Beneath The spotlight

Chapter 52: A Crumbling Defense

Phuwin couldn’t shake the weight of Pond’s words. As much as he tried to dive into his routines, the conversation they’d shared under the oak tree replayed in his mind.

“You’re worth getting to know.”

What did Pond even mean by that? Why did someone so carefree and easygoing care about someone like him? Phuwin shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. He didn’t have time for distractions—especially ones as unpredictable as Pond.

---

That afternoon, Phuwin decided to grab coffee from the campus café, something he rarely did. He preferred the quiet solitude of his dorm or the library, but today felt… off. He couldn’t focus, and his usual strategies for ignoring the world weren’t working.

The café was bustling with students, their laughter and chatter creating a chaotic background noise. Phuwin slipped into the line, his gaze fixed firmly ahead, hoping to avoid any unnecessary interactions.

But fate, it seemed, had other plans.

“Phuwin?”

His entire body tensed at the familiar voice. He turned slowly, and there he was—Pond.

The outgoing boy stood near a table, surrounded by a group of friends who were hanging on his every word. As soon as their eyes met, Pond’s face lit up with that trademark smile that somehow managed to be both charming and infuriating.

“Hey! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Pond called out, already moving toward him.

Phuwin cursed internally. Of all the people to run into, it had to be him.

“I was just leaving,” Phuwin said flatly, hoping to deter any further conversation.

Pond, as usual, ignored the clear dismissal. “Leaving? You just got here. Come on, join us!”

“No, thanks,” Phuwin said, stepping up to the counter to place his order.

Pond leaned against the counter beside him, undeterred. “Why not? You need to loosen up a little. Live a little.”

“I’m fine,” Phuwin muttered.

Pond raised an eyebrow. “You don’t look fine. You look like you’re one coffee spill away from snapping.”

Phuwin glared at him. “What do you want, Pond?”

“Right now? I want to see you smile,” Pond said, grinning.

Phuwin rolled his eyes. “Why are you always like this?”

“Like what?”

“Annoying,” Phuwin said bluntly.

Pond laughed, a carefree sound that drew the attention of nearby students. “Maybe you just need to relax. Have you ever thought about that?”

Before Phuwin could respond, the barista called out his name. He grabbed his coffee and turned to leave, but Pond followed him.

“Wait, where are you going?” Pond asked, trailing after him.

“Back to my dorm. Alone,” Phuwin said pointedly.

“Alone, huh? Doesn’t that get boring?”

“No,” Phuwin said sharply.

Pond stopped walking, his expression shifting ever so slightly. For a moment, he looked almost serious.

“Well,” he said, his voice softer, “if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me.”

Phuwin glanced back at him, caught off guard by the sudden sincerity in his tone. But before he could say anything, Pond was already heading back toward his table, his usual carefree demeanor back in place.

Phuwin stood there for a moment, coffee in hand, feeling an unfamiliar pang in his chest.

---

Later that night, as Phuwin sat at his desk, trying to focus on his studies, he couldn’t stop thinking about Pond’s parting words.

“If you ever change your mind…”

Phuwin shook his head, frustrated. He didn’t need someone like Pond in his life—someone loud, outgoing, and completely opposite of him.

But a small, irritating voice in the back of his mind whispered: What if you do?