It was another school day Huang Zitao found himself dragging his feet to the busy school near his apartment. He didn't particularly like nor dislike school, he just felt the need to be away from it from time to time.

 

"Good morning, my friend!," a cheerful voice greeted him as he was about to enter school grounds.

"Oh, hi...Baek," Zitao greeted, waving his hand a little to his smaller friend.

"What's up with that face?," Byun Baekhyun, Zitao's friend, asked curiously as he looped his arm around the other, walking along.

"Nothing, just tired...," Zitao answered as he tried to give a smile.

 

Sensing something troubling his friend, Baekhyun couldn't help but feel pity for the other. He knew exactly what was going on with Zitao. His friend hadn't found his Mr. Right just yet. They were already nearing the last year of their highschool and most of their friends had already found their other halves, everyone except Zitao. And that made the taller feel down and depressed in other words.

 

"Come on! Don't worry! Your Knight is somewhere out there... he's just... you know... slow..., because a tortoise is carrying him and not a horse," Baekhyun chuckled, attempting to cheer up the other, but failed miserably. Zitao looked even more depressed.

 

"How about I introduce someone to you? I promise he is good," a baritone voice suddenly interrupted the two friends from behind.

 

Both Zitao and Baekhyun turned to look at a tall lanky guy with grinning white teeth and big ears waving at them excessively. Park Chanyeol, another friend in their little group of friends, joined as he automatically pulled Baekhyun to his side.

 

"Really? You would do that?," Baekhyun asked, excitement laced in his voice and offered an open arm for Chanyeol to give him a hug before he buried himself closer to the taller one.

"Of course. He is our friend, right?," Chanyeol replied then grinned before pressing a quick kiss on Baekhyun's temple.

 

Chanyeol and Baekhyun who had found they were destined for each other just last year made it public known they were very much happy with each other and never ceased to show their affection for one another. And since their friend, Zitao hadn't found anyone yet, they were ready to give a helping hand so the latter wouldn't feel lonely anymore.

 

"So, how about you come over to my house after school?," Chanyeol directed the question to Zitao who had taken it upon himself to create a little distance between him and the couple. He didn't feel quite comfortable between the two lovebirds.

"I don't know... what if he isn't the right one?," Zitao asked.

"Then just accept him as a friend. You have nothing to lose anyway... on the contrary you actually learn to have a new friend," Chanyeol replied.

"Yeah, Chanyeol is right! You have nothing to lose. Besides, he is Chanyeol's friend... so a friend of his, is a friend of mine and a friend of yours too!," Baekhyun reasoned making Zitao roll his eyes in disbelief.

 

Zitao had to give credit to his smaller friend for being so optimistic and sometimes envied the other wondering why he couldn't learn a thing or two from Baekhyun. Maybe his friends were right, maybe he should give it a try. Besides he really had nothing to lose... if things didn't work out between him and the stranger, then they could at least become friends.

 

"Alright, I'll come over after school," Zitao finally relented earning himself onlookers, because Baekhyun and Chanyeol happened to have screamed out loud out of joy.

 

 

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This was it. Zitao was standing in front of Chanyeol's house and was ready to give a firm knock on the door when it opened itself before he could even land his knuckles on it. He blinked a few times trying to recover from the sudden appearance of the person standing on the other side.

 

Tall, broad shoulders, chestnut hair, inquisitive dark eyes, thick dark eyebrows, were the words running through Zitao's mind. This was Chanyeol's house, but there was no Chanyeol standing in front of him. Who the heck was this stranger taking refuge in Chanyeol's house?

 

"Uhm... I think I got the wrong address?," Zitao managed to bring out and immediately smacked himself for making a fool out of himself.

 

Great! Now the handsome stranger was going to think that he was an idiot!

 

Zitao beat himself mentally as he tried to find some words to say to the other without looking stupid but found himself immobile to do so. His throat went dry as he felt his heart beating faster while his stomach did somersaults. He couldn't help but feel almost under that piercing gaze. He really felt as if the other could read his soul without even knowing him in the first place.

 

"I was expecting you," the taller one finally said, his voice coming out a bit hoarse and deep. Very y.

"Uhm... you must be Chanyeol's friend," Zitao finally managed to find his own voice again.

"Chanyeol had to go do something and will be back later. Why don't you come in first," 

"Thank you,"

 

Zitao couldn't help but come to a conclusion that this friend of Chanyeol must be really great friends since the latter knew his way around the house as if it was his own. He even started to wonder why Chanyeol had never mentioned that he had such a friend.

 

"I am Huang Zitao," Zitao decided to introduce himself as he followed the taller lad into Chanyeol's house.

"Yi Fan... Wu Yi Fan," the taller lad finally introduced himself as.

 

Silence.

 

Zitao scratched the back of his head wishing for something to say but couldn't find any in the end and cursed Chanyeol for choosing such an important moment to be away even if it wasn't Chanyeol's fault to begin with.

 

"You're not bad," Yi Fan suddenly commented snapping Zitao out of his own troubled thoughts. "When Chanyeol mentioned he was going to introduce me someone, I hadn't expected someone fine looking like you. On the contrary I had been against the idea, because let's be honest, everyone who gets introduced to each other are either ugly, fat, ill-mannered, outcasts or let's just say unwanted," 

 

It took a minute for Zitao to realize what the other had just said to him and he could suddenly feel anger boiling inside his stomach.

 

"You cannot judge someone without knowing the other," Zitao disapproved.

"I just did. And you should be flattered that I actually complimented you," Yi Fan answered haughtily.

 

And a vein popped out of Zitao's forehead as he clenched his right hand into a fist ready to attack the other. His first impression of the other was totally ruined. He was not going to accept this friend of Chanyeol. No way in hell was he going to accept the other as his friend or better his other half.

Before Zitao could even land his fist onto the other's cheek, Yi Fan simply side stepped making Zitao trip in the process almost falling face first on the floor. Luckily, Yi Fan was fast enough to catch the other by the waist, stopping the fall succesfully. Zitao found himself looking up into the handsome face close to his own. Yi Fan had a smirk decorating his face and he slowly leaned down to Zitao's left ear.

 

"If you are going to attack, you should be faster," Yi Fan whispered, his hot breath tickling Zitao's ear and he couldn't help but shiver involuntarily.

"Let... let... me g-,"

 

Before Zitao could finish his words, he suddenly felt something warm and soft press firmly on his lips. His eyes widened in horror. 

 

His kiss!

 

His FIRST kiss!!

 

It was stolen by this jerk named Wu Yi Fan!!

 

Zitao could almost feel his eyes water, but he had to keep himself strong. Pushing his emotions away, Zitao hardened his heart as he steadied himself before pushing the other away.

 

"What was that?," Zitao demanded.

 

A smirk.

 

"A mark that means you're mine," Yi Fan simply answered as he straightened himself.

 

"How dare you! Do you know how much that... that... that...," Zitao spluttered.

 

"Kiss?," Yi Fan offered.

 

"Yeah... that... means to me! And you just stole it from me!," Zitao almost screeched out in panic.

 

"Sorry... cannot give it back," Yi Fan simply shrugged his shoulders.

 

"Aaargghh!!!," Zitao cried out frustrated.

 

He was about to attack the other mercilessly when the door suddenly opened and Chanyeol's laughter interrupted them. 

 

"Hi, guys... I see that you guys have met each other," Chanyeol commented but suddenly noticed the tension in his living-room. "Uhm... is something wr-?,"

"Chanyeol! I am leaving!," Zitao bellowed as he pushed pass Yi Fan and then Chanyeol, storming out of the house in anger not forgetting to give the poor door a hard slam making the whole house shiver in the process.

 

"Uh... what did you do?," Chanyeol asked wide-eyed at Yi Fan.

"Claiming what is mine," Yi Fan answered.

 

Chanyeol deadpanned.

 

 

-------------

 

"No! I don't want you to introduce me to anyone. I don't want to be friends with anyone of your friends!," Zitao screamed out loud as he tried to push his way through the school's buys halls.

 

After the incident, all Zitao wanted was to forget what he had gone through and go on with his boring life with or without his other half. After he had stormed off Chanyeol's house, Zitao had cried his poor heart out in his room, wishing he could turn back time and undo everything that had happened that day.

 

"Come one, Zitao... don't be angry. I didn't think he would do that... he doesn't really know how to express himself," Chanyeol tried reasoning.

 

Zitao halted abruptly almost making Chanyeol bump into him. He turned to glare at Chanyeol .

 

"I don't care! That's not my problem. My life is ruined thanks to him!," Zitao screeched while jabbing Chanyeol on the chest with each word.

 

Chanyeol winced in pain and wished he had Baekhyun near, so the latter could save his . If anyone who could calm Zitao down, it was his shorter half who could succeed. And as if his prayer could be heard, he found Baekhyun bounding his way over to them. Thank the lord for sending Baekhyun!

 

"Baekhyun!," Chanyeol called out while waving and quickly jogged over to meet the shorter lad.

"Is everything alright?," Baekhyun asked looking concerned at his disheveled taller half.

"Tao is still mad," Chanyeol pouted.

"Let me talk to him," Baekhyun almost felt sorry for the other and quickly gave Chanyeol a comforting hug before turning to look at an angry Zitao.

 

"Nothing is going to change my mind this time Baekhyun," Zitao almost snarled while he had his arms crossed, meaning that he wasn't going to listen to anyone.

 

Baekhyun heaved a sigh. Whenever Zitao uses his full name, it meant that the other was really serious this time. He had heard from Chanyeol the cause of Zitao's anger and almost felt pity for the other. Not that he was taking any sides, he just wanted Zitao to give the new guy a chance.

 

"Look, Zitao... if you want you can demand for an apology. I will let him do it,"

"I do not want an apology. I want my first kiss back," Zitao pouted.

 

Being a softie with a tough front, Zitao was easy to relent. He couldn't stay that angry for long and Baekhyun knew that. He just knew what to say to make the other lower his defenses.

 

"I am sorry it happened like this...," Baekhyun could almost feel his heart break at Zitao's hurt look he couldn't help but offer a comforting embrace.

 

Zitao buried his face in Baekhyun's neck, hugging the other loser for more comfort. The two stayed like that for a moment before Baekhyun decided to break them apart.

 

"Don't be upset anymore, ok? Besides... Chanyeol told me he had given Yi Fan a good scolding and a beating on the head for acting like an idiot," Baekhyun said earning a nod from the other. "Let's go to class, shall we?,"

 

Both Zitao and Baekhyun made their way to class with Chanyeol quietly tagging along behind them, not daring to break the bond between his lover and Zitao.

 

Just when Zitao thought his day was going to be much more better than the previous one, he couldn't believe his eyes when their homeroom teacher announced a new transfer student and the epitome of his nightmare appeared standing there looking straight at him.

 

"Please take your seat next to Mr. Huang," the teacher said and Zitao could feel the other laugh at his misery.

 

Zitao could only groan in distaste. Why did the gods hate him so much?

 

 

---------

 

"Go away! Why are you even following me?!," Zitao screamed as he sped up to the point of half running and half walking at the same time.

 

Ever since Yi Fan joined the class, he had no intention of leaving Zitao alone. Wherever Zitao went, he went. Zitao had no slightest idea as to why the other was following him even though he had already warned and threatened the other to stay away.

 

When Zitao had had enough of the nonsense, he stopped running and turned to face the taller lad.

 

"Haven't you done enough damage? You took away my first kiss and ruined my life! I can never give my first kiss to the one I am destined to thanks to you. I cannot even turn back time to save myself from you stealing my kiss!," Zitao bellowed.

 

"Am I that bad?," Yi Fan finally asked after a five second silence.

 

"Yes!,"

 

Zitao felt his heart almost stop when he saw a flash of hurt on Yi Fan's face. Before he could even take a good look, the stoic look was put on and no traces of hurt could be seen.

 

"Then I sincerely apologize for bothering you," Yi Fan said coldly before he walked away leaving Zitao dumbfounded.

 

That was it? Zitao thought the other was going to put up another unexpected scene, but was surprised the other didn't. Even though he should be happy and relieved that Yi Fan finally got the hint, Zitao found himself on the contrary. What was wrong with him? Why did he suddenly feel empty inside?

 

Zitao remembered the first time they met, the way his heart would leap in anxiousness and his stomach would have that tingling feeling just by looking at the other. And now that the other had finally decided to leave him alone, he felt as if there was something missing in his body, Zitao didn't know what and didn't want to care. However...

 

 

The following days, Zitao found himself looking for the other, trying to catch a glimpse and what not, but failed to do so except when they were in class. Yes, Yi Fan was sitting next to him, but the latter hadn't given him a slightest of worthy glance and Zitao started to wonder if he had been too harsh on the other.

 

"What's with that face?," Baekhyun asked one day during lunch.

 

Zitao heaved a sigh.

 

"I think he is mad at me," Zitao mumbled, but Baekhyun's amazing hearing caught it anyway.

 

"You did want him to stay away," Baekhyun stated.

 

"Thanks captain obvious!," Zitao glared at the other before slumping down on the table, his food left untouched.

 

"Go apologize if you feel that bad," Chanyeol decided to join them, taking a seat next to Baekhyun with his tray of food.

 

Zitao merely groaned. He had his pride and that was keeping him from going to the other and apologize.

 

"We get mad at each other too, but we make up," Baekhyun said.

"Yeah," Chanyeol chimed in.

 

"That's not the same," Zitao groaned in frustration. They weren't helping at all. "Look, let me just have some alone time,"

"Okay," both Chanyeol and Baekhyun replied as they watched Zitao get up, leaving his food untouched and making his way out of the cafeteria.

 

 

However, before Zitao could leave the cafeteria in peace, he accidentally bumped into a bulky student, spilling all the food on the other's uniform in the process. Zitao's eyes widened in horror and quickly tried to apologize, but found himself fall on the floor when a punch was delivered on his belly.

 

"Watch where you are going, you ugly eyes!," the student barked.

 

All eyes were now turned to the scene. Zitao tried to get up, his face scrunched up in pain, but the other student wouldn't have any of it. He suddenly cried out in pain when he was kicked a few times. Gasps and inaudible murmur echoed through the cafeteria.

 

Seeing the commotion, Chanyeol and Baekhyun quickly got up from their seat to help their friend. But before they could even do anything to help Zitao, they were stopped by no one other than Wu Yi Fan.

 

Yi Fan had successfully landed a hard punch and a kick on the student's face, sending the other flying a few feet away.

 

"Don't you dare mess with him again or else you will have to face me! Now scram!," Yi Fan yelled out angrily.

 

 

Yi Fan had witnessed the whole scene from far away, his inside burning in anger when he saw how Zitao was attacked by the other student. Good that he had learned some martial arts defense to scare the other away. He quickly hurried over to Zitao and helped him up, deciding it was best to take the other to the nurse office.

 

"Why did you help me?," Zitao finally asked when the nurse announced she was going to take some bandages.

 

He looked at Yi Fan who was sitting a chair away from him, watching him intently.

 

"Unlike some people, I have a heart," Yi Fan replied quietly, deciding it was best to look away from the other. He wouldn't get any praises from the other anyway.

 

Zitao frowned at the answer. Was the other saying that he had no heart?

 

"Well... thank you... anyway...," Zitao murmured while scratching the back of his neck.

 

Yi Fan said nothing.

 

"And I am sorry... you know... the other day...," ZItao then apologized.

"What's to be sorry for? If anyone who should say that, it should be me. Maybe you aren't meant for me, seeing the way you react," Yi Fan commented half heartedly.

 

Zitao couldn't help but feel a little hurt at the mention of him not meant for the other. it shouldn't have that such an impact on him, but somehow it did. When he first met the other, Zitao had secretly felt attracted to the other. He felt something the other could give him, something he couldn't describe. But when his first kiss was taken, Zitao could only think how bad the other was and didn't even give a chance to get to know the other. He had been selfish and had only been thinking about himself. And now that the other had saved him, Zitao finally could see another side the other possessed. The other cared for him. And even though Yi Fan shouldn't have helped him, the other did in the end it touched him very much. That was when Zitao decided his heart could belong to such a person like Yi Fan. Maybe he shouldn't have judged in the first place.

 

"Let's start over again. I'll give you a chance... us a chance...," Zitao finally opted, holding his hand out ready for a shake of conciliation.

 

It took Yi Fan a full minute before he finally relented and shook the other's hand. 

 

"Your first kiss is still mine," Yi Fan commented dryly, his hand still tangled with the other.

 

And Zitao couldn't help but smile brightly at those words, his heart blooming and his love starting to stir for the other. That moment, Zitao could finally feel they were destined for each other. The boy who had stolen his first kiss was the same one who he was destined to meet, to be with...

 

"Yes... it is," Zitao whispered to himself.

 

Both Zitao and Yi Fan looked into each other's eyes, leaning closer towards each other and finally sealing their bond with their second kiss, this time a real kiss coming from both sides.

 

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