“Just talking, Pah.”
As I pull another water bottle out of the cooler, I’m thinking that Noi’s voice sounds a lot steadier than mine would be at thatmoment. With that in mind, I take a long drink before turning around and smiling what I hope is a natural smile at my father. Noi is sitting up on the mat where we’d been making out seconds ago, one of the flat pillows clutched in his lap. Realizing I have something of my own to hide, I sit and use the water bottle as a shield.
“Sud, Tee wants you to go over your lines for tomorrow,” Pah says.
I nod. “Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.”
When Pah leaves, I let out a breath and look at Noi. “That was close.”
Noi frowns. “We’ve been so busy filming the series, we haven’t even talked about telling Mae and Pah about us.”
The conversation I had with Pah months ago comes back to me.
“You and Mee Noi are exceptionally close. You’ve been there for each other through thick and thin, and if Mee Noi’s becoming sexually aware, what if he—
“Stop right there. That is not happening.”
“How do you know, Sud? You aren’t in his head. Mee Noi isn’t like you. He’s much more sensitive. I’m just giving you a gentle reminder to stay aware of his feelings, that’s all.”
My face must show something of my thoughts because Noi says, “You don’t want to tell them.”
“I’m just thinking maybe we should wait.”
“In case we break up?”
“What? No!” I scratch the back of my head. “Until we’re more confident in our new relationship. I mean, how are we going to explain it to them when we haven’t even had time to explore it ourselves?”
“I guess that makes sense,” Noi admits. “I don’t like the idea of keeping something from Mae and Pah, though. We should tell them as soon as we know what we want to say.”
I nod. “Okay. I’d better go. P’Tee is waiting for me.”
Pah is going to kill me, I think as I duck out of the tent.
****
Since I know that Pah, as well as P’Wisit, will watch over Noi, I’m able to concentrate on my work, and the fight scene goes well. Both P’Pan and I are exhausted and dripping sweat by the time P’Tee is satisfied with it, though.
After I shower in the camp facilities, I find Pah sitting in one of the folding chairs outside our tent.
“Where’s Noi?” I ask, watching P’Tee and the crew pack up to make a trip to a nearby waterfall for one of the scenes that doesn’t involve me or Noi.
“He left about thirty minutes ago on a nature walk with Wisit. He’s a nice young man. Mee Noi claims they aren’t dating. Do you think he’s not being truthful with me?”
“Noi wouldn’t lie to you, Pah,” I say, trying not to let him see how much I don’t like the idea of my boyfriend alone on a walk with P’Wisit.
My boyfriend.
Never in a million years did I ever think I would have a boyfriend, much less that it would be the guy I’ve been best friends with for years. Considering how unexpected it is, I’m surprised I’m not making up reasons for my sudden physical attraction to him. It’s as though deep down I know he and I are supposed to be together.
It suddenly occurs to me that I should have told P’Wisit not to let anyone know about me and Noi. He could have easily mentioned it to Pah. Not only would Noi and I not have the chance to figure things out before telling the family, but our jobs might be on the line. I’m not sure the company allows a relationship between shipped couples. Fanservice is encouraged by the execs, but I doubt they really want us hooking up in our personal time. P’Tar has told me a lot about his experiences,and it sounds like fans can be really weird. They want you with your screen partner, but if they find out youarewith them, they attack you for it.
It doesn’t escape me that P’Wisit must have realized he has the perfect opportunity to keep me and Noi apart but isn’t taking it.
Someone else might find out, though. Am I sabotaging my career before it’s even off the ground?
But Noi is more important to me than acting. Besides, I can’t control how I feel about him any more than I can control the weather. We didn’t choose to become romantically involved; it just happened.
But it’s not too late to take a step back. Just until this series is over. Noi would understand.