Not in Love

Friends to Strangers

Three weeks had passed since that night. The night that Yibo spoke to Xiao Zhan for the last time. It was unusual for the two of them to spend these many days apart without talking or texting..they usually always found time for each other...a simple hi..or good night..or to share some funny memes or just checking up on each other...because they were best friends. Just that.. friends.

A month ago Yibo was looking forward to the success party of The Untamed. The prospect of meeting Xiao Zhan and rest of the cast members after a long time excited Yibo. Although the night did not go as expected for him.

The party started off well, with short speeches from the director and producer and cake cutting by Yibo and Xiao Zhan. Then everyone dispersed into smaller groups catching up with each other, enjoying the success of the show, when Yibo overheard a conversation of two young female crew members.

"I've always been a fan of the novel but after watching the show, I'm now a fan of Wang Yibo and Xiao Zhan. I really hope they get their happy ending just like in the novel." the first woman said

"Don't say that. The actors are different from the roles they played. You can't possible think they are in same kind of relationship. That's just nuts!" the second replied

"It's not though! Don't you remember how Wang Yibo used to flirt with Xiao Zhan all the time on the set. All of us on set cheered on for him" The first woman said giggling and continued "I'm pretty sure he's smitten..although I can't be sure of Xiao Zhan's feelings"

Yibo was annoyed and grouchy when he heard this and was about to yell at the woman for spreading false rumors but he was stopped by Xian Lu.

"What's wrong Yibo, you look mad"

"I'm gonna give those girls a piece of my mind! They are talking crap about me and Zhan ge's relationship."

"Who are they Yibo? And what do you mean? What were they saying exactly?" she enquired

"Jiejie.. just because we were friendly on set, they think that we love each other now"

Xuan Lu laughed. "That's what whole of China thinks Yibo. Isn't that why your CP is number one on all the charts. Don't bother with them Yibo, ignore it and move on."

"But.. they think I was flirting with Zhan ge and that...that I'm in love with him. That's just ridiculous."

Xuan Lu laughed again. She gestured Yibo to bring his ear close to her and whispered "Between you and me, we know that it is the truth right?"

Yibo gave her a puzzling look. "What are you saying, JieJie. That is not the truth."

And then all hell broke loose. In an instant he lost his best friend and rest of the cast members he once considered family. He suddenly became an outcast unintentionally. He initially thought everything will go back to normal as time goes by, its been a while now and he now misses his friends..he misses Xiao Zhan.

Yibo has too many things he wants to share with his Zhan ge..about the song he wrote..about his upcoming new year's eve performance..about his latest law suit...he needs his friend..his ge..by his side to listen to his thoughts..give him advice..just be there for him like he has always been for the past year and a half.

Despite that he couldn't call Xiao Zhan. Zhan had requested Yibo to stay away and Yibo promised he would. He has to stick to his word even if the distance is killing him inside.

Yibo got used to having Xiao Zhan in his life. He had never been this close to any one before.. not even his UNIQ bandmates or DDU brothers. Xiao Zhan was different in every way and Yibo loved that fact...he was kind, sensitive, funny, caring and most importantly could understand Yibo like no one else ever did.. not even his parents. Yet now he has lost his Zhan ge forever.
It bothered him that everyone misunderstood his actions and blamed him for Xiao Zhan's hurt. None of their friends even took the time to check up on him after that night. Everyone alienated him for no mistake of his. He was also lonely and hurt but apparently only Xiao Zhan's feelings mattered to everyone.