He tried not losing his patience as he waited for the door belonging to the dark grey mansion, to open after knocking it twice. The busting music and sounds of people from inside seemed like the reason to why he was still waiting outside. He didn't want to be rude or anything, but he didn't feel like meeting the "Birthday Boy" instead he felt like punching him in the face.

 

Henry remained calm as the entrance door was opened and he was greeted by a tall, older man who wore a black and white suit. He was surprised that the man had inspected him from head to toe as if he was some commoner approaching the king's palace or something.

 

The man cleared his throat and took the mini tablet in his hand and didn't steal a glance at Henry. "Name, please?"

 

Henry blinked when he heard the man's voice. He hadn't realized the man was actually talking to him. He wrinkled his nose and mumbled softly. "Henry Lau."

 

"What? You're mumbling." The man said as he took no notice of Henry.

 

Henry felt his face heat up from embarrassment. He looked at the man apologetically even though the latter wasn't paying attention to him at all. "U-uh...Sorry about that, it's Henry Lau." This time he spoke louder.

 

The man tapped on the tablet and moved away and told Henry to go in. Once Henry walked in he was amazed by the enormous size of the mansion. Apparently this new friend of his that his parents found as a blessing, owned many homes in all sorts of places. He could imagine how rich this new friend of his must be.

 

He tightened his grip on the white envelope that held the birthday card and something he had chosen. He had taken the pretty mechanic's advice and bought a birthday card. He ended up with extra money and ended up putting fifteen dollars in the card with a picture of the Banpo Bridge. He hoped his new "friend" would be able to see the beauty of the colorful water.

 

The man ended up leading him towards another room and he was surprised by it all. It was an enormous room with a large staircase that brought someone to the second floor. There was also a humongous swimming pool in the center of the room. There were many people are in the pool with or without beach balls.

 

"You may place your gift upstairs." The man in the suit and tablet said as he stole a small glance at the envelope and looked away. He gestured towards the stairs. "There's a table full of gifts, you can't miss it."

 

The man had left in a hurry when the sound of a bell rang. Henry gulped hard and made his way upstairs as he tried avoiding everyone's eyes. He was in relief when he noticed there were only a little bit of people who actually took notice of him actually being there. 

 

Like the man had said, there was a large table full of gifts. He realized majority of them were wrapped shapes or birthday bags. He couldn't spot one gift that was just an envelope. Fear and panic welled up inside of him as he thought of the possibility of him standing out because his gift was worth less than all of these gifts. 

 

He suddenly felt trapped.

 

He didn't know why he was even there. All his parents had said was that he might as well start hanging with the "right" people even though he hung around no one. But even if had a signup sheet for friends, no one would come to him. For some odd reason he hadn't found friends at all. His parents had said he couldn't have his siblings as friends anymore. 

 

They told him nothing of the young man's party he was at. It was probably on purpose. He didn't know why they had told him nothing of his new friend. He wanted to leave, but he knew he had to be brave. He had to be able to do this all on his own.

 

 

"You can do all sorts of things, you know?" His older brother, Clinton, continued telling him.

 

Being the youngest child and son at the time, he felt overshadowed by his brother's own magnificence and achievements. He had always wished he could be exactly like his brother.

 

"What can I do? Can I...Can I really achieve something great like you?" He asked his older brother with hopeful eyes. Being only eight he had to look up at his brother in respect. His brother was the role model and he was the second son. 

 

His older brother smiled and ruffled his hair before replying. "You can do anything you put your mind to, Henry. Don't be afraid to cry, but don't be ashamed to show your true colors. There is always room for confidence." 

 

 

He wished he could be like his older brother. 

 

Now that his older brother was somewhere out there in the world, all he could do was try to recall all of Clinton's words. He hoped that maybe one day he could see his older brother again. He hated the idea that he possibly had lost him for good. 

 

He didn't know why his brother had suddenly disappeared. All he could remember is that one day he was with his brother and the next morning he wasn't there. His parents had sat down at the dining table with tears in their eyes while his one and only sister was still far too young to understand. 

 

Henry had only been thirteen when Clinton had disappeared. Even though two years had passed by, he could still easily remember everything as if it was a movie constantly replaying in his head. He wished he wasn't always haunted by those memories. 

 

He loved his brother dearly, but even at those moments when his brother achieved anything, he saw them. He saw how his parents looked at with stares that were meant to warn him. He knew what they were trying to say. Their stares were quite clear enough. They looked at him hopelessly now instead of warning him. 

 

Henry knew how badly they wanted him to be like Clinton. 

They wanted a strong and muscular son.

They wanted an obedient and cautious son.

They wanted a son who could...reproduce.

 

Henry didn't know how he ever found the confidence to tell his parents he was gay. He remembered there being a moment, but he couldn't recall everything he felt at that very moment. He could've sworn Clinton knew and he wanted to believe Clinton's bravery somehow got to him. But even when he confessed his uality, he remembered exactly what happened afterwards. 

 

His father and mother just looked at each other in astonishment. It was only seconds later when he watched his father storm out of the house and listened as his mother called out to him. Henry ran upstairs and cried himself to sleep. When he had woken up his parents told him that, "Whatever must be done...so be it."

 

He had no clue what they meant by any of it. 

 

He wanted to believe they had accepted him. He wished he could've felt his parents embrace him and him that no matter what they would love him either way. He had wanted things to go that way. He had hoped for it at all. But after researching people who had came out to family and friends, he felt his own life escape his grasp.

 

He was terrified by the fact that people had bullied gay kids. He was horrified by the fact that some gay kids sought revenge with violence. While the others took their own lives. He hated the fact that no matter what someone would always get hurt. 

 

He shook his head and escaped his thoughts at once. He placed the envelope right next to some birthday bags with colorful tissue paper. After placing his gift down, he made his way downstairs and fell backwards after he bumped into someone. He felt fear rise immediately when he looked up to see a pretty girl wearing an orange-red shirt with long sleeves and navy blue jeans along with red high-heeled shoes. 

 

"I-I'm so sorry, really I—" Henry tried apologizing, hoping the girl was okay. He looked up with hopeful eyes and a smile. He was happy she hadn't fallen. She would've gotten hurt.

 

The girl scoffed and showed her disgust as she stared at him. Henry was confused. She spoke, "Watch where you're going, freak!" She walked pass him as he remained on the stairs.

 

Henry sighed deeply and brushed off his trousers. When he was about to stand, a hand was extended in front of him and he looked up. He found himself looking at the handsome and attractive tall redhead standing in front of him with his hand out for Henry to take in his own. With blushed cheeks, Henry slowly took the latter's hand and picked himself up carefully so he wouldn't slip and make a fool of himself.

 

Henry gulped when the redhead took their entwined hands and shook them. Henry realized the latter was being friendly when he remembered he was at a party full of people who he didn't know. He didn't know if they were as kind as the mechanic or as rude as the girl he had accidentally bumped into. He wanted to hope they were all like the mechanic. 

 

"Hello, Henry...Lau?" The redhead said softly with a small smile as he looked at the shorter male. 

 

Henry felt his heartbeat run a marathon when he heard the young man's words. He had never heard anyone from school remembering his name and now this stranger had just given him his first and last name. He didn't know if he was impressed or a bit freaked out.

 

"Um...Yeah, h-how do know my name?" Henry asked curiously as he stared at the redhead.

 

The other male chuckled lightly before replying. "I was looking at the guest list and asked who everyone was. I saw your name and Fuhua told me who you were and I found you on the floor."

 

Henry raised an eyebrow. "Fuhua?"

 

"The man with the tablet at the door, that's him." The young man said and cleared his throat before looking back at Henry with a small smile and replied softly. "I'm Zhou Mi."

 

Henry smiled at the name. 

It suited the handsome stranger.

 

"I'm Henry, but...You already know that, sorry." Henry said awkwardly as stared at Zhou Mi.

 

He somehow felt so different. 

He had just made a friend.

 

Henry hadn't expected this to all go the way it did. He couldn't help but feel warm inside since he made a friend at the most unexpected moment at the most unexpected time and place. He had no confidence before entering the large mansion. He had thought he would be heading to a stranger's home and that the stranger would hate him as much as a tyrant despised his servants and maids. 

 

He had realized he had been completely wrong.

 

"So, where are you from?" Zhou Mi asked curiously as he stared at Henry with a sweet and warm smile.

 

Henry couldn't help but try to relax while being watched by a handsome stranger who was as sweet as sugar. He cleared his throat before replying.

 

"I'm both Chinese and Taiwanese decent, even though I spent the rest of my life in Canada." Henry replied as he recalled the many memories of Canada. It was only two years ago when his parents thought of moving.

 

Zhou Mi tilted his head and raised his eyebrows and he was in astonishment of Henry's reply. "You've lived in America? Wow, I've only visited some parts and only for a small amount of time."

 

"Really? What did you think about it? Where did you visit? If it's not rude to ask, of course." Henry said as polite as he could without trying to make it seem as if he was prying.

 

"I've seen the nightlife of New York City and the vast Gulf of Alaska where two different colors of blue meet. It's all a wonderful sight, I do wish I could make a longer trip to see other places too." Zhou Mi explained as his eyes sparkled from the interest of America he talked about.

 

Henry giggled. "I hope you're able to in the future."

 

Zhou Mi looked directly into Henry's eyes and so did the shorter male. The two had just stared at each in interest with smiles and complete silence. Zhou Mi opened his mouth until the sound of heel footsteps were heard and the two had been taken out of their trance.

 

The two turned to look behind Zhou Mi to see a pretty woman with long brown hair wearing a grey and white dress with a long black coat along with black heels. She wore a serious look and glared at everyone who were whispering about her, and there were a few. 

 

She looked at Zhou Mi and held out a white large envelope with her right hand as she held onto her black umbrella with her left hand. "Happy birthday, Han Zhou Mi. Your father and brother wanted to make sure you were aware that they are thinking of you on this day."

 

Zhou Mi gulped and replied to the woman with widened eyes. "Thank you, Bianca." He took the envelope and held it tight.

 

Henry felt his skin heat as he noticed everyone's eyes were on the three of them. He widened his eyes when he saw the girl he had bumped into point at them with a disgusted face.

 

"What are you doing with that piece of nothing, Zhou Mi!?" The girl shouted out in curiosity as some people around her wondered what was going on. 

 

Henry felt even more embarrassed when everyone was looking and talking about him. He noticed the woman known as "Bianca" was eyeing him to before she looked at Zhou Mi.

 

Bianca looked at Zhou Mi with a tilted head. "Is this the Lau boy? Did you take on that woman's offer and told her you would help her son?" She spoke with no quietness. It was loud enough for Henry to hear and catch.

 

Zhou Mi was aware of that, which is why he turned back to the shorter male with an apologetic expression.

 

Henry looked up the redhead in confusion to what Bianca was saying. He didn't know what "help" possibly meant. He didn't even know who the 'crazy woman' was. 

 

"W-what is she talking about...Zhou Mi?" Henry asked, trying to think that it was his business. They were talking about him. He needed help apparently and he really wanted to know what was going on. 

 

Zhou Mi stared at him with saddened eyes and exhaled deeply before responding to Henry. "Mrs. Lau, your mother...She found out that I would be here." 

 

Henry was confused for a second to what Zhou Mi meant. It didn't take long when he reminded himself he was in a mansion that had a pool inside. He was in a mansion where there was a butler. He was in the mansion where the birthday for Han Zhou Mi. The only filthy rich family labelled "Han" was the prime minister of China who had two sons: Han Geng and Zhou Mi. The prime minister's youngest son was in Seoul that had talked to people who had a lower status than him.

 

He wondered how his dear mother had got involved though. He didn't know what she did or said to be able to be in the presence of the prime minister's son. He didn't doubt she did something illegal. People like Zhou Mi weren't very approachable since they were beyond a regular rich person's class.

 

"W-w-what do y-you mean, Zhou Mi? M-my mom...You know my mom?" Henry asked, his voice trembling and his eyes becoming watery. 

 

Knowing his parents and how much they wished he was like Clinton, only made him think of what bad things they did to speak to Zhou Mi. Remembering their reaction to him coming out to them, he could only think about what they said to Zhou Mi.

 

Zhou Mi answered right away, not avoiding Henry's eye contact. "S-she knew there would be many people of your age from many schools that would come to my party...She asked for you to come."

 

Henry listened to Zhou Mi and watched him closely as he explained everything. But there was something wrong. The problem wasn't his mother asking for an invitation. She had asked for something else and that's what would hurt the most.

 

Zhou Mi still had more to say.

There was something missing.

There was a reason to why his mother went through all of this.

 

"I-is that all?" Henry asked, not caring if he sounded bitter although it made him sad. He didn't like being mean or bitter even though many people were like that towards him.

 

Zhou Mi frowned before responding once again. "She a-asked something of me. It wasn't the invitation though, it was beyond that..." He now looked away from Henry's watery eyes.

 

Henry gulped and sniffled. "What d-did she ask of you?"

 

"She asked me...To befriend you." Zhou Mi replied, now looking back directly at Henry who was shocked. He continued on, "She begged and told me it would help you...She said that I wasn't a good person if I didn't."

 

Henry couldn't believe it.

His parents must've really been disappointed in him.

 

He couldn't be his brother and he couldn't do things by himself. He wasn't strong enough like Clinton to deal with anything. His mother had begged someone to be his friend.

 

He couldn't even make a true friend. 

 

"So...You've been waiting for me to show up just to what? To be nice and friendly? You're only doing this because y-you want to be a good person?" Henry asked in disbelief. He didn't have to ask because the answer was in Zhou Mi's eyes. 

 

Zhou Mi opened his mouth to speak, but Henry prevented him from doing so. 

 

Henry cried, allowing the tears to cascade from his eyes to his cheeks and then to the ground or his clothes. He had believed that there would've been nothing here and then something showed him a different possibility. Zhou Mi's kindness had made him think otherwise. He hadn't felt as negative as he had when he had arrived at the party.

 

Now, it was worst than negativity.

It was bitterness and anger.

 

He had really tried and was hoping to succeed, but even then he had doubts. He had doubts about the gift, his parents, the party, the people at the party, and even himself. He believed his gift was worthless. He believed his parents were crazy. He believed the party would be bad. He thought the people at the party wouldn't like him. And lastly, he believed he was a mistake for being there. 

 

It now seemed like he had been right from the beginning.

 

Henry stared at Zhou Mi with an angered facial expression as he spoke. "I would rather be alone in this world with no friends...Than to have friends just so they could benefit themselves!" 

 

He immediately ran pass Zhou Mi, Bianca, and Fuhua and stormed out of the mansion. He didn't even try to cover his head as the rain from the dark sky poured like the tears from his eyes. He heard his name being called out, but even then he didn't respond or care to stop and go back. 

 

He hugged himself tightly as he continued walking in the rain without shielding his head. He didn't know where he was going or even if he was going to stop to dry off. His intentions weren't to stop since he kept walking and walking until he found himself near a forest like area.

 

Henry sat on the curb and watched the ground as it got watered and puddles were formed. His phone was probably jam-packed with messages and calls from his parents and Whitney, but he didn't fish out his phone to reply to any of them. There was too much pain in this small situation that he nearly felt numb from it all. He ended up looking at his reflection from a puddle nearby with a saddened expression. 

 

He couldn't do anything.

Strength wasn't born in him.

Kindness and interest wasn't what he got from people.

 

He felt like he was born to be a disappointment for everyone, especially Clinton who wasn't even there to tell him.

 

"Yeah...Reflections only reveal the ugly truth, not even the beautiful lie. I can't be changed no matter how many lies I veil myself with." Henry told himself as a few more tears fell from his eyes and right onto the ground.

 

 

~~~

 

 

When the rain had stopped, even if it really meant for a few seconds or minutes, he somehow found the strength and energy to pull himself up from the curve and walk away from the depressing reflection of himself the puddles were giving him. 

 

He got curious of what was beyond the forest like area that was just behind him. Knowing and believing there was nothing, he simply went through in curiosity. It took him a while and it felt nearly as if he was walking in a forest for an hour. He was surprised that when he was finally finished going through every tree, bush, and piles of leaves and plants, that he found himself looking at a mansion. 

 

Henry had the instinct to run since for a second he believed the mansion was Zhou Mi's. Then he remembered he had ran far away from that mansion and this mansion was white unlike Zhou Mi's. He really believed it was a different mansion when he saw a black car park in the driveway and a man from the passenger seat exited to open the right back door to allow a pretty woman in business attire exit the car and make her way towards the door. 

 

For a second, the woman had looked at his direction. Henry tilted his head and narrow his eyes as he felt some familiarity in the woman, but he didn't know where. As if nothing was wrong, the woman made her way to the door to open it and enter the mansion. 

 

He found himself wondering who the woman was.

And where he knew her from.