Sam, Sarah and Kay were walking leisurely to the booths, and saw the commotion that the other three were making.
"Is it always like that, wherever Kyle goes?" Sarah asked in awe, her eyes blinking rapidly.
"Yeah," answered Sam, "He's like a walking disaster."
"Poor Kyle," Sarah sighed, "It must be so hard for him. Even though he looks unaffected, it can't be easy living like that. It's as if his life is in a fishbowl, always under scrutiny."
Kay turned to face her in surprise at her sense of observation and empathy. Sarah didn't see it, however, as she was busy looking at Kyle with a worried look on her face.
This was the first ti Kay heard soone actually trying to understand Kyle, and to view things from his point of view. People tend to think that Kyle was the type of person that thrived on the attention that was thrown upon him. Actually, it was no surprise people would think that as Kyle would sotis act to instigate it even more. However, it was just that. An act.
Kay had actually asked him about it before. She was already feeling the pressure of all the gazes upon her by the boys, but most of the ti, they kept their distance. They were either too scared, or too polite to do anything untoward. Perhaps it was because she was a girl, and viewed as a delicate flower.
It wasn't the sa for Kyle, as he was a guy.
It was as if the 'protection' she enjoyed, was not afforded to Kyle. Also, girls sohow tended to be more vocal and quite forward in their attempts to grab his attention. Only the shy ones kept their distance, but most were bold about it. Kyle couldn't be rough or harsh with them because ... they were girls. The double standards weren't helpful to him in this instance.
Kay thought about the ti she had asked him that sa question Sarah raised.
They had been lying on their backs in the backyard at night. They were looking at the stars in the sky, twinkling brightly among the dark backdrop. It was serene, and quiet, unlike the normal chaotic situation outside. So she asked him, "How do you deal with it, brother?"
Kyle didn't need to ask what she ant, and she knew he understood. He didn't answer imdiately, and she patiently waited for his answer.
"There are many things in life that you can't control, like what people say or do. But you can control how you react to it. I can either get irritated and complain about it, or I can simply accept it and go along with it. I choose the latter.
Kyle then turned to look at her, touching her face as he smiled, "And I have you with , keeping sane and grounded."
He looked back at the sky, deep in thought as he continued, "I don't take it seriously either. It's a good distraction, I suppose. Harmless. So long as they do not cross the line, I guess I'll just enjoy the attention and let them worship for the perfect being as I am."
Kay smacked him then, then ca closer and snuggled up to him. He indulged her and put his hand under her neck, kissing her on the head and pulling her closer to him. Kay loved it when he hugged her like that. She felt so safe and protected. She figured that all those girls were right about one thing though. Kyle IS perfect. She is certainly going to find it hard to find a guy that would be at par with him. He set the bar too high!!
Kay's thoughts ca back to the present, as she looked at Sarah. She wondered if Sarah could actually be the one who would thaw her brother's heart. He literally spent his whole life just planning and executing the plan to save his two children from his previous life, and never truly ford any relationships. A sister and brothers can never replace a beloved.
Kay decided to observe Sarah closely. This girl could be her future sister-in-law.
***---***---
Kyle was now at the football booth stand, and Ali looked at him. "You want to sign up for this as well?"
"Why? Scared of the competition?"
"Pfffffft. Hardly," Ali retorted, putting down his na. Kyle did the sa and told the girl that was manning the booth that he could be contacted via Ali. She didn't protest, simply nodding her head in a daze. She hardly heard what he was saying, as her internal monologue was going, 'oh dear oh dear oh dear oh my. It's Kyle. Kyle. oh dear oh dear oh dear oh my. I'm so glad that I'm the manager here. oh dear oh dear oh dear oh my. I get to see him close up twice a week. oh dear oh dear oh dear oh my. I'm gonna diiieeeeeeee'
"What are you signing up for, Xing Han? Debates again?" Kyle asked.
"Nu-uh," Xing Han retorted. "That's in the past. I am going to explore my inner sportsman! I am going to show them that I can do physical sports as well! I am strong! I am .."
"So, what is it already?" Ali asked, cutting in.
"Tennis," he replied smugly.
Kyle and Ali both turned their heads at the sa ti to look at Xing Han. "Wh-a-at?" he huffed, puffing his chest out.
Kyle didn't say a thing but simply looked at Xing Han, from top of his head to the bottom of his feet. Then, he pinched Xing Han's baby face fat cheeks, squeezed the slight flab under the arm and then ssed up the hair as he patted the head.
"There, there," Kyle said comfortingly, "It's okay. You don't have to try so hard."
Ali nodded in agreent, "Yes, not everyone can have this God-given Body like us."
And with that, both Kyle and Ali struck a pose.
Kyle flexed his arm muscles as he ran his fingers through his hair while Ali placed an arm on Kyle's shoulder while putting his chin on the fist of his other hand. Both poses didn't look too ostentatious, but it was enough to hint of their taut body just from the show of their tight arm muscles.
"Aaargh!!" Xing Han scread out loud, smacking the both of them squarely in the chest. They both pretended to double over in pain before Kyle hooked Xing Han's neck with his arm.
"Co on," he said as he pulled him over, "You're fine the way you are, Xing Han. Embrace your cuteness. Just choose what you love to do."
Xing Han grumbled but conceded.
He thought of changing his image a bit in secondary school. From the 'dependable older brother' to a 'hot sportsman' or sothing. Deep down, though, he knew that it wasn't possible. He had that face that just scread "friend" rather than "hot", and nothing could change that.
Even with all the dieting and exercise, he couldn't be as lean as Sam or as muscular as Ali or Kyle. He wasn't as fit either ... he just loved food too much and was just too lazy to exercise everyday.
"Fine, fine," he said, signing up.
When he got up, he gave a huge smile to Kyle. Only Kyle truly knew him, as was evident from the art booth he had brought him to. He had never truly revealed his passion for drawing, and it was sothing that his family didn't quite agree on. It wasn't even okay as a hobby, as they saw it was a waste of ti. If it was up to him, he would venture into the world of an illustrator, creating and designing things.
Xing Han suddenly turned and gave Kyle a tight hug, and Kyle tried unsuccessfully to push him away by the shoulders. Xing Han just squeezed tighter, shaking his head. He was too emotional and touched at that mont, for only Kyle would indulge him and speak right to his heart. Kyle gave up, looked in resignation towards Ali, who pretended not to see anything, whistling away.
The reason why Kyle didn't have the heart to really push Xing Han away was because he knew that Xing Han needed this sort of release. He bottled up everything so deeply, and only appeared to be bubbly. He ca from a family that was very strict and was very sparse with their emotions. Kind of like how his previous life family had been like before, but worse. Xing Han was to be the Heir, and there were expectations. In his entire life, he never lived for himself.
Everything was calculated and designed for him, and he rely needed to follow. Even this action of Xing Han, to co to Sakura Academy, was at a great cost - and with great manipulation. This was the first ti Xing Han could do sothing that he, himself, wanted to do without having to give up sothing in order to get it. In the end, Kyle just patted him on the head until he cald down.
Xing Han pulled away, sniffling, and rubbed Kyle's shirt as it was stained with his tears. Kyle smiled, indicating that it was okay, and Xing Han gave a rather huge grin in return as he looked up.
To the eyes of everyone else, however, it looked completely different. It appeared like Xing Han was caressing Kyle's chest lovingly, after exchanging a loving hug. All sorts of thoughts flashed through everybody's mind. Was there sothing there that they didn't realise before? Kyle not only allowed the hug, but after that, the both of them were exchanging tender looks of loving smiles?
So hearts were broken, so were blossoming at this scene. The interactions between the two were undeniably sweet. Even the image of those two fits. One was the ultra cool idol, while the other was the sweet, adorable kid. Suddenly, everything that had happened between the two of them was seen with new eyes, and in a new light.
And so, new rumours began.
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