Picture Us [discontinued]

twenty-nine

g o i n g  h o m e

After school, Xia gets called down to talk to Coach Qi so she goes to walk home alone.

"Nam!" she hears her name being called by Zhuo Zhi.

"Hi, Zhi."

"Are you leaving by yourself?"

"Yes."

"Can I walk you home today?"

"Um, okay... Why?"

"Well... I want to talk with your father."

"Oh... for tennis?"

"Yeah."

"By the way, Siyang came by my class today."

"Really?"

"Yeah... He's going to play a private game with Xia." Upon seeing Zhuo's troubled face, she asks, "What's wrong?"

"Last year, we played a horrible game against Xing Yao. Siyang had an arm injury. Sometimes, I think he's going to destroy his arm... Don't worry, Nam. I'm sure everything is fine."

"I guess."

"Are you going to watch their game?" he wonders.

"I think... I would intrude if I did," she admits.

-

Nam and Zhuo arrive at the Lu household, and they see Xia in the garden looking at them questioningly.

"Oh, um... Zhi's here to talk to dad," Nam supplies.

"He's in the kitchen," Xia says, before heading to his room.

"Okie, then. Come with me," she says to Zhuo, and they make their way to the kitchen.

"Nam," Zhuo says, "it's going to be a private conversation."

"Wha- fine... But I want to, um... be able to see you before you leave."

"Of course," he replies with a chuckle.

-

Nam goes to Xia's room and sees him playing with their cat.

"Hey, Xia."

"Nam, what're they talking about?"

"I'm not sure... Zhi said it was private," Nam says with a shrug. While she's petting the cat, she notices Xia playing with a tennis ball. "Are you excited for your private game?"

"It'll be good, to play against someone so experienced."

"Um... sorry."

"Why?"

"It's nothing-"

"What'd you do?"

"It's not bad! It's just... I don't think I'll watch that game."

"Oh."

"Do you want me there?"

Lu Xia ponders this for a split moment. "Actually, no."

"I knew it... So, what do you think Zhi's talking about?" Nam tries to nonchalantly ask.

"I've asked you that already," Xia deadpans.

"I was just curious! I mean... Zhi-"

"Is he all you want to talk about?"

"Hey! I- I'm leaving!" Nam huffs before she goes out to sit in the garden.

-

"Lu Xiangqian," Zhuo greets as he peeks his head into the kitchen.

"Hello," he replies, hand out for a handshake as they greet each other.