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"Listen, my best friend really made me promise not to tell anyone about this because she didn't want Kongpob Suthiluck's reputation to be ruined. But since you really want to know, then I'll tell you. Though before I can do that, you have to promise me that you won't tell anyone." I was speaking to about four girls hanging outside the girls' bathroom. When they saw me pass them on the hallway, they immediately asked me about the Kongpob-Nam breakup issue, knowing I was Nam's closest friend. And so, I decided to work on my mission to destroy Kongpob Suthiluck.

I knew these girls were the most gossipy ones in the entire school and I knew they wouldn't be able to keep their mouths shut, so it wouldn't be long until everyone in school would know of the so-called "rumor" about Kongpob Suhtiluck. Hehehe, I am a genius.

The girls nodded in agreement, replying, "We promise, now hurry up and tell us."

I pretended to look around as if to check if someone would hear me before I spoke again. "Well, the real reason why Kongpob and Nam broke up isn't because of a new girl in Kongpob's life." I said, pausing for a moment to give them a bit of suspense. "It's because of a new guy. Girls, Kongpob is gay."

This was a ridiculous lie, cause I knew very well since we were young that Kongpob swung both ways - he liked girls, but had also been with a guy before, so this was nothing to be gossiping about. However, these girls and the whole school didn't know it and well, that was enough to shock them.

"What?! You expect us to believe that?! He is the nr 1 playboy in school!" one of the girls suddenly exclaimed, her eyebrow raised at me.

I shook my head at her. "I know it's hard to believe, because I, too, couldn't believe it at first. But then I noticed the signs and realized that it was really true."

"Oh yeah? What signs?" another girl asked curiously, folding her arms as she did.

Luckily, I had the whole thing planned out yesterday, so I had no trouble answering them. "There are a lot, actually. But the first and most sensible one is the fact that Kongpob and Joss are always together." I pointed out, knowing that they would definitely go for it. "They're practically inseparable."

One of the girls nodded. "You know what? That really makes sense. Whenever I see Kongpob, Joss's always with him. Not even once did I see them separated."

"Yeah, and one time, I even saw them hugging each other. Like really really close." Another piped in.

As the others agreed, the girl who wouldn't believe earlier spoke again. "But they've been really close to each other even before Kongpob and Nam met, so I don't think that's a sign."

Okay, this girl was really getting on my nerves. Why couldn't she just say I'm right?! "Well, another sign is because he dumped Nam, who's very attractive and nice. I mean, there are a lot of guys who want to date her. Why would a guy in his right mind dump a girl like that?" I responded convincingly.

Once again, one of them disagreed with a frown. "I don't find Nam attractive, so I think it's normal for Kongpob to dump her." She remarked matter-of-factedly.

"Hey! That's my best friend you're talking about!" I immediately snapped at her.

The girl shrugged. "I'm just being honest. There will always be someone prettier in a guy's point of view so there's nothing wrong in the picture." She said knowingly. "But you know what, that part where he and Joss are always together seems very believable...Plus, he is your friend too, so maybe...he is gay?!"

Wait, why was she bringing me into this? No way...he can't be thinking that...

"Me and Kongpob are not friends. We used to be, but now we just...tolerate each other and that's that. If you still don't believe me, just try observing him when you see him. You'll see how intimate he is with Joss." I responded with a smug smile. "Anyway, I have to go to class so I'll leave you guys now."

Remembering how people tend to defy what's told to them, I decided to make them remember their promise earlier to keep what we talked about as a secret. "Don't forget, it's a secret between us." I said with a secretive smile, placing a finger before my lips. Then, I was out of there.

"Goodbye then." They all exclaimed in unison and I could hear them chattering about possible theories on Kongpob's sexuality as I walked away.

Based on my calculations, the gossip would've spread all over school by lunch period. After all, I knew that those girls I talked to were the last persons to keep secrets. Everyone in school knew that. "Good job, Arthit, looks like you're going to win this battle easily." I told myself proudly.

I headed towards my classroom, where I knew Nam was waiting for me. When I got there, I saw with her head buried under her arms. I sighed as I walked over to the seat next to her. I was really not used to her being like that.

"Nam, I've got something to tell you." I told her, shaking her so she'd wake up.

She lifted her head slowly. "What?" she asked lifelessly.

"Remember the plan I told you about last night?" I asked her, trying to sound really cheerful so that she might actually get infected with my cheerful bug. But unfortunately, she just nodded. "Well, I finally did it. I've started telling people."

I didn't exactly expect her to jump from her seat and cheer, (though if she were herself, she probably would have) but at least I expected her to turn a bit happier. "So you were really serious about it." She remarked with a small smile.

"Of course I was. Why wouldn't I be?" I told her in reply. "You're supposed to be happy about this, since I'm doing it for you. I'm so not used to this sudden switching of roles between us. You're supposed to be the one trying to cheer me up."

Her smile finally got bigger. "I'm sorry, Arthit. It's just that, I'm still not used to not having Kongpob around anymore."

I forgot to mention. When Nam and Kongpob were a couple, Kongpob and Joss used to hang out with us all the time. But of course, as usual, Kongpob and I rarely got along. He would still make fun of me and bother me, whenever I studied and they were just enjoying each other's company.

"Well, I'm sorry to say I'm glad those days are over." I admitted to her.

This time, Nam let out a short laugh. "I should've known when he was treating you that way."

I nodded in agreement. "You really should have. I mean, if your boyfriend can't even treat your best friend right, then how could he treat you right? You should definitely make sure your next boyfriend treats me well."

"Fine, I will." She remarked, suddenly standing up.

"Where are you going?" I asked, checking my watch. "The teacher's going to arrive in about three minutes."

She checked her own watch. "You're right. But I need to go to the bathroom now. I'll be right back."

Nam didn't get back in time though. She came back five minutes late so our teacher scolded her. But of course, it wasn't a big deal for her since she wasn't exactly an ideal student material. In fact, her mood had suddenly improved ever since she came back. And since I was wondering why, I asked her. "Did something good happen?"

Her lips curved into a wide smile. "I heard the gossips. I didn't think it could be that funny. Everyone I passed was talking about it." She stated. "I can't believe you used Kongpob's and Joss's relationship."

From what she said, I was surprised. I didn't think it'd be that fast for the rumor to spread. "Is everyone convinced because of it?"

"I think so." She answered with a nod.

I was going to say something more but I noticed our teacher glancing at our direction, giving us a warning glance. I changed my mind and turned my attention back to my textbook. Besides, my plan was working perfectly so there was nothing to worry about. Everything was going my way.

When lunch period finally came, Nam and I were sitting at our usual table, enjoying our lunch. As we did, I could hear Kongpob's name being mentioned by people around me. It felt good, seeing how everyone was talking about it. And when May, a friend of ours, approached our table to ask about what everyone was talking about, I was pretty confident in answering her.

"Have you guys heard what everyone's talking about?" she asked, taking a seat across me.

"Yeah, it's about Kongpob being gay." I replied, trying not to sound too obvious that the rumor came from me.

May shook her head. "I don't think that's what they're talking about anymore." She remarked. "I think it's something about you."

Nam's forehead suddenly furrowed. "...What about Arthit?" she asked in concern.

"I'm not really sure if I heard it correctly, but from what I've heard, it was something about Arthit starting rumors about Kongpob Suthiluck because he refused to go out with him."

"What?! Who the hell said that?!" I exclaimed angrily. "Are they out of their minds? Why would I get upset if a good-for-nothing jerk doesn't want to date me??? I'd rather be single!" I was actually relieved they didn't mention the "me being gay" part. I was not ready yet to let the whole school know of my sexuality...

May shrugged. "Hey, I'm just telling you what I've heard."

"I wonder who's behind this." I said, observing every person in the cafeteria for a person I might suspect. Suddenly, I caught sight of Kongpob with Joss standing by the entrance. The knowing smirk on Kongpob's lips was enough of a sign and I knew immediately who was responsible for that newest rumor.

Who else, but Kongpob Suthiluck.

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