Hill POV ( Phone Call)

"So, are you going or not?"

[What?]

"Fah, you hear me?"

[What did you say, Hill?]

"Are you going? To the party."

[Uh, probably not.]

"Why?"

[I'd rather not go.]

"For Phoon?"

[Hmm, I won't go. It'll probably be easier for him.]

"You're thinking too much."

[No, that's true. He'll go, but he won't enjoy his meal.]

"Oh, you have to talk about this. It's very uncomfortable."

[Does he even want to talk to me? He won't even look at my face.]

"Fah."

[What?]

"Okay, I won't ask anymore."

[It's okay.]

"You're always like that when you talk about Phoon."

[I'm fine, Hill.]

"I'll tell them you're busy."

[Thank you.]

______

Phoon POV

Blue or black? I stared at my shirt hanging in the closet, not knowing what color to wear. I'm not good at dressing. I don't have many clothes. I wear the same color repeatedly. I don't care much about my clothes. But... I will get to see Phi Fah.

I'm probably too excited. I'm just going to eat with my friends. It's not like Phi Fah is looking at me. It's been a year. It's not like Phi Fah hasn't come to talk to me.... He tried to talk to me and it's not like he's going to say hello to me. But I'm the one who has to avoid him.

My father found out that my friend was dating Phi Fah's friend. He called me and scolded me. He asked me if I was talking to him. Of course, I wasn't talking to him. But no matter what, my father was still angry. He didn't believe me at all. He said I was a liar. He was probably afraid I would tell Phi Fah that he was not a good man like everyone said. He was not the head of the family. The image he created in the society was just an external image. He was just afraid of the truth.... But it's still true, even if I can't say it.

After changing my clothes, I sat down to wait for Ter and Phi Hill to come and pick me up. As I sat and waited in the room, my cell phone rang. At first, I thought it was Ter calling to tell me he had arrived, but the screen showed the names of people I absolutely did not want to talk to right now.

Dad...

Definitely not good that Dad called....

I tried to take a deep breath and gather my thoughts before answering the call.

"Yes."

[You have to change colleges.]

"Ah...ah, what? All of a sudden..."

[I've decided that since you didn't pass the medical exam, there's no need for you to stay there.]

"Eh... How is that possible, didn't you say that if I didn't mess with Phi Fah, you would let me stay here?" My eyebrows began to unconsciously furrow and my heart began to beat harder.

[How do I know you didn't mess with him?]

"Dad... I didn't mess with Phi Fah at all."

[Your friend is also Tonfah's friend's boyfriend. How can I believe you?]

"What more do you want from me? I'm already suffering so much..."

[Have you learned to argue now?]

"... No, no."

[You will change colleges]

"Dad, please don't."

[Go and leave the university.]

"Then where will I go? I don't have a home to go back to. I have to stay in the dorm anyway," I said, feeling a lump in my throat. "Or should you find me a new dorm first? What college will you let me take the exam at if I don't pass? I have to start my freshman year all over again."

[...You]

"Dad didn't plan anything beforehand, did he? You just wanted me to hurry up and get away from Phi Fah."

[...]

"I wouldn't say anything anyway. If I was going to say something, I would have said it a long time ago and I wouldn't distance myself from Phi Fah like this."

[...]

"No matter what... I won't leave here... I finally have a friend."

[You won't say anything, will you?]

"Yes."

[Hmm]

Then Dad hung up the phone with a tone that sounded as annoyed as he really thought. Dad didn't plan anything beforehand, he just wanted me to hurry up and get away from Phi Fah. I couldn't help but let out a deep sigh of exhaustion. It was more exhaustion than anything else.

I didn't like the way we talked. Uncle Kong said it was good that I looked stronger. At least I dared to say something. I got this part out of North. North is someone who says it all. He never keeps things to himself. He speaks directly. He says what he likes and he knows how to say no. North is someone who makes me feel that life is easier than I thought it would be. He sees the world as it is. Everything has its ups and downs.

It's normal.

Everyone has their good and bad things. North said we are all the same. No one will experience only good things all the time and no one will experience only bad things all the time.

As for Ter, he's like the sun.... To me, Ter is a bright and kind person who always tries to help others and sympathizes with everyone. He is a sensitive person but also strong at the same time. There was a knock at the door. I went over to look and saw that it was Ter standing there waiting, so I opened the door immediately.

"Why didn't you answer when I called you?"

"Oh, really? I'm sorry. I didn't hear you."

"Are you... okay?" Ter frowned and asked when he turned to look at me.

"Of course I am, why?"

"You look like you're about to cry."

"Seriously Ter, I'm not about to cry." I said before lifting my hand to rub my eyes. I found that there were some tears building up in his eyes.

"Are you ready? Let's go celebrate."

"Um, ready, Ter." I left the room and closed the door. I followed Ter downstairs.

"Ter..."

"Huh?"

"I...didn't pass the exam."

"...You didn't passed the medical exam?"

"Yeah, I didn't pass. And I just had a little fight with my dad."

"Do you want a hug?"

"No. I'm embarrassed in front of other people."

"Why are you embarrassed, Cat? Come on, hold me. Do you believe me? Hugging me will make you feel better."

"That's funny."

"North likes to hug me."

"You're wrong, Ter."

"Seriously, come on, Cat."

"Can I hold your hand first?"

"I'm shy."

"Phi Hill will kill me," I said, shaking my head slightly.

Like I said, Ter is someone who cares about the people around him, sometimes that makes him overthink things. But that could be a good thing. I reached out to take Ter's hand as we walked down the stairs.

"North told me once."

"What...?"

"That sometimes, just being by someone's side is enough. I may not be able to help you, but I'm not going anywhere, you know."

"...Ter."

"Oh, oh, you're touched, aren't you? Don't cry, Cat," Ter joked before reaching out and gently stroking my head. It was touching, but I couldn't cry because I was shy.

"Thank you."

"If you cry, I'll tease you."

"I don't tease you when you cry," I said, trying to hold back tears and laughing as I looked at Ai Ter's face. "But hadn't you given up on calling me cat again?"

"Cat."

"That's enough."

"Meow, meow."

Sigh.

I don't know when they started teasing me about being a cat, but it probably started because I was very sleepy when I went to school because I couldn't sleep well. I must be like a cat, but I still feel a little awkward when they call me that.

I let go of Ai Ter's hand when we got downstairs and found Phi Hill waiting for me in the car. I didn't forget to bow to Phi Hill. He and Phi Jo seemed like people who were very hard to get close to, but when I was out with my friends, I thought they were nicer than I thought. Except for Phi Jo, who seemed a little fierce when North wasn't around. Phi Arthit...well, he didn't talk a lot, and Phi Fah... he didn't talk at all. I climbed into the seat and then the fancy car pulled away.

"I miss the past."

"How," I asked, frowning in confusion at what Ai Ter said.

"Before, North sat in your place," Ter said. "Now he sits in Jo's car."

"Oh," I nodded, indicating that I understood.

Back when they were roommates, Ter and North used to go everywhere together. I liked it when they were roommates and often hung out in their room. But now they both moved in with their boyfriends. We stopped by to pick up Foam, and soon after, it wasn't long before we arrived at the store.

It was a fairly large store with a beautiful view. When I thought about meeting the group of doctors, my heart started beating faster. I don't know why, it must be because I haven't seen Phi Fah in months, since we had the school vacations.

How is he doing? I haven't seen any posts on him Instagram or Facebook, about where he went or what he was doing. I let out a small sigh to gather my thoughts....

When I got to the table, I discovered that there were a lot of people. Phi Arthit, Phi Jo and North were already waiting, and there were three more of North's friends. I only knew their names: Duen Nao, IkKyu and Chai. The one I didn't know much about and didn't see either was Phi Fah.

"You are slow," Phi Jo greeted Phi Hill, then smiled and greeted me, Ter and Foam.

"You very fast."

"What about Fah?" asked Phi Jo.

"He's not available," Phi Hill replied before sitting down next to Phi Jo.

"Where did he go?"

"Away from you."

"You're just saying that to annoy me Hill."

"I don't know. I just know he's not available."

"Ok, if he's not available, then he's not available," Phi Jo said carelessly. I sat down next to Ter. I had to sit on the edge because I'm left-handed, so I wouldn't be in the way of other people.

If we had to sit in order, it would be: That side: Phi Arthit, Phi Hill, Phi Jo, North and Chai. On my side: Me, Ter, Foam, Duen Nao, IkKyu.

"North, why are you sitting away from me?" asked Ter.

"Do you miss me?"

"No, go farther away."

"Okay, Ter, don't come crying later to see me," North said loudly so that those of us sitting far away could hear him. "'Waaaah, where did North go? I miss you so much.'"

"Pffff, North, you're such an idiot."

"Phoon, why haven't you slept since last semester?"

"Who wouldn't sleep for a semester, North?" I replied, shaking my head slightly in annoyance. These guys always tell me to go to sleep. Then We ordered lunch and chatted for a while.

"Hey, did you invite Dao?" asked North.

"I did invite him," said Ter. "But he said he was busy."

"Ah, why?"

"I think he's working. The deadline is coming up."

"Freelance work?" I turned to ask Ter because Daotok, our friend from the drawing club, does a lot of freelance work.

"Hmm, that's right."

We sat down and talked comfortably. Although it seemed chaotic, it was fun. I was also able to talk to North's friends, who have similar personalities North's, especially the one called Duen Nao. I think he's really cool. Phi Jo also gets along well with North's friends. They talk happily. As for me, I sit across from Phi Arthit, but we don't talk at all.

"Hey, Dao is calling me!" said Ter in surprise, picked up his phone and accepted the video call. "What's up?" Ter lifted the camera so he could see Dao.

"What are you doing?" bespectacled Daotok found himself hugging a pillow in his lap, as if he were working.

"We came over for dinner to celebrate, you didn't come even though I invited you," Ter said before I put my face in the camera.

"Meow!" Daotok is the person who calls me "Meow" the most. Maybe because Dao likes likes cats. "Long time no see."

"Working?" I asked while still chewing my food.

"Yeah, bored, can't think of anything."

"What's the job this time?

"The cover of a book."

"Drawn?"

"Yeah, they gave me some very broad instructions to think about," Dao said annoyed.

"Hey, the atmosphere there looks lively."

"There's a lot of people," Ter said, turning the camera. North waved at the camera.

"Hey, who's there?"

"Hmm, where?"

"Sitting in front of the cat."

"Who do you mean? Oh, it's Phi Arthit. why?" Ter raised his eyebrows and asked curiously. "He's friends with Phi Hill and Phi Jo."

"And the girl in the back?"

"Huh?"

"The girl standing in the back."

"...Wait a minute." Ter and I immediately stopped smiling and looked at Daotok, who had said that. "There's no one here."

"Just kidding.Why are you guys so pale?" said Dao as he blurted out what he said, which made Ter and I look annoyed.

Why does Daotok always make fun of us like this? He always looks so serious, and he makes us fall for his tricks because Dao is good at divination and stuff. North said he's very accurate, and that's why he has a lot of faith in him. Unlike me, who doesn't really care about these things.

After we finished talking to Daotok, we sat and chatted some more. There was still no sign of Phi Fah.

Phi Fah didn't really come....

Phi Hill said he was busy, right?

Or... maybe, since I was present, Phi Fah didn't want to come.

I unconsciously let out a little sigh. This should be good. Anyway, it must be too uncomfortable. Besides, Phi Fah... It must be better for him not to see me.

"Oh, didn't you say you were busy?" Phi Jo's voice made me look up.

Phi Fah...

It was as if my heart skipped a beat for a moment when I looked at that familiar face. My heart beat faster when I saw the person I was waiting for approaching.

Why was my heart beating so fast? No... it must be because it was Phi Fah and because.... haven't we seen each other for a long time? Although just because it was Phi Fah, it caused my heart to beat faster anyway.

"I thought better of it and... I think it's better to be free," Phi Fah said to Phi Jo before walking in front of me. I quickly lowered my head without realizing it.

"Is it better to be free?" asked Phi Arthit.

"Thit, move over a little."

"You can go sit on that side. There are plenty of seats."

"You're left-handed. You're in the way."

"You're left-handed, too."

"But I can use my right," Phi Fah said. "Thit, move over a little."

"What are you talking about? All right, all right," Phi Arthit said in annoyance before he moving to the seat. Phi Fah... sat down across from me.

"Hello."

¡¡¡...!!!

I looked up slowly when the voice of the person sitting in front of me stopped. Phi Fah... was looking at me, raising a hand to rest his chin and smiling slightly. It was a smile that... I'm sorry... I hadn't seen him this close in almost a year.

You mean you just said hello to me? Although Phi Fa has never waved at me in front of my friends. Why...?

"It's been a long time since we've seen each other."

Ah...

I pursed my lips slightly and looked down. My heart began to beat faster and faster, so much so that I was startled, but I remained silent.... I didn't dare to answer.

What should I do?

If I don't answer, something must be wrong?

"Hmm...Yes." I answered in a soft voice that could barely be heard.

I didn't even look at what the other person was doing. I listened to the others talking, but Ai Ter, who was sitting next to me, was silent. I guessed that Ter must have become suspicious. Probably no one else knew that Phi Fah and I knew each other. Suddenly greeting me like that must have seemed really strange.

"Phoon, do you want shrimp?" asked Ai Ter. I turned to look. Why was he asking me? He already knew I liked shrimp. He always peeled them for me. Or maybe he saw that I was feeling too uncomfortable, so he started chatting with me.

"Ah, hmm, give me some."

"Ok" Ter stood up and reached out to take a shrimp, but North hit his hand first.

"Don't touch my shrimp."

"North, you cheap bastard."

"You asked for it for me."

"Share some with your friend." Ter pouted. "I've never been stingy with you."

"You're such a liar, Ter. You've never shared your chocolate with me."

"So you steal it from me do you? You always stole chocolate from my fridge, North, when we were together," Ter said with a pouty face, making me laugh out loud. "I don't want to be with you anymore."

"Just a few baht of chocolate, is that why you have to do this?"

"Chocolate is the most precious thing in my life."

"You chose it over me, didn't you, Ter? Then we'll part ways."

"Yes, yes, I choose him. Let's split up."

"I'm not going to tell anyone that it was you who broke up with me."

"Yeah, I broke up with you, North. Go wherever you want."

"You're so mean, Ter. You leave me knowing when I love you."

"You love me but you still steal my chocolate."

"Listen, Hill. If you steal his chocolate, he will leave you." Phi Jo said. That made everyone at the table laugh even harder, including Phi Hill.

"Can't you share some with me?" joked Phi Hill as he looked at Ai Ter. Ter's face immediately became stunned. I laughed even harder. North burst out laughing.

I turned to look at Phi Fah, who was smiling a little secretly. The mood was much better. Thanks, Ter...

Before the large plate of shrimp was placed in front of me, I reached out to grab a shrimp and began to peel it. As I put my head down to peel the shrimp, a shrimp that had already been peeled was placed on my plate.

"...Thank you." I said thank you quietly when I realized that the person in front of me was the one peeling the shrimp for me. Phi Fah didn't answer anything, he just took another shrimp and peeled it. I put the shrimp I had peeled on Phi Fah's plate. The other person looked a little confused before revealing a smile.

"Thank you." I smiled unconsciously when I heard that.

We didn't talk anymore. After that, we just peeled shrimp for each other, then he filled my glass with water, things like that. I didn't know what his actions meant, but it made me feel warm without having to say anything... Anyway, Phi Fah being here... it really made me feel better.

But because of the promise I made to my father, suddenly, I got a little uncomfortable. My father thought I was a liar and if I broke the promise, I would really become one. At first, I thought Phi Fah would talk more, but he did not.

Maybe it was because I couldn't hide my own uncomfortable feelings. I am not good at hiding my feelings at all. But Phi Fah had greeted me first, which could mean... that Phi Fah was no longer angry with me, or was less angry. If that's the case, I'd like to thank you.... Thank you for still greeting me first. Actually, I... I wanted to tell you something.

"North."

"Yes?"

"I didn't pass the medical exam." What I said made the whole table go silent. Ai Ter looked a little surprised. I suddenly said it, because how could I not tell Phi Fah, I wanted him to know through my friend.

"Ah... Oh, really?" North made a slightly confused grimace before frowning and saying with a regretful expression, "Hey, it's okay."

"Um, sorry." I apologized while still looking at North, but I really wanted to apologize to Phi Fah, I wanted to apologize for not being able to do it even though Phi Fah had tried to help me study earlier. I apologize for disappointing you and wasting your time.

"Why are you apologizing to me?"

"I want to."

"Why?"

"Because maybe you feel disappointed in me."

"Of course not, what's wrong with you, Phoon?" Oh North... I'm sorry. You must be getting confused by my words.

Both North and Foam comforted me, which made me feel a little better before everyone at the table changed the conversation to something else. I bowed my head and continued eating. At least I had said it. I hoped Phi Fah understood.

Suddenly, a piece of paper was placed next to my hand.

It said, "Okay."

I looked at the paper and looked at the person in front of me, the owner of the slip of paper. Phi Fah smiled kindly at me, which made some feelings fill my chest. I pressed my lips tightly together to contain those feelings.

Thank you...

Thank you very much...

____

Our celebration ended when it was already quite late. I followed Ai Ter to the parking lot. I saw that the group of doctors were going to pay among themselves, and they were arguing about how to split the bill, so they told us to wait outside.

"I'm leaving. Goodbye." Duen Nao waved goodbye to us. I didn't talk much with North's friend, but I could tell they were all nice and friendly. Then it was just North, Ter, Foam and me.

"Phoon" Ai Ter called my name softly. I thought he wanted to ask.

"You..."

"I'm ready."

"Huh?"

"I think I'm ready to tell you everything," I said, holding firmly the small piece of paper Phi Fah had just written. The rest of them turned to look at me intently. "Can you listen to me, please?"

"Sure, I'm very curious," Ai Foam said. That made Ai Ter pat his head.

"We've been waiting for you to talk all this time."

"Hmm, thank you."

"How about tomorrow? We can come and see you" suggested Ai North.

"I'm busy tomorrow," said Ai Foam.

"Where are you going?" asked Ai Ter.

"I have some errands to run. You'll tell me later. Okay, don't let me miss the news."

"Sure" I nodded. "Then you will come to see me tomorrow, won't you?"

"Yeah, shall we go Ter?"

"Okay, I'm free."

After waiting a while, the doctors came out of the tent. My heart was still beating fast, so I avoided looking at Phi Fah before we parted ways and got into the car. I got into Phi Hill's car and secretly looked at Phi Fah, who was standing there, as if he was alsolooking this way. The luxury car drove away until I could no longer see Phi Fah, so I turned around to sit in my normal position. As Phi Hill took Foam to his bedroom, and was about to take me back to mine, I pulled out the folded piece of paper to look at it again. It was just a plain piece of paper in Phi Fah's handwriting, just the words "Okay" which looked like a normal sentence, but it was very special....

When the car stopped in front of my dorm, I said goodbye to Ai Ter and Phi Hill before getting out of the car.

"Phoon," Phi Hill's voice called, which made me stop for a moment. I turned to look at the person sitting in the car.

"Yes?"

"Don't forget to thank Ai Fah."

"W-why?"

"Ah... I forgot I wasn't allowed to tell you. It's nothing."