Within the spaces

Episode 3

Faye arrived at the studio, exhaustion clinging to her from the night before. She was tired and had a bad hangover. Yet, despite her fatigue, a spark of excitement lit up inside her the moment she stepped into the studio. This project was different—something she had never been a part of in her seven years in the entertainment industry. The rise of Thai GL series had finally given her the opportunity to step into a genre that resonated deeply with her. She was eager to see what P'Wan had in store for her.

As Faye entered the room, she noticed Yoko sitting in the corner, absorbed in some papers on her lap. The girl looked so focused, so intent, that Faye almost hesitated to disturb her. But when Yoko lifted her head, their eyes met briefly before Faye turned to greet the others in the room—Ize, Marissa, and P'Wan—with a warm smile. Faye was known for her friendly demeanor, her ability to make everyone feel at ease. She was popular, yet humble, a combination that endeared her to many. Yoko observed these interactions from afar, feeling a mix of admiration and intimidation. Until now, she had already gathered enough information about Faye. She was aware of her popularity, about her charm, about her skills with girls, almost every piece of data that Internet could provide about her. Mustering up her courage, she stood and approached Faye.

"Hi, P'Faye," Yoko greeted softly.

Faye nodded with a smile, her eyes twinkling. "How is this woman so pretty? And what is that scent?" Yoko's thoughts were a chaotic mix of awe and nerves, but she forced herself to stay composed.

Their mentor soon arrived to guide them through a series of exercises designed to help them bond, particularly Faye and Yoko, the two leads. The activities started off simple: storytelling, hand-holding—basic things to break the ice. Faye quickly noticed that Yoko was not only intelligent but also funny in a disarmingly quirky way. Faye found herself smiling more often than she expected, each joke Yoko cracked pulling her in a little more. Yoko, noticing this, became even more determined to keep Faye smiling. She liked it when Faye smiled.

But the atmosphere shifted when the mentor introduced an exercise where they had to look into each other's eyes and say or do whatever felt natural. Faye tensed up, realizing she would have to delve into this vulnerable space with someone she barely knew. She glanced at Yoko, who seemed equally uncomfortable, her shyness painfully apparent. Faye could not help but cared about the girl more.

"You get shy too, huh?" Faye teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"P'Faye, have you seen yourself? I'm worried you'll have to carry me in your strong arms when I faint from drowning in your beautiful eyes," Yoko quipped back, her voice tinged with a nervous edge.

"You're unbelievable," Faye laughed, genuinely amused by Yoko's audacity.

Gathering herself, Faye turned to face Yoko. She took in the details of the girl's face—the way her delicate features were framed by her hair, how her lips seemed to tremble slightly, the flush creeping up her cheeks. "Look at me," Faye said softly, her voice gentle but firm.

Yoko's eyes snapped to attention, first landing on Faye's lips. She was confused by her own fixation—she had never noticed someone's lips like this before. But they were so perfectly shaped, the lipstick just the right shade. Soft, mischievous. Yoko wondered about the lips that have touched them. How they must have felt.
She realized with a jolt that she had been staring too long. She shifted her gaze to Faye's eyes, and when she finally gathered herself, what she saw there surprised her. Faye's eyes were like an open book—curious yet sad, shining yet weary. The emotions in them stirred something deep inside Yoko, and before she knew it, tears welled up in her eyes, spilling down her cheeks.

Faye watched in silent concern as Yoko began to sob. She was at a loss, this reaction was unexpected. Without thinking, she pulled Yoko into a hug, her hand gently brushing the hair away from Yoko's tear-streaked face. She noticed how the younger girl fit perfectly in her arms, like a missing piece of a puzzle. Faye held her close, trying to soothe her, but the weight of Yoko's sadness was too much. It seeped into Faye, drawing out her own tears. After a few moments, Faye reluctantly pulled back, her hands tenderly wiping away Yoko's tears.

"Are you okay?" Faye's voice was soft, almost a whisper. She wanted to ask more, to understand what had triggered such a response, but she hesitated. Instead, she reverted to her usual teasing tone. "I can't believe my pretty face made you cry. That's a first," she joked, brushing a lock of hair behind Yoko's ear.

"I told you not to make me look into your eyes," Yoko murmured, her voice trembling but her lips curling into a faint smile.

"Next time, just close your eyes. Or, look at my nose. I heard that works too," Faye smirked, trying to lighten the mood.

"Or your lips," Yoko added, her smile widening.

Faye had been flirtatious before, but there was something disarming about Yoko's straightforwardness. She found herself at a loss for words, choosing instead to change the subject. It was better not to get too caught up in this girl's playful flirtations.

The day wrapped up with P'Wan inviting the group out for dinner, a chance to bond outside the studio. At the restaurant, Yoko found herself seated opposite Faye, with P'Wan beside her. The group was lively, the conversation flowing easily as they shared stories and laughter. Yoko, who was younger than most of them, found herself connecting particularly well with Marissa, who was closer to her age.

As the night wore on, Faye announced that she would be leaving early. "No wine tonight? That's not like you," P'Wan commented with mild curiosity.

"I have to drive, and I'm exhausted. Didn't sleep at all last night," Faye replied, her voice carrying the weight of her fatigue.

"Stop sleeping around on weekdays then," P'Wan teased, earning a shrug and a tired smile from Faye.

As Faye stood to leave, she noticed Yoko hadn't looked at her once since they sat down, her attention seemingly fixated on the ice cream in front of her. Faye found it odd but decided not to dwell on it. She walked over and tapped Yoko lightly on the head. "Bye, you atrocious kid," she said with a grin.

"Bye, P'Faye. Take care of yourself," Yoko replied, her voice tinged with a sadness that caught Faye off guard. For a moment, Faye considered asking her what was wrong, but she was too drained to process it fully. She simply nodded and walked away.

As Faye's footsteps faded, Yoko sat in silence, a swirl of unanswered questions and unspoken emotions churning inside her.