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"He has been ignoring me. How can I make him forgive me? It seems like there's only winter left in this world. Is there any way to melt all the ice between us? Could you tell me the answer?"

Sky

Sky sat eating a sandwich when his phone pinged with an incoming message. He sighed, knowing fully well that it would be Pai. He knew that he was not angry with Pai, just.. disappointed. It was almost as if it was impossible for him to find love. He didn't blame Pai (well, maybe a bit), because he knew that he may have come on too strong, but it was not like Pai had not responded. It definitely had not been one sided, right? Sky sighed again. He was tired of all this hide and seek. Maybe it was time to throw down the gauntlet.

Phayu

Phayu sat at his table, reviewing for the exam. With the student council elections coming up, just popularity or a clear agenda would not suffice. Good results were mandatory too. Phayu was in no way a poor student, placing consistently in the top 1% of his class, but maybe it was time to become like Rain and be right on the top. He looked up when his phone rang. "Hello, what's up?" he asked. "What are you doing?" Pai asked on the other end. "I am studying. You need something?" Phayu said. "How is your revision going?" Pai asked. "Why are you asking me this? This is so not like you. So weird," Phayu said, a tad bit suspiciously. "Nothing, just..," Pai trailed off. "Tell me! What's wrong?" Phayu asked, feeling a bit worried. "Do you know a guy named Sky in your school? I would like you to do me a favour," Pai said. "Okay, tell me what you want me to do?" Phayu asked. He listened intently for a while, then nodded. "Okay, I will tell him," he said.

The next morning, Phayu made his way to Sky. "Sky, are you free to talk?" he asked the boy, who sat on a bench leaning against the table behind him. "What's the matter?" Sky asked. "Rain has been troubled recently because of you," Phayu said. "What does it have to do with you?" Sky asked, smirking. "I am worried to see him upset because of you," Phayu said. "Even I am not worried, why should you be?" Sky asked. "Yes, I know you have been close to him lately." "No, no. Don't get me wrong. I really care about him. I hope you can accept me," Phayu said. "We are in the final year of high school. Why are you getting close to him now?" Sky asked, curiously.

"I didn't expect to be friends with him. It's just that, he appeared at the lowest moment of my life and helped me. I can still meet him now and be so close to him. I really feel that it's so unreal," Phayu said, smiling shyly and blushing lightly. "Why is there the smell of love?" Sky asked, rolling his eyes. "Hey! Don't misunderstand. We are not together yet," Phayu said. "So.. you don't want to be just friends with him?" Sky was immediately pointing his finger at Phayu. "Well.. I..," Phayu was unable to say anything, he was that flustered. "Let me tell you, liking someone is very difficult. Especially Rain. He is good in everything, but his talent in love is less than 1%," Sky said, making Phayu giggle. "So, should I thank you now?" he asked, looking slyly at Sky. Sky thumped Phayu on the back. "You are really a fool!" Sky said, as both of them burst out laughing.

Phayu looked at Sky smiling. "But I have one more important thing to tell you," he said. "What is it? Tell me?" Sky said, still smiling playfully, not noticing how Phayu had gone a bit serious. Phayu dug something out of his pocket and held it out to Sky. "This is from my best friend and bro Pai. He wanted me to give it to you. This is the first time that I have seen him treat someone so sincerely. Please give him a chance?" Phayu said, keeping Sky's chain in the open palm he had extended towards the other boy.  "Why didn't he bring it to me himself?" Sky asked, pouting, and looking away. "He came to you so many times. But you didn't let him explain. Please give him one more chance. Think about it," Phayu said, lowering his voice, making Sky look at him. "This necklace was fixed by him," he added, keeping the chain in front of Sky and running away, calling out a hurried 'bye' over his shoulder. Sky stared at his retreating back, completely disgruntled.

Sky

Sky watched as Phayu left, and then stood up to leave himself, but his eyes were drawn to the chain Phayu had left on the table. He picked it up, and stroked its surface, eyes betraying his thoughts about Pai.

Sky looked at the boy pacing around in front of his apartment. His heartbeats picked up speed, but he took a deep breath. He had already once been hurt by someone he cared for deeply. But he hadn't lost his faith in love completely. Yes, it was true that Pai had asked for a moment to think, but he had been consistent in his pursuit of Sky, and Sky knew that he was slowly being worn down by Pai's persistence. But he still wanted to see what the other boy would say.

Pai

Pai paced up and down, continually looking at his phone, willing it to ring, or hoping there would be a message. Sky was late. Why was Sky late? Was he in trouble? Had his ex found him? Pai was going crazy with these multitudes of thoughts in his head. He finally recorded a message to send to Sky. Sorry. I know I am annoying you like this, but the stupidest way I can think of is to wait for you downstairs. Because I really want to see you. Could you reply to me?

Rain

"Rain, why don't you have a seat? Dad and Mom have something to say to you," his mother said, as his father looked on. Rain sat quietly, wondering what had happened now. "I thought that after giving you a chance, you would know how to grasp it, reflect upon yourself, and correct it. In the end, you still screwed up," his father said. "You have been letting us down lately. After much discussion with your dad, we have decided to strengthen your discipline. Give me your phone," his mom said. "Why?" Rain asked. "Do it," his father said, polishing his glasses. Rain reluctantly handed over his phone to his mother. "I will turn on your phone's location system," she said, opening her own phone. "So from now on, your father and I can track your daily location, lest we lose contact like last time, we can at least know where you are," she said. "If you don't know self-discipline, let us help you," his father added.

"Mom, I have seldom worried you until now. Is it necessary to distrust me like that? This way, I have no privacy at all," Rain said. "Privacy? What right do you have to talk to me about privacy? Your only responsibility right now is to study hard and go home on time," his father shouted. "Rain, we do this for your own good. Do you know that you are at a very important stage right now?" his mother said. "For my good? Have you ever asked me what I want? You want me to become the second you," Rain said, feeling stressed, as his mom looked on in shock. "The second me? With your conduct right now? By having such low demands on yourself, you won't make it in ten or even twenty years!" his father shouted again.

By now, Rain was fed up. "What if I make it?" he asked rudely. His father banged the table. "You better watch your mouth young man," he said, pointing a finger at Rain. "Enough Rain! Stop contradicting your father. It's just installing a location system. Here, take it," his mother said, returning his phone to him. "Go to your room and study." Rain controlled his temper as much as he could and stood up from the table, walking to the direction opposite to his room. "Where are you going?" his father asked. "I am going to the convenience store. You can check anyway," he said, pointing towards his mother's phone, then walking out.

Phayu

Phayu ran towards a dejected looking Rain, worried out of his mind. "Look at you. It's so cold. Why aren't you wearing a coat?" Phayu said, throwing his umbrella away and putting a coat around Rain. "Why were you looking for me in such a hurry?" Phayu asked, as Rain stared at him. Phayu had run out without a second thought the moment he had received Rain's message. Now he looked at the boy who was his world. Rain looked like he was in a daze. "I just wanted to talk to someone," Rain said. "Here I am. What's up?" Phayu asked. "I hate my family and my father more and more," Rain said, voice rising, and eyes filling with tears. "I really can't take it anymore. They only care about my grades and what others think about me. They even installed a location system on my phone." "They must be worried about you," Phayu said, trying his best to diffuse the situation.

"I don't think so," Rain scoffed. "They may just do this so that if something happens to you, they can find you as soon as possible," Phayu said. "No! You don't understand! I feel like I am getting further and further away from him now, you know?" Rain's voice cracked. "So why don't you tell him these words directly?" Phayu asked. "You are the only one to hear these. It's okay if you don't comfort me. Instead, are you trying to teach me?" Rain asked, crying now. "No, I just want to help you," Phayu said, keeping calm, knowing Rain needed him. "Who are you to tell me these things?" Rain asked, pushing Phayu away. "You don't have a dad like mine! How could you understand what I am feeling now?" Rain shouted. Phayu took a step back, shocked at Rain's words. He looked away for a moment and swallowed the lump in his throat. Then he cupped Rain's cheeks and wiped his tears. "It's okay, stop crying, okay," he said, comforting the boy despite his own heartbreak.

The next day, Phayu was extremely distracted during the practice. The remaining band members looked worried. Pai stopped the members from playing. "What is happening to the vocals?" he asked. "Phayu!" Fah called out, hitting him on his knee. Phayu looked like he was coming out of a daze. "Where are we going?" he asked, looking lost. "To your home," Fah said. "Are you okay?" Cho asked. Phayu looked around at his guys, feeling terrible. He stood up, apologising deeply, and decided to continue practice as usual.

He paced in his room, unable to understand what was happening to him. he felt as if there was a weight on his chest that wouldn't go away. He didn't want to blame Rain because he knew the other boy didn't mean it. But he couldn't forget the hurt he had felt at Rain's words. He plonked down on his bed and took off his glasses, running his hand through his hair. He sighed and fell face down on the pillow. His mother came up the stairs and knocked on his open door. He immediately sat up. "Mae? What happened?" he asked. "Phayu my boy? What are you doing?" she asked, leaning against the jamb. "I am okay," Phayu said, putting his glasses back on. "I am okay? I didn't even ask you and you said I am okay. Something must have happened. We haven't shared our doings today. So? How was your day?" his mom asked, adjusting his chair and leaning against it.

"How was the band?" she asked. "It was good." "And your new friend?" she asked, grinning. Phayu smiled. "It's good. It's all good," he said. His mom smiled and nodded. "All right. It's good that everything is fine. It's time to sleep," she said. "You go to bed too Mae," Phayu said, lying down. His mom came closer and covered him with his blanket, tucking him in. "Don't think too much. Just quickly go to sleep. Tomorrow will be a better day," she said, as she removed his glasses and put them aside. She stroked his hair. "And remember, you can tell me anything you want," she said. "I know Mae. Now go sleep! Love you," he said. "Me too! Good night lu," she said, switching off the light before leaving the room, looking back one last time at Phayu.

Pai

Pai woke up from his sleep and looked at his phone for the time. The car had hardly been a comfortable place. But he did not want to miss Sky today as well. He stood up as soon as he saw Sky walking out. "Good morning," he said. Sky hesitated for a second. "I am going to be late for class," Sky said, before walking on. "Did you sleep well? I brought you breakfast," Pai said, walking alongside Sky. "Can you give me a chance to take care of you?" Pai asked, his heart in his mouth. Sky stopped and turned around. He walked back to Pai, taking the packet containing the breakfast Pai had brought for him. "I will call you after school" he said, walking away. Pai looked at the boy, relieved that he was at least getting a chance.

Rain

Rain watched as his father gave an interview on television. He spoke of all the tenets he forced his son to follow as well. Rain's mouth contorted in irony. He turned off the programme in anger. He was really fed up of his father's behaviour towards him. he left home and walked, his rambles taking him to in front of Phayu's Mae's restaurant. He watched as she prepared the soup for the noodle bowls, and felt a stir in his heart. "Mae?" he called out. "Rain! Are you here to meet Phayu?" she asked, looking happy to see him. "He didn't answer my phone," Rain said, feeling sad. "Have you eaten? Even if you are in a bad mood, you must eat. How about chicken shredded noodles?" she asked. "Thank you Mae," he said, sitting on a stool in front of her.

"Look at you! You look like a sad puppy," she said, and he smiled. She quickly set a bowl in front of him. "Eat while it is hot, okay? Eat well," she said, turning away. "Thank you," he whispered. She turned away to go inside when he suddenly held her hand. "Mae?" She hummed. "What if I said something that made Phayu unhappy?" he asked. This time, it was her turn to hum. "It depends on whether you meant it or it was said in anger," she said. Rain thought back to the day Phayu had come running to him. "Who are you to tell me these things?" Rain had asked, pushing Phayu away. "You don't have a dad like mine! How could you understand what I am feeling now?" he had shouted. "I really don't know how to get along with people," he said. "It must be because I spend so much time studying," he said, sounding sage.

"But that day, I heard Phayu say that many of your classmates at school like you very much," Phayu's mom said, as she sat on a stool in front of Rain. "He said your grades are good and you are active in whatever you do, aren't you?" "That's what my dad wants me to do, not what I want," Rain countered immediately. "Then what do you want to do? What things make you happy?" she asked. "I am not quite sure. I actually haven't thought about it at all. But I really envy Phayu," he said. Phayu's mother leaned forward. "Actually, all parents love their kids. They will treat their kids in the way they think is best. It's just that maybe kids don't like those methods. So you should ask yourself," she said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "What does Rain want? Then communicate with your parents. Or how else would they know what you want? When you have figured it out, talk to them. And then they will know." Rain nodded. "Do the same with Phayu. Communicate," she said. Rain hummed, smiling a bit. "All right, eat the noodles. You will have strength after you eat," she said. "Thank you Mae," Rain said, as he quickly ate what she gave.

The next morning, Rain looked all over the school for Phayu, finally finding him in the school auditorium, strumming a guitar and adding melody to some lyrics. Rain stood at the entryway, knowing that he had hurt Phayu, and feeling terrible about it. But there was a bigger emotion in his heart at that moment. Phayu had been a really good friend to him, so it was probably wrong to feel what he felt for him, right? Rain walked right upto Phayu and took a deep breath. He was about to speak when Phayu looked up. "What are you doing here?" Phayu asked, a smile on his face. Rain clapped softly. "What?" Phayu asked. "I think your performance right now was great," Rain said. Phayu laughed and patted the space next to him. "Take a seat," he said. Rain sat down. "What's up?" Phayu asked.

"I couldn't reach you all day yesterday. I am wondering if you are still angry," Rain asked, pouting a bit. Phayu laughed again. "I have been busy practicing lately. And.. how could I possibly be mad at you?" he said. "No. I think I should apologise to you in person. I shouldn't have taken out my anger on you just because I was in a bad mood," Rain said. Phayu looked thoughtful. "What's the matter?" Rain asked. "Then I am sorry too," Phayu said. "Why?" Rain asked. "Because I was wrong too. We grew up in different environments. I didn't know you were so stressed. So, in the future, if something happens, let me know, okay? I don't want it to be like this time," Phayu said. "If we quarrel, we make up. If we quarrel again, it will be okay after we make up again," Rain said, smiling his bunny smile at Phayu, who laughed and shook his head.

Suddenly, Rain gestured to Phayu to come closer. "What?" Phayu asked. Rain gestured again. Phayu leaned towards Rain and Rain leaned in as well. "Now that we have made up, shall we quarrel again?" he whispered into Phayu's ears. Phayu quirked a brow. "Nonsense!" he exclaimed, as both of them laughed, relieved to have put their first fight behind them. "I liked a part of your singing right now," Rain said, all of a sudden. "I know which part you are taking about," Phayu said, immediately strumming his guitar. "This part, right?" as Rain nodded. "Let's sing it together?" Phayu asked, as he continued to play. Rain picked up the lyrics perfectly, and he sang along with Phayu, a feeling of wonder settling into his heart.