CHAPTER 8
---
Phuwin kept walking down the street.
His pace faster now.
Sharper.
His jaw tightened.
Fists clenched at his sides.
That bastard...
His thoughts spiraled, louder than the noise around him.
So confident- like he owns everything.
But his mouth? Trash.
Phuwin exhaled sharply through his nose.
Trying to calm down.
It didn't work.
Because this wasn't new.
He had known Derek since high school.
Back then-
It was the same thing.
The same tone.
The same smirk.
Every time Phuwin did something right-
Derek had something to say.
Every time Phuwin made even the smallest mistake-
Derek made sure everyone noticed.
"Perfect Phuwin messed up?"
"Didn't expect that."
"Guess you're not that great after all."
Phuwin had ignored him.
Every single time.
Stayed quiet.
Stayed composed.
Stayed perfect.
Because reacting would only make it worse.
Because that's what people expected from him-
To handle it gracefully.
To not stoop down.
But now-
Even in university-
Nothing changed.
Derek was still the same.
Still loud.
Still arrogant.
Still getting under his skin like he had a right to.
Phuwin's grip tightened even more.
Why does he still get to talk like that?
Like he knows me?
His chest rose and fell a little faster.
Like he understands anything about me.
Phuwin scoffed under his breath.
Because no matter how much he ignored him-
No matter how much time passed-
Derek still had that effect on him.
Still made his blood boil.
Like nothing Phuwin did was ever enough to shut him up.
Then-
Phuwin stepped off the curb without thinking.
Still annoyed.
Still cursing Derek in his head.
That idiot-
A loud HONK blasted through the air.
"HEY-!"
Phuwin blinked.
A tuk-tuk was speeding right toward him.
Way too close.
Way too fast.
Before he could even react-
Someone grabbed his arm and yanked him back hard.
Everything slowed for a second.
His body stumbled backward-
Right into someone.
Pond.
Phuwin blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Pond blinked too.
They just... Stared at each other.
Frozen.
Pond was still holding his arm.
Grip firm.
Close.
Too close.
For a split second-
It felt like one of those dramatic slow-motion scenes.
Wind.
Eye contact.
Almost dying.
Then-
"ARE YOU BLIND?!" The driver yelled from the tuk-tuk, slamming the brakes.
Both of them flinched slightly.
"KIDS THESE DAYS DON'T LOOK WHEN CROSSING? YOU WANNA DIE OR WHAT?!" The driver kept shouting.
Phuwin blinked again.
Still processing.
Pond glanced at the driver.
Then back at Phuwin.
"...You almost died," Pond said flatly.
Phuwin frowned slightly.
"...I noticed."
"Clearly not," Pond muttered.
The driver wasn't done.
"USE YOUR EYES NEXT TIME!" He added before driving off, still grumbling loudly.
Silence fell again.
Phuwin slowly looked down.
At Pond's hand still gripping his arm.
Pond followed his gaze.
...Then quickly let go.
Both of them blinked.
Again.
"...That was very dramatic," Phuwin muttered after a second.
Pond stared at him.
"...You almost got hit by a tuk-tuk and that's what you say?"
Phuwin shrugged slightly.
Still a bit dazed.
"...It felt like a movie scene," He added.
Pond let out a short breath.
Almost a laugh.
Almost.
"You're unbelievable," He muttered.
Phuwin exhaled softly.
Then glanced at him.
"...You pulled me pretty fast."
Pond looked away.
"Yeah," He said casually. "Didn't feel like watching you get run over today."
Phuwin blinked.
Then- just slightly-
His lips curved.
"...Thanks."
Pond didn't answer.
But his ears turned just a little red.
Phuwin adjusted his bag slightly, still a little dazed from what just happened.
"...I gotta go," He said.
Pond didn't reply.
Phuwin glanced at him once-
Then turned and started walking toward the café.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Behind him-
Footsteps followed.
Same pace.
Same rhythm.
Phuwin's brows slowly furrowed.
He walked a few more steps.
Then stopped.
Turned.
"...Why are you following me?" He asked, a little sharper this time.
Pond stood there.
Hands in his pockets.
Looking at him.
Silent.
Phuwin blinked.
"...Well?"
Nothing.
Pond just stared.
Like he didn't think he needed to explain.
Phuwin exhaled.
Long.
Tired.
"...Whatever," He muttered under his breath.
He shook his head slightly.
Then turned again.
"...Do whatever you want," He added.
And continued walking.
A second later-
Footsteps resumed behind him.
Still following.
Phuwin didn't turn back this time.
But he knew.
And for some reason-
He didn't tell him to stop again.
---
Later, they arrived at the café.
Phuwin's expression shifted almost instantly.
Light.
Polite.
Perfect.
"Good afternoon, Phi Sammy," He greeted, a small beam on his face.
Sammy turned with a bright smile.
"Oh, Phu! Finally you're here! How's your day?"
Phuwin nodded lightly.
"It's fine."
"Great," Sammy said, clapping her hands once. "Then you can handle the counter and drinks for now? We're a bit short."
Phuwin nodded again.
"Got it."
Then-
He side-glanced.
Pond stood beside him.
Silent.
Watching.
Phuwin stared at him for a second.
Judging.
Then just turned away like nothing happened.
He grabbed his apron, tied it neatly, and stepped behind the counter.
Back to work.
Pond didn't say anything.
Didn't move much either.
He just walked over to a booth-
And sat down.
And stared.
One hour.
Two hours.
Still there.
Still staring.
No order.
No phone.
No distraction.
Just-
Phuwin.
Sammy finally leaned closer, lowering her voice.
"...Phu."
Phuwin glanced at her while wiping a cup.
"Hmm?"
Sammy subtly nodded toward Pond.
"...Do you know that guy?"
Phuwin followed her gaze briefly.
Then looked away like it was nothing.
"...Yeah."
Sammy blinked.
"He looks like he's planning to stay there forever," She whispered. "He's been staring at you for two hours."
Phuwin forced an awkward smile.
"...Uh. It's fine. He's my friend."
A pause.
"...He just has... Brain issues sometimes," Phuwin added under his breath. "He randomly decides to sit there and do nothing."
Sammy gasped softly, clutching her chest.
"Wait- really? Brain issues?" She whispered. "Too bad he's too handsome for that."
Phuwin let out a quiet laugh.
"Yeah..."
Then he leaned a little closer, voice lower now.
"...Honestly, I think his brain just stops working when he comes here," He muttered. "Because who sits for two hours straight just staring at one person like that?"
He shook his head slightly.
"...It's like he forgot how to blink or something."
Sammy covered her mouth, trying not to laugh.
Phuwin exhaled, grabbing another cup.
"...If he stares any longer, I might start charging him rent," He added dryly.
But even as he said that-
He didn't look back at Pond again.
Not even once.
Because somehow-
He could already feel those eyes on him anyway.
---
Evening slowly settled in.
The café grew quieter, the warm lights standing out more against the darkening sky outside.
Customers thinned out until there were only a few left-
Then none.
Sammy glanced around, stretching her arms a little.
"Phu," She called gently.
Phuwin looked up from the counter.
"Hmm?"
"You okay to close the café by yourself again?" She asked. "I have to leave early."
Phuwin nodded without hesitation.
"I'll handle it."
Sammy smiled, relieved.
"Thank you, really."
She grabbed her bag, but before heading out-
Her eyes flicked toward the booth.
Toward Pond.
Still there.
Still sitting.
Still staring.
Sammy blinked once.
Then leaned closer to Phuwin and whispered,
"...He's still here."
Phuwin didn't even look.
"...I know."
Sammy let out a quiet breath, half amused, half confused.
Then shook her head lightly.
"Alright... Good luck with that," She murmured before walking toward the door.
The bell chimed softly as she left.
And just like that-
It was only the two of them again.
Phuwin exhaled.
Picked up the cloth.
And continued wiping the counter like everything was normal.
Across the café-
Pond didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't look away.
Just sat there-
Watching Phuwin like he had nowhere else to be.
Like he wanted nowhere else to be.
Like he was... Completely focused on him.
Phuwin kept his eyes on his work.
Movements steady.
Controlled.
But after a while-
He paused for just a second.
Because no matter how much he tried to ignore it-
That gaze felt different.
Too constant.
Too quiet.
Too... Much.
And when he finally glanced up-
Just for a split second-
Pond was still looking at him.
Exactly the same.
Like someone who didn't even realize he was staring that hard.
Like someone who didn't want to look away.
And somehow-
It almost looked like-
He was in love.
Phuwin finally stopped.
He exhaled sharply, tossing the towel aside.
Then he walked out from behind the counter-
Straight toward Pond.
And sat down across from him.
Pond blinked.
Phuwin leaned slightly forward, brows furrowed just enough.
"...What do you want?" He asked.
Pond blinked again.
Like he didn't expect that question so directly.
"...Tomorrow," He said after a second. "Do you wanna practice together? Basketball gym."
Phuwin paused.
"...Why?"
"Sports Day," Pond added simply. "It's next week."
Phuwin stared at him.
Processing.
Then blinked.
"...That's it?"
Pond nodded.
Silence.
Phuwin froze for half a second-
Then his expression cracked just a little.
"...That's it?" He repeated, sharper this time.
Pond frowned slightly, confused.
"...Yeah."
Phuwin leaned back, exhaling deeply like he was trying not to lose it.
"Then why," He said slowly, "did you sit here for hours?"
Pond blinked.
"...I didn't want to bother you while you were working," He answered honestly.
That made Phuwin pause.
Just stare at him.
For a moment-
He didn't even know what to say.
Then he dragged a hand down his face.
Exhaling again.
Longer this time.
"...Unbelievable," He muttered under his breath.
Pond tilted his head slightly.
Studying him now.
"...Are you annoyed?" He asked.
Phuwin immediately straightened.
"No."
Too fast.
Pond blinked.
Phuwin forced a small smile.
"...I'm not."
Silence.
Pond kept looking at him.
Like he didn't quite believe it.
Phuwin held his gaze for a second-
Then looked away first.
"...So," He added quickly, trying to move past it, "practice tomorrow?"
Pond nodded slowly.
"...Yeah."
Another pause.
Phuwin exhaled softly.
"...Fine. I'll go."
Pond didn't say anything else.
But his shoulders relaxed just a little.
Then-
He shifted slightly in his seat.
Then, a little quieter-
"...You know..."
Phuwin looked at him.
"Since you gave me that cherry," Pond continued, glancing down at the table for a second, "I think it's my favorite now."
A small pause.
"...I might come here every day for it."
Phuwin blinked.
His eyes widened just a little.
"...Really?"
Pond nodded once, like it wasn't a big deal.
But his ears were already starting to tint red.
Phuwin let out a small breath- something softer than before.
"...It's just a cherry," He muttered.
"Still," Pond said. "It tastes different here."
Phuwin frowned slightly.
"...That doesn't make sense."
Pond shrugged.
"Doesn't have to."
A quiet moment passed.
Then-
Phuwin smiled.
Genuine this time.
Light.
"...Then I'll buy a lot of cherries tomorrow," He said. "So you can eat as many as you want."
Pond blinked.
Once.
Twice.
His ears turned bright red almost instantly.
Phuwin tilted his head slightly, noticing.
"...Why are your ears red?" He asked, confused.
Pond immediately looked away.
"...It's hot."
Phuwin glanced around the café.
Empty.
Cool.
"...No, it's not."
Pond cleared his throat.
"...Just... Buy the cherries."
Phuwin stared at him for a second longer-
Then let out a quiet laugh.
"...Okay."
And for a moment-
Everything felt lighter again.
---
Later that evening-
Phuwin quietly walked down the hallway.
The house was calm. Too calm.
He stopped by Book's door.
It was slightly open.
Phuwin peeked inside.
Book was lying on his bed-
Smiling at his phone.
Actually smiling.
Phuwin squinted his eyes.
Suspicious immediately.
"...Book."
Book froze.
Then-
Panic.
He threw his phone.
Hard.
THUD.
It hit the wall with a loud impact before dropping to the floor.
Phuwin flinched.
Eyes widening.
"...What the-?!" he blurted out, stepping inside.
He stared at the fallen phone.
Then back at Book.
"...Why did you throw it like it's a grenade?" Phuwin asked, still shocked.
Book sat up quickly, laughing nervously.
"Ah- nothing! Just- reflex, Phi Phu!"
Phuwin blinked.
"...Reflex?"
Book nodded way too fast.
"Yeah! You scared me!"
Phuwin narrowed his eyes.
Slowly.
"...I said your name."
"Exactly!" Book said quickly. "Very scary, Phi!"
Phuwin crossed his arms.
Not convinced.
At all.
His gaze slowly dropped to the phone on the floor.
Then back to Book.
"...Who were you texting?" He asked.
Book froze again.
Smile stiff.
"...No one."
Phuwin raised a brow.
"...You smiled like that for no one?"
Book swallowed.
"...It was a meme."
Phuwin stared.
Silent.
"...You threw your phone at the wall," He said flatly, "over a meme."
Book nodded.
"...Very funny meme."
A pause.
Phuwin exhaled slowly.
Already tired.
"...You're acting weird."
Book laughed.
Too loud.
Too forced.
"No I'm not!"
Phuwin didn't answer.
Just stared at him for a second longer.
Then-
He glanced at the phone again.
Still on the floor.
And somehow-
That uneasy feeling came back.
Stronger this time.
Then-
Phuwin let out a long breath, still standing by the door like nothing strange had just happened.
"...Wanna go to the mall?" He asked casually.
Book blinked.
"...At this hour, Phi?"
Phuwin nodded once.
Book stared at him for a second longer.
Then shrugged.
"...Alright then."
Phuwin's brows lifted slightly.
Book quickly added, way too fast-
"I'll just buy a new phone while we're there."
Phuwin narrowed his eyes immediately.
"...Like seriously, are you hiding something?"
Book froze.
"W-What? No-!"
Phuwin stepped a little closer.
Still calm. Still suspicious.
"...You always act like this when you're hiding something."
Book's smile cracked for half a second.
Then-
Panic mode.
"Okay! Time to go! Let's go! Hurry up!"
"Wait-"
Before Phuwin could even finish-
Book suddenly grabbed him by the shoulders and started pushing him out of the room.
"Out! Out! You're blocking the oxygen!"
"Book-!"
Phuwin stumbled into the hallway.
Completely caught off guard.
Book followed him out quickly and slammed the door shut behind him.
BANG.
Silence.
Phuwin stood there in the hallway.
Slowly blinking.
"...Did you just kick me out of your own room?" He muttered.
"LET'S GO TO THE MALL NOW!" Book shouted way too loudly as he walked off.
Phuwin exhaled.
Long.
Tired.
"...Yeah," He said under his breath, turning away. "He's definitely hiding something."
---
Later that evening, the mall supermarket was bright but quiet, shelves neatly stacked under warm lighting and soft music playing overhead.
Phuwin pushed the shopping cart slowly down the fruit aisle.
His eyes scanned carefully.
Focused.
Behind him, Book followed lazily, head down, completely absorbed in his new phone.
Thumbs moving nonstop.
A few seconds passed.
Then Book exhaled.
"...What are we even doing here, Phi Phu?" He asked, not looking up.
Phuwin didn't stop walking.
"...I'm picking cherries."
Book finally looked up.
Blinking.
"...Cherries?"
He made a face.
"...I don't like cherries."
Phuwin glanced back at him.
Expression flat.
"...It's not for you."
Book blinked again.
Slowly lowering his phone.
"...Then who is it for?"
That question made Phuwin pause.
Just for a moment.
His fingers tightened slightly on the cart handle.
"...No one," He said quickly.
Too quick.
Then he looked away.
Ears warming slightly as he continued down the aisle.
Book noticed immediately.
His eyebrows lifted a little.
"...You're weird," He muttered.
Phuwin didn't respond.
Just kept walking.
Scanning.
Searching.
Like he suddenly became very serious about finding the perfect cherries in the entire store.
Book tilted his head, watching him for a second longer.
He clearly wanted to say more.
Ask more.
Tease him.
But instead-
He just shrugged.
Went back to his phone.
"...Alright," He said casually. "I won't ask."
Phuwin's grip on the cart relaxed a little.
But he still didn't look back.
And he definitely didn't answer.
Not even once.
---
Later, Phuwin was still standing in front of the fruit section, completely focused.
One pack.
Then another.
He lifted a punnet of cherries, examined it carefully under the light, then gently placed it back.
Not good enough.
Book stood behind him, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.
Phone already forgotten.
Arms crossed.
Bored out of his mind.
"...Are you seriously still choosing, Phi?" Book asked, dragging out every word.
Phuwin didn't even look back.
"...Yes."
Book exhaled loudly.
"...They're cherries. Not diamonds."
Phuwin picked up another pack.
Checked it again.
Put it down.
"...They're important," He said simply.
That made Book pause.
Then he frowned.
"...Important to who?"
Phuwin didn't answer.
Just moved to the next tray.
Careful.
Focused.
Book watched him for a few seconds longer.
Then snapped.
"...You dragged me to the mall at this hour just to watch you inspect fruit like it's a life-or-death mission?"
Phuwin finally paused.
Slowly turned his head slightly.
Expression calm.
Unbothered.
"...You said you wanted to come buy a phone," He replied flatly.
Book opened his mouth-
Then closed it again.
"...That is not the point," He muttered instead.
Phuwin turned back to the cherries.
"...Then don't follow me," He said.
Book froze.
"...Excuse me?"
Phuwin carefully picked up another pack.
Still not looking at him.
"...You're the one who agreed to come."
Silence.
Book stared at him.
Completely betrayed.
"...I regret everything," He said under his breath.
Phuwin didn't react.
Just finally placed a pack into the cart.
Like he'd made a decision.
Book sighed dramatically.
"...You're impossible."
Phuwin's voice was calm.
"...And you're loud."
That shut Book up for exactly three seconds.
Then he groaned again and leaned on the cart.
"...I'm going to die of boredom, Phi."
Phuwin finally pushed the cart forward.
Still steady.
Still focused.
"...Then sit in the cart," He said casually.
Book blinked.
"...What?"
Phuwin didn't even look at him.
"...Or stop complaining."
Book stared.
Then slowly stepped away from the cart.
"...I hate you, Phi." He muttered.
Phuwin hummed softly.
"...No you don't."
---
Later, they stepped out of the mall.
The night air was cooler now, a soft breeze brushing against their faces as the noise of the city softened behind them.
Phuwin adjusted the plastic bag in his hand.
"...What time is it?" He asked.
Book glanced at his phone while walking.
"...Late. Really late."
Phuwin hummed softly, not saying much after that.
They walked through the parking area, footsteps echoing lightly between rows of cars.
The overhead lights flickered faintly, stretching their shadows long across the ground.
Book swung his phone in his hand lazily.
Then, after a moment-
"...Sports day's coming soon, Phi." He said.
Phuwin didn't respond immediately.
Just kept walking.
Book continued anyway.
"...And you're joining the basketball tournament, right? With Pond in your team."
That made Phuwin pause for half a second.
Just a small one.
Then he kept walking.
"...Yeah."
Book glanced at him sideways.
"...You've been spending a lot of time with him lately."
Phuwin's grip on the bag tightened slightly.
Book shrugged.
"...Like... More than friends."
Phuwin stopped walking.
Slowly turned his head.
"...Stop talking nonsense," He said flatly.
Not loud.
But sharp enough to cut the air.
Book blinked.
Then raised both hands slightly.
"...Okay, okay."
They started walking again.
Silence stretched for a few seconds.
Only the sound of their steps and distant cars filled the space.
Book exhaled.
"...I'm just saying," He muttered. "Don't get yourself into a mess."
Phuwin didn't look at him.
Book continued, a little more serious now.
"...Pond's a troublemaker. Everyone knows that. Fighting, rumors, all that stuff."
A pause.
"...Just don't get dragged into it, Phi." Book said quietly.
Phuwin's eyes lowered slightly.
But his voice stayed controlled.
"...I know what I'm doing."
Book didn't argue.
Just shrugged again.
"...Sure, Phi," He said. "Just don't come crying when campus turns it into a drama series."
Phuwin finally let out a small breath through his nose.
Almost a laugh.
Almost.
"...It already is," He muttered.
And kept walking.
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