Without rain nothing grows,
Learn to embrace the storms of your life.

BEAM'S POV

(A/N : This is how I imagined Beam's house)

I was walking slowly into my house. I didn't see my Pa's car so I thought he hadn't come home yet. I tried to walk down the hall from the garage to the living room and crossing the hallway to my room. I breath a sigh of relief when I made it into my room.

“Why are you coming home this late ?”

My father's voice echoed throughout my room. I almost had a heart attack because of that. I saw my father sitting on the couch located in the corner of my room.

“P'Pha has an extra class so Beam was waiting for him quite a long time before deciding to go home by taxi first.” I replied, standing awkwardly in the middle of the room. Of course I didn't tell the details of my meeting with Forth.

My father sighed. “Have you eaten ?” he asked.

“Um... Beam had eaten with his friend,” I replied. My father nodded and motioned me to sit next to him. I just walked and sat next to him.

“Looks like Phana will be busy, you want Uncle Lee to take you to your university ?” he asked. I frowned hearing that.

“Pa... I can drive myself and I passed the driving license test. Can't I drive my own car ?” I asked.

My father looked at me sharply. “If Pa says no then it's a no,”

I was annoyed. “Then why is P'Pha allowed and I'm not ?” I protested.

“He is older than you,” my father answered.

“We're only one year adrift,” I protested again. My father glared at me and refused to say anything more about it. I turned my face and laid down on the couch, giving my back to my father.

“You should understand why I forbid you,” he said.

Of course I understand his concern. My mother died in a car accident. At that time I was in the car but the medical team could only save me and not my mother. Although in my opinion this has absolutely nothing to do. But I knew I won't be able to change his mind.

“Pa can't lose someone Pa loves anymore,” I heard his voice tremble. I turned my body and looked at him.

“Alright... alright old man. Geez... don't sulk now.” I tried to calm my father. My father smiled broadly at my reaction. Anyway P'Pha will help me convince Pa if I win the competition.

(A/N : Mario Maurer as Beam and Pha's father.)

My father ruffled my hair.

“How was your day today ?” he asked.

I just shrugged my shoulders.

“Pa heard that the Jaturapoom's son is also competing in the competition,” he said. I pout again. I was sick of hearing my Pa's lecture about the Jaturapooms'.

“I'm sure you can win. All you need to do is stay away from him and everything will be fine,” he tried to convince me.

I just rolled my eyes and answered. “Hmm...”

My father smiled contentedly at my answer and stood up. “Then rest.” he said, ruffling my hair again. Before leaving my room once again my father looked at me. I just smiled thinly.

“Pa believes in you. Pa knows Beam won't disappoint Pa.”

I sat still on my couch watching my father go out of my room. I started to feel guilty for lying to my father. If only my father knew what I was doing today. Not only did I go with Forth but I also rode a motorcycle for the first time in my life. I was sure if my father knew, he wouldn't let me out of the  house at all.

I rubbed my face with my hands feeling somewhat frustrated.

You did nothing wrong Beam. Forth and you just go and eat outside. Riding a motorcycle is not illegal. Millions of people ride motorcycles in this world.

I nodded to myself and put my bag on my study table and walked towards the bathroom. I looked into the mirror in my bathroom and realized that I was still wearing Forth's jacket. I took off his jacket and put it on the bathroom hanger. I started changing my uniform. I remember how Forth's face was, after he failed repeatedly to tie his tie. A smile spread on my face thinking about that.

“Usually Mae puts my tie on,” he said at the time.

Tsk. Mama's boy.

His character really doesn't match with his appearance which looks like a delinquent.

But Forth is not as bad as I thought. His ignorant face was annoying but talking to him was quite a pleasant thing. He is also good at playing games. He is kind too. He didn't even care if he gets wet or not in the rain while looking for a taxi to get me home. Unfortunately he is a Jaturapoom. If not, we could have been good friends.

After showering and cleaning myself I walked into the laundry room. I looked at the washing machine in confusion. I reached for my mobile and looked for videos of ‘how to wash clothes in washing machine’. This is my first time trying to wash a cloth by myself.

“Young master, what are you doing ?” I looked at Aunt Pim who walked towards me.

(A/N : Forth's leather jacket that Beam has with him.)

“I want to wash this jacket,” I said. Aunt Pim looked at the jacket in my hand.

“Better wash it with hands. If it's washed in washing machine, the leather jacket can be easily damaged,” explained Aunt Pim.

“Let Aunt wash it,” she said, pulling the jacket from my hand. I pulled the jacket back from her hands.

“It's okay, Aunt. I'll wash it myself. Can Aunt teach me how to wash it ?” I asked. Aunt Pim looked at me in surprise but then she relented. I washed the jacket with instructions given by Aunt Pim.

“It's better to let it dry naturally.” Aunt Pim explained.

“So it can't dry by tomorrow morning ?” I asked somewhat disappointed.

“It's not good if it gets overheated,” Aunt Pim said. I can only nod in agreement and hang Forth's jacket on the clothesline on the second floor.

“So, whose jacket is that?” Aunt Pim looked at me curiously as we went down to the first floor.

“Friend's” I answered, trying to avoid the interrogation.

“Friend ?” Aunt Pim looked at me suspiciously.

“You don't believe me ?” I asked, walking faster than Aunt Pim. I can hear my Aunt Pim chuckling behind me.

Oh God... What have I do I do now ?

*****

From the second day of the Moon and Star training, P'Pha couldn't drop me off since he was busy with his class. But there is Kit, my bestfriend, who can drop me off to training. Of course I use the Stars as the bait to lure him in.

(A/N : Panuwat Kerdthongtavee as Kit Intochar)

“Wait here na,” I said to Kit before walking to the dressing room. For the next 4 days, we will practice dancing. Something that I do not like at all. The nice thing is that we are allowed to wear casuals clothes instead of uniform during training. I walked back to Kit and handed my stuff to him. I saw Kit had already started talking to the Moon of Faculty of economics and the Moon of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science.

Not long after P'Sway asked us to gather for the practice. I glanced across the room but I didn't see Forth.

Tsk.

He must be late again.

I tried to focus on P'Sway who was introducing our dance instructor, P'May. P'May introduces herself and takes over the activities from P'Sway. I thought it would only be a simple dance move but that was just my imagination. I felt like they are torturing us by teaching some complicated move for the past two hours. I'm even more willing to study Basic Anatomy for hours than doing this. And where the hell is Forth, when I have to experience all this suffering alone !? When P'May allowed us to rest for 15 min I immediately ran towards Kit.

“Remind me why I'm doing this?” I asked Kit while sitting down on the table and trying to breathe. Kit laughed and handed me a drink. I immediately took it and chucked it down.

“Because P'Pha will help you get permission to drive your own car,” Kit reminded me.

I lean my head on Kit's shoulder. “Right! I have to win this stupid competition to get my own car” I said, punching my fist in the air.

Suddenly I could feel someone patting my shoulder. I turned sideways and was surprised when I saw P'Pha was sitting next to me.

“I thought Phi was busy ?” I asked.

“Phi came here because Phi was worried about you,” he said, handing me something. I looked at pink milk in P'Pha hand. I received the pink milk from P'Pha and started drinking it.

“Oi Phi... isn't there anything for me?” Kit asked while frowning.

“Aw... sorry na N'Kit. Phi didn't know that you would wait for Beam here.” P'Pha said looking guilty at Kit.

But I see that I'm not the only person who P'Pha had given pink milk to. I glanced at Wayo who was staring at P'Pha confusingly from his seat while holding the pink milk. I smiled knowingly.

“P'Pha, do you want me to fix a date for you with him ?” I asked. P'Pha and Kit looked at me.

“Huh... ?”

“Well, if you don't want then... Phi can try to chase him by yourself,” I said, leaning my body against the wall. Kit looked at me asking for an explanation but I just smiled. P'Pha looked at me sharply.

“Tsk... say what you want ?” P'Pha said while taking a quick glance at Wayo.

I smiled broadly. “Car for a day” I asked. P'Pha looked at me in disbelief.

“Forget it,” he said.

I snorted. “Whatever” I said while drinking my pink milk. P'Pha stood up.

“Phi has to go back. Later Phi will pick you up,” he said. I looked at P'Pha sullenly. He ruffled my hair before saying goodbye to Kit and left us alone. I exhaled annoyingly and put down the pink milk that was in my hand. Now it taste bland.

But not long after I saw my mobile vibrating. On the screen was P'Pha's message.

“Evil brother : Only one day and only if you can invite Wayo to have dinner with us.”

Kit stared at my mobile screen over my shoulder. Kit and I looked at each other and smiled broadly. I typed, “Leave it to me.”

(A/N : Suradet Piniwat as Wayo Panitchayasawad)

I glanced at Wayo and he was looking at me too. I smiled at him and Wayo smiled back. Soon P'May called us to continue the torture. After the two hours going through hell, I felt like my whole body was disabled. When P'May let us go home, I ran towards Wayo.

“Hey Wayo...” I said while putting my arms around his shoulders. Wayo was surprised but he smiled broadly.

“Hi Beam, what's up ?” he asked.

“Want to have dinner with me and my friend ?” I asked. He looked at me suspiciously.

“Come on. There's a new restaurant at the next corner of our campus and they have tasty noodles, come with me na ~” I pleaded by making a puppy face. Wayo looked at me doubtfully for a moment before nodding. I smiled happily and took my hand off from Wayo.

​“I'll wait for you at the exit na,” I said. Wayo nodded and walked towards the dressing room. I walked towards Kit.

“How did it go ?” asked the curious Kit.

I smiled broadly and gave my hand for a high-five. Kit smiled showing his dimples and made a high five with me. I reached for my mobile phone and typed

“Noodle shop at the next corner of our campus” and send it to P'Pha. I saw P'Pha typing

“Evil Brother : You are indeed the best younger brother.”
​
I put my mobile back into my pant's pocket when Wayo walked towards me and Kit. Wayo joined us and walked to the parking lot. Kit drove us to the restaurant at corner of our campus. When we arrived at the restaurant, P'Pha was already there sitting on the table for four. Wayo was surprised to see P'Pha but he did not comment about it. And only that time I saw P'Pha who was looking nervous in front of Wayo. I and Kit were sitting on the other side of the table and we made Wayo sit with P'Pha. Throughout the night, I and Kit enjoyed our times while making fun of P'Pha in front of Wayo. P'Pha's flustered face was worth looking. After eating, finally P'Pha ventured to take Wayo home. I saw Wayo walking next to P'Pha with a shy face, while P'Pha grinned happily. They left me and Kit who could only stare at them with envy.

“I'm going to the washroom,” I said after the couple completely disappeared from our sight. Kit just nodded and walked to his car. I was surprised to see so many students in engineering uniforms in front of the washroom. They looked at me with their signature cold face, making me froze inside the washroom.

“Oh N'Beam” a familiar voice made me breathe again. I ventured to walk in and wai to P'Kongpob. P'Kongpob smiled and gave me a way. When I finished my business, P'Kongpob and his friends were still gathered in front of the sink.

“How was your rehearsals today?” he asked kindly. I smiled while washing my hands.

“I almost died, Phi,” I complained. P'Kongpob just laughed.

“Tsk... it's good that Forth skipped today's rehearsals,” I said.

P'Kongpob smiled thinly. “Honestly, he wanted to come today. But because he had fever, Mae forbade him.”

P'Kongpob's words made me speechless.

“Big muscled men seem to get sick too,” he said, laughing. But I don't find the joke funny.

Someone patted P'Kongpob on the shoulder and gestured to leave immediately with his thumb. P'Kongpob nodded and looked at me. “See you later na N'Beam.” he said before going out. 

I paused for a moment before walking to Kit's car. Kit drove me back home.

“What's wrong Ai'Beam ?” he asked in the middle of the road. I looked at him confused.

“Usually you don't keep your mouth shut. You will become a chatterbox, talking about either girls or P'Pha,” he said. I looked at him for a moment before turning back to look at my mobile.

“Nothing,” I replied.

I sighed softly and continued to stare at my mobile.

Was it because of me that Forth became sick ?

I opened my contact list and looked for P'Kongpob's number. But I did nothing. There's no way I will ask for Forth's number from P'Kongpob.

I should have asked his phone number yesterday.

No. We are not that close yet.

It was strange if I asked his number even after I said to myself that I would stay away from him.

I sighed again.

That idiot.

I shouldn't have left him alone in the rain yesterday night.

I pulled my hair frustratingly.

“Argh... whatever!” I shouted.

Kit looked at me. “Hey are you okay ?” he asked in concern.

I frowned and looked outside the window. It started to rain again.

*****

Published on 19 May 2020.