."

He snapped out of his reverie, looking around. "Right..." He went to reach for the door handle, but hesitated, retracting his hand. "Actually, do you think we could hang out some more?"

I raised a brow. "Hang out?"

"I don't feel like going home yet. Come on, there's this dope gelato place just a few blocks away."

I paused, mulling it over. I thought about going home to an awkward dinner with my parents before eventually locking myself in my room as usual. Then I thought about spending a little more time with a certain loud, annoying, somewhat flirtatious classmate who seemed to be having a particularly bad day.

Needless today, one was slightly better than the other.

"Okay. Let's do that."

He blinked at me in genuine surprise, "Wait, what? Just like that? I thought I'd still have to emotionally manipulate you to agree."

I shrugged, barely stifling a smile. "What? I like gelato."

"Wow? You actually like things apart from books? That's a first," he chuckled, and I couldn't help but notice the way his slumped shoulders lifted a little, his expression lightening up ever so slightly.

I figured I could tolerate him some more, if it meant he'd feel a little better.

_

As I swirled my tongue along the deliciously cold, sweet dessert, I couldn't help but notice Yixing's gaze burning into me. I rolled my eyes when I found him staring at me quietly, amusement and something more dancing in his gaze.

"You weren't lying," he said teasingly, taking a bite of his own cone. "Why didn't you tell me you liked ice cream so much? I'd have brought you here earlier."

I shrugged, "You never asked."

"Huh. That is true," he said thoughtfully. We finished our gelato in companionable silence, before he eventually spoke again.

"How come you never asked me?"

"About what?" I tilted my head at his suddenly serious expression.

"I don't know. About anything. About myself."

I scoffed, "Are you really that narcissistic? What makes you think I care?"

"I don't," he said softly, fidgeting with the napkin that was wrapped around this ice cream cone. "I wish you did."

The softness and the uncharacteristic melancholy in his tone made my heart sink a little, and I wasn't really sure why I felt guilty. Was that a little too mean? I mean, he could tell I was joking, right?

"But hey, a guy can dream," he said with a forced grin, "Shall we?"

He stood up and exited the small shop, and I couldn't help but stare after him for a long second, before eventually following him out.

Soon, I was behind the wheel yet again, biting my lip, fingers tapping against the leather thoughtfully. I wasn't sure why, but I felt like I didn't want our time together to end just yet.

Decisively, I pulled out of the parking lot as he continued to stare out the window. When he realised we were no longer on the familiar road to his home, he eyed me curiously.

"Uh oh. Am I being kidnapped?"

I smirked a little. "Don't worry. You're not pretty enough to be kidnapped."

Wait what? I almost sounded like him just now.

There was pause before he chortled, before outright bursting into a fit of laughter.

"What's so funny?" I asked, flustered.

"Nothing. You're just... Adorable," he said between laughs, making me flush slightly. "I mean, I'd willingly let you kidnap me any day."

Gripping the steering wheel, I came to an abrupt stop, heart thumping against my chest at the subtle implication behind his words. "Uh.. w-we're here."

I quickly got out of the car, taking a few steps forward. The sun was already setting against the horizon, the sky painted in a kaleidoscope of warm purples and oranges. Yixing stepped out of the car a few seconds later, leaning on the hood next to me, eyes wide with wonder.

"Wow," he breathed, taking in the view from the scenic overlook at the top of the hill. As the sky darkened, lights from large buildings and small houses alike began to shimmer one by one. The river that ran down the middle of the city was soon decorated with bright, colorful lights on either side, their reflection dancing in the rippling waves.

I smiled, feeling a sense of serenity from where we stood, alone and out of sight from the rest of the world.

Alone, but together.

I turned to look at him, watching the way his eyes glinted, the reflection of the view in front of him even more stunning in those brown orbs. Those that were soon fixed on me, warm, curious and inviting.

"Be honest... How many times did you take my car out here on your own, without inviting me?" He asked teasingly.

"Never," I replied immediately. "I only ever hiked up here before."

"Didn't take you for the adventurous type."

"I'm not. I kind of just stumbled upon it one day, then I kept coming back."

"Why here?"

"Because when I see this city from far enough," I exhaled slowly, "It almost reminds me of home."

"You mean Korea?"

I turned to him sharply, frowning, "How'd you know about that?"

He only smiled, "We're the only two transfer students in class. Of course I'd know."

"You're a transfer student?" I stared at him blankly.

He gripped his chest dramatically, "Ouch, you didn't even know? I even did the whole awkward self introduction on my first day, and you were sitting right there! I could barely see your face under that cap, and you were reading one of your wretched books..." He grumbled.

My frown deepened, but try as I might to remember, nothing he said rang a bell. "How do you even remember any of that?"

"I told you before. I always noticed you," he said, lightly bumping my shoulder. I found myself turning away from him, face hot. Why is my heart fluttering? Stop that!

"Eitherway, thank you," he continued, turning back to the scene in front of him. "I needed this."

I watched him thoughtfully, watched as that somber look ever so slowly crept back into his face. I realised very quickly that I didn't like that look on him, not at all. I cleared my throat.

"It's not that I don't care..." I started, and he turned to me in surprise. "I mean, I'm a person who values my privacy, so, unless you decide you want to share, I won't ask. That doesn't mean I don't want to know. It's just that I don't need to know, and I can respect your boundaries."

He blinked at me, a little taken aback by my sudden monologue. "Luhan..." He breathed, and the way he said my name made a chill go down my spine. "Sounds like you just said you care about me but in way too many words."

"That's not what I-" I looked up at the sky impatiently, huffing, "What I mean to say is... If I asked you about yourself, would you even tell me?"

It was then that I noticed the teasing look in his face, equal parts mischievous and soft, as he ever so subtly moved closer until he was just beside me. Close enough to feel his warmth and taste his scent, but not enough to touch him. I in a sharp breath.

"Why don't you try for yourself?"

"Fine," I said, eyes locked on him stubbornly. "Why are you hiding your illness from your parents?"

His gaze darkened ever so slightly at the question, but he didn't back away. "My parents have enough on their plate as it is. The last thing they need is me piling more on top of it."

"What do you mean?"

"My parents are going through a... Very, very messy divorce."

"Oh," I muttered, not expecting that. "I'm sorry."

"It's just as well. They've been fighting for years. I was always caught in the crossfire. My mom finally decided to move out a few months ago, and that's how I ended up transferred to this school. They're in a legal dispute over the house, the money, not to mention the in-laws... It's been a lot to deal with."

"Then... When did you get diagnosed?"

"Two years ago. I was out with my friends one day, managed to sneak into some college party, have some drinks... And then I ended up having a seizure right there in front of everyone. They all panicked, it was a whole thing. I managed to keep it all a secret, took the medications for a while, and it didn't happen again. Until it did, a few months later, but thankfully I was alone that time."

"But... How do you even afford the medication by yourself?"

He shrugged, "I save up some allowance here and there... Buy it when I can, which is... Not often."

"Yixing," I sighed, "You have to tell them."

"I can't," he snapped, before sighing softly and speaking in a calmer tone. "My mother already has major depressive disorder. She's going through a lot, not to mention two court hearings and daily meetings and phone calls with lawyers. If she found out I was sick too, she'd lose it. She'd blow the whole thing out of proportion and get way more worried than she has to be. It's not even like, that serious. It's just epilepsy."

"I understand where you're coming from, I really do," I said gently, "But, what if you end up having a seizure in front of her someday? How do you think she'd react then? Don't you think it'd be better if she was prepared and knew how to deal with the situation?"

His fists clenched at his side, jaw working as he pondered, and something told me it wasn't the first time he had that thought. "Well it hasn't happened yet. And if it does... I'll deal with it then. But there's no point in making her worry now."

I stared at him for a long moment, his face hard and full of resolve, and sighed. Nothing I say now will convince him.

"Fine. I can't tell you what to do. But just know I disagree."

He turned to me, quirking a small smile, "However will I live with that knowledge? Now, my turn."

I recoiled slightly. "What? I didn't agree to answer any questions."

"But it's only fair, right? Besides, there's something I've been dying to know."

"You're free to ask me, but know I don't have to answer if I don't want to," I said decisively. His smile widened, sliding even closer to me, until our arms were brushing against each other. The moonlight was now shining down on us, covering him in a faint, soft glow.

"I have a feeling you'll answer my question even if you don't speak," he said cryptically, tilting his head to the side. I noticed the way his gaze flicked down to my parted lips, but decided it was probably just my imagination.

"I don't know... What you're talking about," I said almost breathlessly, nervously my lips as his heated eyes burned into me.

"Tell me, Luhan," he murmured, voice low and alluring, "Are you perhaps... into guys?"

My mouth dried up, breath catching in my throat as I stared up at him in surprise. I managed to collect my expression in a split second, but the smirk on his lips told me he already had the answer he wanted as he leaned even closer. I could feel the warmth of his palm, his thumb ever so slightly brushing against mine, just enough to make chills go down my spine but not enough to be any more than a mere 'accident'.

"Let me change the question," he spoke up again, "Are you into me?"

I cannot believe the nerve, the sheer hubris, the bloody audacity of this guy! He is so terribly, handsomely, positively, enticingly, arrogant!

And yet, why does my heart race when he's near me?

I thought of Sehun briefly, of a similar scene, of the way I denied us both something we wanted so badly. All because I was a coward and a fool.

Not this time.

Heart thumping incessantly in my ears, I found myself leaning in before he could stop me, before I could stop me, firmly pressing my lips against his.

I don't want to regret any more.

______________________________________

Talk about zero to hundred. It really be like that sometimes.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll see you in the next one~