Absolutely Yours 25

Arthit’s POV

The sun has already set, when we arrived at the camping site. Coach gathered us around to discuss about what we should do first. 

“Tents were prepared beforehand so all you have to do is to pitch it. ” he started. “There should be a maximum of three people on bigger ones and two on smaller ones. You can group yourselves and do it quick so you can start with the tent. Food will be ready by the time you finish, so hurry up. ” he said dismissing us. 

Everyone went on their own way to start with what coach instructed us to do.

“You go with Bright and Prem, Arthit. ” I heard Knot implied.

“How about you? ” I queried. 

“I will go with Teet and Vin, I will never stay in one room with them ever again. ” pointing at Prem and Bright who were currently making fun of each other at a distance.

I creased my brow then it dawned on me. 

“Here I am, thinking you were being nice.” I said sarcastically.

He just laughed out loud. “Good luck, I suggest you put on your headset. ” he said before leaving. 

I walked towards the two who were already bickering. I took two branches of woods on the way.

“Not happening, Bright. ” I heard Prem and Bright arguing. 

“Well, I look better. Good looking people has better advantages. ” Bright taunted the other. 

“Good looking, my butt. It has nothing to do with this. ” Prem disagreed, knowing him, he wouldn’t let Bright gets what he wants. 

Sometimes, Bright’s logic is unimaginable. I shook my head.

I stepped in between them. “Hey, ” I handed them the branches in my hand, one for each. “Why don’t you kill each other already? Use that. ” I told them, referring to the branches.

The two shared knowing glances and a huge grin formed on their faces. 

I raised my brow. “What? ” I asked, I knew they are up to no good again. 

“I don’t want to sleep in the middle,” Prem explained. 

“Me too, ” Bright quickly responded. 

“Me three, ” I despised the idea of sleeping between these two who snore loudly. 

Knot had a rough night when he slept with these two during our team building last year. He was assigned in a room with them. The following day, he was very restless and very temperamental because Prem and Bright snored the entire night.

“I am the captain so I can demand.” I told them arrogantly, I don’t wanna rub my position on their faces but they left me with no choice. 

“Don’t use that card on us now, Arthit.” I walked out but they both howled me back instantly.

“Fine, fine. You won’t really cut me some slack, huh?” I rolled my eyes. Still panting, “Rock, paper, scissor then? “

“Okay, ” they said in unison. 

“Just once and the loser will sleep in the middle. ” Bright said. 

“Okay, okay. Whatever floats your boat. ” I told them, rolling my eyes once again. 

We gathered around. Like we usually  do, we put our hands inside our pocket and yelled together.

Rock. 

Paper. 

Scissor. 

They both opted paper and I went for the rock. 

I saw them dance happily and high five after they were done. I felt like I was cheated and there was a conspiracy between these two.

I should have known.

“Whatever, let’s get this done and over with now. ” I ignored them. I started with the tent, we knew our way with it because we’ve done it several times.

After almost having ours done, my eyes roamed and caught sight of Kong. I had this sudden curiosity of who he was going to sleep with in the tent.

I was able to spot him in an instant. He had a book in his hand, which I figured the manual for  the tent, he was donning a serious look on his face.

The twitched of his lips and creased of his brows amused me. I knew it was shallow but there was this comfort inside me just by watching him.

It was so pleasing that I didn’t notice a grin escaped from my lips until Bright pointed it out.

“Have you lost your sanity? Smiling by yourself? “

I broke my gaze away from Kong, afraid that Bright might find out.

“What’s wrong with smiling?” I inquired.

“With smiling nothing,” he said, with a stern look on his face. “but alone and smiling?  Friend, you gotta see a doctor. ” he hissed.

I smirked. “I’ll go get some water. “

“You’re not trying to run away from our task right? “

“Course not, I’ll be back. ” I yelled while striding away.

I headed towards Kong, I decided to taunt him.

“Ko-“

“Kong, ” I was interrupted by a freshman. I saw him walked towards M and Kong then annoyingly planted himself beside Kong. “Aren’t you done yet? “

Kong scratched the back of his head again. “Ton, hello. Not yet,  we both don’t have any idea how to do this. ” he raised the tent in his hand.

Ton chuckled. “Let me help you then.” 

“Thanks, “

“What are you going to do without me?” I heard Ton asked.

Kong chuckled. “That’s why I need to stick with you,” then replied. 

I raised my brow at his response.

It was annoying.

He didn’t even notice I was around.

It was really irksome.

“Stop slacking off! ” I said furiously.

It made them turn to me. My eyes turned to Kong’s hand holding Tom’s elbow as if protecting him – from me?

I grimaced at the sight.

I didn’t wait for them to speak because I was fuming inside. I stomped my way back to our tent.

I didn’t know I was gritting my teeth until Prem noticed it.

“What happened? You looked like you are ready to attack anytime. “

“Nothing. ” I said blandly.

“Are you sure? ” he insisted.

“I said nothing, ” I yelled.

“Whoa, chill man. Is this the time of the month for you?” he urged, chuckling.

“The last group to finish will clean up after dinner. ” I heard coach yelled. I was glad he did because I wasn’t in the mood to argue with Prem.

Hearing the word dinner was enough for everyone to quicken their pace.

We weren’t the first to have it done but we weren’t the last one neither. I was fine with it.

We all headed to our dinner place, they set up a bigger tent where all our equipment and whatnot were placed.

I saw Kong on the corner, sitting with that Ton guy.

I smirked and headed to the table where the foods were laid for everyone to dig in.

When he caught sight of me, he stood up and quickly chased after me. I walked briskly as a response.

“Arthit,” I heard him called out.

“What?” I shrieked.

He didn’t expect it. “Are you okay?” he wondered.

“What do you want?” I implored.

He put a small container on the table and pushed it towards me.

I raised by brow. “What’s that? ” I inquired.

He nodded to urge me to open it.

I reluctantly reached for it, it was a Gaeng Daeng, I kept my lips to break into a smile. I won’t let him see how pleased I was.

“For me?” I sardonically grinned to cover up the smile on my lips.

He nodded.

“No, thanks. I’m good. ” I said, coldly.

“Kong, Kong. What is that? ” the freshman cheerfully marched his way towards us, interrupting what he was about to say.

“Gaeng Daeng,” Kong absentmindedly answered.

Our gaze met when my eyes darted at him.

“Great, it looks tasty. Can I try it? ” he gushed.

“Huh?” Kong moaned, without breaking our eye contact. He seemed to be asking for my permission.

I raised my brow and stared at him coldly.

You made it for me, right?

“Enjoy your meal.” then stepped as far away from them.

He reached for my arms to stop me. “Arthit,” he said.

“Let go,” I said coldly.

“Take this,” he put the container of Gaeng Daeng in my hand, before letting me go.

When the dinner was over, our coach instructed us to go back to our tents and call it a day.

I headed to our tent while Prem and Bright stayed out to play at Knot’s tent.

My thoughts wandered to Kong, I couldn’t discern how he can evoke these indescribable emotions in me.

He made me feel things that so wonderful that I hate it. It was overwhelming in a good way that I dislike it.

Having him around felt like I don’t have to try. I felt like he’s a safe place to be myself.

Shit.

It felt like I never have to want anything.

And it was irritating because it made me feel so dependent on him.  Me,  who prided myself as someone who can do things alone just fine.

Shit.

Shit.

I tossed and turn to sleep so I could sleep it off but to no avail, my thoughts recently were consumed by him. 

“Arthit?” my heart skipped a beat, hearing that familiar voice. “Can I come in? “

I excitedly sat up and composed myself before opening the tent.

I was welcomed by his awkward smile, he seemed to be testing what my mood was.

There was a sudden surge of bliss in me. 

I smiled back pleasantly, and scoot in to make space for him.

What the hell are you doing, Arthit?

—
How was it?

This is the result of revising this several times. 😀