A Guy Like You

Chapter 8

KONGPOB

To start things off, I'd like to note that Arthit isn't ugly. No one's approached him with any romantic prospects or aims, I'll admit, but he's not ugly. Of course, because of the lack of confessions or crushes, he's convinced himself it's because he's ugly, and not because he's constantly glaring at everyone.

He does, in fact, glare. A lot.

Mostly at me. Anyone else who gets stuck under his glare is just collateral damage. All his angry looks... they're usually my fault. Nine out of ten times, really. I'm not quite sure what I've done, though. I try to think back in my mind, what I could've done wrong, but... I just can't think of anything.

Except... Namtan. I have a theory.

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ARTHIT

Eleven years ago

He can practically feel his shadow follow him as he plays at the park with Namtan. Arthit's never been particularly possessive of friends, but when Namtan comments on that cute little boy behind him, Arthit feels something like jealousy flare gross and dirty inside him.

"He's really annoying," he tells her, glancing back and glaring at Kongpob, the boy sitting on the end of the slide, wide eyes staring straight at Arthit. "He won't leave me alone."

"Really?" Namtan asks, laughing. She gives Kongpob a wave, shouting out a, "Hi!"

Arthit turns around to see Kongpob waving back. He grits his teeth. "Anyway, Nam, want to look at this new figurine I got?" And she says yes, but the entire time, she's distracted, always glancing back at Kongpob and waving.

Years later and Arthit realizes he'd never told Namtan the kid's name.

"Kongpob Sutthilak," said kid introduces himself, voice strong and clear. When he smiles at Namtan, Arthit tries but fails to see a glimpse of the little boy he used to be. Instead, there's something wicked and sharp, a danger glinting in that smile. Arthit licks his lips as Kongpob looks to him, completely ignoring Namtan. "Arthit, you're coming to the meeting, right?"

Namtan's attention is completely on Arthit this time, yet he feels nothing, no rush of satisfaction, no twisted pleasure, just... nothing.

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KONGPOB

I never knew for sure if he liked her, but, thinking back on it... it was really obvious.

But that doesn't matter. I don't think he likes her now. It's just a matter of getting him to like....

That doesn't matter either, actually. Arthit still hates me, and I'm not exactly trying to change that. I don't even know how to change that. Prae's encouraging me to shoot my shot, but I don't even know where the hoop is.

At this point, it feels like I don't even know how to play basketball.

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"Oi, Kong! Hey, Kongpob!"

Kongpob's knees hit the underside of his desk as Aim shakes him to attention. "What?" he asks as soon as he's fully back in the real world.

Aim leans back, having scooted closer in order to get Kongpob's attention. "I asked if student council is willing to have some of the members man the concessions for the basketball game next week."