The ended relationship is like a star orbiting far away. Invisible yet still impactful. The plane soaring into the sky marked 'the end' of their relationship. The sole desire of the star was to reunite someday, but since the other party wished for no further contact, the desire was locked away in a box, permanently until it was forgotten that once...There was a boy who never gave up on his dreams, no matter what.

 

"So freaking sleepy!"

 

The boy with dark brown eyes shouts and stretches, looking around the room, his raven hair all dishevelled from ruffling. He staggers into the bathroom and mindlessly examines his face in the mirror. His dark circles make him look like a panda. A zit pops up on his chin, either from stress or careless face washing. Not to mention the red eyes from sleep deprivation.

 

The boy who never gave up on his dreams is still the same after two years, except for those dreams. In the mind of the boy who has grown up well or maybe not so well… They've changed into...Graduating,» Landing a respectable job - Having time to sleep

 

That's quite a great mindset. What do people dream about their future? Good families and good lives. As for someone with a fucking broken family and messed-up life, he simply wants a decent job that leads to wealth, then lives quietly before dying alone. Oh, having lots of time to sleep is more like the major purpose of life.

 

I brush my teeth and wash up roughly, then quickly dress to attend classes. The student shirt, though it's supposed to be ironed, is good enough that it's white and clean these days.

 

Since I decided to apply to the Department of Fine and Applied Arts and join the art club, my student clothes have been resembling rags more and more each day.

I hop on the minibus. My routine has been repetitive for a full year, and it still is. I study, go to my club, do homework, make money, sleep, wake up, and study.

 

The morning breeze drifts across my face, wafting the smell of the sea around thirty steps away from the front of the residence. This is what I dreamed of in high school: to get into a university near the sea. I love the sea. The folk song from the market nearby in the morning is still the main element of this area.

 

Buzz, buzz.

My phone vibrates. I glance at the name on the screen and heave a sigh. I don't know what my sister wants. Our family was ruined that day, and it was the reason I moved out to live alone without ever contacting my family. It was initially a struggle because, besides being broke, I wanted to go to university like others. I borrowed my sister's money and paid her back in a year. I've even paid this year's tuition fees.

 

"What?" My weary voice probably wears her out to an extent, but as she's seemingly the only one feeling terrible about forcing me to move out, I talk to her despite myself.

 

[Any problem with the tuition fees?]

"All paid."

 

[What about the food cost?]

"I eat at the restaurant."

 

[Do you need more money?]

 

"If you're going to ask the same questions, stop calling me." Since the semester started, Ning has been calling me every week, as if worried about something. She wasn't this persistent when I was a freshman. When she calls, she always asks if I have enough money or if I'm having a hard time.

 

[I'm just worried.]

"I live with Sorn. Everything's all right. Sorn treats me like his own child. No worries."

 

I hear a soft sigh on the other end. I know she's worried, but no one stopped me when I moved out.

[Are you dating anyone?]

 

Kaning's question halts me from passing a coin to the driver. I pull myself together and place it on his palm before entering the university.

 

"What about it?"

[Nothing.]

 

Ugh, are you sure? Aren't you spying on me for our parents?

"What if I'm dating a boy?"

 

[Kieng!]

Haha. I want to laugh myself to death.

 

"I'm not dating anyone. Shouldn't you know it best?"

 

I hang up and stride along the path in aggravation. Don't ask who I'm dating. I can't even be interested in anyone these days. To be accurate...My heart is in ruins. My body at present functions with my brain and muscles. I used to be meticulous, but I've turned sluggish and uninspired.

 

The once determined guy can no longer concentrate on anything for long. This is what they say about how people can change entirely. Loads of things in university aren't what you expect, I know. Therefore, I separated myself from everything after freshman year, isolating myself with no friends, nothing. There's one thing calming me down and keeping me sane. Painting.

 

That's why I go to the art club, my emotional support, every day after class. Since it's not as popular as the music club, it has few members. Besides, no one bothers me. The club president is also quiet. We come here and vent through our paintings, never chatting about anything.

 

Today is another day. I stayed in the club room until almost late in the evening. Usually, there are three people left before closing the room: me, Fou, the club president, and Aun, the vicious-looking club vice-president.

 

"Aren't you going home, Kieng?" The club president's drowsy voice reaches my ears. I break my focus from my oil painting and crane my neck to look at him.

 

"I'll leave soon."

"We haven't had new members lately."

 

"Good. I enjoy peace."

 

"You want the club all for yourself? You and Oat are somehow the only ones left in the second year."

 

"Yeah, this is my club."

"In your dream."

 

Knock, knock.

The knocks interrupt the conversation. The members rarely knock on the art club's door. They push it open without caring if it hits anybody's face. The knocks imply it's not the member.

 

"Why knocking? The light is brighter than my future. What's it for?" Fou diverts his eyes from his canvas and walks to the door, grumbling. He stops short and turns his head toward me.

 

"What? Why are you looking at me?"

"I forgot the door's locked."

 

Does he need to tell me that? I turn my attention back to my oil painting. I love the freedom of the art club because I can do whatever I want. If any of my pieces catch the higher-ups' attention, they will occasionally be displayed in the library or on the university's walls. Sometimes the pretty ones are selected to decorate nearby restaurants. If I'm lucky, I'll gain some money from it.

 

"Oh, you're not the member. Wrong room?"

 

I don't know who Fou is talking to by the door. Aun and I don't care in the slightest.

 

"I'd like to apply."

"Oh, yeah? All right. Come in."

 

The door is closed as they both walk inside.

 

"You're a freshman?"

"Yes."

 

"Great. We're short of freshmen this year. Now we won't be lonely." Hearing it's a first-year student, I pay no heed. It would be a different story if it were a third-year or fourth-year student.

 

"Well... The club room is open every day after four. If you want to come here earlier, you can get the key from the vice-president or me." I crane my neck toward Fou again and open my mouth to tease him with, 'I also have a key as I'm the president's favourite,' but when my eyes meet the new boy, the forgotten nightmare floods back into my mind.

 

I'm not the only one in shock and wondering why there's a familiar face in this room. He's probably as dumbfounded as I am. Why is he in a student uniform? Why is he handing a piece of white paper to the club president? There's no mistaking it. Why wouldn't I recognise him when we've known each other since middle school? He's just older. His facial features are sharper than they were back then, and he's gotten much taller. What remains the same is his fierce eyes. Aside from that, the most noticeable thing is the faint aura exuding from his body, as light blue as ever.

 

He reacts by putting an emotionless face back on as if we're strangers, and I respond by grabbing the closest object, the brush-washing bucket, and throwing it at his face, making Fou shout.

 

"Kieng, what the hell!!"

"Why did you come back?!"

 

I hope my trembling shout gets him to reflect on his actions. Even though I want to hurt him...But why? Why...?

 

"Why did you come back?"

 

Why am I the only one hurt to death in the end! Why did you come back, 'Ket?