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Perspective - Third Person
And so, the midterm exam season for university students arrives. However, for Phitchaya, this is the final exam period of his third term in the international program. As such, he devotes his time to studying, which naturally reduces the time he has to meet with the person in his heart.
Therefore, after finishing the grueling morning exam and having some free time, Pete decides to give Ae a call.
"I'm on the third floor of the library, studying. Come up."
"Then I won't disturb you. Keep on studying, Ae," Pete responds, realizing that Ae is busy. He hesitates to go over.
"Just come. I want you to come."
Although he wants to ask why Ae insists on seeing him, Pete, being Ai'Khun-chai, agrees without a second thought, though he can't help but shake his head slightly at himself.
As soon as he says he wants to meet, I want to go. Sigh.
It doesn't take long for his tall figure to stride into the library building, which he has seldom visited. Today though, the library doesn't quite feel like a library.
Normally, a library is a quiet place for reading, guarded by strict librarians who, at the slightest noise, will snap their heads around with a glare akin to a vulture spotting prey.
However, during exam time, it is a different story.
"Hey! How do you solve this problem?"
"I don't get it at all. Explain it again!"
"I've explained it three times already! Is your brain like a goldfish's or what?"
"Damn it! I'm definitely going to fail!"
The atmosphere is... undeniably chaotic.
The third floor of the library is now filled with students cramming for exams. Thus, expecting everyone to speak in hushed tones like ants passing by is a tall order. The soundproofed meeting rooms for students to discuss projects, reports, debates, or even to flirt or play games are all occupied. As a result, the third floor resembles the hustle and bustle of a cafeteria during regular hours.
As for the librarian... she just shakes her head, resigned to the hopelessness of the situation with these kids.
Meanwhile, Pete almost calls Ae again to locate him, until...
"Ugh! I don't understand at all. Why does the Thai language need to coin new terms? Just use the original! Look, they call a joystick a ‘pleasure stick'... What is this? A dildo?"
Ah, he thinks, he has found him.
Pete can only smile wryly as he turns to see Pond loudly complaining to a pretty woman. However, she doesn't seem to care much, given her messy bun and an expression that suggests she is ready to kill the next person who interrupts her tutoring session.
"I've already told you that this is a past exam question where previous students often got it wrong. A joystick isn't a ‘pleasure stick.' The Royal Institute of Thailand defines it as a ‘control rod,'" replies Chae-em, a beautiful student from the liberal arts faculty.
She has reluctantly agreed to tutor Pond, as he has constantly been complaining that he can't keep up with his studies, often skipping classes and falling behind. In the end, she caves and decides to help him catch up on what he has missed, and look at the result.
An annoyance.
He has the nerve to be cheeky every time he opens his mouth.
"They created it but never used it."
"Well, it's the job of the Royal Institute, isn't it?"
"And now, Thai students have to memorize words that they never use in real life, just to pass an exam and then forget. I think it's a waste of time," Pond shrugs, illustrating why he isn't too keen on attending Thai language classes.
As long as he can read, write, and pass his reports, that is enough for him. Why should he memorize coined terms for a subject that awards so few credits?
His attitude irritates Chae-em, causing her to abruptly stand up.
"If you're so smart, read it yourself and memorize it. I have my own books to study!"
Grab.
"Oh, come on, don't be mad, my beautiful Chae-em. I was only joking," Pond says, widening his eyes and grabbing her wrist, waving his hand as if soothing a child.
"Who's mad!" Chae-em purses her lips tightly.
At first, Pond had seemed decent. Lately, he had been behaving better, and they had been seeing each other more frequently, which is odd. Hearing him belittle his own language though... It really irks her.
"It's you... Come on, don't be angry. Have some sympathy for me. I'm not fully Thai. If it were Italian, I'd be fine..." The half-Italian boy begins to use a tone of insincerity, and that insincerity is immediately countered by a voice from behind.
"Italian, my ass! You were born in Thailand. Your parents are Thai. Only your eyes are Italian. Chae-em, challenge him to say something in Italian. He doesn't even know how to say hello."
Pond's head whips around to glare at his short friend sitting at the next table, who has his back turned and is studying another subject he is weak in—English. He can't help but laugh internally at the scene. His friend is being tutored by none other than Nong Chomphu.
Wow, you're so smart, attending university and needing a middle schooler to tutor you.
Though he wants to make the remark, he holds his tongue. His friend is currently frowning and reciting verb tenses that even elementary school kids knew better than him.
"Come on, don't be like that. Language is a delicate issue. Don't believe me? Go ask Dīe. His ancestors sailed over from China, yet he can't speak a word of Chinese. Do you think I, with just a sliver of Italian heritage, somehow absorbed the language while my mom was pregnant with me?"
"Exactly. Language is a delicate issue. So, stop complaining and start memorizing, right now!" Chae-em cuts in sternly before Pond can continue his lazy tirade. He almost argues, but then...
"If you complain one more time, I'm heading back to my faculty."
"Fine, I'll study." Conceding to the threat from the girl he fancies, Pond buries his head in the textbook he has skipped so many classes for.
The sight of the two at their respective tables leaves the newcomer, Pete, standing still. At first, he didn't see Ae because Pond was blocking his view. However, once he spots Ae sitting with Nong Chomphu instead of his friends, a strange feeling stirs within him. He wants to walk over, yet part of him wants to turn around and go home.
Sigh. Don't run, Pete. We're not running away anymore.
"Hey, isn't that Pete, Ae's handsome friend?" Nong Chomphu, who has been helping the football player with his assignments, turns and spots the good-looking guy standing near the door.
Ae glances over and, upon seeing Pete, immediately breaks into a wide smile.
Why is Ae smiling like that? Seeing Pete makes him happy... or am I just imagining things? Thinks Chomphu.
Lately, she has been seeing Pete, the handsome guy, more often, and each time, a strange feeling grows stronger inside her whenever she sees him with Ae. The atmosphere between them feels odd, though she can't quite place why. Ae speaks to her normally, though he seems to take care of Pete more than usual. The girl tells herself quietly.
As for why she had agreed to tutor Ae today, it isn't because he had asked her. She had simply been hovering around him and overheard him grumbling about a subject she is quite adept at. So she offered to tutor him, explaining that she wants to repay him in some way. Besides, her high school exams have already finished... So Ae accepts.
Heh, it feels like a double date: Chomphu and Ae, and Pond with that other girl.
Naturally, this thought aligned perfectly with that of the person walking toward them, beckoned by a waving hand.
"What's up, Pete? Finished your exams yet?"
"Before you ask others, finish reading that page," Chae-em cuts in before the half-Italian boy can finish his sentence.
She knows full well he is looking for a way to slack off, forcing him to lower his head in submission.
If it weren't for her threat to return to her faculty, I wouldn't have given in. Pond thinks.
The scene of Pond being so thoroughly subdued makes Pete glance over in amusement.
"Hello, I'm Chae-em, Pond's friend."
"Who won't be just a friend in the future," Pond remarks casually, without even lifting his eyes from the page.
Chae-em's face flushes slightly, and she quickly turns her head away, her lips pressed tightly together, while Pete gives a faint smile.
"I'm Pete."
"Ah, yes, nice to meet you." Chae-em nods vigorously, seemingly flustered by the previous remark. Pete excuses himself and moves to another table, offering a faint smile to Nong Chomphu, who politely greets him with a respectful wai.
"Why is Chomphu tutoring Ae?" he asks, unable to suppress the twinge of jealousy that tugs at him.
Ae could have asked me to tutor him. He knows I'm in the international program.
Pete tells himself quietly, trying to push away a certain feeling... envy.
"I'm weak in English."
"More like very weak," came the inevitable interjection from Pond.
"You-ass! Worry about yourself before sticking your nose into my business!" Ae shoots back, shutting Pond up once again.
"Why didn't you ask me to tutor you, Ae?"
The question slips out before he can stop himself. He's asked it right in front of Nong Chomphu too.
Pete flinches at his own words. He feels it is impolite to ask in front of another tutor. Ae turns to look at him silently until Pete averts his gaze, worried Ae might be upset. However, Ae simply smiles slightly.
Pete nearly jumps when Ae's fingertip lightly touches the corner of his eye. Startled, Pete glances up at Ae, whose face is filled with concern.
"How can I ask you to help me? Have you even had time to sleep while studying? You took the hardest exam today, didn't you? Did it go well?" Ae's gentle touch sends warmth flooding through Pete's heart.
Pete had mentioned to Ae that today's subject was his weakest, and the exam itself was brutal. He hadn't expected Ae to remember, but just knowing that Ae did is enough to restore the courage he has lost since entering the library.
I wish I could rest my head in Ae's hand…
The thought crosses his mind, but he can't bring himself to act on it, especially as Ae's fingertip continues to linger near the corner of his eye. Pete can't meet his sharp gaze. Meanwhile, Ae can't help but think that while Pete's skin is soft like his nieces', it makes his heart race in a completely unique way..
And as Ae's hand remains on Pete's cheek, Pete's face grows warm.
Adorable.
"You've been really busy lately, Pete, and it's not just English. I'm struggling in history class too. You wouldn't know that, would you?"
"I'm sorry. I'll take time to tutor you after exams, okay?"
"Well, when the exams are over, I won't need tutoring, will I?"
Upon thinking like that, Ae doesn't merely want to brush... he wants to touch the cheek he hadn't touched in days. He almost places his hand on that pale skin.
"You guys seem so close. Is it normal for male friends to touch each other's cheeks?"
Both of them flinch slightly when the clear voice of the girl sitting at the same table rings out. She is resting her chin on her hands, looking at the two seniors with curiosity.
Ah, again. Chomphu is feeling strange again.
"I have male friends too, you know, but they never play with or touch each other's cheeks like that. You two must be really close." The young girl says sweetly, smiling without a single romantic thought in her head.
To her, all that comes to mind is how very close the two seem.
Ae quickly withdraws his hand and, instead of responding, he bends down to look at what he had been reading.
"Chomphu, what tense should we use here?"
"Huh? Let me see!" The shorter boy pulls the impromptu teacher back into their lesson, while the one with slightly flushed cheeks can only sit quietly.
Like that.
Though Pete is happy about the brief contact, he... really wants to be the one to tutor Ae himself.
"Should I just go home now?"
~~~
Inside the library's bathroom, Pete is washing his hands, feeling despondent. In the end, he had just silently pulled out his book to read, though without any focus, as he kept trying to listen to the sound of the people at his table tutoring each other. Occasionally, he'd steal glances, seeing Chomphu and Ae sitting so close their heads were nearly touching.
That sight is far from good for someone nursing a secret crush.
Saa...
Pete stared at the water falling over his hands, lost in thought.
"What are you spacing out for, Pete?"
Pete jerks.
Startled by the familiar voice behind him, Pete looks up at the reflection in the mirror. Ae is walking toward the urinals.
"Did you manage to focus on your reading? Sorry if I was too noisy." Inthach speaks while tending to his business, though he doesn't actually need to go that badly.
He simply followed Pete into the bathroom after seeing him head there. As quiet as Pete usually is, today he is even quieter. Ae can't help but wonder if asking him to come to the library had disturbed him. Still, he has to admit to himself... he wanted to see Pete.
"I'll admit it, I'm terrible at English. That's why Pond calls me ‘Ae the laborer.'" Ae rambles on, just wanting to talk to Pete.
He hasn't noticed that the sound of water has stopped and that Pete still hasn't said a word. It isn't until Ae finishes, washes his hands, and walks over to the sink that he realizes how silent his friend had been.
"Once the tutoring is done, let's go grab something to eat. I'll feed you enough to fuel your brain for this study period."
Suddenly, Ae's eyes widen. The person who has been standing still by the sink moves behind him and... wraps his arms around his waist.
"Pete…" Ae calls out in disbelief, looking up at their reflection in the mirror.
He sees Pete's face resting on his shoulder, hair falling over his face. Pete's hands clutch Ae's shirt tightly. This might be the first time Pete has touched him like this.
"Ae…" Pete's muffled voice comes out softly, so soft Ae had to strain to hear.
"Can't I tutor you instead, Ae?"
"I already said—"
"I'm fine!" Pete interrupts, his voice a little louder, shaking his head slightly, speaking in a pleading tone.
"Let me tutor you, Ae. I can't stand seeing you and Chomphu this close anymore."
Ae falls silent, looking at his handsome friend who is hugging him. Then his lips curled into a smile.
"Are you jealous of me?"
"Huh?" The question snaps Pete out of his daze.
He quickly releases his hold, backing away. His face, which had been flushed red just moments ago, pales as he realizes how clearly he had shown his feelings. He takes several steps back.
"I... I'm sorry. Even though I said you should give Chomphu a chance, here I am, trying to cheat my way in. I'm sorry, Ae... I just…"
His rushed apology trails off as a warm touch lands on both of his cheeks. Ae gently lifts Pete's face to meet his gaze. Their eyes lock, and Ae smiles.
"You're something else…" That is all he says, but Pete freezes.
Ae's warm hand is on his cheek. A soft touch, before Ae presses his nose into Pete's cheek, holding it there long enough that all Pete can do is stand there, shocked.
Ae kissed my cheek.
Then Ae pulls Pete, still stunned, down to rest his head on his shoulder. Ae can't help but chuckle as Pete has to bend a bit to lean into him, speaking in a tone both amused and full of affection.
"You're always like this... and it's cute, Pete."
Cute? Me? But I'm being awful, Ae.
Pete bites his lip tightly, gripping Ae's shirt in his hands, and hears Ae's deep voice by his ear.
"Alright, you can tutor me instead of Chomphu."
Pete knows it isn't fair to Chomphu, but he remains as he is, resting against Ae's shoulder, gripping his shirt tightly. Then, following his heart, he whispers, "Okay."
Though the touch isn't as intimate as a kiss on the lips, no one else could know how much that soft touch shakes both of their hearts.
After the exams are over, everyone in the Faculty of Engineering, including all the male dorm students, the professors, the janitors, the security guards, and even the tram drivers (well, that part's an exaggeration), are all stunned to learn that Pond, the flirtatious, nosy guy who can't keep his mouth shut, has gotten a girlfriend.
"Wow, I can't believe someone actually fell for you," Piing says flatly, but his words stab Pond right in the chest.
"What do you mean? Look at me! I'm handsome and charming. Who wouldn't like me?"
"It's because you're just handsome and charming that no one likes you. Poor Chae-em, she's not thinking about her future, dating a guy like you."
Piing's insult isn't as painful as Bow's, who shakes her head with pity, making Pond scowl.
"You can stop pretending to feel sorry for me. The minute I traded Pete's photo, you went off and found Chae-em's class schedule for me, didn't you? Who's the bad one now?"
"Well, Pete is handsome! I like his face. I need it for my novel. I had to get the picture to fuel my imagination."
Meanwhile, Ae just listens quietly. He doesn't mind that Pond traded Pete's photo to his friends. In fact, he found it funny how Pond had pretended to take a selfie when, in reality, he had been snapping a photo of Pete. He isn't too surprised that Pond and Chae-em were dating either.
After all, that day in the library, after Chomphu left, Pete tutored him in silence while Pond offered to walk Chae-em to the bus stop. Both of his friends had been acting strange, leading Ae to think... someone had definitely fallen for Pond's charms.
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