I won't be blinded by the light

Chapter 3

Phayu jerks up the phone when the text message comes through, he tries his best to hide his disappointment when he sees it's not from Rain.

Lovesick Puppy: Sorry Yu, Sky isn't feeling well today. We aren't going to be able to help you pursue your boy. I have it on good authority that Rain is free today and has no plans other than video games.

Phayu: Tell Sky I hope he feels better, thanks for the heads up, I have a plan B.

Lovesick Puppy: Poor Rain, I should tell him to run, but it's probably too late for that now. Also, Sky says take Rain to one of the markets, he has been pestering Sky all summer to go.

Phayu: Asshole, tell Sky I said I owe him one.

Phayu spends a few minutes looking up things online and draws out a quick itinerary for the day. Yes, this is perfect. Time to put plan, just being a good senior into action.

Rain feels around for his phone without opening his eyes. It's a little after eight am which is early for him, he hardly ever gets out of bed before noon if he doesn't have to. He blinks at the screen then sits up, suddenly wide away. It's P'Phayu.

P'Phayu: Awake yet?

Rain: I'm awake, Phi, is something wrong?

P'Phayu: No it's just supposed to be a nice day. I am going to take a look at some of the more interesting buildings in Bangkok as inspiration for a new client's project I have just taken on. I thought you might enjoy coming with me.

Rain can't get over how nice and considerate P'Phayu is.

Rain: I would love that.

P'Phayu: Wonderful. I will pick you up at 9:30. Wear long pants and bring a jacket.

Rain: Okay.

Rain bounces out of bed, suddenly excited. He wonders briefly why he needs to wear long pants and bring a jacket, it's very hot in Thailand this time of year.

He takes a quick shower, but then it takes him almost forty-five minutes to decide what to wear. He pulls out what feels like the entire contents of his closet, and he tosses the rejected outfits on the floor. His mama will have a fit at the mess, but that's a problem for future him. He jumps when the clock downstairs strikes nine, knowing he has to hurry and just choose something. Finally, he decides on a pair of black wide legged jeans and a red t-shirt. He pairs this with several black leather bracelets. He styles his hair carefully to fall softly around his face.

He adds just a touch of body spray and grabs his black leather jacket his parents got him for a gift when he went to Korea. He takes the stairs two at a time and manages to be outside by 9:25. He is just in time to see a large blue Ducati pull up in front of his house.

P'Phayu parks and the way he pulls his helmet off reminds Rain of bike models he has seen on TV. Rain tries not to stare.

"Ready to go?" P'Phayu asks with a charming smile. He looks at Rain's clothes and nods with approval.

Rain just nods, he gives the bike a nervous look.

Seeing his look, P'Phayu asks, "Ever ridden on a big bike?" Rain shakes his head. He's ridden on smaller bike taxis before but never a large bike like this. "Well now's your chance." P'Phayu brings a second helmet out of the saddle bags and helps Rain put it on. He straps it under Rain's chin then teasingly pushes down the face guard making Rain giggle.

"I'll get on first and you climb on behind me." P'Phayu instructs him. Rain nods, the weight of the helmet on his head feeling weird.

He gets on the bike behind P'Phayu, but then realizes he doesn't know what he should do with his hands. P'Phayu reaches behind him and puts Rain's arms around his own waist. "Hold on tightly," he says before starting the bike.