SOTUS : Two worlds

Chapter Two

Knott

Knott was never interested in girls during high school.  He wondered if puberty had failed him.

Knott had not yet met anyone who could manage to captivate his attention for more than a couple of minutes.  There were times he thought some of the school jocks were attractive, but he didn't entertain those thoughts.  

Knott loved maths and puzzles, he was what people called a 'super nerd.'  Knott was more interested in video games and comics.  He didn't have many friends at school.  Knott didn't want to get involved in any high school drama much like his peers.  So he hardly left his room when he didn't have school.  

Maybe it's the lack of social interactions that had him overreact when he thought people were unfair.  Knott didn't understand why people wouldn't just mind their own business and not make the life of others harder than it already was.

On the first day of university, a boy with fair skin and dimples had caught his eye.  For the first time in his life, he was aware of another person's existence without actually knowing them.  

The boy was calm and seemed a little shy.  Knott couldn't help but turn his gaze towards him from time to time, he was just too sweet.  When the second year seniors asked everyone to do the grilled- chicken dance after introducing themselves as an icebreaker Knott thought it was the funniest thing he had seen when the boy he had been subtly watching did the dance.  

He introduced himself as Arthit, but the sign that hung around his neck said "Oon." 

"Oon" suited him better though.  Arthit did seem like a warm and soft person.  But he can't judge only based by his looks, can he?  He didn't have to courage to say hi, so he just closely watched Arthit.

Knott couldn't believe his luck when Arthit had taken the seat next to him at their first lecture.  Arthit smiled at him, his dimples running deep making Knott stare.

"I'm Arthit, but you can call me Oon... what's your name?"

"Knott," he barely managed to say.  His heart was doing cartwheels.

A chubby boy behind chimed in, "I'm Toota... this loser is Bright.  Nice to meet you guys." 

Knott and Arthit shared a glance.  It was the first day, and he already made three friends.  This was unusual for him.

A quieter boy introduced himself as Prem asking if they wanted to hang out after class.

Knott didn't know it was the beginning of how he would be spending the rest of his university days.

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Even after completing two years and starting their third, Knott still couldn't change his thoughts about Arthit. He wasn't really sure if his feelings were romantic.  Knott had never been in love before, but Arthit was special to him. He always caved in when it came to Arthit. Knott did care for his other friends too, but not as much as he cared about his first real friend.

A few times Knott had wondered if he liked Arthit more than just a friend.  Given a chance would he date him?  Arthit told him about his high school crush and how he was waiting for them to break up.  Knott was sure Arthit was not into men.  Along the way, he decided it didn't matter.  Arthit was his best friend, and Knott didn't want to ruin it by having romantic thoughts.  So he had pushed his feelings to a far corner in his heart and continued to take what he could get.

Arthit needed constant attention.  Knott never would have thought Arthit was that type who needed to be looked after.  He knew for a fact that Arthit was more than capable of taking care of himself.  Arthit was responsible and took charge whenever necessary.  But when it was just the two of them, he behaved like a spoiled brat.  Knott had no one but himself to blame for that.  He enjoyed doing small things for Arthit, seeing his grateful smile was worth it.

That was why the arrogant freshman was irking him.  Not only did he challenge Arthit in front of the entire freshman class on the first day, but he also continued to do so.

Knott did not like this behavior at all, but mostly he didn't like how Arthit was reacting to it.  To his surprise, Arthit was zoning out more often than not.  He was quiet in the room, which Knott would have usually appreciated, but he wasn't sure why Arthit was quiet.  

Knott was hurt that Arthit hadn't come to him.  Arthit would complain to him even if a professor had just looked at him differently.  What was different now?  Was he upset that the teachers had taken away his head hazer position due to the incident with the first year, Kongpob?  But they were working on it, and Arthit knew that.  Besides, Arthit he knew would appreciate the break.

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Arthit

He hated 0062, he was sure of it.  0062 always had a snarky remark ready.  How can a person come up with such things to say just like that?

Did he really say that he was giving Arthit his heart?  And later called his serious face cute?  Arthit was not used to this type of teasing.  He never even had a girl say that to him, let alone a guy.  Arthit had mixed feelings.  Not only was he angry and embarrassed, but also curious as to where this first year was heading.  It kept him wondering late into the night.

Arthit's position was taken away because he had grabbed Kongpob by his shirt.  Knott was right if he had actually hit him he probably would have lost his place at the university.  Arthit watched Knott take his place and carry on the cheer activities.  He was happy it was Knott rather than someone else, who didn't understand his plans.

Knott was unusually kind to one particular freshman while asking about the signature books.  Arthit straightened up from the door frame he was leaning on to get a good look.  Knott had never been biased.  Why was this one special?  Knott hadn't even raised his voice even after seeing them talk to each other without listening to the hazers.

Arthit waited until the activities were over and walked over to speak to his group of friends.

"Why were you nice to that first year who was being disrespectful?"

"We are already in trouble.  We need to gain the trust of the teachers.  Did you forget?" Knott said casually.

"Do you know the first year?"

"What are you on about?  Of course, I don't know who they are!"

"But you yelled at the other two who were talking."

Knott just sighed shaking his head while leaving them behind.

Bright looked at him smiling mischievously.  "Oh, is our little Ai Oon jealous that Knott paid a little attention to someone else other than him?"

"Don't be ridiculous.  Also, Knott doesn't just pay attention to me."

Prem put his arm around Arthit's shoulder.  " Actually he does only pay attention to you.  Knott doesn't give a damn about the rest of us." 

"Nonsense, you guys only think so because we are roommates."

Bright shrugged, and Prem was already having another conversation with Toota.

Did Knott really pay more attention to him than the others? But that was so unlike Knott to have favoritism.  They were wrong.  They didn't know Knott as he did.

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A/ N - I'm sorry if this is boring.  Even I can't wait to get to the good bits!  Unfortunately, I can't just jump to it.  Suffer with me!