BETWEEN ME AND YOU

Rules Of Dating: #5 (end)

"Because I love you too." Kongpob softly replies, surprising the other boy.

"Y-you do? R-really?"

Chuckling at Arthit's stunned face, Kongpob wraps his arms around Arthit's neck before tilting his head to the side and pulling the other in. Gently placing another kiss on the plump lips before speaking.

"I love you."

"But how? When?"

"Well, you're Arthit, the talk of the town, everyone practically wanted to be you or be with you. You're smart, handsome, talented, rich, and well respected. But I knew I wouldn't stand a chance. So there I was, liking you from afar like most people did." Kongpob smiles faintly, the memory of Namtan asking him for 'help' when in fact, he knew his best friend was just setting him up to the university heartthrob.

Flashback

"No." Kong says flatly, eyes not leaving the book he was reading. He was sitting at one of the benches behind their faculty building when Namtan suddenly popped out of nowhere and dropped the bomb that Arthit was looking for a date.

"Oh come on Kooong. This is your chance. You've liked Arthit for so long, I'm getting tired of watching you staring at him from a distance and not do anything about it."

Kongpob sighs before closing the book and looking up.

"Nam, Arthit is way out of my league. And we barely even talk. How can he trust a stranger to act as his fake lover?"

"Well, you're not entirely a stranger. He knows you're my best friend."

"That doesn't even make any difference. To him, I'm still a stranger. And, I repeat, I don't stand a chance. He would never like me."

"But Kong. If Arthit doesn't find anyone who'll act as his lover, his parents would set me up to marry him. You know I can't do that, I love Jay."

Kongpob keeps silent, eyes on the book's cover. Namtan breathes in deep before slowly exhaling, fixing her position and resting her arms on top of the table.

"If you don't want to do it for yourself, can you at least do it for me, please? The deal between my parents and Arthit's have been going on since we were young. Once Arthit's father says the words, mine and Arthit's defiance against the marriage won't change a thing. Kong, I love Jay and I can't possibly marry anyone else." Namtan pleads, eyes casted down on her hands. Kongpob bites on his lips and grips on the book before sighing.

"Okay, okay. Fine." he speaks, finding no other way out of the situation. The young man just accepts his fate despite how uncertain it appears.

The young lady screams in delight, going around the table to hug her best friend tightly. Happy with his best friend's reaction, Kongpob smiles and hugs her back.

"Thank you thank you thank you!"

"Okay, yes, you're welcome. But know that I'm not doing this for him. I'm doing this to save your ass."

"Thank you Kong. But you know what? I don't know how the hell you see yourself but to me, you're more than just deserving of Arthit." Namtan holds Kongpob by the hands and looks straight at him before contuing.

"Don't ever think that Arthit is out of your league. You deserve to be loved as much as Arthit deserves to marry someone who'll be there for him. You are an amazing person. And that's more than enough for you to be worthy of someone like Arthit."

End of Flashback

Kongpob smiles and sighs internally, rubbing his nose against Arthit's and resting his forehead on the other's.