100 Days Without You (COMPLETED)

10. Krist

Krist

Krist agonises over his choice of photo long after it's in the post. He's afraid that he's been too forward, sending the one of him and Singto, but it's already gone and he'll just have to live with it.

Since Singto replied to his letter, he's been feeling less stressed over hearing his Phi's name. There hasn't been another incident at least, and Mike and Mae Yu and P'Bank and N'Tae are giving him more space than before.

His chest is less tight when he thinks of Singto and he's starting to feel like the gaping hole in it is closing up. A little at least.

Reading Singto's essay had shocked him. Singto had always praised him at events and in private, but seeing everything written out in Singto's precise vocabulary, had filled his heart with pride, even if it was in English and he'd had to use Google translate at times.

Knowing that the person you love is so proud of you is a feeling he never wants to lose. So he decides that even if Singto stops, he won't. He's going to send him messages and pictures to bridge the distance between them and to find a way of mending what they've broken.

Because, while Krist knows he made it about as bad as it could be, Singto had been the one who was choosing to sever their relationship, even if he said it would just be a break so he could focus on his studies.

But he's not going to dwell on that anymore. If he's going to fix this, sort out this mess, then he needs to learn to let the past go. He's sent Singto his 'fix it script' and Singto's told him how he views him professionally, now he needs to remind him what they're missing and hope that Singto's interested in making new memories, together.

"Krist?" Mike wanders into his room, Pluto hurling himself across it to wind around his friend's legs. "I've got something for you, buddy."

Krist looks up and is surprised as a brown package is dropped onto his knee. Singto's name is curled in tiny script into the corner, Krist's name displayed in a bold hand. He looks up at his friend and sees the careful smile.

"It's okay, I sent him something too. He's just returning the favour."

Mike grins and picks up Krist's discarded guitar, picking out a tune as he waits.

"Should I open it?" Krist asks, holding the parcel like it's a bomb that might explode anytime. Mike nods.

He slides a finger under the flap and lifts it carefully. As he does, a small bound book drops into his lap.

It has a plain front, apart from the title '80 days without you' written neatly in Thai.

Krist gasps as he flips through the pages. They are filled with Singto's tiny handwriting and each page has a number.

It begins at -10.

Krist feels the tears slide down his cheeks and then Mike is holding him, book crushed between them.