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2012.
It was start of term at the highschool. Students were getting to know their peers and their teachers. Girls were giggling and looking around for guys who could be of interest. One guy was already dealing with a lot of admirers and exchanging phone numbers. At one moment, another guy walked inside the room and sat at his designated table. He was handsome, but he looked kind of bored. The other guy approached him.
"Hey... I'm Technic... you can call me Nic."
"I'm Kengkla."
"Should I call you Keng or Kla?"
"Whatever... I don't care."
"Right... Keng it is then! Nice to meet you."
Technic and Kengkla... the two handsome freshmen who soon became the most popular guys in school. A lot of girls were following them around... but while Nic was embracing his popularity with girls... Kengkla seemed uninterested. He was always sporting a bored expression on his face.
"Don't you want a girlfriend?" Asked Nic, one day.
"I don't know... maybe. I just don't want to force myself, you know : if I don't feel anything, I just don't."
"But maybe if you pick one, you can get to know her. You have looks and pedigree, Keng! That's such a waste!"
"Just leave me alone! I'm still young : the right person might come along soon."
"I don't really understand this romantic thing, but whatever. Do you want to come to my house after class? We can play games!"
"Sure."
When they arrived home, there was a kid playing soccer in the backyard.
"That's my brother, Techno!" Assured Nic. "He's in middle school... second year... and on the soccer team. He's kind of an airhead but he's not a bad kid."
Kengkla looked at the kid and tilted his head: baby face, hamster cheeks, dopey smile... well... this kid was cute... but obviously too young. A 3 years age difference was not a big deal in a sense... but at that age, it could be.
"P'Nic!"
"How was school, No?"
"Boring! But the coach praised me! He said he could see I practice very hard. A freshman was mean, though."
"Did he bully you?"
"It's fine, P'! The coach already scolded him."
"Good. This is my friend Kengkla."
"Hi..."
"Kengkla... P'Kengkla... that's too long... can I call you P'Kla?"
"Sure."
"Yeah... thanks P'Kla! Nice to meet you."
And that's when Kla knew he was fucked... because the smile on that kid's face looked like a ray of sunshine and it warmed him up inside.
2014.
Kla walked straight into Nic's house and sat down on the couch. Nic arrived a few second later.
"Sorry dude! I owe you one!"
"That kind of things wouldn't happen if you'd just date one girl at a time! Moron!"
"I can't help it... they all want me, Keng. Anyway... Baifern is probably gonna call to check if I'm here... bullshit her the best you can, ok?"
"I'm getting sick and tired of playing decoy for you, Nic! "
"Please dude! I'll try to tone it down... I swear. In the meantime, just make yourself at home. No should be back soon... you guys can order pizza or something."
"Does your brother know how his big brother treats girls? He's in on that plan of yours?"
"He's like you : he doesn't like it and scolds me."
"Good boy."
"You're both mean. I have to go now! See you dude!"
Techno arrived half and hour later. After spending some times playing games and cursing Nic and his loose behaviour, Kla and No ordered food and ate in the leaving room.
"What about you, P'Kla?"
"What?"
"Do you have a girlfriend? If you do, I hope you treat her better than how stupid P'Nic treats his girlfriends."
"I don't have a girlfriend. But there's someone I like."
"You're gonna confess to that person?"
"Probably... but... er... I don't know... I keep thinking it's too soon."
"But you're handsome and rich, P'Kla! Surely that person is not gonna reject you! You're like perfect in everyway. Anyone would be lucky to have you!"
Kla blinked and reached for No's face. He wipped the sauce on the corner of No's mouth and stroked his cheek. No's eyes were wild and his mouth opened in shock.
"Really? Anyone? Even you?"
"Er... P'Kla..."
"See? This is why I wanted to wait... that reaction of yours is priceless!"
"Are you making fun of me, P'?"
"Why would I do that?"
"Because... er... P'Nic is the smart one... and the popular one... and I'm just... regular, you know. My friends at school are always teasing me and girls don't think I'm boyfriend potential. "Someone said it's because I'm a moron... and not pretty enough."
"You're not a moron, No... and you're cute in your own way. You're gonna be in highschool soon : if you don't start building up self-confidence, it's gonna be hard for you."
"You like me, P'?"
"Yes I do... very much! Since the first time I saw you. Oh! Hold that thought!"
The phone call from Nic's girlfriend... the official one... came at that moment.
"Baifern... I'm telling you... he just didn't want to contaminate you with whatever virus he might have. Of course, he's here... he's in the shower."
"P'Kla..." said No, playing his part... "help! I think P'Nic fainted in the shower! We need to do something about his fever."
"Roger that! What? Well... that's Nic's brother, of course. They're very close and they always take care of each other. No is the one who told Nic that he shouldn't go out in this state. No is a kind person you see... ok... sure... we'll take good care of Nic for you, Baifern... he'll be in top shape next week... alright... see you."
He hang up and sighed.
"I swear... he's always making me lie. Stupid Nic!"
No giggled and nodded, while he was putting the dishes away. And then, they sat down on the couch... watching a movie. They were halfway through it when Kla made his move. His hand reached for No's thigh... staying there for quite some time... and when No's hand covered his own... Kla's self-restraint shattered and he pushed him down. No's eyes were not fearful... and there was no doubt either. The first kiss was a chaste one... and then, it turned into a make-out session... with Kla on top on No. No's hands were moving frantically on Kla's body. And then, the front door closed loudly... making them jump. Nic was watching the scene with wide eyes... pinching himself in order to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
"P'Nic..."
"What the fuck?"
"Well..." said Kla... "er... I guess... hmm... sorry Nic."
"You... you..."
"Don't blame P'Kla, P'Nic!" Assured No. "He just lied to your girlfriend to cover your ass and he waited two years before telling me! He's not a beast like you! He's a proper person... and I like him!"
"You do, huh?" Asked Kla, smirking.
"Yes... but I thought a moron like me had no chance with a handsome and smart person like you. You have weird taste, P'Kla."
"I concur..." said Nic, shaking his head. "I don't believe this! There's like twenty girls waiting for you to socialize... and you prefer a dopey guy like No? This is SO weird!"
"You shouldn't talk about your brother that way, Nic!"
"P'Nic always speaks about me that way."
"Are you sure, No?" Asked Nic.
"Yeah."
"I just... how the Hell would someone prefer No over a nice girl like Phan? There isn't a single good thing about him, you know... well... except soccer skills I guess."
"Stop disparaging No!" Ordered Kla.
"Whose Phan?" Asked No, tilting his head.
"A girl in our class who's been asking Keng out for over two years now. She's insisting... but he keeps rebuking her. I never understood why... now, I get it. Alright... my best friend and my brother, huh? I didn't see that coming. I'd tell you to take care of him and not hurt him, but you're probably gonna laugh your ass off if I do that."
"Oh!" said Kla. "You mean because you treat girls badly and lie to them? Yeah... we wouldn't want me to do that with No!"
"P'Nic is such an hypocrite," said No, shaking his head.
"The two things are completely irrelevant! You're my brother... so I care about you... and Keng is my best friend and I also care about him. Girls are just... er... well... it's different."
"You're really an asshole!" Assure Kla. "I'm going to bed now... and if you don't mind, I'll sleep in No's room. Don't you dare stopping me... because we both know there's no way I'd do that until he's older."
"How much older are we talking about, P'?" asked No. "We wasted two years so I really hope you're not gonna make me wait until I'm 18!"
"See?" Said Nic. "He's already thinking about it! I guess we DO have something in common after all!"
2016.
Nic exited the movies with a girl.
"Shall we head back?" Asked the girl.
"Yeah. I don't know where you live so give me directions please."
"Oh! I really wanted to go with you, Nic! To your place, I mean!"
"We can't do that!"
"Why?"
"Because today is my brother's 16th birthday and he's getting the best gift ever from his lover."
"Oh! They're hitting the shits?"
"That's right! And I promised them the house for the night... so... if you don't mind, we'll go back to yours. You live in a dorm right? A room to yourself?"
"No... I have a roomate. But she's not here tonight."
"Good for us!"
Back at Nic and No's residence. Kla was worshipping No's body and making him see the stars.
"Sorry for making you wait, No!"
"It's ok, P'... you've endured as well. Thank God you're a decent person who doesn't think with his penis all the time like P'Nic!"
"Sure I am! I'm a guy... I have perverted thoughts like any other guy. But I also have a rational mind and I've been listening to it all this years. But now... I can finally let loose."
"Come at me, P'!"
"Happy birthday, No!"
2018.
No was sitting on the grass with other freshmen : they were enrolling in the soccer team of their Faculty. There were a dozen freshmen trying out that day and they had to play a friendly match so that the coach and the seniors could see their skills. The captain... a guy named Ae... was discussing with his vice-captain and the coach... probably to pick the new recruits.
"Alright freshmen!" Said Ae, coming their way. "Thank you for your hard work. We apologize to the ones who will not make the team... but we really can't take everyone. Our team is strong as it is and we'll only need six of you to ensure the future of the team. Now... I'll let Can do the honors."
"Here are the six selected people," said the vice-captain, Can ": Type... Techno... Champ... Job... Pat... Lom. Welcome to the team! Let's go and eat to get to know each other! Our captain is treating!"
No went to a restaurant with the rest of his teammates and had a good time. The guy who crushed the competition earlier... scoring three times... came to talk to him.
"You're Techno, right? You did good out there. I wouldn't have guessed you were a soccer player if I had met you elsewhere."
"I know... I've been hearing that all my life. You... on the other hand... really seem the type... so to speak!"
"Ha! As if I haven't heard that one before. Let's be friends, No!"
"Hey guys!" Said Job, coming next to them. "We were talking about going to a bar afterwards. Do you want to come? I want to meet chicks."
"Me too!" Assured Type. "Good idea!"
"Sorry guys," said No. "I'm gonna head back. I think I drank enough."
"Too bad," said Champ. "You could have found a girl to hang out with."
"Do you think girls could be interested in someone like No?" Asked Job.
"Dopey No VS Handsome Me!" Assured Type. "Yeah... no chance at all!"
"Don't tell me I'm gonna be the guy who gets teased all the time again! I went through middle school AND highschool being the goofy dopey guy people make fun of! I thought coming to College would change that... I was naive."
"But you're cute that way, No!" Assured Champ.
"And it's always fun to tease people," said Type.
"You're all mean... so I'm leaving. And for your information, I do not need to meet girls. I've been in a serious relationship for 4 years! Who can say the same?"
"Holy shit!" Screamed Job.
"No way!" Said Type, shocked.
"Really?" Asked Champ.
No smirked and stuck out his tongue to them. Two weeks later, the soccer team was practicing on the field. Type and No were shining... proving to everyone that they really deserved to be selected. And then, Type spotted two people in the bleachers and frawned. They looked like rich students... but they didn't look like soccer fans.
"Captain!" Said Type. "Who is that? They look far too young to be recruiters."
"Oh!" said Ae. "Don't mind them. That's Pete and Tin... from the International College."
"What are they doing here?"
"Waiting for Can and I. They're our boyfriends."
"Huh?"
"Can is dating Tin... the taller one... and Pete is my boyfriend. We're going out all together after practice. Now... let's go back to training! 15 more minutes people! Work hard! "
"What's wrong?" Asked No, coming his way.
"They're... no freaking way... P'Ae and P'Can... they're dating guys. How can this be?"
"Why are you so shocked? It's nothing unusual nowadays."
"Yeah right... urg... that's sick."
"Huh?"
"How can the coach let homos run the team? Talk about an embarrassment! Yuck! Fucking homos!"
"Type... you're..."
"Excuse-me... coach!"
"Do you need something, Type?"
"Is it really wise, coach? To let people like P'Ae and P'Can be in charge of the team?"
"What do you mean by that? What people?"
"You know... homos... it's embarrassing, coach! And apparently, they're open about it. Aren't you afraid of being pointed and laughed at?"
"I see. Well... I've got news for you, Type : being the team's most promising freshman is one thing... but a narrow-minded intolerant brat will not decide what's best for the team! If you want to stay, you'd better change your attitude! If there's one thing I despise, it's homophobes! That's very disappointing!"
"But coach..."
"Practice is over for you, Type! Go take a shower! Maybe it will cool your head!"
The coach was about to leave when he turned around to face Type.
"And for your information... I myself am in a happy marriage... going on ten years... and I love my husband very much!"
He left and Type's face turned white. No was in the middle of a dilemma : on one hand, he liked Type and he wanted to keep being his friend... but, on the other, that side of Type was really nasty and No didn't want to hide who he really was. He approached Type... who was still in shock.
"Are you alright?" Asked No.
"No... I... I can't believe this... homos... everywhere... it's like a nightmare!"
"You know... I like you a lot Type... I think you and I could be great friends... but if you continue with your hateful behaviour, it might put a serious stain on our friendship."
"Don't tell me you endorse that sickness! It's revolting!"
"No... your behaviour is what's revolting. And homosexuality is not a sickness, Type. Love is not about gender... it's just the way it is!"
"Homos can't love... they're all trash!"
"Well... that's it then. Such a shame to be driven by hate like that. I guess that means we're not going to hang out anymore. I really hope you can see the light and become a more tolerant human being, Type. And don't be too vocal about that hate : the coach already hates you and it's just a matter of time before the rest of the team does too."
"You're taking the fucking homos' side?"
"It's more than that. Remember when I told you guys I was in a relationship?"
"Yeah... so?"
"His name is Kengkla! He's my brother's best friend... and we've been dating since I was 14 years old. I'm a fucking homo too!"
And without waiting for Type's reaction, No went back to practice. He was sad and pissed at the same time : he never thought Type would be that kind of person. The next day, Type was a no-show for practice and he stayed absent for the whole week. When he came back, the next week, he was treated with contempt by almost everyone. He didn't seem to care and just practiced harder. And a few days later, the soccer team had their first game of the season... with Type and No as regulars. They won the game... one goal scored by Type... another one by Ae... and the last one by No. And that day... in the bleachers... Kengkla and Nic were there to cheer for No. At the end of the game, No introduced them to the team.
"P'Ae... P'Can... this is my brother P'Nic... and my boyfriend, P'Kla."
"Nice to meet you!" Assured Ae. "We've heard a lot about you!"
"No's been bragging a lot!" Assured Can.
"Woah!" Said Job. "That guy is hot! Good job, No!"
"I'm sorry, P'... "said Champ..." but I have to ask : for you to stick with No for so long, do you have some sort of mental illness?"
"Champ!" Said No, hitting him on the head.
"No I don't!" Assured Kla, clenching to No. "I'm perfectly sane."
"No..." said Nic... "where is he? The hater?"
"I guess he went to take a shower," said No. "He's always rushing there first."
"Probably because he's afraid you'll all jump him in the showers like the sick people you are!" Assured Kla, shaking his head.
"Well..." said Ae... "that's the way it is. That's kind of sad : he's the best player we've ever had on this team... and yet, he's a fucking dick!"
"Ae!" said Pete, coming their way." Language! I thought we got rid of that foul mouth of yours already!"
"Well... when faced with homophobes, I'm allowed to. Good game everyone! Let's go home!"
One week later, No and Kla were having lunch together. Job and Champ entered the restaurant they were in and greeted them.
"By the way, No, "said Job, "did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"About Type. It turns out his roomate is gay."
"It's that guy from the Performing Arts Faculty," said Champ. "The one who plays drums in the band we saw the other day... Tharn."
"Damn!" Said Kla. "If that guy wasn't such a moron, I'd feel sorry for him : surrounded by homos... he's gonna have a breakdown soon."
"And yet," said No, "I can't help but think that, deep down, he's not that bad. His behaviour... although it's revolting... I don't think it's hate. I think it's fear. I've seen his face when he looks at us... and that's not the face of a homophobe."
"I've been thinking the same thing," assured Job. "I was expecting him to always slender and insult you guys... even being violent. Instead, he's avoiding you and shitting his pants everytime the coach talks to him."
"Type can't afford to voice his homophobia," said Champ. "If he does, he's gonna be kicked off the team."
"Do you think... "said Kla... "I mean, I could be wrong, but his behaviour... that's probably PTSD. There might have been a trauma in his past."
"Like being molested by a guy!" Assured No. "Yeah... I've been thinking that for a while. And if it happened when Type was really young, then I guess his reaction is not that surprising."
They got the answer to their questionning a few weeks later. One day, Type didn't show up for the morning practice... or the evening practice. And after that session, a middle-aged man arrived and asked to talk to the coach. They exchanged a few words and then, the man adressed the team.
"I'm Type's father. I just came to inform you that he's going back home for a while. He's taken a leave of absence from the Faculty and I came to make sure his breakdown won't make him lose his spot on the team. We're gonna try and make him better... but right now, he's a mess."
"Can we ask why or is it too personal?" Asked No. "I mean... I like Type... I really think he's a good guy... but his behaviour lately... did we do that to him? Was being around us all the time that stressful?"
"I'm afraid so. And the last blow happened earlier this week when his roomate confessed to him and touched him against his will."
"No way!" Said Job. "Tharn did that? That's outrageous!"
"Indeed! I don't know him but if you see him, warn him that he'd better run for his life. Otherwise... I'll kill him."
"What about Type's trauma?" Asked Ae. "Are we talking rape here?"
"P'Ae!" Said Champ. "Maybe it's too personal for Type's father to tell us about that!"
"It's fine. Everyone in our hometown knows about it... because it was a huge drama for such a small town. And we told Type to get help... but he's too proud to admit he needs it. Such a butthead... that son of mine. We own a resort... just a small family one... and one of our employees abused Type when he was 11 years old. After that, I'm afraid Type developed a hatred of gay people. We told him numerous times not to put everyone in the same basket... that the guy was an exception and that not all gay people were like that... but... well... like I said... butthead. His best friend at home, Khom, is not talking to him for that reason. He's making enemies everywhere and he's always alone. And now... it's time to do something about it. He's gonna be able to study from home for now... but please don't kick him off the team... because soccer is the only thing he loves."
"We won't, Khun Pa!" Assured Can. "Type deserves to shine at something and when he plays soccer, he does! He's the best player ever!"
"Thank you for taking care of him despite his flows. Which one of you is Techno?"
"Me!" assured No.
"He asked me to tell you that you are now the best freshman of the team and to make sure nobody messes up. He said... and I quote : "I don't fucking want to come back to a team of losers so win every damn game!"... end of quote. "
"Yeah..." said No, nodding... "that sure sounds like Type."
The next day, during evening practice, the soccer club got another visit. Techno took one look at the guy and rushed to him... and then, he slapped him.
"No..."
"You're a moron, Tharn! Assured No. What the Hell were you thinking?"
"Please No... where is he?"
"Where do you think? He went back home of course! And I wouldn't show my face over there if I were you... because his father is not your biggest fan and he's already planning your death!"
"I... I didn't know... I swear. I just thought he was a hater... and I wanted to get back at him... but then... I realized I liked him... and I acted upon it without thinking... I didn't know he was like that because he's been... I didn't know... he broke down and told me after... and I... yeah... I'm a prick."
Tharn left running... and as No noticed... he was also crying. While Type was getting help back home, No became close to Tharn and started hanging with him. It seemed that Tharn's love for Type was genuine... he just went about it the wrong way.
"If you're serious about him and if you want to have a chance," said No, "you'd better do things properly from now on. I spoke to Type's friend the other day... Khom : it seems the reason he broke down was not because you blew him... but because he didn't feel disgusted by it. I guess it felt different than when he was abused and he couldn't comprehend it because, for him, everyone who does that is the same. With what you did... and with your genuine confession... he's starting to question everything he believed in."
"That's weird," said Tharn. "The way you talk... like you're an expert in relationships and behaviours or something."
"I'm an airhead... I'm not really smart... and my soccer skills are just average... or maybe a little above it... I don't know. But if there's one thing I'm good at, it's love. Like I told the people on my team... I've been in a relationship for 4 years... not many people can say the same thing."
"Certainly not me!"
"Failed relationships, Tharn?"
"A lot! And each time... yeah... I don't know what I'm doing wrong."
"Well... if you attack them like a pervert before they agree to a relationship... I'd say your problem is there!"
"I don't... Type's the only one I did that to. It's usually the other way around! I'm the one who is always chased! People beg me to date them... and then, they betray me or dump me out of the blue! That doesn't help building a man's self-confidence... let me tell you that!"
"That's kind of weird. They didn't give you an explanation?"
"None! One of them even left... like really left... left town left! And the last one... well... he was the worst of them all!"
"Why? What happened?"
"Sex tape of him with three other people."
"Fuck!"
"Yeah... apparently, one of the guys who did that fell in love with him or something and sent the video to me in the hopes that I'll break up with him... which I did, by the way. And then... he couln't even be honest about it! He kept on lying... saying that he was forced... that he was out of it... blah blah blah."
"You don't believe that he was?"
"That video was crystal clear, No! He looked perfectly consentent to me!"
Tharn decided to follow No's advice and he started to exchange with Type by text messages. And then, after two months, Type called him. They were learning about each other from a distance... a security for Type... and a way to keep himself in check for Tharn. After three more weeks, Type came back to Bangkok and he resumed his College life. He made amends with everyone around him : that was the last part of his therapy. And then, he surprisingly accepted Tharn as his boyfriend. They didn't come out immediately though... only No and Kla were in the loop. Type met Tharn's family... including his brother's best friend, San, who was Tharn first lover. Type was jealous as Hell when he saw them together once : he slapped Tharn and almost hit San. Apparently, even if his views of gay people were better, he still had an anger issue. Life was perfect... No and Kla... Type and Tharn... even Nic said he decided to date only one girl because he really liked her. And then... drama happened. It started when Type and Tharn decided to rent an appartment outside campus : most of their friends and families knew about them... even Type's father... and he wasn't really happy about it. Tharn said he wanted to wait before telling his best friend, Lhong... but now, he wanted to tell his friend.
"Can I ask..." said No... "why did you want to wait? You think he won't approve?"
"It's not that!" Assured Tharn. "Lhong will always approve... as long as I'm happy. It's just... he's very protective... and seeing what my past relationships did to me, he can be a bit picky about the guys I date. And since Type had a reputation for being violent and hateful... well... Lhong is probably gonna switch to "watchdog mode". "
"He's not gonna tail me, is he?" Asked Type. "Because I won't stand it!"
"I don't think so!" Said Tharn. "But he might want to know you through and through... until he trusts you. He's like that : once he knows people, he's always seeing the good in them. Can you believe that he was the rational one when Tar cheated on me? I wanted to punch him... Lhong said he wasn't worth me hurting my hand."
"Well..." said No... "you're a drummer... so that makes sense."
There was a knock on the door and Tharn welcomed his friend. He introduced him to Techno and to Type... and then, he dropped the news. Lhong was so shocked that the glass he was holding crashed on the floor. And then, he congratulated his friend and asked Type to meet sometimes, so they can get to know each other. And a few days later, Tharn began to receive half a dozen phone calls a day... from his ex-boyfriend, Tar. He didn't want to bother Type with it though... so he didn't tell him. But Type found Tharn's phone one day... and saw that a guy was calling his boyfriend on a regular basis. He got pissed and went drinking. Lhong found him in that bar... looking pretty distraught. He listened to Type renting about Tharn for hours... before he finally took him back home. He knocked on the appartment door, holding a very drunk Type.
"What the Hell?" Asked Tharn, opening the door.
"Take your man back, will you?" Said Lhong.
"What happened?"
"How should I know? I found him drunk at the bar... and then, he rented about that "stupid Tharn" for hours. What did you do?"
"Nothing! I swear. Hey Type! Stop that!"
"Mine..." said Type, holding Tharn chin in his hand and smelling his neck.... "mine... alone... my love."
"Yeah... yeah... fuck! You're really drunk!"
The next morning, Tharn asked Type why he got drunk like that, but Type... as the butthead he was... refused to answer. Instead, he went to No for help. He needed to find that guy who was calling Tharn all the time. No asked Nic... who said that Kla was the most talented for finding people. Two days later, Kla managed to get a profile on the guy and they tailed him. And when Tar and Type came face to face... everything changed. Type asked No and Kla not to say a thing to anyone : he said that it was better to keep quiet in order to fix the problem. A few days later, things escalated : after a performance, Tharn found Tar in the bathroom of the club... being harrassed by a guy. He helped him and took Tar back home. When he took care of him, Tar begged him for forgiveness and he grabbed him by the neck. And then, he kissed him.... and at that same moment, Type and Lhong entered the room.
"What the fuck?" Screamed Type.
"Type..." said Tharn... "it's not... please... I swear it's not what it looks like."
"You're doing that... fucking asshole... and you're still trying to lie about it?"
"Calm down, Type!" Said Lhong. "It's obviously the brat's plan!"
"What plan?" Asked Tharn.
"Type received a message from Tar earlier... saying that you were cheating on him and to come here if he wanted to see the proof. I just happened to come by your place when he stormed out of there. The whole thing was staged... and honestly, it's really not believable."
"What did he do to make you all defenseless like that?" Asked Type. "Fake tears? You're so stupid Tharn! Don't believe other people so easily, you fucking dumbass! I'm leaving!"
"Wait... Type!"
"Get lost stupid!"
"Go get him, Tharn!" Said Lhong. "I'll deal with the stupid brat!"
"Make sure he'll never show his face in front of me again!"
When Tarn reached his place, Type was packing. They argued for about five minutes... Tharn pleading Type not to leave and Type screaming that he couldn't trust Tarn. And then, Type was gone. Lhong arrived shortly after and took care of Tharn. It took a week for Lhong to get Tharn out of the appartment : they went to a restaurant first... and then, to a bar. Lhong said Tharn needed to let go. They were drinking... when Type suddenly appeared. He sat down at their table and drank a shot. And then, he smirked and giggled.
"Both of your faces are funny. Did you think I died or something?"
"No..." said Tharn... "but... where have you been, Type?"
"Around."
"Did you go back home to clear your head?" Asked Lhong.
"No. I don't think my parents could have helped with that particular problem. It would have been too traumatic for them : after all, it's like a repeat of what happened to me."
"Excuse-me?" Asked Lhong.
"What are you talking about?" Asked Tharn.
"Game over, fucker!" Assured Type.
He pulled out his phone and started to play videos. The first one showed the meeting between Type and Tar.
"You're the one dating P'Tharn now..." said Tar.
"And you... fuck... look at you! It was true! That was a genuine rape!"
"What do you mean, Type?" Asked the voice of No, who was probably the one filming the whole thing.
"That boy's behaviour... his eyes screaming fear... the shaking... the dark circles that probably mean he's not sleeping... this is PTSD."
"So..." said Kla... "what you're saying is... that boy REALLY was raped? He was telling the truth... and Tharn didn't believe him?"
"P'Tharn didn't have a choice," assured a crying Tar. "That video was made in such a way that I look totally consentent. He knows editing well and he used this to his advantage."
"Who are you talking about?" Asked No.
"The sick person who is obssessed with P'Tharn. The one who ruined all his relationships.. driving people away and blackmailing them. As for me... well... I think he did his best work."
"Hiring people to rape an underage boy," said Type, clinching his fists. "Fuck!"
"He... he sent the video to P'Tharn... because he wanted him to leave me. But he said he wouldn't send it to anyone else as long as I keep my mouth shut and do as he says."
"Blackmail... "said Kla. "Using you as leverage in case someone else arrives in Tharn's live."
"And then..." said No...
"Tharn and I started dating," assured Type. "That's why you've been calling Tharn lately. That fucking asshole told you to!"
"He... he said that if I helped him breaking you guys up, he'll erased the video. I'm sorry P'Type... I... that video... I don't want other people to see it."
"I understand."
"Who is that fucking moron?" Asked No. "I'll cut off his balls!"
"P'Tharn's closest friend... P'Lhong."
The next video was a meeting between Lhong and Tar outside of Lhong's place, filmed from across the street. There was no audio but the way Lhong was gesturing was crystal clear : he was shouting at the poor boy and ordering him around. The last video was in Tar's room : it was the fated incident with Tar forcing a kiss on Tharn and Type and Lhong barging in. The whole scene was on display... including the part that happened after Type and Tharn were gone. Lhong was smirking... looking at Tar with contempt.
"Good job!" Assured Lhong.
"Please... I did what you asked. Please erase that video!"
"Sure... and I'll even erase the back-up copy on my computer. Just make sure never to tell anyone about me and we're even, okay?"
"You won't win him over, you know. P'Tharn will never be yours, P'!"
"Maybe not. But at least, I'll stay by his side as his best friend. Nobody deserves Tharn but me! I'm the only one worthy of him! That fucking Type will soon be gone... and Tharn will be all mine again!"
The video ended and silence fell. The faces of the three guys sitting at that table couldn't have been more different : Type's face expression was cockiness... Tharn's face expression was devastation... Lhong's face expression was horror.
"So..." said Type..." just a little explanation here : Tharn... I did NOT leave you... I was just preparing that little video montage with No and P'Kla. We thought the best way to bust that fucker was to confront him with solid proof... I think those proofs can't be any more solid than that."
"How..." said Lhong, whose face was turning white.
"Well... as you saw in the first video... I knew straight away that Tar was telling the truth about being raped. I was abused myself when I was a child... so I recognized the symptoms. I originally asked No to film us that day because I wanted him to confess to trying to mess things up for Tharn and I... but... well... as you saw... it didn't go the way I envisionned it. We planned everything from that moment. I recorded the second video myself and P'Kla asked his father to lend him his surveillance equipment so we could install cameras in Tar's room for the final confrontation. Tharn... are you still breathing?"
"Tar... where is he? I have to... "
"You'll get your chance of apologizing to him later. Although, it's not really your fault : like Tar said... that video was very well done and anybody seeing it would believe that the poor boy was consentent."
"You saw it?"
"Tar showed it to us the day we met! No almost puked. Is this something people do for love now? Drugging and raping a 16 years old to ruin their best friend's relationship?"
"Tharn... "started Lhong.
The punch happened two seconds later. Lhong fell from his seat, holding his jaw. And then... Type kicked him in the stomach... soccer style! The bar owner, a woman named Jeed, came rushing.
"Tharn! Is everything alright? Why are you beating up Lhong?"
"P'Jeed..." said Tharn, looking at Lhong with disgust... "kick that fucking vermin out and make sure he's not allowed in here EVER again! You disgust me, Lhong!"
"Please... Tharn... I... I've always been by your side... they don't... why him? He doesn't deserve you... Tharn!... no!... don't leave... please... listen to me... I'M YOUR BEST FRIEND THARN!"
But Tharn was already gone... accompagnied by Type. The next day, Tharn barged into Tar's room and hugged him to death... apologizing over and over again. Tar assured him that he'd be alright... that he'd need time but that he would get help. Life resumed normally for everyone... except for Lhong who had completely vanished.
2020.
When No and Type started their third year, Ae offered the captain position to Type... who turned it down.
"P'Ae... I abandonned my team for months... and I was a dick to everyone... I don't deserve to be captain. Give the position to No... I'll be happy just being his vice-captain."
And so... No became captain of the soccer club... with his best friend by his side.
2022.
Graduation day at the faculty. No would start working at his parents compagny and Type was gonna spent a few more years in school in order to become a sport doctor. That day, Tharn and Kengkla made simultaneous proposals to their lovers. And just like that... No and Type were engaged : they had a happy fulfilling life ahead of them.
The end.