Unexpected Love

Chapter 4

<< Khaotung >>

"YOU'VE NEVER GOTTEN ANGRY TO THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE NO MATTER HOW MUCH THEY HURT YOU. THAT'S HOW I KNEW."

Neo knows me very well I wanted to laugh. After comforting me yesterday, we proceed with our project. My mind was somewhere but Neo never forced me to focus on the project. He just let me mourn my lost love. I didn't cry yesterday. Because somehow I knew this, whatever First and I have, will end eventually. I just wasn't expecting it to be this soon.

Hell, I wasn't even expecting it to begin in the first place.

The whole night, I didn’t hear anything from First. I wondered if he would even bother to apologize to me. Will he explain everything to me? Why did he do those things?

Do I even deserve an explanation?

An apology?

It was my fault for not asking when it started. It was my fault for letting him touch me. It was my fault for being greedy.

We'll be back to normal. I'll be fine if we can go back to being normal friends.

***

"KHAOTUNG!"

I turned on my back and saw First running towards me. I stopped to wait for him. He halted in front of me, chasing his breath.

"What is it, First?"

"Uhm..." I studied his face and he looks uncomfortable. "Are you busy after class?"

"Why?" Good job Khaotung for keeping your cool.

"I got a new movie from Ohm... Do you wanna watch it together"

He's still inviting me? We're still friends?

"Khaotung!" Another familiar voice called. Neo walked towards us and stopped beside me, eyeing First. "What’s happening here?"

"Ah, First’s inviting me to hang out later..." I answered.

"Ah, R-Right. Wanna join us, Neo?" First keeps fidgeting and playing with the hem of his shirt, averting his eyes from Neo.

Neo had been looking at First like he wanted a fight with him. I don't know how to convince Neo not to get too worked up over this matter. He’s always been protective of me and he’s the only person I can rely on when I’m down and heartbroken.

"We're free later. But—" Neo placed his arm over my shoulders. "We’re hanging out at my place..."

"Neo?"

"Maybe next time, First." Neo said in a mocking tone as he dragged me away.

---

"Were you really planning to hang out with that bastard?" Neo asked as soon as we got away from First.

"We're still friends?" I wanted to sound sure but it turned out more as a question. Should I be glad he treats me like he always does? But it just means he doesn't care what I feel about yesterday's events. Maybe it wasn't my business to begin with.

"Friends? That guy’s shamelessly fucking you over Khaotung, would you even call that a friend?! You don't have to keep up with his shenanigans just because you like him. You're smarter than this, Khaotung!"

I know, he's right. And I know the best thing to do is to disappear from him and end whatever thing we have between us. That's the right thing to do. But my stubborn self doesn't want to. Just from thinking that I won't be able to talk to him, laugh with him, or even stand by his side anymore makes me want to cry. This is too painful but I can't let go. I'm fine even with being normal friends.