Counting Stars ✓

three

[warning: foul language ahead.]

"I told you not to cause trouble!" His mother shouted, slapping him across his injured cheek. He bit back the urge to hiss in pain, clawing his nails into his skin as he hid his hands behind his back.

She pinched the space between her brows, her veins popping out as she held back slapping him once more. Raising the article, she questioned, "What is the meaning of this, huh? Answer me, Khemkhaeng!"

'It's not my fault,' he wanted to shout at her. After all, he didn't ask to be punched due to being mistaken for someone else. And he sure as hell didn't ask for the same person to collide him into the ground and add more wounds.

But it was pointless because his mother wouldn't listen. She never did, and she never will.

"I have no excuses," he said, earning another slap from her - the sound caused the maid, who was busy cleaning up after the broken vase his mother threw at him the moment he walked in, to flinch and scurry out.

"Four months, Khemkhaeng," she stated, using his given name once again, "you've been attending university for four fucking months and already there's an article about you potentially being involved in some shady underground business."

She sighed, walking over to her desk to throw the article away and take a seat. King waited as his mother leaned back against her chair, her eyes closed, and a deep sigh escaping.

Reopening her eyes, she sat up straight. "Join a club," she ordered. "Join any fucking afternoon club, and take part in volunteering. Once the rumours go away, you're free to quit. Understand?"

King pressed his lips into a tight line and nodded. "Yes, mother."

She swatted her hands, "Go. Don't let me see your face until you handle this situation."

"Yes, mother." He walked away. His eyes met with the maid who had been inside the room earlier, concern and pity flashing through her eyes. But like the rest, she simply turned away and continued to mind her own business, and King couldn't blame her. She had to make a living after all.

"Khemkhaeng," a soft voice called out. He turned around and gave a polite bow, as though the person before him wasn't his own sister.

"P-" she cut him off by covering his mouth. Her eyes, so similar to their mother's, flashed with irritation. "It's Khun Kaew."

'Of course,' King thought bitterly. Who was he to call her by P when they only ever talked about once a year despite their blood ties?

"I heard you got involved in a scandal," She stated, giving him a clear look of disapproval. "Hurry up and fix it soon. I don't want it to ruin my connection with P'Leo's family, and potentially have my engagement broken off."

Before he could say anything, she strutted away, leaving a trail of her heavy perfume.

~

Rune smiled at the picture of the puppy he had taken. His phone buzzed, picking it up from the chair next to his, he answered "Hello?"

"N'Rune," P'Gem, the president of the music club chimed happily, "Are you at the club room right now?"

"Yes...?" He hesitantly answered, wondering why the senior was asking such a question.

"Oh, good. Then can you do me a favour and lock up once you're done for the day?"

Rune furrowed his brows, "Ow, I don't-"

"-I left the key in the drawer. Okay, thanks. Bye!" She happily said before hanging up, leaving no room for Rune to decline.

He sighed and put the camera down, back into it's case, and set it aside. He walked over to the said drawer and pulled the key in order to put into his pocket.

Feeling the need to play some songs, he sat back down on the chair and grabbed his cherished guitar. Just as he was about to start strumming, a knock on the door caught his attention. "Come in!" He called out, expecting it to be another club member wanting extra practice.

The sound of door opening didn't stop Rune from starting his playing until the figure stopped in front of him.

He peered at the pair of shoes and up at the individual. His eyes widening in surprise it was none other than King - who somehow now had a bigger bandage on his face compared to the last time he had seen him.

"Oh, hi," he said awkwardly, wondering if the younger boy had decided to finally take revenge on him. He was known to be cold enough, after all.

King nodded awkwardly, stretching out his hand that held onto a piece of paper. Rune raised his brows in wonder and took the paper, finding himself once again surprised when the paper turned out to be an application.

"You want to join?" Rune glanced up.

"Yes," King replied.

"What instruments can you play?"

"The piano."

Rune frowned, handing back the application, "Unfortunately we don't have any spots open for piano. Can you play any other instruments?"

King shook his head, "No, Khun."

"None at all?"

"No, Khun."

"Then unfortunately we can't accept the application," Rune frowned, taking in the slight dim in the boy's eyes before he nodded. He neatly folded up the application once more in a letter format, and gave a small nod before turning to leave.