Everlasting (PONDPHUWIN)

Chapter 14: New Beginnings?

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of fresh rain as Nueng walked into the school grounds. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt a tentative sense of hope. The phone call with Palm the night before had lifted some of the weight off his chest, and though their problems were far from resolved, the knowledge that they were trying again was enough to give him the strength to face the day.

But as soon as he entered the school, the familiar tension returned. The whispers that had followed him and Palm seemed quieter now, more subdued, but they were still there, lurking beneath the surface. Nueng knew that nothing had truly changed; the eyes of their classmates were still on them, and the rumors were still alive. But he also knew that he couldn't let fear control his life anymore.

As he made his way to his locker, Nueng's thoughts drifted to the upcoming weekend. His parents had arranged a formal dinner at their home, a gathering that was supposed to introduce him to Maggie, the girl they were hoping he would marry. The very thought of it made his stomach turn. The idea of being forced into a life that wasn't his, with someone he didn't love, felt like a betrayal of everything he had fought for.

But even as that fear gnawed at him, Nueng knew that he couldn't ignore the reality of his situation. His family's expectations were like a shadow that loomed over everything he did, and no matter how much he wanted to escape, he couldn't simply turn his back on them.

Nueng was lost in these thoughts when he reached his locker, only to find a small, neatly folded note tucked into the door's frame. His heart skipped a beat as he quickly looked around, but no one seemed to be paying him any attention. With trembling fingers, he unfolded the note and read the simple, yet powerful words written in Palm's familiar handwriting:

**Meet me at the park after school. We need to talk.**

Nueng's heart raced as he folded the note and slipped it into his pocket. He knew that whatever Palm wanted to talk about, it was important, and the thought of seeing him again filled him with a mix of excitement and anxiety. There was still so much left unsaid between them, so many things they needed to work through. But the fact that Palm was reaching out, that he wanted to talk, was enough to keep Nueng going.

The rest of the day passed in a blur, with Nueng barely able to focus on his classes. His mind kept drifting to the upcoming meeting with Palm, the words they would exchange, and the uncertain future that lay ahead. By the time the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Nueng was practically buzzing with nervous energy.

He quickly made his way to the park, the familiar path leading him to the secluded spot where they had spent so many afternoons together. The memories of those moments—the laughter, the quiet conversations, the stolen kisses—flooded his mind as he approached the bench where Palm was already waiting.

Palm looked up as Nueng approached, his expression a mix of relief and uncertainty. The sight of him sitting there, waiting for Nueng, made his heart ache with longing. It had been too long since they had been together like this, and the distance between them, though only physical, had felt like a chasm.

Nueng sat down beside Palm, close enough that their shoulders brushed, but not quite touching. The silence between them was heavy, filled with all the things they wanted to say but couldn't quite find the words for.

"Thank you for coming," Palm said softly, breaking the silence.

Nueng nodded, his throat tight with emotion. "I wanted to see you," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I missed you."

Palm smiled, a small, bittersweet smile that made Nueng's heart twist. "I missed you too, Nueng. So much."

They sat there for a moment, the weight of their emotions pressing down on them. Finally, Palm took a deep breath and turned to face Nueng, his expression serious.