Chapter 004

Chapter 004

“News flash! Former child athlete in the field of gymnastics is back on the track!”

“Daily news report! Mr. Hei Xuan, also known as the best young teen athlete during his times, is now coming back to what he has left behind!”

“Mr. Hei Xuan was said to be China’s Representative for this year’s World Championship, competing against other qualified gymnasts!”

For the past days that had passed, all television reports, news magazines, social medias and even on billboards, all of them were saying the same thing. For over a period of time, everything was all the same, as if they were songs being played on repeat.

Hella annoying. As what Xiao commented on the latest post she has seen on social media. Everywhere and every single time, she sees no one but Hei Xuan.

“He wasn’t even that good before, tsk. But y’all are getting crazy over some guy who went completely hiatus.”

Xiao was mumbling towards herself as turned her phone off and threw it somewhere on her bed. Then, she strolled down and rolled over, grabbing her soft-cushioned pillow.

She was really flabbergasted by the news. It’s past days already, but even until now, she still couldn’t believe it. Seeing Hei after a while feels foreign now. And the fact that we haven’t even got some good memories together and just had a single real-time conversation, I’d doubt if he still remembers me. Xiao had thought as she was reminded by something from the past.

Xiao looked up, rather searching for something or maybe someone when her friend, Yerin, called for her attention.

“Ya, Xiao,” it was how Yerin calls for someone. It might due to the fact that she grew up in South Korea for having that kind of attitude, “Earth to Xiao?” Yerin even waved her hand in front of Xiao just to distract the latter.

“Uh?” when Xiao finally noticed, she went sitting down on one of the school’s benches as she looked away and pretending to purse her lips.

“Looking for someone, eh?” Yerin teased, it was obvious in her tonal voice that she wants to do it more.

“Eh, no,” Xiao vehemently shook her head, “am just eyeing for coach. When will he come?” this time Xiao pretended to sway her arms up as if she was trying to stretch them out, “We’ve been waiting,” then she gave off a little yawn to spice up her action.

“You are never going to be great in acting industry, Xiao,” Yerin remarked after watching Xiao’s little show, “everyone knew except you that coach is absent for today,” she laughed and sat beside Xiao on one of the benches.

Xiao’s eyes went into full circles, “What? I didn’t know.”

“Yeah, prolly because you didn’t listen to the announcement just earlier. You were busy over something else. I wonder what is it?” Yerin probed with a knowing smile, as if she already knew something’s up. And most probably, Xiao wouldn’t be able to deny it, knowing how vile she could act it up. Yerin already saw what’s coming next, and it’s making her laugh more. At the back of her mind, she had thought that never in her wildest dreams she would wonder over something so maturely despite her age.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Bull’s eye. Yerin showed a grim on her face, a purse on the lips followed suit.

“Hmm. Are you perhaps waiting for our leader? But he personally told everyone that he’s quitting sports, why are you waiting for him?”

“Yerin, stop.”

“Are you having your hopes up? You have a crush on him?”

“What? No! Of course, not! Stop making stories, Yerin.”

“You sound quite defensive,” Yerin jerked a smile and jokingly pat her friend’s right shoulder.

She traced the girl’s face, searching out for some reaction but Xiao kept on looking away from her, “I am not.”

Another bull’s eye. Yerin had thought as kept her trance.

“Anyway, he really quit and I don’t think he’ll be coming back; since, he also flew right away to other country. No one knows how he’s doing now.”

Yerin once traced Xiao’s expression and she immediately noticed the sudden change of the glint in her eyes, “Why are you telling me these?” asked Xiao.

“Keunyang...” Yerin even used her own language (it is her way of expressing something that she don't know how to exactly explain) as she gave off a knowing smile to the latter, “I was just thinking that maybe you were curious?” she probed even more.

“Yerin!” Xiao hollered and the other just laughed.

“I was just teasing you. I didn’t know you’re gonna take it seriously,” Yerin laughed harder, “anyway, Xiao, we’re still youngsters. No one knows what’s gonna happen in the future. No one knows what lies beyond the horizon.”

“You talk as if you’re an adult.”

“Well, I may be eight, but actually my spirit is already fifty.”

Xiao spat a profane word and Yerin guffawed at her friend’s reaction.

“Just remember what are the things I told you, Xiao. One day, everything will come into realization.”

“Ne, ne, ne... Mrs. Old Hag.”

Yerin stood up from her seat in a snap, “What did you just say?!”

“You told me yourself, you’re already fifty. That means you’re an old hag.”

“You don’t know how to take a joke, do you?”

“I guess so,” Xiao nonchalantly said and after realizing it, “Oh, I think my mouth slipped. Mian,” Xiao copied the way Yerin would apologize in such informal tone—only to appear as a teasing action.

This is how I want my revenge would look like. Xiao had thought after realizing she also wants to get back to her friend. She also wants to tease her.

Yerin’s brows furrowed, “Now you’re learning Hangul just to tease me?”

“Nope. I was just copying you. You always say ‘Mian’ although you aren’t really sorry. You insincere girl,” Xiao remarkably highlighted her last comment to make Yerin more aggravated, which she found effective after seeing how the latter reacts.

“Gosh, I never knew you’re such a mean girl. I can’t believe I’m having someone like you whom I call as a friend. Are you really a friend of mine?”

Now it was Xiao’s turn to guffaw. Both of them ended up laughing at each other realizing how petty their words were. Little did she know, it would be the last time she’d be seeing her best friend.