“What’s the problem, then?”
“Who said there’s a problem?”
She huffs. “I can just tell. Has Pah said anything to you?”
“Only that I’m old enough to deal with the repercussions of my own decisions, which I translated to mean he knows I’m going to fail.”
Chinda glances at my phone where I’ve been scrolling through the fan website.
“Has someone made a rude comment?”
Sighing, I shake my head. “There are just a lot of expectations. What if my acting isn’t good enough? What if they don’t like the series?”
“If you couldn’t act or didn’t have chemistry with your co-star, the producer and casting director wouldn’t have chosen you. They had you sign a contract, right?” I nod. Pravat had been correct—Tida produced the contract at the end of our weekend at the beach. I was a little surprised at the clause specifically stating the actors are not to become romantically involved, since that seems to be idea we’re trying to convey, but whatever.
“Then you have nothing to worry about. We bl fans love our guys and pretty much every series that’s put out, even those with sub-par storylines. And this one doesn’t have one of those—I’ve read the book. So stop worrying about it. Fans already love you and Pravat, and as long as you give fan service, everything will be great.”
I frown. “That’s another thing. We have a fan meeting soon. I don’t know how to act.” The night at the restaurant when fans suddenly crowded us freaked me out. If Pravat hadn’t been there, I don’t know what I would have done.
“Just do all the little things fans like. Hold hands. Touch one another. Sit on Pravat’s lap. Pay attention to him. Act jealous. Stuff like that.”
I can do that. Feeling better, I put my phone aside. “How are your studies?”
Chinda makes a face. “I’m going to flunk my math course if I don’t get some help. I start with a tutor tomorrow.”
I nod. “It’s good you’re getting some help. Do you ever see Pravat at the university?”
“We aren’t in the same faculty, but I occasionally see him in the main building.”
“Does he have a lot of friends?”
“Are you kidding? A small crowd follows him, but there’s always one particular guy with him.” She stands. “I have to study for a psych test.”
When she leaves the room, I lean back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. Who is the guy Pravat’s always with at university? A good friend? A boyfriend? My mind immediately goes to the kisses Pravat and I practiced at the last workshop. When I realized the acting coach was going to be right up in our faces when we kissed, I panicked. That woman’s presence makes everything ten times worse. But it turned out okay. And the kiss had been—I stop myself from defining it because I can’t. It had been nothing like the soft kisses we’d practiced thus far. I never thought kissing a man could feel like that.
A shiver runs through me when I think of the way Pravat held my face between his hands, controlling my movements. He’s broader than I am and has a dominating way about him that makes me feel things I’ve never felt before. He rattles me and makes me feel safe at the same time.
Sighing, I get up and go to my room to prepare to have lunch with a friend I haven’t seen in a while.
Kris and I grew up together, but our lives have gotten busy, and we don’t talk like we used to. He’s easy to spot in the restaurant because of the streaks of blond in his longish dark hair. Casually dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, he’s as boyishly handsome as ever.Cuteis a word often applied to him. I suddenly realize I’m examining him more closely than I ever have before, and I wonder if all this boys’ love stuff is the reason.
“It’s so good to see you. How are you doing?” I ask, sitting across from him at the table. He’s already ordered an array of food for us, and I spoon some spicy pad krapow onto my plate. “Still playing in that band?”
Kris nods. “We’ve been playing at a couple of clubs. You should stop by sometime.”
“Text me the information, and I will if I can. I’ve been kind of busy lately, though, and my schedule’s only going to get heavier in the next few months.”
Kris tilts his head in question. “You working for your Dad now?”
“No, I hope to have dodged that bullet, but we’ll just have to see.” I cut the runny egg and take a bite, an explosion of chicken, basil, and chili peppers that I quickly chase with a spoonful of rice.
“I thought you were going to have to start interning in January.”
“I was, but I lucked out and got a part in a series.”
Kris’s eyebrows raise and a grin spreads across his face. “Really? That’s awesome! How’s your father taking it?”
“Like he assumes it’s going to end any minute, how else?”