2013

The weather was considerably cooler, and less humid on this fine day in Bangkok. Although, many would still think 30C as quite hot, but to the native Thais, this is the most comfortable temperature. It was perfect for Kasetsart University's Annual Spring Festival.

It was early afternoon, and the sun was still high in the sky. Students from every faculty were at the football field for Kasetsart University's Annual Spring Festival. Music was blasting loudly through speakers across the stadium. People were happily eating and playing.

A boy in a white shirt walked up the stage with a guitar. People cheered loudly for boy to show their support and encouragement.

Arthit was a little nervous, but it wasn't his first time performing. He has performed many times in high school in a band with his friends. However, this time he is performing solo, and there's a lot more people here at university. He doesn't know what possessed him that day to sign up for the on stage performance.

Arthit pulled his stool forward closer to the front of the stage. He nervously smiled, and adjusted the microphone before speaking.

"Hello everyone. I'm Arthit Rojnapat. I'm a first year from the Journalism faculty. Today, I will play one of my favorite love songs. I hope you guys will like it."

Arthit adjusts the guitar, and tunes it a little. Testing the sound, and the strings until they felt right. He strums the strings a few more times, and then he started singing.

The crowd slowly inched closer to the stage. Many were in awe of his beautiful voice. Many girls started whispering if anyone knew anything about the freshman. Some were swooning, and couldn't wait to get an opportunity to talk to him after the performance.

Towards the back of the crowd was a boy that was beyond mesmerized by the melody. The moment the song began, a shiver ran through Kongpob's body, like the lyrics where speaking to him. Goosebumps formed, and his heart grew heavy. Have you ever listened to a song, and it rendered you speechless? A moment you are disconnected from your surroundings, and all you can focus is the music. That's how Kongpob felt.

Kongpob from afar recognized the boy he had met before at the convenience store, and the time he helped at the pork stand. So, his name is Arthit. He can't believe the same boy is now a freshman at his school. Albeit not the same faculty. Kongpob was a business major. Their two faculties are at the very far ends of each other. If it weren't for the school's Spring Festival, they could very possibly go through all four years without ever meeting each other.

"Kongpob, are you ready? It's almost your turn." Jane, his friend came to tell him, and pulled him back to reality.

"Yeah. I will be right there after this song."

Jane nodded and walked away.

When the song was about to end Arthit looked up, and turned to the audience. His eyes caught someone he hasn't seen for over a year. Arthit couldn't help, but smile causing the crowd to squeal. He has gone back to the pork stand several times, yet he hasn't seen Kongpob ever since that one time. He even asked the pork man, and the pork man just shooed him away.

Arthit had guessed that Kongpob went to Kasetsart University since the pork man's food cart was just outside of the university. He had hoped that he would eventually run into him. And maybe a little part of him had hoped that Kongpob would see him today, and would know he was at the same university too.

When the song was done, Arthit got off the stage with his guitar. He headed towards where Kongpob was standing, but a few girls approached him. By the time he was able to escape, Kongpob was already gone. He looked around everywhere, but there was no sight of Kongpob. Sighing to himself, he didn't know when he will see Kongpob again.

Kongpob arrived at their booth. Their club decided to have a kissing booth. There was a line for the girls, and a line for the boys. There were three boys and three girls as kissers. The kisses were all innocent pecks on the cheek. Although, during his last round a girl boldly grabbed his face, and kissed the corner of his lips. Kongpob had only laughed it off while all the others around him teased him for blushing like a tomato. Even his rather tan skin couldn't hide the crimson from showing. Silly he knows. It wasn't his first kiss or anything. His first kiss was long stolen by another girl, but that's a story for another time.

Kongpob was going next after Tew, and Aim was going after him. They rotated every thirty minutes. The kissing booth was Prae's genius idea. All they had to do was decorate the booth, and make a sign. The result was beyond what they had expected. Both lines for boys and girls was super long, and wrapped around the other side of the booth.

"Hey, that was great Arthit. All those girls were talking about you. Did you get any of their numbers? We can all hangout, you know." Bright asked enthusiastically.

Prem smirked at Bright's antics, while Knot shook his head.

"Arthit's not a horn dog like you, Bright." Knot said.

"No. I didn't. They asked for my Line, but I told them that I didn't have my phone on me." Arthit answered while putting his guitar back in its case.

"That's a wasted opportunity. Arthit, what are you so scared of. The girls are not going to bite." Bright sighed. His friends should all just go become monks.

"I'm not scared. I'm just not interested. Okay?" Arthit replied rolling his eyes.

"Hey, what's that long line for?" Prem asked the gang.

"Oh, it's the Kissing Booth by the Business Faculty. Them business people sure know how to make money. They don't even have to bake cookies. I'm going to get in line too." Toota quickly headed over to the girls line.

"Arthit, if you're not afraid of girls then, I dare you to get in line too." Bright challenged.

"You don't have to listen to him Arthit." Knot assured Arthit with his arm around the latter's shoulders.

"I'm not afraid. Here, hold my guitar. I'll get in the stupid line." Arthit said as he left his guitar with Knot, and made his way to the back of the girls line. There were already six people between him and Toota.

Despite the long line, it moved pretty quickly. Arthit got more and more nervous as the line moved along. He doesn't know what he got himself into. Bright, Prem, and even Knot was watching him in amusement. He can't back out now. The line has finally come around the corner. Everyone that passed by said the kisser is handsome.

Hold on. Arthit thought to himself. Isn't this the girls line? Like, isn't the kisser a girl? Why would they say she is handsome. Then Arthit looked around him, and noticed that the people in front and behind him were all girls. Then, what about Toota? Shit! Toota likes boys. Arthit was about to get out of line, but Bright stopped him.

"Hey hey hey. Where are you going Arthit? Backing out already?" Bright asked with a smirk.

"I'm in the wrong line you idiot. Why didn't you say anything?" Arthit said irritatedly pushing Bright's arm away.

"Hey, you chose this line on your own. What's wrong with this line? You're almost there anyway. Are you afraid of a kiss from a boy?" Bright looked at Arthit with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not afraid, but why can't I get in the other line?" Arthit questioned. He's not afraid, but it's awkward and embarrassing.

"Excuse me. It's your turn." The girl behind Arthit said. She was ready to step around him if he didn't move.

"Oh, sorry." Arthit saluted apologetically to the girl. He figured he might as well just get it over with now that it's his turn. It's not like he is really afraid or anything. Arthit turned around but the booth was empty.

"Please just wait a moment. He will be right here. They are switching right now." The girl named Prae according to her name tag said from the boys line.

Arthit nodded awkwardly to the girl. His face was getting hotter by the second. This is so embarrassing. He really shouldn't have followed Toota. He looked down the line, and he noticed there were a couple of more boys in the same line, so he is not the only one.

"Hi! I'm Kongpob, are you ready?" Kongpob asked the boy that had his back towards him.

Arthit turned around, and froze for a second. Are his eyes playing tricks on him? He looked away, and looked back. It's really Kongpob. This is so embarrassing. Why is he in this stupid line?

"Arthit? Right? I heard you play your guitar earlier. You were very good." Kongpob said smiling.

Arthit knew he was just standing there like an idiot, but he couldn't will his body to respond. His heart was pounding so hard that it was threatening to pop out of his chest.  What is happening?

Tha thump. Tha thump. Tha thump.

Now, his big doe eyes were stuck staring at the deep brown eyes staring back at him. That is until the Bright smacked him on the back of his head, snapping him out of it.

"Ouu... I'm going to kill you Bright." Arthit turned to Bright with a murderous look.

The latter laughed, and ran back to a safe distance from Arthit.

"So, do you want a kiss?" Kongpob asked chuckling.

"Uh, my friends dared me. I know you would be here. No, I mean I didn't know you. I wouldn't do something like this. I mean to be in this line. I was only...." Arthit tried to explain, but he got cut off.

"It's okay. I understand. You don't want me to kiss you." Kongpob said nodding in understanding.

"That's not what I'm saying. What I'm saying is...is...I don't know what I'm saying ." Arthit doesn't know why he is fumbling with his words. It's embarrassing enough already that he is in this line. Now, he can't even string words together to make a coherent sentence. He can feel his cheeks blushing, and his neck overheating too. Kongpob smiling at him is not helping at all.

"Let me tell you something. Come closer."  Kongpob said crooking his index finger.

Arthit nervously took a step closer to the booth that separated him and Kongpob, and leaned in a bit.

"It happens really quick."  Chup.

Kongpob had swiftly pecked his left cheek. Arthit immediately covered his kissed cheek. If he wasn't a tomato before, he is certain that he resembled one right now.

"There. It's done. That's 90 Bahts." Kongpob smiled.

Arthit didn't dare to look up at Kongpob. He nodded, and pulled the money out of his pocket. He quickly stuffed it into the collection jar. As he retrieved his hand, Kongpob grabbed a hold of it.

"Here, take this. I want you to have it." Kongpob, placed a red Hershey's Kisses in his palm, and let his hand go.

Arthit kept his hand over his burning cheek, and quickly walked away. He held onto the Hershey's Kisses in his right hand, and hoped it won't melt. He didn't dare to turn around. Arthit didn't want Kongpob to see how red he was. Today, turned out to be one of the most memorable days of his life.

~~~~~~
AN: Okay, I fell asleep twice writing this chapter, and I even accidentally erased part of it. This jet lag is killing me. So, I apologize if it's sloppy. I really wanted this to be sweeter, but I don't know if it came out that way. You let me know what you think. ❤️

More odd facts: Singto was originally named Gun. His mother changed his name to Singto during the year of the tiger to counter his haplessness.

Next update, I will find something on Krist. 😜