Tingles and Things

I'm Not Going to Cry (Anymore)

Tine understands that he isn't smart. It's a fact that he's come to accept and will even giggle along with others when the topic comes up casually. He's often told that he's lucky he's cute , and it's a phrase that always bothered him. But how do you respond to someone blatantly calling you stupid? Since he hates conflict, he never follows up with how he feels. So instead of a, what the hell do you mean by that; he simply blushes and bows his head, willing the conversation to turn to another topic. Because at least he's not ugly, right? That's progress.

He wants to be smart, though. And he does everything within his power to make up for this shortcoming. He studies harder and later than his peers, and while he gets good grades (well, Cs and Bs get degrees), it's never enough. He sucks at being smart and trying hard only gives him average results.

Speaking of shortcomings, his professor decided to pull him aside after class to discuss his grades and attendance. Still tender from the interaction, Tine goes over bits and pieces as they flash in his mind. If Tine plans to go into law, he must take this class seriously and show up on time. Waltzing in late and interrupting engaged students is not the proper behavior of someone who wants to pass the course. Especially when this person already received a D on their last practice exam. The professor hoped he took today's quiz much more seriously than the previous attempt. If not, he should consider dropping the class while there is still time to avoid a permanent stain on his record. He should look into a less academically intense major. Possibly something in the liberal arts department. He has the personality for it.

The worst part of the conversation was that the professor was sincere. He didn't yell or even scold Tine. Instead, he genuinely wanted Tine to do better. He was surprised that he wasn't, especially considering his brother was an academic superstar. Type completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in 5 years and was still a legend among professors at this school.

So, of course, Tine left the classroom 30 minutes later than intended, feeling like complete shit. He found a random classroom to duck into and cry a little bit. But he needs to stop being so sensitive. Boys aren't supposed to cry so easily – that's what Type and their dad always said to him when he got like this. But he hates disappointing people, especially when he feels he is doing his best. One of these days, he'll get it together and stop being such a failure to everyone. Sniffing, he reaches into his pocket for his phone. Only to remember that he doesn't have it because he decided it was a great idea to give it to a complete stranger .

Oh yeah. The whole reason Tine was late and what started this entire mess in the first place. Despite all logic telling him to curl up in a corner and cry some more, Tine found himself grinning. He gets to see the stranger, Sarawat, again. He has no idea what's gotten into him. And why he's not freaking out that he's grinning over a guy. He'll think about that later. Looking up at the classroom clock, he realizes it's 10:15, and he promised to meet the guy around 11:30. So, he needs to head back to his dorm, get his debit card, buy Sarawat lunch, and get his phone back. Easy peasy.

—

...Ok, so Tine knows he's an idiot, but this is a new level unlocked, even for him. Standing outside his dorm building, he realizes the flaw in his plan. He gave Sarawat his phone. His phone also acts as his wallet. His wallet is where he keeps his dorm pass and IDs. So, now he's locked out of his dorm and needs to wait for someone to open the door so that he can go up to his room. But no one is at the first desk, and all students are still on campus at this time of day, so no one is around to let him.

Fong! He needs to text his best friend Fong. He'll know what to do. He's always rational and helps Tine with his conundrums. Yes, Fong will have the answer.