Kongpob's Pov---------

I sighed in aggravation as I looked at the snoring man next to me. His head was drooping over to my chair, his few white and whispy strands of hair in my face as he slept. I clicked my tongue in annoyance, but simply turned the other way, ignoring him.

I was more of a peace maker than a fighter. I tended to avoid confrontation. Call me a coward if you want, but its just my way.

Well, it's not like I can't fight, it just depends on what I am fighting for really…

I was shocked out of my thoughts as I felt something hot and wet soaking through the leg of my jeans to my thigh. I screwed my face up as I saw the drop of saliva shining on my jeans, quickly unbuckling my seat belt and walking to the tiny bathroom. I was glad to find it empty as I quickly shut and locked the door behind me.

I grabbed a tissue and ran it under the tap, rubbing the mark on my jeans thoroughly. Once I was sure there would be no mark......... I had another problem......

I looked like I had wet myself !!

Not a very good thing with appear to when you have another three hours with the same people.

I sighed as I closed the toilet lid, plonking down heavily. Maybe this was just a bad omen. Honestly, there are plenty of free seats next to normal people, middle aged people who are reading or listening to music on their I Pod’s, but I get the snorer...... Go figure.

Maybe I should just get a connecting flight and go back. If I even had a choice in the matter, but I didn’t. I had to move to Chang mai, with my father, away from my past life.

I wouldn’t mind if I was choosing to go to chang Mai. But I am getting that rebellious feeling. You know, when you get told to do something but your too stubborn to do it when your told to. And you would have done it by yourself, but just because you get ordered to do it, you don’t ??....... That one.

The main problem is that I am going to meet my Dad after almost 6 years, heck !! I didn’t even remember what he looked like anymore ??

Why ??

Because my Mom and Dad dosen't live together since a long time !!

Reason ???    

Well the reason was his obsession over his work as a doctor. He used to spend the majority of his 24 hours in a day time, in the hospital, serving and saving others..... Which caused him loose his own family.

It wasn't like mom wasn't supporting his good work or responsible behaviour towards his profession and society but....  She couldn't bear that her husband doesn't even remember their son's name some times or in which class he was studying.....his one and only son !! My mom was a simple women and she wanted a very simple life....with her husband and son. But she couldn't get that simple life with my Dad.

Coz... He was never there for his family.

Never......

He wasn't there... when I went to school for the first time. He never attended a single-parent teacher meeting with my mom or any other activities for parents, held at school. Some of my teachers assumed that my parents are divorced.

He wasn't there... when I fell down from the stairs and mom has to take me to a nearby hospital on her own, Because he didn't picked up her call as He was taking care of his patients at the hospital he was currently working. When mom called him to come and check on me, He said he can't attend another doctor's patient..... He told her that he already talked to my attending doctor and they informed him that I was being well taken care off, So.... There was nothing to worry about, and he will try to come and visit me soon. Which he couldn't get the chance to, before I was discharged from the hospital.

He wasn't there.... when my mom lost her parents due to an arson case at their factory. His phone was switched off because he was in an emergency surgery and he didn't bother to check his phone for any calls and messages even after the surgery.... He got to know about their demise after their funeral was done.....and my mom was done with him too, by then.

So... She decided to stay in Bangkok and take over my grandpa's little garment factory, She was their only child and that's why she inherited everything they left....be it the factory or their small two story house. My parents never get divorced though..... I was living in Bangkok since I was 7 years old. My dad came to visit us only 5 times in Bangkok.... Maybe once in a year. And his last visit was 6 years ago.
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I was knocked from my little musings by a frantic knock at the door. I quickly stood up and unlocked the flimsy piece of plastic, opening it and coming face to face with bald and snoring man. He glared at me as he hopped up and down slightly.

“How could you have been inside for so long and still had an accident ??”

He spat at me looking at the wet patch down my leg. I could feel my cheeks reddening. I opened my mouth to tell him that it was his saliva I was washing off, but he barged passed me and shoved me out the door, shutting it with a loud thud.

I stood fuming for a moment before I clenched my fists and went and sat down, muttering unpleasant things to myself.

Ten minutes later, I was bored as hell. The most interesting thing that happened was a young man, in his late teens, travelling alone, dropped his I Pod. Yep, that was it. Our cabin was silent, not even the babies cried !!

It was times like this when I needed ARTHIT...... But… he was ignoring me and I have no idea why ?? !!

One night, I went to sleep talking to him normally, the next day… nothing. He wasn’t listening at all, in fact he was blocking everything I threw at him. So, in my stubborn way of thinking, I am ignoring him back, and have been doing that from the past week.

Torture...... Pure torture.

I have never been so bored in my entire life, literally. Arthit was always there to entertain me when I was bored or upset, but not anymore. Honestly, it hurt that I was being ignored. I considered Arthit as my best friend, the one person I could trust with anything and everything. He knew me better than my own mother did, but that can’t be helped.

You see, Arthit and I… we have never met, we have never even spoken one word to each other. Yet I know him back to front. I know his every quirk, every mannerism, everything.

Because....... Arthit and I are linked.

You see, ever since I can remember, I have been able to hear Arthit in my mind. When I was a child, I didn’t understand why no-one else could hear the same voice I could, but after a few concerned looks from my mum, I decided to play dumb and stop asking.

It was then I knew that something was wrong with this.

When you grow up with something, you don’t question it !! Like if you grew up, being taught that yellow is pink !! You would know that because that is all you have been told, that is all you know. So I never questioned the voice in my head until I grew older.

People called me a freak, a weirdo, the scary boy. Children are cruel, and if it wasn’t for Arthit calming me down I would have been in fist fights countless times. But in truth, it was Arthit what caused all those problems.

I couldn’t explain to the teachers why I would burst out laughing in an exam when nothing was even remotely funny. I couldn’t tell them that the man in my mind's best friend Bright, has mixed salt in his favourite Pink milk, Arthit chased him with a pastry in his hand and when he gets a hold on his best friend he smudged that dessert on his face and hair, as an revenge.

Sometimes I would burst out crying, sometimes I would laugh when it was inappropriate and I couldn’t explain why. The teachers just gave me detentions, and the kids just laughed and picked on me.

Arthit knew me as well as I knew him. When we were younger, we didn’t know how to block each other, and so… we saw everything. I saw him shower too...... Thankfully we learned to avert our eyes, and he saw me also in less than flattering experiences. But we put up with it, because we had to and there was nothing we could do about it.

We had tried to severe the connection with our minds, but had no idea how. Besides, we grew dependant on each other. Mom always thought I hid away in my room to be anti-social, but really… I wanted to be able to react to what Arthit was saying without having to hide it. Arthit got picked on by his family too, for holing himself away.

Neither could tell the truth about the other without being told we were crazy, which is a possibility. Of course, Arthit tried to talk to his Dad about it, and everyone in his family found out and thought he was crazy. He hadn’t tried to talk about it again with them, he even lied to his father when he asked if it still happens.

I have thought more than once that maybe Arthit is really an imaginary friend of mine, He is not real. Or.... or maybe he do exist in a parallel universe and we both somehow are connected on a same frequency. Because whenever we tried to talk about our whereabouts as in which city we live or our house address or even our phone numbers... we just couldn't hear each other. It's just a blank space for the time being. So after few failed tries, we stopped talking about that. We both were afraid to find the truth or maybe we don't want to accept that the other one may not be real. 

At least I was afraid to face the truth. What can I say... I tend to think differently to others, having an imaginary friend is okay when you are a child, but not when your 18. Its weird and definitely not right. I have thought about going to a doctor and telling someone, but Arthit always dissuaded me.

Arthit was my one and only friend, as sad as that is since he may not even be real...... He is the only one who knows me and that is my fault. I never allow anyone to get close enough to come close to finding out about Arthit. Honestly, I am saving them time. Even if they do become friends with me, once they find out, they will go running and telling everyone.

Friends are circumstantial.

I closed my eyes, concentrating on Arthit. Once again, coming up with silence....... I could feel his presence, it never leaves, but it was blocked. I saw nothing, and heard nothing. I felt so alone without him, he was my constant companion. Now..... I felt truly alone.

Has my one and only friend abandoned me as well ??

It hurt even more to think of loosing Arthit, He is the only one that got me through everything that has happened, when my mom died in a car accident few months back. When I pushed everyone else away and also tried to push Arthit away, He was the only one that persisted and got through it. That's how much We understand each other.

I decided, after hurling a few choice of insults at Arthit, that I would count the different coloured stripes on the reclining chair in front of me. It entertained me for about twenty seconds until I discovered a pattern and I gave up.

Stupid Arthit !!

Since when does he learned to ignore me and succeed ??

Obviously, spending every second with someone, you are bound to argue and fight, and Arthit and I are no different. We would attempt to ignore each other, but we have never actually accomplished it before. The closest I got was still hearing him but not replying. I began to wonder when Arthit had been practicing ignoring me ??

When had he been ignoring me before ??

That annoying bald man came back, glaring at me before turning to his other side and falling asleep, his snores filling the silence of the cabin. The last hour of the flight was filled with daydreams and thoughts, mostly about Chang mai and my dad, wondering how different my life would now be.

I think I even fell asleep for a while, but when I opened my eyes again I heard the announcement.

“Passengers please buckle their seat belts as we are landing momentarily”

The annoyingly fake happy voice filled the cabin, and numerous clicks hurt my ears. On the up side, the sudden change from silence to noise woke the man up. He snorted as he jolted awake, looking around and seeing everyone else buckling up before reaching for his own. I turned away to hide my smile.

After a bit of turbulence, we hit the ground and I looked out the window, glad to finally see the ground stationary. After the usual tradition of thanking the cabin crew that had lined up at the door, I walked out into the fresh air and took a deep breath. At least there was less polution here, I suppose that’s a good thing, right ??

Unfortunately, thanks to the rainy weather of Chang mai today, the steps leading to the ground were wet, and I almost slipped on the steps. When I did finally reach the ground, I planted my feet firmly thanking God that the ground wasn’t moving anymore. I had thought, in my boredom and my imagination ignited, that the plane would crash, or if I stepped too hard on the cabin floor, that I would fall through the aeroplane.

In my moment of thankfulness, I had managed to miss the fact that it was raining rather heavily and was now soaked to my skin, my clothes clinging to me. I cursed myself for wearing a hoodless jacket today as I ran towards the arrivals terminal.

I shook my head, glaring at a raindrop as it rolled down my nose and dripped off the end onto the carpetted floor. I managed to get through security with my wheelie suitcase. This was not the best way to start a new life.

I stood, feeling rather stupid after realising I was the only one who had been dumb enough to stand outside in the rain, and as a result was getting some strange looks from passing people. My cheeks burned as people stared at me with disapproving eyes and scowls. I sighed deeply as I made an effort to ignore them and the tutting security guards, looking around for my Dad. I had no idea what he looked like, Now. Only that he had dark brown hair, and maybe a moustache if he hadn’t shaved it off.

After a few minutes I gave up trying to spot him and spotted some plastic seats, heading over to them slowly and trying to avoid any ones gaze. I was accompanied by a constant drip drip and I realised I was making a little trail of water. My day couldn’t get any better.

I plopped down with a squelch, glad no-one else was sat there. I fetched out my phone from my jeans pocket. I have lost my phone last week and bought this new model two days back. The bad thing ?? I had no idea how to use this new model, I wasn’t very technically minded. Arthit usually talked me through it if I got something I didn’t understand. I gritted my teeth slightly, determined not to be so dependant. After all, everyone else copes without someone in their head telling them what to do.

I was just exploring my phone as someone tapped my shoulder, making me jump and squeak slightly.

“Sorry if I scared you Kong”

My Dad stood there, wet dark hair dripping his face, moustache still there, and in his doctor's white tunic. I gave him a curt smile and looked down, making a show of putting my phone in my pocket.

“It’s okay”

I mumbled as I stood up, slipping on the puddle that had been formed beneath my chair. I offered a small thanks as Dad steadied me, grabbing my bag as He grunted uncomfortably. My father is not one for expressing his emotions.

We walked out of the airport in silence, Dad taking my wheelie case from me at some point. I groaned silently as I spotted his old rusty car through the pelting rain. Dad was already getting ‘Hello’s’ and ‘Good Evening Doctor’ and I was getting looks, Again. It seems everyone knows who I am and feels compelled to stare as if waiting to see a sign on my forehead.

I stayed in the doors, out of the rain as Dad ran out and put my case in the back and I ran to the car door, grimacing as I was once again soaked as I got in the car, quickly shutting it behind it. I shook my head slightly but gave up as I realised I was wetting the inside too.

The car rocked slightly as Dad shut the door behind him, rain falling from his white tunic as he looked at me for a moment.

“Seat belt...”

He told me quickly as he reached over and clicked his own in. I repressed a sigh, expecting something along the lines of ‘How are you... or, Good to see you again Kong’, not a comment on my car safety rules. Still, I clicked it in, staring out the window as the car vibrated with the engine. I sighed quietly as we got onto the road, turning to stare out of the side window.

“So Kong, how are you holding up ??”

I turned as Dad asked, sounding rather uncomfortable with the conversation topic.

“I am fine. Don’t worry about it”

I grumbled, not moving from staring out the window. I didn’t want to talk about the accident and how I am coping up with it, the only person that I would talk to was Arthit, and he was currently ignoring me so…

That was the biggest amount conversation for the entire journey. Maybe I shouldn’t have behave so tight lipped. No matter how hard I tried I couldn’t force a conversation with my Dad. So, I lapped up the silence.

However, after half an hour of silence was grating on my last nerve. It was times like this, of awkwardness and boredom, that I needed Arthit. He would talk to me, or offer conversation topics at least.

Though Dad tried, He tried to talk to me, he asked me what I liked and what I didn’t and I tried to act interested, but it wouldn’t work. I could see his frown in the reflection of the window, and knew he was worried about me. Back in Bangkok everyone was used to me being like this, but of course it was new to him.

“Is there anything you need specifically ??”

He asked, sounding rather desperate.

“I won’t know until I see what you have already got”

I sighed, and I cursed myself for being so rude, again.

“I am sorry Dad, I didn’t mean....”

I began, feeling rather out of my depth here.

“Don’t worry about it Kong, I understand”

He sighed sadly and I nodded. If anyone should understood me being like this, after Arthit of course, it must be him.

We lapsed into silence again, but it was more comfortable this time. I suppose living with a quiet person wouldn’t be so bad.

I leaned my head back as I felt my eyes droop. The flight and this drive had taken all the energy from me and I hadn’t even done anything.

At some point later, I felt something shaking me gently

“Come on Kong”

I realised that it was Dad, and that I must have fallen asleep. From the lack of vibrations and the silence in the car, I guess we had arrived or stopped for a break. Once I managed to open my eyes, I realised we had finally reached our desired destination.

The little house I remembered vaguely hadn’t changed on the outside. It was still the same faded white, maybe a little more faded thanks to all the years gone by. The flowers that used to frame the rectangular lawn at the front had disappeared because my mum wasn’t here to tend to them. The same stone path cut through the middle and led to the door, the same curtains hung at the windows.

The scene made me smile slightly.

I was knocked from my happy reminiscing by another dull thud and I realised that Dad must have gotten tired of waiting for a reply and had left the car. I sighed as I looked outside again, peeking at the house again. Thankfully, the rain had receded, but thunderously dark clouds hung overhead, threatening to break at any moment.

I slowly got out of the car as I watched him put my suitcase on the ground as he closed the back door of his car. I stuffed my hands in the pockets of my jacket as I stood awkwardly, not knowing whether I should go and help or go to the door.

“Go on in Kong, the key is up under the doormat”

Dad told me, probably recognising my expression.

Nodding silently, I walked up the stone path, I breathed a sigh of relief as my hand clasped around a small cold thing.

I smiled slightly to myself as I stuck the key in the lock and turned it, hearing the click as Dad splashed his way up the path towards me. I pushed the door open slightly dramatically, wiping my feet on the mat as I shuffled in, revelling in the warmth that was quickly drying my wet clothes.

Without a word, Dad walked upstairs and I followed automatically. He walked into a room, my old room if I remember correctly, but he seemed to have redecorated. The walls and ceiling where a nice blue, and there nestled in the corner was my bed, on the other corner was a desk.

My eyes swept passed the wardrobe and dresser as I stepped in. It wasn’t big, it wasn’t fancy, but I like it. It was simple, and mine.

“I hope you will like your room”

Dad turned as he laid my wet case on the floor and turned to me, scratching the back of his neck as he obviously misjudged my silence.

“Dad, I like it”

I smiled honestly, smiling wider as he smiled and sighed back. I knew living with me must be hard, especially since we barely knew each other. So seeing him smile made me feel less guilty. Living with me wasn’t going to be a slice of heaven for him, but I could make an effort to make it easier.

There was a moments pause where I was smiling and Dad was looking at the floor.

“I will leave you to get settled in. I will order pizza for Coke”

He told me as he looked at me. I frowned before nodding. Did he expect me to say no ?? What would he do if I did ??

“Thanks Dad”

I said quietly as he walked passed me.

“I am your Dad Kong, its my pleasure”

He smiled before shutting the door. I stayed where I was for a moment as I heard his loud footfalls thumping on the stairs.

As they faded, I walked over to my suitcase and unzipped it. Thankfully, none of it was wet. The next three hours were filled with me looking through my bag and sorting it out, and putting things away. I sat my many books side by side on the shelf above my bed, setting my laptop on the desk I flopped down on bed tiredly.

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“Kong, come on. It’s time to wake up”

I heard Dad’s voice as if he were standing a distance from me.

“Come on Kong, you will be late”

His voice was getting louder.

“Late for what ??”

I grumbled rather confused. What the hell ??

“University”

He sighed.

I managed to open my eyes, groaning as I the grinding ache in my stomach reminded me of the need for food. I must have fallen asleep at some point while I was unpacking and missed my pizza. I was laid oddly, my legs on the floor as I laid sidewards on the bed. Not the most comfortable position to be in. I also realised, that I was still in my damp clothes. This was getting better and better.

“Why am I going to Uni today ?? It’s…”

I frowned as I sat up, wincing as I realising I had back ache from my sleeping position.

“It’s Saturday Kong”

Dad sighed and I looked at him. It was still dark out, so he was reduced to a mere dark shadow in front of me.

“Why am I going to Uni on a Saturday ??”

I groaned as I stretched, hearing my bones click.

“I enrolled you a few days ago”

He avoided the question and it didn’t go unnoticed.

“That isn’t an answer”

I pointed out, now sitting and watching him intently. He is better have a good reason for waking me up in the middle of the night.

“I have to go to work in a few minutes, and I am not leaving you here by yourself”

He mumbled and I rolled my eyes and huffed.

Honestly !!

“Dad, I won’t...”

I began but he cut me off.

“Kong, you are going to college, okay. Just go and check it out for the day”

He encouraged, trying to mask the fact that he was ordering me to do something. I slumped my shoulders in defeat. Dad was worried about me, and he didn’t want to leave me by myself. I could understand that, I didn’t exactly look so good, since Mom was gone... If it made him stop worrying so much…

I guess I was going to Uni on Saturday.

“Okay, I will go. But how do I get there ?? My car hasn’t arrived yet”

I asked, resigning myself to the fact I would have no means of convence. I missed my car, I loved that little thing, if the delivery people had hurt my baby they would have to pay !!

“Actually, it arrived last night, after you fell asleep. It’s sitting in the driveway”

He chuckled to himself as I smiled brightly. I loved my car. I was confused about which one to buy, but Arthit had informed me that this one was a good model and I went with his advice.

“Here”

He chuckled as he dropped the car keys into my open palm.

“Okay, when do I have to be there ??”

My spirits high again as I yawned, standing up and stretching. My legs felt horrible and stiff, but after a few steps, they felt a little better.

“Half past Eight”

He told me as he walked out of the room, wishing me good luck before closing the door. I yawned again and stretched, pulling out my phone as I felt it bulging in the pocket. I hope I didn’t break it.

It was six o’clock. That was way too early to even consider being conscious.

I heard the door bang as I set my keys down on the bed, an engine started outside as I walked out to the bathroom. I think it’s the bathroom, I haven’t been here in a while.

I was glad to see that it was the bathroom, and even happier to see it was modern and clean. I jumped into the shower quickly. In few minutes I was out and shuffled to my room with a towel around my waist. The house was silent, and I hated it. I wasn’t used to so much quiet. I needed Arthit here to fill it, to laugh and joke and talk to me.

I have to admit, I was getting passed the stubbornness quickly. I wanted Arthit, I needed Arthit. I felt… empty without him here with me.

I realised I was staring at my wardrobe for a while as I was still wrapped in a towel. I shook my head a little, walking forwards and simply grabbing the first things my hands touched. I didn’t really care what I wore.

This whole Arthit thing had me down. If he was ignoring me, I had no-one to turn to.

It turned out I had picked a pair of jeans and a black shirt, Simple, not too bad, and it lets me blend in. Perfect. I quickly dried off and got dressed, extracting my hair dryer from under my bed and drying my hair in a hurry as I realised it was seven thirty already. I made my way downstairs. I have to admit, I was exploring a little.

I hadn’t been here in so many years, and even then I didn’t remember things that well. But as I walked into the kitchen, I saw my mother's touch in everything, I realised that Dad hadn’t change anything. Maybe he still loved my mom, and that’s why he was trying to understand my pain.

I smelt the lovely smell of cold pizza and dived for the box on the table. Three slices of pepperoni. I guess I could manage with it. I ate as fast as I could, hoping I wouldn’t be late on my first day. I finished my three slices of pizza quite easily. I sat in silence, thinking for a while. The typical things, my mom, college and... Arthit.

I sighed as I looked at the clock hanging above the doorway. It was eight. I have half an hour, but It’s better to start early. I spotted a sticky note on the fridge as I walked passed and stopped to read it. I doubted it was Dad's writing, he didn’t seem that sort of person.

Kong,

I am sorry for dumping the college classes on you on your first day here, but I didn’t like to leave you by yourself all day. You will do fine, don’t worry, but if you need me you can call me at any time at the hospital. I got you a bag, not sure if you like it or not but it has everything you need inside so don’t worry about that. There’s a set of house keys beside the door for you as well.

Good Luck, Dad

I smiled as I finished reading the message. He is worried about me... I wished he has shown this side of him to my mom few years back. Still, its nice to know he cares. I had actually forgotten about a bag, it was a good thing Dad mentioned it. I spotted the bag on a chair and assessed it. It was nice, I liked it. Maybe we can get along with each other.

I turned around, hitching the bag strap further up my shoulder as I locked the door behind me before pocketing the key and making my way towards the drive. There sat my car. I had to control my squeal as I skipped over to it, I kissed the top of it, giving it a hug.

What ?? I was attached with my car.

It was an Audi R-8 and it's Orange... Maybe not the most flattering colour, but it grew on me and I wouldn’t have it any other way. It was my baby.

I unlocked it and got in, throwing my bag in the passenger seat and shutting the door I quickly shoved the key in the ignition and started it, switching the music on full. I sat there for a moment before looking at the small digital clock in the dashboard and reversed quickly.

If I didn’t hurry, I was going to be late.

And I was.

It took me fifteen minutes to find the right way. I slid into an empty parking space and got out quickly, walking quickly towards the building that said Admin office.

“Hello? You must be Kongpob Suthiluck”

I made a small smile appear on my face as I walked up to the counter.

“I am Mrs Smith”

The lady told me in a happy voice.

“Here is your schedule of classes”

She pushed a pile of paper towards me and I took them, not even glancing at them. I got out of there quickly, leaning on the wall outside and looking at the students walli around.

“Are you a new student ??”

A male voice came from my left, and I turned to introduce myself.

“I am Oak”

He held out his hand for a hand shake and I took it hesitantly. He looked so thin with his heavy glasses on his pale face.

“Hey Oak... ”

I heard someone calling from behind, turning around and coming face to face with five other people. There was a tall and buff looking guy, a handsome and studios looking one, a tall good looking girl and lastly a small and friendly looking girl. 

Then there was the boy. He didn’t introduce himself at first, preferring to stay at the back. 

“Hello I am Aim, this is Twe and she is May and Maprang and that's Wad”

The buff looking guy forwarded his hand for a shake this time.

“Kongpob”

I introduced quietly as I said and introducing myself to the group.

“Hey… It's my first day here... So can any of you tell me where is the calculus class ??”

I smiled a little at Aim. 

“It’s okay, I have got calculus next, you can come with me”

Aim smiled as he began to walk away. I stumbled after him as he called a swift good bye to the others.

“Welcome to the University Kongpob, I hope we will be friends for a long time”

Aim told me, obviously noticing my nervous look. I was glad for his friendly behaviour.

“I hope for that too”

I mumbled as we made our way into the college and through a maze of corridors.

Calculus was… boring. I knew calculus pretty well thanks to Arthit. He would help me in class if I got stuck. You know He is really intelligent.

I frowned as I concentrated on Arthit for the hundredth time, screaming at him in my mind. Nothing. No response at all. All I could hear was the scratching of pens on paper in my class as everyone else got to work. There was something missing, someone missing. I needed Arthit. Will he not talk to me ever ??

I could feel my eyes filling with tears at the very thought but I pushed them back. I would be strong. I didn’t need Arthit, or maybe I did. Either way… I could live without him. Everyone else lives without a voice in their head, and so can I.

It didn’t stop me from missing him though. Arthit was my one and only friend, and if he was gone…

I was shook from my thoughts by the bell. I slowly shoved my books in my bag and stood as Aim appeared.

“How was the class ??”

He asked nicely as we dodged crowds of students in the small hallways.

“It was okay”

I shrugged, once again feeling down over the Arthit situation. I felt like I should be doing more, but what else can I do, short of finding him and actually asking him verbally why he is ignoring me.

We spoke no more as I followed Aim to our next class and we sat down. The teacher was busy with some paperwork so me and Aim talked most of the time, keeping my mind from straying to less than happy topics. Aim seemed to sense my bad mood, but kept quiet, for which I was thankful.

I liked Aim. He was a simple boy with a shy smile and friendly nature, he could possibly be my first friend. I am not counting Arthit, he may or may not be real.

Of course I am real Kong !!

I gasped as I heard his voice, my eyes wide as I stared blankly at the book in front of me. It took me a moment to recover from the shock before the old stubbornness reared its head and I glared at the pages.

Leave me alone Arthit.

I huffed, concentrating back on the book.

Kong, I have to....

He began, and I interrupted him. I was slightly annoyed he chose now to talk to me, in the middle of class on my first day.

Oh, so you are talking to me now ?? Save it !! I’m busy !!

I let venom cloud my mind as I glowered at the book beneath me. Arthit tried to talk, his voice still there in the back f my mind, but I started to recite the chapter loudly in my mind, succeeding in blocking him out and doing the work.

“Kong, are you okay ??”

Aim broke my concentration as I frowned at the ground, walking towards the lunch room. I had been invited by him to sit with them at cafeteria, and I accepted. Maybe I didn’t have to be a loner this time, it was a fresh start after all.

“Yeah, I am fine”

I told him, mustering up a small smile.

I could hear the cafeteria from down the hallway, the people inside where that loud. I kept my eyes straight as I walked in after Aim, following him as we both grabbed trays and stood in line.

“Come on Kong”

I felt a nudge in my back as I realised I had fallen back in the queue, I bought a simple brown bread sandwich with iced coffee and stood at the side, as I waited for Aim to get his lunch. He got a chicken burger with Sprite, quickly ushering me towards a table in the middle of the room.

“Hey guys, Kong is going to sit with us”

Aim announced happily as I sat down, not sure if they wanted me there or not. I suppose I could go and eat in my car.

“Welcome Kong.... you can eat with us everyday”

Maprang chirped up loudly, making me blush and duck my head as I took a bite from my sandwich. I was not used to this attention from others. I was the freak, the boy who should be avoided at all costs.

The conversation flowed around me, but I stayed out of it. Aim tried to drag me in a few times, but I simply shrugged and went back to slowly devouring my sandwich. Again, my foul mood was creeping up on me as I kept on shoving Arthit’s voice to the back of my mind, reducing his words to a mere mumble.

KONG! LISTEN TO ME!

I squeaked a little as I dropped my coffee can in shock, not expecting his voice to be so loud.

“Are you okay Kong ??”

Twe asked, and I nodded vacantly, only blushing when I realised everyone on the table was staring at me. Thank God i hadn't open my coffee yet.

“Just remembered something”

I mumbled, and they all nodded or shrugged, the conversation carrying on again as I let my heart calm down again.

Don’t do that !!

I berated him in my mind.

Kong, you have to listen to me. Please, it’s important

He begged and I almost gave in.

Is it the reason you have been ignoring me for the past week ??

I huffed, needing an answer. I was glad to hear his voice again, feeling a little more whole when he was there, not that I would tell him that now. I didn’t care if I was crazy, at least I wasn’t alone.

No… Kong, I am sorry.

He said quietly, but sounded sincere about it. I was rather annoyed.

No. I have gone through hell, over the passed week because I thought I had lost you or something. You can’t just swan back in and say ‘sorry’. If you don’t like this, then don’t bother talking to me ever again !!

I could feel my face getting hot as my anger got the better of me. When I get upset or sad, it sometimes come out in anger. I didn’t want Arthit to leave, he knew that, but I was truly pissed off with him.

I know I hurt you Kong, but this is important!

Why did he keep on going on about this important thing ?? What did it have to do with me anyway ??

Kong, look at what I am seeing.

He ordered me.

I sighed before diving into his mind and looking at what he was seeing.
I always loved to sneak through his vision.

Concentrate Kong !!

He mentally chuckled and I felt a small smile tugging at my lips. Damn him and his lovely chuckle !!

I finally did what he asked, and found nothing of interest. He was in a lunch room too, teenagers shouted at one another across the room, others ate and laughed and talked. I could see Knott and Prem sat opposite him, Bright and Tootah was there too, arguing about something like always.

Look at where I am looking.

He continued quieter, as if worried about something.

I did look where he was looking, but didn’t see much. I saw tables of students laughing and messing around. A poster hung on the wall…

The poster !! What does it say ??

I mentally rolled my eyes at him and his urgency over this, but humoured him.

It says…  Moon and Star competition of Chang mai, Sotus University !!

I was about to question the point of the whole thing until it hit me. Chang mai, Sotus University.

It says Chang mai.

Arthit is looking at a Chang mai University poster.

He is at Chang mai University.

So am I.

Right now.

He is sat in the cafeteria.

Right now.

So am I.

Arthit is at my college right now.

I quickly zoned back into my own world, stepping back from Arthit’s mind so that I could see through my own eyes once more. I ignored Maprang, who apparently was telling about something to me, not noticing that I wasn’t even listening, and looked around.

There it was.

The blue and red poster right in front of me, hanging between two windows. It said exactly what I had read out.

Kong, turn around...

Arthit asked quietly, and I suddenly understood why he was so nervous.

Arthit was here ??

He was real ??

I am not crazy ??

This was huge.

".... so gorgeous, its unbelievable. But I can’t complain, Arthit is… words cannot describe"

Maprang was talking about him...

I was about to turn around and see Arthit before I heard her, my head snapping to her as I stared at her in shock.

She knew Arthit.

It was stupid, I knew it was, but I had always thought of Arthit as my friend, mine and mine alone. But I guess it's not the truth anymore.

“Maprang, you asked him out four times and he turned you down every time”

Oak laughed, making her blush a startling shade of red, and I had to duck my head to hide my smirk.

Wait !! this… this is The Girl ?? The same girl that asked you in front of your friends.

Even in my head I was laughing. I confirmed my suspicions as I hide a snort of laughter. Arthit described this girl as ‘stalker material’, and I suddenly see why. She was fixated on him. Right now, she was gazing off, her eyes glazed over slightly and I shuddered, not wanting to know what she was thinking.

“Anyway, he is perfect. I know he likes me, he just needs time to realise it for himself. I am willing to wait”

She carried on dreamily, everyone on the table hiding their own smirks. I smiled a little genuinely as I saw Aim and the tall beautiful girl, May holding hands beneath the table. It was so sweet !!

Maprang kept going on and on

Kong !!

I couldn’t help it. I turned around and searched for him at the sound of his voice. He was here somewhere.

“Kong, are you listening... ”

Maprang’s voice trailed off as I found what I was looking for and my smile grew so side I think my face will actually ache for a while.

Because as our eyes met across the crowded cafeteria, I felt only happiness. Everyone else went on laughing, totally oblivious to the fact that my life had shifted so greatly that I doubted it would ever be the same again.

It’s nice to meet you Mr. Suthiluck.

I watched the famous dimpled smile grace his face as he sat facing me, ignoring his friends and everyone else as I was. My smile widened, impossibly at the sound of his voice.

It’s nice to finally meet you too Mr Rojnapat.

“Kong, what are you… Oh, that’s Arthit”

Maprang stopped halfway through her sentence, but I was barely listening to her. I had found Arthit. Arthit was right there, across the cafeteria staring right back at me.

“Why is Arthit Rojnapat staring at you !?!”

She asked, sounding rather confused. Even her curiosity couldn’t make my smile falter.

Come here...  

His hazel eyes shined as he looked back at me, a little more as he watched me stand up.

“Kong, where are you going ??”

Aim called, and I was suddenly hit by the fact that everyone had stopped to watch the little exchange.

Damn it !!

I ignored Aim and walked towards Arthit, the students getting out of the way as though I was some sort of celebrity on the red carpet. I didn’t even care enough at all the attention.

Arthit was here !!

Remember what we promised we would do if we ever met each other ??

I smiled as I quirked an eyebrow.

When we were younger, Arthit and I had made a pact. We were best friends, but despite this, meeting would probably be impossible. Or so we thought. I know it was childish, but… Ahhhh. It is Arthit.

I watched as he looked deep in thought for a moment before a huge smile lit up his face. I paused three tables away as Arthit stood up, his arms by his side as he cocked his head to one side.

Come on then....

He taunted as he opened his arms slightly. I giggled a little at the absurdity of it all before running the rest of the distance, my path clear to Arthit. He laughed as I jumped into his arms and he spun me around, both of us laughing.

I can’t believe you are here....

He thought happily as I felt him kiss the top of my head.

I can’t believe you are real.

Arthit......

IS IT REALLY YOU ??

I retorted as I tightened my arms around his neck. He is definitely solid.

Of course I am real, silly.

He chuckled as he set me back on my feet, keeping me steady with a hand on my waist and poking my nose childishly. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him chuckle once again as he pulled me into a rib cracking hug.

It’s good to know I am not crazy too.

He thought quietly, more subdued than before.

I know the feeling

I admitted as he let me go and held me at arms length, looking me up and down as I did the same to him.

“Not bad Kongpob Suthiluck”

“Not too bad yourself Arthit Rojnapat”

We spoke to each other for the first time.

🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌜🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞🌛🌞

A/N: This is the first part of my new Kong Art story. I hope you all will like it give me your feedback and I will update the second part soon.

Till then stay safe and healthy 💖💖