Bai Luo Yin was exceptionally exhausted when he got home that day. It is why he went straight to bed right after dinner. During dinner he lazily mumbled some responses to his family's inquiries about his new school. Though he hated having to attend this school, he masked it quite well so as to ensure that his father would not somehow feel guilty. As he was starting to doze off, suddenly his phone on the nightstand started ringing. In his half asleep state he reached out, grabbed it and pressed the answer button without even taking a glance at it.

"Bal Luo Yin" said that all too familiar voice which belonged to his mother.

"Yes..?" he uttered still not caring to open his eyes.

"I'm just calling to ask how your first day went" said her annoyingly cheerful voice. "Did you meet your step brother Gu Hai?"

Bai Luo Yin was barely paying attention. After a pause he responded without much interest "who..?"

"Gu Hai. I called him as well but he never answers my calls and I haven't met him in days since he moved into an apartment that his father got him." She elaborated.

'Why the hell does that name sound familiar' Bai Luo Yin wondered. It only took a few more seconds before it dawned on him.

That ridiculous handwriting! That arrogant tone. That smug posture. Gu Hai. Of course he could remember!

'That moron is her step-son?' He let it sink in internally.

"Are you still there Bal Luo Yin?"

"umm.. yes I was just about to sleep, I'm tired. Talk to you later." He hung up still lost in thought.

'That asshole probably already knew who I was and wanted to mess with me on purpose.' He pondered angrily. "..or could this be a different Gu Hai.." Then he scoffed. "Yeah right. Like being placed in the same class as her new son could be a coincidence. Who am I kidding."

Suddenly a look of determination made its way to his facial features. "Gu Hai. You better stay the hell away from me., or else I'll make you wish you never met me"

For so long he had hated the man his mother adored so much after leaving his beloved father. Then she married him making Bai Luo Yin detest that family even more. Though it is ridiculous to hate people you have never even met, Bai Luo Yin could not help how he felt. It stemmed from a heartache of betrayal deep within.

Although he had not given any thought as to what this new son of hers could be like, now that he had met him, he realized it is exactly the type of a person he would have imagined him to be. 'How predictable' he thought before giving into his weariness.

***************************

The next day, Bai Luo Yin came to the class 10 minutes late. The teacher had already arrived.

"You.." He said disapprovingly studying Bai Luo Yin. "How nice of you to be so punctual"

Bai Luo Yin guiltily smiled and made his way to his seat.

The lessons kept Bai Luo Yin interested enough to not fall asleep. Unlike in his old school, here they barely got a break between periods. So when the lunch break finally arrived, he instantly rushed out to the cafeteria. As he sat down with his tray of food, a book suddenly landed on the table with a thud.

He turned around.

Gu Hai stood staring down at him with his imposing height.

Bai Luo Yin stared back down at the book. It belonged to him.

A ray of anger shot through him. "You stole my book?!" he hissed looking back up.

"Borrowed" Gu Hai leisurely leaned against his table.

Now that he knew who Gu Hai was, the level of annoyance Bai Luo Yin felt around him was at a maximum.

Bai Luo Yin scoffed, "Is that what all the thieves call it these days?"

Gu Hai let a laugh escape his lips. "You'd know all about that wouldn't you.." he said observing the boy below.

"What?" Bai Luo Yin asked indifferently.

"God you're slow". Gu Hai snickered smugly. "What I meant is, aren't you a thief yourself?"

"What's that supposed to mean ha?" Bai Luo Yin shot the tall boy a challenging look.

An enchanting smile adorned Gu Hai's face. "Since you think you're so clever, why don't you figure it out?" he muttered slowly starting to walk away while wiggling his perfect eyebrows.

Bai Luo Yin rolled his eyes. "Like I haven't got better things to do" he said before Gu Hai was out of earshot. As soon as he had left, the first thing Bai Luo Yin did was make sure that his book was intact.

'You think being my step-brother gives you the right to steal my things as you please? You've underestimated me Gu Hai'

*********************

Gu Hai was seated with his two buddies some tables away from where Bai Luo Yin was slowly eating. Even during all the chit chat, he made sure to steal some glances at the boy.

"Does either of you know him?" Gu Hai asked out of the blue pointing towards Bai Luo Yin.

They both turned back to have a look.

"Mm,. No. Never seen him before" One answered carelessly.

"Ahah. That's one of the new kids!" said the other one, who usually makes sure to be kept on the loop about the latest happenings at the school.

"His name is Bai Luo Yin". Gu Hai uttered still keeping his gaze on the said boy.

"How do you know? He's in your class?" Asked the clueless one out of his two buddies.

"I stole his book." Gu Hai said as it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"......." His friends.

"And yes he's in my class" he added.

The two friends started giggling together.

"You stole his book? Hahaha are you trying to get him to be your lackey ah?" One said between his giggles.

Gu Hai's composure was unaffected by their stupid reaction.

"I returned it. So technically I only borrowed it." He explained calmly.

"Why did you borrow it then?" One asked.

"To find his name and copy his calligraphy"

"Hahah. Why didn't you just ask him instead of stealing it?

There was a pause before Gu hai answered "He's a stubborn little shit. There's no chance in hell he'd let me borrow anything".

"I don't' blame him" other friend said starting to laugh again.

Gu Hai gave him a death stare. "Shut the hell up and eat!"

*****************************

Given that he wanted to earn some extra credits, Bai Luo Yin decided to join the school's basketball team. His experience in his previous school's team made it easy to be considered for a spot in this team. Little did he know about what awaited him.

He had managed to become friends with a slightly tan and handsome lad named Ming Shu who was already in the team. He was more than happy to accompany Bai Luo Yin on his first day.

"Do you really think I have a shot? Bai Luo Yin asked as they walked towards the basketball court.

"From what you've told me, it sounds like you won't have any trouble getting in" Ming Shu ensured and added, "we have a few competent players, just don't let their antics intimidate you., specially Gu Hai's."

On hearing that name, Bai Luo Yin abruptly brought his steps to a halt.

"Ughhh I should have known." Bai Luo Yin thought.

"What's wrong?" asked Ming Shu.

"Gu Hai is in my class." Bai Luo Yin answered.

"Oh is he? He's one of our best players, if not the best. He was chosen to be the captain but he refused." Ming Shu explained.

"Why did he refuse?" Bai Luo Yin asked, being genuinely curious.

"hmmm...nobody dared to ask.." Ming Shu responded. "Guess you could find out soon enough" He added smiling.

"......." Bai Luo Yin.

                                                     *****************

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