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Perspective - 3rd Person
In the early morning, Pete is turning his car into the university grounds. Normally, he would drive straight to the parking lot, fearing it would be full. However, this time, he chooses to drive a little farther to...the football field.
Sigh. What am I hoping for, really? he murmurs to himself as he slows his car near the edge of the field and finds it empty. There are only students hurrying toward the tram stop not far from the field. He can only lean his head against the steering wheel and lower his gaze to the palms resting on his lap.
The sensation of warm hands lingers so vividly there that his face heats up.
It's not like coincidences happen so easily, Pete, he mutters before lifting his eyes to gaze wistfully at the green grass of the field. He wants to wait a little longer to make sure the person he's hoping to see won't come to jog or do anything around seven in the morning like this. With that thought, he reclines back against the seat of his luxurious car.
Pete knows full well that waiting around like this is pitiful. Even though the other person said he could come find him if there was anything, for someone who knows only a name, only a face, and has met just twice—who would shamelessly wait like this just because they were told to?
The thought makes him feel quietly embarrassed.
The overly considerate man sighs again, slumping slightly. After waiting nearly twenty more minutes without seeing the person he wants to meet, he decides to drive off. But instead of heading straight to the parking lot, he loops around half the campus just so he can drive past the engineering building before giving a sad smile.
"There are three engineering buildings... How could I possibly run into him? What childish thinking," he mutters to himself with another deep sigh before finally driving to the parking lot just before eight.
Even though he has wasted more than half an hour, Pete doesn't regret it—not if it meant he might have caught even a fleeting glimpse of the person who helped him.
~~~
Without realizing it, they are only less than five minutes apart:
"Ai Ae, pedal faster, damn it! Pedal quickly, we're going to be late! Don't you see?!" A slightly worn-out bicycle speeds under the building at a high velocity, an odd sight that turns several heads.
The one yelling his lungs out is a big man sitting at the back of the bicycle, being pedaled by someone at least ten centimeters shorter than him. It's hard to imagine how, given the weight of the passenger and the size of the cyclist, they're moving so quickly. As for the cyclist, does he seem exhausted? Not at all. His legs pump furiously at the pedals, his face annoyed at the friend who keeps slapping him hard on the shoulder repeatedly.
"Faster, damn it! Last time, Khun Glasses warned me he'd punish me for playing games in class. If I'm late again, I'm screwed!"
Ae—or Inthach—rolls his eyes, itching to kick his friend. He had woken up at 4:30 AM to run several laps around the football field, returned to the dorm, only to find this jerk still lying there scratching his crotch lazily, refusing to wake up no matter what. And now he's rushing him?!?
"Shut up! And stop calling the professor ‘Khun Glasses.' You better watch yourself…"
Eek!
"Just shut it and keep pedaling! Don't slow down!" Ai Pond, their Italian-mixed friend, yells like a madman, his voice contrasting sharply with the dignified appearance his ancestors blessed him with, leaving Ae to only shake his head.
"Whoa! Watch out!" Pond suddenly screams when Ae brakes so hard the back wheel almost lifts off the ground.
The bicycle wobbles precariously, nearly tipping over, but Ae—whom everyone calls 'Shorty'—steadies the bike with his feet firmly planted on the ground, his balance flawless, bringing them to a stop at last.
"Get off and start running. I'll park the bike first," the university footballer says in a calm voice, looking at his friend with clear irritation.
However, his words convey a sense of cooperation, prompting the empty-handed Pond—armed with only a pen—to jump off immediately.
"Thanks. Hurry up now. With your short legs—hey!"
Before he can finish teasing his friend with his own lack of self-awareness, he yelps as Ae throws a bag squarely at his face, leaving him barely enough time to catch it.
"Bring my bag up too! Hurry, or you'll be late!" Ae reminds him once more, prompting Pond to sprint into the building as fast as he can.
Ae, crouching down to lock the bicycle, only shakes his head in exasperation.
"Was I right or wrong to agree to be his roommate?" Ae mutters irritably.
Deep down, he would prefer to live quietly in the dorm by himself or perhaps get to know new friends. But Pond, a high school friend from the same group, just has to end up at the same university—and worse, insists on rooming together. Before Ae could even consider agreeing, Pond had already rushed off to request the arrangement on his own.
‘You know my shitty personality, so staying together means no need to adjust. You should feel lucky to have a good-looking roommate like me.'
‘Lucky to live with you? Over my dead body!'
That is all Ae can think before he dashes into the building himself, completely unaware that not even ten minutes ago, someone waited to intercept him.
~~~
Pete enters the classroom, breathing heavily and clutching his chest. Having wasted too much time wandering around earlier, he found the parking lots full and had to loop around to park near the farthest edge of the football field. Unfortunately, the university shuttle doesn't reach that area, taxis within the campus refuse to pass by, and the motorbike taxis are packed with students in a rush just like him.
In the end, he ran halfway before finally spotting the university tram.
Pitchaya hurriedly steps into the classroom, ignoring the unified stares from his classmates. He keeps his head down, quickly walks to the back of the room, and sits quietly. He assumes the attention is because he is late—but that isn't exactly the case.
"Pete looks handsome today, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, even with that sweaty, out-of-breath look, he still looks good," two female students whisper, sneaking glances at Pete as he lightly fans his damp university shirt.
Pete pays no mind to them, his eyes focused solely on the thick textbook resting on his desk.
"I really want to go talk to him."
"Then go ahead! Pete isn't intimidating at all. I've talked to him before—he's so polite. How can I put it? Like a gentleman straight out of a novel. Even after more than a month into the term, I never hear him use a single vulgar word with anyone," one girl says, her comment attracting a few more female classmates to move closer, stealing glances at Pete.
"I've talked to him too. I really like his shy smile—it's so adorable."
"But I don't dare to. I mean... he doesn't seem particularly close to anyone," another chimes in softly.
"Yeah, I get that," a third adds. "It's like he's this lone wolf type. He doesn't mingle much or get especially friendly with anyone, just like a lot of people in our faculty. But..."
"...he still draws all the girls' attention, doesn't he?"
The group bursts into quiet giggles, while Pete, the subject of their conversation, remains lost in thought. His hand, resting on the desk, clenches slightly.
~~~
I want to see him... I really want to see Ae.
Though Pete tells himself he'll wait and try again later, when class ends at noon, he finds himself wandering toward the central cafeteria instead of heading to the international cafeteria or going out to eat with friends. Eventually, he ends up in a small café near the dorms, sitting down with a sigh.
Why is it so difficult just to see someone?
Ding-ding.
"Phii! A glass of cocoa frappe, please. Make it strong—don't bother adding sugar. The guy drinking it is so picky," a loud voice orders just as the door swings open.
Pete, who stirs his green tea frappe while a small plate of sandwiches sits in front of him, can't help but look up, intrigued by the odd menu request.
The man who enters is tall, with sharp features and tanned skin, dressed in a student uniform with his tie loosened and hanging low. He flashes a charming smile at the shopkeeper.
"And one strawberry frappe too, please, make it sweet, Phii Beautiful Lady."
Pete immediately lowers his head, hiding a smile that nearly turns into laughter. The shopkeeper, who looks well past her forties, is momentarily taken aback before quickly slipping into her role as the vendor.
"So, for the first glass, no sweetness at all, right?"
"Yes, no milk, sugar, or cream—nothing. The person drinking it is crazy."
"You must be joking with me."
The customer bursts out laughing, pauses briefly as though deciding how to mess with his friend further, then leans in and whispers softly, "Alright, just make it slightly sweet. But if you can make it extra bitter, that'd be great."
"At that point, why not just order coffee?"
"Whoa, no way. It's already noon, and my friend is caffeine-free," he says, raising his arms in an X gesture for emphasis.
Pete starts to feel curious about the owner of that cocoa frappe. He also wants to see how that person will react when their friend hands them the drink.
But... it's none of my business, he reminds himself.
He lowers his head again, focusing on finishing his lunch and planning to walk near the football field for a while before returning to his faculty.
Ding-ding.
"Ai Pond! Why does it take you ages to buy one drink? I go back to the dorm and grab my books already!"
Thunk.
But then, Pete freezes, his body stiff as a familiar voice echoes in, accompanied by the sound of the shop door opening. His heart races, and the hand gripping his drink trembles slightly.
"!!!"
He looks up, and his sharp eyes widen when he sees who it is... Ae.
The well-proportioned man is holding a textbook with one hand, looking slightly irritated as he waits for his friend, who has disappeared for a while. To others, Ae might seem unremarkable, especially when compared to friends like Pete, who stands a head taller. Ae almost appears to be swallowed up by his friend's height.
But not to Pete... Not to the one whose eyes are fixed solely on him.
Ae looks slightly bothered, his hair tousled and damp with sweat. His student uniform clings to his broad chest, and the hem of his shirt slips out from his trousers. He wears a pair of sneakers that are neither too new nor too old.
In just a few seconds, Pete notices and remembers many things... things that stay in his mind.
And maybe because his gaze is filled with so much emotion, Ae turns quickly and catches his eye. In that moment, their eyes lock, and Ae's expression changes to one of surprise before... he smiles.
That smile makes Pete, who has been sitting still, feel as though the ground tilts beneath him. His cheeks flush so much that it almost feels painful.
That smile is just like yesterday.
Thump.
"Ai Pete, how come you're here?"
Ae steps closer to Pete's table, leaving him momentarily speechless. His mind races back to the previous day, when he openly confessed everything to Ae.
He told him everything… about being gay… but today, Ae's gaze hasn't changed at all.
"Uh..."
"Did he not come to bother you yesterday?" Ae quickly changes the topic, his earlier irritation turning into concern, and Pete finds himself shaking his head in response.
"Quiet now... uh... thank you."
"Thank me for what? Every time you see me, you just keep saying thank you," Ae shakes his head, looking at the handsome, noble-looking guy with a wry smile.
Truth be told, he had been thinking about him as well. He had planned to swing by the parking lot later that day, but he never expected to run into him here.
"Well, thank you... for yesterday," Pete, whose heart is still racing, tries to speak with a steady voice, though it is obvious he is trembling.
Ae raises an eyebrow.
"You've thanked me enough... What did your mother say?"
Thud.
"Who's this, Ai Ae?"
But before Pete could say anything else, a heavy arm drapes over his shoulder, and an Italian-mixed friend pops his head over, looking inquisitive and staring intently at Pete, making him quickly flash a smile.
"Hello."
Wow, well-mannered, dressed well, and even better-looking. Does this little short guy actually know someone like this? Pond asks himself.
"Yeah, hey. Are you Ai Ae's friend? Wait, I've never seen your face... are you one of his football buddies?"
"None of your business!" Before Pond can continue his questions, the silent football player turns around and sharply cuts him off with a single, emphasized word.
"Stay out of my business."
The look in Ae's eyes is one of slight amusement, his gaze sharp as if daring Pond to meddle further. This causes the taller guy to step back, retreating a little. Anyone who thought that the smaller Ae would be an easy target for trouble would be making a grave mistake.
"Well, I just remembered I need to pay for my drink. You and Ai Ae continue chatting," Pond says as he swiftly turns back toward the counter.
Of course, being this close, his ears were wide open, wanting to know more. It was impossible for someone who had known him for years not to realize that Pond has no intention of letting things slide. Ae turns back to meet Pete's eyes and changes the subject.
"You still haven't answered me about why you're here at this building. The international building has a cafeteria."
"Whoa, an IC kid, huh?"
Whoosh.
"Ah, how much for the sandwich combo?" The moment Ae gives a sidelong glance, Pond quickly turns back to the vendor and points at the fridge, signaling that he isn't eavesdropping.
"Well, I..." Pete stammers. I want to meet you.
However, Pete swallows what he had been about to say, not daring to speak plainly. Even though his feelings for Ae are clear, his experience from yesterday tells him there is no chance of Ae returning them. The other man is simply being kind, offering help without any romantic interest. All Pete can do is force a smile and mention another matter.
"This morning, there was no parking, so I ended up parking by the football field."
"That's far."
"Yeah... it is," Pete replies with a smile, then looks down and sips his drink to avoid further awkwardness.
As a generally quiet person, he now has even less to say. Out of the corner of his eye, he notices Pond has finished paying for his drink, which means... the conversation probably won't continue.
"Here's yours."
Pond walks over, placing the dark cocoa drink on the table. This time, everyone in the shop widens their eyes and looks up at the buyer, who is silently signaling with a finger on his lips, as if telling them not to say anything. Pond, sitting with his back turned, casually drinks his strawberry drink and looks around aimlessly.
What's he doing?
Ae moves his mouth without sound, and this only makes the person in the middle smile awkwardly, feeling the pressure from both the person sitting across from him and the one standing over him. The look clearly speaks volumes to the football player.
"I've changed my mind. I don't want this cocoa. I'll take your cup."
"Why? You hate sweet stuff. This cup is really sweet, you know. It's so sweet you could die from it. You ordered your cocoa, so you should drink yours." The cup's owner shouts, shaking his head, but it seems like the mention of "sweet enough to die" makes the shop owner shoot a glare.
"But today I want something sweet. I've been riding my bike all morning. I need the sugar to make up for it."
"How about a candy then?" The one teasing his friend tried to find a way out.
"No. You said it was delicious, so you drink it," Ae says, handing the cup to the guy who blinks in confusion.
Before he can protest, the football player continues. "Or did you order something weird for me?"
"No!!! Me? Tease you? No way." Pond answers in a high-pitched voice while reluctantly sipping the bitter cocoa again.
"Ah... so good, man. Really good," Pond grits his teeth, speaking in a low voice, making everyone around look at him with slight disbelief.
Ae takes back the cup and bends over to sip again. This time, Pond, who had had an incredibly bitter taste, watches him nervously.
Then… "Yeah, it's good."
Fucking hell! How is this bitter thing good? What did you make this with?!
His desire to mess with his friend failing left him looking ready to pull his hair out. Meanwhile, the guy holding the straw turns and locks eyes with the stunned "prince," then... smiles with the corner of his mouth.
That smile seems to satisfy his friend behind him, but for the one watching, that smile causes a strange, unsettling feeling in the chest.
That smile makes Ae, the kind-hearted guy, look much more intimidating than usual.
"Damn, I'm going to eat. Are you coming, or are you staying to chat with your friend here?" Pond demands.
Pete flinches slightly, though he already knows the answer, but he can't help feeling a bit disappointed.
"Yeah, let's go. I'm hungry too."
"Well, see you then," Pete says, offering a small smile, his eyes dimming a little.
This causes the guy about to stand up to hesitate, glance down at Pete's sandwich, which he had only eaten one bite of, and then meet his gaze again.
"Have you had lunch?"
"Well, this..." Pete gestures to the lunch, making the listener frown and shake his head disapprovingly.
"That's a snack. It'll be digested in ten minutes, not lunch. Come on, I'll show you what real lunch looks like," Ae says.
He noticed the look in the "prince's" eyes, as if saying he didn't want him to leave yet. And eating alone probably wasn't that fun, so Ae can't help but invite him, genuinely concerned.
The guy who had made him ride his bike knows Pete's lunch was lighter than Pond's. Eating like this could leave him lacking nutrients.
The one worried about his fellow human (without realizing the human in front of him had impure thoughts) didn't know just how pleased the "prince" was, even though he wore a hesitant expression.
"U-uh, is Ai okay with it?" Pete asked.
"What's uncomfortable about it? Oh, you mean Pond? Don't worry. Just talk to him, you'll get along fine." Ae shrugs casually, thinking, like any guy who doesn't pay much attention, that male friends will naturally warm up to each other.
He wasn't sure though. Maybe he was worried something would happen if he left him alone?
At that moment, the two pairs of eyes locked, one pair waiting for an answer, while the other hesitated.
Ding ding.
"Are you guys coming? I'm so hungry I could eat a whole deer!" Pond steps in to hurry things along, raising an eyebrow at the university athlete as if to ask if he was going, though Pete hesitates. Still, something pushes him to... lower his head.
"Yeah, I'll go."
It wasn't wrong for him to smile to himself.
~~~
Ae thinks his new friend is really a Khun-chai. After being shocked speechless for a moment when the guy admits he has never eaten at the campus cafeteria, despite being in his second term already, Ae leads him to buy food. The guy fumbles about, even getting shoved by other students to the point where he can't reach the food stall.
After standing and staring with a plate of food in hand for a whole minute, Ae sighs.
"What do you want to eat?" The footballer hands the plate to the "Khun-chai," who can only look at him in confusion.
"Uh... anything."
"I hate hearing 'anything.'" Though he says that, Ae weaves through the crowd, ordering curry rice in less than twenty seconds, then stands in front of him, watching as Ai'Khun-chai blinks, asking, "Ae, how did you do that?"
"I have to ask, why can't you do it? You're this grown up and you still can't buy food?"
The slight irritation in his tone made the other person look down, feeling embarrassed. Ae sighs again and pulls his shoulder, signaling for him to follow.
"I'm not saying it like that, but I'm just worried," Ae says simply, in his usual way, then walks ahead to a table. Ai'Khun-chai, who is looking down, can't help but smile a little.
After that, it feels as if the simple meal amidst the bustling cafeteria, along with the sounds of Pond's questions, somehow makes Ai'Khun-chai, who rarely ventures outside the International College's area, feel oddly at ease. Maybe it is because... there is someone he wants to be with right beside him.
~~~
Pete sits stiffly on the university tram. Next to him is the small footballer, sitting on the outer side. As students continue to board, nearly crowding the tram, Pete thinks back to when Ae told his close friend.
"Take my bike, Pond. You're studying farther than I am."
"Oh? Then how are you going? Are you running, Shorty?"
"I'll kick your ribs in. I'm running back to Baan Fong at noon. I'll take the tram with Pete."
Just thinking about it gives him a warm feeling inside, an inexplicable sense of comfort. Maybe he is imagining things, maybe he is being biased, but he thinks Ae is worried about him.
"Are you okay? It's a bit hot," Ae turns and asks, though his tone sounds a little stern, it is full of concern that makes Pete smile.
"I'm fine. It's not that hot."
"You're sweating like crazy and still saying it's not hot. I really believe you." After saying that, Ae falls silent.
Maybe it is because the tram is moving, and the cool breeze is hitting their faces.
"Uh..."
As the tram turns, the person next to Pete leans slightly toward him, causing their knees to brush against each other. The one sitting on the inside feels his cheeks heat up.
Even though it is hot, crowded, and under the scorching sun, with no trace of romance at all, the sharp eyes of Ai'Khun-chai are focused solely on the knees that are now pressed together, motionless. That simple touch makes him... feel embarrassed, in a way he can't explain.
"..." He stays silent.
"..." Ae stays silent too.
But... there was no discomfort in that silence at all. As their hearts... race in their chests.
"I want to meet."
"Huh? What did you say?" In the end, the feeling in his heart slipped out easily, causing the person beside him, who had caught a faint sound, to turn and look. However, the sound of the wind howling drowned out those words completely.
"Nothing. It's fine."
Ae just shrugs, and after a while, when the tram is nearing the International College, he immediately stands up and presses the bell. His other hand firmly holds onto Pete's shoulder.
"Hey! Ae, are you getting off here?" Pete asks, still confused as he is dragged off the tram, with Ae following right behind him.
But Ae doesn't say anything until the tram has passed, leaving the two of them standing there together.
"When you get on, make sure you follow the signs. Look at which route is passing by where, and when you get off, press the bell like I did. That way, if the tram stops further away, you'll know what to do."
The listener just stands there, stunned, watching as the one who is teaching speaks sternly, ending with...
"Do you understand?"
"Uh... yes, but why..."
"You don't know how to get on the tram."
But then, the footballer immediately shot back, causing the listener to press his lips together and lower his head slightly in acceptance. At least, it was a good thing that the driver had stopped for him earlier that morning.
"It's good enough that you can get on now... Hey! We'll talk about it later. I'm gonna be late for class!" Before he could say anything else, Ae glances at his watch, his eyes widening as he quickly speaks and waved his hand, signaling Pete to go.
Then... he runs off in the same direction the tram had gone.
Leaving the person standing still in front of the college, stunned.
Did... Ae just send me off...?
That thought made guilt flood his heart, alongside the joy of thinking that... someone cares for him.
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