Distant Signals: The Love Between Us

Chapter Eleven

Kongpob hadn't lied about the calculus test and he did need to study, but math was the last thing on his mind as he waited at the stall for his and Arthit's drinks. In one hand, two bags of boxed food dangled loosely on his curled fingertips, and occasionally his head dropped so he could look at them—well, one, in particular. Next to the plain, transparent bag that held their dinner was a gaudy, rainbow colored one with the label "Double Trouble" printed repeatedly on the side.

He frowned at the bag. Was it too much? Arthit said to bring dinner, not dessert, and it's not like Double Trouble was conveniently located near their dorm. It'd be obvious that he went out of his way to get these, wouldn't it?

Still, he hadn't missed the longing stare his senior made at the cupcakes last week, and he wanted to buy him one. If Arthit got weird, he could claim to have bought them as a thank you for tutoring him despite being sick.

"40 baht," the server said, placing the two cups on the counter.

Kongpob offered her thanks and a polite smile as he paid, grabbing both drinks by their plastic handles. A nervous excitement rushed through him. Before they started studying, they had to eat and while they ate, they'd probably talk. About what? Kongpob didn't know, but he couldn't wait to find out.

He smiled at the bright pink color of Arthit's drink. It reminded him of how easily his senior blushed around him, and how cute he looked when his ears turned dark crimson from embarrassment. As much as he wanted to see that again, he'd already decided to dial back the teasing a bit (if he could resist, that is) and simply focus on getting to know him better.

Distracted, Kongpob nearly rammed into another person as he left the canteen, but he managed to stop and shift out of the way before that happened. "Sorry," he said, automatically. He checked the drinks and was relieved to see that they hadn't spilled.

"Kongpob?"

He looked up. In front of him stood Prem, who stared at him with an odd expression. Kongpob wai-ed. "P'Prem, I'm sorry."

Prem nodded and responded with a slight smile. At first, it seemed like he might go into the canteen without saying anything more, but his eyes dropped to the pink milk in Kongpob's hand, and then to the colorful bag from Double Trouble. "Nice choice of drink," he said, gesturing at the pink milk. "Is it for you or someone else?"

This exact same conversation had taken place earlier that day with their positions reversed, and Kongpob didn't miss the way Prem watched his expression with an inquisitive, suspicious gaze. He could almost see the wheels turning in his head—the connections being made—but Kongpob refused to confirm or deny anything, and carefully schooled his expression. He couldn't let Prem find out about their tutoring sessions. If he did, it'd be over.

"It's for a friend," replied Kongpob. He tried to brush him off with a charming smile. "I'm actually late so..."

"A friend? Huh. I have a friend who loves pink milk too, and that bakery."

Mentally, Kongpob rolled his eyes. Did Prem think he'd get a rise out of him with a weak insinuation like that? Plenty of people liked pink milk, and he could likely say the same of that bakery.

Kongpob lifted up the bags and turned it so that the brightly colored one faced Prem. "This one? I'm not surprised. Several people recommended it to me."

"Did they?"

"Yes, P'." He lowered the bags, then lifted the drinks a bit, gesturing with them. "I should probably go before the ice melts. Have a good evening, P'Prem."

They parted ways at that point, but Kongpob could feel Prem's eyes on his back as he left. No wonder Arthit insisted he avoid Prem. Despite his initial impression of the disagreeable, short-tempered senior, he was astute and quick-witted. If he hadn't already figured it out, it was only a matter of time before he did, and then...well, Arthit highly valued his pride and, absurdly, he seemed to believe tutoring Kongpob made him lose face.