Arthit's POV

We were just a few steps away when Aat held me by the elbow.

"What is wrong with you? " Aat asked at Kong.

Kong turned to him but instead of looking at him, his gaze was directed at Aat's hand touching me.

His lips perked up forming an arrogant smirk. "Back off! " he said calmly but perilously.

They both looked at each other, me being sandwich in the middle couldn't help but feel the tension between them.

"Wait, wait." I asked to lessen the tension. "What do you need, Kong?" I turned to him.

What's wrong with him? Why is he reacting this way?

He has always been calm and controlled.

"I have something to say, "

"What? "

"Privately, " looking at Aat, as if telling him, his presence wasn't needed at the moment.

"It can wait for sure, "I whisked his hand on my wrist, my heart seemed plumetted when something flickered in his dark eyes -- pain.

Why do I am feeling this?

So unconsciously, I held Aat's hand on my elbow and freed myself from his grip.

I know Kong's up to no good but I hate to see him like that, like he was disappointed in me.

"Aat, I'll give it to you later. " I dismissed him.

I did not wait for him to answer.

"Kong, follow me. " I walked past him without looking back.

When I sense no movements from him, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him along with me.

When we were out of Aat's earshot, I turned to him. "Why are so worked up? "

"He is touching you, "

"So? " I raised my brow.

"I just don't like it, "

"Friends do touch each other, " I said slowly, "It's normal. "

Why am I explaining?

I was taken aback when he closed the distance between us and the next thing I knew, he had me in his arms. "Like this? "

I was flabbergasted by his move.

His hug was warm and tender.

It felt inexplicably good.

I felt like it's where I belong.

My heart beats unbelievably fast while my body was frozen to his embrace.

He hugged me even tighter, so tight that he was afraid of something.

It felt good and I was afraid he would sense it so I pushed him away. "Stop fooling around, Kong! " panting,  I said.

"What's wrong? We're friends, right? Friends normally touch each other. " he asked. It was difficult to figure out if he was mocking or innocently asking me.

I admire how he can always come back with something to shut me up. "What do you want to say? " I muttered between my teeth.

"I forgot, " he said, unapologetically.

"You what? "

"Are you deaf? I said I forgot. " he stated calmly.

I bit my lips.

"Why is he getting your number? "

"For the same reason you got mine, " I said.

"He likes you? "

Something dawned on me. "You like me? "

Lately, I've been asking myself why Kong was being nice to me. I have always thought that maybe it was just in his nature to this nice.

But recently, I noticed that he treated me differently. Yes, even with M. He may be the good friend to M but Kong never treated him the way he treated me.

Like he often went the extra mile for me and I couldn't help but be touched.

We've developed a habit of going home together this week. He insisted to wait for me to finish the short briefing with coach after our daily practice so we could go home together with the reason that we live in the same building so it made sense for him to go home together.

I was adamant to refuse at the beginning but gave up on it instead I just asked him to wait on the bench by the gym so he doesn't have to wait in his car alone.

His actions were confusing me.

Does he like me?

Like beyond friendship?

I didn't want to overthink about it anymore because I could be wrong.

And if I am not, I don't know how to confront the thought yet.

Call me selfish but I was liking his attention. I liked it when he ignored the girls' attention towards him to focus on me.

"What do you think the reason I got your number? "

"To make fun of me? " I reasoned out. I didn't want the truth. I like being comforted by the lies as for the moment.

Because if I found out the truth, what would I do with it?

Moreover, I am a man and he is a man too.

Is it possible?

On the contrary, I like the way he was treating me. It brought joy that someone is looking after me no matter how difficult I was to deal with.

"So you think he intends to make fun of you too and you're allowing him?" there as a resentment on his tone.

I was speechless. He really knew how to turn my words against me.

I studied him with piercing scrutiny.

"You like me? " it was a slip of the tongue, I must've said the question out loud in my mind.

I was holding my breath while waiting for his answer. Deep inside me, I was scared to hear his answer.

I wasn't ready for it. Some words, I think better left unsaid. When you know nothing, it spares you from the unknown.

"Wha-whatever, " I cut him off when he was about to open his mouth. "Is M with you? " I intentionally changed her topic.

"Yeah, "

"Then let's go, " I stomped my feet towards the group near the mini bus.

Before I could walk further, he caught up with me and he blocked my way with his body.

"What is it again? " I couldn't meet his gaze, so I pretended to be checking the people around.

"Don't give it to him."

"Don't give what?"

"Your number,"

"It's not for you to decide, you have no right to tell me what to do." then went on walking. When I felt like he wasn't following me. I stopped and turned back at him.

He looked like he was wallowing. "Kong?"

He didn't look back.

"Kong! " I called his name again.

"Arthit, don't get too close with anybody." his face looked stern.

I was at a loss for words.

I wasn't sure if I am going to take it seriously but I was somewhat elated to hear it.

There was an incomprehensible sudden rush of joy inside me.

I slowly stepped towards him and flickered his forehead gently. "Let's go," I said then smile awkwardly. "When are you ever going to listen? "

I slightly pushed him so we could get a move on.

He grinned from ear to ear before stepping forward.

I shook my head and sighed as I watched him walking before me.

I couldn't understand myself.

Normally, I would yell at him but today I was just not in the mood to do so.

Moreover, his  teasing doesn't bother me anymore.

Did I get used to it?

Or I am starting to feel giddy about it?

What is this I am feeling?

--
Arthit, what is it? Tell me. ^_^

I apologize for not updating asap.

This is what I came up with tonight. Short but I hope you'll like it.

From Vietnam, now in Cambodia and tomorrow in Thailand.. Good night.