1 (Rrrr – Rrrr) The sound of the alarm clock from my lover's phone echoed loudly in the room, the only sound that could jolt me awake in the morning like every day. "Damn it!!! We're late!" a voice screamed loudly. "Hurry up, we won't make it in time!" "We're so late, we're gonna get scolded by the teacher again!" That was quite a welcome to the first day of the semester. Myself and "Night" both woke up late from the very first day. The two of us were rushing frantically to make it to school on time. It was already past seven o'clock. If we left the house at this time, we'd barely make it to school by almost eight o'clock. That meant Night
2 and I were going to be late! I quickly got up, took a shower, got dressed, and hurried to catch the bus to make it to school on time. "Mee," a high school senior who had never experienced love in his life, not even once, had never had anyone come into his life. "The nerve of me coming over to your place just so we can make it to school," Night complained. "Don't complain. And who asked you to come over?" I retorted. "Well, your house is closer to the school than mine." From boarding the sky train to battling the working-age humans in Bangkok and even more so from running from the sky train station to the school, I was starting to resign myself to the fact that Night and I would definitely be caught for being late. I
3 could already imagine what the punishment would be for being late on the first day of the semester. The teacher would probably go easy and just make us run around the football field five times (groans). "Run!" Night pushed me to run faster. "I know!" I, with legs shorter by two centimeters, tried not to let it surpass me too much. 8:15 a.m. I stood in line, facing the board in front of the guardian teacher, the most terrifying figure that made the entire school tremble. "Late since the first day, the worst!" the teacher started scolding right from the beginning of the day.
4 "Go run around the building until everyone finishes ten rounds. If you don't make it, don't bother coming to class. Before that, don't forget to check attendance, really terrible." Thankfully, it wasn't the football field. I took a deep breath before my gaze could meet "Mork," who was sending a reassuring smile. "Good luck." Yes, I was very lucky. Not because of the teacher's punishment, but because of the smile you sent me. "You can come out and run now," Night pushed me forward. Finally, I finished running. I had been sweating since morning. I had to endure this sticky feeling all day for sure. At this
5 point, my gaze was sending reproach to Night quite effectively. If it hadn't irritated the teacher, maybe the punishment could have been reduced to just five rounds. "Look serious," Night nudged my face gently. "What's up?" I asked as Night and I walked towards the water cooler area. "I've got something to talk to you about." "What's the matter?" I asked as we reached the water cooler. "You drink first." Once we finished drinking water, I looked at Night, anticipating what he was going to say. "So, what is it?" I asked.
6 "Do you like Mork?" Night dropped the bombshell. I widened my eyes. I had never told anyone about this. How did Night find out? "I thought so," Night said, as if he already knew. "You're usually so quiet around everyone else, but you act all nervous in front of Mok. You're not being yourself." "Damn," I muttered quietly. "I don't feel comfortable with you anymore." "Why? You don't see the need to keep it a secret?" "Do you really like him, or is it just a passing fancy, like those guys in that one class?"
7 I took a deep breath before deciding to speak. "I really like him, you know," I confessed. "But I'm too scared to approach him." "Hey," Night shifted his arm to wrap it around my neck. "Whose friend are you? You're Night's friend, the handsome one. I'll take you to him myself." "Nah, I don't want that." "It won't be long before we finish high school. We'll go our separate ways. Are you just going to let this opportunity slip away?" I looked at my friend who was standing nearby, feeling heavy-hearted. "I'm too scared," I admitted. "Can you start from today?"
8 "What do you mean?" "The first thing you should do is take a step." Night released me from the hug and took out something from his bag. It was a white hardcover notebook that he liked to use for vocabulary. Then, he grabbed a pen and scribbled something hastily. "What are you doing?" "This is something I'll be writing for you throughout the time you pursue Mork. And this is the first card," Night handed me the card.
9 Note Card #1 From now on, this is our secret. "I seek benefit from these words," I couldn't hold back from speaking. "The benefit will come after this," Night seemed very confident. "And actually, I don't really want to..." "Stop secretly loving him. If you love him, show it. Let him know," Night interrupted. "Don't worry. I, Night, will make sure you succeed in love." Night picked up another note card before looking at me with a mischievous expression.
10 "Lesson from Cool Night is about to begin, Tinnaphat. Are you ready?" “Tinnaphat” is my name. "I'm ready if you're ready like this," I replied to soothe my friend. "Then let's start our mission." First period, Homeroom, 8:30 a.m. "What's up, track and field athletes?" the teacher said as he noticed me and Night. "We should film when you guys run around the building, it'll be funny." "You guys are the latest to arrive," Tang, another student, added. "So today..." "What?" I asked hesitantly. "We're having a barbecue!" Tang exclaimed, and laughter filled the room.
11 "We have to because last night they were talking in the class group chat about who arrived late do we really have to have a barbecue?" Tang asked the others in the room. Everyone exchanged glances and nodded in agreement, including me. As the topic of the barbecue passed, minutes went by in playful banter, and the atmosphere of the new semester returned to normal. Many of my friends took the opportunity to share their joys and sorrows, often revolving around topics like cartoons, games, internet idols on Facebook, Instagram girls, and relationship matters. Night, sitting beside me, handed me something to read. It was a note card that he had just written moments ago.
12 Note Card #2 You should be true to yourself. I read it quietly, then glanced back at him. Night's expression was serious. "What does that mean?" I asked, puzzled. "It means that when you're trying to pursue someone, you should be true to yourself. You shouldn't try to be someone else when you're courting them. Because if they end up liking the version of you that you're not, and you get into a relationship with them, it will become a problem later on because you're not being true to yourself from the beginning, and the relationship won't be truly happy."
13 I was left speechless, not wanting to believe it. "Wow, wise words from the wise man, the love expert," I teased, trying to lighten the mood. "Of course," Night responded seriously. "Why do you think I said it?" "You have to be true to yourself. You're my friend, and I know being yourself is good enough for Mok. Remember this sentence of mine," Night asserted firmly. "Before you do anything else, you have to dare to talk to him more than this. Mork thinks you don't talk enough, even though you're not the quiet type," I added, trying to encourage him.
14 "I'll give it a try." "That's the spirit, buddy," I said enthusiastically, almost bursting into laughter. Then I saw him pick up his earphones and put them in, but he didn't start playing any music yet. Our homeroom teacher walked in just in time. Being true to yourself... it shouldn't be too hard, right? During lunch break, "Night." "Yeah?"
15 "What are you looking for?" I asked, noticing that both Tang and Off were holding onto him, one by the collar and one by the neck. We were currently taking our lunch break in the school cafeteria. "Are you looking for your little brother or something?" Tang teased. Night glanced at me, and we remained silent. "Is there something you're hiding from us?" Tang continued, sensing something amiss. "Is there some secret between us or what? Spit it out," Off pressed on.
16 "Nope," Night responded loudly. "What secret?" Off persisted. "If it's about a certain room, then it means he's interested in Mork," I hinted. Off raised his eyebrows, obviously intrigued. "How could he be interested in anyone else in that room if it's not Mok? Especially when Mok is the cutest in that room already." I swallowed hard, feeling somewhat ignored by my friends as all their attention was directed towards Night.
17 "Do you like Mork, Night?" "Hey, do you like Mork?" Off and Tang teased Night until he had to use his hands to push them away from him. "Well, well, this is getting interesting," Night chuckled. "That's right, let's get going." The identity of our class was wherever Mork was. They were like the nucleus of our group, the King of the Special Science Program, with more emphasis on science than other classes. There were less than twenty of them, mostly sticking together wherever they went, almost like a cult. It was something so familiar to us that when outsiders looked at them, they saw Mork
18 smiling with friends so brightly that I felt like smiling along. Night turned to me before he puckered his lips slightly. "You have to talk to him before afternoon class." "Invite him to have hot pot with our class." "What's up?" I whispered. "Agreed. But are we really going to treat him for real?" Was I really focusing on the right thing here? "I'll handle it myself, I promise it's not about the money you're going to spend on shoes." I glanced at Night uneasily. At that moment, Mork walked into the cafeteria, seemingly breaking away from his own
19 group of friends to come and talk to me and Night. "Help me decide what to eat for lunch, I can't make up my mind at all," I said, and there it was, Mork smiling as Night pushed something I was eating towards Mork. "Eat like a man, it's too girly. It's flipping two plates. This place is delicious," Night commented, and I gestured for him to stop. It was like telling him to quit farting. "What's there to eat?" Mork looked at my empty plate curiously, and I motioned for Night to keep an eye on me. "I'll take you to buy it yourself," Night said when the conversation ended.
20 As the conversation ended, I stood up. Night looked at me in surprise. I had to try to calm my racing mind. "Are you having rice with curry?" Mork invited conversation. "Yeah." "What are you having?" "I'm having sweet and sour stir-fried and clear soup." "Sounds delicious." "Wanna try my dish?" "Yeah, I'll give it a try." “…” "To be honest, you don't have to bring me along," Mok chuckled lightly. "I'm just coming to buy ice cream."
21 "Oh, really?" Reluctantly, I had to believe that my conversation with Mork could flow so smoothly. I glanced sideways at Sic, who was following me with his eyes. He winked at me and then sucked on his milk box until it was empty. "I have something to talk to you about," I said to Mok, who was waiting in line to order food. "Mm-hmm." "Today, our group is going to have hotpot together. Would you like to..." "I'd like to what?" "Wanna join us?" Finally, I managed to get it out.
22 "Today, huh?" Mork furrowed his brows in thought. I felt relieved that he didn't seem repulsed. "It's after school. What time?" "It should be after we finish." "Can I meet you later?" "Sure." I replied hastily. "Then can I have your number?" Mork took out his phone. "Let's add each other on Line." This was beyond my expectations. This kind of thing should be boasted about to be the coolest friend in the world! "He said he'll come later, but sometimes he might not," I whispered to Night, with the other two friends. "He has to come if he's interested in you. He must come," Night said seriously.
23 The four of us chose a restaurant not far from the school. Once we got seated, we started eating. We didn't know where our hunger came from, nor did we know when our lunch was finished. During that time, my phone vibrated. The caller was Mork. I quickly nudged Night's leg to get him to look at the name on the screen. Night smirked before allowing me to answer the call half an hour later. Star appeared. It was a situation that made Off and Tong very uncomfortable. "How many places did you apply to?" I started a conversation, shifting my chair so that Mork was sitting next to me. "Three." "Wow, are you going to study all week?" "Yeah." "Are you going to be a doctor?" "A dentist."
24 My friend and I exchanged excited looks. The future of our group was beginning to take shape, and most of us weren't destined for careers in the medical field. When Mork mentioned his future plans to us, it seemed distant from our own abilities. My friend and I began to crack jokes about it. Being able to express myself in front of Mork sometimes felt like releasing pent-up worries. I could talk to him about anything and act however I wanted without worrying about whether he'd like it or not. Being true to myself didn't create awkwardness; it created comfort. Night was really good at this. "You guys are here," Night called out to Off and Tong. "I have something to discuss." "What is it?" Mork asked curiously. "Night, um, his underwear might be riding up," I teased my friend, making him blush.
25 He had such a handsome face. I apologized internally for doing something without talking to him first. "It's like you're already best friends. Do you like each other that much?" "Well, I don't want to admit it, but I'm most comfortable with him," my friend responded, and the conversation flowed smoothly. "Okay, that's good," Mork smiled approvingly. I sneaked a glance at Mork's face, feeling captivated until he turned to look at me, causing me to quickly avert my gaze. "In that case, can I speak frankly with you?" "Uh-huh, about what?" "I think... I like... Night."
26 "Can you help me with this? I'm begging you." I like Night. I like Night. I like Night. Mork's voice echoed in my head like a fly buzzing around, and no matter how much I waved my hand to shoo it away, it wouldn't leave. My world seemed to crumble with every moment. I went home feeling soulless, still undecided about whether I should help Mork. I was both confused and lost. Furthermore, just as my three friends returned to the table, Night messaged me, apologizing if he had made me uncomfortable and asking me to keep his liking for Night a secret. Night came home with me, saying he forgot something and needed to retrieve it. I almost didn't talk to him. He asked
27 questions, and I answered, but he must have noticed that I was acting strange. I knew it wasn't my friends' fault, but I was completely bewildered. I didn't know what to do or feel. I liked Mork. Night wanted me to help him pursue Mork. But Mork liked Night, and Night asked me to help him pursue Mork. "You okay, bro? What's up?" Night asked after it went upstairs and grabbed stuff from my bedroom. It was about to go home now. Normally, no matter how bad things I encounter, I always tell Night about it. But this time, I kept silent, unable to say anything at all. "I have a slight headache," I lied. "Damn, got any painkillers?" "Yeah." "Where are they?"
28 "I'll find them myself. You can go home now. It's getting late." "Sure you're okay?" "Yeah." Night looked at me with questioning eyes, but I refused to meet its gaze. It hesitated for a moment before finally leaving, and, importantly, its mother followed up with a call to make sure it got home safely. As soon as my friend left, I sighed deeply, feeling a mix of sadness, disappointment, and heartache. And the new feeling that just crept in with those was... jealousy towards my friend. Remember when I shared Night's story about its crush? Just because it's good-looking, it wins. Everyone loves it. Even the person I genuinely like, Mork, likes it too, apart from its overflowing good looks, its abilities are also well-rounded. It's good at sports, talented in music. Moreover, it's a
29 very sociable person. It smiles, talks to everyone. I'm not surprised that Mork likes Night, but I can't help feeling a little jealous. Not living up to expectations, I promise myself to return to my old self the next day. That night, I was chatting with Mork on LINE, pretending to be fine. I promised him that I would help him with Night but told him to keep it a secret. After reading that message, I put my phone aside and closed my eyes, praying for the pain and discomfort in my heart to go away. School, Today I wasn't late. Around four or five o'clock, I hurriedly got up to take a shower because I couldn't sleep last night. Therefore, I arrived at school very
30 quickly. I could almost say I came to open the building as Uncle's friend. But if I could choose, I would go back in time and not come to school at this time. Why? Because Mork's cute face came from afar today. Even though he's come to school, he's gone straight in. He saw me walking around near the school field. I swallowed my saliva, looking at the other side, ready to blink repeatedly. Last night, I might have told him that I would help him. But today, I thought it was too soon. "What should I do about Night?" Mork looked very serious. "Uh..." Being shot with a direct question like that, I couldn't answer at all. "In the past, did he like girls?" "Well..." I hesitated.
31 "Actually, Night talks to girls, but it's possible for guys too. I don't see why it would feel disgusted." "Really?" Mork seemed to brighten up immediately. "Then what should I do?" "I've said it before, this complexity is more difficult than trigonometry," another question that Mork just asked me. I couldn't answer quickly at all. One, because I just broke up with him. Two, because I have to help him pursue someone else immediately, even though I'm still heartbroken. And three, even I myself can't handle it. How am I supposed to help Mork survive? I thought about the person who said they would help me, the one who said they would make me hopeful about love. I thought about what it said to me, that if I used Night's own method to pursue itself. Sometimes, Mork might be hopeful.
32 "Be yourself," I said half-heartedly. "Be yourself. Approach it as yourself as much as possible..." I then explained in the way I deciphered Night's words until Mork was amazed. "Good luck, man," I smiled dryly once again. "Ask me something. Do you like anyone?" Oh damn, this question kills! I immediately looked away. "Can you tell me who that person is? Like, you have someone in your heart." Right now, I have a lot in my mind, and I don't know who to tell. "Okay, keep it a secret for now," Mork patted my shoulder. I glanced at that hand, feeling overwhelmed. "If you're ready, you can tell me later."
33 I looked at Mork's face thoughtfully. I probably wouldn't ever be ready because if I were, it would probably be strange to say I like Mork when he's already into someone else. How did I end up here? Even though I could step back to look at the two lovers, why did I choose not to, or do I still want to be close to Mork? Is that it? Note Card # 3 Stare until the other person knows they're being stared at. P.S. You have to smile, or else you won't be charming. Stop pouting!!! Are you crazy to this extent, my friend? I was just about to say something to Night, but then someone came and snatched the notebook from my hand. Damn, it's the homeroom teacher!
34 "You have to smile, you... (The teacher didn't pronounce the last word). Otherwise, you won't be charming. Stop pouting!!!" The teacher read it out loud, making both me and Night bury our faces on the table. "Are these two flirting?" A friend yelled jokingly. Mee and Night didn't know where to hide our faces. "Teacher!" Before the teacher could start the lesson, I raised my hand up to the full extent of my arm. "Tinnapat has a bad stomachache, sir. I'll take him to the nurse's office, sir." Before the physics class even started, Night would often invite me out of the classroom, even though it's the same as this subject. "If you want to skip class, bring some proof," I said after we walked out far away.
35 "I'm skipping class, why? I'm taking you to find Mork," its words made me stop in my tracks. "Why?" "This period is an art class, held outside the classroom." "And then?" "You still have to earn some points, right?" Going is just that, when the person Mork likes is you, not me. I wanted to say it like this, it was tearing my heart apart. But because of the promise I made to Mork, I had to stay silent and do what Night wanted to solve the problem. "Today's class is so heavy, man. This might be the only period you'll get to see Mork."
36 "How do you know?" "A friend from that class told me." It brought me to the small art building. The art teacher usually lets students draw under the trees. I swallowed nervously while Night tried to push me forward. It grabbed my shoulder, making me sit where I could see Mork, who was drawing. After that, it told me, "Just keep looking at him here, I'll sit and play on my phone." Mork was drawing with great dedication. It was a beautiful picture, because I liked it. I was already looking at him, but today, my eyes were filled with excitement. Nervousness. It turned into a mixture of sadness and disappointment at the same time. Damn it, Night.
37 End of class "Why did you come to class without telling me anything?" Night was just bragging about this. It's the eleventh time today, after I let it be with Mok, and then I went to study without calling Night. I let it complain alone while walking it to the teacher's lounge. Remember, when me and Night were called to meet up? After class, normally at this time, me and Night would be chilling at Siam. If I could lose my love, I couldn't lose my friend. A friend who could make me feel embarrassed. That night
38 Does he want to aggravate the wound in my heart? I looked at my phone, feeling shattered. Even though I felt completely broken. How should I respond to this? Oh damn, just kidding huh, it's shocking: Mork It's so shocking, and the word 'just kidding' too. I texted Night but it hasn't replied yet: Mork I was about to reply to Mork that Night might be playing games or watching TV. But before I could answer, there was a knock on my door, and my mom's voice rang out, "Night's here to see you, dear." I glanced at the clock on the wall; it was half past four. Night was coming. What
39 was Night doing at my house at this hour? I hurriedly opened the door. Night stood there, grinning mischievously before entering my room without waiting for permission. "What brings you to my house?" I asked, trying to hide my joy that Night had come. "Your house is much closer to school." "That's the reason every time, huh? Your mom must hate me for always stealing her kid to sleep at my place," Night said, throwing itself onto my bed. "Hey, I love that word." "What word?" "Stealing her kid to sleep at my place." "You're crazy," I teased my friend.
40 The phone's light flashed, indicating a LINE message for Night, which was placed near my phone. I glanced over, and Night smiled as soon as it saw me chatting with someone. Several weeks later Note Card #4 You need to be smooth! "Smooth, huh?" I echoed Night's words. After telling him that he had to be smooth, I quickly hid Night's note card inside my shirt pocket. It was lunchtime now. I sneaked away from my friends to find Night in his classroom to tell him how to court Night, even if it was using Night's own words again. I wanted to say that I mimicked Night's speech again when
41 talking to him. I took a deep breath before pretending to be like Night, just like this morning when he talked to me. "You have to be smooth with Night. Be friends to buy things as friends, you know?" I said. "Oh, got it," Night replied with an adorable expression. "But do I have time to do that with Night? I'm studying so hard like this." I waved goodbye to Night, feeling like I should get out of this classroom as quickly as possible. Because while I was talking to Night, there were intimidating stares from all directions. Those gazes belonged to the students from that classroom. They didn't like anyone who came to see Night. I slapped the note card in my shirt pocket and tried to look indifferent. At least today
42 was over. My condition was getting better and better, and I believed that there would be a day when it would completely heal. The end of my journey might not be what I hoped for, but Night's might be hopeful. Isn't that right?