We are...คือเรารักกัน (We are... we are in love)

Chapter 82: Volunteer Camp (Part 2)

*This chapter hasn't been proofread.

After helping the construction team in the morning, we were assigned a new task in the afternoon: taking the kids on a mission to plant a forest.

Heh. It sounds fancy, but really, we were just planting banana trees and vegetables behind the school.

Once we got the orders, my gang grabbed hoes and shovels to dig the soil while waiting for Toey, Chan, Pan, and the kids to join us. Meanwhile, Q kept pestering us, teasing Fang and Tan about last night with great enthusiasm. Of course, we joined in as his sidekicks, poking fun at them. Haha, I swear, it's only a matter of time before Fang loses it and throws a hoe at our heads.

Tan, on the other hand, was in an exceptionally good mood—probably because he had the time of his life last night, even more thrilling than a Pepsi commercial. Tan was so cheerful that he turned everything we said into a song. Eventually, Fang declared that once we got back from the camp, he'd take Tan to get treated at Tham Krabok. Uh, Fang, are you sure that's the right place?

[*In case you forgot, Wat Tham Krabok has known for its heroin and opium drug rehabilitation program, which was started in 1959.]

And then there was Tan, hugging a banana tree and bouncing against it three times, claiming, "It's a ritual to make the bananas grow plentifully."

Oh my gosh, if the banana tree had a mouth, it would probably run off to report you to Khun Paweena for harassment!

[*In case you forgot, Paweena Hongsakul (ปวีณา หงสกุล) is a Thai politician and a women's and children's rights activist.]

"Hey guys, what if we calculate the average height of our group? I'm curious if Peem's height would even reach the mean."

Seriously, Q? You suddenly feel like being a math genius now? You jerk, you scoundrel, you absolute menace! You fire-breathing buffalo!

"Haha!"

Yeah, laugh it up, everyone. When I couldn't do anything else, I just kicked Phum, who was laughing the loudest.

"Who says Peem isn't tall? He just deposited his height at the bank. Once he grows up, he'll withdraw it and use it."

Tan! You, you, you! You traitor!

"Oh, really, P'Tan? I didn't know that. Well then, P'Peem, hurry up and withdraw it—I feel bad for P'Phum. He might end up with a herniated disc."

"Why, Matt?"

"Because he's been bending over to talk to his faen for way too long, P'Beer. Hahaha!"

Matt, you little rascal, from now on, you're no longer my little brother.

"Haha. Guys, stop teasing him. Even if Peem is short, it doesn't matter, I still love him."

"Wowwwwwwww" Cue the dramatic cheers and whistles.

I'm so exhausted with these troublemakers. After we spent ages messing around and driving each other crazy, the camp leader, the dentist, and the former B-boy turned mountain teacher finally led nearly twenty kids in a procession toward us. It looked like Pan, who was leading the group, was teaching the kids something mischievous. He was marching ahead while singing and raising his fist in the air, like a protest leader, except, of course, Pan was leading them in a song instead.

Song: "For a New Life"

When the red sun shines across the land,
It awakens the hearts of the people,
The world tumbles toward victory.
The old unjust society (unjust society!)
Leaves the masses in misery.
We fight for a new life,
Bright and free.
Oh, the people (the people!)
Must endure suffering and pain,
Wounded and ignored by society.
Our mission, the youth of the land,
Is to sacrifice our lives
For the people's triumph.