BEAM'S POV

It's the third day of training. I smiled broadly because I could drive my own car today. As usual, P'Pha has a lab activity this afternoon. But my smile disappears when I couldn't find Forth anywhere.

Is he still sick ?

I looked at P'Kongpob. He is talking with several stars. I sigh softly. There's no way I'm asking about Forth to P'Kongpob. I ignored my thoughts about Forth and changed my uniform to casual clothes. Exactly at 2 PM, P'May asked everyone to gather and started calling out our names. When P'May called out Wayo's name, Forth ran into the room while holding Wayo's hand. All eyes were on Forth and Wayo who was panting in the middle of the room.

“We did it !” said Wayo happily, smiling broadly at Forth. Forth nodded and smiled broadly back at Wayo.

P'May walked towards them and put her hands on her waist. I can't see her expression because of her back was facing us. But I'm sure she isn't happy.

“N'Forth, you are late again! And you too N'Wayo!” her voice sounded annoyed. Forth just grinned at her.

“Sorry Phi, this was my fault. I made Forth late too” said Wayo. P'May chuckles and tells Wayo and Forth to join their respective places. Forth stood not far from me. He looked at me and smiled mischievously. I turned my face annoyed. I regret worrying about him. Looks like he's fine.

P'May's voice made us all focus back on dancing. As usual, I can't dance at all. For two hours I tried to understand the dance moves taught by P'May. While Forth, he easily mastered it. Forth danced with his cool style. I looked back at him annoyed. But Forth, could not take his eyes from Wayo. I looked at Wayo who danced with his lively and cute movements. This competition is definitely not for me. My favorite part of the training was only when P'May announced break time.

I took a deep breath and walked to my bag, then took a drink from the bottle and lay on the floor. Pie is just as tired as me. She sat on my right and complained. Wayo sat next to my left and looked at us both while shaking his head. Forth came with drinks for Wayo. Wayo received it from Forth and smiled broadly.

Tsk. Doesn't he have legs to go and take his own drink? Wayo makes room for Forth, so that he can sit next to me.

“My grandmother can dance even better than you,” teased Forth. I looked at him sharply but I was unable to reply. So I turned my body back and relaxed.

I can hear Forth laughing satisfied. “Finally there are things I can do and you don't” he teased again. I turned my body and glared at him.

“Of course, enjoy winning one of my thousands while you can because this will never happen again,” I said. Forth laughed at my reaction.

“We'll see about that,” he said, winking at me. I snorted annoyed. He's really testing my patience. A day with Forth and I miss my peaceful life.

After fifteen minutes, P'May called us to continue her torture. I walked lazily to the middle of the room. The background music has started to haunt my life. Her voice was like torture to my soul. I breathed a sigh of relief when P'May said we could go home.

P'Pha looked at me when I was lying on the floor. “You're really bad.” he said. I looked at my annoyed brother. I wanted to reply to him but he had walked towards Wayo and talked to him. Tsk. Of course everyone likes Wayo.

“Don't wander off and go home straight,” said P'Pha before he motioned Wayo to walk. Wayo said goodbye and left with P'Pha. I could only sigh and stood up to go to the dressing room to change my sweaty clothes. I thought everyone had gone home but I saw Forth sitting on the dressing room while closing his eyes and listening to music through his headset.

I walked up to him and looked at him. But Forth did not open his eyes. Is he sleeping? Sweat flowed from his forehead and his nose slightly reddened. Unconsciously, I reached out and checked his temperature. Forth opened his eyes, I pulled my hand back but he held my hand and smiled.

“Stay like this for a while,” he asked. “Your hands are so cold.” he explained. I could feel Forth's body was little hot since my hand was pressed against his forehead.

I chuckled.

“If you are still sick why insist on coming ?”

He smiled while still holding my hand. “Maybe because I miss you.” I could see the joking tone in his voice and the expression on his face. I was annoyed and pulled my hand back from him. He looked at me disappointed.

“You should have said your crap to Wayo not me,” I said as I walked to the locker and changed my shirt to a dry one.

“Are you jealous ?” he taunted. He leaned against the wall and looked at me. I wore my shirt while looking at him.

“Sorry but you're not my type,” I said. I took my used shirt from the locker and put it in my backpack.

“Tch.. too bad. I was even thinking of chasing you,” he said. I know he was joking.

“Then what is your type ?” he asked.

I paused while staring at the package in my locker and remembered that I hadn't given him his jacket. I took a package from inside my locker and walked towards Forth.

“Here,” I said, holding out the package in my hand for him. He looked at me confused but took the package from my hand. He glanced at its contents and smiled broadly.

“Wow... you washed it... nice fragrance.” he said as he smelled hid jacket.

"Of course not, there are so many laundry mart in Bangkok... Why would I wash it myself ?” I dodged his question.

Forth smiled and looked at me gently. “Thanks na Ai'Beam.” he said.

“Stupid. I should be the one thanking you. I owe you,” I replied. Suddenly he smiled broadly and pulled me to sit next to him. Then he laid his head on my lap.

“Hey !” I protested, not being happy.

“You said you owe me. Then can I ask for payment now ?” he pleaded with a pleading face.

“Get away !” I said annoyed.

“Just ten minutes. Can you let me sleep ten minutes ? Last night because it was hot I could not sleep,” he pleaded. I looked into his hopeful eyes then looked away.

Silence.

“Ai'Beam...” Forth called me in a pitiful voice.

“Tsk... just ten minutes,” I said, taking my phone and setting the timer. Forth smiled happily and took a comfortable position while closing his eyes.

I can only surrender and look at the row of lockers in front of me.

“Ai'Beam, you haven't answered my question,” I looked at Forth who still have his eyes closed.

Tsk. He said he wanted to sleep.

“About what ?” I asked lazily.

“Your type...” he asked. I laughed softly.

“I don't know. Maybe big-breasted woman,” I answered carelessly. I can feel him smile.

“How about you ?” I asked. “What's your type...? Like Wayo ?”

Of course I'm just trying to make small talk here. Not because I'm curious about his love life. This time Forth chuckled.

“Uhm... Wayo is not bad. He is sweet and funny.” he said. Somehow I feel something sting my heart. But I understand why everyone likes Wayo. Aside from his cute face and funny behavior, he makes everyone want to protect him. Much different from me.

“But wayo seems to have liked someone else,” I said.

Forth laughed softly again. “I know... but as long as they haven't been together... I can still chase him, isn't it...” Forth's voice was like a whisper at end. I looked at my lap and saw that Forth has already fallen asleep.

I chuckle and look at Forth's slumbering face.

He is a stubborn guy.

But Forth looks cool even when he sleeps. Forth is quite handsome, in fact I think he is better looking than P'Pha. If he wants, he might be able to defeat P'Pha. I sighed and stopped that thought there itself. His business with Wayo has nothing to do with me.

I took my cellphone then started playing the game while using my headset. I didn't want Forth to wake up by hearing the background sound of the game. I no longer remember the timer I set. I was cool playing the games. I took my eyes off the cellphone when Forth started to wake up. He blinked and sat down besides me.

“What time is it now...?” He yawned & stretched.

I looked at my watch in my hands, “It's 6:45.” I said. Forth looked at me in surprise.

“Shiaaa... I slept for almost 30 minutes !” He said while standing and packing his things. He wore his jacket at last.

“I have to get home at 7, if not Mae won't stop scolding me.” He said. He walked towards me and ruffled my hair. I looked at him annoyed and brushed his hand away.

“Thanks Ai'Beam,” he said as he ran towards the exit door. I just stayed still in my place while staring at the door where Forth disappeared quickly.

I took a deep breath after a long pause and then tried to stand up but my legs were numb. Maybe because I sat too long. That jerk really sucks. How could he leave me after everything I did to him. I tried to overcome my cramps and walked out of the dressing room. Quiet. There is no one else. I walked to the parking lot alone and went home.

When I got hom, I looked at my cellphone. An unknown message appeared on the screen.

Unknown number
“Ai'Beam... It's Forth. Sorry that I had to leave you and thank you for today. Next time I will treat you to a meal at Uncle Charn's place.”

Tsk.

Who wants to go with him again.

I threw my cellphone on the bed and didn't reply to the message. Then I lie on the bed, rolling here and there to find a comfortable position. I stared at my cellphone for a while before reaching for it and opened Forth's message. I clicked on his profile picture and pressed the plus button. I saved the number as “The Annoying” and smiled contentedly. Then close your eyes and slept.

**********

Published on 6 December 2020.