Teenage Alien Nation

Chapter 1

THE MASTERMIND

My granny used to tell me that I was a smooth talker. She said that I could always get my playmates to do things for me easily. I couldn't blame her, she was right. I didn't know how but whenever I opened my mouth, friends would just listen and do whatever I wanted them to. Smooth talker, I was.

Well, I still am.

That's why I have attracted such unique but few friends, Kimmon being one of them. We've known each other since middle school, went to the same class, lived in the same neighborhood, still do, and did unimaginable things for a teenager together.

Kimmon and I, we're your average teens, but we both do have big dreams, and that includes getting into our dream universities: Kasetsart and Chulalongkorn University, respectively. I know, I know. You're all thinking it's not possible. We have different reasons, and we respect each other's.

The thing is it's never easy to just enter your choice of school. We, being average, both have a major problem getting a good enough score in the SAT let alone our poor GPAs. Our brains combined can't even get us a decent 2.5.

Trust me, we have good enough reasons which will be revealed later on, but for now, I have to focus on what Kimmon is babbling about. My phone has been ringing off the chain and I can't answer his call until I'm done with my part time job. My boss, who happens to be my dad, is kind of strict. I don't see why he has to be this tight since we're running a family business anyways. I mean, as his son, he can cut me some slack, yeah?

Thirty minutes more and I'm out of here.

Instead of answering Kim's call, I sent him a LINE message saying we should meet at our favorite hangout: their attic. With pizza and a bottle of beer, we can talk about our dreams for our future. Individually, of course.

Don't get me wrong. I will never ever fall in love with a guy. Even if it's Park Bo Gum.

I borrowed the keys to my dad's van and drove away from our shop to go straight to Kim's house. Kim has an brother older named Decha, which means a powerful person, but we just call him D. No one can ever get past the Varodom residence without D knowing. He's a cool guy, but sometimes he acts like a dumb person. I like him though and he is nice to me, too.

It's past dinner time, so I told Kim in advance to get food for us. When I got in his room, there's a note saying, 'UP' which simply means I should go straight to the hideout.

Kimmon Varodom: the guy who always has a plan. I call him the Mastermind. Whenever we do a job together, he never runs out of ideas to make things run smooth for us. Of course, with the help of my people skills. He has a part time job too as a warehouse staff in one of the branches of a shipping company in our city.

Reason for building this A-Team: He believes that he can only be a great engineer if he studies in the best university: Kasetsart.

He was playing his guitar when I walked in on him, and I don't mind him not getting up to welcome me. He stopped for a while to give me a high five, and I took the old couch across from him grabbing a slice of pizza on my way. Beer's on the old wooden center table. One bite and a deep sigh before I started talking.

"So what's the plan again?"

"I already told you." he replied after putting the guitar upright on the floor.

"You did, but it didn't make any sense."

"This is our only chance, man!"

"Our one and only chance to get thrown into jail if we get caught."

"Have you forgotten about our dream? We made a pact. Whatever it takes."

I sat up and grabbed one can of beer from the table, took a sip before countering his idea.

"I didn't forget. I just don't think this is a good idea. I'm scared, Kim."

"I have a plan."

"You always do. Is it worth all the risk?"

"That's why we're going to need a little help."

Kim said as he got up and paced around the room.

"You told me that already, but I still can't wrap my head around it."

He took out some sheets from an old drawer and laid them on the table. After fumbling with the pile for seconds, he picked up just one and showed it to me.

It didn't really piqued my interest since there's nothing written on it that I am familiar with.

"This is your plan? A sheet of paper?" my tone has started to be a little condescending.

"Don't you see it? This is our way in!"

I grabbed the wrinkled sheet from his hand and stared at it. Now I get it. The only answer to all of my questions. Our future is decided by the one organization whose name is printed on this paper.

"So what now?"

"What now is we need to gain access to this building and find the copy of the answers to the upcoming SAT."

Wow. He spoke as if what he said was a perfectly laid out plan that could be done in 1-2-3. Sometimes, my friend amazes me.

"Enlighten me." I said.

"You remember Bas? He offered help, right?"

I nodded. I still can't believe that the class salutatorian is interested in participating in a heist with us. What the hell does he need it for? Everyone knows he's some sort of a genius.

"And you know Bas' best friend, don't you?"

I do. That rich and famous big man on campus, Copter. He's shorty, though.

"Are you actually adding more people to this A-Team of yours? You want to get caught that bad?" I complained.

"We badly need him, believe me."

"Does he need us? He probably doesn't have to take the SAT because most likely, he can take over his father's business after senior high."

"We have to try. He's our only hope."

"What's so important about him anyway?" I asked.
"His father owns the building. This building." He firmly said while pointing at the sheet of paper on the table.

Damn! I wasn't expecting that. I am now convinced we need him. The question is how.

How can we approach him? Is Bas good enough to persuade the owner of the building's son to take part in a theft which will take place in their own property?

From complicated to impossible in a matter of seconds.

Even if we can get him to join us, how can we be so sure that he won't rat us out?

I took a deep breath.

Is going to Chulalongkorn University worth all this risk?

I guess I have to find out.

_________________________

stoked_souL says: first character... Kimmon

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