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Perspective - Pete (Pitchaya)
"If you're thinking of dating a guy, wouldn't it be better to date me instead of that Thai commoner, Pete?"
When Tinn first says this to me, I am shocked. Even though I had already ascertained he knew what was going on between me and Ae, I didn't understand why he would say something like that. He isn't gay. I don't know—maybe I'm just not good at telling who is or isn't—but Tinn definitely isn't gay. He has never looked at me that way, so why is he talking to me like this?
"I don't understand," I tell him, which makes Tinn turn to fully face me.
Tinn's eyes, which everyone says are both cold and captivating, are filled with doubt as he speaks calmly.
"What's so hard to understand? Women date guys for money. So why do you think that loser doesn't want your money too? If you date me, you won't have to worry about that."
At first, I am furious. I am so angry that he insults my Ae. Ae isn't the type of guy to chase after money or anything like that. Besides, money is all I have. I'm weak and can't do much of anything. Even when it comes to Ae, who doesn't care about money, I feel like I have nothing to offer him.
Even when I gave Ae a gift, he returned all the money I spent on it. How can anyone say Ae is after my money?
That is my first thought, but then I notice something. I see that this man—Tinn, who everyone thinks is coldly-aloof, arrogant, and unfriendly—is actually waiting for an answer from me. That is, he needs my answer, and that makes me respond honestly.
No matter what Tinn thinks of Ae, I know Ae isn't like that. He's never been after my money. In fact, I'm the one who's been a burden to him. I don't know why Tinn thinks this way, but not everyone is motivated by money. Not everyone.
If I hadn't met Ae, I might have agreed with Tinn by now. In our world, money is an indispensable thing. However, Ae has taught me that love cannot be bought with money.
I know that Tinn has everything good. Yes, many might see that Tinn is better than Ae, but for me...
I stare into his eyes and smile, trying to convey the strongest tone to express what's in my heart. Ae is the best person for me, no matter how anyone sees it.
I love Ae very much. Some may think I am easy to love after only a few months, but I am confident in this feeling. If falling in love happened when he came to help during danger, then it's fine to see it that way.
I love Ae, even though he isn't handsome, isn't rich, and has nothing like Tinn. Also, Tinn doesn't see me that way.
I tell him directly that he might want to win something by saying he'll date me, but Tinn doesn't look at me like that—not at all. It seems my words make him let out a sound from his throat as he turns his face away. His smile is frightening.
"Those who are lost in a dream…"
I may have cared about how others see me before, but suddenly, I don't care how Tinn sees me. He looks at me with prejudice, and I am willing to be someone lost in a dream if I can still be with Ae like this. I know Ae is changing me.
~~~
"Ai'Pete!"
"Ah, yes, yes."
"What's wrong? You seem lost in thought." I, who am drowning in my own thoughts, immediately jump and turn to see Ae looking at me with concern, so I scratch my neck a bit and try to smile at him.
"Nothing, really."
"Are you studying hard? It's only the first day of the semester," Ae continues to ask while placing the plate of food in front of me, making me press my face down multiple times.
"Not too bad," I reply.
I don't really dare to tell him that I was so worried about Tinn that I hardly listened to the teacher. After I answered him, Tinn still sat beside me but didn't say a word, making me secretly uneasy about whether he would break-off his friendship with me.
Anyway, he is the only friend in my department I can talk about personal matters with (or maybe not?).
"Then eat a lot," Ae says, taking my plate and stuffing a fork into my hand.
"Eat a lot so you'll have strength. What time do you finish class this afternoon?"
"I have the last evening class, at six o'clock sharp," I respond.
This semester's schedule gives me a slight headache because instead of continuing classes, I have the earliest morning class and then another one at four in the afternoon.
"Then that means you'll be staying in the dorm today."
"I'm not sure yet."
Ae nods, seeming to want to ask something, but then he goes silent until...
"You should just ask Pete directly if he can spend the night with you tonight. Ai'Ae is so confused!" Pond interrupts our conversation, causing me to jump a little.
I turn to the other side of the table, startled, and see Pond grinning widely while Piing sits eating a bun, looking at us with amusement.
"What the hell?"
"Oh, wow, Ae's friend is so rude, Piing. Just a moment ago, the two of you were all lovey-dovey," Pond says, laughing loudly but seeming cautious not to get too close to Ae's reach.
I don't dare to say anything else, only glancing at Ae with a hot face for some reason. Is Ae going to stay over with me? Or maybe... uh…
I secretly think about that day, and I startle when Pond continues speaking.
"By the way, Ai'Piing, do you like to eat shrimp?"
"I eat everything. You know that."
"Ai'Pond!" Ae growls in a low voice.
I keep my head down, staring at my plate, trying to pretend nothing is happening, but I know my reaction must give me away.
"So do you prefer peeled shrimp or unpeeled shrimp?"
"Peeled, of course. Eating the shell will cut your throat."
"Exactly." I glance up slightly and startle when Pond sends a knowing look our way and laughs...
"Ai'Ae seems to like peeled shrimp too."
"I'm going to the bathroom." At that moment, Ae stands up immediately and blurts this out, making me turn to look at him. Hmm... Ae's ears are bright red. This makes my face feel even hotter.
Grab.
"Let's go to the bathroom."
"Hey, hey, hey! The cafeteria restroom is not suitable, man. It's crowded and inconvenient." Before I can stand up, Pond interrupts right away, and I think he's having fun.
Usually, he doesn't dare to mess with Ae that much, but now Ae must be secretly thinking about that night too, so he's being harsh.
"I'm not going to do anything."
"Then just let Ai'Pete go. Your pipe is not attached, so you can go alone!"
"Hit, I agree. If you don't plan to do anything, just let Pete sit and eat here." This time, Piing adds his remark, making Ae clench his fists.
However, he lets go of my wrist, prompting me to quickly say, "I can stay here, right, Ae?"
"Sure?"
"Definitely." I nod, aware that going out with him would only raise suspicion. That leads Ae to step away as Piing gets up.
"I'll go buy some snacks first."
Ah, I'm starting to want to buy snacks with Piing now.
I think while turning back to meet the gaze of the person sitting across from me. I'm not criticizing Pond, but his eyes clearly say...
"All right, it's time for you to tell this elder what's going on. Have you done it with him or not?"
Perspective - Pond
Hello, everyone! I love you all! It took me quite a few episodes before I had the chance to share this. I've been bowing to the writer for a long time. Now, everyone must be curious why I chose to get a trophy this big. So here's the thing: Ae has been gossiped about by us, saying that his sexual experience is definitely lacking, or he must get with a football player someday.
See? I will start from the beginning. You already know that Ae's experience is completely zero…
Back in high school, all my friends had partners, including Ai'Dīe. That Ai'Dīe, he looked so cute that he should be someone's Mia. He has had a girlfriend who was a girl though, even if they broke up after just a few days… While Ae, the football fanatic, the stoic-faced one, the... My tough friend, Khun Short Bird's-Eye-Chili, has never had a partner, not even once. So... he's totally a virgin.
So, when he started taking an interest in someone else (okay, even if it was a guy, it at least reassured me that he wasn't completely out of the game sexually at his age), and considering how straightforward Ae is—straight as a ruler, incapable of pleasing anyone—insults are insults. I thought if I left him alone, he wouldn't make it on his own.
Not to brag, but when he started looking up gay videos, I was creeped out. Still, I was genuinely relieved that he was finally doing some research (I'm not happy because he's depraved like me or anything). Guys who don't know what they're doing are just plain useless. At first, I didn't plan to interfere, seeing that he was doing fine with Ai'Pete, but then I took another look.
What if Ai'Pete has never done it either?
I asked myself that while looking at Khun-chai Pete again and came to the conclusion... there's no way either of them knows what they're doing!
Failure to perform, missing the mark, painful enough that there won't be a second time…
Ouch, I'm not being depraved here. That's just all I can think of. The first time with a girl is already clumsy, and now, imagine the first time with a guy?!? You'd totally forget everything. Ai'Pete will be in so much pain that he won't be able to walk.
At first, I planned to worry from a distance. However, seeing that they've already stayed the night together, I was sure Ae would have broken down by now. The way these two act has made me suspicious ever since they had steak together.
Have you ever sat with friends and tried to guess which couples walking by have already slept together? Yeah, that's what we did. According to my close friend, Ai'Dīe, who's now studying engineering at a university in the heart of Siam, he told us that those kinds of people give off a certain vibe that says, "I've already slept with him." When I look at Ai'Pete, nah. I'm sure they haven't done anything yet. Just to be sure though, I straight-up asked Ae if he is really inexperienced.
So now, I'm staring at Pete, smiling widely and sweetly asking, "So, have you two done it yet?"
"Um... er..."
Wow, Khun-chai Pete's face turns bright red. No wonder Ae fell for him.
"Come on, no need to be shy. We're all friends here." I am trying to get him to relax, but Pete is practically about to dive into his plate, which makes me burst out laughing.
Looking good, great body, but he's lost all his cool because of my short friend. I can't help but feel proud on my friend's behalf.
"So... about that..."
Alright, I know Ai'Pete isn't going to spill. He's not like me. If it were me, I'd have told everything by now. Not with Chae-em, it hasn't happened yet. I'm really taking my time and being careful with this one (not just because she said I should keep dreaming first, okay). So, I keep persuading.
"Pete, I'm not trying to butt into your business or anything by asking, but I'm worried, man. You know how Ae is—he's so stubborn. He doesn't know, and he won't ask either. No matter how much he studies or watches, it's not the same as hearing from someone with real experience." I say with the most genuine smile.
I really want to know now. Come on, just tell me already!
"It's just that we haven't..."
"Look, you need to understand I'm really trying to help you. Like how I warned you before—if you're thinking about something, just tell Ae straight up. This is the same thing. Ae's slow. He won't figure it out on his own. Just give me the word, and I can help you, alright?" I smile innocently again, looking at Pete, who seems unsure.
However, because I'm a guy with sharp instincts, I can guess... "We... um... we haven't done anything yet."
I knew it! Ae's totally useless!!!
This truth in my heart is screaming out to the world. I want to laugh until my teeth fall out. My short friend is good at everything, but when it comes to love, he fails. On the outside, though, I'm trying to act like a good advisor, but honestly, this is so much fun—friends' business is always entertaining.
"So how far have you gotten?"
Gasp!
"I'm not answering," he says, his face changing color even more as he shakes his head vigorously.
I guess this is as far as I can get him to talk. Hey, this is enough to know they haven't done anything under the covers yet. So why does he keep freaking out about peeling shrimp?
"Should I get him drunk, tie him up, and bring him to your room?" I ask, thoroughly amused.
Pete answers me with an unexpectedly serious look. "It's... it's just that, Pond... I'm not dating Ae for that kind of thing..."
Suddenly, I feel bad. "I'm not saying being a couple is all about that. It's a normal part of being human, Pete. Or are you saying you don't want anything like that with him?"
Ae, your refined gentleman totally wants to do it with you, my friend. Heh. Just by looking at him, I can already guess, so I scratched my chin a little. At that moment...
"I'm also afraid that Ae might not like it," Pete suddenly confesses.
It seems like he'd been bottling it up, unable to talk to anyone about it, so he spills everything to me, finishing with a dry smile.
"Ae doesn't like guys. I'm afraid that when it comes to that point, Ae will think it's not right."
Right or not, he's already watching GV like he's swallowing bitter medicine, man.
"That's exactly why you've got to try it out!" I can't wait for the day I get to tease Ae about this.
"And you're not scared it'll hurt? They say it hurts, you know." I ask, just casually, as someone who would never walk that path myself—afraid I wouldn't be able to turn back.
Pete replies with the most innocent words, completely contrasting his ridiculously good looks that could probably charm any girl.
"I'm not afraid of the pain, as long as it makes Ae happy."
Alright, I'll admit it—I completely accept Pete as my sister-in-law now.
"Okay, I'll help you out." I said this confidently, right as...
"What are you going to help with?"
Whoa!
"Nothing!"
My response is pure instinct. Just hearing Ae's voice suddenly booming from behind makes me jump. I quickly turn and deny everything, flashing an innocent smile at my friend, who has been in the bathroom so long I thought he'd fallen into the toilet.
"Hi, P'Pond," says the sweet voice of a girl who had probably caused Ae's long disappearance: Chomphu, with her sweet smile and arms full of water bottles.
"Hey, Chomphu, long time no see."
"Yeah, I've had tons of homework lately. I've been wanting to come see P'Ae but haven't been able to."
I can't help but laugh. This girl is straightforward to a fault. Pete, on the other hand, seems a bit uncomfortable, while Shorty over there shakes his head and scolds her directly.
"Don't talk like that, you're a girl. People will get the wrong idea."
Oh, Ae... It's exactly because you're like this that she can't give up on you.
"Okay, P'Ae, I'll listen to you. I'm going now. Oh! Hi, P'Pete! Bye-bye, see you!" And with a wave, the girl dashes off in another direction.
I glance over at the two of them, completely intrigued.
"She just came to buy water for her friends, and we happened to run into each other."
Ah, now he's making excuses.
"Yeah, sure," Pete plays it off like it was no big deal.
That's when an idea hits me. So as I stand up to clear the plates, I tell them…
"Hey, about what we were talking about earlier... if you don't hurry, someone might snatch it up, man." I drop the bomb full force, but before I can turn around, Ai'Ae asks me point blank.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, about that thing up for auction online. Ai'Pete said he wants it, so I told him to hurry and make it his before someone else throws everything they've got into it and screws him over." As soon as I finish speaking, I happily stroll off to clear the dishes.
Since Ai'Pete isn't an idiot, I'm sure he already gets the point by now.
Alright, how do I make Ai'Ae lose his composure? Man, this is so much fun! Sun really missed out by not studying here!!!
Perspective - Ae (Inthach)
It's six in the evening now. The national anthem is playing through the loudspeakers across the university while I'm still kicking the football around after today's practice. Actually, practice for the university football team hasn't been too intense lately, because the real competition is next semester. Plus, this semester, the freshman sports are coming up, and everyone's busy preparing for those.
I've been asked to join the engineering team, just as Ai'Khaen runs around me and says…
"I won't go easy on you, so don't be mad if you lose."
Fine, no holding back then. I have enough sportsmanship for that. Besides, the freshman sports aren't that serious. Some of the players just do it for fun, making the most out of a first-year competition.
Right now, though, that's not as important as the fact that Pete's done with class.
So, I tell my friends to take a break and run to the sidelines to grab my phone.
"Calling Pete, or what?"
Why is Pond stuck to me like my shadow today?
I feel a bit annoyed as I run to the sidelines and see Pond sitting there, reading a comic he must have just picked up from campus. I feel like I've seen too much of him today.
Usually, at this time, he should be out eating with Chae-em before coming back here. Why does he bring his girlfriend to sit by the football field? They're being so cozy that the seniors keep casting envious glances at them.
I ignore him and turn my back to call someone else.
"Yes, Ae."
"Are you done with class?"
"Yes, I just left the room."
"Are you going to sleep at the dorm tonight?"
"I was thinking not to. Aunt Jeab told me she cooked a lot, so I'll probably go home to sleep."
I scratch my head, drenched in sweat. Suddenly, I want to irrationally tell him to sleep at the dorm instead of going home. If he stays at the dorm, he'll come to have dinner with me tonight.
"So how did you get out of your faculty? Don't walk out alone."
"I came over with a friend. I'm getting a ride with him to the parking lot."
I know the conversation is running out, but I still don't hang up, just as—
"Um… can I come see you first, Ae?"
"Huh?"
"Can I visit you, Ae, before going home?"
I suddenly smile for no reason. I don't know why I'm smiling, but I can picture Ai'Pete's face and how he will react. That thought makes my heart flutter in a way I can't explain. I have always thought these kinds of things are pointless. Why go back home only to turn around and waste time? When it comes to Ai'Pete, I just…
"Come on, I'm at the football field."
"Okay, I'll come find you."
I smile widely at his excited voice. As Pond once told me, if you don't know Ai'Pete, if you've never talked to him, anyone would see him as a ridiculously handsome guy. However, once you get to know him and talk with him, that handsome guy turns out to be just a polite and innocent person, who even curls up shyly like a ball at times. I find myself thinking about him again like that.
"You don't say your face shows you're thrilled!" Just then, my happiness is interrupted by Pond, making me turn to look at him and smile.
"Annoying!"
"It's all over my face! Look, Em! He says I'm annoying!" Pond leans his head against his girlfriend's shoulder.
"You're really choosing about Ae, aren't you?" I chuckle as Em doesn't support him and pushes his head away from her shoulder, making him groan in protest.
I ignore him and jog over to the other side of the field near the road.
Before long, a familiar Benz rolls up and its owner quickly steps out with a broad smile, glancing left and right to ensure the security guard isn't around, which makes me laugh.
"Everyone's off work by six."
"I just don't want to get scolded again," Ai'Pete replies in a dry voice, clearly recalling that incident. When he looks at me, he bursts into laughter. "I got scolded so badly then."
I smile at him. The cool breeze brushes against his soft hair by his cheek. The only sounds are the shouts of people on the field breaking the peaceful silence as I reach out to touch his cheek.
"I never thought I'd get to touch your cheek like this." I can't believe I said something so cheesy, but seeing Ai'Pete acting all shy and avoiding my gaze makes it worth it.
"I really want to pinch your cheeks!" I tell him.
In truth, I want to kiss him. I want to feel his soft lips, which always give me a good feeling whenever I touch them. Yet, I know the location isn't right, so I gently move my hand to brush the hair covering his face away.
I just realize that standing in silence like this brings a certain happiness.
"I want you to do it too, Ae" He says, "but…"
"I know. There are at least ten people in the field." I shake my head but still don't let go of his hand.
"What time do you have to get home?"
"Before eight o'clock. Mom should be home by then."
"Then we'll go back later," I say calmly, even though I know I'm keeping him from going home. He pauses for a moment before nodding.
"I… still don't want to go back."
For heaven's sake, why does it have to be here by the football field?
I can only think that while the cool breeze blows against me. My hand slips from his hair down to his shoulder, and I take his soft hand as I lean against his beautiful car. It could stay that way for a while, if not for…
Hooonk!
The loud horn makes both of us jump and look toward the noise, revealing a luxury Porsche pulling up behind. The owner rolls down the window and leans out.
"You left something behind," that Tinn guy yells at Pete, who looks confused but pulls his hand away from mine and steps toward his friend, causing me to frown.
I'm not pleased. Although I haven't seen that jerk in weeks, seeing him with Ai'Pete doesn't sit well with me.
The thought makes me cross my arms and watch silently. I know Ai'Tinn has a dog-mouth, but I try to remind myself that he's still Ai'Pete's friend. However, seeing my guy leaning down to the car window while the other one leans out until they're almost face-to-face makes me a little annoyed.
Then my eyebrow twitches when Ai'Tinn turns to look at me and sneers.
I don't know what I ever did to him, but he clearly hates my guts. Now, I'm starting to hate his guts too, especially when he grabs Ai'Pete's hand while handing him a thick stack of papers.
They're just friends.
"Whoa, is this the same bloody fucking cur that Khaen's always complaining about for being a total dick-head?" And just like that, Ai'Pond shows up behind me again.
He dodges in time when I jerk my hand, about to smack him. Then, he steps up beside me and whispers.
"Are all the IC kids this good-looking? Hey, are you sure those two are just friends? What if he's trash-talking you because he likes Ai'Pete?"
I never thought about it, but now that Ai'Pond says it, I start to wonder.
My hands ball into fists, and my loser of a friend keeps whispering in my ear. "They look way too good together. Don't back down, man. Your guy has to stay yours. Put your stamp of ownership on him."
"Bloody fucking cur, shut up already." I curse at him, but my eyes stay fixed on those two.
Ai'Pond just sighs beside me. "I'm telling you, slow down, or someone else is going to snatch him away."
Bloody hell. Even though I know I shouldn't trust Ai'Pond, I'm starting to believe him right now.
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