Reading Between (the line)

Scene 10

[6 months later]

"Walk slowly... and stop! Now, look behind you."

"Perfect! Now smile. Smile like you have seen the most beautiful person in the world."

"That's it! Hold that smile for me. Hold it... and then slowly walk towards each other. Stop!"

"Noon, grab Praewa's hand and bring it to your shoulder. Praewa, just look at Noon's eyes. Do not break the stare! Hold it..."

"And we're done! Great job again, ladies!"

After the camera flashes finally stopped, people started gathering, pulling things out from here and there. I bowed to the photographer, thanking him for his compliments and hard work. After that, I began to catch my breath; I had been holding it in for quite some time.

"You good?" Noon suddenly asked from behind.

I nodded. "Yup. Just have to catch my breath. Didn't realize I was holding it."

She tapped my back, surprising me, though I didn't show it. "Thanks," I said, acknowledging her "care".

Noon and I were doing a photoshoot for a local city's tourist campaign. We wore traditional attire and shot at several tourist spots. We had visited several locations already, and this was our last one.

After changing clothes, we began the final take. It was already sundown when both the video and photo shoot wrapped up.

I checked my phone after changing back into my own clothes. While checking my unread messages, I received a call from Ms. Pram.

"All right, Ms. Pram. We'll just wait for you, then," I said after listening to her. She was stuck in traffic due to a road accident and might take some time before she could pick us up. I informed Noon about this, and we both decided to wait for our manager.

"You two sure you want to wait for your manager? We can give you a lift to your company if you want," the head of the wardrobe team offered.

I shook my head and bowed slightly to thank him. "Yes, we're sure, P'Wan. We already told Ms. Pram we'd wait, so we will. Besides, our company is out of the way from yours. But thank you so much for the offer, we appreciate it."

Convinced, P'Wan and his team finally bid us goodbye, leaving Noon and me alone. We went to a bench lit by a single streetlight and sat there. The area was well-lit, with other people around, but for some reason, it felt peaceful and quiet.

I was scrolling through my phone, and I saw Noon was also doing the same.

This was the first time we had been alone together since that confrontation six months ago. I admitted to myself that her presence still affected me, but this time, it was different. Something is different than the usual.

"I saw a convenience store nearby earlier. Want to grab something to eat? I'm quite hungry," Noon said, breaking the silence between us.

Feeling hungry myself, I nodded and picked up my things. "Lead the way?" I asked, and she began to walk. Usually, walking side by side with her would be difficult, but now, it felt natural.

"You're smiling," she commented after a while.

I turned to her, meeting her eyes. When I felt no butterflies in my stomach despite that, my smile widened. "Yeah. I am." I said, just realizing that I was indeed smiling.

Noon attempted to continue the conversation, but we already arrived at the convenience store. She held the door for me and closed it when I entered. If this had happened a year ago, I would have celebrated inside, feeling giddy. But now, I just thanked her as I would thank any other friend.

---

"Thanks for paying," I thanked Noon after she unexpectedly gave her card when I checked out at the counter earlier.

"You're welcome," she replied and settled at the chairs and tables outside. She got herself a hotdog sandwich while I chose a tuna sandwich.

After a bite, I placed my sandwich down to grab my water, but Noon took it before I could. She opened it and placed it in front of me. "I know you're not good at opening new bottles," she explained coolly, perhaps to avoid any misinterpretation from me.

"Thanks. And don't worry, I didn't think much about it. We're in a public place anyway, so I'm aware of your intentions," I explained to her.

Noon's brows furrowed, and her mouth opened to say something, but she was interrupted by a group of teenage girls who came to our table asking for autographs and pictures.

Of course, we both agreed. The kids wanted to chat more after that, but Noon jokingly scolded them, saying it was already late for them to be out. Happy with Noon's concern, the girls heeded her advice and left giggling.

"I've been seeing a lot of younger fans like them cheering for us these days. I'm happy with how open people are now, right?" I said, watching the teenagers walk away.

"Hmm," Noon replied nonchalantly.

Hearing that, I turned to her and saw her intently eyeing me. "You aren't?" I asked, thinking she had a different opinion.

Before I could hear her reply, my phone rang with a call from Ms. Pram.

[Where are you ladies? I don't see you here.]

My eyes widened, remembering that we hadn't informed her about going to the convenience store. "Oh my God! We're so sorry, Ms. Pram. We'll be there in a few."

Noon and I hurriedly walked back to the park, totally forgetting our conversation before the call. Well, I didn't think it was that important anyway, so all is well.

---

[Rehearsal Studio]

Everyone gathered when two choreographers entered the studio.

"You girls ready to see the demo?" one of them asked, and we all yelled "yes" in excitement. These choreographers were the ones who choreographed our debut song last year, and they were back to do the same for our second song.

Finally, after a year of planning, our group would release our second song this year. We finished recording two weeks ago, and now, we would see the choreography made for it.

After being amazed by the choreo, we began our dance practice. Everyone was so focused and happy that we didn't realize eight hours had passed. We would be practicing six days a week for a month, so we decided to stop and call it a day.

I was lying on the couch to ease my exhaustion for a bit when Devi and Jenny approached me. "Yes?" I asked without getting up.

"Something is off," Devi spoke first. Seeing the seriousness in their expressions, I had no choice but to sit up.

"Off on what?"

Devi and Jenny came closer, looked behind them, then back at me. In a low, almost-whispering voice, Jenny asked, "You and Noon. Are you together?"

I was about to answer when Devi lightly smacked Jenny's arm. "What? That's your conclusion?"

"Huh? Yes. Why? You don't think so?" Jenny replied.

"Of course not. They were just casually talking like everyone else. Then Praewa laughed with her earlier. Wait—" Devi stopped, then slowly looked at me. "Right! You were laughing with her. What's wrong with you?" and then asked with both hands on her waist.