Even though we were both going to be twenty years old, the same age, and passing through the same period, we were a little different. Unlike me, who frequently applied to a university that was a little lower than Thai University, Tay waited for the announcement of the admission on time.
I was in the highest rank at a school where students were reputed to be relatively good at studying, and I was admitted to the economics department as a result of my excellent interview. Tay also entered the economics department for the time being, but he didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. The competition in economics was fierce, regardless of how well you did on the GAT.
His percentile was higher than the result of provisional scoring. The teachers at school called him several times, and he was contacted by several newspapers because the principal, who was nosy, spread the news here and there, but Tay refused all of them. If it had been me, I would have done it without hesitation. It’s amazing. It was how I felt about Tay.
Anyway, we were now free of the GAT and looking forward to the age of twenty, which was just around the corner. Obviously, when I was in my third year of high school, I wanted to be an adult quickly, but as the days passed, I was a little sad and disappointed, and knowing that I wasn’t a teenager anymore makes me feel strange for no reason.
Through the taxi window, tiny snowflakes fluttered in the wind. People were all wearing thick jumpers. Even though Christmas had passed, there were still many places decorated when I passed by the streets, so it was full of the year-end atmosphere.
I squinted slightly. Tay, who was sitting next to me, was looking at his phone when he noticed my gaze and turned his head. His eyes were asking if I had anything to say, but I turned my head and laughed to myself.
Tay and I were on our way to his hometown. He suggested spending the year’s end at a ski resort or at the beach, but I wanted to spend it with Gemini. It was because I had promised Gemini a few days ago that I would go to his house.
Tay scowled when he heard that, but he had no choice but to acknowledge it because I insisted. I was a little direct about why we had to spend the last few weeks of the year together. I pretended to be sick after he bit and sucked my skin at Christmas, and his face turned pale when he realized, but he didn’t say anything else.
I liked his house even if it wasn’t for Gemini. Having lived in an apartment since I was born, I always dreamed of living in a traditional house. I could see bamboo in particular when I sat on the floor with a clear view of the backyard, and at night, I turned on orange lights, making it comfortable as if I were on vacation.
Before I knew it, the taxi stopped.
It was now a familiar neighborhood. Maybe it’s because I’ve been here a few times. As I stood in front of Tay's house, he got off late and stood next to me. He naturally rang the doorbell. Soon over the doorbell, with a loud sound, “Is it Tay? I will open the door.” A voice was heard. Click, and the locked doorknob opened. Tay and I went through the gate together. I was about to go inside, passing through the yard with snow piled up here and there, when Tay stopped me.
“Let’s go in the back. Stay here.”
“What about greetings?”
“I’ll do it.”
Then he went inside on his own. I stood in the yard pouting and looked around. Tay was really just saying his greetings, so he went in and out quickly. I expected him to come out with Gemini, who had invited me, in his arms, but he came out alone.
“…What about Gem?”
I asked carefully. Tay responded briefly. “He went to our grandparents’ house.”
