Sotus Short Stories- discontinued

Knott's Pespective - Chapter 24

I have been enjoying the silence from the peanut gallery, since our night out with Arthit they have stopped teasing him incisively about having a Faen. which I am pretty happy about. after the motorcycle ride that night, and his kind of confession. I couldn't believe he answered my question the way he did, I had to bite my cheeks to not show I heard his first response. I wanted to tell Toota that his plan had technically worked, but not how he had planned it. I didn't. It's none of my business.

When I arrived at the school this morning, and I was waiting in the cafeteria. Arthit walks over to me. He seemed worn out. I wonder if he remembers telling everyone, "ENOUGH! I GET IT! I'M FUCKING ACTING WEIRD! CAN'T YOU JUST LET IT GO RIGHT NOW!"

"Hey, Arthit. No Nomyen today?" "No. I didn't want it." "You of all people did not want to drink it?" "No... I'm not in the mood for something sweet. I feel the need to drink every bitter drink known to mankind" "dramatic, don't you think? One night out drinking with Bright and you sound like him?" "Hell no! I'm just not sleeping that great. I don't want to talk about it! Don't use your reverse psychology on me today." He pointing his finger at me with the biggest frown. "Fine.Fine! I won't say anything else, but it's already Wednesday and you are still acting like this." "Ai'Knott..." "You better start looking cheerful because Ai'Bright and Ai'Toota are coming."

"Well, isn't my favourite sad music video actor sitting silently while pouting!" Toota exclaimed. "I guess, there is trouble in paradise after all!" Bright responded back to Toota. "Indeed. he has been like this every day this week," "No freshman wants to get near him. I heard he snapped at one today" "Oh dear.. our poor baby. What should we do to cheer him up!" "We could take him drinking!" "Really!" toota didn't seem to like that answer. "I was thinking about taking him on a trip!" "What? Why?"

That is when i had to put in my two cents, "Guys, we are already going out of town on Friday Afternoon. We have to visit a few places for our final assignment. Don't you remember?" "No!!!!!!!!" They both scream out, "We have both volunteered to help with the Thank you party. We can't come. Can we switch the date to Saturday?" "We can't Ai'Bright. We need that day to compile all the information we've gathered and add it to the report." "Still can't come!" Neither can I" "Well, if you both aren't coming that means it leaves Ai'Arthit and Ai'Prem. You two know that means you can't drink too much at the party. You are staying over at my place. You will be helping me." Both of their heads are down. They are just like children being scolded by the teacher.

***

We are nearing the end of our class and everyone seems to be in a sour mood other than Prem. I'm not too sure what he is going through, but it must be okay. Normally, he is struggling with something. His family is not the most stable, so he has to work most days to pay for his expenses.

The class is called to an end, i get up from my desk and go over to Prem. "Hey, you are not working Friday evening, right?" "Yeah. I already know about the assignment. We better finish it that day because I don't want to spend my weekend doing it. I need to work or I will have no food next week!" "I understand. We will defiantly try our best, and if it does need to be worked on I have already claimed who will be assisting me. Right, Ai'Bright? Ai'Toota?" "Khrap, Khun Knott" They both say sadly.

"Let's go to the cafeteria and grab some lunch, I don't know about you guys, but I am seriously starving!" Bright enthusiastically shouts. We all agreed that we are hungry.

We are passing through the outdoor seating and we are having trouble finding a table to sit at. I wasn't really paying attention until I heard Bright's voice. "M, Are you done eating?" "I am" "Get up then! Prae needs the table. As for you, have you eaten? If not, just say the word. I'll buy lunch for you. Okay?"

I could see the freshman was visibly uncomfortable with Brights questions, "well. I..." bright shouts over at M again, "don't, do that face. I'll reduce the amount from two boxes of chocolate to only one box, okay?" "Okay, that's better." Bright returns to his target Prae, "please eat with us." She is remaining silent and I could see she is trying to think of what to say to Bright.

When an oh so familiar voice starts speaking, "Prae came to reserve this table for her friends. I don't think there are enough seats for all of you." I don't know why I looked over at Arthit in that moment, but what I saw was pure jealously. He had his face scrunched up and rolling his eyes at Kongpob's act of heroism again.

Bright not understanding the situation says, "I see. You're jealous? Are you guys a thing? Wow, you won't even let us sit with her. Okay. I'm fine. Prae, please sit here. We'll find another table. Alright?" As we walked away to find another table to use, i turned back to see an altercation between Arthit and Kongpob. I couldn't hear what was being said, however I could see the expression on our Nongs' face. He was hurt by what Arthit just did. I know that he is in a bad mood this week, but to do that to someone your seeing. It's unbelievable.

I need to sit him down and seriously chat. When Arthit returned to our group he just sits at the table with two expressions; regret, and confusion. Not speaking, not eating. Just silently in his own head.