Unexpected Hearts

Chapter 4

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The alarm blared, jolting me out of sleep. It was the first day of university. A fresh start, they promised. But all I felt was a knot of dread tightening in my stomach.

I pulled on the uniform - a crisp white shirt, black pants, and a tie. A classic, timeless look, just like the life my parents had planned for me. I joined them for breakfast, the heavy silver cutlery clinking against porcelain. My dad, with his sharp eyes and sharper tongue, launched into his usual spiel about the family business.

"Phuwin, you need to understand the importance of-" he began, but I cut him off.

"Dad, I've told you a million times. I want to do Engineering," I said, my voice steady.

He sighed, a mixture of disappointment and resignation. "Very well," he said, his voice final.

The car ride to university was a blur. I watched the city unfold outside, a world of towering buildings and bustling streets. Yet, it felt distant, like a movie playing on a screen. I was the main character, but the script was already written.

Joong was waiting for me at the university parking, his infectious grin the only bright spot in my otherwise gloomy morning. We'd been friends since kids, and he was one of the few people who saw past the Phuwin the world expected me to be.

My first class was a zoo. People were everywhere, their voices a cacophony that made my head spin. I retreated to a corner, hoping to blend into the shadows. But it was futile. Heads turned, whispers started. I was a walking billboard, advertising my family's wealth.

I hated it. I wanted to be just another student, lost in the crowd. But no matter what I did, I was always under a microscope. People didn't see me; they saw the Hotels and resorts.

I scanned the room, searching for an escape. My gaze landed on a guy sitting by the window. He was ordinary-looking, with a friendly smile. He was chatting with a girl in front of him, laughing easily. Something about his naturalness intrigued me.

It was then I realized what I hated most about this superficial world. People were afraid to be themselves. They wore masks, playing roles to fit in. They were weak, easily swayed by appearances. And I was one of them, trapped in a gilded cage of my own making.

The professor marched in, a whirlwind of authority. He started arranging the seating, a ridiculous formality for college, I thought. My eyes scanned the room until they landed on an empty seat next to the window. I groaned inwardly. This was going to be a long day.

As I slid into the seat, the guy sitting next to me flashed me a friendly smile. I ignored him, my usual defense mechanism. He tried again, a cheerful "Hi," this time. I pretended not to hear. A minute passed, and I felt a sigh escaping my lips. I turned to him, "Hello."

"I'm Pond Naravit," he said, extending a hand.

I shook it, "Phuwin."

I was surprised when he didn't react to my name. Didn't he know who I was?

After class, we were herded onto the field for some ridiculous icebreaker activities. I retreated to the sidelines, watching the chaos unfold with a mixture of amusement and annoyance.

"Hey, you!" a senior shouted, pointing at me. "Come here and dance!"

I glared at him, hoping he'd get the hint. But no, he was oblivious. Before I could react, Pond stood up. "I'll do it instead," he said to the senior.

I groaned. I hated being rescued. It made me feel weak.

Just as I was about to open my mouth, another senior, a girl this time, intervened. "Actually, you don't have to do anything. He's Phuwin from the Tangsakyuen family. You know, the hotel owners?"