HEMP ROPE, BETWEEN US (ENG)

Chapter 5

Phawin is the middle child of a Chinese family. They lived in a large house with many relatives and employees. Since childhhood he had to take care of his siblings, since he was many years older than the youngest it was difficult sometimes. It became a habit to take care of them to the point he wasn't his own person anymore. If he had something he liked, he ended up having to give it to his brothers, so he doesnt get attached to things anymore. Untill later in highschool he found something that filled the gap in his heart. His motorcycle. His family allowed it in exchange for doing chores, doing accounting for the family, and studying hard.

It was the first thing he had really cherished. He never let anyone touch it or ride with him, not even his family. It still wasn't enough he was still searching for something. He eventually tried tattoos and dying his hair, piercing his ears he didn't know how many holes his ears had. Once he moved into the dorms for university he was living a fun life with his friends. Even amongst the smiles something in his chest still felt empty, unfufilled.

"Hia Win."

He saw his little brother running with his hair a mess and arms full of books, probably about to ask for help with homework as always.

"Every time you have a test View you always run to me to ask me to tutor you" Win adjusted his glasses looking bored

"Hia Win can't teach so dont complain."

"Shit-"

"Stop!" The oldest brother, Wan, chimed in. He raised his hands to stop him.

"Let's just go play a game. Isn't there a meeting tomorrow? Have you prepared and read all the documents?" Win asked his older brother who was also home. On days off he was an otaku, but during the week he helped their mom run the hotel. He actually thought his brother was helping alot since graduating. He was doing managment and three new hotels had opened in their chain, the business was doing well.

Wan pouted.

"It's my vacation, hurry up and finish your school work and help me at the meeting instead, I'm bored of it." The oldest brother ran off before Win could scold him. He went off to play his game somewhere they wouldn't bother him.

"View, I always told you to read the text books whenever you have time, with this many there is no way you can remeber it all." Win looked at the youngest brother and scrunched up his face, but View was giving him a big eyed begging look. Win was still the kind brother who never refused.

"you're so nice." View said leaning over Win's shoulder who was about to throw a pen at him.

"Only to some people." He ran a hand threw his hair that was hanging over his eyes. He got annoyed and gathered it into a samurai bun at the nape of his neck.

"Ohh, besides us who are you nice to? I want to know."

Sharp eyes glanced at his brother and a sly smile formed. His brother got goosebumps from being teased.

"I'm only nice to people who call me Hia."

Maybe...he had found something that filled the ache in his chest.

***

The swim club's pool stands were full of people today. They were busy because the president had called a meeting to discuss the upcoming events. They sat scattered around talking and laughing. Win looked over the papers in his hands discussing the date and times with the coach and the president. They motioned to all the youngsters to be quiet. Green-grey eyes swept over everyone silently telling them all to shut their mouths before starting to explain everything.

"As everyone knows in the next few weeks we will have the open house where our club has agreed to.."Dean looked over at their board and forced himself to say it out loud,