Meraki: putting your all into doing something with soul, creativity, or love.
***
The first time they met, Porchay Kittisawasd was only a kid. Nine years old, greenest as a green can be. But he already liked middle school Vegas, calling him handsome and making his hia die of embarrassment.
But Vegas was more than just a handsome face. He was also kind, despite living in the biggest house Porchay had seen his entire life. You see, Vegas's dad was his father's boss and apparently, Vegas's father was more than just rich.
Vegas always bought him snacks when he came to visit with his hia's other friends. His hia often scolded both Vegas and him. "Don't buy him snacks and drink with that much sugar, V! He is still young and developing. We don't want him to have health problems and rotten teeth."
Vegas just smiled, not at all feeling insulted. After all, his hia cared so much about Porchay and that was why he said it, Vegas explained pouting Porchay. After that, Vegas still bought him snacks, but they were healthier ones. Hia said they were expensive. Porchay didn't want to know, all he wanted was to eat them and since Porsche didn't scold him, it made him happier.
Vegas liked him like that, all smiles and giggles. His cute face was becoming even cuter. One of his friends said he needed to be careful, otherwise he would become enamored. But Vegas brushed it aside. Porchay was ten. The same age as Macau, his brother. That should explain it.
Vegas's kindness didn't stop in giving snacks. He also patiently helped him with his homework. He said his homework was easier than Macau. Porchay pitied that Macau. These works already caused him headaches, he couldn't imagine the more difficult ones. Vegas said Macau attended International school. "If you want to change to international school when you are a high schooler, let me know. I can pay it for you by then," he said.
His hia threw a pillow at Vegas while laughing. "Ssat! Don't give him high hopes."
Vegas scrunched up his forehead, there was a little bit of anger in his face. "It's not a hope. I think I really can afford to pay the school for him by then."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Porsche only replied with that and walked away grumbling about a certain someone being a filthy rich bastard, leaving Porchay alone again with Vegas.
Porchay liked being alone with Vegas, even when they didn't have homework to do. Vegas just sat there in silence with a book in his hand while Porchay watched TV or napped. Sometimes one or two friends and his hia joined him. They talked about things, mostly bikes and cars, that Porchay didn't yet know. But they made a good background noise. Porchay always fell asleep in the middle of it.
When his in middle school, 12, Vegas was a high schooler. Their life pulled each other in different directions and they hardly met each other. Porchay started to have many activities and his own friends. His hia forbade him to go with him, saying it was embarrassing to hang out while babysitting his little brother. Only for special occasions, like birthdays or special achievement parties that were kid-friendly that they meet.
But when they met, Porchay felt ... Strange. Different. There was always something fluttering inside his stomach whenever Vegas greeted or looked at him. But Vegas wasn't like the Vegas he used to know anymore. This Vegas rarely looked his way, always busy with other people. It made him disappointed but one of his best friends, Pran, said it was to be expected. Their four-year age gap didn't seem to matter when he was ten, but it did now. He understood but was still disappointed nonetheless.
He then learned from his other friend that what he felt was a crush.
Porchay wished he had time to see Vegas more but he was not a fool. Vegas probably wasn't interested in his life anymore, having cool friends of his own. Besides, Porchay didn't think he would fit in that kind of lifestyle, for now at least. He knew what his brother and friends did, the not kid-friendly related stuff. Sometimes his mom asked him about it, but he just shrugged, didn't want to be a snitch.
