The F5 (Fraternal Five)

F5

Tay has this quirky idea to rebrand their gang's name. F4 sounds so much like a gang of bully, and besides, there's five of them now. It's too silly to Off's liking, but to go through a useless debate to decide on a more worthy name is a complete waste of time. So F5 it is.

Earth has this even quirkier idea to celebrate their new gang name in the recently opened bar in town. Sounds so much like an excuse to party. But where there's a party, there's Off, so no complains there.

Off arrives at the bar with Tay and Bright. Earth and Singto had said beforehand that they'd come with their respective boyfriends, Mix and Krist, and out of good will had promised to tell said boyfriends to bring some of their friends.

Well, news flash: some of them aren't even interested in relationships. But of course they're too in love to accept that.

Eh.

Krist waves at them from a private seating in the corner. Looks like he and Singto are the first to arrive.

"You should come up and sing!" Tay exclaims cheerfully at Bright on their way there.

"P'Tay, it's a DJ mixer." Bright deadpans.

"Oh, huh." Shortly after arriving, Tay gives the mini stage a second glance. "Right. But the other day, I swear ...! They even posted a poster on their IG!"

"Live band is on Fridays." Krist helps, as Singto fistbumps his friends.

"Then, let's come this Friday and have you and Bright perform!" Tay beams.

"Fine by me." Off easily agrees.

"Hopefully New can come then. He's swamped with assignment today." Tay sighs, never not feeling bad for leaving his roommate behind.

"We're going to the beach this Friday, remember?" Singto reminds him.

"Oh! True. Then, next Friday?" Tay glances at Off for answer.

"What? It's always fine by me." Off shrugs, an amused smile on his face.

"Hey, have y'all waited long?" Earth appears from the other side, his hand secured in the small of Mix's back. A tall boy smiles from behind them. "Mix brought a friend."

"Hey, guys, it's Win. Win, uh—everyone." Mix chuckles lazily.

"Rude, Mixxiw." Tay laughs. "You can call me Tay, Nong Win. And this one is Bright. That's Singto, Krist, and ... hey, where'd Off go?" He asks realizing Off's nowhere to be found.

"Huh? He was just here ...." Singto trails off, failing to spot his senior in the crowd.

Earth herds the two nongs to sit. "Probably off to find some drinks."

"Or some preys." Krist chirps in, nodding at bottles of beer and whiskey on the table before them. "No matter. Have some, everyone. It's on P'Sing tonight."

"It is?" Singto looks at his two-years boyfriend in surprise.

The rest laugh at his no-clue face.

"You also major in vet, Nong Win?" As always, Tay gets the conversation going.

"Oh-hoo .... I plan to make it out alive, Phi!" Win shudders. "So no, thanks. It's actually architecture."

"He's scared of animals." Mix chuckles at Win's pale face. "All kinds of them."

Tay looks at Mix in confusion. "So how did you two meet?"

"He's a family friend. I guess." Mix shrugs, taking a swig.

"But also a freshman, yes?" Tay turns to Win.

"Yeah."

"Ooh! Have you thought about joining a club?" The ex-student council in Tay just has to ask.