Kongpob stretched his hands as he yawned. He slowly opened his eyes and blinked, adjusting his vision he looked at his side and was greeted by the pouty face of his stepbrother. He just stared at the pale face, his eye tracing the long lashes of the closed eyes and the freely falling hair over the other's forehead. He won't lie that Arthit isn't handsome, with that sharp jawline and the prominent Adam's apple that was now moving in rhythm as soft snores escaped his parted lips, and those sharp dark orbs, anyone would fall for the teenager.

And Arthit proved it when he and Kongpob went to highschool after Arthit transferred for the first time. That was just a day before. The latter had captured the hearts of the girls already. Kongpob could only groan at the sight while his friends were peppering him with questions about his new stepbrother.

Unconsciously Kongpob's hand raised towards Arthit, he slowly parted the other's hair that was falling on the other's eye.

Kongpob's eyes widened when he realised what he was doing, he shot up to sit on his bed and blushed. Smacking his own head he frowned. Without sparing one more glance at the sleeping person he stood up and proceeded with his routine.

He took a hot shower and soon changed into his uniform. His eyes darted towards Arthit's luggage bag which the latter didn't unpack yet. Kongpob shook his head, he had told Arthit at least ten times the past three days the other started staying with him to unpack it but the other just brushed it off telling he would do it later and then the other continued to read his 'precious' magma book.

Kongpob chuckled to himself unconsciously, he bends forward and took Arthit's new set of uniform from the luggage bag. He could only groan seeing how wrinkled it was.

"Is he going to wear this?" Kongpob mumbled to himself.

He glanced at Arthit who was dead asleep on the bed, he's sure that the latter would not even mind ironing the shirt and shorts before he rushes to school. Afterall Arthit would only wake up at the peak-end, making his schedule a mess. Kongpob saw it with his own eyes the previous day when he had to wait for Arthit to get ready to go to school. In the end, Achara was the one who woke Arthit up yesterday after seeing the failed tries of Kongpob.

It was Achara itself who ironed Arthit's uniform yesterday, while she kept on scolding him for not doing his chores right. Kongpob had to muffle his laughter seeing the groaning face of the other.

Kongpob couldn't believe that someone would be soo lazy, that too for the first day of school.

Kongpob sighed before he took Arthit's uniform towards the iron box in his room and started ironing them. He still had a lot of time left, so he could spend a little time on this.

When he was done Kongpob stared at the clothes with a smile on his face. He hung them inside the cupboard. He looked at the time and saw that he still had an hour more before his breakfast time, according to his routine.

With his hands on his lips, he stared at his step brother's luggage bag. He had already made space for the latter's clothes in his large cupboard so the only duty left was to place the clothes inside. Kongpob knows that Arthit will only postpone it, so he decided that he'll do it on behalf of Arthit.

It's not that he wants to help that annoying teenager, he just doesn't want the luggage to take up space in his room. It will make his room look untidy. Yeah, just that. Nothing more, nothing less.

Kongpob unpacked the whole luggage as he whistled. Somehow he enjoyed doing these chores, and it was a thrill to see what all kind of clothes Arthit choose to wear.

When he was placing the last three sets of clothes inside the cupboard he heard a knock on the door before it opened.

Kongpob turned around and was greeted by a smiling Achara. His eyes glanced at his hand which had Arthit's clothes and then at Achara who was now glancing at the empty luggage bag beside him.

"Kong, you unpacked them?" Achara asked in disbelief.

Kongpob could feel his cheeks heating up, he cleared his throat as he turned around and placed the last sets of clothes inside the cupboard and closed them.

"I-I was just-Well, I asked Arthit to unpack them for the past few days but he kept on saying he will do it later. I know he'll not do it so I thought I'll unpack them on his behalf. I don't like my room being messy." Kongpob gulped as he stared back at Achara.

Achara couldn't help but smile at what the latter said, she walked forward and hugged Kongpob surprising the boy.

"Thank you Kong, I know it's been a hard time for you. But, thank you for accepting us." Achara placed a soft kiss on Kongpob's forehead.

Kongpob bit his lips, feeling his eyes heat up by the tears that he was controlling. He smiled softly at the woman.

"It's your breakfast time, right? I came to check on Arthit, he made it difficult for you yesterday so I thought I'll wake him up this time." Achara smiled.

"Sure aunty," Kongpob nodded his head.

"Will, you ever call me Mom?" Achara asked, a bitter smile on her lips.

Kongpob gaped, he doesn't know how to answer that question. Before he could speak Achara patted his shoulder and moved towards Arthit.

"Your breakfast is ready Kong, you can go down and have it." Achara glanced at Kongpob and then proceeded to wake her son up.

Kongpob hummed before he walked outside the room.

"Arthit! Get up!"

Kongpob paused on his tracks, he stood behind the door and silently watched as Achara tried to wake Arthit up.

He chuckled when he saw Arthit cover his head with the blanket making Achara groan.

"This behaviour of yours is troubling Kongpob too! Look at that kid! He's soo disciplined and finished his routine in time! And look at you!" Achara removed the cover from Arthit making the boy cover his face with his hands.

"You brat!" Achara slapped Arthit's leg.

"Mom! Stop!" Arthit's sleepy voice echoed the room.

Kongpob covered his mouth as he tried to not laugh.

Achara facepalmed, she looked at her son and smirked. She knows exactly the way to wake Arthit up.

She leaned down and softly caressed Arthit's ear.

"Mom!" Arthit's eyes shot open.

"Stop! Mom!" Arthit pushed Achara's hand away when she didn't stop caressing Arthit's ears.

"Get up you brat! You'll be late for school!" Achara pulled Arthit's hand.

Arthit pushed his mother away and sat upon the bed, his sleep long gone as he rubbed his ears. Kongpob who was peeking from the door was gaping as he saw Arthit sit up in a flash.

"Mom! You know that my ears are sensitive!" Arthit glared at Achara who just smirked at him.

"And it's an advantage for me to wake you up," Achara said playfully.

Kongpob couldn't help but smile seeing the intersection. Through the past few days he started living with them he got to know that Arthit and Achara are really attached to eachother. Sometimes he could catch Arthit smiling softly at his mother when Kerkkrai showers Achara with his attention. And that sight brought a soft spot in Kongpob's heart.

Just like Arthit and Achara, Kongpob was attached to his father to too. But being the only son Kongpob sometimes felt lonely, because Kerkkrai didn't always have time for him. He's not blaming his father, he knows how much Kerkkrai used to struggle to make ends meet. It's not until Kongpob entered high school that Kerkkrai got promoted and was stable financially.

Kerkkrai made all possible ways to spend time with Kongpob and the latter was happy. But most of the times Kerkkrai had to go for business meetings to other cities and it took 2 days or maximum a week for him to return. Kerkkrai offered to place a nanny for Kongpob but the teenager refused telling he knows how to manage things.

Every moment Kongpob spend with his dad was precious for him. There are many good memories he has with his dad and he always treasured them, reminiscing them when he feels lonely.

"Geez! I'm going!"

Kongpob was snapped out of his trance when he heard Arthit's shrill voice. He shook his head seeing Achara push Arthit to the bathroom. Kongpob sighed before he decided to have his breakfast.

When Kongpob came down the stairs he greeted his dad who was reading the newspaper.

"Had a good sleep son?" Kerkkrai smiled at Kongpob.

"Yes dad," Kongpob smiled back before he walked towards the kitchen to have his breakfast.

"Your breakfast is on the table, son," Kerkkrai called out when he saw his son walk to the kitchen.

Kongpob turned around and checked the dining table, he bit his lips when he saw a well-decorated plate of pancakes. He gazed at his dad who had resumed reading newspaper.

Kongpob walked towards the table and sat on his chair, bringing the plate closer to him, he inhaled the fresh smell of the dish. Before he knew he already started digging in. He moaned at the sweet taste of the pancakes, his eyes shining. He took his time in savouring the food, he hasn't eaten pancakes in a long while.

It's always Kongpob who prepares breakfast for himself since Kerkkrai usually leaves early to the office or he would be sleeping. His father loved his sleep unlike him who woke up early. Kerkkrai used to tease him telling his mother was an early riser like him.

Even though Kongpob doesn't know to cook he knows basic things like toasting the bread and making an omelette. Whenever he makes breakfast it would be bread and omelette or bread and cheese or bread and jam, it always has bread in it. On rare occasions Kerkkrai used to make breakfast for him, most of the times his dad would make pancakes for him since it's Kongpob's favourite dish. But it's been long since Kerkkrai cooked for him.

Even yesterday he had prepared his own food because Achara was late to the kitchen. Achara had apologized to him but Kongpob just said that it's okay and it's him who used to make breakfast. Achara didn't know how Kongpob's routine was.

"Did you like them, dear?"

Kongpob looked up from his plate and smiled widely at Achara as he nodded his head enthusiastically.

"Thank you soo much! I loved them!" Kongpob replied making Achara smile.

"I'm happy to know that, yesterday Kerkkrai had told me pancakes are your favourite. So I decided to make it for you." Achara ruffled Kongpob's hair making the other giggle.

"Thank you, aunty." Kongpob bowed his head.

"You're most welcome, dear."

Kongpob glanced back to his food and resumed eating.

Just a few minutes later Arthit ran down the stairs.

"Mom! Was it you who ironed my shirt?" Arthit walked towards the dining room.

Kongpob choked on his food as he heard Arthit's question, his cheeks started to turn red. He heard Achara asking him to drink some water and he did as he was told.

"Arthit! Slow down, will you? You almost scared the kid!" Achara patted Kongpob's head.

Arthit raised his eyebrow at Kongpob who was avoiding his gaze, he shrugged his shoulders and took a seat in front of Kongpob.

Arthit's eyes fell on the plate of pancakes, he raised his head towards his mom, ready to argue but he was stopped by Achara.

Arthit looked at Achara confused when she pointed at Kongpob. Arthit diverted his attention to the boy and he chuckled seeing how the latter was eating. Kongpob looked soo happy eating the pancakes that made Arthit want to pinch those cheeks.

Arthit no! Control yourself!

Arthit cleared his throat, he took the plate of pancakes that was for him and started eating it even though he didn't like them. Achara smiled at her son and gestured him that she'll make his favourite the next day.

Arthit just nodded his head and continued to have his breakfast while his eyes occasionally fell on Kongpob. Smiling internally when he saw the latter smiling as he ate.

This boy should smile more, always showing his grumpy face to me! Tsk!

******

"Your stepbrother have all the girls wrapped around him."

Kongpob looked up at his friend who gazed at Arthit and his group from across the playground. It was their recess hour and most of the students used to have their lunch at the playground or the canteen hall.

"So? What should I do? Stop looking at them Aim," Kongpob shook his head. He had already completed his lunch and was doing his maths assignment.

"Oi Kong! Tell me how it's living with him!" Kongpob felt a hold on his shoulder making him look at his friend.

"Don't remind me Maprang," Kongpob rolled his eyes.

"Is it that bad?" Maprang pouted, glancing between Arthit who was laughing with his friends and at Kongpob.

"Yes! It's disastrous!" Kongpob groaned.

"Really? It won't be that bad?" It was May who asked him this time.

"Why are you girls wanting to know about him?" Oak raised his eyebrow at the girls.

"Just wanted to know. Tell us na! It's your brother anyway." Maprang started to shake Kongpob's shoulder.

Kongpob groaned at Maprang, somehow he felt angry when everyone kept on repeating that Arthit was his stepbrother.

"For god's sake will you guys stop ogling at him!? I'm trying to complete my assignment!" Kongpob was fed up.

His friends shared a glance at eachother.

"Why are you behaving like his lover?" May rolled her eyes.

Kongpob's eyes widened, he opened his mouth to say something but he couldn't find his voice.

"You have never been this aggressive! Geez! Are you jealous that now girls won't look at you?" Oak teased his friend.

"Wh-What? No-No!" Kongpob facepalmed.

"He's jealous of Arthit," Aim laughed.

Kongpob groaned, "Just stop it guys! You don't know how irritating he's! He teased me for having a 'baby food'," Kongpob quoted with his fingers irritated

"He teases me for wearing plain coloured clothes! Tells me I'm too slow to dress up! He doesn't clean his own things! He doesn't wake up early and makes my morning a mess! It takes hours for him to just wake up! He always finds a way to irritate me!" Kongpob kept on blabbering and his friends could only muffle their laughter.

"And that annoying smile of his! Whenever he talks to me he has this smirk on his face! He always shows that damn dimpled smile! It makes me go crazy! I'm just soo frustrated!" Kongpob slumped on his seat.

His friends glanced at Kongpob, they don't know how to say this to him but one thing that they know is that Kongpob has fallen hard for his so-called stepbrother.

"Don't worry, we're here to help you." Aim sympathetically patted Kongpob's shoulder.

"Yeah Kong, you'll soon understand your feeling and I bet, Arthit feels the same too." May wiped her fake tears.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Kongpob stared at his friends confused.

"Nothing my child, there's nothing wrong with you." Maprang caressed Kongpob's hair making the latter roll his eyes.

"This is why we say that you should at least should have been in a relationship," Oak shook his head.

Kongpob looked at his friends weirdly, he shrugged his shoulders. His eyes unconsciously searched for Arthit, he doesn't know why but he always gets worried for the latter. Since Arthit was new here he feared someone will bully him, there had been cases like that before so he just wants to make sure everything is fine.

Seeing Arthit joke around with his group of friends made Kongpob sigh. Arthit had managed to form his own circle. When they returned home last day Kongpob had found his courage to ask how the latter could make friends soo quickly. Because when he noticed them he could see that they talked as if they knew eachother for years.

"You made friends soo quickly," Kongpob casually told when he was preparing for bed.

Arthit who was already on the bed, reading his magma. Arthit turned around to face Kongpob who was trying to show that he wasn't much interested in the topic and was just stating the fact.

Arthit chuckled, "Yeah, well I have known three of them from a long time. We used to go to elementary school together."

Kongpob looked up at Arthit surprised, he took a seat on the bed and curiosity took over him.

"Aw! So why did they change school?"

Arthit leaned on his right hand as he stared at Kongpob. He liked it when the other talked soo casually with him.

"Well, Bright's father got a transfer so he had to move. Namtan's father decided to change her to a better school and Knott, he got a scholarship here."

Kongpob's mouth formed an 'O' as he nodded his head. He knows the three friends Arthit mentioned, even though they're in different sections he had heard about them. Even Arthit is not in his class, their classes are different and it somehow disappointed him.

"You're soo curious about my friends," Arthit smirked.

"Huh?" Kongpob's eyes widened, "No! I'm not!"

"Yes, you're! Tell me! Do you have a crush on any one of them?" Arthit wiggled his eyebrows.

Kongpob shot up from where he sat, "What!? No!"

Arthit pulled Kongpob's hand making the latter fall upon him.

"Arthit!" Kongpob tried to wiggle out of the grip but Arthit had strong arms. Arthit caged Kongpob's arms and leaned down, a smirk on his lips.

"Then, do you have a crush on me?" Arthit's soft breath brushed Kongpob's cheeks.

Kongpob stared into the dark orbs, feeling himself get lost. He felt soo overwhelmed, his heart was beating fast against his chest and there were butterflies in his stomach making his toes curl.

Kongpob diverted his eyes when he felt Arthit brushing his hair away from his forehead. Kongpob took control of himself and pushed Arthit away.

"S-st-stop spouting nonsense!"

And he heard Arthit's sweet laughter.

Kongpob shook his head at the memory, he could feel the back of his neck and cheeks heat up but he pretended to not know anything.

Staring at the assignment in front of him, he didn't know what to do because nothing was coming to his mind. The only thing that rushed into his head was that annoying dimpled smile.

"Yeah, I doubt if she is Arthit's  girlfriend."

Kongpob's ears perched up. His eyes immediately fell on Arthit. His jaws clenched when he saw Namtan wipe Arthit's lips while Arthit was just laughing. Kongpob felt an uncomfortable knot in his chest when he saw Namtan placing the straw of Arthit's drink in his mouth and they two were sharing the glances.

"Kong, do you know anything about them?" Maprang asked.

"How would I know!?" Kongpob snapped.

"Jeez! You're soo feisty," Maprang scoffed. She shared a glance with others and smiled slyly.

Kongpob waa unconsciously griping too hard on his pencil while he was throwing daggers at the two people across the playground.

Kongpob gasped when Arthit looked at his direction. He wanted to move his eyes away from the latter but he felt himself staring back at him.

He watched as the teasing smile on Arthit's lips disappear and within a second it was replaced by a sweet dimpled smile which made Kongpob's heart flutter.

And what happened next made Arthit gasp, making his group of friends glance at him.

Kongpob softly smiled back at Arthit before he diverted his gaze and resumed doing his assignment feeling a jump in his heart. A small shy smile lingering on his lips making his friends share a knowing smile.

*****

So! How was it!?

I hope it came up to your expectations siaitiyu

I was smiling to myself as I wrote this chapter!

The chapter will take a little more time since my exams are starting. Writing always bring relaxation to me that's the reason I was able to update this soon since I used my spare time writing and it finished faster than I thought 😅

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter!

Love you!❤️❤️