Johan pulled up on his motorcycle, its engine purring like a big cat. It wasn't that Johan drove recklessly—his speed was manageable—but he had a knack for sharp corners and sudden bursts of acceleration. North could never tell if Johan's antics were deliberate, but he had clung to Johan's waist the entire journey, his grip so tight that his hands ached now that it was over.
"What time did you finish?" Johan asked casually, his tone calm as if nothing had happened.
North glanced at him, still catching his breath. "The store usually closes at ten, but I'm not sure what time P'Ya will close today."
"P'Ya?" Johan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She's the shopkeeper," North explained.
Johan nodded and gave his next instruction without missing a beat. "When you go home, come back with Hill. Do you understand?"
"Yes," North replied instinctively. He was still processing the fact that Johan had given him a ride, let alone the casual authority in his tone.
Normally, North went home with Easter and Hill anyway—it wasn't exactly a favor. But the way Johan framed it made North feel oddly restricted, like a boundary had quietly been drawn.
Before North could ask anything else, Johan kick-started the bike and took off, the sound of the engine quickly fading into the distance.
"What the hell was that?" North muttered under his breath.
As if on cue, Ya stepped out of the store, her vibrant personality filling the quiet street.
"Oh, I didn't make it in time to see him! God, he went by so fast," she lamented dramatically, standing beside North.
"What's too bad?" North asked.
"Was that your boyfriend?" Ya asked with a sly grin.
North's eyes widened. "No! He's not my boyfriend!" he said, shaking his head vehemently.
Ya pouted in mock disappointment. "Oh, I thought he was. You seemed close—holding on to his waist like that."
"It wasn't like that," North insisted, feeling his face heat up.
"Are you single, then?" she pressed, teasingly.
"I don't know... maybe I'm not anymore?" North muttered under his breath, his thoughts drifting involuntarily to Johan.
Ya gasped, her curiosity piqued. "What's his name?"
"P'Johan."
"And where does he go to college?"
"Same as me. He's a sophomore, friends with P'Hill."
Her eyes sparkled. "Oh, Hill's friends are always so handsome!"
North laughed lightly. "You're not wrong." It was true—Johan's entire circle seemed unfairly good-looking.
Ya leaned closer. "Rich too, right? That bike alone screams money."
"Probably," North admitted, feeling awkward under her scrutiny.
"Well, keep flirting with him," she teased. "He's got everything—looks, wealth. What more could you ask for?"
"Haha, no!" North protested, shaking his head.
Inside the store, Easter was already busy washing vegetables in the kitchen.
Ya followed North, still chatting about Johan, but it wasn't until Easter chimed in with a cheeky comment that North felt truly cornered.
"Oh, North's boyfriend?" Easter said with a grin.
"Ter, stop it!" North hissed, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks again.
"I'm just saying what I saw," Easter replied, clearly enjoying the banter.
The teasing continued until Ya pulled out her phone, determined to find a picture of Johan. Easter eagerly helped, scrolling through the campus page for photos.
North groaned. "You two are hopeless."
But it wasn't until much later, after the store had closed and they were waiting for Hill to pick them up, that North managed to corner Easter for answers since he had been acting weird.
"Alright, spill. What happened earlier?" North demanded.
Easter feigned innocence, but North wasn't buying it. "If you don't tell me, I'll throw your camera away. Just the lens, though," North threatened, narrowing his eyes.
"Alright, alright!" Easter relented. "But promise me you won't overthink it."
North crossed his arms, his curiosity burning. "Just tell me already."
With a sigh, Easter handed over his phone. On the screen was a post from the university's social media page:
[CUTE BOY & GIRL - MU ADDED A NEW PHOTO]
Let's see who we met this morning! This is about Johan, the doctor we're talking about! He showed up on his 800,000-baht CBR motorcycle. He's too handsome and rich—it's not fair! And who's that holding onto him? Even if I didn't see their face clearly, I know that sweater. It's Johan's. Are they his boyfriend? Someone clarify before my heart breaks!
North stared at the post, his stomach sinking. The comments were flooded with admiration, envy, and speculation.
"Great," North muttered. "Just great."
Easter chuckled nervously. "See? I told you not to overthink it."
But North wasn't listening anymore. His mind was racing. What was Johan thinking, letting him ride on that bike? And why did it feel like everyone knew something he didn't? The campus social page had struck again, and this time North found himself at the center of its scrutiny.
Hill and Johan had barely left the public eye before tongues started wagging about another supposed relationship. North stared at the screen in disbelief, his name tangled in a thread of accusations and assumptions. The latest post showcased a blurry picture of North speaking to Johan, who sat atop his sleek motorcycle, his helmet obscuring most of his face. North's back was turned to the camera, yet the familiar sweater—a piece Johan wore often—was unmistakable.
North scrolled through the comments, his brow furrowing deeper with each swipe.
[COMMENT]: No, this can't be true. Is that sweater his? Who is this guy?
[COMMENT]: Who rides his bike and gets to wear his sweater? Share your secrets, please!
[COMMENT]: The photo's so grainy. Did someone take this with a potato?
[COMMENT]: They must have left together. Are they dating now?
[COMMENT]: Why does Johan always have to break my heart? First Hill, now this?
The comments oscillated between heartbreak, jealousy, and outright vitriol.
North's lips pressed into a thin line. He didn't know whether to laugh or be annoyed.
"North, stop scrolling. You're only making it worse," Easter's voice broke through his thoughts, snatching the phone from North's hand.
"I wasn't upset!" North protested, trying to feign nonchalance, though his tight grip on the edge of the table betrayed his nerves.
"Are you sure? You looked like you were about to smash something,"
Easter said, looking guilty for even showing him the post in the first place.
"North, don't let it bother you," Ya interjected, her hand squeezing his shoulder gently. "These campus pages stir drama for clicks. Nothing more."
North shook his head. "It's just stupid comments. They don't know anything about me."
Easter sighed, clearly unconvinced. "If it were me, I'd be in pieces by now. Those comments are vicious."
"But you're not me, Ter," North said with a small smirk. "And besides, P'Johan isn't P'Hill. If I cried every time P'Johan's name came up in drama, I'd never stop."
"Still," Easter muttered, his voice softening. "You sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine," North insisted. "Let them talk. People only see P'Johan as this rich, handsome doctor on a fancy bike. They don't know what he's really like."
"What's he really like?" Ya teased, a mischievous glint in her eye.
North chuckled. "A spoiled creditor who loves to boss people around. Trust me, if his fans knew how annoying he could be, they wouldn't be so obsessed."
When Hill arrived in his pristine white car to pick them up, his sharp eyes immediately zeroed in on Easter when they got into the car.
"Why are your eyes red?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Easter hesitated, but North spoke up. "It's nothing, Phi. Ter's just overthinking."
Hill's gaze shifted to North through the rear view mirror. "Is this about Johan?"
Easter exhaled loudly. "They're posting about North on the campus page. It's ridiculous."
Hill sighed, shaking his head. "Johan attracts drama like moths to a flame. You shouldn't let it get to you, North."
"I'm not," North said quickly, though his tone lacked conviction.
Hill's lips twitched in a faint smile. "Good. And Ter, stop crying over this.
It's not worth your tears." He reached over to ruffle Easter's hair, eliciting a pout from the younger man.
North sat back, watching the exchange with a pang of envy. The tenderness between Hill and Easter was effortless, the kind of connection that made the chaos of campus drama seem trivial.
Still, as the car rolled on and the night deepened, North's mind wandered back to Johan. The thought of confronting him about the situation was both daunting and strangely thrilling. For now, though, he resolved to ignore the noise and focus on surviving another day in the whirlwind of campus life.
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ⊹⋆.˚
Hill glanced at his phone as it buzzed, reluctantly picking up. Johan's familiar voice greeted him.
"Did you pick him up?" Johan's tone was casual, but Hill detected the usual nonchalance masking something urgent.
"You called just to ask that? You hate calling, usually sticking to chats," Hill shot back.
"I'm at work and too lazy to type."
Hill rolled his eyes. "Who told you to take it easy all the time?"
"It's urgent. So, what's the problem?"
"Nothing."
"Are you eating today?"
"Yes, noodles at the usual place."
"Why do you eat noodles every night?" Johan asked, exasperation creeping into his voice.
"Do you want to come?"
"I can't leave work."
"Then leave me alone."
"Eat something decent for once. Use the money on my card," Johan urged.
"No, I'm not using your money. Stop transferring it to me, damn it."
"Hurry up and eat properly. Is your money gone?" Johan pressed.
Hill smirked. "What, are you planning to buy North a car with that much cash?"
"Maybe. Does he have a license?" Johan countered.
"Good luck. He probably doesn't even know how to drive."
"I'll teach him."
"Stop talking nonsense. He doesn't want your money."
"Idiot. Doesn't your boyfriend use your money too?" Johan teased.
"What do you care? Have you seen the campus page?"
"Not yet. Why?"
"My boyfriend's crying because of you," Hill replied dryly.
"Oh? Why?"
"They posted a picture of you with North. How do you think your fan club reacted?"
Johan fell silent.
"Exactly."
"So, how is he? Is he okay?" Johan finally asked.
Hill sighed. "Thankfully, yes. He doesn't think much of it since he didn't do anything wrong."
"Asshole," Johan muttered.
"And what will you do if he starts overthinking?"
"I'll handle it. The admin of that page talks too much. It's annoying."
"And the comments?" Hill pressed.
"I'll take care of them."
"Plenty of girls seem surprised."
"I don't care."
"Ter said he wouldn't let you near his friend if you kept approaching someone else."
"I know."
"Why'd you choose him?" Hill asked, his tone quieter now.
"I chose him a long time ago."
"You've never been serious about anyone in your life."
"I know, damn it."
"Promise me you'll treat him well. Can you do that?"
"I'm not promising anything right now."
"And about his secret job—Ter didn't tell me North's been working secretly. I think he's planning to leave you."
"I don't want him to even know I exist," Johan replied flatly.
"Are you going to send someone to spy on him?"
"No. He's already one of my father's subordinates."
"Knocking someone down sounds more reasonable than spying."
"Relax. I'll take care of it."
"As you wish."
"Don't get nosy. Let me know if your boyfriend says anything," Johan demanded.
"If he had, I would've told you already."
"Fair."
"Anything else?" Hill asked.
"Yes. Use the money I gave you to treat him to a proper meal."
"I've got enough money, thank you very much. Do you realize the balance on your card is more than North's debt?"
"I don't care."
"I'll throw it away."
"Just use it, asshole!"
Hill shook his head with a faint grin. "You know, I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"Why I even bother with you."
"The words 'because I'm your friend' might help remind you," Johan quipped.
Hill snorted. "I'm ending our friendship then."
"Try it, and I'll remind your father I met him a few days ago."
"Why were you with my father?"
"He was with mine."
"Damn it. I can't get rid of you."
"Never."
Hill chuckled, already resigned. "Fine. I'm hanging up."
"Okay."
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ⊹⋆.˚
North sat at the table, happily munching on a meatball skewer, when Hill leaned back in his chair and casually spoke up.
"Nong North... Can I ask you something?" Hill's tone was uncharacteristically hesitant, which immediately piqued North's curiosity.
North paused mid-bite, looking up at him. "Yes?"
"Do you want something right now?"
The vague question made North blink. "What do you mean, Phi? Want something like what?"
"A car. A house. Maybe a condo," Hill replied, his voice calm, as though this were an ordinary topic.
North nearly choked on the meatball. He coughed and quickly swallowed before giving him a baffled look. "Wait—why would I want something like that?"
Hill shrugged lightly, as if it were no big deal. "Just asking."
"Why are you suddenly asking me something like this?" North pressed, still puzzled.
"It's nothing," Hill replied, shaking his head and turning his attention to his plate.
The conversation shifted as Easter chimed in. "Can we stop by the dessert shop after this?"
"Sure," Hill said, his face softening with a kind smile. Then, he turned back to North. "What about you, Nong North? Do you want anything?"
"No," North replied hesitantly. He didn't want a sandwich like Easter and wasn't really in the mood for anything else.
"Really?"
"Yes," North confirmed with a nod. He caught the faintest hint of relief in Hill's expression, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
After a moment, Hill spoke again. "So, what about your debt to Johan?"
North winced slightly at the mention. "I haven't returned a single baht," he admitted with a flat smile.
"Did something bad happen?"
"No. But how does he even calculate it?"
"P'Prang, his secretary, does the math," Hill said matter-of-factly.
"Oh, so even you don't know how much I owe?"
"I know the total," North said, shrugging. "Two hundred thousand baht. There's still a lot left."
"What about the deductions?"
North sighed. "That's the weird part. Sometimes he gives me a deduction, and other times he adds more. It's like he wants the money, but also doesn't want it."
Hill smirked faintly. "Maybe he doesn't want it at all."
"What?" North raised an eyebrow, clearly confused.
Hill didn't respond. Instead, he stood to pay for their meal, leaving North to follow behind with Easter.
As they walked back to the car, Easter nudged North and handed him his phone. "Hey, look at this!"
North took the phone and read the screen.
[URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT]:
Currently, Cute Boy's page at our university has disappeared, along with the admin's Facebook page. No one knows why this happened, but we suspect there's a deeper story behind it. The admin is very sad because all the photos and memories we worked so hard to create are gone. Should we make a new page? Will you guys follow us?
"The page is gone. Karma for cursing you!" Easter said with a grin.
"Good," North muttered. "Now people can focus on their own lives instead of gossiping about others."
As they got into the car, Easter brought it up again. "P'Hill, did you hear? The Facebook page is gone."
"Ah, really?"
"Yes! That means North's negative comments are gone too!" Easter said excitedly.
"Very good," Hill replied simply.
"But how did it disappear? I don't get it."
"Someone probably had the money to hire someone to take it down," Hill remarked, his tone casual but pointed.
"Huh. Whoever did it must've hated that page too," Easter said, grinning again.
North smiled faintly at Easter's enthusiasm but remained quiet, lost in thought. Later that evening, North lay sprawled on his bed, exhausted from the day's events. The conversation with Hill replayed in his mind as he stared at the ceiling.
"North, I have something to ask you," Easter's voice broke through his thoughts.
"What now?" North asked, sitting up slightly.
"What do you think of P'Johan?"
"What kind of question is that?" North raised an eyebrow. "Why are you suddenly asking?"
"Because you two seem close. He picks you up, drops you off, you've even—" Easter hesitated, a smirk tugging at his lips, "—slept together once. He lent you his sweater too."
North sighed. "You're overthinking. It's nothing like that."
"Are you sure? He doesn't seem like the type to do things without a reason."
North shook his head, leaning back on his pillow. "He just likes scolding me, that's all. What do you want me to say?"
"What if he actually likes you?"
North paused, the question catching him off guard. A flurry of unspoken thoughts swirled in his mind, but he brushed them away.
"I don't know," he said finally. "I've never thought about it. I don't want to."
Easter frowned. "Why not?"
North shrugged. "I'm not ready for that. I'm still sorting things out, you know? Besides..." He trailed off, unsure how to explain the weight of his lingering feelings and unresolved emotions.
"North..."
"I'll be fine," North said, forcing a small smile. "I always am."