Reading Between (the line)

Scene 14

[Praewa's]

The rays of the sun passing through my window woke me up from a very good sleep. I stretched out my hand upwards and breathed in and out three times. I smiled. My day started good.

"Hmmm. Today will be a good day," I claimed and then went to the side table to pick up my phone. I saw quite a few notifications from my socials. But one message notification caught my attention.

['Good morning.']

It was just a simple greeting, nothing special. But the problem lies with the sender. It's a message from Noon! And she doesn't send me messages like this. I almost dropped my phone when another message from her arrived.

['You up already?']

What is this? Did she send it by mistake? There's no way she would send me a text message so early in the morning. I know her.

['Praewa?']

But that third text proved me wrong. "What is this? What is wrong with her?" I uttered in complete confusion. My phone beeped again, but this time it was from P'Mai. I smiled after reading her message.

['Rise and shine, my favorite celebrity. See you later.']

Thinking about it, I did arrange a personal meeting with her today. I wanted to learn more about my character, and as the author, she is the right person to come to. I am aware that she based the character on me, but the character's life story is different from mine.

The first shoot is only days away, so I have to be ready. I wanted to fully know the character and fully immerse myself in her persona. I wanted the viewers to see the character and not me, Praewa.

I typed a reply to P'Mai and ignored Noon's message. Not that I didn't want to, I just didn't know what to reply.

---

Totally bewildered, I stared at the car in front and the driver. I am pretty sure that it was Atom who was supposed to come and pick me up. So, what is she doing here?

"P'Noon?" I called her name as she hopped out of her newly-bought car.

"Good morning," she greeted me with a wide smile. "I told Atom that I was nearby, so I offered to pick you up instead. Let's go?" She informed me and then gestured for me to get into her car.

Though I was still confused by her sudden appearance, I had no choice but to go around to the passenger seat and get in her car. I didn't notice her following me, so I was surprised when I saw her closing the car door after me.

I tilted my head, totally confused by why she was suddenly acting 360 degrees differently from what she usually does. Though we've become pretty close as friends these days, I doubt this is her "friendly" gesture.

When she got into the car, our eyes met. I saw her frown a bit but then smile again.

"You already got your seatbelt on, nice," I heard her comment in a small voice but loud enough for me to hear.

"Well, yeah. Aren't I supposed to?" I asked her, appalled. Is she perhaps not comfortable with me touching parts of her new car?

She shook her head at my question. "No. I mean, yes. You are. Just don't... Just forget what I said. It was nothing." She said and then started the engine. She drove with her eyes only on the road, making the entire car ride silent. But it was not awkward.

I guess?

---

I checked the time on my phone, and it was almost 2 pm. We had just finished our last schedule for the day, and everyone was heading to the elevator.

"Ms. Pram sent a message in the group chat. She's already waiting for us in the van. Oh, and she's parked on basement 2 now," Jenny announced. We all responded with "okay."

"That radio interview was fun," Anda commented shortly after, and we all nodded in agreement. It was indeed fun.

I especially liked the part where fans called the radio station and gave us their thoughts on our comeback. Their appreciative words made my heart full, and I know it's the same for the other girls.

We finally reached the elevator, and all of us entered simultaneously. I was the last one to hop in. Just as I entered, my phone vibrated with a call. I checked it, and it was P'Mai.

"Hello, P'Mai," I answered the call with a smile. "Sure. I know that place... Yes, I'll be there... Thank you so much for this favor. See you!"

When I ended the call, Devi suddenly asked, "What's with you and Mai, Praewa? Is she courting you?"

I was totally taken aback by that sudden and unfiltered question, and to my surprise, everyone's eyes were suddenly on me, pressing me for an answer.

"What? No, of course not. You all know that P'Mai is just a fan," I answered, brushing off their curious looks.

"But she clearly likes you," Pammu reasoned.

"She does, it's pretty obvious," Lookkaew seconded.

I didn't know what they wanted to hear from me, and I didn't know what to say either. Thankfully, the elevator dinged open, and I quickly stepped out to avoid staying in the hot seat any longer.

"Wow. That's the fastest elevator exit I've ever seen in my entire life," Bua commented, making everyone laugh. I watched them walk out with chuckles except for one.

She was eyeing me so intently without an ounce of amusement in her eyes. I avoided her gaze and continued walking. I even clung to Bua to avoid her further. She was particularly weird today, and I was not used to it.

"Ms. Pram," Anda called our manager, who was waiting outside our van. The middle door was already open, and I quickly noticed huge boxes occupying the seats in the back. That's where I always sit, so I turned to her, "Those boxes are taking my seat, Ms. Pram," I stated the obvious.

"Oh, about that, Praewa. Tong asked me for a favor to bring those boxes to the company. He can't deliver them due to some urgent matters, so he called me earlier and transferred them to our van."

While Ms. Pram was talking, I didn't notice that the other girls had already gone inside the van and comfortably settled in.

"Noon brought her car anyway. I called her earlier to ask if she was fine giving some of you a ride back to the company, and she said yes."

Upon hearing that, I heard a car engine sound behind me. I turned to see Noon inside her car, already ready to go.

"You and Bua can ride with her," Ms. Pram told us.

I really didn't want to, but since Bua was with me, I guessed I could manage. "All right. I'll sit in the back, Bu—" I turned to my side where Bua was standing, but she was no longer there. Instead, she was inside the van. My eyes widened.

She was just standing there seconds ago!

"We realized there's still space for one more person," Pammu casually told me. I eyed her, silently questioning why she was doing this, but she ignored me and continued, "We'll see you both at the company. Drive safely, Noon," she told the person in the car behind me, then signaled Anda, who heartlessly closed the door on me.

Ms. Pram tapped me on the shoulder before hopping into the driver's seat. I felt so betrayed as I watched the van drove off. That little brat, Pammu!

"I can wait for you to hop in whenever, but I can't create traffic here in the basement parking, Praewa. Can you please hop in now?"

I sighed. This day was supposed to be great!