Y/n pov:
The lanterns were glowing overhead creating golden patterns on Zayn's face while we drifted through the crowd. He lightly nudged my shoulder.
"You know," he said, "if you get us lost again like last time, I will abandon you to barter with chestnuts."
I laughed. "Hey! That only happened once. And admit it, we found the best dumpling stall."
"After two hours," he teased, rolling his eyes. "My feet have never forgiven me."
I stuck my tongue out at him. "Such a drama queen."
Zayn smiled, then purchased me a paper lantern that had gold stars painted on it. "For you. To light our way home, Miss Human Compass."
I held it close to my chest, an ache forming in a sweet way. "Thank you. It's beautiful."
We continued walking, laughing, and pointing at all the colorful stalls. For a little while, I felt normal. Just me and Zayn like old times.
Then, I heard an announcement through the plaza. My heart sank as my eyes fell to Sylus and Liya stepped onto the stage set beneath the lanterns. Cheering erupted, cameras flashing, and a tightness started to form in my chest.
I gazed at Sylus, who was grinning for the cameras. The words lingered in the cold air: "Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in congratulating the future Mr. & Mrs. Qin: we have the Onychinus and Yuxin family coming together in marriage."
The world felt like it was spinning around me. My scarf felt tighter around my neck. I tried to clap, tried to act normal, but my palms were glued to my sides. My mind screamed that this was not happening. That he could not marry someone else. Not Sylus.
Zayn gently squeezed my arm. "Y/N..."
I blinked, forcing the tears back. "I'm fine."
But I wasn't.
A few minutes later, Sylus and Liya exited the stage. He saw me right away, and he started towards us with Liya on his arm.
Zayn moved closer, protectively, as Sylus got closer to us. Sylus's smirk was like a knife.
"Zayn," Sylus greeted coldly. "What a surprise to see you here."
" Sylus," said Zayn, mimicking his inflection and tone.
"You look..." I started to point out but couldn't finish when I saw the ring on Liya's hand.
"Engaged, yes. Officially," Sylus said, smirking.
"Congrats," I whispered. I felt far away. My chest was starting to ache. I was trying to breathe normally.
Sylus pulled Liya close to him, as he leaned his cheek against hers. "We always loved autumn, didn't we?"
"You did," I squeaked.
There was a silence that hung in the air, thick and painful. My head felt as heavy as the lanterns hanging above me. Sylus's eyes flashed with something I couldn't read.
Then he smirked again. "You are invited to our wedding. Since we are all... a bunch of old friends."
Zayn's jaw clenched. "Sylus..."
"I'll send you the card," Sylus brusquely interrupted. "Email. I'm sure you will check it."
He turned to face me, his voice like chilled steel. "Really sad if you missed it. It's in the winter. Your favorite, right?"
I felt like the bottom dropped out from under me. My heart lurched, and I felt sharp pain, and I saw spots. The word winter took me down, but I zapped right back up because winter was ours. Winter was the season he said he would marry me. And now he was giving it away.
I squeezed out an incoherent sound, but my throat closed. I couldn't breathe. My chest felt like an iron weight was on it. Zayn took hold of my arm, anchoring me, a blur of worry for a voice.
Sylus leaned in. "My, you're very quiet, Y/N. No warm wishes for me? Or is Zayn speaking for you?"
"Enough already," Zayn said angrily.
"Is it?" Sylus scoffed, "I guess people can change. But don't worry, you can get a front row seat to the big day! We're best friends, remember?"
Then Sylus turned and dragged Liya away.
The crowd consumed him.
My legs gave way underneath me, and the lights in the hall blurred. My chest was constricting, tighter and tighter. I squeezed Zayn's sleeve, panting. It literally felt as if my heart had ripped in half. Pain spread into my arms and up my neck. I could not catch my breath.
"Y/N!" Zayn shouted above the noise, "Y/N, look at me — breathe. Just breathe."
I tried. I tried so hard. Everything was spinning. My mind couldn't hold onto anything else except the noise of Sylus's words ringing in my ears. Winter. Wedding. Cruel winters.
And then darkness pulled me under.
Note:
Hey little stars!! New chapter!!!