Gazing up the sky has been something I have been doing quite a lot lately. The sky looked so pretty tonight. I leaned against the railing of the patio just outside the bedroom I stayed in. The cool night air was just at a perfect temperature and I stood here in peace to make observations. There was a gentle knock on the door coming from the bedroom door before I heard the door open. My eyes continued to look up at the sky and look for shapes of objects or see something of interest.

The moment I felt a presence behind me, I could tell it was Meizuo. I turned around to look at him and laughed lightly at the appearance of his sour face look when Daoming Si interrupted our cuddling in the living room. Ximen at the time was asleep to my left and Meizuo was to my right. We shared all of our blankets on the sofa as we started the show One Tree Hill. We knew Daoming Si arrived back at the house sometime close to midnight. He was with the freshman Qinghe, Shancai's friend I believe, making their way towards the kitchen and out the door. It was sometime after midnight we heard commotion coming from outside.

Daoming Si came running into the living like a child. His expression was like a five year old on Christmas Day. It wasn't a surprise he practically jumped onto us telling us to try his squid on a stick. Ximen was very annoyed for being woken up from his comfortable slumber and Meizuo glared at him from ruining a cuddle session with me. After he went up the stairs to let everyone else know. Everything seemed a bit chaotic at first and I shyly walked to my room suddenly feeling shy and not wanting to disrupt Daoming Si's gathering. I knew he pretended to be decently nice to me in front of everyone, but in reality, he may bring it up again in the future of talking down on me.

"How come you disappeared?" Meizuo asked. His tone was gentle and he seemed curious. It was like he was trying to get a reading of me. I shrugged lightly feeling shy in front of him all of a sudden. "Ximen and I were wondering where you had gone off to. Jing and Shancai are looking for you also."

"I feel like..." There wasn't any sign of judgment with Meizuo. "I'd be intruding. It's Daoming Si's gathering. We don't really get along."

"Ah, but everyone notices that you're not there. I'm sure Ah Si wouldn't mind too much. Right now his head is wrapped around the existence of Lei at the moment. He won't really pay too much attention."

"He's still mad at Lei?"

"Childish isn't he?" Meizuo nodded. "Eventually he'll get over it. Plus you have everyone who wants to see you. After all, Ximen talks very greatly of you. You should join us for a little while."

"Okay..." I spoke lightly. He held his hand out and I placed my hand on his. I slowly brought myself next to him and we linked our arms. He looked down towards me and smiled as he led me back inside. We walked out of my bedroom towards the bathroom so we could head out to the back. I could hear the chattering from outside. "Are you sure it's alright Meizuo?" We stopped at the doorway and he turned to me with a reassuring smile. I wasn't sure why I was feeling so shy all of a sudden.

"Faye. You're a part of the group now," He spoke truthfully. "You may not be on greatest terms with Lei or Ah Si, but know that we are like brothers to each other and if one of us brings someone into the group, we will accept them to the best of our ability, because they are significant. Faye, you're Ximen's childhood best friend as well. Ah Si, Lei, and I know you're like a sister to Ximen and if it ever came to trouble, we'd protect you."

At the moment, I wasn't feeling quite sure about that last statement. I only nod so we could head out to everyone. The both of us made our way out and I welcomed Jing's smile. Ximen, Jing, and Qinghe seemed to be at the table making conversation.

"Faye," Jing spoke calmly. Both Ximen and Qunghe turned their heads. Quinghe's eyes widen.

"Whoa," Quinghe spoke in astonishment. "You're so pretty."

"Thank you," I smile feeling shy. Meizuo pulled out a chair for me to sit and he took the seat next to me.

"Wei," Ximen spoke in defense. "Faye is off limits." Qinghe put his hands up in innocence.

"I was only complimenting."

"Ximen," Jing said. "You're being so protective. There's no need." Ximen wrapped his arms around me and I looked down shyly wondering what he would say.

"I have no problem with Faye dating. She can date anyone of her type. Just not anyone in the group." Jing frowned slightly at the thought and she looked towards me.

"Why is Faye not allowed to date anyone in our group? If anything you should feel more at ease she's going out with someone you know."

"It's not for discussion," Ximen frowned and I looked up to see both Daoming Si and Lei walking towards us from the inside. It seemed like they had made up and I also noticed Shancai appearing from where they had came.

"What's not up for discussion?" Daoming Si asked. The three sat down at the table and I noticed Lei taking a glance towards me before focusing on everyone else.

"I-It's nothing," I spoke quietly and Daoming Si turned towards me and frowned slightly once he realized I was here. Lei had his eyes fixed towards the sky not paying much attention anymore.

"Faye..." Ximen said from beside me. I hum in response. Daoming Si took over the conversation and the attention was drawn to him. "Can we talk inside?" I nod having a feeling what this would be about. It was getting late and I do have to get up early. I turned to Meizuo and he turned his attention to me.

"Ximen and I are going to head in. We both have an early day tomorrow," I told him.

"Right. I'll go in a little while," Meizuo responded. "I'll have some cookies with you when I join you both?" I nod and smile. Ximen is the first to stand and I follow. Lei looked up towards us as we began to walk away from the table unnoticed from the rest of the group. Once we were inside, Ximen led me through the kitchen and into the hall before turning towards me.

"I'm sorry for my friends if they have made you uncomfortable in any way," Ximen spoke softly. His tone changes when he speaks to his friends versus me. He still remembers how words and use of tone towards me has an effect. Over time I became less sensitive to a certain extent.

"It's okay," I shook my head hoping Ximen did not worry too much into this. "Meizuo and Jing have been so kind to me. I don't mind the freshman's here."

"You and Lei haven't made up?" Ximen questioned.

"We're just having a misunderstanding. It's not really something to worry about Ximen." There was so much about Lei that bothered me, but this wasn't something I could tell Ximen. It was wrong to tell Meizuo about it by the way he had reacted yesterday at the school. "Ximen?" I asked feeling it would be the right thing of being honest with my feelings. He is my closest friend from the beginning. I don't want to keep so much from him when he has done so much for me. He hummed in response. "Why were you getting mad at Jing when she challenged you to why I can't date your friends?"

Ximen folded his arms and raised a brow towards me curious why I would bring this up. He seemed tense now.

"Do... you like one of them?" Ximen asked hesitantly.

"It depends..." I started off slowly. "Will you get mad?"

"I could never be mad at you, remember?" Ximen being the reassuring friend I know, did not question my trust in him.

"You told them I was off limits," I spoke lightly hugging myself. "But what if I do like someone?"

"I said that to protect you.. It just... it depends on who you like Faye. Before you left you always refused to meet them, because of Ah Si. I don't want you to get hurt."

"I like Lei." I lowered my eyes to the ground and there was silence for a moment. The words leaving my mouth made me feel bubbly and calm at first until I remembered what he said very early this morning. He doesn't want to have feelings for me. He wanted to get rid of the feeling and wanted to be with Jing. What would Ximen think? Does he think it's strange that I like one of his best friends? I can't tell Ximen the things that had happened between Lei and I or there would be an actual fight between them.

"If Lei wasn't trying to pursue Jing, I wouldn't have mind Faye. They have had a strong connection from a very young age. I don't think you two would be able to-"

"Meizuo and I are kind of dating," I blurted. My eyes widened and I covered my mouth in shock. That I did not want to share with Ximen. I said that out loud. Oh no, why can't I sort my thoughts in my head before speaking? I looked to my best friend to see his eyes wide in shock.

"Faye Calinao," Ximen's warning tone spoke.

"Please don't be mad." I bit the inside of my cheek feeling nervous of his thoughts. He backed away slightly.

"You can't be serious. No, Faye you can't do this with my friends. Absolutely not Faye." Ximen started lecturing me how this was not what he wanted to see and told me of the many terrible outcomes of liking one of his friends let alone two of them. The judging look and frustrated tone he used was enough to tell me that he was disappointed in me. It was enough to hurt me, because he thinks I am playing with his friends and is scolding me for this. I wanted to explain to him that it wasn't what it seemed, but he continued to judge me and talk down of this mistake I was having. "I don't want you to pursue either one of them," Ximen said in a robotic cold tone. He never used this tone with me before.

"Ximen..."

"No, they're my best friends Faye. You're crossing a line. Tell Meizuo, you can't date him. End it now." I'm you best friend too...

"You said you wouldn't get mad," I spoke quietly.

"That was before you told me you were hooking up with Meizuo! How can you tell me you like Lei then tell me you're kinda dating Meizuo? You are out of your mind if you ever thought that was okay." I looked down embarrassed. The way he structured what he said does sound like a bad thing. He yelled out me. He never has gotten angry towards me and it was an unsettling feeling. I only wanted to be honest with him. It felt wrong to keep this from him. Why doesn't he want to listen to my side of the story? "If you don't want me to fight with my friends you will break it off. I can't believe you'd do something like this Faye."

My heart was aching and it felt like I was breaking up with my best friend. He was judging me for something I couldn't fully explain, because he made me feel that I was the cause of this whole situation. I am the cause of this whole situation. Who am I kidding? I'm a problem for Ximen too.

"I'm sorry Ximen." I apologized quietly, hopefully he will calm down.

"I don't want you around my friends anymore." I looked up at him hurt. He doesn't trust me around them anymore?

"Lei and I have just started preparations for the recital."

"You two can rehearse together," Ximen said firmly. His face showed no sympathy or kindness. "But you can no longer hangout with any of them alone. Not for anything unless academic wise." I only nod feeling disappointed in myself.

"I'm really sorry Ximen."

"I think it's wise if you head back home tomorrow. I'll book your flight back for tomorrow morning." Before I could say anything he turned away from me and walked out the room and closed the door behind him.

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