1.1

He had done it. He did his very best to stay focus and give them the answer that they need. He did his best to hide it, but they pry his shell open and caught him off guard. And he is here now, lying on the cold rough ground, seeking shelter from the storm that would come to their place.

It was supposed to be a "happy" New Year. He was supposed to be happy that he would be studying at the university that he had dreamed of.

He was supposed to be praised for passing the entrance exam. He was supposed to be there with his family, enjoying dinner and having a good night.

He was supposed to be there playing the piano and singing his favorite songs while his parents give him all the love that he needs.

He was supposed to be there celebrating a brand new year with his family who had supported him all through his life.

He was supposed to be...

He grabs the only thing that would cover his body from the cold of the night.

It was cold, and the place is filled with icy cold white snow.

The lights flicker from above and the laughter can be heard from the outside while he is here, crying his heart out.

He is lonely.

He releases a trembling sigh as he wraps around the jacket that he is wearing before he decided to walks across the streets and straight to his friend's house.

His friend's name is Xian Lu. He is the only friend who would protect him from the bullies and from the people who are trying to hurt him.

Xian Lu is tall, has black hair, and his eyes were light brown. They shine when the sun hits his eyes and sparkles when he smiles.

He smiles at the thought of seeing his best friend for the New Year. He walks the cold street barefoot as he hums his favorite song.

This song reminds him of a poor boy that came out to his parents for being gay and they supported him.

He always dreamt of something like that but that didn't happen in his life.

He came out. But his parents' didn't support him and throw him on the streets, abandoning him like a lost puppy.

He sighs again as his tears form in his eyes and drops to the cold ground.

He looks at the street in front of him and his best friend is there with a woman that he had been crushing on.

He stops in his tracks as he watches them smile and laugh and even kiss each other on the cheeks.

He stands there for a solid minute before turning away from them. He was about to walk or run away from the place when his best friend called him over.

He didn't know Xian Lu saw him.

"Yangxin!"

He stops in his tracks and tremblingly stares at Xian Lu who is coming over to him. Xian Lu sees his best friend for the New year and was about to greet him when he sees his best friend's condition.

Yangxin is cold and trembling, he has a large bruised on his face indicating someone had punched him, and a slap mark on the side of his cheek.

"What happened to you?"

Yangxin just drops his head and gives him no answer. Xian Lu stares at him as he comforts him with his smile.

"Should I take you home?"

As soon as Yangxin heard the word "home", he pushed his best friend away and stumbles to the ground.

With his trembling and groggy voice, he said, "No, please. I beg you. Don't take me back there."

Xian Lu is shocked to hear him say something like that. He doesn't know what had happened but seeing his friend talks as if his parents kicked him out is heart-wrenching for him. He nods at his friend and offered him to go to his house instead.

He is living alone, so it is fine. No one would care if he brought home his friend or his girlfriend. Today is New Year, anyway, this will be the first time he would celebrate it with his best friend. Might as well prepare something for them to eat.

Yangxin showed him his beautiful smile and it made Xian Lu's heart skipped a beat. He sighs slowly and held his friend's hand as they walk the quiet street on the town market.

But before they even reach Xian Lu's place, Yangxin screams in pain and flops to the ground. Xian Lu looks at him worriedly and noticed that his feet were bleeding.

He didn't notice this before and now he regrets not knowing about them.

The ice was sharp on his feet and the coldness hurts them more. Xian Lu decided to carry his best friend all the way to his house so his feet won't get hurt anymore.

Yangxin was shocked about the offer but accepted it anyway. That way, he would have the perfect moment to hug his friend.

Yangxin has been in love with his best friend since middle school. But he can't bring himself up of confessing because he doesn't wanna ruin any friendship that they have.

Nonetheless, he is more than happy that his friend still cares about him. And he knows that his friend won't throw him away just like what his family did.

They entered Xian Lu's house and his best friend nearly throws him to the couch before running towards the cupboard to get the medicine kit to heal Yangxin's wounds.

"Here, let me help you."

Xian Lu carefully held his leg and prepares all the things that he needs to fix Yangxin's feet and after that, he decided to cook dinner for the two of them.

They ate happily and watch the New Year countdown on the television while they toast for a brand new year and Yangxin hopes that his best friend will accept him the way he is.

He is tempted to confess now and he can no longer wait. He looks over to his friend and taps his shoulder.

While the man on the television starts the countdown from ten to one, Xian Lu looks at his friend with curiosity.

"Xian Lu?"

...10...

"Yeah? Are you okay, Yangxin?"

...9...

Yangxin gulps visibly and exhales loudly as he tries to calm his nerves down before he could explode out of embarrassment.

...8...

Xian Lu looks at his best friend in worry. He still doesn't know what had happened between Yangxin and his family but he knows that it is bad, according to his bruises.

...7...

Yangxin just stares at his best friend. His words got caught in his throat and he doesn't know if he could even do it anymore.

...6...

Xian Lu stares at his best friend back and could see that he is nervous about something. He is hoping that it is something that would not ruin their friendship because he loves being around Yangxin.

It is also the reason why he befriends him. Yangxin is smart and good-looking. Everyone in their class likes him and wants to be his friend. Xian Lu is thankful enough to be his friend and he won't waste that opportunity.

...5...

"Xian Lu, you have been the greatest friend I could ever have. I wished we could still be friends after this."

...4...

Xian Lu's heart skipped a beat and thoughts started running like wildfire in his mind. Ranging from questions to negative things to other shenanigans that he could think of.

...3...

"Did I do something? If I did, I am sorry."

His voice trembles as he tries to make all of the negative thoughts stop. He doesn't want to lose a friend like Yangxin. He is too important to him.

...2...

"Yangxin? Answer me, please."

His palms starting to sweat from all of the suspense that he is feeling right now. Xian Lu doesn't know whether he would be happy or he would be sad.

His emotions are running in a circle and they are being all over the place. He feels like he would die out of this waiting.

The voice of the man on the television continues to count until...

...1...

"I'm gay."