Fateful Encounter

My parents came back from their trip to Hong Kong, and the weekend we spent together. Monday came, and when I got home, dad had gone out to buy groceries.
“TJ, is Kai coming today?” Mum’s question was so sudden, I almost tripped over.
“What?”
“Kai.” My mum gave me a look, and I knew that she knew.
“How do you know..?”
“TJ, that boy came everyday. Why?” I couldn’t tell her it was because of me. I can’t tell her it’s his fault, either.
“Um, we both just felt like going our own separate ways, I guess.” My mum gave me an unimpressed look. She knew it was for some other reason. Thinking about Kai brings back the dull ache, but it’s more of an ‘it’s a shame he isn’t here’ ache. It’s weird how time can heal wounds you never thought would close.

Luhan had something to do with it.

I guess he did. These days, my consciousness is saying things that make a lot more sense, compared to the ridiculous thoughts it would bring up just a few months ago.

Nothing major happened after that, and I safely got through the week without being questioned further, and dad seems to be completely oblivious. However, on Friday, my luck ran out. Luhan came to my house with his persistent bell ringing, making my mum go spaz. I heard her muttering to herself about ‘impatient, insolent idiots’. Oh dear. Please Luhan, don’t do this.
“Yes?”
“Hello! Is TJ home?”
“Oh? And who are you, young man?” Oh please Luhan, don’t say something stupid.
“I’m Luhan. Her-“ I figured out he would say something stupid, and quickly ran to the stairwell.
“DON’T LET HIM INSIDE. I’LL BE THERE IN A SECOND.” I yell.

As I pass my mum, she raises her eyebrow at me, but I look down at the ground meekly. Please don’t question me, mum.
I push Luhan in my haste to get him out of the house, and I close the door behind us.
“Yeah? What do you want?”
“Why did you cut me off?” He looks at me accusingly. “Are you embarrassed of me?”
“No! Nothing like that…”
“So why didn’t you let me talk to your mum?”
“Um…” I tried my best to come up with something good, but I guess I’m just no good at lying. “Yeah, ok, I don’t want my parents to know I broke up with Kai, ok?”
He looks at me with a strange expression, it looked like he was judging me.
“Don’t judge me!”
“Yeah, whatever. Listen. Do you want to get something to eat? It’s Friday after all.”
It wouldn’t hurt to get something to eat with him, but it would definitely raise suspicion with my parents. I don’t want to hurt Luhan’s feelings, though. Ugh! How to do this?
“Oh, I get it. Don’t worry then.” He turns away, with a sad expression that tugs at my heart strings.
“No!” It falls out, and I internally groan. Damn it. I hate it when he pulls the sad face on me. “What I mean to say is, hang on. I’ll get my money.” His eyes light up and make me feel like this could almost be worth it.

“Mum, Dad! I won’t be having dinner here tonight. I’m getting something to eat with a friend.”
“Ok! Have fun!” Dad yells. Mum comes down from the stairs and says quietly, “Ok, but I have some business with you later, missy.” She gives me a meaningful stare, and I nod.
“I know. Thank you!” I leave the house, and Luhan and I start walking.

“You know, I really don’t know much about you except for the fact that you get very emotional.” Luhan says.
“I don’t know much about you, either. Let’s keep it that way, eh?” He frowns at me, but ignores what I say and keeps talking.
“So, today is me getting to know you day!”
“Oh yaaaaay. Hooray.” I hope he drowned in the sarcasm dripping from my voice.
“It can’t be all that bad, right? We can play 20 questions.” I give him a look and hope he knows how unimpressed I am.
“Oh come on, TJ! Please cooperate with me.” We reach the mall, and he opens the door for me. We walk through and the cool air from the air conditioners blows across my bare skin. The very vivid memory of Kai walking me thorough the very same doors and then to the arcade flashes in my mind, and then of course I remember the moment when he asks me out. No. That’s all a previous memory I don’t need to think of. It’s in the past and I need to let him go, because if I don’t, I never will.

Luhan and I walk to the food court, where we both buy ice creams. He orders bubblegum and I order chocolate mint. We sit at a table, and Luhan starts to talk. He talks about his hobbies, some childhood memories, bits and pieces of his parents and touches on other things. To me, it’s just the two of us talking in a busy food court. What is it to him, though?

A date
NO! No, it can’t be. I’m not ready yet.

So why is your heart beating so fast?

I don’t know! Stupid heart; get a grip. I don’t need another love interest while I’m still trying to figure out how I feel. But it isn’t as complicated as I’m making it out to be. Do I like Luhan? I don’t know.

Do you enjoy his company?

..Yes…

Your heart flutters when you think about him.

...Yes…

You like him.

Damn. I guess I do. Why am I so calm about admitting that?! I like him. Holy s***. This CANNOT be happening. I feel like such a skank! No, this isn’t possible!
“TJ? TJ! Earth to TJ?” I snap out of my internal wailing, and look at Luhan, startled.
“Yeah?”
“I want to ask.. Umm..” Is Luhan lost for words? This is a first. “Um.. do-do..” He scratches the back of his neck, and looks slightly uncomfortable. “Doyouwantogooutsometime?”
“I’m sorry, what?” I look at him, confused. I hadn’t been able to make out anything he had said, because he said it all so fast. He swallows, and looks nervous. This side of Luhan that isn’t charming or cheeky is actually…cute.
“Do you want to go out sometime?”
“Aren’t we already out?” I’m so confused. What exactly is he trying to say?
“No, I-I mean like, out out.” I suddenly realize what he means.
“OOOH! Out out…” My heart just went from butterfly flutters to full bat flaps. What do I do? What do I do? What do I do? Not even 30 seconds after I realize that I potentially like him and he asks me to go out out with him. Oh, what the hell. Nothing to lose, eh?
“Sure, why not?”


After we walked around and got proper dinner food, we ate our meal in silence in the continuously busy food court. Luhan then walked me home, and dropped me off at my door.
“Bye!~” He waves at me, and I wave back. I turn around, and nearly scream when I see my mum staring right at me.
“OMG MUM! Don’t. Do. That. Please.”
“I don’t care. Now spill!”
“Kai and I are no longer a thing. Nothing more.”
“And who was that boy?”
“Luhan?”
“Yeah!”
“Umm..”
“No. How fast do you recover from a relationship, TJ?!” My mum looks completely shocked.
“We’re over, mum! I don’t think it’s any of your business how I handle my relationships. I don’t even know where I’m going with Luhan, so calm down.”

Notes