MYMOON, Chapter 14:
Every Wednesday, Klai has early morning classes. He has to wake up extra early to get ready. But this Wednesday morning, the traffic was worse than usual. When Klai came down from his room to drive to class, he saw a long line of cars stuck on the road. So, he decided to put his car keys back in his bag and walked to catch a motorcycle taxi near the condo to get to the university as quickly as possible.
In just twenty minutes, the motorcycle taxi driver dropped Klai off at the university’s front gate. The small guy got off, took off the helmet to return it to the driver, handed over some cash, and hurriedly walked into the lecture building.
LINE –
The sound of a LINE notification rang out, paired with a sweet smile spreading across his face. As he pulled his phone out of his favorite yellow cloth bag, Klai playfully guessed that, at this early hour, there was only one person who’d message him.
And that person was…
P. Panli: At uni yet? glaijai: Just got here ~ glaijai: sent a sticker
The small guy sent a sticker of a beaming rabbit to his “best friend” while stepping onto the escalator. Today, Moon messaged him early in the morning as usual, even though they’d stayed up late chatting the night before. But he’d once said that no matter how late he stayed up, Panli would always wake up at seven in the morning every day. Since that day when he went to cheer for Moon at his soccer match, their relationship had progressed by leaps and bounds.
That night when Moon drove him back to the condo, he suddenly asked to be “friends.” Klai agreed, but he was afraid of being stuck in the “friend zone,” unable to ever move beyond it. So, that same night, he asked to skip a step and become “close friends” instead, and Moon agreed as well.
For Klai, the term “close friend” still held the potential to grow into something more than just a friend.
But if they were just friends… he might be trapped in the friend zone forever.
After becoming close friends, they talked a lot more, exchanging opinions on all sorts of things. Klai felt like they got to know each other better through texts and sometimes through voice.
Yes… late at night, when Moon was too sleepy to type, he’d call to talk instead of texting.
Over the past two days, Klai had been talking to Moon so much it felt like a dream. Even though they hadn’t met up at all—both of them were so busy, and he had to practice the khim, so he couldn’t sneak a peek at Moon on the fourth floor—the constant chats from evening to late at night made the longing that used to hit Klaijai so hard fade away.
Now, it couldn’t touch him anymore.
Because Klaijai had Moon protecting him.
🙂
- Panli: Last night, KhunKlai, you said you like going to the movies alone, right?
The small person furrowed their brows slightly, recalling our conversation from last night, before nodding a little and typing a reply.
glaijai: Yup, I often go to the movies alone, but I’ve been busy
lately, so I haven’t gone in a while.
P. Panli: Ohh.
- Panli: Going to the movies alone… doesn’t it feel lonely? glaijai: Not lonely at all. glaijai: But last night, Panli said you don’t like going to the
theater, right?
- Panli: Yup, Li doesn’t really like watching movies at the theater. I prefer watching at home. glaijai: Homebody, ~
- Panli: Also attached to friends.
- Panli: But only close friends, okay? That’s the only kind I’m getting attached to.
Klai suppressed a smile as he walked toward the classroom. Even though he knew Moon had many close friends, since one of those close friends included “Klaijai,” he allowed himself to think that Moon was also attached to him. glaijai: I believe you is really attached to your close friends, that’s
for sure.
Dropping little hints day by day…
Eventually, he’ll catch on, right?
- Panli: I’ve been chatting with you all day and night like this.
- Panli: If you don’t believe it, I would be pretty upset. glaijai: So good at being dramatic.
- Panli: If I’m this good at being dramatic, you have to be just as good at cheering me up, okay?
glaijai: I’m usually not great at cheering people up, but from now
on, I’ll try to get really good at it.
- Panli: Honestly… no need to practice. Just give me those sparkly eyes, and I’m already over it.
The small person smiled softly while reading the other’s messages. Klai stopped in front of the classroom, where none of his classmates had arrived yet. He was always the first to show up. Klai tapped on the keyboard to send a reply.
glaijai: Just sparkly eyes, huh, Panli?
Then he raised the phone to
his lips, recording a voice message. “I don’t have to say… ‘there, there,’ to Panli, Panli of mine, do I?” glaijai: sent a voice
His voice message was opened almost instantly, and the reply that came back made Klai chuckle softly because it showed…
Moon was probably already a little swayed.
P. Panli: You little rascal.
Klai believed… if he got better at this,
It wouldn’t be long before Klaijai could shake Moon’s heart even more.
As much as he wanted to keep chatting with Moon, Klai had to hold back because he needed to prepare for class. So, he typed a message to say goodbye.
glaijai: Panli, I need to go get ready now. glaijai: The professor for this class is super strict, so I have to
check my uniform before they come to inspect. P. Panli: Okay, you little rascal.
- Panli: Same as always, right?
Klaijai smiled to himself before sending a message to confirm, making it clear that “we’re on the same page.” glaijai: Focus on studying as usual, right? P. Panli: Right. glaijai: sent a sticker
Klai sent a sticker of a wide-eyed rabbit with the word “OK” on its long ears to Moon. Not long after, the other replied with another message.
- Panli: If you still have some time, don’t forget to grab something to eat before class, okay? glaijai: Sounds good!
- Panli: Little troublemaker, you got this! glaijai: sent a sticker
After sending a sticker of a fluffy white rabbit nodding slightly to Moon, Klai locked his phone and walked to the locker outside the classroom. For the in-flight service course, all items had to be stored in the locker—especially communication devices like iPads, tablets, and, most crucially, phones. Phones were strictly prohibited in the classroom unless the instructor permitted them for specific reasons, like presentations or researching lesson content.
Though this course had a ton of rules and the instructor was super strict, Klai loved it. It felt like working on an actual flight. The classroom, or what the aviation faculty called the “Mock-up” room, was designed to replicate an airplane cabin. Everything was so realistic, it was as if he were serving passengers on a real plane.
Since the course involved a lot of hands-on practice, not using a phone for the two-hour duration wasn’t boring. Still, Klai noticed some classmates sneaking their phones in. When caught, they’d lose attitude points. Seeing such examples, someone like him—who valued every point like it was a diamond—didn’t dare break the rules.
Even though Moon once said…
“With me, you gotta break every rule.”
When it comes to class rules… Klaijai would rather make an exception, Moon.
The small guy stopped in front of a large locker with about twenty or so compartments. Each small, square metal door had a number label. The instructor let everyone in the class choose a regular locker for their belongings. Klai picked locker number ten since it was at eye level, so he wouldn’t have to bend down to store his stuff.
His slender hand reached to open the metal door to put his cloth bag and phone inside. But two items already in there made Klai frown in curiosity. He picked up a bottle of milk and a cream-filled bun.
Though other section mates shared the locker with him, Klai was certain these weren’t theirs. The condensation droplets on the chocolate milk bottle confirmed it…
This chocolate milk
Had probably come out of a fridge not long ago.
It definitely wasn’t left in the locker overnight.
Klai thought back to the person who always reminded him to eat breakfast with concern, and one of those who showed their care made his face flush with warmth. Just moments ago, Moon had told him to grab something to eat before class. But Klai didn’t want to get his hopes up, thinking it was impossible since Moon had classes in the afternoon today.
How could Moon come to the university this early?
Even if he could…
There’s no way Moon would know he uses locker number ten.
At that moment, a memory from two days ago flashed in his mind. Klai quickly grabbed his phone and called the prime suspect. It didn’t take long for the other end to pick up.
[What’s up, Klaijai?]
“I figured it out. Two days ago, why did you call to ask about my locker?”
[…]
“Did you secretly put milk and bread in my locker?”
A soft chuckle came from the other end upon hearing his question.
[Don’t forget to drink the milk and eat the bread before class, okay, Klai?]
The small guy shook his head lightly, a smile tugging at his lips. “Jeez… Phii Dom, you didn’t have to go this far. It’s such a hassle for you.”
[Your big bro doesn’t want to get another call from Panli scolding me.]
“Huh? … What did Panli say to you, Phii Dom?”
[After coming back from the soccer match that day, late at night, Panli called and told me to take good care of you. He said you often skip breakfast, which is why you’re so tiny and delicate like this.]
“…”
[He also said… every Wednesday morning, you’re in such a rush that you barely have time to grab anything to eat before class.]
“…”
[So I… decided to do this.]
“Next Wednesday, you don’t have to put food in Klai’s locker, okay,
Phii Dom? I feel bad.”
[It’s no trouble. I have morning classes anyway, so it’s not a hassle at all, Klai.]
[No need to feel bad.]
“I don’t know how to repay you, Phii Dom.”
[All you need to do to repay those who care about you is… drink all the milk, eat the bread deliciously, and go to class happily. That’s more than enough to make the people who care for and look after you happy.]
“Thank you so, so much, Phii Dom. Klai will drink all the milk and eat the bread deliciously!”
[So much.]
“Phii Dom, don’t forget to eat breakfast too, okay?”
[Alright… I’ll head off now, Klai, since class is starting.]
“Okay, ~”
[Oh… Klai…]
The small person about to hang up paused when the other end called out, as if suddenly remembering something.
“Yes, Phii Dom?”
[Did I message you the day before yesterday about the beach trip this Saturday?]
“I got the message.”
[Don’t forget, Klai, clear your schedule properly, okay?]
“I have already cleared the schedule.”
Klai had to clear his schedule, of course… because when he asked Phii Dom who was going, Phii Dom mentioned ‘Panli’ too. At first, Klai thought he’d be sitting alone by the beach, feeling lonely.
Even though Theerak was going, he’d probably stick with Phii Fah the whole time. And Phii Dom would be with Phii Babe. Klai barely knew anyone on this trip. But when he found out Moon was joining the beach trip, all his worries vanished instantly, replaced by excitement and counting down the days to hang out with Moon.
But now, Klai was starting to feel a little worried. Panli had never mentioned anything about it, even though they talked about so many things in a day. He was afraid Panli might bail on the trip and not join. If Moon did that… Klai would end up sitting alone by the beach, sipping coconut water to drown his sorrows.
Just imagining himself sitting lonely by the seaside… That alone was enough to make him feel so sorry for himself.
So, Klaijai refused to imagine it.
Instead, he chose to believe that Moon would definitely go to the beach with him.
The small person quickly stuffed his yellow cloth bag and phone into the locker before walking to sit on a chair outside the classroom for a mock-up session. He ate the breakfast his older brother had prepared for him. A sweet smile spread across his face as he unwrapped the creamfilled bread, silently thanking his kind brother and the ever-attentive Moon.
Klaijai would finish the entire bottle of milk And eat the bread with relish.
🙂
“Pie, Mai, want some blended fruit juice?”
“Nah, I’m good.”
“I don’t want any either. Klai, go get your stuff. Don’t worry about us.”
“Okay.”
The small person nodded hesitantly before standing up and leaving the dining table. After the first class ended, they rushed straight to the cafeteria. It wasn’t because Klai was starving like he usually was every Wednesday—today, he’d already had milk and cream-filled bread to tide him over. The rush was because his two friends were famished, and they had to hurry to eat. Another reason for the haste was that they only had forty minutes left before the last class of the day.
They couldn’t dawdle.
They had to eat quickly and get to class.
Normally, Pie liked to eat yogurt and bananas before class, but he said he forgot to stock his fridge last night. As for Mai, who usually brought breakfast from home, she had to come to class on an empty stomach because the housekeeper took leave. Both of them were ravenous, unlike Klai, who wasn’t particularly hungry but still needed to eat lunch.
Klai walked out of the cafeteria and stopped in front of a blended fruit juice stall. He could order without even glancing at the menu board because he already knew what he wanted. Smiling at the stall’s auntie, he said,
“One blended coconut water, please.”
“Want fresh milk in it, dear?”
“To go, please, Auntie.”
“Got it, dear. Just a sec.”
“Okay.”
Klai nodded and stood waiting in front of the shop. He liked coming out to buy blended fruit juice here because it tasted better than the one at the cafeteria. Klai figured most people chose the cafeteria’s juice shop to avoid walking out in the heat, since the cafeteria was air-conditioned. But Auntie’s shop was outside, where you had to face the hot weather.
But Klai thought…
When it comes to taste,
A bit of heat is worth it for something truly refreshing.
While waiting for his blended coconut juice, his slender hand reached into his pocket to pull out his phone, ready to message his close friend who should’ve reached the university by now.
Panli only has one afternoon class today.
So jealous…
His slender fingers tapped the keyboard to send a message asking, “Have you reached uni yet?” But before he could send it, his chat partner sent a message first. Klai paused, deleted everything on his screen, and stared at the other’s message.
- Panli: What drink did you just order?
At that moment, Klai couldn’t help but smile and looked up, scanning around for Moon. And sure enough… Moon walked up and stopped beside him. One slender hand reached up to rub his own ear, which felt warm. Moon gave a small smirk and raised an eyebrow as if asking something.
When Panli makes that face… He looks even more playful than usual.
And yeah… Klaijai got even more flustered.
“I ordered a blended coconut juice.”
“Okay, I’ll try your favorite…” Panli said, ordering his go-to drink.
“Auntie, one more blended coconut juice, please. Same as Khun
Klai’s… Actually, Auntie, you can blend them in the same jug.” “…”
“Because the first coconut juice… is for my close friend.”
“Alright, dear.”
Klai held back a smile before saying, “Coconut juice isn’t my favorite, you know. I just wanted to try it.”
Moon chuckled before reaching out to lightly ruffle his hair. “Such a tease~”
“…”
“I know it’s your favorite… because if you didn’t actually like it, you wouldn’t pay it any attention.”
“…”
“This time, you can’t fool me. I’ve got you all figured out.”
Klai let out a soft laugh. He really had been caught. So much for trying to tease Panli a bit. Without Boss giving him pointers, Klai probably wouldn’t stand a chance at successfully teasing Moon.
“Ugh… I was gonna mess with you a little.”
“Save it for next time. I’ll let you win then.”
Klai scrunched his nose at Moon, feeling utterly mischievous, before something occurred to him. “Panli…”
“Yes, KhunKlai?”
“Thank you…” Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart.
“Thank you for telling Phii Dom to take good care of me.”
The taller guy, who looked slightly surprised at first, broke into a bright smile before saying, “This morning, Phii Dom brought some food for you, right?”
“Mhm. Phii Dom put chocolate milk and cream-filled bread in my locker.”
“Guess Phii Dom couldn’t stand listening to me nag anymore.”
The listener smiled amusedly before saying, “Honestly, I feel really bad for Phii Dom.”
“No need to feel bad for Phii Dom. That guy loves going the extra mile… plus, he has morning classes anyway.”
“Right, Phii Dom has morning classes too.”
“See? No need to feel bad at all.”
“Phii Dom said the same thing… He told me to just drink all the milk and eat the bread deliciously, and that’s enough.”
“And has you done that?”
“I did… so I’m not that hungry today.”
“…”
“No need to rush to eat because I’m starving anymore.”
“Totally worth nagging Phii Dom, then.”
The small guy gave a faint smile before turning to look at the counter in front of the shop, where an auntie had just placed two glasses of blended coconut water, ready and waiting.
“All set… shall we pay together?”
“Sure.”
“Hey, Panli… let me treat this time.”
The person who answered the auntie quickly pulled out their wallet. Klai reached for his own wallet too, but before he could get any money out, Moon had already paid. The tall guy tucked his wallet into his back pocket and picked up both blended coconut drinks.
“KhunKlai, take this one. It looks like it has more.”
“I’m fine with either.”
“Hmm…” Moon glanced at the blended coconut drinks for a moment before handing one over. “…This one, then. It’s got more.”
Klai took the drink and said, “Thanks… but next time, Panli, you’ve got to let me treat.”
Moon didn’t respond, just looked at him with a sly smile before pulling a black phone from his pocket and typing something.
LINE notification, ~
Klai frowned as the LINE app pinged. When he checked his phone, he saw a message from the other guy. Looking up at Moon with curiosity, the latter said in a playful tone…
“…Go on, check it.”
Following the suggestion, Klai opened the chat and saw that Moon had sent a screenshot. When he enlarged the image, he realized…
It was a movie ticket.
Moon had booked an afternoon showing.
And it was after Klai’s classes ended…
Of course… Moon knew his schedule.
Because they’d just talked about it yesterday.
Klai hadn’t even checked what movie was booked—he was too embarrassed. Instead of looking at the screen, he lowered his eyes to the ground.
Moon was inviting him to a movie…
…This was… absolutely wild.
Klai’s heart was about to burst with joy, Moon.
“If you want to treat me back… how about you cover the popcorn?”
The chance to get closer to Moon was right in front of him—how could Klaijai not seize it? “Of course… I’ll buy a big bucket of popcorn for Panli!”
Moon chuckled softly before asking, “Next class… which building is your class in?”
“Building eleven.”
“Which floor?”
“Eighth floor.”
“Then at three this afternoon, I will come pick you up at Building eleven, eighth floor.”
“Okay!”
“But for now, let me walk you back to your table first.”
Klai waved both hands to refuse. “It’s fine, I can walk back myself.
Panli, hurry to your class!”
The tall figure glanced at his wristwatch before saying, “I got plenty of time left.”
“O-okay.”
🙂
The two of them walked out of the blended fruit juice shop. Along the way, Klai didn’t say a word to Panli because he was genuinely shy. The other person walked beside him quietly until they stopped in front of the dining table. Klai’s face burned even hotter when he saw Kant sitting with Pie and Mai. Kant often joined them for lunch.
Everyone’s eyes widened in surprise before they smirked and teased him with their gazes. Klai, so embarrassed he didn’t know what to do, turned to look at the tall figure still standing beside him.
“H-here’s my table.”
“Got it…” Moon nodded, then reached out to gently pat his head, as he often did. “…See you later, okay?”
“Mhm,” Klai replied, waving goodbye to the tall figure walking away.
The moment he sat down on the long bench, the three rascals started teasing him loudly, making Klai even more embarrassed. Kant’s gaze and smile made Klai want to explode.
“What’s this?!”
“A date, huh?”
“Making plans is one thing, but walking him back? That’s next level!”
“It’s normal…” Klai said, trying to deflect his embarrassment, before adding, “…We’re close friends. Walking each other back is normal.”
The moment the three heard his words, they burst into laughter, probably because they’d never seen him this flustered before.
In the end, Klaijai couldn’t help but laugh too, raising both hands to rub his burning ears. His friends, pointing and teasing even more, made
Klai shake his head slightly, admitting to himself that…
“Fine, I admit it… I’m really embarrassed.”
“Haha!”
“Ugh, ~, your face and ears are all red, Klai.”
His friends still don’t know he’s going to the movies with Panli.
If they found out… Klai would be way more embarrassed.
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