Sotus Short Stories- discontinued

Knott's Perspective - Chapter 14

We had uneventful few days before the capture the flag event. Ai'Arthit was still moody, but he did not press the issue again (making the event harder). Ai'Prem has been kind of quiet lately, and let's not even get into why his face looked like shit.  Ai'Bright and Ai'Toota have not stopped talking about the club they were at on the weekend. I think I have heard the same story about Bright being , so drunk that he mistook a guy for a female. Toota was laughing hysterically that he thought for sure Bright was going to take him home. Why are these two like this and why does it matter if he was getting along with someone regardless of their gender.

Today we are all gathered at the university track field. We had to setup our activities. The bleachers are covered in long fabrics and large print spelling out, ENGINEERING 59. The freshman should be arriving at 10 am and we are just about hitting 9:15. I can tell Ai'Arthit is trying not show his nerves, but he is failing horribly. Even I am a little nervous about this. We have been planning for so long and tried to make it as informative for the freshmen as we can.

I noticed Kongpob and his group of friends have arrived earlier than they were supposed too. I can see him staring up at the bleachers like he is taking in the environment. I don't know how I feel about this freshman. He always seems to be ready to stand for his beliefs, however he is willing to hear both sides of the story. Very interesting guy. Plus people kind of just gravitate towards him. A natural leader.

"We have to get into our positions now as I see more freshman coming. Remember we are not giving them any hints today. They have to use everything we have taught them these passed two months!" Everyone agreed in unison. I hear shuffling and we have all made our way to our allotted spot. The crowd below is now starting fill up with freshman wearing the shirts we gave them on the first day. There is an energy moving throughout the bleachers. Excitement. Adrenaline.

I see Arthit look down at his watch and with his head hazer voice yell out, "Freshman!! Get into line! Freshman Attention! Today! Is an important day of yours! You all have to prove yourself to make us accept that you are fit as engineering students in this university! Do you see the flag? Your duty is to capture it. I won't tell you how. You must use all I have taught you and your own abilities and to figure it out. The deadline is 7pm sharp today! If you fail to capture it. All of you, freshman, are not our official engineering juniors! If you are ready. Come and get the flag!" With that Ai'Arthit falls back to the rear of the bleachers and the rest of our gang position ourselves on a single stair. I am at the front of the line and I can the freshman whispering amongst each other.

After a few moments of utter silence, Tew the representative of the freshman comes forward. When he arrives in front of me and I stare at him with as much intensity as I could muster. I ask him in a threatening voice, "First year, what are you doing here?" He stumbles at first, but responds all the same "I'm the representative of all the first years to ask for permission to get our flag." I look him straight in the eyes and say "You don't get the permission. Please go back.". His eyes flickered. I could almost see the disappointment. He caught me off guard when he asks, "Can you tell me what we should do to get it?" Ugh... he is pleading with me. I might have this tough guy exterior, but I'm sucker for puppy dog eyes. This Nong is doing me dirty. I composed myself and respond, "It's not my duty to help you. You all must figure it out yourselves." With that I see him fidget and turn around to look at the freshman eagerly waiting for his feedback. He slowly walks back to the freshman who where now pockets of groups throughout the field.

I see Tew rejoining his group of friends. The same group of friends as Kongpob. They are chatting together with serious expressions. I can only hope that they are talking about this event and not something else.

The time continues to tick by. Even now and than I hear Ai'Bright complain. "I hope they figure this out soon because at this rate I am going to sweat away all the muscle on my body." Of course Toota cannot hold back, "What muscle was there to began with? Quit complaining... you're interrupting my precious daydream." I can only hear not see but one can only assume Bright has the biggest and dumbest face right now as he says, "Which one? The one about the seaside resort with your harem or the one where Kongpob confesses his undying love for you!" With that I heard the two loudest smacks. Which I can only conclude were from none other than Arthit.

I see stirring from the juniors I notice the group of friends I mentioned before have started moving amongst the group. They are frantically asking somethings. Unfortunately, even though I am closer to ground I still cannot make out what they are saying.

Next thing I noticed is some freshman are leaving the field while others are on the phone. It was refreshing to watching the freshman seamlessly working together for a common goal. After an hour I hear a motorbike spread through the campus parking lot. I could recognize that bike anywhere, P'Deer.

A few moments passed and I see P'Deer and P'Cream strutting to the front of the freshman with Tew by their side. The freshman have all returned to their Lineup. This time I heard the voice of the representative speaking to the friends, "All first years, are you ready?" In unison the group responds "We are!" Tew starts counting down and the students all join him in saying, "P'Deer and P'Cream, can you let us be your Nongs!", My brain was screaming because they understood seniority. I am trying really hard to keep the stern look on face. My guess is I just look constipated (Bright would say is my normal face). Few short moments later P'Deer returned with an answer, "Absolutely. It's not a problem at all, but.... for those hazer phi's over there, I don't know if they are okay with this."

Once again I watch as Tew makes his way up the stairs. He looks very nervous this time. I know what he is wishing for with every fibre in his body. That this was the correct otherwise they are back to square one. He finally reaches the steps near me and asks for my permission once again to get the flag. I though why not drag this on a little bit. I let him stand there as I look around the field and the seniors. All their eyes are focused on my answer. I just spoke in my regular voice, "You may." As I step aside to allow him to go up another stair.

Now the first year, is standing in front of Ai'Prem. He is doing something to his face that makes him appear crazy. To think he used to be so meek and docile in his first year... I witness the freshman below hum with happiness. Until Tew step forward and asking Prem if he may have permission to get the flag. Of course, we wouldn't make it that easy. Ai'Prem responds in a loud commanding tone, "You may not!" The representative is sent back down the stairs to his group of freshman. Will they be able to show ORDER. I remember clearly them struggling during the hazing activities. I look down at my watch the time is already half passed 12. They will be getting hungry soon. Me too! I heard loud gurgling notice behind me. I shift my head to stare up. Bright..

"Ugggh... I'm so hungry! My stomach could eat a Toota right now!" "What if I say I don't want you to eat me... take your dirty hands off of me. Use that scary face of yours and stare into the eyes of the freshman!" Toota exclaimed. I shoot them a look and they both do the zipper motion over there lips. How did they manage to become third years... they act more like their shoe size.