2013

On a late Friday afternoon, most students are packing up to return home for the long break. It's the end of the semester, and many have already left the school grounds. Most of the canteen vendors have also started their two months long break. The days are getting hotter as Songkran slowly approaches.

In the school's courtyard under a tree, there stood a boy and a girl. The girl with a ponytail in her school uniform looked down at her feet. She kept her nervous hands clasped together behind her back. Her heart raced and pounded like it was about to explode. She took a deep breath, and said "P'Heng, I really like you. And not just as a friend. Will you go out with me?"

Kongpob felt so awkward. He has had a few confessions before, but never from someone he has known for so long. Kongpob has never dated anyone. He just wasn't interested in dating. Kongpob didn't want to date just for the sake of dating. His friends did that, and those relationships didn't end well. Some were actually quite messy. He would much rather spend his time doing things he was genuinely interested in, or something more productive.

"I'm sorry. I don't feel that way about you. Jane, you are like a sister to me. I really care about you. I really hope this won't change that."

"P'Heng, is it because I'm not pretty enough? Or do you like someone else? I have liked you for a long time now." Jane said as tears started to form in her eyes.

"Of course not. You are very pretty. I am just not the one for you. You will meet someone better than me. Okay? Please don't cry." Kongpob said as he wiped away a tear from Jane's face.

Jane nodded. She knew the chance of rejection was high, but she had to take it. Kongpob was leaving soon, and she wanted to live with no regrets. At least now she can say she had tried, and she won't have to keep wondering 'what if.'

"I'll be okay P'Heng. Please don't tell my brother this. It's so embarrassing. I don't want him to tease me."

"Of course I won't. I don't want your brother to come, and beat the crap out of me for this either." Kongpob smiled softly.

Jane chuckled a little. "Okay, I'm going to go bury myself somewhere. I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, be careful going home." Kongpob watched Jane walk away.

Kongpob can only sigh. He didn't mean to hurt Jane, or anybody else for that matter. The only fleeting moment of interest he has ever had was with a boy he barely knew. Since he has never liked anyone, it's probably not even what he thinks. Besides, it's not a good time to date anyway.

Kongpob went to meet Jane's brother at the basketball court. They wanted to play a bit of one-on-one before heading home.

Two hours later, the two boys were getting tired under the scorching heat. The ball hits the backboard, but missed the basket.

Kongpob takes the ball, and makes a three points shot. Aim shook his head. It was getting too hot to breathe. Both boys soaked from head to toe in sweat. Aim picked up the ball, and called it quits. They walked over to the bleachers, and pulled out their water bottles for a drink.

"Kong, this is going to be the first time we will be apart from each other for so long since third grade. It won't be the same without you."

"I'll miss you too, but I want to do this. We can always video chat until we fall asleep. We can even end it with a goodnight kiss. Hahaha." Kongpob made kissy lips at his best friend Aim.

Aim striked Kongpob with his towel. "Aish....you're annoying. Like I would ever give you a goodnight kiss. But I'm seriously going to miss you."

"I will be back before you know it. Please check on my mom for me once in a while though. She will only say she is doing fine when I ask. And you know, my dad travels a lot. So, I would appreciate it if you can go check sometimes."

"No problem. Your mom is like my mom. Besides, your mom always hook me up with delicious free food." Aim smiled.

~~~~~~

Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

"I'm coming!" Arthit shouted at the door as he approached. He opened the door to see Jane standing on the other side.

"Oh, hi Jane. Come on in." Arthit swung the door open wider, and stepped aside to let Jane inside the house.

"Hi Arthit. I'm just going to go to Krystal's room. Thanks." Jane took off her shoes and put on slippers before she headed to her best friend's room.

Arthit let Jane go, and headed back into the kitchen where he was preparing his instant noodles. Jane looked kind of sad, but he didn't ask. His sister will tell him all about it later whether he wanted to know or not.

Arthit placed his bowl of noodles on the kitchen table, and went over to the fridge. But right before he can reach the handle, someone beat him to it.

"Oy....Krystal! That's the last bottle of Coke. Give me." Arthit stretched his hand out to his sister.

"Drink something else. Coke is Jane's favorite, and she needs it for her heartbreak." Krystal pushed her glasses up, and looked at her brother.

"Heartbreak? I didn't know she was dating anyone." Arthit frowned while still staring at the bottle in his sister's hand.

"No, she's not. She finally confessed to P'Heng today after all these years, but he rejected her."

"Oh my God. Is it still the same guy? I've heard you two mention this guy's name so many times already. What's so special about him?" Arthit reached inside the fridge to grab a bottle of grape Oishi. He really wanted that carbonated tingle with his noodles, but he will just have to settle. Being a gentlemen sucks sometimes.

"Well, P'Heng is just an all around fun and good guy. A lot of girls like him, but he always rejects them." Krystal said closing the refrigerator door.

"You sound like you admire him too. Shouldn't you hate him since he hurt your best friend?"

Krystal shakes her head. She knew that Jane was most likely going to be rejected before she even went to confess. After knowing P'Heng all these years, it was clear to her that romance was not a priority on P'Heng's list. He had dreams and aspirations that were bigger than puppy love. He never flirted or chased after anyone, but girls couldn't help it from falling in love with him. He was smart, outgoing, humble, and caring. Even the janitors at school loved him. And to top it all, he is handsome without any arrogance.

"No. P'Heng has the right to like someone or not just as much as someone has the right to like him. P'Heng is a very nice guy. And to be honest, it's probably better that he rejected Jane."

"Why? Do you like him too?" Arthit raised an eyebrow at his sister while he took his first bite of noodles.

"No. I did when I was younger, but then I grew out of it. We have known him for eight years now. What I mean is that P'Heng is leaving for two years, and long distance relationships are hard. Even if they started to date, they would only have a month before he leaves. Jane doesn't hate him either. She is just sad."

"Oh, I see. Then maybe it is for the best then. But why is it when I reject a girl, she always get mad? There was even one girl that stomped on my foot." Arthit slammed his chopsticks on the table at the injustice.

"Beats me. You must've said something stupid. Maybe you should learn from P'Heng. No one is ever mad at him. Anyway, I'm going back to my room." Krystal walked away with beverages and a pack cookies.

"Whatever." Rolling his eyes, Arthit continued eating. He pulled out his phone to play some random cat videos. For some unknown reason, he can watch cat videos all day. He actually really enjoys cat videos playing while he reads his mangas.

Ding Dong. Ding Dong.

What the heck? Why can't he eat his noodles in peace. His noodles are going to go soggy at this rate. Ugh.

Arthit reluctantly got out of his seat, and went to get the door again. He irritatedly swung open the door. Only, this time on the other side of the door was a boy. A boy he thought about every now and then. A boy that has stirred some questionable feelings in him. A boy that brought an instant smile on his face every time they have met. And this time is no different. Arthit's frown had instant lifted into a bright smile.

"Oh, hi! It's you!" Arthit knew he sounded dumb, but what was he supposed to say? And why did he have to sound so excited?

"Hi! It's Arthit, right? Nice to see you." Kongpob said. He was surprised to see Arthit. He hasn't seen the boy since the festival, and that was four months ago. The image of a flustered Arthit came up, and Kongpob couldn't help himself from smiling even brighter.

"And you are Kongpob." That came out more like a statement. Arthit doesn't know why he continued to sound like an idiot. He just kept staring at Kongpob while still holding the door knob.

Kongpob stood there for a good thirty seconds before speaking again.

"Uhm, sorry to bother you, but is Krystal here?" Kongpob blinked a few times to see if Arthit would blink too.

"Oh. You are here to see my sister? Uhm, I'll go get her." Arthit didn't know what he was expecting. Of course Kongpob came to see his sister. It's not like Kongpob really knew him, so of course he wouldn't be here for him. But wait. When did Krystal know Kongpob? He has never heard her mention his name, and Krystal tells him everything. It's a twins thing. He was practically Krystal's living and breathing diary. What relationship do they have?

"Thanks." Kongpob stood waiting at the door while Arthit ran upstairs. This is the first time he has ever visited Krystal's home. He only met Krystal because she was Jane's best friend. But over the years, they have all become friends with one and another.

Krystal came running to the front door moments later. Arthit walked slowly passing by with his ears perked. He really wanted to know why Kongpob was here, and how come Krystal has never mentioned him before.

"Hey P'Heng!" Krystal gave a soft smile.

"Hi Krystal. Here's Jane's textbook. Aim is waiting in the car. Is she okay?" Kongpob asked.

"Don't worry P'. She will be fine. I don't know if she will still go to the movies with us on Sunday, but she will be okay soon." Krystal assured Kongpob.

"Okay. Then, please take care of her. I will see you Sunday." Kongpob said before he turned to leave.

Arthit heard the front door shut, and Krystal ran back upstairs. So, Arthit went back to his cold and now soggy noodles. The noodles didn't matter anymore. He has lost his appetite. He sat there instead trying to digest the fact that Kongpob is P'Heng. The same P'Heng his sister has talked about all these years. How did he not know? And then his heart sank with a constricting heaviness. P'Heng is going to leave for two years. That means Kongpob is leaving for two years. Where is he going? Why does he feel so sad all the sudden?

~~~~~~
AN: Sorry for the late update. Wattpad was acting funny earlier. I hope you guys aren't too sad from this chapter. ❤️

Odd Facts: Krist started learning drums when he was in 4th grade. 🥁