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If lunch with William’s friends was chaos—loud laughter, constant teasing, interruptions flying across the table—lunch with Est and Dunk was the opposite. Quiet. Too quiet.
Dunk sat stiffly, poking at his food more than eating it. His shoulders hunched inward, like he was bracing for impact, too afraid to say the wrong thing. Clearly, he believed every rumor about William—that he was cold, untouchable, maybe even dangerous.
The silence pressed in thick and heavy, and Est felt it. William was already doing him a favor with all this pretending. The least Est could do was smooth things over, ease the tension, make it less harder for William. He drew in a breath, ready to joke, to fill the space—
But William spoke first.
“So,” he said softly, voice lower, gentler than Est expected, “how long have you two been friends?”
Both Est and Dunk whipped their heads toward him, caught off guard.
“Oh—uh,” Dunk straightened, almost like a soldier caught by surprise. “Est and I have been training with the same coach since high school. Different schools though. Lucky we got into the same university.”
William nodded slowly, thoughtful, like he was actually listening—not just asking to be polite. “And the other girl? The one from the other day.”
“You mean Punch?” Est asked.
Dunk snorted, a little more relaxed. “Punch is Est’s annoying schoolmate. She never shuts up.”
Est laughed, shaking his head. “She’s my friend since middle school. And I’ve got another close friend, but he studies in Thammasat.”
Before the silence could settle back in, William leaned forward.
“I saw you on a BMW G310R the other day, Dunk. Was that yours?”
The change was instant. Dunk’s eyes lit up, all stiffness forgotten. “You saw my bike? Yeah, it was a gift from my dad when I won a competition last year.”
“Nice,” William said, tilting his head. “It’s got a solid design—almost an adventure-bike feel.”
“It does!” Dunk’s grin broke wide, his voice brighter than before. “What’s your model?”
Est blinked, watching the two of them fall into an easy rhythm. He hadn’t expected this—William coaxing Dunk out of his shell, steering the conversation with a quiet patience that didn’t feel forced. And watching it unfold, Est felt something stir deep inside him. William wasn’t just tolerating his friends. He was trying.
And that effort—subtle, careful, deliberate—lodged warm and heavy in Est’s chest.
The bell rang, sharp against the air, pulling them all back. William pushed his chair back with a quiet sigh. “Sorry. I’ve got class this afternoon.”
“No problem, bro,” Dunk said easily, almost like he’d forgotten he was ever afraid.
William’s gaze flicked to Est. “I’ll go. Text me if you need anything.”
Est only managed a nod, watching the broad line of his back retreat across the cafeteria.
Across from him, Dunk exhaled, eyes still following. “He’s different from all the rumors,” he said softly. “Kinda cool, actually.”
Est’s lips curved upward before he could stop them. “Yeah,” he murmured, eyes lingering on William’s disappearing figure. “He is.”
Dunk had gone to grab drinks, and Est was scrolling absently through his phone when the air shifted. He looked up, and his stomach dropped.
Joong.
He slid into the chair opposite with the ease of someone who didn’t need an invitation, grin curved like a blade. “So. You two are getting bolder. Late-night dates, IG stories… flaunting it now, huh?”
Est let out a groan, sharp and exasperated. “God, just go, Joong. William’s gonna be back any minute, and trust me—you do not want to be the first thing he sees.”
“No, he won’t,” Joong replied, voice slick with smugness. “He’s in class. I keep track.”
Est’s glare sharpened. “What now? Stalking him too?”
“Maybe.” Joong leaned forward, elbows on the table, voice dropping low. “But you know what I think, Est? You and William don’t match. Not really. Sooner or later, you’ll realize it. And when you do, I’ll still be here. Waiting. Because you and I—we fit better. Always have.”
Est’s pulse spiked, heat rising in his chest. He was ready to snap, to throw every sharp word he had at Joong—
“Joong!”
The interruption cracked the tension like glass. Dunk returned, balancing two pink Nom Yens, smile bright. He slid one across the table toward Joong with casual ease. “I saw you while I was buying drinks. Got you one too—I know you like them.”
Joong blinked, mask slipping. “How do you know I—”
“I pay attention.” Dunk smirked, leaning back with a confidence that didn’t feel forced.
For the first time, Joong had no clever comeback. His mouth opened, then shut again.
“And hey,” Dunk continued lightly, “my mom’s trying out new flavors at Navori tomorrow. I’m inviting friends. I know you love the place. Want to come?”
Joong faltered, caught off guard by the invitation. “I… I don’t—”
“Est and William are coming too,” Dunk cut in smoothly, his grin widening just enough to twist the knife.
Joong’s jaw tightened, his composure cracking. He turned his head toward Est—
But Est’s chair was empty.
Somewhere between Dunk’s return and Joong’s stumble, Est had slipped away, leaving Joong stranded with a drink he hadn’t asked for and a silence he couldn’t control.
___
When the lecture wrapped up, William’s friends were already stuffing notebooks into their bags, chatter filling the room.
“Are we going to our usual spot?” Lego asked, slinging his backpack over one shoulder.
“Yeah, let’s go,” Nut said easily.
But William wasn’t moving. He checked his phone, and as his eyes skimmed the screen, his whole body went still.
Est: I’m furious! Joong sat with me right after you left. He won’t back off!
Something sharp flared in William’s chest. His jaw locked. “Shit,” he muttered under his breath, voice low but laced with fury. “That bastard.”
Tui, already zipping up his bag, caught the shift immediately. “What’s wrong?”
William shoved his phone into his pocket. “I need to find Est.” The words came out fast, edged with urgency. His gaze flicked to Tui, steady and deliberate—a silent message passing between them.
Tui nodded knowingly. “Go. Handle it.”
“Don’t forget our movie tomorrow!” Hong called as William moved for the door, half oblivious to the growing tension. “CentralWorld at 4!”
“Bring Est!” Lego shouted after him with a grin.
William didn’t answer, already storming out.
__
By evening, Est’s anger still simmered. Joong’s persistence, his smug little smirks, the fact that he was now keeping track of William’s schedule—it gnawed at him. He needed release, a way to shut out the noise.
So he went to the only place that ever gave him peace: the pool.
The moment his body slipped beneath the surface, the world went quiet. Each stroke cut clean through the weight inside him, his breath syncing with the rhythm of the water. The pool was more than routine—it was sanctuary, a place where rage and doubt dissolved with every lap. The water didn’t judge. It only held him, steady and cool, like an embrace he could fall into.
By the time Est dragged himself out, muscles aching, his hair clung to his forehead in damp strands. A hot shower chased away the lingering chill, but not the exhaustion sinking deep in his bones. When he finally stepped outside, towel draped over his shoulders, the sky had turned dusky violet. Past six already.
And then—he froze.
William was there.
Sitting casually on the concrete steps, laptop balanced on his knees, his long legs stretched out. The glow of the screen lit the sharp line of his brow, his fingers moving quick and precise over the keyboard.
“What are you doing here?” Est asked, his voice still rough from swimming.
“Finishing a report.” William didn’t look up.
“No, I mean… here. Why not in the library?”
At that, William finally closed the laptop with a soft snap. His jaw ticked, and for the first time Est caught the tension simmering just beneath his composed surface.
“You texted me,” William said. His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “Said Joong bothered you again.”
Est frowned. “…Yeah. But I didn’t tell you to come.”
“I figured that bastard might show up here too.” The words carried quiet anger, sharp and certain.
“Then why wait out here?” Est pressed, almost confused, almost touched. “You could’ve just sat inside instead of—”
William cut him off, his voice low. “You looked like you were in your element.” He shifted slightly, finally meeting Est’s eyes. “Didn’t want to bother you.”
Est’s heart stuttered. The words were simple, but the weight behind them wasn’t.
Slowly, softly, he whispered, “I thought you didn’t care about anyone.”
William held his gaze. His lips parted, but his answer was blunt.
“I don’t.”
And yet—he had stayed. Not in the library, not with his friends, but here. Sitting on the steps, waiting. Watching over him.
Est’s thoughts tangled. If the rumors were true, William would’ve beaten Joong bloody by now, no questions asked. That was the version of William people whispered about—the violent one, the dangerous one.
But here he was instead: steady, controlled, protective in a way that didn’t need fists or threats. It unsettled Est, but it warmed him too, in places he didn’t expect.
William’s voice broke through his spiraling thoughts, softer than before. “You okay?”
Est swallowed, forcing himself to nod. “…Yeah. Yeah.” He curved his lips into a smile, though it felt clumsy. “Come on. Have you eaten? My treat.”
William rose to his feet. “Okay. My bike’s that way.” He jerked his chin toward the parking lot.
Est’s response was immediate, firm. “Nope. We’re taking my car from now on.”
William arched a brow, clearly entertained. “What, you don’t trust my driving?”
“It’s not that,” Est shot back, arms crossing with a pointed look. “It’s just safer. And more comfortable.”
William’s mouth curved into a lazy smirk. “How about we take turns, then? Fair’s fair.”
Est rolled his eyes, heat creeping up his neck. Why did he have to sound so damn smug? “Fine. But it’s my turn now. Deal with it.”
William gave a small shrug, like conceding to Est’s stubbornness cost him nothing. But the flicker of amusement in his eyes lingered as he fell into step beside him.
__
They ended up at Ten Suns, a cramped little shophouse tucked on a Bangkok side street. The place was unassuming—plastic stools, humming fans, the scent of simmering broth in the air—but its braised beef soup was legendary. Tender meat, rich broth, noodles that soaked up every ounce of flavor.
“This is good,” William admitted after a long sip.
“Told you so.” Est grinned, a little proud he’d chosen well.
For a while, they ate in silence. Not awkward—surprisingly comfortable.
Then Est set his spoon down, nerves crawling in his chest. “Can I say something, and you not get weird about it?”
William glanced up, brow arching. “Doubtful. But go on.”
Est let out a shaky laugh. “You’re not actually scary.”
William froze mid-bite. “…Excuse me?”
Est chuckled, pushing through the heat in his face. “Your eyes are sharp, yeah. And you’ve got this default intimidating look. Plus, you’ve got zero patience for nonsense. At first, I was nervous around you. But now…”
William leaned in slightly, curious despite himself. “But now what?”
Est hesitated, then forced it out. “Now I think it’s an act. You use the scary vibe to keep people away.”
For a second, William just stared. “Brave tonight, huh?”
Est smirked. “What’re you gonna do, punch me?”
William snorted, shaking his head.
The smile faded from Est’s lips, replaced by something gentler, almost vulnerable. “The rumors—they’re not true, right?”
William tilted his head, gaze steady. “Why don’t you find out for yourself?”
The answer stirred a knot in Est’s chest—frustration, curiosity, and something warmer tangled together.
William leaned back, casually wiping his mouth with a tissue. “You free tomorrow?”
“Yeah. Why?”
“My friends and I are watching Conjuring.”
Est raised a brow. “So we’re acting outside school now?”
“Fine. Don’t come.” William pushed his chair back and stood, already pulling out his wallet.
“Wait!” Est scrambled after him, heart lurching. He shoved William’s hand down when he tried to pay. “I told you—it’s my treat tonight.”
William didn’t fight him on it, just stepped aside with a quiet exhale, watching as Est handed the cashier the bills. His expression was unreadable, but his silence pressed heavier than words.
When they walked out, William didn’t wait, striding ahead toward the car. Est caught up, lips pressed tight, and the drive back to campus was thick with unspoken words.
By the time they rolled into the school’s parking lot, Est couldn’t take it anymore. Before William could open the door, he blurted, “What time and where tomorrow?”
“You don’t have to—”
“I want to.” Est’s voice cut through, quiet but firm. His grip tightened on the steering wheel. “Not just because of this act. If we’re stuck in this longer… we should at least get along. Be friends, right? So yeah. I want to hang out.”
William paused, studying him in the dim light. Then he gave a single nod. “Four o’clock. CentralWorld. I’ll pick you up.”
Est blinked. “What? No—you don’t have to.”
“Pretty sure I do. My friends will notice.”
“Then I’ll pick you up instead!” Est shot back, defensive.
William smirked faintly, eyes glinting. “Just say you don’t want to ride my motorcycle.”
“…Fine. I don’t.”
“Too bad.” William pushed the door open, half-turning just enough to toss over his shoulder, “It’s my turn tomorrow. Text me your address. I’ll be there at three.”
The door shut with finality.
Est slumped forward, groaning into the steering wheel. “Asshole.”
And yet, his heart wouldn’t stop racing.
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