Everlasting (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 3: The First Conflicts

The tension in the school courtyard was almost palpable. The usual hum of student chatter seemed subdued, as if everyone could sense that something was brewing just beneath the surface. Nueng walked through the crowd, his head held high, but inside, he couldn't shake the unease that had been building since that morning.

It had been only a few days since he and Palm had begun spending more time together, and already, Nueng could feel the shift in the atmosphere around them. Where there had once been polite smiles and nods, there were now whispers and sidelong glances. Nueng tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the moments of quiet happiness he found in Palm's company, but the weight of the scrutiny was growing harder to bear.

As he made his way to his usual spot under the large oak tree that dominated one corner of the courtyard, Nueng caught sight of Palm standing near the fountain, his back to the crowd. He looked lost in thought, his shoulders slightly hunched as if he was trying to make himself smaller, less noticeable.

Nueng's heart ached at the sight. He knew Palm was feeling the pressure too, and he wished he could do something—anything—to make it easier for him. But in this world, where every action was dissected and judged, there was little he could do without drawing even more attention to them.

Just as Nueng was about to cross the courtyard to join Palm, a voice called out his name.

"Nueng!"

He turned to see Chopper approaching, his expression a mix of curiosity and something darker—something that made Nueng's stomach tighten with dread.

"Chopper," Nueng greeted him with a nod, trying to keep his voice even.

Chopper didn't bother with pleasantries. "I couldn't help but notice you've been spending a lot of time with that new guy, Palm, isn't it?"

Nueng's jaw tightened. He knew where this was going, and he didn't like it. "He's a friend," he replied, keeping his tone neutral.

"A friend?" Chopper's smile was thin, almost predatory. "That's interesting. I didn't think someone like you would mix with someone like him. You know, with the... difference in status."

Nueng bristled at the insinuation, but he forced himself to stay calm. "Palm is a good person. I don't see why his background should matter."

Chopper chuckled, but there was no humor in it. "You're right, of course. It shouldn't matter. But you know how people can be. They talk, and they're already starting to say things, Nueng. Things that could be... problematic."

Nueng's heart pounded in his chest, but he refused to show any weakness. "What exactly are you trying to say, Chopper?"

Chopper took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, conspiratorial tone. "I'm just looking out for you, Nueng. People are starting to wonder if there's more to your friendship with Palm than you're letting on. And if those rumors get out of hand, it could cause problems—not just for you, but for him too."

Nueng felt a rush of anger at Chopper's words, but it was tempered by the cold fear that had been lurking in the back of his mind since he first noticed the whispers. He knew how quickly rumors could spread in this school, how easily they could spiral out of control. And he knew that if they did, the consequences could be devastating—not just for him, but for Palm as well.

"I appreciate your concern," Nueng said, his voice tight, "but I can handle my own friendships."

Chopper raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "I hope so, Nueng. I really do. Just be careful. Not everyone is as understanding as I am."

With that, Chopper turned and walked away, leaving Nueng standing there, his fists clenched at his sides. He hated the way Chopper had made him feel—powerless, trapped by the very world he had been born into. But more than that, he hated the way Chopper's words had planted seeds of doubt in his mind.

Nueng turned his gaze back to Palm, who was still standing by the fountain, unaware of the confrontation that had just taken place. For a moment, Nueng considered walking away, distancing himself from Palm to protect them both. But the thought of doing so felt like a betrayal—not just to Palm, but to himself.

Taking a deep breath, Nueng crossed the courtyard and approached Palm. As he got closer, Palm looked up, his face lighting up with a smile that made Nueng's heart ache even more.

"Nueng," Palm greeted him warmly. "I was wondering where you were."

"I'm here," Nueng replied, forcing a smile as he pushed Chopper's words out of his mind. "Let's go somewhere quiet. I need to talk to you."

Palm's smile faltered slightly, sensing the seriousness in Nueng's tone, but he nodded. "Okay."

They made their way to a secluded spot behind the school, a small garden area that was rarely used by anyone else. It was a place where they could talk without fear of being overheard, a place where Nueng felt like he could finally be honest.

Once they were alone, Nueng turned to Palm, his heart heavy with the words he needed to say. "Palm... I need you to be careful."

Palm frowned, clearly confused. "What do you mean?"

Nueng struggled to find the right words, not wanting to scare Palm but also knowing he couldn't keep the truth from him. "People are starting to notice us. They're talking, and I don't want anything bad to happen to you because of me."

Palm's expression softened, and he reached out to place a comforting hand on Nueng's arm. "Nueng, I'm not afraid of what people say. I knew what I was getting into when we became friends."

"But you don't understand," Nueng insisted, his voice trembling with emotion. "In this world, people like us don't get to just be friends. They expect something else, and if they think we're... more than that, it could ruin everything. It could ruin you."

Palm's hand tightened on Nueng's arm, his eyes filled with a quiet determination. "Nueng, I don't care what they think. You're important to me, and I won't let them take that away."

Nueng felt a lump form in his throat at Palm's words, at the fierce loyalty in his gaze. He wanted to believe that they could withstand the pressure, that their friendship could survive the scrutiny of their peers. But deep down, he couldn't shake the fear that it wouldn't be enough.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," Nueng whispered, his voice breaking.

Palm's expression softened even more, and he took a step closer, closing the distance between them. "And I don't want you to feel like you have to protect me from everything, Nueng. We're in this together, okay? Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Nueng felt a tear slip down his cheek, and before he could stop himself, he reached out and pulled Palm into a tight embrace. Palm hesitated for a moment, then wrapped his arms around Nueng, holding him close.

For a long moment, they stood there, holding each other in the quiet of the garden, the world outside forgotten. Nueng could feel the strength in Palm's embrace, the steady beat of his heart against his chest, and for the first time since Chopper's words, he felt a sense of peace.

But the moment was fleeting. As they pulled apart, the reality of their situation settled back in, heavy and unavoidable.

"I don't want to lose this," Nueng admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You won't," Palm promised, his eyes filled with certainty. "I'm not going anywhere, Nueng. No matter what."

Nueng nodded, taking comfort in Palm's words, but the fear still lingered in the back of his mind. He knew that their friendship, whatever it was becoming, was on a precarious edge, and that it wouldn't take much to push it over.

As they walked back to the courtyard, the tension between them was still there, unspoken but understood. Nueng knew that Chopper wasn't the only one watching, and that the whispers and rumors would only grow louder. But as Palm's hand brushed against his, a brief, accidental touch that sent a shiver down his spine, Nueng knew that he couldn't walk away. Not now, not ever.

Whatever challenges lay ahead, he was willing to face them—because Palm was worth it.