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Perspective - Ae (Inthach)
Ai Pond's words from last night echo in my mind as I practice dribbling the ball in one corner of the field.
"Do you realize that you spoke too harshly that day? Ai Pete looked really upset." Pond had said.
"It's not appropriate for him to buy such expensive things for me. it will only encourage this habit of thinking he must reciprocate every time someone does something nice for him." I replied.
"You tell me, why didn't you tell him? By now, Ai'Khun-chai must be feeling really upset." Pond urged.
The cheer practice is over now, and the first-year students who joined the team must finally start training with the university football team. Although there are some hostile glances exchanged due to not being from the same faculty, there are mostly no conflicts.
As the seniors say… Just wait for the second semester. When the faculties compete, they will be adversaries for a while and then reconcile. This is a cycle that repeats every year.
"Hey, Ai Ae, what's wrong? You look so lost." Ai Khaen shouts at me.
"Nothing… nothing at all." I must look unusually off because Khaen, who is dribbling around the field, jogs over to me.
"Nothing is good. You need to be more alert. Look at me as an example. I can run for three hours and still not feel tired. I don't mean to brag." Khaen cheerfully says while mimicking running in place.
From practicing with him though, I know Khaen really is good at speed. He can dodge and compete for the ball well. However, he can only stay alert for an hour. After that… he runs out of steam.
Seeing us chatting, the seniors come over and ask. "Hey first-year over there, are you free? Can you go buy some drinks for us?"
I nod, while Khaen turns to complain.
"I don't want to go. It's too far."
"Come on, think of it as training. Run to buy it and carry it back, work those leg muscles."
"I'm not stupid enough to be fooled by you… Come on, Ai Ae, let's go buy some drinks. I need to work out these leg muscles."
Khaen's words finally make me laugh despite my previous thoughts. I take the money from the seniors and jog off toward the cafeteria, while Khaen chats away, never still.
"By the way, how's that international kid? If he weren't your friend, Ae, I'd definitely be keeping my distance. Everyone says international students are bad-tempered, incredibly self-important, acting like they pay way more in tuition than we do." As he starts talking, he can't stop making me laugh.
"Just like you once believed that engineering and sports science couldn't be friends, right?"
"Eh, the seniors told me that!"
I shake my head slightly at his gullibility. At the start of the semester, he saw me as an adversary, and we ended up meeting at the bar where Ai Pond dragged me on the first day of school. The sports science guys were looking for trouble, but when things got tense, everyone fled, leaving only this one guy, so I had to drag him out.
Since then, he's seen me as the best person ever in his eyes.
"You should stop being so gullible. There are good and bad people everywhere."
"And your friend is good, right? I wouldn't want to accidentally say something bad to him." I pause for a moment before nodding.
"He is a good person… perhaps too good. Sometimes, I wish he would be a little worse."
"You're strange. Being a good person is enough…"
"..."
Khaen continues rambling, but while we're buying drinks, I make a decision.
"Wait here. I'll be right back. I need to go find a friend for a moment."
I need to apologize to Ai Pete for scolding him yesterday. Once I finish speaking, I dash off, leaving Khaen shouting after me, asking how I expect him to carry all the drinks back alone.
I run to the parking lot, unsure if Pete will be there. Since my phone is at the field, I can only hope for another coincidence, hoping that Ai Pond has picked up Ai Pete and brought him back already. Another reason I couldn't pick him up this evening is football practice, so I had asked Ai Pond to help out.
As I reach the parking lot, the tall figure with the hairstyle of a Korean drama lead popping out from among the parked cars makes me smile. I nearly shout out to him, but I see he's talking to another guy… Who is it?
Where did Ai Pond disappear to? I told him to look after Ai Pete!
"Ai Pete!!!" I call out quickly, fearing there might be trouble, so it's better to warn him.
This causes both of them to turn and look at me. I hurry over.
"Ae."
The look in Ai Pete's eyes seems a bit sad, as Ai Pond said, and he quickly looks away, making me angry with myself for not clearing things up yesterday. Why didn't he tell me he was upset?
"Is this your friend?" I ask.
"Yes."
I nod towards the tall man in student attire. His appearance clearly indicates he's an international student, not because he looks fragile like Ai Pete, but because he has a certain arrogance in his gaze that seems to look down on me.
I don't care.
"I need to talk to you for a moment." My interest is solely in Ai Pete, who looks a bit hesitant before telling the other IC student.
"Just a moment, please, Tinn."
Pete then turns back to me, and I glance at this Tinn guy. Instead of stepping back to give us privacy, he just pulls out his phone and leans against the black Porsche behind him.
"Where did Ai Pond go?" I ask Pete.
"Ai Pond called to say he's busy. I'm fine. I walked out together with Tinn." Ai Pete answers, but he isn't looking me in the eye at all, making me feel a bit irritated.
"Then why didn't he call to let me know… Never mind, I'm here to say sorry…"
"Yes?" Ai Pete looks clearly surprised, prompting me to continue.
"Ai Pond told me what happened yesterday. I'm sorry for scolding you, but you really don't need to buy me anything like that. I don't want you to think you have to repay people with expensive gifts all the time. Understand?"
I express what I think, which makes Ai Pete look at me quietly, blinking, before lowering his gaze.
"Ae, are you angry with me?"
"I'm not angry. I just don't want you to do that… Just sitting down to eat with me every day is enough for me."
I genuinely think that because lately, eating with Ai Pete has become one of my joys, and it makes him start to smile.
"Ai Pond was really right."
"Huh?"
"Ai Pond said I should tell you directly how I feel, Ae."
It seems Ai Pond's nosy habit may actually be beneficial sometimes.
"Yeah, I'm not complicated, so… how do you feel now?"
Ai Pete goes quiet for a moment, takes a deep breath, and prepares to speak.
"I…"
"Don't listen to what others say."
Thud
But before Ai Pete can speak, Tinn interrupts, still staring at his new phone in hand, and I turn to look at him as he continues in a bored tone.
"Be careful not to be deceived. People can speak nicely at will, but before you know it, you've been used."
I furrow my brow sharply. Just listening to his tone makes me feel he views me negatively. This makes Ai Pete's expression tense as he quickly admonishes his friend.
"Ae is not like that, Tinn."
"People are not always what they seem. Even siblings can kill each other for inheritance. What more with outsiders?"
Thud
He's belittling me.
I immediately realize that his term "outsider" is an insult. Yet it's also true. Ai Pete and I are from different worlds. I believe though that as long as I don't approach him with ulterior motives, as this arrogant one suggests, I don't need to care about what others say.
"It's not like that…"
"It's fine, Ai Pete." Before Ai'Khun-chai tries to defend me more, I speak up to stop him, causing Ai Pete to look at me.
"But Ae isn't like that." Pete firmly states.
I feel glad to know who I am. I'm happy that he believes in me more than his friend's words. That's enough. I don't need to care about how that guy looks down on me. He's not my friend, not someone I need to worry about.
Khaen's voice interrupts our conversation. "Ai'Ae, come on! How can you leave me to carry everything alone?!"
Swish.
I completely forgot that I left Khaen at the cafeteria, and he's foolishly trying to carry all the drinks back over here now, shouting and running up, looking like a sweaty dog. He doesn't even notice the atmosphere around us, breaking into a wide smile the moment he sees Ai Pete.
"Hey, it's you! I was wondering which friend Ai Ae was coming to see. Just perfect! Do you have a car? Can you give us a ride to the field? I can't carry this anymore."
There, that's Khaen. His battery runs out fast. He turns to Ai Pete with a pleading smile, his arms dangling by his sides, as if he's completely exhausted, which makes Pete return the smile.
"Sure…"
"See? You can't even finish your sentence! People who don't know each other can still take advantage of one another, just because they see someone with a car, they ask to use it."
Thud.
I almost raise my hand to slap my forehead as Khaen freezes, his eyes brightening as he looks at me, whispering, "Oh, Ae, you didn't tell me that you and this kid know each other!"
What did I get myself into?
Perspective - Pete (Pitchaya)
Honestly, I feel bad when Pond has to come pick me up. So when he calls to say he wasn't available, I tell him it is fine. It just so happened today that I ran into Tinn, so we ended up walking out together. He told me that he was following up on the matter involving Phii Trump and had someone looking into it, but it might take a bit longer since we're nearing final exams. He really doesn't have the time to check it out for me.
I actually think Tinn is a kind person. He might have a harsh mouth sometimes, but he still helps me out when I ask. I didn't expect him to insult Ae and his friends like that though. I have to admit, it makes me angry.
I don't know what Tinn has been through or how his world differs from mine, but I, even having been deceived before, still believe there are many good people out there.
I think I should try to get him to open up more.
For now though, I'll have to put that thought aside because Ae's words keep echoing in my head... He said he wanted to kiss me.
That statement made me glance over at him sitting beside me until we arrived at the football field.
"I don't even want to get out of the car. It's freezing in here, and it's scorching hot outside."
"Didn't you say you wanted to be a starter? And now you're complaining?" I hear Ae ask Khaen.
"Come on, I'm just whining. Hey, Pete, are you coming down with us? Have you ever seen Ai'Ae play football? He looks so cool when he plays."
I believe everything Khaen says. Ae already looks cool to me, so it wouldn't be surprising if he looks even cooler when playing football.
"Are you coming?"
His invitation makes me agree so easily. Then I feel a bit nervous as people at the football field all look at me at once, so I smile in return. I hear Ae shout that I am his friend before I follow him and sit down beside the field. His eyes gazed out at the pitch in front of us… Ae really must love football.
"We didn't finish our conversation earlier," he says, startling me a bit. I glance at him and see he is still watching his friends on the field.
I look down at my hands again. Ae has told me many times that he isn't a complicated person—he says things straight out. Pond has also told me I shouldn't keep my feelings bottled up. I've never dared to show my true feelings to anyone before, which makes me hesitate now.
Grab.
"If there's something, just tell me straight."
I jump when warmth touches my knee. I see Ae's hand lightly squeezing my knee before letting go.
That gives me the courage to finally say: "I'm hurt."
I say it again.
It feels so good.
"Hm?"
I turn to smile at Ae—a smile that feels forced in my own mind. I am scared he will be displeased with how I express myself, especially since we're just friends. But then—
"I'm hurt that you scolded me when I was just trying to be kind." I finally say it and wait.
Would he be mad at me?
Grab.
"I had to scold you. I know you're rich, Pete, but I want you to value money. Seven thousand baht might seem like a small amount to you, but it's a lot to me… I never wanted anything expensive. Honestly, if you just get me shrimp porridge like last time, I'll be thrilled." Ae raises his hand to sling it over my shoulder like a friend would, but I didn't dare look at him and quietly object.
"But that's different." My objection makes him laugh, and he says words that warm my heart.
"How's it different if it comes from your sincerity? Don't do this again, okay?"
Right now, I just want to argue with Tinn to the end. Is this the person who he claims will take advantage of me? And even if Ae did, I'd still be happy to feel...
"I understand now."
"So next time, don't listen to what Ai'Pond says. You know he's a troublemaker."
"But Pond means well."
"Oh, now you're defending him?" He glances at me and smiles, making his sharp features even more attractive, causing my heart to race.
Yet I still try to argue back. "I'm just stating the facts."
"So, you think better of him than of me?"
"N-no!" I quickly shake my head, which makes Ae laugh. He stands up when an upperclassman yells at him to stop slacking. Then he reaches out and ruffles my hair, and his smile makes me feel dizzy.
"Heh. I know you think better of me than anyone else."
If anyone else said that, it might sound strange. That playful smile and confident statement though make me blush like crazy because it's true—I do think better of him than anyone.
After that, Ae runs onto the field, and the coach shouts for everyone to follow the program. Even though I came to watch Ae, I can only cover my face with my hands, feeling my cheeks heat up.
After what he just said, how am I supposed to look Ae in the eye?
I didn't get home until almost 9:00 PM today. First, it was the traffic. Second, I went to have dinner with Ae after practice. And third... he kissed me.
After Ae walked me to the car, he surprised me by holding the door, leaning in, and quickly pressing his lips to mine before flashing a smile.
"Thanks for standing up for me today."
That's it. If Ae keeps doing things like this, I'm bound to crash my car into someone someday.
~~~
"Oh, Mom, you're back already?"
When I get home, my mom has already returned from work. She is sitting in the living room watching TV with Aunt Jeab, so I sit down next to her, hug her waist, and kiss her cheek, like I always do.
"You're 18 now. Don't act like a little kid."
"I'm still your little boy, Mom." I don't know why, but today I feel like being extra affectionate, which makes Aunt Jeab laugh at me and tease me for acting so childish even though I'm already a grown man. However, I love my mom, and being with her makes me feel the most at ease.
"By the way, you've been coming home late lately."
"Uh, yeah."
When Mom brings this up, I let out a nervous laugh, avoiding her eyes. The reason I've been coming home late isn't because of school—it's personal.
"That's true, Khun-nu. It's dangerous to drive back late at night."
"I agree. I worry about you driving home in the dark every day. When is your break coming up?"
"I have finals next week."
I have a different term schedule from the regular students. Right now, it's the end of the third term for the international program. Mom nods slightly and then reaches for the remote to lower the volume. She turns to me, looking directly into my eyes.
"I've been meaning to talk to you about this… Have you thought about moving into the dorms?"
"Huh?" I raise my eyebrows in surprise, and Mom smiles gently before continuing.
"At least you'd have a place to stay if you had to stay late at university. Also, driving back and forth like this every day must be tiring, and I worry about you."
I understand what she means, but I hesitate. I've never been far from home, except for that summer in Germany. Even then, I stayed with my dad.
"Plus, you're grown now… You might want some privacy like adults do…"
Gulp.
Why do I suddenly feel embarrassed? I think Mom might be implying…
"In case you want to go out with Ae and don't want me to know."
That's when I jump, eyes wide with panic, my tongue tied, unable to say anything. Aunt Jeab bursts out laughing and teases me.
"So, Ae… is Ae a girl?"
"Now, Jeab. Whether it's a girl or a boy, as long as they make Pete smile like this every day, I'm okay with it."
I just realized today that… My mom can tease me even better than Pond can.
In the end… It looks like I'll definitely be moving into a dorm next term.
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