Clearing her throat, Bua looks at Sud again. “Mee Noi doesn’t know how to flirt. Maybe we need to teach him so he can get a girlfriend. Or a boyfriend.”
“He doesn’t have to date anyone until he’s ready,” Sud says.
I give Bua my best threatening look, but she only chuckles and goes back to drinking her tea.
I’ll get her back for that.
Chapter Six: Sud
It’s late when I get back to my apartment after walking Noi to his dorm. Tonight, we filmed the scene all the way through a couple of times, and then again from different angles. I wasn’t wrong about Save being the best choice as a cameraman. He really knows what he’s doing.
Noi has thrown himself into playing his role the same way he throws himself into everything he does—with serious intent and the determination to do his best. I admire that about him, but I’m keeping an eye on him because he’s prone to headaches when he gets stressed, and this video has put a lot of extra work on him.
When we first came to the university in August, I assumed that Noi would live with me in an apartment, but he insisted on staying in one of the dorm buildings. When I talked to my dad about it, he told me that I had to let Noi stand on his own. I guess that includes dating. Now that Bua mentioned it, I can’t get it out of my head. I haven’t seen any indication that Noi wantsto go out with anyone. Does Bua know something I don’t? A few people have been flirting with Noi on Instagram since more pictures of him have shown up on the Best Boys’ page. Of course, Noi doesn’t see it as flirting, but he’s pretty oblivious.
Tossing my keys onto the table by the couch, I head to the bathroom to wash the day off me, then to my bedroom. I’m unpacking my book bag, a towel around my waist, when I notice someone’s put some cookies tied with a red bow inside it. The note on the front says, “To P’Sud. Please accept these cookies I made for you.” It’s signedCora. Who’s Cora? Whoever she is, she must have slipped them in my bag while I was busy today. Shrugging, I pull one out and take a bite.
Mmm.Lemon cookies.I eat them while doing homework, then brush my teeth and crawl into bed. When I plug up my phone, I notice I have a text from Noi.
Sleep well, P.
I smile. I’m nine months older than he is, but he rarely calls me by the honorific. We’ve always been in the same class, and he doesn’t technically need to use it, but I love it when he does. It gives me a funny little zing in my stomach.
I send him a text back.
Sweet dreams, Nong.
As I’m lying in the dark, I think about something that happened when we were acting the scene earlier tonight. Noi was standing close to me, delivering his line, and when he touched my hand, there was this moment when I could imagine we really were in a relationship like the characters we’re playing.
Just a weird fancy, probably due to the comments shipping us hard on the Best Boys page. I’ve had some guys express interest in me over the years, but I’ve never thought much about it. SinceNoi’s pictures have been on the Best Boys site, I’ve noticed that his male admirers heavily outweigh his female fans. For some reason, thinking about guys going after Noi really bugs me. I guess it’s because we’ve always been so close, and I don’t like the idea of another guy taking my place. Not that dating him would be taking my place…Why the hell am I even thinking about this? Noi isn’t into guys. I’m not even sure he likes girls. Maybe he’s asexual.
Telling myself to turn off my brain, I roll over and flip my pillow to the cool side, trying to get comfortable. Through my closed door, I hear Tao, my other roommate, come home from the bar where he works and make himself something to eat before going into his room next to mine. Ford is probably staying with his girlfriend.
Looking at the clock and seeing that it’s past midnight, I tell myself again to turn off my brain and go to sleep. But after fifteen minutes of restlessly tossing and turning, I give up. I look longingly at my game controller on the floor, but Noi’s face pops into my head, giving me a disapproving look with those serious eyes.
You shouldn’t procrastinate. Do your schoolwork first—then have fun.
With a groan, I turn on the bedside lamp and grab my ethics book.
Chapter Seven: Mee Noi
“Wow, look at all your Instagram comments!” Bua says the following afternoon as we sit at one of the tables in front of the administration building studying.
“Get off your phone and study,” I tell her.
“I will in a minute,” she says, continuing to scroll on her phone.
I get lost in my work for a while, studying hard. I’ve always made good grades—I won’t allow myself to do anything less. My parents may pay for my schooling, but I’m the one making it work.
Suddenly, Bua says, “Mee Noi, who is this person who keeps commenting on your posts?”
“Oh, my God,” I say in English, because that’s what we’re studying. At least,I’mstudying it. Bua is evidently still on her phone.
“Look,” she says, turning her phone to show me the screen. The commentor isvballboy555.
I shrug. “No clue.”
“He just said you look good in this shirt!”