Wei Ying wanted to throw the book across the floor. He was already a year, nearly 18 months, behind in his studies and the Math book was for first graders. He hated Math anyway. Too structured... too rigid...too dry...too boring... and a stupid kindergarten level at that. It added insult to injury...

Who needed this baby crap?

He knew he really did need to master it before moving into his correct grade next September, but he found concentrating on mundane studies to be practically impossible. He managed to scare off his tutor today by turning the tip of her nose a bright red. She had dashed off to her doctor to have it checked out, but of course, when she got there it would be faded away. These were private little tricks he had been able to do since he could remember, and they were handy sometimes. Harmless, but handy. H⁸. Lan Zhan had taught him how to control it but at least it had bought him some quiet time today. Quiet time was all he wanted right now, an afternoon of peace.

He did not care to go to school ever again. The place held awful memories. Likewise, he had developed a loathing for the Botanical Gardens, Monet, and painting in general. Buses. Nope. No buses either. He just wanted to be...well, he really did not know. At least that is what he told everyone.

Let me be.

He heard a knock, and his mother called in to him.

"Wei Ying. You have a visitor."

Dammit!

"No thank you. I am a little tired."

"It is Lan Xi Chen."

Wei Ying's heart lurched, and his head whipped around.

"NO! I don't...That is, ask him to go, I do not feel well."

Not his brother. I can't face his brother. He heard her walk away. He sighed in relief, and he felt his heart calm.

Then the doorknob turned, and in walked Lan Xi Chen.

"Hello, Wei Ying. It has been a while."

Wei Ying sat frozen, speechless. Lan Xi Chen had grown. He seemed impossibly tall, perhaps taller than his own father. He was slender, and very handsome. And, this was too much, but he looked so much like Lan Zhan, except for the eyes, that it hurt. Hurt so badly that it took his breath away. He felt something break inside and he hurled himself into the older boy's arms, weeping.

"I am sorry. I am so sorry. It was my fault. My fault."
The swift onslaught of sheer emotion hit him like a sledgehammer. But he held it together, staying centered, struggling not to cry himself. It was not the time. It could wait until later. He held the youngster tightly and stroked the curls.

Ah, he thought, no wonder Lan Zhan had liked this kid. He swore to himself. I will help him in any way I can. I owe it to my brother.

Time passed and slowly the child calmed. When he finally drew away from XiChen, Wei Ying looked embarrassed and uncertain.

"Sorry."

"No need to be. I miss him too.

Wei Ying, First, I want you to know, what happed was nobody's fault, least of all yours." He stopped the child's protest quickly. "You must listen to me. I probably knew Lan Zhan the best in the world, next to Mom and Dad. I remember the day they brought him home. Oh boy! That was a horrible day."

Wei Ying stared at him. "Horrible? How could that be horrible?"

XiChen laughed and made himself comfortable with a natural ease, so natural that Ying slipped automatically into the subtle atmosphere the teen created.

"Oh Yeah! After all, I had had all my parents' attention for two years. I was king of the house! Why would I want that nasty, little thing screaming at the top of its lungs, all red and scrunchy, coming in and stealing my thunder? And he stunk to high heaven, because he pooped right before he was brought in."

Ying couldn't help himself. He laughed. It took him off guard, because he actually could not remember the last time he laughed. But the image of a screaming, poopy-covered Lan Zhan was too funny, and it just slipped out. XiChen smiled inwardly. So far, so good.

"But I got used to him pretty quickly. Did you know that he sucked his thumb?"

"NO!!!!!"

"Yep."

"Whoa!"

"Annnd, he never stopped dogging my heels. I could not go anywhere without turning around and seeing him there. Can you imagine trying to go to the men's room and having to lock the door because, there he was. He wanted to copy EVERYTHING I did."

"You were a terrific big brother... Do you think he copied you, when he became my friend?"

"Could be. I hope so."

Ying sighed. A lonely little sound, but at least he was more aat ease.

"Hey, Ying, do you think I could ask you a favor?"

He looked up with dark gray eyes and studied the older boy.

"Depends. I don't know what you want yet."

XiChen chuckled. Yeah. Now he was beginning to see what Lan Zhan had always known. This boy had a disarming and direct way about him that pulled you in and made you want to protect him.

"Mother and Father want a bit of time for themselves. Usually, they bring me along on trips,but this time, I am going to be over there by myself. Would you maybe think about coming over and staying for a couple of days. They asked me if I knew anybody who could use some of his toys and books, so I thought about you. It would be a big help for me. I kinda think I would like some company while I do this."

Ying looked gravely at him. It was obvious that the idea of leaving his safe haven weighed heavily on him.

"Take your time, they don't leave for a couple of weeks. But will you think about it?"

Ying nodded solemnly.

Lan XiChen stood and said, "Great. call me when you decide.'

He walked to the door and heard a small, tentative voice.

"I will come over. Thank you XiChen."