Theory of Love

I Like You, So I Hit on You

 

Third goes rigid. I wait for his answer intently and try to take a step forward even though I barely have the strength to move a centimetre more.

 

"Can you wait for me? I will go get my bike." 

 

Chawee isn't lying down far away from here, just the Med Building. Just the other side of the university...

 

"Khai, that's enough." I can't see his expression because my vision is blurry. I can only feel the warm hands holding on to my

arms.

 

"Don't go with him."

 

"You have to go to the hospital, right now. Un, please help me."

 

"No, no, I'm fine. Third, please." I try to wipe the blood off my shaking hands on my pants. At least if this filthy blood is wiped off, he won't feel nauseated.

 

I've always thought that all my shitty behaviours have turned my heart cold. I've never cried for love, never felt hurt, never put so much effort into something only to end up crying when it turned out to be disappointing. I always had my guard up to shield my feelings, but Third destroyed it all.

 

My left leg hurts so much as if someone is trying to get my bone out and chop it with a knife. It makes me scared that I won't be able to keep our promise and take Third home. 

 

"Khai, can you hear me? Wait a bit, wait for Un to come back." His voice is restless. I keep standing so that he doesn't have to wait long.

 

"I'm… going to get my bike."

 

"You can't go, fucker. Do you hear me? You can't!"

 

"I heard you. I got it." 

 

I force each word out. But since I dragged myself this far, I'm too tired and can't keep myself up anymore. I let the blurry vision take over before closing my eyes.

 

Good thing the last voice I hear is Third's. I'm glad that at least I got to try, even though I didn't get a positive answer.

 

"Un, can you turn down the AC? Khai is shaking." The voice makes me try to open up my eyes, but I can't because of the blood on my eyelids. I don't know where I am or how long I've slept, but the chilly wind and the warmth from someone's body make me feel relieved. My head must be on his lap. His hand presses on my cheek. You're not disgusted, right?

 

"Khai, are you awake?" His voice is so soft, as if he's worried. It's the kind of voice I haven't heard for a long time, ever since we fought.

 

".." I want to tell him that I'm awake, but I don't have the strength to respond.

 

"Hang in there, we're almost at the hospital."

 

Um, I'll hang in there, but please stay with me.

Thank you, thank you for not being disgusted. Today, we...Finally get home together.

 

[Someone doubted if an old play was Shakespeare's work]."

 

'And?'

 

Statisticians had to inspect it by proofreading and word counting. Shakespeare always used the same set of words with similar word counts in every work, but there's a word he's never used in his works!

 

What is it?'

 

'Love'

 

That word belongs to the set of words in my brain.'

 

Yeah, word usage indicates people's personality. Some use many rude words, some use too many "love.' And so, proofreading can help identify the writer or speaker.'

 

'What about you, Third? What's the word you use the most?'

 

I don't know. What about you? Love?'

 

"I guess/At that time, the words, ‘I love you,' were what I always said to other people, but I know the answer now: the word that identifies me, the one I've been saying for years. This is Khai's identity, the owner of the word I hold the copyright to my feelings.

 

'Third'

 

I gain my consciousness when I hear people talking. The voices are so low but still disturb me, so I force my eyes open slowly.

 

The bright light shining into my eyes makes me flinch. It takes a while for my eyes to adjust to the light, and I can look around like normal. And yeah, the first thing I see is three members of the Extreme Gang leaning in and smiling at me. 

 

I grimace several times as the numb pain slowly creeps back to my senses. One of them greets me annoyingly.

 

"How are you, Mister Khunpol? What a great battle. You've slept for one whole day, you know that?" After Bone speaks, Too adds instantly.

 

"And this time you came back with a new shield. So damn cool." Shield?

 

The confusion drives me to take a look at myself. Since I'm lying down, the only thing I see is my left foot. Fuck! Who the hell applied cement plaster on my leg? And now it's hanging in the air by a rope securely tied to a pole.

 

"Don't be shocked, my friend. You just broke your leg."

 

I broke my leg!

 

"You need to have a cast on for three months and can't run for six months. How delightful."

 

"You broke your head. It needed 6 stitches."

 

"You scraped your elbows and knees and have bruises all over your body. What an idol."

 

"Your face is pale like your favourite chicken feet."

 

Why do I feel like I'm gonna faint again? Lucky for me, Third stops those two lousy friends before they can tease me until I'm

knocked out.

 

"Enough, both of you. Khai, can you hear me?" 

 

Third asks me. Your eyelashes are so long from this point of view.

 

".."

 

"Khai, if you can hear me, make a sound, or just blink."

 

I stop looking at my loving friend's face at that word and focus on the attempt to mutter a word out of my mouth, though my throat is so dry as if I've swallowed a fistful of sand.

 

"Hey, Third."

 

He sighs. "What a relief. Do you need anything?"

 

"Water."

 

"Okay, okay, I'll go get it."

 

...Not only do other parts of my body hurt, but my throat's so dry that it hurts also.

 

"Here you go." Third holds out a glass of water with a straw close to my mouth. I suck the water for almost half a glass to quench my thirst.

 

"No more."

 

"Are you okay now?"

 

"Wait for the nurse." He steps away from my bed, along with Too and Bone. But the people who come into view aren't nurses. They're my mother and sister. Wait! My father is standing at the foot of my bed. Is this family day?

 

"Should I be proud that my son's like the Iron Man?" My mother says jokingly and smiles. My father and sister also wear the same expression. Ah... the words kinda imply that I deserved it.

 

"I'm_hurting. Won't you guys comfort me?"

 

"I don't know if I should feel sorry for you or scold you. I warned you many times not to ride so fast. Look at you now."

 

"Chawee, how's my Chawee?!" Thinking of my baby Chawee, I have my heart in my boots. I remember leaving it between the Med building and Dent Building. I don't know if he's still alive.

 

"Don't worry, Khai." My mother says gently, and my father adds.

 

"It's all broken."

 

"It's at the centre now."

 

"N00000000oo."

 

"From now on, I forbid you to ride a big bike for at least one year so you can reflect on your behaviour." My father says sternly.

 

My parents aren't very strict. They run their own business and have always spoiled their kids. They tried to correct my self-centred behaviour when I was in high school, but it was too late, because impatience and the belief that I must get what I want had become my traits. But Klear, my sister, isn't like me. She loves brand-name products, but she works hard to deserve the money our parents give her each month. 

 

I wanna cry, not because we are so different, but because my Chawee is broken. Chawee is a million and three hundred thousand baht. I went through all the trouble to get my parents to buy me the bike; I worked so hard on my grades, barely got any sleep last semester, and my effort bore fruit. I increased my grade by 0.2 with the help of Tutor Third. A miracle is real.

 

"Dad, I didn't ride fast. The street was dark."

 

"I saw the footage from the security camera at the Med Building. You soared like a rocket. You call that 'slow?" I don't know what to say. The evidence says it all, and now everything is gone like air.

 

"If you don't let me ride on Chawee, buy me a new Ducati." At that moment, my family smile at me. My heart feels warm because of their love and care. Klear, especially you, you must remember the Hermes bracelet I bought you, so...

 

"Khai."

 

"Yes, Mom."

 

"You should grow up to be a decent person. Stop babbling nonsense."

 

"Argh, Mom! How can I live without a bike?"

 

"Your leg is broken. You need to rely on your friends, Third, Too, and Bone, for the time being. Please take pity on this spoiled, pathetic brat." My father turns to the three Extremes, and they nod. All my hopes are gone when the nurse comes into our room.

 

She examines me and gives me medicine. My family and my friends stayed with me. Several moments later, my mother walks up to my bed again.

 

"I'm leaving now. I'll come again tomorrow." She stroked my head as a goodbye.

 

"You don't have to. Third will take good care of me." I use this opportunity to get my mother to make him stay with me as best I can.

 

"Then I'll leave him to you, Third. He's used to being spoiled. It's hard to restrain him."

 

"Okay."

 

After they left, there were three punks left in the room making eyes at me jokingly. Third and Un took me to the hospital, where I was possessed. Everyone panicked, afraid I'd die on the way, but everyone was relieved when the doctor got me. My mother stayed with me the whole night. Third didn't leave me either. They took turns coming to stay with me. They bought me fruit and snacks even though the doctor forbade me to eat many things.

 

"Leave if you're bored. You guys have class to take, right?" I told them, knowing they must be pretty tired.

 

"We came here because our classes are over. Third's the one who has stayed here day and night. He didn't even go to class. Kiss his feet." Too purses his lips at the person sitting beside Bone with a straight face.

 

"Thank you so much."

 

"Ah, don't mind it. Just don't ride too fast next time."

 

"I won't ever do it again," I say meekly, not telling him who made me lose focus on the road. I don't think it'd do any good. He must be moving forward with Un and, at the same time, feeling disgusted with me. But my stubborn heart still lies to myself and tries to hold him back as best as I can. Even now, I'm so exhausted, but I never think I'll let him go.

 

"How long do I have to stay here?"

 

"The doctor said four or five days. Gotta see how you recover."

 

"Will the seniors be okay with this? What about the stage play?"

 

"Khai, the team already found someone else to be the male lead. How can you do a rehearsal when your leg is broken?"

 

Bone's the one who enlightens me about this issue. Everything happened so fast from the other night to this day. I didn't actually want to be an actor for the play. I didn't want to be the male lead or supporting actor. I just wanted to be with Third because the scriptwriters and actors had to work closely together, but I'm fine with taking charge of sound. It gives me time to get in the way of someone who aims to take what's mine.

 

Rrmr...!

A phone rings. I turn to see Third taking his phone out of his backpack. He walks out of the room after picking up. Bone, who sat the closest to him, speaks.

 

"It's Un." Un, you piece of shit. He keeps trying to get on my nerves.

 

"Too, you shit, you said you'd check Third's phone." I snap at the person sitting on a chair. 

 

Ever since that day, our carelessness has kept my mission to win Third's heart from making much progress.

 

"Who'd know he'd go out with Un? I've never seen him take an interest in anyone but you."

 

"He does now."

 

"All right, all right, I'll take care of it soon."

 

"No 'soon.' We can't take this matter lightly."

 

"Okaaaaaaaay. Let me ask you something. That night, you didn't crash your bike because you rode it fast, right? I don't think you're that careless."

 

"Well, I kissed Third, and he woke up."

 

"Fuuuuuck, why are you so stupid? Is your name Khai or Idiot?" These punks are quick to stomp on me when I do something wrong.

 

"I couldn't stop myself." Horniness is unpredictable. How can a horny guy who has cut girls off like me be able to control

himself?

 

"And then what? You kissed him then rode your bike away?"

 

"No. Third said he was disgusted with me. I just couldn't take it."

 

"Arrrrgh, why being so sissy? You're normally not that bashful."

 

"You don't see how serious your friend's voice and feelings were, too. Third had never acted like that to me, and there was Un. It was too much for me, and I couldn't take it, and I swerved out of the road."

 

"That was fucking stupid."

 

These are friends who are supposed to stay by my side and comfort me when I'm down, right? For the record, they've only stomped on me and buried me in the ground when I was down.

 

"Let me give you a piece of advice: you should be more understanding when Third is angry or upset. You deserved what he said to you."

 

"More importantly, he doesn't know how you feel about him. Just take it slow, man. You're screwed if you're being hot-headed like this."

 

Fwip! I hold my breath instantly when the door is opened. My two honoured counsellors look down and play on their phones, suddenly forgetting what we were talking about. Nobody can fool people as well as us, the Extremes.

 

"Who called you?" The prey is here; I gotta corner it.

 

"A senior."

 

"Which senior?"

 

"Don't stick your nose in my business."

 

"Well, I want to."

 

"You should've broken your teeth, too. Stop asking." Wow, he's got fangs now. And damn, he bites hard. I stop arguing with him and watch him plop down on the same spot. Too gets up and squeezes himself down beside him, making Bone move away to sit on a chair.

 

"Third."

 

"Yeah..?"

 

"Let me borrow your phone. My battery's dead." 

 

Way to go, my friend, you've never disappointed me. I just asked him, and he

quickly started the national prying mission.

 

"I brought my power bank." My hope suddenly flies away. Oh .shit.

 

"No! Ah, I want to check your app store. I don't know what happened to mine. I can't download new apps.”

 

"Charge the battery; I'll help you fix it."

 

"No, dude, it completely ran out of battery; it'll take a long time to charge it and turn it on. Why...? Can't you lend it to your friend?"

 

Too starts getting emotional, but his face is labelled 'Lying Ass.'

 

Third weighs what to do, turning his eyes to Bone and me back and forth. But, with an extremely sly skill that we have, we saw it coming and spoke before Third could say anything

 

"Don't look at me. I'm playing a game, so stay the fuck away."

 

"Oh! Mom just texted me. I wonder what it's about."

 

"Here, take it."

 

Yes! Third's phone is finally in Too's hand. I don't know what he's checking. Looking at how his fingers zoom in and out, scroll, and sweep as if there's no pattern, he must be finding out some of Third's secrets.

 

Shortly after, unexpected guests show up to ruin my life. I sigh when I see Chen, the bear-like human, and my number one enemy, Un, stand at the door.

 

"Oh, hello there. What brings you guys heeeeeere?" Bone's greeting is the start of World War III in this room.

 

"I came to see the male lead of our play. How are you? Your hastiness finally got you in trouble." 

 

Chen walks to the side of my bed and asks me with a smile. Un puts a pack of fruit down on the table and sits beside Third on the sofa. Hey! I won't allow this. I'd break his skull if only I could walk. He'd need a hundred more stitches than my wound.

 

"Khai, I'm asking you. Don't just look at the sofa." Chen pulls me back to reality.

 

"What did you ask?" I say irritatedly, still glancing at Third.

 

"How are you?"

 

"It's as you can see. Broken leg, broken head, body full of bruises, in need of someone to take care of, not just talking to somebody else without a care for the injured." My small brain keeps producing these words out of my mouth. Why? Because it might turn someone's attention to me. However, I'm still ignored because Third doesn't care at all.

 

"Someone just needs attention. Hey, did you know about the play?"

 

"Yeah, who's the male lead now?"

 

"Law's first-year prince. He's good, but not as much as you. Shittiness only comes from the inside."

 

"Just say I'm a shitty person. I know I'm a jerk and a self-centred scumbag, but it doesn't mean the new person is better than me," I say and glance at the sofa several times. Sigh, I don't want to endear it, but I have to.

 

"Things like this need time."

 

"Sometimes, time just won't help."

 

"Then we have to look at the effort."

 

"Will it work?"

 

"Your leg's broken. It won't work if you stagger around."

 

What the heck?! Are we talking about the play right now? I totally forgot, thinking we were talking about Third and that playboy senior with a snake's fangs.

 

"Did you really come here to visit me?" I ask Chen.

 

"Of course."

 

"Visit me or visit Third?" Without a word, the person I'm attacking answers evenly.

 

"I came to see Third."

 

"To talk about work."

 

"Texting is not enough? You guys have to see each other's faces?"

 

"Let's talk outside, then, Third."

 

"He can't go. Third has to take care of me. I'm not feeling well right now."

 

"I see you can talk just fine. Too and Bone are also here."

 

"Third promised my mom that he'd take care of me. Is he gonna leave me now? Damn, I'm hurt." I fake sulking, making someone who's glancing at me sigh several times. I might act unreasonably, but I'll keep doing it to stop Third from going with him.

 

"You're fucking childish. Khai. We have an extra rehearsal tonight because we changed the male lead. Third has to talk about work; be understanding." Chen enlightens me about this, and I suddenly feel guilty. I'm sorry. Tell everyone I'm sorry for causing all the trouble."

 

“It was an accident. Nobody blames you. They're just curious, from what they heard, how could you run all the way from the Med Building with your broken leg? Are you Rambo?"

 

“It felt numb, I guess. I didn't think my leg was broken."

 

"It's good that you're okay now."

 

"Uh-huh."

 

"You're back to taking charge of sound. The team is waiting for you."

 

"Uh-huh."

 

"Likebrary still needs someone, a practical sound guy who's stupid in theory like you."

 

"Uh-huh."

 

"Are you gonna talk to me or watch him?"

 

"I'm talking to you."

 

"You're talking to me, but you turn your face away from me, you fuck. If Third was the fighting fish, he'd get pregnant by now, you piece of shit!"

 

"Uh-huh."

 

"If you un-huh me again, I swear."

 

Chen's getting moody. Who would have the heart to care? I only care about the person sitting over there. I don't know what the fuck they're talking about. They keep whispering to each other. I want to kick someone's mouth so daaaaaaamn much!

 

I fidget in my bed. I can't get up, or else I would've already punched that prick's mouth. My cast starts to act up. My leg doesn't just hurt now; it also itches. The only thing I can do is force myself to watch my crush pay attention to someone else.

 

Did he come here to visit me or visit Third? He's been here for almost an hour, and I'm so glad to hear this sentence...

 

"I'll take my leave."

 

"Okay." Go awaaaaay, both that bear and you, Un.

 

"I'll see you off." Third gets up to walk out with them.

 

"Why do you have to do that?" Have they become our honoured guests? If they hadn't been my seniors, I would've thought they came here to see if I died yet.

 

"Bone, Too, take care of Khai for me." He doesn't listen to my protest and goes out with those two seniors. Time changes, so things change. It used to be just the four of us, but now Third is getting close to someone else and seems to hang out with them more. Even though we study the same major, it doesn't mean Third will always be with me.

 

"Blue...so blue like a dog when its owner leaves." Fuck you, Bone, wanna eat my slap?

 

"Well, he's really left." Too adds.

 

Both of you get out of my sight right now. You make me want to scream and break things.

 

"Go to hell, both of you. What a pain."

 

"Don't you want to know what I saw in Third's phone?"

 

"Stay here, please, I'm begging you."

 

Too hasn't even opened his mouth when the person we just mentioned comes back to the room. Are you psychic? Goddamnit.

 

"Why is it so fast?" I ask, curious.

 

"I saw them off outside."

 

"I thought you'd see them off at the parking lot."

 

"Let's exchange punches and get it over with."

 

"I won't. You're cute, I can't bring myself to punch you." One point for me: But his reaction is zero. Okay, I've lost this round.

 

"Oh, I have something to tell you. I can't stay with you tonight. I have work to do." I've lost, and now he's trying to distance himself from me.

 

"You can't go."

 

"Listen, you shit."

 

"I've always listened. All right, don't stay here. You must be tired."

 

".."

 

"If I have to use the toilet, I'll drag myself there because I don't want to bother the nurse."

 

"If I feel the pain, I'll just endure it because I don't want to bother anyone. I won't say anything if I'm hungry. Don't be worried about me. Go get your work done." I've dropped a big bomb in this patient's room to make him feel sorry for me, at the very least, though Third doesn't budge at all.

 

"Can Bone and Too stay here instead?"

 

"No way, we have somewhere to go. I love you, but everything has a limit. Rely on the nurse tonight." They pat each other's shoulders understandingly and leave without saying goodbye, leaving Third and me by ourselves.

 

"I was kidding, actually. The stage play's rehearsal, right? Don't forget to eat. When it's over, get home and sleep so that you won't collapse."

 

"You're worse than me."

 

"I'm worried about you, got it?"

 

"I know, I know," Third says, packing his clothes and personal belongings into his backpack. Actually, I'm so happy and grateful that he didn't leave me. He stayed here all night last night even though I was unconscious. He must be tired today, so I should postpone the mission for now to get his attention.

 

"Are you leaving now?"

 

"Um, see you tomorrow. Call the nurse if you need anything. I'm leaving."

 

Bang! Ding!

After the door is closed, my phone sends me a notification. I pick my phone up and see a message from Too in our group chat.

 

Tattoo: I'll tell you here so that it won't be too obvious

K.Khunpol: He's left. If you're gonna tell me here, then hurry up. I'm waiting, BoneChone. I'm so damn ready to know about it.

Tattoo: After spying on his phone, nothing's suspicious. He hasn't been on Twitter for a month. He only talked about work on his Facebook inbox. He posted photos on ig as usual, no dm. No suspicious comments

K.Khunpol: What about LINE?

Tattoo: He talked a lot with Yongyee, Chen and Un.

K.Khunpol: What are they talking about?

Tattoo: Mostly about work. And about eating and hanging out. Especially eating and hanging out. You'd better watch out. Un won't stop with only this.

K.Khunpol: What else did you find? Spill it all

Tattoo: There aren't many in his call history.

1 Home 2 Us 3...

K.Khunpol: Un, that punk.

Tattoo: Yeah. You've got one hell of a job, dude. And now you're lame.

 

K.Khunpol: How the hell can things turn out this way?!!

 

So have to let my little lamp be mauled by that mangy dog? I'm not okay. No one can touch what's mine. I'm so possessive of him. So daaaaaaaamn much. I want to get out of the hospital to keep my eyes on him

 

ThirdThatMeansNumberThree: Keep your eyes on who?

K.Khunpol: Third, of course

 

Just like that, my face drops. I stare at the number of people who read the messages for a long moment. Four. But doesn't the group chat, 'Fuck "til Dawn,' have three members?

 

I look up a bit and see the profile picture and the group name. Hell no! Wrong group, FUUUUUUCK! Too, you son of a bitch! You texted me in the Big Bold Men group chat, which Third is a member of. You're fucking stupid, so stupid that I'm at a loss for words.

 

What do I do noooooooooow?

Ding!!!

 

ThirdThatMeansNumberThree: 😐

K.Khunpol: Oh geeeeeeeee 😳

ThirdThatMeansNumberThree

K.Khunpol: 

 

After that chat, I die…

 

I wanna cry an ocean. When I've finished explaining everything, my arms ache so much because I had to come up with an excuse quickly. Where are those two dear friends who threw shit at me? Don't ask me. They're probably at Himmapan Forest right now. Always gone when I'm in trouble.

 

I told him I was worried, afraid that senior might do something bad to him. I went on and on about what a scumbag Un was. Third said I overthought it. He didn't have a thing for Un. Well... you don't, but I don't trust Un. It's obvious he likes you.

 

I could only get flustered and apologise to him to end this, but my doubt never ends. I can't sleep. It's almost midnight now. A nurse comes to give me an injection and leaves. Silence and darkness completely take over the room, and soon, someone knocks on the door.

 

"What's the matter, nurse?"

 

"Still up?"

 

"Third!" I heard his voice in the darkness.

 

"Yeah, it's me."

 

"You said you wouldn't stay here tonight."

 

"You're pathetic, so I came. Go to sleep. I feel sleepy as well."

 

"Um, you must be very tired today, right? Good night."

 

There's no more reply. For tonight...Good night' feels like the most beautiful words I've said, and it came from my heart. Good night...

 

"Hey you, my friend likes your friend."

 

"What? Which friend?"

 

"That one. Fair skin, tall but in good shape."

 

"Ah, I know it. I saw them talk, but they have different thoughts."

 

"How come?"

 

"You have to ask them yourself."

 

The conversation between Too and Bone has ended. No one knows who their 'your friend' and 'my friend' are, but I swear it, more or less, has something to do with Third and me.

 

"You two talk too much. I'm hungry. Go buy me snacks." I'm actually not hungry, but I want them to be out of my sight.

 

"I'll go buy you some." Third volunteers.

 

“No, you stay here with me."

 

"It's okay, I'll go buy some."

 

"I don't allow you to go."

 

"You're stubborn."

 

"I'll be stubborn with you. Got a problem?"

 

For the past several days, this private patient room has never been silent. Besides my family, my best friends and other friends from the faculty came flocking here. I barely got to sleep. The nurses scolded us and gave us a warning. It was so chaotic before we quieted down.

 

Bone brought his guitar to play me songs. Too and other friends wrote down on my cast with coloured pens til there was barely any clean space left. Third and my mother kept me well fed. He even brought me my homework. I almost forgot I was a patient.

 

Finally, I'm gonna leave the hospital today to recover at my home. I called my mother last night and told her not to pick me up, so Third has to drive me home. He's been so tired because of me for these past days, but a douchebag like Khai is selfish and wants to be with him all the time.

 

A male nurse pushes my wheelchair to the side of Third's black car, the one he always drives. After arranging my stuff and my posture, the door's closed. I sit still, looking at Third's hands pausing on the steering wheel.

 

"Fasten your seat belt." He orders evenly, but I'm not eager to do it.

 

"Do it for me. My shoulders ache."

 

"Such a burden to your friends." He grumbles but still does it obediently. He leans forward to grab the belt and fastens it over my body.

 

"Oops, my nose accidentally hit you," I say jokingly when the tip of my nose touches his cheek.

 

"Not smooth, you fuck. Sit properly, or I won't be able to concentrate." He starts the car and drives away. It's not as quiet as I thought.  We're not talking, but the sound of music helps relieve the awkwardness and tension around us.

 

"This is boring."

 

"What's wrong?"

 

"You always listen to the same songs." I reach 

out and change the song.

 

"What the fuck? Ask for the owner's permission before pressing anything."

 

"I've never asked. I'll sing you a song. But overall, you're so very charming! 

 

".." My voice's full of playfulness. I look at the side profile of the person sitting behind the steering wheel. He's also glancing at me.

 

"Don't be shy, I am lying~"

 

"Shithead."

 

"You're so very charming. You're cute like a boar. From afar, you look like a monkey...The more I look, the uglier you get."

 

"So fucking crappy."

 

"I sang it to you. Do you like it?"

 

"If I'm not driving right now, I'm gonna push you out of my car. What a pain." It's weird that his frustrated voice doesn't faze me at all. I'm even happy to mess with him. His long finger presses a button to change songs for a while until he finds the one he likes, and his mood slowly gets better.

 

"What song is this?" I ask him.

 

"The Only One by Part Time Musicians"

 

"What about this one?" I boldly change the song.

 

"You prick, I was getting into the mood."

 

"What song is it, anyway?"

 

"Attention."

 

"Attention to me?"

 

"It's the song's name. Stop messing around."

 

"What about this one?" I still have fun pressing the button to change the song, but Third starts to sigh heavily now.

 

"I Need You."

 

"See? You confessed your love to me indirectly again."

 

"Asshead. Seriously, did you leave your mind in the hospital?" I just pretend to ask. It's a song sung by M83. Third's taste in music is broad. He listens to every genre, so I can't guess his mood.

 

"This song sounds familiar." I still change the song as I please, ignoring the high-pitched nagging in my ears.

 

"The One by Kodaline," he answers.

 

"Oh, I know this one. There's a line, tell me...Tell me that you want me, right?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"And I'll be your completely, for better or for worse." I continue singing, not caring about the rhythm of the song playing right now, then I slowly turn the volume down. 

 

"And.."

 

"What the hell do you want now?"

 

"I'm gonna say that I like this song."

 

"So what?"

 

"The last line is That's why I know you are the one."

 

"Right."

 

"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you this."

 

That's why I know you are the one.

 

I'm back in class again, with twice the difficulties. Besides having to carry crutches everywhere, I gotta drag this heavy cast with me. I can't wear skinny jeans, so I had to rummage in the closet for straight-cut pants to put on awkwardly.

 

"Whooo, new fashion, dude. One pant leg's short, the other's long. Hip-hop boy, yo-yo." 

 

They beg for a punch in the mouth as soon as I've arrived. Ever since I got back to my condo, Third has become my personal servant by choice. He has to drive me to places and manage my routine. To call him my wife would be too forceful. I can only keep it all to myself because he wouldn't admit it.

 

We have to attend our first class at the Lecture Building. Too and Bone went to the canteen first to have breakfast. And when we reached the canteen, my future wife got me to my seat and was ready to order food for me.

 

"What do you wanna have?"

 

"The same as yours."

 

"What do you wanna drink?"

 

"The same as yours as well."

 

"Be right back." Third walks to our favourite food store to buy food, leaving the three of us updating each other on the progress. Our theory of love is working very well now, but we don't know if Third still talks to Un because he won't let anyone touch his phone anymore.

 

"Shit, why's your enemy here?" Bone says, and we all turn to look at the target. The person I fear has walked into the canteen, and now he's talking to Third, who's waiting for the food.

 

"I won't allow this. I'll stop him." I grab my crutches immediately and try to get up with my special technique-gripping my crutches under my armpits tightly and springing up as hard as I can.

 

This is Expectation VS Reality. I can't even raise my foot up over my seat. FAAAAAAAAK!

 

"You don't have to go now; they're coming." 

 

Third's carrying a plate and a bottle of water while Un's carrying another plate, and they're walking straight to us.

 

"Hi, guys," he greets us. Bone and Too smile sheepishly and greet him back.

 

"Hi, Un."

 

"Can I sit with you?"

 

"Where are your friends?" Patience has its limit, so I can't keep quiet.

 

"They're wherever they are. We'll meet in our class anyway. Here's your food." He holds out the plate and a bottle of water to me. I take them and say thank you softly.

 

We're eating in a daze for about ten minutes. The only conversation comes from Un and Third. They keep talking about that fucking stage play. Life is so much more than this, isn't it? Plus, they're not the only ones here. It seems like he can read minds because he turns to talk to me the moment I  bad-mouthed him in my mind.

 

"Today, we're gonna do a rehearsal for each scene. You can stop by to watch. And the sound team told me to tell you to come and talk about the details with them."

 

"Okay, I'll go with the Extremes after classes."

 

"One more thing."

 

"What?"

 

"A junior asked me for your LINE ID." You fuuuuuuuck! And you have to bring this up in front of Third?! I go rigid, glancing at the person who's quietly eating his food. Do you want to declare war against me? Is discrediting your enemy your speciality?

 

"I don't do that anymore."

 

"But she said she asked you once a while ago. I feel bad for her. She might want to talk about work." Oh, yeeeeeeeeah?

 

"I don't want to talk to anyone."

 

"Why do you think so much? It's just a LINE ID. You normally gave it to everyone." I look at the senior who acts all innocent, but you've set a raging fire in my heart.

 

"Then I'll give it to her. Please tell her that Khai's LINE ID is @ t-h-i-r-d-three-three."

 

"Repeat it."

 

"Look at my mouth. @ t-h-i-r-d and double three."

 

"Third33' Third?"

 

"Yeah. She can consult Khai's wife if she has any problems. Thanks."