"Hey, aren't they weird? Those kids..."
"Those are the Yi siblings, they do everything together."
"Are they twins? They look alike!"
The moms were whispering amongst themselves as they waited for their children. This was a daily occurrence between the pick-up moms who were especially nosy and prone to gossip.
"Brother, those ladies are talking about us again."
A little girl who was no more than 7 muttered in a meek voice. She gripped onto her brother's tiny hand tightly, feeling afraid. Her glossy eyes stared into his mesmerizing ones, expecting a response.
"Don't mind them. Old ladies like them, only bad things come out of their dirty mouths."
Brother reassured her, smiling briefly. He secured his grip on her hand, his hold was gentle yet inseparable.
The boy was wearing a simple navy blue t-shirt and cargo pants while the girl was had on a plain baby pink dress. Their clothes weren't eye-catching at all, but everyone's eyes seemed to look at them at least twice. There was this sheltered feeling around the docile girl that the cold boy fiercely imposed. It was quite strange for people their age that usually got into constant fights and played recklessly.
"Hey, Yi Fan!"
Another boy came running at the two in the full force, stumbling in his awkward steps. Yi Fan immediately step in front of Yi Fei, holding her tiny hand behind his small back. He sharply stared at the boy, almost commanding him to stop.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that?" The carefree boy stuttered, immediately slowing down. He suddenly noticed the little girl peeking from Yi Fan's back, and realized it was Yi Fei. "I just came here 'cause Teacher wanted to tell you that you've left your science textbook. She's gonna give you a scolding!"
"Oh." Yi Fan cooled down, his tense shoulders dropping. He mysteriously stared at wide-eyed Yi Fei blankly.
"Brother, you can go. I can wait here." Yi Fei knew what he was thinking, and she smiled lightly to try to ease Yi Fan's worries. He was rather protective of her and she didn't mind, but she didn't want to get in Yi Fan's way either.
"Okay..." Yi Fan reluctantly let go of her soft hand, giving the spiky-haired boy a icy glare that said 'Don't mess around' before he left.
Yi Fei and the boy watched Yi Fan run to the school. Yi Fei felt a tinge of pain being separated from him.
"Sooooo, Yi Fei!" The boy rashly approached her, "You're always with Yi Fan all the time, none of the classmates are able to talk to you!"
"Mm." Yi Fei was uncomfortable, she had a bad feeling about this guy.
"Hey, why I don't be your friend?" The boy asked. "My name is Xiao Ming!"
"Mm." Yi Fei expectantly regretted her decision, she unquestionably wanted her brother back.
"Come, follow me!" The boy carelessly grabbed Yi Fei's hand. Yi Fei was stunned by the sudden contact of skin, this was the first time someone other than Yi Fan held her hand. His hand was rough but had delicate fat fingers.
WARNING: The Childhood Arc is very long (from Chapter 15 to 34)
It will include sensitive topics that I recommend you don't read if you're under the age of 18 or can't handle pain. Please avoid at all costs.
Skip ahead to Chapter 35. :)
Do not worry as I will fill you in when needed. :)
However, you feel like you're up to it. Then do it. At the end, you'll feel... rejuvenated.