Strings Attached (Sequel)

Losing My Best Friend

February 14th

Faye Calinao

"I'm going to kill him!" He shouted angrily for the fifth time now and I stressfully clung to his arm the best I could and pulled him towards the stairs. I was terrified and shaking the moment he started shouting at me.

You must be joking right now?

You're kidding me?!

"Please Ximen, don't," I pleaded. "I can't control now what's going on."

"My point exactly! He knew when you two started dating that I wasn't joking about getting you pregnant! I'm pissed Faye!" He shook me off and I lost my grip on him. He went up the stairs.

"Ximen!" I reached the top of the stairs and continued after him. "Ximen!" We reached the living room where he was going for his coat. I took his hand and locked my hands trying to calm him down. He was furious and I could see it in his eyes.

"Faye... let go." I shook my head. I noticed Daoming Si looking at us alarmed from the kitchen and he made his way over.

"It's my fault. Ximen, this isn't his fault." Even though Lei was ignoring me now, I couldn't bear the thought of him getting hurt. It was my doing now that I told Ximen and I had to fix this.

"I can't even blame you for this! You don't even remember anything."

"What's... going on?" Doaming Si asked, confused.

"Lei got Faye Pregnant," Ximen said with complete anger in his tone. Doaming Si looked towards me surprised, but I focused on Ximen.

"I'll deal with the consequences Ximen. Please, don't do anything."

"H-how?" Ximen said and tried to untangle our hands. He was squeezing my hand and it was hurting me, but I refused to let go. "How is this happening right now? He couldn't have waited until graduation? I will kill him, Faye." My eyes watered and my body was shaking.

"Please don't do this to me," I begged. My breathing was all over the place and I was light headed. "Don't touch Lei."

"I'm really pissed off right now Faye. Don't test me."

"I wanted to be honest with you."

"Faye, you, my best friend pregnant with my other best friend. You two haven't been together for that long. You can't stop me from hurting him."

"You can't hurt him!" I argued about being upset with Lei being mad with me and Ximen being angry with Lei. "Put the blame on me. I promise anything, I'll do whatever I have to do for you to forget about hurting him." We stood there for a few minutes as we waited for his response.

"It's you or him Faye," He spoke after a few minutes then turned to me.

"O-Okay," I spoke shakily, not liking where this was going.

"Do you really care for him that you'd sacrifice our friendship?"

"Ximen..." I said lightly.

"For me to not hurt Lei, I need to forget about you. If you want me to not hurt him I need to cut someone out of the equation. You must love him enough to sacrifice our friendship."

"Y-you're asking me to be cut out of your life," I said, barely audible.

"That's the only way I can look at him the same way as long is if I'm not a part of your life anymore. I can't deal with this situation and accept it."

"You're my best friend," I said to him lightly. Why couldn't he accept this? He really would cut me out of his life? How could he possibly do that? To me this seemed to me he never really needed me in his life. To me this was surprising and hurtful. I've always feared losing Ximen.

"And he is also mine. Which is it?" Ximen asked coldly. I never thought this would be how I lost him as someone who meant everything to me. He was a big part of my life and he could easily throw it away? I averted my eyes now feeling myself beginning to put up a small wall.

"How could... you ever ask that of me?" I asked.

"You think this is easy for me Faye?" He asked coldly. "You are the one asking me to pretend Lei didn't get you pregnant. For me to not want to hurt him, I can't see you anymore Faye." I shakily let go of his hand and took a step back from him. Tears flowing down my cheeks. I couldn't see Lei getting hurt, but I also didn't want the fear of losing Ximen.

"Ximen," Doaming Si said hesitantly looking between him and I. "Faye is looking pale, don't let her make this decision now. She doesn't look well."

"She has to make this decision now," Ximen spoke firmly. "Either she makes this decision or Lei ends up in the hospital tonight."

"C-cut me out of your life," I blurted without thinking and my eyes widened. Doaming Si's eyes even widened and Ximen glared towards me squinting.

"Faye," Ximen spoke sternly. I hugged myself devastated.

"You won't tell Lei or Meizuo what happened here," I spoke. "I'll leave Meizuo alone since he's with you all the time. Though I still need Lei in my life. I'll make sure to stay out of your way."

"Then you can't live with me." I took in a sharp breath not sure how I was going to deal with this.

"Fine."

"And I don't need this anymore." Ximen looked down and he reached for his arm where I placed his friendship bracelet on him. It was a gift from me. Ximen has always worn it since we were eight. I've never seen him take it off until today. He threw it on the ground. "Get out of here Faye."

"Wh-what?" I was confused.

"Ximen," Daoming Si said sternly. "That's enough. Just go downstairs. I'll be down there in a little bit."

"Alright," Ximen mumbled and left the living room without making eye contact. As soon as Ximen left the room, my legs collapsed under me and Doaming Si rushed over to me. I lost all fear from him the moment I lost Ximen.

"Faye." Daoming Si said quietly. I began crying hysterically as I let go of keeping it all in. Doaming Si helped me up onto the couch and squat down so we were eye level.

"Y-you won," I cried feeling so disappointed and defeated Ximen really would do this. I didn't care if Doaming Si wanted to smirk and laugh at me. I just lost my best friend and it really hurts.

"Hey," He said with a neutral expression. "Let's not talk about that. We have to talk about where you're going to live."

"I don't have anywhere to go," I said. "I don't have any friends to call here that I'm comfortable to ask. Are you happy now? You must feel so happy to get rid of m-"

"Stay here for now," he interrupted.

"What?" I asked unsure if I heard him right.

"You can stay here."

"No."

"Faye," Doaming Si frowned slightly. "You need to look after your baby. I'll call Le-"

"N-no, don't call him."

"Why not?"

"Why are you interested?"

"I'm concerned." I let out an unbelievable laugh and wiped my tears away to see clearly.

"You've never been concerned with me your entire life."

"Faye, don't argue with me now." He let out a sigh. "Look. You are pale and seem unwell. You're probably under a lot of stress and that isn't good for your child. You and Lei are having a baby. You need to be looked after. If Ximen isn't going to do it and for some odd reason you and Lei aren't speaking, then I need to take care of you. Lei is my best friend and I look out for his best interest. Now that I know you're carrying his child, you are also now a part of my worry."

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The things I have been writing lately 🥺

Next update: January 20th, 2022