"You're adorable. You know that, right?" Lei was gentle to button his shirt on me. He fixed the collar on me and smiled sheepishly as he leaned down to kiss me once more. My arms automatically wrapped around his neck and pulled him towards me for a moment. I slowly pulled away and smiled up at him to see he was enjoying every moment.

"Ximen will be coming over soon. I can't stay in your shirt."

"Yes, you can. I don't mind." My cheeks were heating and I pushed him lightly.

"He will mind. I don't want to give Ximen the wrong idea. "

"But I like when you're in my shirts."

"I like wearing them too," I spoke shyly. "But I don't need Ximen to know about... this." Lei reached for my hand and held it. Looking up at him it seemed like he was thinking about something and I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Staying with Lei for the past month has given us more time to spend together and within that time, our relationship has taken it further since Paris. "What's on your mind Lei?" I questioned. Lei remained silent for a moment before focusing on me again.

"I love you Faye Calinao," Lei spoke gently. My eyes widen and my mouth parts slightly in shock as I take in his words. He just... my delayed mind tried to form coherent words. Lei's eyes were searching through mine and I realized he seemed nervous saying this to me. He just said I love you. I wasn't expecting this at this moment and he just... we've been dating since the second week of September and it was now the first of November.

My mouth opened thinking I was going to speak, but at the moment my mind went blank. Lei must have realized I wanted to speak, but was in shock. He slowly took me by my waist and slowly sat me down at the edge of the bed. He kneeled in front of me and smiled slightly before gently taking my hands again, his smile turned into worry.

"I'm moving too fast," he spoke more to himself and apologized. I squeezed his hand trying to force myself to think and talk to him so he wouldn't worry.

"N-no," I shook my head slightly and took a hold of his hand trying to reassure him. "You're not moving too fast," I reassured him. "I wasn't expecting... I'm surprised to hear you say those three words. We just had sex and you're worried you're moving too fast?" I broke into a small smile and squeezed his hand reassuring him we're okay. "I've liked you since we were fourteen and fifteen. Being with you has been the best thing that has happened to me Lei. You don't understand how happy I am to have you being a part of my life and you've been the best supportive boyfriend I could ask for." My sappy emotional words seemed to make Lei smile again. "I'm happy. You're making me happy. You've been amazing to me. And yes, I love you Hauze Lei."

...

"Hi Ximen," I waved shyly as he walked into the living room after being let in by Lei. Ximen had a gift bag in his hand and he seemed nervous for a moment before he walked over to me and smiled. I stood slowly and walked over to him.

"Hello Faye," he spoke warmly and used an arm to hug me. With a bit of hesitation, I wrapped my arms around him, squeezing him a bit before he pulled back and smiled down at me. "It's really good to see you." I took a step back and nodded slightly. Since we last met in person, I would answer Ximen's texts when he wanted to talk, but I wasn't ready to forgive him. Things couldn't go back to normal after him getting angry with me for a second time. "This is for you." He brought the gift bag he held to my attention.

"Thank you... I uh... I have that list you wanted me to make," I said sheepishly and smiled nervously wondering what he would say about what was on the list. I reached for my back pocket of my jeans and handed the folded piece to him.

"Should I be nervous?" Ximen chuckled lightly. We both took a seat on the couch. Lei walked over and kissed my head before taking his keys off the table. Lei wanted to pick up a few things for us to enjoy for the evening. He wanted Ximen and I to bond.

"I love you," Lei spoke after pulling away from kissing my head. I felt my cheeks warm and I knew Ximen tensed from beside me. I felt shy at the moment. My heart raced at the sound of those three words coming from him.

"I love you Lei." I spoke lightly and he broke into his smile I love to see. He walked backwards out of the living room waving to me and making me laugh lightly. He exited the living room and I turned to see Ximen's eyes wide. I smiled nervously.

"H-he..." Ximen spoke in shock. "And you..."

"We're happy."

"That's great Faye. Wow, I'm happy for you both. It's good to see you two together. Lei seems happier as well. How are you doing? Is school going alright? Lei has been telling me you've been doing research still and hanging out with your friends."

"They are really great to be around Ximen," I smiled talking about my senior, Gu Wei Yi, Si Tu Mo, Xiaoyou and my now closest skype friend Cha Eun Woo, also known as Lee Dong Min.

When I'm not with Lei, I'm around one of them. I told Ximen how I spend most of my time in the lab and Gu Wei Yi and this guy in the math department named Zhou Lei. We were working on a year long research project and presenting towards the end of the second semester. There was one spot with Senior and Professor Jiang to go to Germany for six months to study there and present our research. I would not be able to go seeing I would be starting grad school at Julliard in the States. It would not be possible for me to go, but I cheered Gu Wei Yi on to take the spot.

There was Senior Yu Yin who became a good mentor and great female friend outside of the lab. There was Gu Wei Yi who is known for being the genius of the science department. He has become a good friend to those around and we would spend most of our time meeting in the library to do school work before heading to the lab together to discuss research or check on some of the data. I've introduced Lei to Gu Wei Yi and the two seemed to get along like they've known each other for a long time. Gu Wei Yi introduced me to Si Tu Mo who is a roommate and now friend of his. She has become a friend I could talk to when it came to one of the boys. I think Gu Wei Yi and Si Tu Mo will start going out. I secretly cheer them on.

Xiaoyou and I have started hanging out when she is not working. When she wasn't working and I wasn't at the lab we would meet at a nearby cafe near the school to chat and talk. It was nice to have a friend outside of the university.

Then there was Cha Eun Woo. Lee and I have been really good about keeping in touch. We continue to talk to each other about what goes on. Lee would remind me the rest of Astro continues to pester him about meeting me and wanting to see me. I talked to Sanha, the youngest member during one of my Skype calls with Lee. It was the cutest thing to see Sanha's excitement to see me on Lee's screen before their rehearsal.

"It's really good to know you are interacting more with others," Ximen smiled. "I uh... I've missed you. It has been... different since Sanya and with everything going on. I'm sorry for reacting the way I did back then. Meizuo explained to me everything that had gone on. He is sorry for putting you in an odd position."

"How... is Meizuo?" I asked curiously. I haven't talked to him since the accusation occurred in the brigeroom almost a month ago. I cut all ties with Meizuo after that day and have purposely avoided him not feeling comfortable facing him. I couldn't stand the thought of wanting to accept apologies from him. I did not want to forgive after giving me a difficult time and taking the Daoming Si side until recently.

"He's... Meizuo. I know you're avoiding him."

"He accused me of putting Daoming Si in the hospital when he did not know the whole back story to it."

"He hates himself for that."

"I'm not forgiving him Ximen." My heart for forgiveness was not existent for him at this time.

"But..." I frowned at Ximen and crossed my arms. I haven't forgiven you yet Ximen. Ximen abruptly stopped and looked towards me unsure.

"I don't want to talk about him. I know he's your best friend, but I won't pretend I'm okay after what he said. He was like another Daoming Si. I can't stand him."

"I dislocated Ah Si's arm..." he started off slowly.

"I know," I answered softly. Not only did he put him in a cast for eight weeks, but Daoming Si dealt with a very furious Ximen who would have caused more injury to him if it weren't for Lei and Meizuo present. After I told Ximen outside the restaurant of my troubles and history with him, he went straight to find Doaming Si and was ready to murder him. Finding out later that evening I heard from Lei about what Ximen had done to him. "Lei told me..."

"He deserved it," Ximen frowned to himself. "I can't believe he pushed you into the water and let you almost drown. Then you get a concussion and the fact he gave you the impression to never contact me during that time. Well our entire childhood he made you feel this way." I took a sharp intake of breath as if I was almost reliving that moment. I tried my best to push away any thoughts from that day.

"I-I..." I wasn't prepared to have a conversation about my life threatening and traumatizing moment. "Ximen, I really don't want to talk about that right now. It's..." I fumbled with words not wanting to think about it. "It... still bothers me a lot." I felt my mind swarming and Ximen shifted on the couch to take my hand apologizing.

"I'm sorry. Faye, I didn't mean to freak you out again. Let's change the subject," Ximen half smiled and took the paper I handed him and began opening it. "Let's look at your wonderful requests." I took a few deep breaths and nod as I took my glass of wine from the table and took a sip. I scooted closer to Ximen once I was calm and felt myself anxious of my request to Ximen.

1. Spend birthday with Ximen, Lei, Lee, San Ha, Moonbin, Jinjin, MJ, and Rocky in Canada

2. Faye and Ximen day each week

3. Attend at least one of Ximen's bridge competitions

4. Take a weekend trip to my grandparents

5.,Adopt a puppy!

"Lei and I can make it happen that we all spend your birthday with you and your family." I smiled faintly and nod as he looked back towards the list. "Faye and Ximen day each week." A smile appeared on Ximen's lips and nods. "Of course we can do that. I look forward to having a day for just the two of us. Of course I want to see you more than once a week."

"I know... with the end of the semester approaching, I know how much we can be tied up with things."

"Finals won't stop us from having a day to us. I'll make sure of that and I can make sure you attend the next bridge competition. I'm sure Lei would love to have you there. That's not a problem at all. Grandparents... of course we can see them. We can see them soon. I've wanted to head up there since you've arrived. I'm sure you've missed them greatly."

"I do. It has been years."

"I'd love to take you sometime soon. Do you remember your grandmother thought you and I would date? Ah, she always pulled me to the side before we left the house and told me to take care of you. She told me I should take you out on a date when we were older." I smile lightly and nod."

"I remember. Now I have to introduce Lei to them. Do you think grandpa will approve?"

"He loves me," Ximen spoke proudly. "I'm sure your grandparents will love Lei. After all, Lei makes you happy and they want to see their granddaughter happy."

"I hope so."

"As for number four...." Ximen started off slowly and I watch as his eye squinted slightly and heard a delayed sigh before looking at me. "You want a puppy?" I could tell he was fighting off his thoughts and opinions for dogs. Ximen isn't a pet person.

"I want us to adopt a puppy."

"Us? Why can't you and Lei adopt one? You know I don't like dogs."

"The puppy will be living with us and I've always wanted us to be the owner. Please Ximen?" I look towards him with a hopeful look as he looked towards me.

"I think... I need to think about this one." I folded my arms slightly with a pout on my face wondering if I could guilt him into us having a puppy. I didn't say no Faye..." Ximen stared at me for a moment longer and let out a hesitated sigh. "Isssh, fine. Alright... let's adopt a puppy together." He opened his eyes wondering if he was really going to proceed with this. My rush of excitement of the thought of adopting a puppy made me do a small hop from my seat next to Ximen and wrapped my arms around him for a hug.

"Thank you Ximen!" He slowly wrapped his around me and patted my back gently.

"Hmmm... we'll adopt when we come back from Canada and you will mainly be taking care of him or her." We pulled away from our hug and he had this look of uncertainty. "I have something for you as well."

"For me?" I ask curiously. He hummed before reaching over to the table for the gift bag he came with. "It feels like my birthday," I spoke shyly wondering what would be inside.

"Not your birthday present. It's something I have been wanting to give to you for awhile. Also... I want to give this to you." Ximen reached for his coat pocket and a folded piece of paper appeared. He hands it over to me and I looked towards him as I took the piece of paper. "This is a list of my future goals for our friendship. I wanted you to have it." I opened the paper and looked at Ximen's handwriting to see his list of goals and hopes.

My list of future goals with Faye

1. To be a better and more understanding friend to Faye

2. To control my anger around Faye and be a better listener for her

3. One day for Faye to forgive me for my behavior

4. Spend more time with Faye

5. Be more supportive and trust in Faye's realistic decisions

6. To one day have Faye be accepting towards my friends

I looked toward Ximen who seemed to have an uncertain expression.

"Are you and Daoming Si... talking?" I asked softly.

"Unfortunately," Ximen sighed. "Oddly enough it was Shancai who talked him into apologizing to Lei, Meizuo and I. I know this is not an excuse for what he has done to you. He is into the girl and seems to want to do better for the freshman. We all know he likes her. He seems to want to do better and I've seen it myself in just these few weeks along how much Shancai is starting to change him. That's why Ah Si wants to apologize to you."