Baek and Tao's skateboarding competition with their joint birthday celebration was a success. The first place was won by a Thai local. He actually had joined several competitions abroad already, so his skills were a bit advanced compared to the boys. Kai and Taehyung both came in second. Third place went to J. He was ecstatic, because he was able to finaly hold a skateboard competition and win at the same time. We should remember that on his birthday, the kidnapping incidents happened, so in a huge way, his birthday party was ruined by that.

That evening, it was a party of all sorts. Papa had allowed us to stay on the beach for a bonfire. Even the adult guests stayed and enjoyed the fire that Kris, Chanyeol and Yoongi had lighted. Lay and Kyungsoo had prepared hotdogs and marshmallows for the bonfire. Jin had prepared barbecue.

And since the resort was officially operational, there were already guests who checked in to experience the Hai Lang 13 as early as now.

And for once, I wasn't the center of attention. The boys had found themselves girl-watching, as some guests arrived. Some of them were really young tourists and were really nice. Especially when they learned that the boys were the sons of the owner of the resort. LOL.

I was thankful for that. I was able to relax and not be bothered by annoying older brothers. There was only one person who was minding me as I went about my own business. Jungkook. He didn't follow me around that evening, well, except his eyes. They followed me around, which made me a little bit conscious. I still hadn't forgotten the almost kiss earlier that morning.

The next day, Monday, we strolled around the resort and explored the whole area. Most of the boys went to enjoy the boat ride. Chen and Tao still tried to swim to the middle of the sea, but couldn't, because Kris was with them. And papa was watching from the shore with mama. As the boys went boating, I stayed on the hammock that was set up on the beach. Papa had several hammocks set up on the beach, with tent-like canvas cloths covering it from the sun. Mama sat down on the sand, by the hammock, reading a book.

Lunch was served in the resort restaurant. Papa had sort of had the resto start out serving food that was in Fusion's menu. Xiumin and Luhan had gone to "supervise" the restaurant's kitchen before the food was served. Lay and Kyungsoo went with them.

The restaurant was located beside the main villa, and it had two storeys. The second floor had the private dining cubicles or rooms. Perfect for those who wanted to eat in peace, or for those who wanted privacy because they were with their loved ones. Outside the restaurant were dome-like fixtures that served as roof for the tables. There was a bigger dome in the middle where the bar was located. It looked like there were mini gazebos surrounding the bar.

The restaurant was noisy. Because of the Wu boys. Everyone spoke at the the table. Even Xiumin, Kyungie and Lay who were most of the time silent. Not much for the Min boys, because only Taehyung was the one contributing to the noise. Yoongi and Namjoon were behaved. Although when they were out on the beach, they were noisy, too. The Kims were half noisy, half silent. Jimin and J were the ones with loud voices at their table. And I...was...a little bit noisy too. Sehun, Chen and I played rock, paper, scissors on who'd get to eat the last slice of steak on the plate. It was really good, so we had to play to get the last piece. In the end, Sehun won. I still stole a bite or two, anyway.

We spent the afternoon making rounds of the resort. I found that some of the villas had their own mini pool and some villas were in a cluster, where there was a pool in the middle. There were also some villas that had private access to the beach and back. Mr. Soo Kui and his staff were in one of those. The boys discovered that there was a game room in the staff house. Papa had deliberately not told them, but because of Tao and Kai, they discovered it. Papa had intended the game room for the staff's leisure during break time. And as expected, the rest of the afternoon was spent inside the game room. I had to bail out, even if I wanted to join, because I would be the center of bullying again.

I hid in the room I shared with my brothers. I only went out at dinner time. I spent the rest of the afternoon chatting with my friends online. I had uploaded some pictures I took of the resort and showed it to them. To make myself feel better, I told Yue about Jimin and his muscles at the pool. In this conversation, I wasn't the one in the center of attention. Yue was the center of attention. But not for long. She took her revenge by asking me about Jungkook. I didn't tell them about the almost kiss. I was too embarrassed and too shy to admit. Maybe I'll tell them when we got back home, but not now. I wasn't ready to faint. I was alone in the room, and if I fainted, there would be no one to administer first aid.

We were back in Beijing by Tuesday afternoon. The flight was tiring, because we had to wake up really early the next morning after a long day of strolling around the resort the whole Monday. We couldn't be absent from school any longer, because exams and most of the boys' championship games were fast approaching.

Suho's birthday was also fast approaching. He was turning eighteen. That meant he would be doing most of the three oldies' tasks. He turns 18, months before Lay and he'd be the da ge soon.

My birthday was fast approaching too. I would be fourteen. Just three years more before I turn seventeen...when I would be allowed to date. No. I don't mean to think about it.

Anyway, as soon as we reached home, I went straight to my room and slept. I guess that's what the others also did, because when I woke up later in the afternoon, the house was silent. There were no usual banter and I couldn't hear anyone singing those tuneless songs.

I got up from bed and used my fingers to comb through my hair as I opened the door with my other hand. I stopped outside the door and looked to my right. The doors on this wing were all closed and silent. I walked barefoot toward the other wing to check the rooms there. There's a hall before you get to the rooms on the other wing, and it served as dance practice area. Papa had that area fixed with mirrors on one whole wall. Off the hall, there were four doors, one of which was a bathroom. There was a guest room that we also used sometimes as "overnight" room, because it had two double-deck beds and a single bed. It was a large room, intended for when we had friends over or something like that. The other two doors were the study room and media room, respectively.

I checked each of those doors and didn't find the boys. I proceeded downstairs. Suho, Kyungie, Xiumin and Lay's rooms were downstairs. I slowly made my way to check if they were in the house. Papa's office was the first door when you turn left froom under the stairway. The door was ajar and I peeked inside. I saw papa rummaging through some files on a cabinet. I knocked once on the open door. He turned around and asked me what's up.

Me: Are we the only ones in the house?

Papa: No, why?

Me: It's surprisingly quiet.

Papa: Probably sleeping. I just woke up, myself.

Me: Mama?

Papa: Out in the garden.

Me: Oh. None of the boys went out?

Papa: Not that I know of. Why?

Me: I'm just not used to this kind of silence.

Papa: Hmm... Talking about this kind of silence, I guess it's better to tell you now.

Me: Tell me what?

Papa: Sit down.

He pointed at one of the armchairs in front of his table. I sat down and fidgeted. Papa sat on his swivel chair. He looked over some of the paper files he took from the cabinet first. I waited until he addressed me again.

Papa: I'm sending you to London this coming school year.

That came as a blow. I froze on my chair, just staring at him.

Papa: For three years.

Me: I....

Papa: Yes?

Me: W-why?

Papa: Yinzi, we have talked about this before. Your behavior against my previous boss, Soo Kui.

Me: Duibuqi papa.

Papa: I have already decided on your punishment, and this will be your punishment. This is not only about your unacceptable behavior during that time. This also is because of your rash action that day Luhan was almost kidnapped which resulted in you....and others...getting hurt.

Me: I'm really sorry papa..

Papa: Your mama and I have discussed this, too. I just want you to know that I have asked Luhan to complete your application papers so he can send it to your new school befor Friday this week. You will be enrolled in Sedgehill School. It's just a few minutes away from the Beckenham house, and Luhan, Xiumin and Kris will be in charge of you the whole three years time.

Me: You mean....I can't....go home?

Papa: No. You will stay there as they will stay there.

Me: Not even Christmas....or...?

Papa: No. Not even a school holiday. It's your punishment and I hope...we...your mama and I hope that you will learn your lesson.

Me: But papa...

Papa: There are no buts, Yinzi.

Me: Papa...I'm sorry.

Papa: I've heard it before. There's nothing that it can do for you now. It's been decided. I would expect you to start packing up as soon as possible. After the last day of classes, you'll just have a few days left here and the four of you will be leaving for London.

Me: Okay.

Papa: I need to hear more than just okay.

Me: Understood, papa.

Papa: Haoba.

Me: Papa...I...

Papa: Yes?

Me: Will you visit me there?

Papa: We'll see about that. You can go.

Me: Yes, papa.

I stood up from the chair and slowly walked outside. I couldn't even plead my case. I stopped in the middle of the hall and sat on the floor. I hung my head back and stared at the ceiling.

I remained like that I don't know for how long. I just heard footsteps from behind me and Suho's face swam into view.

Suho: What are you doing there?

Me: Huh?

Suho: You'll get stiff neck, don't you know that?

Me: Oh.

I dropped my head and lay on the floor. Suho crouched down beside me and propped me back up into sitting position.

Suho: What's wrong with you? Get up from there.

Me: I'm just savoring the feel of the floor before I leave, gege.

Suho: What? What are you talking about?

Me: Papa's shipping me off to London.

Suho: Huh?

Me: You heard me right.

Suho: I heard you alright.

Me: Gege, I don't wanna go.

Suho: You know we can't do anything about it. Now, get up.

Me: No.

He kept trying to pull me up, but I fought him and kept on the floor.

"Yinzi, what are you doing there? Get up."

Papa.

I suddenly sat up and let Suho pull me up. I didn't turn my head around to acknowledge him. I just walked away. I went out of the house and stayed near the gate. I didn't actually know what I was doing, nor where I was going. Suho followed me. He ran to the gate when he saw me standing there. I guess he thought that I was going to go outside.

Suho: Where do you think you're going?

Me: Huh?

Suho: Are you going out?

Me: Nope.

Suho: Xiao Yi? Are you okay?

Me: Nope.

Suho: Oh dear...let's go back inside.

Me: Nope.

Suho: If papa sees you like this, you'll get more than just London, to be honest.

Me: I don't care.

Suho: Please, listen to me.

I had to listen to him. I didn't really like the idea of an exta punishment because papa didn't like my current behavior. I followed Suho back to the house.

Some of the boys were already awake and going down the stairs as I stepped inside the door. I smiled weakly, trying to hide my sorrow. I wanted to hide and stay in my room until the time I was to be shipped. I excused myself from them and went back upstairs to my room.

I didn't wanna talk to anyone.

Anyone.

I locked my door and went to bed.

And I fell asleep.

Again.

With tears in my eyes.

I woke up late in the evening. No one wanted to wake me up, I guess. And I thought that all of them knew why I wanted to be alone, so they didn't bother to wake me up. I crawled on the bed to reach for my phone which was on the bedside table.

There were 26 missed calls and 16 messages.

I checked the call log. Luhan called, Kris called, Xiumin called, Suho called, Lay called, Baek called, Chen... Chanyeol... Kyungsoo... Tao... Kai... Sehun called. They all called. Even mama called... Except papa.

I checked the messages. Most of the messages were from Luhan and Chanyeol. They were worried that I wasn't answering my phone. They were also worried that I wasn't opening up my door; they had been knocking outside. The last message was from Luhan. He had said that he took the liberty in unlocking my door with the master key just to check up on me. When they found I was asleep, they decided not to wake me up.

Maybe they knew already. Suho probably told them already.

My stomach grumbled. I was hungry, but I didn't wanna go downstairs. I checked the time. It was past eight in the evening. They would have had eaten dinner already. Papa wouldn't be outside his office or their room. I though I'd risk it and go down to eat.

I swung my feet off the bed and sat up. I stretched my arms upward. My heart beat fast and my stomach grumbled. I was both nervous and angry. And I was hungry. I walked to the door and started to go my way downstairs.

Three years in London. So, that brat was telling the truth. I'd see him, then. Maybe I could learn to ignore him if he starts annoying me. I could probably ask him how it was being kidnapped. That would be a good topic for me to last three years. Arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Three years is a long time. I would probably need more than just one topic to last me three years. I didn't want to be talking about a bad experience for three years. That would kinda refresh the memories and wouldn't be a good thing. And right now, I'm not making sense. I guess this news has gotten into me unexpectedly. Well, this was sort of expected. Not that I was expecting to be shipped off to another country, but I was expecting to lose all my senses in case such things happened.

Three years in London. It meant I won't be able to attend school events like before. I won't get to see Suho, Lay, Baek, Chen, Chanyeol, Kyungsoo and Tao gege graduate. Kai and Sehun ge would be seniors when I get back. I don't like it already. It's a big deal for me to be able to attend my brothers' graduation. I won't be able to attend their eighteenth birthday...if they would decide to celebrate it. How about Christmas and New Year? And all the holidays that we're supposed to celebrate together? How about mama? She's also graduating from medical school soon. Papa...well...I will miss him, too. I think the only consolation I will have in London is being with three of my brothers. Luhan, Kris and Xiumin oppa would be there with me all the while.

I wouldn't be able to see my friends. I only had a few close friends and I won't be able to see them for three years. Talking to them on the phone or online would be different. It was still best when I see them face to face and we could talk like that. I'd miss Yue's introvertness. Just like me, she wasn't really an outgoing person. We liked small crowds. It was Ling Yan and Shanna who were the outgoing ones. I'd miss Ling Yan and her constant teasing disposition. She was the loudest of us four. Shanna was in between silent and loud, by the way. I'd miss her sudden mood swings. I guess that's where we were alike. Constant mood swings. Ughhh.. I'd miss them.

Jungkook. Three years without seeing him. How would that feel like? It was getting more awkward these past few days, and it's going to be more awkward if I don't see him for a long time. When I return after three years, he'd also be a senior, just like Kai and Sehun. How would it feel like after three years? Will he still even remember me? Will we even be friends after that? And... How do I tell him I would be away for three years?

AIGOO!

I had sat down at the dining table. I didn't even realize I was already sitting down until I found myself face to face with Kai, sitting opposite me.

He was seriously staring at me. I stared back at him. He snickered a bit.

Kai: You look so serious. You hungry?

Me: Huh...uhm..

Kai: Yep. You are hungry. What would you like to eat? There's still some-

Me: You're going to cook for me?

Kai: Nope. I was going to say that there's still food left for you in the fridge. I can just go and heat it up for you.

Me: I was seriously thinking you'd cook.

Kai: Who? Me? Cook?

Me: Yes. You spent a week at grandpa Wu's...

Kai: FYI, I didn't cook there. I only ate.

Me: Pffffttt...

He stood up from his chair and went to open the fridge to get the food. He spoke as he went about heating up the food.

Kai: I was watching you for about ten minutes already. You looked so serious.

Me: Oh. I was just thinking.

Kai: About London?

Me: Mwoya?

Kai: We all know about it already. Lu ge told us after dinner.

Me: *nods*

Kai: Ahh.. I didn't actually expect papa to do something like this. I would understand if it's one of us boys, but you? Nahh.. I was surprised.

Me: Mianhae, oppa.

Kai: What are you apologizing for?

Me: I have disappointed you all.

Kai: Shenme? Who said that you have disappointed us?

Me: Papa said that I caused a lot of trouble these past few months.

Kai: We always cause trouble. Everyday.

Me: But-

Kai: Hey, none of that. If only we could do something about your punishment.

Me: It's okay, I think I deserve it.

Kai: Here, eat. Don't think too much about it, if it only makes you sad.

He had pushed the bowl of food towards me. He went to get a pitcher of juice from the fridge and a glass. He placed it beside the bowl. Then he handed me chopsticks and grinned.

Me: Ne, I will eat.

Kai: I came down here to eat, too, actually. Hahah.

Me: Dinner wasn't enough?

Kai: Nope.

Me: Zhende ma?

Kai: The atmosphere wasn't really hmm...

Footsteps were heard walking towards the dining area. Sehun's head poked from the hall and smiled. He was already in his sleep clothes and had earphones on. He fished out his iPod from his pocket and adjusted something on it. He went to sit beside me and watched me eat.

Me: What?

Sehun: Hmmm?

Me: Why are you down here?

Sehun: I'm hungry.

Me: You too?

Sehun: Why?

Me: Kai oppa said he was also hungry.

Sehun: Zhende?

Kai: Yeah. I'm heating up some of the food earlier.

Sehun: You heating up good for at least two people?

Kai: I think so. But I had wanted to eat a lot, so...

Sehun got up and went to rummage in the fridge. He took out three eggs and took a frying pan So, he was going to fry eggs, huh?

Tao: Sehun-ah, how many are you frying?

Sehun: Shenme?

Tao: I'm hungry.

Tao had appeared as well. His hair was tousled, as if he had been tossing and turning in bed because he couldn't sleep. He went to check the cupboards and took out a loaf of bread. He then went to get a spoon and opened the fridge.

Tao: Where's the strawberry jam?

Kai: Ask him. *points at Sehun*

Sehun: I placed it in the freezer. Hehehe.

Tao: Why put it there? Tsk...Sha gua..

Sehun: It tastes better if it's frozen.

Me: But then there will be icicles on it when you eat.

Sehun: Tastes like ice cream.

Me: Let me try.

Tao had taken out the strawberry jam from the freezer and placed it on the table. He opened the loaf of bread and took out two slices. Kai helped himself as well, after getting a spoon. Sehun was frying four eggs now. He giggled when he couldn't turn the stove on for a second. He realized that he was turning the wrong knob.

Kai: Don't burn the house, Sehun-ah.

Sehun: Ahh, duibuqi.

Tao: Is there still butter cream?

Me: I don't know.

Kai: Don't ask me.

Sehun: Me either.

Tao: Aish, fine.

Sehun finished frying the eggs successfully. He placed the plate of eggs on the table and got a fork, before he sat down.

Me: Hungry family.

Tao: I didn't really have any appetite earlier. You were not present at dinner, but Lu ge told us what happened after.

Me: Was papa-?

Tao: Papa wasn't present. Lu ge told us when papa already went to his office. Mama turned in early as well.

Me: Duibuqi.

Tao: Haaahh. For what? If only I could, I'd turn back time for you, mei baobei.

Me: I deserve it, though.

Sehun: It's just too much, actually. Papa is just too much sometimes.

Me: Shhhh. Don't let him catch you talking like that.

Sehun: He's probably asleep, anyway.

Kai: Jinjja?

Tao: There's still light in his office.

"What light? The hall is pitch black already. If I hadn't brought my phone down with me, I'd probably trip on the way here."

We all turned our heads toward the voice that came from the doorway. It was Kyungie. He pocketed his phone as he approached the table. He sat down on papa's chair. He folded his hands on the table, looked at each of us and nodded.

He was immitating papa.

Kai: Ahh, cut it out.

Kyungie: Hahah. I was just making the mood lighter. I got up to pee and saw Tao walking towards here. I didn't get to come right away because I waited until papa went to bed. I didn't have to wait long, though. I figured Tao was hungry,so he came down. Then I heard your voices. I'm sort of hungry too, actually.

Sehun: Good. Can you make something for us?

Kyungie: Something easy to make?

Sehun: Nehhh...

Kyungie: Arrasseo.

He got up and went to work his magic in the kitchen. He finished with a homemade pizza. Well, he made use of the loaf bread slices and placed hotdogs, pepperoni and cheese. The sweet-blend ketchup tasted well with the mix. The boys and I raised our thumbs for the genius that was Kyungie.

I would miss this kind of thing when I finally leave for London. For three years, I won't be able to see them. I knew I kind of deserved the punishment I got, though. I shouldn't have behaved the way I did with Mr. Soo Kui, no matter how angry I was with him that time. Most importantly, I should have heeded Taeyong when he told me to go back. I wouldn't have caused him to be kidnapped and Jungkook to get hurt. I caused a lot of trouble because of my actions. I deserved to be punished.

At least I wasn't going to military school.

I smiled at the moment. I'll just have to accept my fate one step at a time. Three years, long as it may be, I had to face it. I will return with a lesson or two learned, so I guess it wasn't as bad as it seemed.

Until I think of Jungkook. How should I tell him?

Beep! Beep!

Tao's phone.

"Ohh...Taehyung sent me sms...hahahaha! He just saw the exorcism video. He said it's gonna be the main topic at school tomorrow."

Good luck with that. I could just sense that Suho would be the next Luhan of the family.

Annyeong! It's been a few days since I last updated. Mianhae. I'm actually still busy. I possibly won't be able to update the next chapter soon, because I'm going on a trip for two days. xD Anyway, I think it's just going to be two or three more chapters until the end.

BTW, I'm writing the sequel which will focus on Xiao Yi and Jungkook, but I'm still thinking of a title. Hope you have a nice day! Fighting! → ♥♥♥  吳愛你們！我愛你們！