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Changing schools is never exactly easy, though it -is- harder the older you are. Not necessarily because of the moving and changing itself, but because teenagers can be jackasses that ostracize you at the drop of a pin. And no matter how charismatic Yunlan is, he still has trouble settling in. It doesn't help that he has been at a different high school every year so far.
It's hard to be a Junior when everyone else has already established their cliques. You are the instant outsider that very few are willing to take a chance on. Freshman and Sophomore year had been minutely better, because he was a novelty that didn't threaten the status quo. He was a little scrawny, a little dorky, and thus, nothing to endanger the Alpha males of the cliques, so he was allowed into the fringes of high school society. But then he had changed over this past summer. He had skyrocketed to a respectable 6 foot, his skin had darkened a little, and his features sharpened as the last of his baby fat fell away. According to his best friend, Da Qing, he had become quite the handsome young man. Despite Da Qing being the one to say it, he actually believes it to be true.
On the way to his new town, he had been hit on by four waitresses, two tourists, and one of the moving men. He had simply smiled and taken it in stride, not really bothered with flirting back. He had found both sides of the attention flattering, but he hadn't the energy to reciprocate. Instead, he had spent his time missing his best friend and dreading his new school.
All he can do now is buck up and keep going.
The school was the same as all his others, just a little smaller. The moment he stepped into his first class, he had been stared at. Some appreciative, some dismissive, most not caring one way or the other. He was a fleeting mote of excitement, something momentarily different, before everyone returned to the boredom of a normal day. Fortunately and unfortunately, he found that most of his classes were beginning with things he had already studied. It meant that he didn't really need to pay attention, which left him with nothing much to do. So, he doodled, shot over 25 texts to Da Qing, and generally did everything he could to pass the time.
Once the bell for lunch rang, he managed to get himself back together. Not so oddly he had failed to really make any friends yet. He would usually have found at least one student that was willing to be nice to the newbie, but so far, nothing. At least, not until he finds himself lost, looking for the cafeteria. Once he's been ignored for the fourth time, and is prepared to give up, he hears clumsy steps heading toward him.
"Are you lost, sir?" Yunlan turns to find a tall, gangly guy smiling brightly at him. At a guess, he'd assume the kid is an eager to please Freshman. He's dressed in slightly baggy, 'trendy' clothes that don't quite look right on him, with a messenger bag slung across his chest, hugged tightly to his hip. He's not sure why, but Yunlan is struck with the desire to reach out and ruffle the younger boy's hair, but he refrains.
"Oh god, I'm still in high school, just like you! Don't sir me, kid. I'm Yunlan." He holds a hand out, and the younger boy shakes it enthusiastically, before grabbing for his bag again.
"I'm called Guo. Come on, I'll take you to the cafeteria." Yunlan smiles gratefully, following after Guo.
Not surprising, he's a little bit of a talker, though he tends to stumble awkwardly through his words. Yunlan has the feeling that he's been scolded and told to shut up quite a lot through his young life. While it could easily get on his nerves quickly, he finds it pleasant enough, for now.
Shen Wei and his twin brother Ye Zun are seated at a small, round table in a corner of the cafeteria. The surrounding tables are all empty, leaving them sequestered in their own little world. They're used to this, as most students have always given them a wide birth. And yet, they are both aware of the covetous looks they get, the dreamy whispers that follow them. They are worshiped while being sequestered. It amuses Ye Zun while it annoys Shen Wei.
They are very much the stereotype of twins. The good and the bad, the yin and the yang.
Shen Wei is a brainy type, usually dressed well in all black. His black hair is cut in a teen idol fashion, his harry potter-like glasses adding to the cuteness of him. He is not quick to smile, but when he does, it is light, airy, and innocent. It makes both girls and boys swoon. While he sometimes gives off an air of being unapproachable, it's not the case. Or, well, it wasn't back when they were Freshmen. But, the fact that no one had taken the time to get to know him ... it's made him a little cold over the years.
Ye Zun is very much the 'evil twin.' The one most likely to get in trouble. The one that looks upon their fellow schoolmates as if they are peons, totally beneath him. He tends to dress in white, snappy and fashionable. And when he smiles ... well, you might be likely to question his sanity. And yet, with his same teen idol hair and stunning features, just as many swoon over him as Shen Wei. However, they are also quick to gossip behind his back.
They are the untouchables, for better or worse.
"Oh. Dibs." Ye Zun's voice cuts through Shen Wei's concentration. He glances up from the book he was reading, surprised that his brother is speaking. They do not often converse during lunch, often busy with homework, hobbies, or some such. So, to hear him speak is shocking.
"What?" Shen Wei leans back in his seat, reaching up to press his thumb and forefinger against the rim of his glasses to push them back up his nose. It is technically a nervous gesture, though he doesn't have anything to be nervous about. And yet ... if Ye Zun is breaking the silence, it usually means his little brother is up to something.
"Dibs, gege." Ye Zun sounds utterly exasperated and done with him, and he would love to say that it's unusual, but it really isn't. His little brother is often of this tone. They love each other, there is no doubt in that, but they sometimes have trouble tolerating one another. He has always assumed it is -because- they are twins. It's hard to look at someone and see yourself, and yet, the exact opposite as well.
"Make sense." It is a brotherly order, and Ye Zun responds by laughing in that hysterical, clicking way of his. It makes Shen Wei shiver. When Ye Zun taps him, he tears his gaze away from his book and follows his twin's pointing finger. He sees Guo walking out of the chow line, with a new student in tow. His gaze drops back toward his book ... before immediately snapping back up, toward the two.
The new student is ... awe inspiring. Tall, with a slender build. Much like his brother, the student is dressed trendy, and yet .. so very different. Ye Zun would likely throw a tantrum if a single strand of hair is out of place, but the other student looks loose and laid back. His bangs are a little choppy, longer in front and the sides, short in the back. His eyes are double lidded, with laugh lines at the corners that suggest a happy life. Or at least, a happy out look on it. Even as they walk, he's wearing a deep smile that makes Shen Wei's stomach turn.
"... people do not work like that, didi. You cannot call dibs on a person." He wants to huff, wants to waggle a finger at his brother, but they are far past the age where he can still discipline him. Ye Zun merely rolls his eyes and leans back in his seat, still not taking his gaze off the pair.
Not that Shen Wei has, either.
"We shall see, gege." Shen Wei frowns frostily, forces his eyes away from the new student, and tries to return to his reading. Unfortunately, he finds himself too distracted.
Being a Senior has it's perks. Such as the fact that Shen Wei has a free period at the end of the day. Where Ye Zun prefers to spend his time at the gym or out on the bleachers, Shen Wei usually finds himself in the library. It's quiet, there's no end of books, and he knows that his brother will not bother him here. One might get the impression that they don't like each other much, but it's not true. Shen Wei is fiercely protective of his younger twin, and Ye Zun would probably take out anyone that messed with his older twin.
At the moment, Shen Wei is settled at a research table, three different books open in front of him, with a notebook at hand. He prefers to get as much of his homework done at school as he can, so that he has more time to himself at home. Sadly, a good portion of that time is usually spent trying to dodge Ye Zun who begs for help with his own errant homework. He wishes his brother would settle down and spend less time focused on those around him, and more time focused on his future. After all, Shen Wei will not always be there to help him, bail him out, etc. He wants his brother to be able to stand on his own two feet.
"Excuse me." The voice that suddenly interrupts his work is not soft or deep. Just an even, pleasant timbre, with a happiness embedded deep in it that makes Shen Wei want to blush, for some reason. He does not sigh or roll his eyes like he wants, he simply turns his gaze toward the newcomer. And nearly swallows his own tongue. It's the new student. The one Ye Zun had 'called dibs' on. He is still of the belief that it's impossible to call dibs on a living thing.
"What." The word is frosty, more a demand than the question it should be. He's not used to anyone bothering to talk to him, and his manners have suffered a bit because of it. He sits up a little straighter, surprised to find that he cannot meet the other young man's eyes.
"Hmm. Sorry, for interrupting. But, the Librarian said that you have a book I need. I was hoping that, since you have three open, I could borrow the one?" The other teen leans close suddenly, hand hovering over the middle open book. Shen Wei breathes in on instinct, eyes widening faintly. He smells .. amazing. An odd thought, but the truth all the same. He smells of fresh grass and candy ... earthy and sweet. Shen Wei absently licks his lips, gives his head a minute shake. Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, as if he will begin squirming in his seat at any moment, he shoves the book across the table. The newbie smiles. Lights up with the action, laugh lines appearing at the corners of his eyes. "Thanks, man. I really want to get a jump on this class. It's the only one I haven't already studied at my old school."
Shen Wei wonders why the other teen is sharing this with him .. wonders if he's supposed to care. He doesn't associate with anyone outside of his twin, and they are not small talk people. They rarely speak unless it's to snipe at each other, or to pass on information. They are ... weird. He cannot pretend that he hasn't heard the whispers. As much as they are drooled over, they are also talked about. While he doesn't particularly care what is said, he knows that it hurts Ye Zun. It has driven his little brother to hide away even further. Shen Wei fears that one day, even -he- will no longer be able to reach him.
Now, while the whispers do not hurt him .. the fact that no one has bothered to get to know him, does. When they were young, Ye Zun had a way of monopolizing his time that had caused the other students to stay away. Eventually, it became the norm for everyone to ignore them. It had created a kind of loneliness in Shen Wei that is slowly turning into bitterness.
"You are welcome." Shen Wei barely inclines his head, nostrils flaring, the scent of the other teen making his head swim. Because he still hasn't moved away. He's still hovering at his side, making Shen Wei feel warm and flustered all over. He both likes and loathes this feeling. He likes it because it's new, unprecedented .. he loathes it because for the first time in years, he doesn't feel in control.
The other teen finally moves. Rather than grab the book and leave, though, he plops into the seat across from Shen Wei, making him feel even more flustered. He tries to concentrate on his studies, but he's -aware- of the other teen. He can feel him moving, breathing, can hear each turn of the page as if it's an atom bomb going off in his ear. Every breath smells sweet, every sound is soothing and riling. He is unnerved. (He kinda doesn't want it to end.)
"Are you really doing all those at the same time?" The voice sounds bored and impressed. For some reason, Shen Wei finds that he wants to preen. Pump his chest out, square his shoulders and preen. It's an altogether new sensation.
"Yes." He is well versed in keeping his voice level, managing not to give any of his pride away as he continues to work. He also has yet to look the other student in the eye. He feels .. shy ... almost afraid to look him head on. Fear is not an emotion he is familiar with.
"Wow!" The new student actually gives him a round of applause causing his cheeks to warm with a vague blush. It makes him angle his face further toward his work, makes him gently bite the inside of his cheek. It also makes him wish he had accompanied Ye Zun rather than come here. He is useless at interacting, and finds that he's actually -worried- he will make a poor impression on this person. "I admire your dedication, friend." That single word makes Shen Wei flinch. He doesn't have friends, he has a brother. Soon enough, the new student will be warned away as well. He'll probably tell his new friends about the freaky encounter with the weirdo.
The sense of rage that sweeps over him is instant and frightening. He wants to gnash his teeth, wants to point his finger and banish this boy from his area of the library. He wants the new student to be anywhere but here. It will make it easier when he inevitably joins the masses and shuns him as everyone else does. (In the back of his mind, he knows that this is crazy, irrational behavior. The boy has done nothing to ingratiate himself to him, to suggest that there could be a friendship here, but he's thinking as if the boy will eventually betray him or something. It is further proof that he does not fit in with these people. Ye Zun is right .. they will only ever have each other.)
"Hmm." He barely manages to make the dismissive sound, his hand sliding down, into his lap, to furl into a fist. He is uncomfortable. So very much out of his depth and he really just wants this person to -leave-! Imagine his surprise when his notebook is suddenly snatched out from in front of him. His fist unfurls so that he can reach for it, but the new student is holding it well out of his range, while waving a hand in front of him. Trying to stave off his reach. The action brings Shen Wei's full gaze upon him.
"Shhh shhh shh ... relax." Shen Wei huffs, but keeps quiet. There's no reason for him to -comply-, but he does. "Now then, I can get a good look at you." Shen Wei's eyes widen a fraction, the bridge of his nose and his cheeks filling with pink heat as he blushes. Because the new student is looking him over. Thoroughly. He quickly looks away, the foreign feelings eating at him. Pushing him to the edge of .. something. He just has no clue -what-.
The longer the other teen looks, the more flustered Shen Wei becomes until he reaches to nervously pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. This seems to break whatever spell there is, because the other teen blinks rapidly and leans back in his seat. Still holding the notebook.
"You are one handsome man, friend. Sweet features, intelligent eyes, that sexy stoic thing going for you ..." Shen Wei's eyes widen to the point they almost hurt and he reaches out desperately to snag his notebook back. He nearly slams it onto the table in front of him, sure that he's bright red at the words. He hunches as much as he can without face-planting into the thing. "It would be good manners to give me a name to go with this handsome face ..."
"Shen Wei." He blurts his name out, voice no longer confident and cool, but an embarrassed, emotional warble that makes him want to faint dead away. Makes him want the ground to swallow him whole or Ye Zun to show up and -rescue him from this awkwardness-! His shoulders hunch just a little bit more and -ouch-, the strain actually hurts.
"Shen ... Wei ...." The boy slowly mouths the name, sounding it out, tasting it ... and then that blinding smile is back. "Shen Wei ... I like it. But ... there has to be something that suits you better ..." The other teen begins to tap his long finger against his chin, and Shen Wei curses internally when he realizes that he is holding his breath in anticipation. "I will call you ... Heise Oppa." (Brother in black.)
Shen Wei coughs, nearly swallows his own tongue as his gaze darts about this side of the room, making sure that no one is around. He does not want to tell the teen not to call him this, but he also wants to make sure that no one had heard him being addressed as such. When he looks back toward the other teen, he's smirking in such a playful way that Shen Wei's heart beats almost painfully. So much so, that he presses his palm against his chest for a second.
"Heise .... Oppa ... " Shen Wei carefully repeats the nickname, not bothering to look around this time. He bites the inside of his cheek, silently begging his heart to return to a natural beat. This level of odd excitement cannot be HEALTHY. He clears his throat, leans back in his seat, and stares at the other teen. "And am I to have a name to call you in return?" He grits this out, struggling to keep his voice at it's usual, even timbre. Barely managing to keep himself in check. The teen stops tapping his chin, and leans forward so that he's resting on crossed arms. His beautiful smile softens and widens, and there goes his heart again.
"Oh?" The teen blinks heavily and sinks a little further onto his crossed arms. Tilts his head at a flirty angle so that he can smile up through the fringe of his trendy hair. "I am Zhao Yunlan .. but you could call me ... Kun Lun Baobei." (Baby/Darling) Shen Wei actually grunts in response to this! A sharp, shocked sound. When he looks around this time, he's expecting to see Ye Zun somewhere laughing at him, having orchestrated this surreal moment to torture him. They may be brothers, and they -do- care about each other, but their kinship is tumultuous, marked by bad behavior toward one another. The fact that he feels as if he's having to swallow his heart back down speaks of Ye Zun's type of trick.
After all, who beyond his brother knows how deeply wounded he is by their classmates? Who else but his twin would know to send someone so sweet and flirty to destroy him??
"K-Kun Lun Baobei ..." His tone is sloppy, shaking. A tremor on the words causing them to come out breathy and please, let him faint already! He would much rather an unmanly loss of consciousness than to continue on such uneven, foreign ground. But, short of holding his breath like a recalcitrant child, he has little hope of that happening. The other teen comes up, off his crossed arms, and gives a single, sharp clap.
"Wow! It sounds even better when you say it, Heise Oppa." Yunlan .. Kun Lun .... this crazy man has left Shen Wei feeling off balancing. As if, at any moment, the world is going to give a complete polar shift and everything will be ... wrong. Somehow. He clears his throat, sits straighter in his seat, and begins to clumsily gather his things.
"Wait. Are ... are you ... going somewhere?" Yunlan's voice has changed. Pitch shifted away from the playfulness it had been to soft notes of panic and confusion. Shen Wei is still loathed to look at him, now hoping to some how pull off a miracle and get out of here unscathed.
"Yes. I think I would be better suited studying elsewhere." No matter how much he fights fate, rallies against the inevitable, it still wins. He casts a sidelong glance at the younger teen and he looks ... stricken at the thought of Shen Wei leaving. He really wishes that he -didn't- look like that, because it will make it harder for him to get away.
"No! Please! Uh, don't go Shen Wei Oppa. Please. Uhm ... uhm ..." It is obvious that the younger teen is trying to find the right combination of words to make him stay and Shen Wei wants to laugh in his face. They do not exist. This entire encounter has become a level of surreal he will never voluntarily enter again, or his name is not Shen. Yunlan suddenly LIGHTS up with a smile that momentarily makes him think of Ye Zun. "Make a bet with me, Shen Wei."
He draws up short, books cradled in his arm as he stares at the new student. What kind of bet could possibly be made??
"I bet .... I bet I can do a trick of the Gods! If I win, you have to ... give me your phone number. And if you win .... whatever you choose." Shen Wei wants to run. He has -never- won a bet before. Ye Zun is a cheating, manipulative bastard that has all kinds of ways to out maneuver a person, and he has absolutely ZERO doubt this boy can do the same.
"... fine. Show me a trick of the gods .... Kun Lun Baobei." He sneers the nickname, expecting it to throw the teen off. Instead, the other boy lights up with a devilish smirk that causes Shen Wei to swallow thickly. Causes his adams apple to bob heavily. Yunlan is displaying a level of confidence that Shen Wei would never be able to possess, even if he lived 10,000 years. He turns and quickly deposits his things back on the table, afraid he will drop them and make a fool of himself. -MORE- of a fool of himself.
Yunlan skirts around the table and grabs him by the arm, tugging until he's sitting again. Only this time, Yunlan is standing right between his knees. So close that Shen Wei can feel his every excited breath. He panics for a moment, scared that he's going to stop breathing with the other teen this close. Yunlun is looking down at him with intense, bright, intelligent eyes and Shen Wei doesn't know what he's supposed to do. A part of him wants to push him away .. the other part wants to close his knees and trap him against him.
"A trick of the gods ... have you ever heard of the antennae galaxies?" Shen Wei blinks slowly. There is a guy currently standing between his knees, staring down into his eyes like he's the only thing in the world, and he's supposed to THINK?! He sucks in a stilted breath, nods his head dumbly. He can vaguely recall that they are colliding spiral galaxies ... but no way in hell can he articulate that.
"Like a God ... I hold a galaxy in my hands." Yunlun's smirk is now downright smoldering and if Shen Wei were any less composed, he'd be waving his hands in front of his warm face to try and cool down. As is, though, all he can do is stare. Blatantly. Slowly, he lifts his clasped hands until they rest between the two of them. When he pulls his left off his right, Shen Wei actually gasps. A loud, breathless sound of awe. Nestled against his fingers is a beautiful little galaxy. Vibrant, luminous colors looking as if they will begin to swirl at any moment. He is so entranced, that he begins to reach for it, only to have Yunlan close his hands over it immediately.
"Wha -- hey!" He growls the objection, grabbing Yunlan's hands without thinking of the consequences. "Kun Lun Baobei!" He emphasizes the nickname, teeth gritting as he tries to separate the hands. Yunlan's sudden peals of laughter awakens him to what he's doing. He immediately drops the hands and tries to shrink back in his seat. When he opens his mouth to desperately try to apologize, his lips are suddenly full of a galaxy. His mouth closes on instinct, a sweet taste exploding across his tongue.
The galaxy ... is a lollipop!? He grabs at the white stick, yanking the sticky confection out of his mouth and staring at it. Still in awe of the detail. Just as he's sticking it back into his mouth, settling it on his tongue, he looks up, into Yunlan's intense stare and feels his stomach drop out. After what feels like a lifetime, he reaches into his pocket and pulls his cell phone out, holding it to the other teen. Who swoops down to snag it, enthusiastically punching something in.
Shen Wei uses that moment to slide to the side and exit the seat, gathering his things back up. Once he has his phone back, he turns without another word, and heads out of the Library, sucking on his prize.
Fin