𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓 𝐔𝐒

❛━. 𝑓𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛

ABOUT US

❛━. 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛

ARTHIT

          As my feet hovered just above the water's edge, I stopped, standing on the brink where the beach met the waves. I stared out at the endless blue expanse, its gentle sway bringing back memories. Since my first MT vacation in freshman year, I hadn't returned to the beach, and I realized I’d been craving this feeling.

I didn’t want to be at some wild party, drinking until I forgot myself. Instead, I wanted to be right here, where I first felt alive, where life itself seemed to stretch before me with promise and excitement.

Sure, I've been to countless beaches with friends over the years, but this one holds a special place. This was where I experienced so many "firsts" as a freshman engineering student. Maybe it was the soft glimmer of golden sand beneath the sun or the hungry seagulls battling the wind overhead.

Being here again, I felt something stirring deep inside—a strange sense of being grounded. But Kongpob’s earlier words tugged at me, leaving me with questions about the wall he’d built between us.

"Still the same, huh?" Bright's voice snapped me out of my thoughts as he grinned, standing beside me with his hands on his hips.

The trip had barely begun, yet I was already looking forward to the events lined up: the bracelet exchange, the bonfire—everything that would mark the end of the freshmen's intense weeks of hazing. Guilt gnawed at me for pushing them so hard, putting them through what must have felt like endless, pointless tests. But I knew there was a purpose to it all—a tradition passed down from one generation to the next.

Watching them now, laughing, playing in the water, I felt a flicker of pride in them and my fellow seniors.

"The view is perfect," I said, smiling as I took a deep breath.

Just as I exhaled, a sudden chill rippled through me. I turned to see Bright smirking as he splashed water at me. I couldn’t help but grin back. "Oh, you want a water war, huh?" I challenged him, splashing back.

Before we knew it, we were locked in a playful water fight, with Knott and Prem jumping in to join. It was chaos—hilarious, exhilarating chaos that made us forget all the stress and responsibilities, even if only for a while. Being surrounded by people I cared about, just having fun, was freeing in a way I hadn’t realized I needed.

Then, amid the laughter and splashing, a piercing scream shattered the moment. I froze, jolted from the fun, and saw my friends doing the same, each of us searching for the source. Getting to my feet, I scanned the crowd, and a female student approached us, pale with fear.

"Phi ka! Someone’s drowning!" she cried, pointing toward the water. The name that reached my ears hit me like a punch to the gut.

"It's Kongpob!"

Time blurred as I sprinted toward the water, my heart pounding. Without a second thought, I dove in, swimming toward him with every ounce of strength I had, driven by sheer adrenaline. Reaching him, I pulled him to shore and immediately began chest compressions. A shaky breath escaped me as he finally coughed up seawater, gasping for air. Relief washed over me, but my hands trembled—not from the cold, but from the realization of how close he’d come to drowning.

I had saved him, but I couldn’t shake the image of what could have happened if I’d been even a second too late.

Knott’s voice brought me back. "Are you okay?" he asked, his concern clear as he knelt beside me. I wiped the water from my face, struggling to catch my breath.

Tutah sighed in relief as our school nurse, Khun Faith, stepped forward to help Kongpob.

"Lucky we have her here," he muttered.

"Well done, Arthit—"

I cut him off sharply. "Who’s responsible for this?"

The crowd, once buzzing with whispers, fell silent as I fixed them with a glare, anger hardening my voice.

"I’m serious. Who thought this was a joke? How did he end up out there, nearly drowning?"

No one answered. My chest tightened, frustration mounting as I looked around at them. They’d seen me just moments ago, the laid-back Arthit. But now, the stern hazer they’d come to resent had returned.

I took a deep breath, struggling to keep my composure. "I wanted this trip to be enjoyable. Safe. Not something traumatic."

"Answer me!" I barked, my voice cutting through the silence.

"Arthit, he’s safe now—"

"Safe?" I shot back, my voice trembling with anger. "What if he hadn’t been? Do you think that’s okay? I put time and effort into planning this trip for you all to celebrate finishing training. How did he end up so far out? Explain it to me!"

Kongpob, still weak but alert, looked on, his eyes meeting mine.

There was something in his gaze—a flicker of understanding, maybe? I wasn’t sure. But as I glanced around at the others, I felt an overwhelming disappointment.

"I’ve told you all countless times—watch out for each other, keep each other safe, make sure everyone’s enjoying themselves!" I said, my voice softer but still heavy with frustration.

"We seniors fought hard to get approval for this trip."

Finally, someone broke the silence. "P'Arthit! We saw Toy and his friends last with Kongpob," a girl called out from the crowd.

I narrowed my eyes, recognizing her. She often hung out with Kongpob’s group.

"Shia! We didn’t do anything!" Toy snapped, glaring at her.

"You were picking a fight with him! I heard it!" she shot back.

Toy’s friend shouted at her, calling her a name that made my blood boil.

"You watch your mouth," Oak fired back at Toy’s friend, stepping up for the girl, and suddenly chaos erupted. Voices rose, accusations flying, students shoving each other in frustration and anger.

"Enough!" I yelled, silencing the crowd. "All activities are suspended! Go back to your rooms! I don’t care if you’ve got the gear or not—this is done!"

The moment the words left my mouth, I turned and walked away, trying to cool the frustration boiling in my chest.