Sotus Short Stories- discontinued

Knott's Perspective - Chapter 17

With the cheer activities finally over and we can now focus our attention on mid-term exams. Unfortunately it means, we have been spending so much time in the library; I think Bright is going to jump off a cliff soon. None stop complaining, and Toota's emotional breakdown because his boyfriend left him. We are all kind of going crazy. Weirdly, Arthit has been in a pretty good mood lately despite everyone else. When I say he is in a good mood it doesn't mean his face is smiling more or anything just not snapping at Bright or Toota about their dramatic behaviour. It's kind of nice. Prem seems to have cooled down as well and I have seen him speaking to juniors on more than one occasion. Finally, we are no longer seen as something to be feared.

In-between classes and our studying, we have been helping the juniors with any questions they have regarding the exams. One particular day, we found Kongpob and his group of friends with another senior. They were studying for the calculus exam. Everyone in the engineering department knows this is the class that makes or breaks you. If you fail then you have to wait for the next semester to retake. We had a lot in our year fail including Bright.

Of course, being the group that is kind of known for being off the wall it ended up being a joking session. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Ai'Arthit smiling brightly at the juniors. With that I couldn't wait for the exams to be over, so we can enjoy time with the freshman at the offsite activity. Which we still need to finalize.

We have all decided to go to Arthit room tonight to figure out the plan for outside activities. Arthit spoke to the head hazers from previous years and they suggested doing an activity that will help the community and the freshman... just have to figure out what will be the right course of action.

***

We have been looking and calling many non-for-profit organizations, but most of them need more time to accommodate the number of students that would be approximately coming.

"Can we eat dinner soon! I know a place near by that amazing Korean food!" Toota snaps, "oh I know the place... sniffles... my faen use to take me there" "ugh.. it's okay Toot. You find someone better than him!" He saying this as he pats Toota's back. A touching moment if this was first time seeing it, but it's like the 50th.

"Hey, I just go over to the canteen. I'll grab us all some meals to go? I usually go there right about now. I don't think it will be that long of a wait"
I look over at Arthit. I know for a fact at this time there is a lot of students at the tables and ordering. My dorm is in the same area, so I have gone to this canteen. I might not be a regular, but I know how busy it can get.

"Ai'Arthit, I will come with you. You won't be able to carry all the food and drinks alone." He looks at his watch and scowls, "yeah, I guess....you can come." I didn't know what to say, it was like he didn't want me to come.

We make it to the canteen and just as I thought the place is packed. I'm beginning to think it might be busier than normal. Everyone must be using this as break from studying. Before I notice, Arthit had continued walking until he reaches a table near the edge of the restaurant. There is already someone sitting there, but the back was towards me. I finally catch up and turn to see who is there. 0062.

He is smiling while Arthit and him are discussing something. Immediately when he saw me approach he greeted me. "Swadee P'Knott. Phi, are you here to order food as well?" I reply, "Yes." He nodded and looks over at Ai'Arthit. He seemed as though he was trying to communicate with Arthit with no words. Before anything could be said an Auntie comes over as speaks to both Kongpob and Arthit.

"N'Arthit, N'Kongpob, your food tonight will be even better! We got ourselves a new rice cooker." As she puts the two meals on the table along with two drinks. Nomyen and Iced coffee. I am speechless. How long have they been having dinners together. Have they become friends? I still thought they didn't even associate with each other. Before I could even say anything I could see Arthit is talking to the Auntie about ordering five other meals to go with soda to drink. The Auntie leaves and Arthit sits down as he gestures for me to sit.

Kongpob is looking at Arthit. Arthit is drinking his Nomyen like this is the most normal situation. I couldn't take it, "Sooo, I am just going to ask. Are you guys close now?" They both reply in unison, but differently. "Khrap." "Ya, why does it bother you?" "How long have you been hanging out like this? Don't say for a couple weeks because Ai'Arthit you were pretty confident that you would be served at the busiest time of the day" I see Arthit shrug and drink his pink meal, but a faint pink on his ears. What kind of reaction is this!

My mouth was about to ask when I felt a hand slide around my neck, "So you guys forgot about us in the dorm and decided to have dinner with our junior. Ai'Prem and Ai'Toot, we have been betrayed!" Gawd, can he stop being so dramatic sometimes. "Ai'Bright, we already ordered the food. We are just waiting for it. We noticed Kongpob was here and decided to sit with him while we wait." I don't understand why I didn't say the truth in that moment. I could've told them that Kongpob and Arthit are having dinners together, however why should I tell these idiots. It's not my business to tell.

"Why is there two meals? Hmm. I know for a fact that 'Thit's favorite meal." Prem scoffs. Kongpob speaks up, "Phi, I was just hungry today. I think its because I have been studying so much. If I don't finish it now; I can always take it home to eat tomorrow." He finishes of his lie with a smile. Honestly, The way he speaks sounds so genuine that if I didn't know any better I'd believe him.

Now, we are all sitting at this table, chatting and eating. Kongpob does make a few comments every now and then. One thing that strikes me is that his presence never felt awkward. I may not know him well, but now I am really intrigued. If he can make Arthit consider him on friendly terms. What else can this young man do.

It's about time to leave when I see Arthit and Kongpob talking however it is slowly escalating. I walk over to them, "What's seems to be the matter?" Kongpob looks me in the eyes and says, " I wanted to thank you for helping me. You made me relax. I have been a little on edge since this is my first university exam. So I paid for the whole meal..." his voice lowered near the end.

Once again, I am caught off guard and than hit head on. "Nong, you did not have to pay for our meal. You don't need to feel indebted to us. You could have just told us thanks. No need to use your spending money on us!" He look at me and Arthit. "I'm sorry, I paid for the meal without saying anything to guys, but I'm not sorry for doing it." "Kongpob! Why don't you ever listen to me! How many times have you paid for my meal! You are really a bastard." I was taken back by the information overload. This is normal behavior between the two of them.... ugh. There is so many questions, but Arthit will never answer.

While smiling the junior looks at both of us and says, "I'm going to say goodbye to the other Phi's. Have a good night. P'Knott. Study well, P'Arthit." He left us near the register. In this moment, I finally understood what Arthit means about loosing to Kongpob. You are mad, but at the same time not?

By the time we got back to the table. Kongpob had long since left. Toota is happier than ever, "Oh, I wonder what team, Nong Kongpob goes for? I need a man like him. Damn." "What?" "Oh, didn't he tell you. He wanted to thank us for relaxing his nerves for the exams, so he paid for our meal. How adorable is he. I just want to hug him" "Ai'Toot, if you did that he could suffocate and die!" "Ai'Bright do you not know any other joke than 'fat jokes'?" "I do, but seeing as Nong Kongpob already declared who is going to be his wife. I don't think you have a chance!" "Ouch..." "Stop talking about that! That's it. This is the last time!" "Ai'Arthit, come on... stop looking at me... Ai'oon... I'm too young to die... ouch! Help!" "Rest in Peace, Ai'Bright". We left Bright in Arthit's care as we headed back to the dorm.

That night we received an email from a beach clean-up organization. They could accommodate us! All that is left is creating a proposal for the dean and faculty head. Beach, here we come!

***

We are sitting or standing in the faculty office once again. The head professor is looking at us with a serious face. Our stomachs are twisting as Arthit responds to the teachers question. "We are doing it for the freshman. If you want to know how it benefits their academic lives, such as through bonding, unity and doing good deeds, it's all in the documents I submitted. But if you want my opinion, when I was a freshman, I went on a trip like this, too. I was very impressed. It's one of the best memories I have from my life. So, I want to pass on this kind of experience to the next generation of freshman. But, if you won't approve this, we don't have a problem. I would just feel bad for the freshman. They will never get to experience this for themselves. It's only once year, professor." With that Arthit convinced the professor. Officially, we can rejoice that our off campus retreat has received its green light!