Reading Between (the line)

Scene 2

The van we're in moved slowly due to traffic. And if before, this made me elated as it meant more time to be with her, now I just want to jump out of the vehicle to avoid this deafening and awkward silence.

I couldn't tell what was going through her mind. But I know one thing for sure, she wasn't happy at all. I wanted to say sorry but my heart couldn't dare do it. Because I am happy that we're now paired up officially.

'Does she really hate being paired with me that much?'

When the car stopped at the place where our event with Anda and Lookkaew was, I began to compose myself. I can't exit this van looking so gloomy.

I thought Noon would leave me and go ahead as soon as she got out of the car, but I was surprised when she suddenly offered her hand to me. And she was also smiling.

My heart melted at that smile. She was looking directly at me, and I almost got pulled in by that look she was giving me.

When I didn't immediately give her my hand, she took the initiative and held my hand instead while helping me down from the van.

We were holding hands, and I was happy. But this was quickly replaced by a painful realization. The one smiling at me is the celebrity Noon.

Not her.

I became aware because, behind her, our fans were screaming at the gesture she just made. I smiled, trying to suppress the pain I felt from my expression.

---

Days passed, and I saw that we were receiving more support than before. Noon and I were also getting sponsorships even without Anda and Lookkaew.

I am happy with what's happening, especially the company.

"Is everything all right?" Pammu suddenly asked me.

She's a friend and co-member of an idol group where I first debuted before becoming an actress as well. We were inside the company's rehearsal studio and had just finished our practice. The other girls from our group, Cosmos, had each gone out while others were tinkering with their phones.

I was sitting alone on the couch, staring blankly when she approached me. I nodded to her question. "It doesn't seem like it though," she commented as she sat beside me.

"I'm just tired," I convinced her.

She did not bother to rebut that and just silently sat beside me while I stayed silent myself. The couch we were sitting on faced the door, so when it opened and revealed Noon, I saw her immediately.

I knew she saw me too, but she avoided looking at me and went straight to Devi's group. I didn't know if the sadness was shown on my face, but I guess it did because I felt Pammu's hand on me.

"You like her."

It wasn't even a question. Denying it would be useless as well knowing her. Pammu is just so observant and sensitive to the people around her to the point that she can read everything. And she just read me.

"Am I that obvious?" I asked.

She shook her head before answering. "No. But these days, I've noticed that you're not yourself. And there's Noon. She's also different than usual."

I sighed. "It's my fault. If I hadn't made that mistake, this misunderstanding by the fans won't happen. Then she won't be stuck with me in the coming months... or even years." Despite trying to stop it, my voice still cracked a bit at the end of my sentence.

Pammu stayed silent for a few seconds before speaking, "It may be caused by a mistake but isn't this what you dreamed of? Yes, it may not be your ideal way of getting it. But why not try to use this opportunity to show your supporters that you're more than just the "Praewa" of the #NoonPrawa couple? That you're a great Idol and an actress deserving that spotlight. And you do not know, maybe..." She paused and then looked at me.

I smiled bitterly as I understood the message of her pause. "Thanks, Pam. That helped me a lot." I thanked her sincerely.

We heard a loud laugh and my eyes quickly found Noon. She was laughing playfully with Devi. On normal days, this sight and sound of her laughter would have been my haven. But right now, all I can hear is the tearing and the shard of my broken heart.

If only I didn't come early today. If only I closed that door and not eavesdropped to her phone conversation. Then maybe... .

---

Everyone was screaming so hard while Anda and Lookkaew played the sticky note game.

It has been a popular game for couples these days so the fans requested that Anda and Lookkaew play it as well at an event we held to promote our series. Of course, me and Noon will also play after them.

I stayed on the right side, enjoying the two playing while I teased them once in a while to hype the fans. Noon was on the other side as well, watching while assisting Anda occasionally.

I was so focused on the two playing when I felt someone wrap their arms around my waist. I looked on my side and saw Noon. My heart skipped a bit but I hid it by not making a big deal of what she did. I looked back to Anda and Lookkaew and saw that they already finished the game.

The crowd became wild again and I thought it was because of that couple but I was mistaken when Anda was eyeing us with a teasing look. She was pointing at us, making the fans record us instead. Before Noon could break from her "hug" on me, I walked towards the organizer and asked for the sticky notes so that we could start the game.

I did it naturally, making it appear that I was shy. But I was not. Well, maybe a little. But I only did it for Noon. I can't burden her with acting clingy and sweet on me for so long when in fact she doesn't like it that much. I concluded that a few seconds of that "moment" is already enough fan service.

When the event finally ended, I told my manager that I'd be stopping at the restroom first. He told me to come to the basement after as he and the other three will wait for me there.

I was washing my hands in the sink when Noon suddenly popped up from the entrance.

"Why did you do that?" She asked me with a poker face.

I wiped my hand clean before turning to her to answer, "Did what?" I confusedly asked her. I really do not know what she meant.

"Earlier. When I hugged your waist. It did not even take a minute before you let go. Are you avoiding physical contact with me?"

To be honest, I was taken aback. I did not even know that she noticed that. I thought I did it naturally earlier. Well, I guess I only fooled the fans and not her. "No, I don't. What are you talking about? I just went to get the sticky notes because Anda and Lookkaew were already done playing." I gave her a nonsense explanation.

She eyed me coldly without saying anything.

"Look, I am sorry if that's how it appeared to you. Besides, I do not have any reason to avoid physical contact with-"

"Really?" She cut me off.

I nodded yes, probably looking confused. "We're an on-screen couple and being close to you in public is-"

"I knew you heard me that day in our practice room, Praewa." She cut my words again. Then she closed the small gap between us in one single step. "And I also know about your little feelings for me. I am not dense."