“That’s so nice,” P’Tam says, flashing her a smile that makes Bua blush. P’Tam gives her drink order, then turns back to me as Bua heads for one of the drink stations.
“Where’s your friend today, Mee Noi? The tall football player you normally sit with,” P’Tam asks.
“You mean Sud? He’s finishing an assignment. He’ll be here soon, though.”
She hums. “You two hang out together a lot.”
“We’re best friends,” I say, wondering where this is going.
“He seems so protective of you. He gives a vibe that says stay away.”
“Well, he’s really nice,” I say, wondering if she wants to ask him out or something. Wouldn’t be the first time a girl tried to get to him through me.
Gaze roaming to the drink line, P’Tam asks, “What faculty is Bua in?”
“Business Administration. Same as me.”
P’Tam nods, still watching Bua. “What kind of things is she interested in?”
“Well, she reads mystery novels. And she sews.”
“Where is she from?” P’Tam asks, then sits up straighter as Bua approaches with the drink.
“Thanks,” P’Tam says, smiling sweetly at Bua who, again, blushes.
After a few sips, P’Tam says, “The horticulture club is going on a three-day field trip next month after mid-term exams to Nakhon Pathom to do some community work. I’m the president. Would you two like to go?”
Finally, the reason for her stopping to talk to us. She must need more people to sign up and the rest was just small talk. I look to Bua to see what she thinks.
“We don’t know much about gardening,” Bua says doubtfully.
“Speak for yourself,” I say. “I love to garden.”
“Really? You should have joined the club, then,” P’Tam says.
“I tried, but it was full.”
“Oh, well I’ll save you an opening for next year.” Turning back to Bua, her smile widens.
“It’s okay if you don’t know anything about it. Stick with me, and I’ll help you. We just need more hands. And the trip can be used for community service points.”
Glancing at me to make sure I’m agreeable, Bua says, “Sure, we’ll go.”
“Terrific! I’ll put both your names down.” P’Tam stands. “I’ll email each of you the information.”
When she leaves, I ask Bua, “You really want to go? You don’t like plants or dirt.”
“I need the community service points. Did you forget we have to have a certain amount of them every term? How many do you have so far?”
“Three, for teaching kids to swim at the community center a couple of weekends ago.”
“I only have two. Do you realize we need ten total this term and only have a month and a half left to get them? An off-campus trip will give us five. I’ll have to pick up the rest of the points in the meantime.”
“It slipped my mind. I guess it’s good P’Tam asked us, then. I think I can earn the rest of the points I need by tutoring in my free time.”
Bua takes a sip of her orange tea. “What did you and P’Tam talk about while I was getting her a drink?”
“She asked me where Sud was because we’re usually together. I thought she was going to get me to give him her LINE ID or something, but she just said something about him being protective of me. It was weird.”