Self Rival • Completed

xlii. the moving on

Later that night, Arthit, with eyes tightly closed, installed Tinder just so he'd have something to do to distract himself while his ex was having a dinner date with a girl obsessed with him.

Arthit didn't want to think of them getting to know each other, Kongpob accepting her than tolerating her behavior, and Kaofang making a move on- 

Arthit shook his head and focused on swiping left with a bored expression. 

No one interested him. Sure, they're all gorgeous, cute, handsome, beautiful, and very pleasing to the eyes but they all looked bland to Arthit. Like they're all just pretty faces who didn't have any substance. Not that they didn't have that but they're just not enough to interest him and made Arthit want to talk to them and get to know them better. Arthit paused when he saw a cute girl in glasses but she's too cute for him. 

Arthit stopped though when he saw a guy in glasses, he had the same nerdy aura that Kong had and though he didn't look as adorable nor as charming as Kong was, Arthit found himself swiping right. 

He'd do to distract Arthit from his thoughts. He's so desperate to be distracted that Arthit patiently waited for them to match and he's the first one to send a message to the guy hoping to have an online friend. 

But, Arthit frowned in disappointment when the guy attacked him with questions about his romantic inclination and dating experiences. He frowned more when the guy asked him if they could meet as early as tomorrow without even knowing each other. He's just nerdy but he didn't have the same personality with Kong, Arthit hated that. 

Arthit stopped talking to the guy and deleted his account ultimately when the guy started asking about his sexual experiences and whether he's a top or a bottom. Arthit just wanted a friend but he knew he couldn't find that on a dating app, he regretted installing the app.

Now he knew how Knot felt he just hoped his friends wouldn't know and though he knew they wouldn't try to tease him like what they're still doing to Knot, but it's still embarrassing. 

Kongpob told him Arthit would find someone who's as adorable and as hard-working as Kong or even better but Arthit's having a hard time looking for that. He felt like he's just going to compare everyone to Kong and it's not like those two were the only reasons that made Arthit fell in love with Kong.
 
And what if Arthit's not looking for that kind of person anymore? What if he's attracted to confident, funny, independent, controlling– wait what? Arthit blinked. 

Speaking of Kongpob, it's already late at night. Arthit wondered if he's still having a dinner with Kaofang. Or are they doing something together aside from eating?

He considered calling him as an employee to his boss pretending to confirm every new agreement they had with the supplier but he knew Kongpob would find his bullshit in it. 

But, Arthit didn't think he could sleep with the loud pounding in his chest. He's very nervous. So with a sigh and with flushed cheeks already feeling embarrassed and regretful, he called Wad.

"Hello, P'Arthit? Why did you call so late? Did something happen? Is P'Prem okay? What-"

"No, no... everything's alright with Prem but," Arthit considered ending the call but he's already here. Gathering all his strength, he continued with, "Can you call Kongpob for me?"

"What?" 

Just hearing the confusion in Wad's voice made Arthit tightly close his eyes. This is easily the most shameful and worst thing he did to date: Asking your ex's friend to call him to (technically) spy on him.

"I may have left something in his car earlier."

"What?!"

Wad sounded more confused. Arthit winced. The guy knew they're not okay and they already ended.