Content Warning: This work is intended for mature (NC17) audiences. If you are younger, please kindly leave this site.
~~~
“Graph, you have to present this part.”
“Mm.”
“And this content, I’ll handle myself.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“Graph.”
“Hm.”
“Graphic!”
“Huh? What did you just say?”
“Good Lord, were you not listening at all?”
“Uh…”
“Graph, listen carefully. This report’s score could practically determine our grade. No matter how well we prepare the booklet, it’s meaningless if you don’t present it yourself. And this term, you’ve skipped so many classes you’re almost out of quota. You don’t want your grade to drop below a 2, do you?”
“Uh… sorry.”
“Sigh.”
If you were to ask why Kritthee, who had just survived a harrowing incident like being drugged, was now getting a big lecture from his close friend, you’d have to go back to noon that day. While he was sitting, thinking about what had happened, his phone rang with a call from his close friend, who declared… he had to come out and work on the report!
“Graph, choose. Meet at school or come to my place!”
That’s what the young woman said. And because he clearly remembered nearly causing trouble for his friend last time, Kritthee chose to come to school on a Saturday like this instead. When he arrived, he found the beautiful ponytail-wearing young woman, her face stern, hunched over a sparkling-colored laptop. The moment she saw him, she gave a fierce look and said only one word… “Sit.”
Even though they were only pretending to be romantic partners, Graph found himself genuinely intimidated by his fake romantic partner. He could only sit quietly, watching as his friend handed him a thick stack of sheets.
“Here’s the math material from yesterday. And there was a quiz yesterday. I told the teacher you were sick, so get a doctor’s note. I know you can manage that. Then go arrange to retake the quiz.”
That’s what his close friend said, leaving the listener to look down at the thick stack of math sheets with a wincing expression.
Kritthee wasn’t a bad student, but he just liked skipping class so much he couldn’t keep up.
Last year, before he was close with Janjao, he hung out with friends from other classes, goofing off until his grades were a mess. It wasn’t until he got close to this tomboyish young woman—who, besides giving him advice on romantic matters, transformed into a strict tutor and forced him to study—that his grades improved, almost reaching a 2.5.
This term, though, he’d been scolded and lectured until he realized he’d barely paid attention to his studies.
Why bother? My bloody fucking parents don’t even care. After high school, they’ll just ship me off abroad or shove me into some private university anyway.
That thought had already earned him a scolding from Janjao once before.
“This won’t do!” Others might not care about Graph, but Graph has to care about himself. If they don’t pay attention, Graph has to pay attention to himself. I’m begging you, at least don’t give up on your studies. I may not understand all of Graph’s problems, but I won’t leave my friend behind.
That’s what the second-best student in the class said, making him… feel ashamed.
The only reason he hadn’t skipped school entirely or gotten suspended was because Janjao had been there to pull him back.
But right now, the one pulling him back seemed seriously upset.
“Didn’t you say to read this?”
“But this report has to be presented on Monday, and… no skipping!” The young woman whipped around, her eyes blazing, emphasizing “no skipping” so strongly that the listener couldn’t even muster a smile.
“Uh… okay, I won’t skip,” he agreed reluctantly, making the young woman flash a satisfied smile before circling back to something she was curious about.
“So, where’d you disappear to for days? You showed up the other day and then vanished again.” The last time she saw her close friend was the day he met that senior, leaving the handsome young man at a loss for words. “Some… stuff happened.”
“Like…?”
I was drugged… I can’t even say it.
Graph shook his head slowly, somehow unable to bring himself to tell his friend. It felt too pathetic—losing control, freaking out, storming into that club like an idiot, not thinking things through, and even taking the drugs handed to him. No matter how you looked at it, he was just a dim-wit loser. He turned his face away.
“Nothing…” But turning away brought him face-to-face with one of the culprits.
“Bloody fucking cur, how’d he get here!” Graph nearly lifted his bag to cover his face when his eyes met someone approaching. Janjao turned to look as well.
“Oh, it’s Phîi Night.”
“You know him too?” Graph asked, almost whispering, as his friend nodded, looking confused.
“Yeah, I’m on the sports festival committee, and didn’t you know Phîi Night is the president of our color team?”
Bloody fucking cur, the world’s too small!
Punch him in the face. The listener’s expression screamed he wanted to die, unsure if that damned nuisance Phîi had said anything to his Nong. Seeing the sharp, handsome face approaching with a wide smile only reminded him of the Phîi, making his fists itch.
“But I don’t really like him.”
“Hm? Why?” This time, Graph turned back to meet his friend’s eyes, noticing Janjao’s slight pout.
“He keeps asking me about you.” The listener’s brows furrowed even more.
“I think Phîi Night likes you, but I didn’t tell him anything about you. I don’t want any third-wheel problems. That Phîi Pakin issue is heavy enough already.”
Huh? He likes me?
The young man was stunned, staring at the ponytailed young woman who nodded firmly to confirm her suspicion.
“Yeah, he asks about you every time we meet. So I don’t really want to talk to him… despicable guy, he’s here.”
“Hello, Nong Janjao, Nong Graph. What’re you two doing at school on a weekend?” Before the two friends could continue, the approaching figure spoke up with a kind smile. Kritthee looked up to meet those overly friendly eyes and shook his head.
“I don’t think so, Janjao. You’re overthinking it,” he said to his friend, ignoring the newcomer.
“Hey, I’m serious. Trust my instincts.”
Now the newcomer was confused, watching the two younger students argue the moment they saw him.
“Am I interrupting something?”
But didn’t Graph say he’s into guys? He shouldn’t be romantic partners with Nong Janjao, right?
The cheerful young man thought to himself, looking at the two younger students with confusion as Graph shook his head.
“No. So what’re you doing at school, Phîi?”
“Came to talk to the teacher about next term’s activities. You didn’t answer my question.” Night asked back, his eyes scanning the other from head to toe. He almost let out a relieved sigh, seeing Graph was still okay—or at least, not hurt. If his Phîi had finished him off yesterday, there’s no way he’d be at school like this today.
“Report, exams, homework, and grades that are tanking hard.” Graph listed everything with a completely fed-up attitude, tossing it all onto the table. The student committee member leaned over to look.
“Want me to tutor you?”
“Great idea!”
“Hey!” Kritthee yelped, turning to his close friend who’d answered for him, glaring slightly. Didn’t she just say this guy was hitting on him? Shouldn’t she chase him off? But the young woman whispered back immediately.
“Phîi Night passed the math Olympiad selection. If anyone’s the best at math in this school besides the teachers, it’s him. Plus… it’s a chance to observe.” The last part was whispered even softer, and she looked up to smile at the senior.
“Phîi Night tutoring Graph would be great. Janjao can work on the report at the same time… make sure he passes, no, gets a perfect score, grades soaring… you can do that, right?” The ponytailed young woman gave a sweet but intensely pressuring smile, making the senior flash a dry grin. He turned to Graph, who clearly wasn’t on board.
“Looks like I’m under pressure now, Graph. Guess I’ll have to pressure you too, huh?” Night said jokingly, smiling wider. Graph, wary about whether he knew about last night, tightened his loosened top button and nodded slowly.
Phîi Night probably doesn’t know. Good. Otherwise, I’d be too bloody fucking embarrassed to face him.
The thought calmed him bit by bit, unaware that the phone his friend had confiscated (to keep him focused) vibrated softly with a short message…
What time are you done? I’ll come pick you up.
“I’m starving, Graph. Wanna grab something to eat before heading back?”
“Now that you mention it, I’m hungry too. What do you want?”
“Cake!”
“Nah, too sweet.”
“Come on, Graph, please! I’ll get cake, you get toasted bread, deal?”
After three and a half hours of having everything crammed into his head by his friend and senior, the utterly exhausted young man trudged out of school like a zombie. Janjao suggested the idea, and he nodded, but her next proposal—for something light—made the guy craving something hearty shake his head vigorously.
“Won’t fill me up.”
Snap
Here we go.
Graph groaned inwardly as the young woman grabbed his arm, blinking rapidly with a pleading smile, and said…
“Please?”
“No need for the puppy eyes.”
Maybe because someone else had always occupied his heart, his friend’s attractive, almost beautiful face didn’t sway him. But every time he saw that smile, those eyes, his resolve wavered. That’s why this delinquent had given in to his close friend so many times before.
Oh, not counting when Janjao pulled out all the stops to persuade him.
“I know you’re kind, Graph. Come on, let’s get cake.”
“Fine, whatever…”
“I’ll come along too,” the senior said.
Freeze
At that moment, the senior, ignored the second tutoring ended, piped up in the middle of the conversation, looking at the two younger students who seemed closer than just friends. Graph glanced at him and… shook his head. “No. The last time I was with you, I got too close for comfort.” The last time with Phîi Pakin—kissing until his legs went weak and being scolded until his heart nearly broke—made him wary of causing trouble with another guy. He shook his head again, moving to pull his friend toward the cake shop near school. Meanwhile, Janjao’s eyes sparkled with a question.
Those eyes asked, What last time? Why don’t I know about this?
Snap
The gesture, as if Graph were about to walk away, made Night’s eyes widen. He rushed forward, throwing an arm around Graph’s shoulders, prompting Graph to whip around and meet his gaze.
“Come on, last time we were fine, weren’t we? How about this—after eating, we go bowling?” The buzz-cut young man asked eagerly, softening Graph’s resistance a bit. The more Graph looked into the eyes of the person in front of him, the more he saw no hidden motives like those of Night’s Phîi. Plus, the last bowling outing had been pretty fun, so he started to waver.
Phîi Night and that damned Seen are different people, right? Should be fine… maybe.
“Then you’re treating,” Graph said.
“Graph,” Janjao said, nudging his arm repeatedly. Kritthee flashed a smile at the senior. “You’re treating both me and Janjao, plus the bowling.”
“Deal, Khrap. I’ll even drive you home,” Night replied. Most twelfth-graders might balk at covering cake and bowling, which weren’t cheap, but for the Nong of Siraphop, it was no big deal. A wide smile spread across his lips as he made to pull Graph’s arm toward the car parked in another direction.
“Come on, let’s get cake at the mall. My car’s over there…”
But as he turned toward the parking spot, Night swallowed his words. The person Graph least wanted to deal with was standing right there.
The tall young man, dressed simply in dark jeans and a white T-shirt, wearing sunglasses, couldn’t hide the dangerous charm radiating from him—a charm laced with an aura of threat. One glance from him sent a chill down the spine.
The man approached, his gaze lowering as if fixed on the hand holding Graph’s arm.
Though Night couldn’t see the eyes behind the sunglasses, he knew to let go of Graph’s arm and raise his hands in a respectful wai to the other.
“Hello, Phîi Pakin.”
“Mm,” Pakin responded curtly before turning to the now-silent Graph.
“Why didn’t you reply to my message?”
“Huh? Uh… message, hold on,” Graph stammered, patting his pockets in a panic as those sharp eyes bore into him.
“Graph, it’s here,” Janjao said, quickly fishing the phone from her own shorts pocket and handing it back. Graph grabbed it, frantically checking, and saw messages from someone sent hours ago, making his heart skip.
Phîi Pakin hates waiting, and I made him wait bloody fucking hours.
The young man, already nervous from last night’s events, scrolled through the messages with trembling hands, unaware that the piercing eyes weren’t on him or his phone but on… Janjao, the young woman who’d held Graph’s phone.
Snap
Janjao instinctively ducked behind her friend, clutching his shirt, unable to meet the man’s gaze… even through sunglasses.
“Uh, hello, Phîi Pakin,” she said. The tall man lowered his sunglasses slightly and… smiled.
“Hello, Khrap. I should apologize for the last time when Graph caused trouble.”
“Oh, no, it’s fine,” Janjao replied, though she couldn’t recall which incident. One thing she knew for sure—this man, Graph’s romantic partner, smiled only with his mouth, not his eyes.
A smile that softened his fierce, almost cruel face, making it friendlier, but did nothing to change the atmosphere around him.
“Hey, me causing trouble?” Graph protested, quietly annoyed that the heartless Pakin smiled at his friend but not at him. The sound seemed to prompt the tall man to hook his sunglasses onto his shirt collar and say simply:
“Let’s go.”
“But I…”
Swish
Ugh
Pakin’s sharp gaze silenced all objections, swallowing them back down Graph’s throat. Long legs took another step closer, almost pressing against him, making Graph flinch. Those piercing eyes signaled… displeasure, as Pakin leaned in to whisper near his ear.
“You promised this morning to be good.”
That morning, despite being lured with a kiss on the forehead to make that promise, Graph’s face grew hotter. He fought the urge to touch his burning forehead, stepping back and shoving Janjao’s bag, which he’d been holding, back into her hands.
“See you Monday.”
“No skipping, Graph.”
“Yeah, thanks. I’ll make up for the cake on Monday.”
“It’s fine, just go.”
Honestly, I’m terrified of Graph’s Phîi Pakin.
Janjao’s thought prompted her to gently push her friend’s shoulder, an inexplicable shiver running through her.
Pakin strode toward the sleek supercar, but as he passed Night, a low, almost whispered voice carried a weight of pressure that left the twelfth-grader frozen in place.
“Stay put.”
“Seems like you and your brother have a lot of free time lately.”
If you’re so free, want something to do?
That’s what those eyes conveyed, leaving Night to offer a stiff smile.
“I’ve been busy with exams, Khrap,” he said, stepping back several paces, watching the taller man flash a faint smirk, grab Graph’s arm, and lead him to the stunning car. Graph hurried to keep up. Only after the multi-million-baht supercar sped off did Night exhale in relief, turning to Janjao, who was rubbing her chest in a similar gesture.
“So, Janjao, want to grab a cake with me?”
He flashed a charming smile, but…
“Âi Janjao!”
“Phîi Sun,” Janjao called out as a motorcycle pulled up across the street. Her overprotective second-eldest brother shouted, his face creased with a frown, staring down the senior.
Janjao gave Night a wide smile, saying cheerfully: “Sorry, my brother’s here to pick me up.”
She dashed across to her possessive brother, not caring a bit that she’d just ditched a guy with an impressive profile.
Night’s smile faded, watching the motorcycle speed off, his shoulders slumping.
“Rejected again. Every damn time. Sigh.”
In the end, he muttered to himself, realizing the beautiful Janjao had ignored this night-time young man without leaving a shred of hope.
***
Graph wasn’t sure if he was imagining it, but he thought Phîi Pakin seemed… kinder.
No, more like he’s ignoring me even more.
Since being picked up from the club, Graph sensed a change. Clearly, Pakin didn’t scold, criticize, or say anything hurtful. In fact, he barely said anything at all. On the ride back from school, only the booming music from the car’s speakers filled the silence. At dinner, Pakin was nowhere to be seen. The next day, he wasn’t at the dining table, and Graph hadn’t seen him for days. Graph didn’t know whether to feel relieved or upset.
Living in the same house feels like he’s not even here.
“Sigh.”
The young man, his face grim over his textbooks, dropped his head onto the table in the living room, letting out a heavy sigh.
He’s definitely avoiding me!
Fizzle
“Good Lord!”
The thought made him rub his head vigorously while still slumped over, until someone who’d just returned stopped by.
“What’s wrong, Graph?”
“Phîi Win,” Graph said, meeting sharp eyes lined with thin eyeliner. He asked:
“Got a job today?” Graph now knew Win took modeling gigs in Thailand sometimes.
“Yeah, a last-minute job. A friend from school begged me to help out since they couldn’t find a model in time. They knew I was back, so… I don’t usually take jobs without prior discussion,” Win said, tossing his stylish jacket over the chair’s backrest before leaning in to look.
“Got an exam?”
“Yeah, so bloody annoying,” Graph said, still in his school uniform.
“But it’s not just annoying, is it?” The model plopped onto the sofa, asking with a chuckle, making Graph pause.
“Do you know where Phîi Pakin’s gone?”
Win glanced at him briefly before smiling.
The guy’s finally noticed he’s being avoided.
Win thought it amusing. How could he not know? His brother left the house after ten and returned past four in the morning—completely out of sync with a high schooler’s schedule.
“No idea,” Win said, prompting Graph to pout and try focusing on the study sheets Janjao had forced on him.
Just then, a phone rang. Win glanced down, froze briefly, and said:
“I’ll be back.” The model pressed the phone to his ear and walked out of the room. Graph just watched, sighing long and hard. His usual cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by the weary look of someone unsure what to do next.
“Everything’s fading.”
Graph tugged at his shirt collar, looking down at the love marks once etched on his skin, now faded to smooth, pale flesh. Nothing hinted at how, nights ago, someone had held him, comforted him, and done things Graph never imagined possible.
Phîi Pakin using his… mouth… on me?
Sizzle
His pale cheeks flushed instantly. The more he thought, the more hazy images from that night flashed behind his eyelids. His hand, working on math problems, froze, gripping his arm tightly.
He remembered Pakin’s scorching lips, setting his body ablaze wherever they touched. Those large hands left burning trails on his skin… long fingers… warm, strong hands roaming his body. Above all, those eyes… eyes he’d never seen before.
Not annoyed or pitying, but eyes that made Graph feel, for the first time, Phîi Pakin doesn’t see me as a youth anymore… Does he?
Those eyes, just thinking of them in the dark of night, drove him to release himself.
“It’s just me, lost in my own bloody fantasies.”
While Pakin only saw him as a troublemaker, Graph’s feelings were sinking deeper and deeper… every time. Now he knew—he’d willingly share a bed with Pakin alone. Thinking like some naive young woman. Pathetic as hell.
“Then want someone else to get lost in it with you?” an unfamiliar voice cut into the room.
Freeze
Swish
“Damned shit-lizard!” As Graph was banging his head on the table’s edge, a voice overhead startled him. His eyes widened in shock, seeing the damned shit-lizard who’d drugged him standing in the doorway with Win.
“Haha, it’s only been a few days, and you’ve gotten mouthier.”
Snap
“Hey!”
The moment the damned club owner spoke, Graph grabbed a throw pillow and hurled it with full force. The cheerful man yelped, barely dodging. But Graph wasn’t satisfied. He lunged, ready to settle the score, his blood boiling as he recalled what had been done to him.
Whoosh
“Graph, stop!”
Before his fist could connect, Win stepped between them, shouting loudly. Graph froze, turning to the model, confused, meeting cold eyes reminiscent of someone else—eyes warning that if he didn’t stop, there’d be no kindness.
“He started it!” Graph protested, but Win shook his head slowly.
“Using force on Phîi Seen won’t fix anything.”
Snap
“Exactly. Win knows what really works… don’t you, gorgeous?” Seen’s hand landed familiarly on Win’s shoulder, his face leaning close to nuzzle Win’s smooth cheek, shamelessly in front of everyone. Win didn’t push him away, just sighed.
“Stop playing, Phîi Seen. If Kin comes back, I’m not helping you.”
Seen glanced at the model, then grinned widely.
“Alright, alright. Let’s get to business. I’m starving for you,” the well-bred, handsome man said, nuzzling Win’s neck, inhaling his scent deeply. Graph’s face burned, unsure if he was embarrassed or angry that Seen was messing with Win’s body like he owned it.
“Let’s get to it. I’m here to apologize and ask Graph to forgive me for the last bit of entertainment.”
“Entertainment?” Graph snapped, itching to punch the guy for speaking so flippantly. He hadn’t found it fun at all. Seen raised his hands to shoulder level, revealing a long, rectangular gift bag.
“Come on, last time was just a little joke to see Âi Pakin’s reaction. And I got what I wanted. Since you helped me see something good, I brought a peace offering.” The tall man handed over the bag. Graph eyed it warily, stepping back, but…
Snap
“Take it and look,” Win said, thrusting the bag forward. Graph met his eyes, saw Win’s nod, and reluctantly took the atonement gift to see what new trick this shit-lizard was pulling. He pulled it out.
“Liquor?”
“Brandy, actually. Top-shelf stuff. This one’s super rare—I only got two bottles. On the rocks, it’s rich, deep, worth every penny,” the upscale club owner said. But for an eighteen-year-old who’d only tried cheap wine and market liquor, Graph sealed the box, stuffed it back in the bag, and said in a strong voice:
“Take it back.”
Think I’m dim-wit enough to take it again after last time nearly got me screwed?
“Don’t know how to drink it?” Seen raised an eyebrow, his tone annoying as hell, making Graph want to chuck the bottle at his head. But he caught himself, remembering Seen said it was… super rare. He knew some liquors cost a fortune, unattainable even with money.
“Phîi Seen, if you don’t stop playing, I’m going to shower and sleep,” Win cut in. The man, who’d planned to drag his friend’s brother out for fun, laughed and said firmly:
“Alright, I didn’t bring it for you… it’s for Âi Pakin.”
Freeze
The mention of Pakin’s name halted Graph mid-conversation. He met Seen’s eyes, finding a smile on his lips but a glint in his eyes like… a snake.
A smile full of amusement.
“Good stuff, strong as hell. No matter how tough someone’s tolerance is, it’ll knock them out,” Seen said slyly, turning to the model again.
“Apologizing to Graph like this… will you forgive me, Win?”
A simple deal for their night together: if Seen helped Graph, Win would play along for a night.
A deal Siraphop had no issue with. The last encounter taught him not to mess with Graph again if he wasn’t too dim-wit, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t stir the pot from the sidelines, which he found endlessly entertaining. He’d been planning to get back at his friend for the bruise left on his face for days.
If he squirms over one little guy… I want to pour hot water to make him squirm harder.
It’s going to be fun as hell, can’t wait to watch.
“Phîi Win, what’s that supposed to mean?” Graph, still not catching up, asked.
Pakin’s cousin gave a cold smile and said evenly: “Sometimes, you can’t play straight with high-endurance types.”
Seen whistled, knowing few could take on his friend. One was himself… and the other was his friend’s close relative.
Heh, this’ll be fun, Âi Pakin.
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