"Why are you asking about him to me?" Ice raised his eyebrow, pointing a finger at himself.

"Come on Ice, please. I don't even remember having him in our classes. So I'm curious." Krist nudged his friend.

Ice rolled his eyes. Whatever Krist was trying to tell wasn't making sense to him. Why does Krist want to know about that guy in their class?

"I don't know much about him, Krist, he's an introvert. Doesn't talk much to anyone. I barely even see his face, he always has that hoodie on him. It's only rare times that we get to see who he is under that mask he wears. Some students even  tell that he's a jerk and a bad boy, always attracting trouble towards him."

Krist listened patiently to whatever his friend was saying.

"Then?"

Ice furrowed his eyebrows, "Then what? That's all! I don't know much about this Singto guy. He hasn't even talked to me too, I almost thought he was mute or deaf if not for hearing him talk to the professors."

"Oh..." Krist slumped his shoulders. He wanted to know more about this guy, the mysterious aura around him was making him excited and thrilled to know about him.

"Why are you curious about him? You don't ask about anyone like that."

Krist bit his lips, he doesn't know what made him soo eager. He doesn't have an answer to what Ice asked him but his mind says that everything that's happening is for something better.

"I'm going to class," Krist said as he stood up, taking his bag from the table.

"Huh? It's interval Krist, why are you going to class? Our next class is in half an hour." Ice asked confused.

"I need some time alone. I don't know when Namtan is going to come. If she asks you to tell her where I'm, tell I'm with the professor or something." Krist didn't give a chance for Ice to ask more questions before he walked away.

Krist slung his bag over his shoulder as he walked to the next class of the day. Everyone was at the cafeteria having their lunch. He didn't feel like eating, he just needed some time alone. His manager Jane, had helped him with telling his fans to not disturb him during his college times, informing them to mingle with him like any other human being, not to give him any special attention.

And he's thankful that they're trying to make him feel at ease hereafter the public request in social media.

Krist looked out to the garden across the campus that divided the business and designing faculty. It was a vast garden, with a huge tree at the far end. The leaves and branches almost covered the trunk of the tree. A small smile formed on Krist's lips when he remembered the incident yesterday.

When he was about to return home after classes, his eyes caught on a figure sitting at the other side of the tree. The figure looked familiar to him so he decided to check on it hoping it was the person who he thinks it to be.

He had hidden behind the other side of the tree to look at the person who was laying on the lawn as his back leaned against the tree, earphone in his ears and his eyes closed.

That's the first time he saw Singto Prachaya up close. Without anything covering his appearance, a serene look on his face, his sun-kissed skin glowing. His lengthy hair messily done as it fell on his face. Krist had never seen a face soo peaceful as if the world didn't matter to him. Maybe because he was sleeping.  Singto looked beautiful in his eyes.

The three days he had got to know the latter, he had tried to observe him without asking anyone's help. He observed the latter, he looked from afar and had caught him remove his mask at times. He got only a few chances to catch Singto without anything covering his appearance.

And each time he watches the guy he observes he talk less, never opens his mouth unless he's asked to or when he orders food at the cafeteria. And he always notices how he smiles softly at the lady who hands him food. That's the only time he sees him smile. And he wouldn't lie, Singto's smile was pure and full of affection, the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.

He couldn't get to know more about the latter so he had found his courage to ask Ice about it and guess he doesn't know much too. Krist doesn't know why he feels soo attached to a person who hadn't even talked to eachother properly.

Will they understand?
It's the question of our lifetime
Trying to find the right words.
But, what if they don't care?
Never mind

Krist stopped in his tracks when he heard a voice from a classroom. He looked up to check which class it was, he narrowed his eyes when he found that it was the classroom where he had previously attended lecture before the interval. The door was closed and only one window was slightly ajar.

Delt with it myself
Hiding in the bathroom
Wearing long-sleeved shirts
Scared of what I might do
Never mind

No one seems to hear you till you're loud
Then they call you crazy
Then they call you crazy
Quietly I battle with myself

Krist pushed the window door, the voice was soo smooth and calming but he could feel the pain in the voice. His eyes widened when he saw the figure who was sitting on top of a table near a window looking out of it.

"Singto..." Krist gasped. Leaning closer to the window he listened to the latter singing.

Days are getting hazy
Days are getting hazy,
No one seems to notice when you're down.
Unless you're bleeding
Unless you're bleeding.

Krist gulped as he observed the latter. Singto's hair was waving as the breeze hit his face. There was a painful smile on the latter's face that ached Krist's heart. He unconsciously gripped the window rails as he stared at the latter.

But sometimes, the worst wounds are the ones...
Are the ones that you can't see
Are the ones that you can't see.
Never mind.

Do they understand, I'm begging for an ally
Think I'm just confused
Blow it off, it's nothing new.
Never mind.

Krist felt his eyes fill up with tears, the lyrics of the song hitting him hard. He let out a troubled breath. Krist walked towards the door which was closed, he softly opened it. Singto had his eyes closed as he was singing so he didn't notice Krist enter the room.

Krist made sure he didn't make any noise as he walked to the last bench of the row opposite to where Singto was sitting. He could see half of the latter's face.

Little do they know,
The murder of my right brain
It still has me grieving.
Take these pills for sleeping.
My world is turning black and white.

No one seems to hear you till you're loud.
Then they call you crazy
Then they call you crazy
Quietly I battle with myself
Days are getting hazy
Days are getting hazy,
No one seems to notice when you're down.
Unless you're bleeding
Unless you're bleeding.

A tear slide down Krist's cheeks when he saw Singto looking down to his lap with a pained smile as tears ran down that sun kissed skin.

But sometimes, the worst wounds are the ones...
Are the ones that you can't see
Are the ones that you can't see.
Never mind, never mind

If life is but a dream
Flowing gently down the stream.
Then I'm caught in the rapids,
Leaking boats and broken things.

Krist closed his eyes, feeling the sweet voice surrounding him. The feeling of not being alone somehow taking over him. He didn't know what the reason was but he could feel the pain in Singto's voice. As a singer himself, he always put his emotions into his songs and he could see it with Singto.

There was soo many that the latter was hiding and Krist wanted to be there for the other. An inner voice told him to stay and hold on, telling this was what he was waiting for. That this was his string to hold on to.

Music had been his life, and he always trusted words and music. They never betray him. And now the same music was showing the way for him, it knew his heart, it knew what he feels.

Merrily, merrily
Swimming towards the shores
The voices they said was harmless
Only threw me overboard.
Life is but a dream,
Nothing but a dream.
Then I just wanna smile,
Wanna smile in my sleep

Merrily, merrily
Nightmares all the time
No one hears my screams.
Cause wave as I float by...

Krist snapped his eyes open when he heard sobs from the other male. The voice breaking his insides as he watched those shoulders shake in the baggy hoodie that the other male wore.

Krist walked towards Singto, his instincts told him to hug the latter and that is what he did. And it surprised him when Singto didn't protest, the latter just cried out.

"She's gone, she left me."

Krist gasped when he heard the hoarse voice. He pulled the latter closer, burying the other's face in his chest.

"It's okay, shh..." Krist whispered as he caressed his hair.

"She promised me she'll not leave me! She promised me! Why!? Why did she give me hopes! She was the only one I had!" Singto clutched into the other's shirt. Not minding who it was or how he was able to find a loner like him.

He just wanted to let it out, building up all his emotions inside was killing him.

Krist hugged Singto tighter, the guy might have lost an important person in his life. Krist cannot think how much pain the latter must have been feeling.

"Everything is going to be fine, Singto. Everything is going to be fine." Krist felt more tears sliding down his cheeks which he wiped off immediately. He caressed his fingers through Singto's thick black hair.

"Everyone left me! Everyone!" Singto wrapped his arms around Krist's waist, his heart pounding fast as he sobbed.

"Not everyone Singto, I'll stay wit-"

"Krist!"

Krist turned his body, his arms leaving Singto as he faced the door to see a fuming Namtan standing there.

"What is it?" Krist's cold voice made Singto look up.

Singto could feel his whole system freeze as his eyes met Krist's form, he glanced at Namtan who was throwing daggers at him with her eyes. Krist was the one who stood by him, and the realisation turned Singto's insides. He didn't know what to feel about it. No one cares for him but this famous singer did, and it made Singto feel weird.

He didn't know why but he felt guilty after he felt the glare on his face from the girl. He pulled up his hoodie over his head and got down the table he sat on. Sniffling and rubbing his runny nose, he took his bag and he ran out of the classroom mumbling a sorry to Krist.

He shouldn't have done that.

"Singto! Wait!" Krist tried to follow him but Namtan stopped him.

"Is this the professor's room? Huh? You lied to me!" Namtan closed the door behind her.

Krist ran a hand over his hair,  he could feel Singto's tears in his chest from his soaked shirt.

"Shut up Namtan! As if you haven't lied to me!" Krist barked.

Namtan's eyes widened, "What the hell are you talking about!? Stop that nonsense! And tell me why were you hugging that homeless creature!"

Krist glared at Namtan, "Watch your words Namtan! You have no right to insult others!"

"Then tell me why was that brat crying in your embrace and why was he soo close to you!" Namtan shouted back, taking a step forward to Krist.

Krist pushed Namtan away and opened the classroom door. "You don't have to know that! You never know the pain of a person until you're in their shoes Namtan! And I beg you, Singto has nothing to do with this. I was just consoling him."

Krist felt terrible knowing that he had to even explain the situation. He felt like a failure but he had to make sure Namtan shouldn't be bothered about it.

"And," Krist glared at Namtan who seems to calm down after what he said.

"Don't think you can fool me, Namtan. I'm just closing my eyes to everything, I know that you're cheating on me. I thought you valued your words but no, you're really a snake!"

Namtan gasped, she watched as Krist ran away the direction Singto had previously gone. Her fingers form into a fist, she should be careful of whatever is coming. Because she knows Singto can be a huddle in her journey because she's one among the few people knowing Krist's secret.

She smirked, she'll see. For now, she'll keep quiet but if things go out of hands she's going to be in need of a repetition of the past.

"Singto!" Krist ran fast to catch up with the latter who was walking with hurried steps in front of him.

"Leave me, there's no use in following me." Krist heard Singto's quavering voice.

Krist smiled softly as he caught up with Singto, he wounded his arm over Singto's shoulder.

"Leave me, you!" Singto wiggled out of the grip.

Krist wanted to laugh, the latter was pouting as he cried along with protesting with him.

"Come on Singto, you cried earlier in my arms. Why do you want to push me away now?" Krist's caught Singto's hand.

Singto looked up to meet Krist's eyes, biting his lips he diverted his gaze when he saw the smirk on the other male's lips.

"I'm sorry for that, you-you just leave me now. Your girlfriend is angry with you."

"She's not my girlfriend!" Krist glared, almost shouting making Singto gasp.

"I-I thought, you... nevermind, I'm leaving." Singto gulped not getting words to speak out.

Krist's eyes softened when his grip on Singto's hand loosened.

"Hey please! Don't go!" Krist caught on Singto's shoulder.

Singto stopped on his tracks. Looking down on his feet he sighed.

"You're not supposed to be seen with me, you've to go to your girlfriend- sorry, whatever she's to you," Singto mumbled, feeling a familiar pain running through him.

Krist raised an eyebrow, "You know that I have a name right? Why are you always addressing me as 'you' ?"

Singto wanted to facepalm, here he was trying to tell him something but the latter is focused on not calling his name.

Singto turned around, his eyes cold as he stared at Krist who didn't show any emotion towards him.

"A famous star like you shouldn't be seen with me, Krist. You've to leave or you'll be teased for talking with a loner like me." Singto chuckled to himself before he left, walking away.

Krist stood there. Not knowing what to do or what to say. He wanted to scream out as he watched Singto disappear into a corner.

Singto gasped, choking on his tears as he leaned against the wall as he turned to the corner. It was the hallway to the janitors closet. The hallway was dark so he didn't fear about anyone seeing him.

Rubbing his face in distress he blamed himself for whatever happened to Krist because of him. He heard Krist and Namtan fighting, Krist was just trying to help him. Why did Namtan react in such a way?

Singto held his breath as he peeked from the wall to check if Krist was still there in the hallway. And his heart ached when he saw Krist looking down on his feet, with his hand in his hair. He could see the shoulders shaking. He didn't know why was Krist crying, is it because of him? No, that can't be. Why would a celebrity like Krist cry for him? Maybe he's worried about his girlfriend.

Singto stopped peeking, leaning his head against the wall he tried to stabilize his breathing.

He knew about Namtan and Krist, who didn't? Their relationship was public and he had overheard others speaking about how possessive Namtan was to Krist. And he's not a fool to understand that Krist wasn't happy with his relationship.

Like anyone else he too is a fan of the famous singer, who wasn't? Who didn't know Krist Perawat? He admired the young man. When he found that the latter was in same classes as his he was thrilled. But the quiet person he's he never made a move to approach the latter and the other male never noticed him. He wanted to talk to Krist like others in the class, just asking how his day was or is he tired from his work. Simple conversations, not the ones that bother Krist with undying attention.

But then Singto thought, why should he bother the singer? Krist will only be teased if he approaches him. He was always the silent type. Silently bullied by his own classmates. And he had a complicated life, he never allowed anyone else to enter his life because whoever he tried to be close with they only left him at the end. Left him alone.

But later on, he started noticing the changes after he had his first conversation with the singer in the locker hallway. And it's been just three days after that incident. He used to catch Krist glancing at him in class or sometimes following him. But he didn't give much attention to it, most probably the latter might be thinking how weird he was.

Singto's face turned red in embarrassment when he realised that Krist has definitely seen him cry and most probably heard him sing too.

Most of the days he used to spend his intervals in empty classrooms, trying to calm his mind and sing out his emotions. It had been his habit since he understood what loneliness felt like.

But he never complained of being lonely, sometimes he thinks it's better. He didn't have to prove himself to others, he just wanted to prove himself and walk ahead.

Singto took a deep breath, calming his mind he took a peek again to see if Krist had gone. He bit his lips when he saw Krist with another guy, who he recognised as Krist's friend, Ice. He watched them talk to eachother and he could see Krist was angry, the latter was fuming. Soon he saw Ice dragging him away.

Singto sighed, he knows he owes Krist an apology for his behaviour. Krist only tried to be there for him and he reacted rudely. He could see Krist was hurt but he didn't have another choice.

Maybe if he gets another chance, he'll compensate for what he did today.

*****

I know everything is still confusing,
We'll get into it.

So what do you think of Singto's character?

Hope you all enjoyed!

Stay safe!
Love you ❤️❤️