Only Friends: Dream On.

Ever since Timmy posted the audition announcement on the bulletin board in front of the Faculty of Fine Arts building, many people have signed up. This is a significant opportunity to be part of the faculty's play, an event held only once a year that attracts considerable media attention and talent scouts from the entertainment industry. Many alumni who are now famous actors, models, and singers have all risen to fame on this stage.

 

When audition day arrived, the atmosphere inside the Faculty of Fine Arts building became lively. Everyone hoping to get the role prepared themselves thoroughly to impress the director and the team. One of them was Raffy, who borrowed an outfit from Chis, a senior in the fashion department, from a collection inspired by medieval English clothing—it was the perfect outfit for his important audition.

 

"Wait a minute, when you said you were auditioning, I didn't think you'd take the role of Romeo." Pete, Raffy's best friend, was stunned when he learned the truth. He tried his best to persuade his friend to reconsider.

 

"Why are you even trying? You know perfectly well that in the end, Jack will choose Dean."

 

"Things aren't the same anymore, Pete. Maybe not anymore," Raffy said as he buttoned his sleeve. "They've broken up. Poomit has the right."

 

"Huh? What rights? An audition?"

 

"I'll take whatever rights I get," Raffy replied dismissively, not caring much. He glanced in the mirror one last time to check his appearance. "The opportunity is here; how could I be stupid enough to just watch?"

 

Pete didn't quite understand, but he still helped his friend prepare thoroughly for his audition before time ran out. Inside the audition room, a long white table was arranged. Jack, the director, sat in the centre, flanked by Timmy, Tua, and the other key team members. However, all day long, no one had impressed the director.

 

"Thanks," Timmy said to the audition participant after catching Jack yawning for the hundredth time. "I'll let you know the results as soon as they're out." He waited for him to leave the room before turning to snap at his friend, "The day's almost over, aren't you going to try and like someone?"

 

Jack sighed, trying to wake himself from his nearly closed eyelids. Back to being active as usual.

"Because it hasn't hit the mark yet."

 

"Why don't you just choose Dean and get it over with? If you don't want a confrontation, then choose Timmy."

 

"Go talk to them."

 

Timmy stared at Tua, his eyes wide. Why would he put himself in the way of two cats fighting? But before he could say anything, the glass door of the audition room opened again. The person they'd just been talking about had appeared at the perfect time.

 

"You're hard to kill," Timmy whispered with a smile, seeing Dean. Dean grinned provocatively before deliberately winking only at Jack. However, Jack remained impassive, simply clasping his hands together and glancing around calmly, just as he did with all the other audition participants.

 

"Hello everyone! My name is Dean Dechakon Premsuda. I'm 176 cm tall and weigh sixty kilograms, coming to audition for the role of Romeo."

 

They knew Dean was deliberately messing with Jack because everyone in the room knew the Prince of Finance so well that introductions were practically unnecessary.

 

"As for my background and life, I don't need to go into that, do I? The director probably knows best."

 

"It's already transparent in every nook and cranny."

 

"Ooh!" The classmates in the room gasped when they saw Jack just staring. Dean put his hands on his hips.

 

"Shall we begin, or should we just sit here staring at each other until 8 PM?”

 

"No need for much talking. If you're going to start the casting, just begin. You're the last one."

 

"Hey, wait a minute! Let me audition too! Is it still possible?" Everyone turned to look at the source of the voice, only to see Raffy, fully dressed, entering the audition room. Raffy walked over and stood beside Dean, who was grinning, amused by Raffy’s dramatic performance for only a supporting role. Little did Dean know he was about to face a formidable competitor.

"My name is Raffy, Rangsiman Buranasorn. I am 187 centimetres tall and weigh 60 kilograms." Raffy smiled, "I'm here to audition for the role of Romeo."

 

The team decided to audition Dean and Raffy together. Both would have to perform a monologue specially written by the director, and they would only have five minutes each to prepare and memorise their lines. Dean and Raffy stepped to the centre of the room, which was divided into two sides, not far from the director's desk. The crew then shone spotlights on the speakers in order. "If you're ready, let's begin."

 

As Jack's voice faded, Dean bowed his head in meditation. When he looked up again, the spotlight illuminated a changed image. Dean's face and body language had transformed into that of Romeo, a stark contrast to his usual self, sending chills down the spines of those watching. Dean's Romeo recited the monologue in a trembling voice, tears welling up in his eyes.

 

"If love means sacrificing and leaving so someone else can be happier, that's not true love. Love is about burning together. We built, we had everything together—the memories and Romeo's life... You can't turn your back on me. You may live without others, but you cannot live without me to sustain yourself..." 

 

The spotlight dimmed, only to shine again on Raffy. His Romeo wasn't as sorrowful as Dean's, but strong and unyielding, yet with a pleading, longing in his eyes.

 

"If your heart already knows how it will end, why choose the same thing again? You can always choose again, just choose something that won't disappoint you. I won't force you. Make your decision now, but just know that I'll always be by your side." 

 

As the lights went out, Jack straightened up, looking at both of them alternately in the darkness. His mind was racing with conflicting thoughts. Both of them had performed incredibly well, almost equally, which was making his decision difficult. And as the spotlight shone on both actors simultaneously, Jack saw a Romeo interpreted differently once again. One was trembling, his face filled with pain, while the other wore a forced smile, a look of waiting and pleading in his eyes. Jack placed both their applications in front of them just as they spoke their final lines together.

 

"Choose me, Romeo."

 

The spotlights went out, and the crew in the room erupted in applause and cheers, reflecting the fact that the two had won everyone's hearts. However, all the burden of worry inevitably fell on the director.

 

 ════[changbins_delulu_wife]════

 

"You're stressed out, aren't you? Don't know who to choose, huh? I'd be stressed too," Timmy patted Jack's shoulder, trying to shout over the loud music in the Pink Pony Club, their usual bar after school or when they're stressed, like deciding between Dean and Raffy for the lead role in the play – just like Jack was experiencing. Timmy was trying to help him find the easiest solution.

 

"If you can't decide, just play both roles! Either way, our story has to be part of it. There are already two Romeos."

 

"No, only one of them can be chosen," Jack put down his beer glass. "Dean and Raffy's characters are too similar. They're better suited to playing the lead role of Romeo. No one can play the hero Romeo."

 

"Hey, what about the role of Romeo, the hero? Have you found the right person yet?" Timmy asked. The producer asked in return.

 

"Not yet. I haven't found anyone I like."

 

"Oh, for heaven's sake, why make life so difficult?" Timmy grumbled, slamming down his beer. Meanwhile, a brand-new beer tower was served to their table by a handsome young waiter, even though they hadn't ordered it. Everyone at the table was surprised and confused until the owner, a woman dressed in a flashy, colourful, and sassy outfit, rushed over to explain.

 

"I'm paying. I've seen your face like a grumpy butt since you sat down."

 

"Thank you, Pink," Timmy, who loves freebies, bowed deeply, almost prostrating himself. Tua and Jack also expressed their gratitude. The shop owner returned the gesture with a smile and started a conversation, beginning with Jack.

 

"So your boyfriend isn't coming?"

"Who's my boyfriend, bro?"

"It's Dean."

 

Timmy choked on his beer, his face pale and ashen in an instant. He quickly raised his hand to explain calmly.

 

"My ex-boyfriend and I broke up ages ago, Pink."

 

"Oh, really? I didn't know," the shop owner pouted. "Great, isn't it? They broke up, but they're still hanging out. Such a Gen Z relationship. They'll probably get back together again soon, just you wait."

 

Pink dropped a bombshell before turning and walking away without a second thought, leaving Jack fuming all alone. Timmy and the other guy exchanged understanding glances.

 

"If you don't want people to talk about Dean anymore, you just have to move on."

 

"Finally, understand?" Tua said, with Timmy joining in.

 

"But if you and I stay stuck together like this all night, no one will dare approach us."

 

"You! Go on! Give Jack a chance, maybe he'll discover something new." Jack let the two of them go enjoy the atmosphere of the shop, his mind replaying Tua's words over and over. His friend was probably right; if he didn't move forward, he'd just be stuck in the past and wouldn't be able to accomplish anything.

 

"Hey Jack, why are you sitting alone?" Raffy showed up with a glass of beer at just the right moment. He was able to help pull Jack out. Temporarily take a break from the chaotic thoughts swirling in your head.

 

"You came alone, didn't you?"

 

"I'm waiting for Pete and the others; they're not here yet. Can I sit with you guys?"

 

"If you're trying to trick me into telling you about the audition, I can't answer that yet. I haven't made my decision," Jack smirked knowingly.

 

"So, how was it? Was I good enough to play? I feel like I didn't get to show my full potential."

 

"Hey, you acted well. It was very natural. I really liked it," Jack said, expressing the truth from the director's point of view. Raffy couldn't help but smile; he couldn't hide his delight.

 

"Can I record this? You're complimenting me, after all."

 

"Enough, stop messing around. You're exaggerating," Jack laughed, feeling tipsy and starting to get drunk. Seeing this, Raffy took the opportunity to place his hand on Jack's knee, then slowly move it up to Jack's lap. Meanwhile, he leaned closer to whisper something to Jack.

 

"I want to work with a talented person like you. I want to be your muse. Can I have it, Jack?"

 

The atmosphere between the two was getting steamy, and it would have gone even deeper if someone hadn't walked in and slammed their beer glass down on the table with a loud bang.

 

Jack and Raffy turned to look. It was Dean, pouring beer from the tower on Jack's table into his own glass. He then turned back, giving them an awkward smile and a dry laugh, as if the sight before them was incredibly funny.

 

"Did your whole team go on a trip to Guatemala? That's why you're showing right here."

 

"I was just sitting here waiting for a friend. I saw Jack sitting alone," Raffy said, clearly deliberately trying to provoke him. "Hey, come to think of it, you and I have never acted together before. It's a shame we had to audition for the same role. If I ever get the chance, I really want to act in a play with you."

 

"Normally, I don't like doing charity work, but I'll make an exception for you. But who knows, we might even end up in a play together. I'll be the main character, and you...the ensemble.”

 

"Dean..." Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Jack tried to stop him, but Raffy...

 

"It's okay... Actually, I look up to you as an idol. I want to be like you. Everything you've achieved, I want too... My friends are here, I should go. See you later, Jack."

 

Dean knew exactly what Raffy meant. He watched as the other man got up from the table. Jack noticed the unfriendly look in his eyes and couldn't help but warn him. 

 

"You're being too harsh, Dean. Raffy hasn't even done anything yet."

 

"That kid from the movie has had a crush on you since your first year. You rejected him, but he kept pestering you until your fourth year," Dean rolled his eyes at his rival, who had just walked away, before turning back to give Jack another grin. "But you chose me back then, remember, Lonely Boy?"

"I don't remember, but if Raffy still really likes me, it's not too late. If he gets to act in the play I'm directing, we'll get closer. Anything can happen, don't you think?"

 

"What do you mean! You're going to give him the lead role?"

 

"Who knows? Maybe the audience wants something new. The old stuff is so predictable and boring," Jack said and then walked away, leaving Dean, who was fuming, alone at the table.

 

The Prince of Fine Arts raised his beer and drank irritably, thinking that getting the lead role in this play wouldn't be as easy as before. He had to do everything he could to ensure he wasn't just a second choice in Jack's agenda. Dean happened to spot Tua and hurried over to investigate. Seeing Tua approaching from a distance, he felt a pang of fear, but it was probably too late to escape now.

 

"Jack's going to choose me, right?"

 

"I don't know."

 

"Seriously," Dean pressed, like a police officer interrogating a suspect.

 

"You have to admit, this time you didn't get as much sleep as you used to when you had time."

 

"Audition? Raffy's really gotten better."

 

"Seriously, Raffy?" Dean could hardly believe his ears. "Compared to me, who can order tears to fall?"

 

"Instant results. I can do anything you want, from the corners of your eyes to the edges."

 

"I won't argue about your skill, but I'm probably afraid that you'll do it."

 

The show is a flop, just like last time..." Tuo blurted out the words unintentionally, but it left Dean speechless. What had happened before was truly serious and unforgivable, but that wasn't a reason for Jack to dismiss Dean's abilities. Seeing the awkward situation, Tuo quickly changed the subject.

 

"But right now, there's something more stressful: we haven't found anyone suitable for the role of Romeo yet."

"That's Jack!"

 

He intended to raise his glass to drink and cheer himself up, but now there was only ice and no alcohol. He was too lazy to go back to his table to refill, so he decided to order a new bottle from a passing waiter. But then he happened to see a familiar-looking waiter dancing and entertaining customers.

 

"It's Arnold!" Tua didn't expect to see him here. 

"He's here for work."

 

"Are you a waiter?"

 

"Yeah, I messaged him," Dean replied casually, not paying much attention because he was still bothered by their previous conversation. "Pink has been pestering him for ages, and finally she gave in."

 

"Oh...."

 

Dean glanced at his best friend out of the corner of his eye. Seeing Tua's awkward demeanour, a smirk escaped his lips, and he couldn't help but roll his eyes.

 

"Anyone who gets to eat Arnold would be full, wouldn't they?"

 

"Really?"

 

"Come on, if you like him, go for it! Hesitate, and someone else will snatch him up," Tuu didn't reply, only secretly glancing at Arnold's breakdance moves—a strategy to keep the customers entertained, who seemed quite pleased by the handsome man. But suddenly, Tuu bit his lip, wondering if Dean was right. Should he do something before it was too late?