Sotus Short Stories- discontinued

Arthit - Busy Butterflies Pt 3

Tonight, My friends asked to hang out at a bar. I'm really not a big fan of hanging out in this type of environment, but Bright and Toota live for it. I haven't told Kongpob yet, I kind of wanted to speak to him personally than over text.

We had planned to go to a Cafe that lets you play board games. It was Kongpob's idea because it would bring us closer together... my pessimistic brain thought, break us apart. I'm very serious when I play board games because I hate losing. When I mentioned this he declared that he would never throw a game if he was winning. Which I highly doubt.

The more I learned about him. It furthered my understanding behind all his acts of heroism which is because he's very opinionated. Which I have concluded rests upon his upbringing as the youngest and only son.

I made my way over to the library that Kongpob told me he was going to be this afternoon. I was glancing at all the tables I have yet to find him. I texted him and I get no response. Very peculiar. When I made it to the study rooms, I finally find his group. All his friends in one room. It seems like his best friend is not there, but I was told he doesn't like studying.

How am I supposed to talk to him without causing a scene or be suspicious? He keeps telling me his friends are oblivious to things that are happening under their noses. However, my gut told me his friend Tew, who was the representative of the first years, will be more inclined to have questions.

I try texting Kongpob again. Still no answer they are still studying or working on whatever assignments they had. I give up... I take a deep breath. I can do this. I'm an ex-head hazer. I dared to Kiss Him on a bridge in public. I can navigate through anything...

Just as I was about to knock on the door, I hear a voice behind me. "Swadee khrap, P'Arthit." I recognized that hesitant voice, M... Kongpob's best friend. I look at him nervously, "Swadee Nong." "Are you looking for Kong, Phi" I was surprised by his question. Are we that bad at hiding our relationship? "Huh?" "Oh, Kong told me. That you are helping him with his studies." That little shit.. no wonder they won't question us. "Yeah... I was coming here to speak to him about it. Could you get him to come out?" "I... don't mind." He walks past me and opens the door. I can hear him clearly, "uh, Kong... P'Arthit's here. He wanted to chat with you." "Oh! Really? I will be right back!" I can hear him get out of his chair and squeeze past M.

As he turns to look for me, but when he finally sets his eyes on me. His smile is too bright. I wanted to look away because he is sucking me into a trance. "P'Arthit! What's up? I thought we were meeting later today?" The butterflies in my stomach are causing me to stutter, "I... wanted to tell you.. in person. My friends wanted me to go to a bar... tonight." I look at him hesitantly.

"P'Arthit, we can always hang out any other time! Enjoy some time with your friends. Haven't I been taking up most of your free time?" Damn him... he wasn't wrong, but he should be showing a little more disappointment. "Thank you for understanding" he leans forward to whisper, "I'll miss seeing you tonight...don't think about me too much!" With that, he walks back into the study room. I'm just left there standing with an uncontrollable urge to find shelter.

I meet my friends at the bar they had chosen. It was the same one we met the freshman by chance. Thinking about it., we did overdo it.. they were pretty wasted after all the drinks we ordered them to drink.

I find Toota and Bright have already started to Drink. Prem is just sitting eating food. I don't see Knott yet. "Hey, where's Ai'Knott?" Bright looks at me frowning, "will be late. Even you came tonight and he still takes his time coming." "What do you mean by that?" "Ai'Arthit, you have been busy for that last month. You don't love us anything more!" "I never said that and how many drinks have you had?" "Enough!" He smiles widely "the night is still young! We are planning for hangovers tomorrow! You are joining us, right Ai'Arthit!" "I don't know if I should..." Ai'Toota looks at me unimpressed, "why are you afraid to spill your guts!" "What does he need to spill his guts about?" I am not looking anyone in the eyes, "I don't have anything tell, but Ai'Toota thinks I do" bright squints at us, "he looks fine to me... he is not moody anymore!" "Exactly Bright! Why was he moody for like two weeks and bam now he is better than okay!" "Maybe, he was constipated?" I couldn't help but laugh at bright. Prem shakes his head and pours two drinks! "Ai'Thit, here's a drink. You need it if you listen to anything those two say!" I take the drink and it goes down a little too well.

By the time, Knott arrived at the bar we are all feeling pretty good. "Are you guys seriously this drunk already? You know you have classes tomorrow!" "Ai'Knott.. don't be a party pooper. You just came here! Ai'Prem make him a drink!" "Ai'Arthit, I'm surprised you are here!" "What the hell! Why is everyone asking?" "It's because we feel neglected... why are you always busy. We have the same classes and assignments!" "Ai'Toota! What do you want me to say?" "Say that your dating someone! It would put all the pieces together." "I'm not!" He looks at me with so much anger. "Suit yourself... I'm sick of this." He gets up and heads to the bathroom.

"What the hell just happened?" "You are not drinking enough! Drink more... Ai'Arthit.. I didn't know you had faen? Is it some pretty girl freshman? I just remembered how badly you wanted to go to the freshie night!" Prem makes a comment, "true. I always wondered why!" "Didn't he make us go to every event too!" "Oh yes! Ai'Arthit, why did you do that?" "Why do you think I had a reason for?" Toota walks back in, "what are we questioning now?" Bright and Prem replied in unison, "Ai'Arthit made us go to the freshmen games and night concert!"

My heart is bearding rapidly... the reason I did everything was none other than Kongpob. He seriously had such a hold on me even then. Why had I not seen this before? "Ai'Arthit why the hell are you smiling to yourself!" Bright yells. "I'm not!" "You totally are! Ai'Toot! I think your right! This asshole is hiding a faen." I looked over at Knott hoping that he would help me. He just looks at me and laughs, "don't ask me. You are the one who acts suspicious!" "Yeah! He always has Nomyen first thing in the morning!" Bright slurs "that shampoo!" "Always leaving us during lunch!" "Never hangs out with us after class!" "Always texting!" "Doesn't answer his calls in a room with us anymore!" "ENOUGH! I GET IT! I'M FUCKING ACTING WEIRD! CAN'T YOU JUST LET IT GO RIGHT NOW!"

I don't know when I stood, but I'm pointing Bright and Toota. They're both giggling, "awe... we have gotten a somewhat vague answer! I guess, this night wasn't in vain." Toota continued, "I told you, Knott. We had to catch him!" "You guys are really bastards!" Prem looks up from his glass, "You always knew that one. Why are you being so surprised now!" "I'm going home. I'll see you tomorrow." "Sure...sure. Don't forget to say good night!" I rolled my eyes as I leave.

Well, fuck them. Why is it so strange for me to be...... I'm fucking clingy? Damn it, I have been acting out of the ordinary. I told myself to act normal, but instead, I do the exact opposite.

I need to sober up, so instead of taking a motor taxi, I'm walking all the way back to my dorm. I haven't gotten very far when a motorcycle pulls up in front of me. "Ai'Arthit, get on. I'll take you back." I had no excuse left to say, so I take the helmet and jumped on. It doesn't take long to ride back to the dormitory. Knott is a very careful driver, so even with my fuzzy brain. I felt safe.

"Thanks, Ai'Knott for taking me home." I stumbled as I try to get off the bike. "Ai'Arthit." "Hmm" "call him to look after you. You are pretty drunk." "No way. He's sleeping." Fuck... I look up at Knotts's face he is not making any indication that heard me, "I'll be fine. Good night!" I walked into the building and stand in front of the elevator. I am having a hard time seeing the buttons, so I grab my phone out of my pocket and hit my recent caller.

"P'Arthit? Are you okay? It's late. Did you just get home? Do you need me to pick up?" Ha... he is so amazing. He makes me feel so cherished without even trying. "Ugh Kong.. I can't figure out how to use the elevator... could you help?" I hear rustling on the other end of the phone. "Phi, I'm coming right there! Sit down on that sofa in the foyer." "Okay... I'm waiting."

I am starting to analyze how far we have come. Kong and I. At the beginning of the semester, I never thought that becoming the head hazer would result in this. I always believed I would love Namtan for my whole life. A sad one-sided love story. I see Kongpob rushing into my foyer staring at me with such worry. I have to admit that I have fallen head over heads for him.