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Part 8

Over the weekend, I came to a decision that today, I would take a day off from plotting something bad to Kongpob. I just though that even though the possibility of Kongpob saving me intentionally was highly unlikely, the point was, he really did save me, and that was what mattered. But that didn't mean I'd let him off the hook that quickly. I would just give him a break. Besides, I was going to be busy since I needed to fulfill my end of the deal with Michael.

As soon as I arrived to the school, I looked for May. Unfortunately, I was still afraid opening my cell phone in fear that I might read a swarm of hate messages. I'd give another three days before I use it again. I opted to check by her locker first, since everyone usually went there as soon as they arrive. And luckily, she was there.

"May!" I called out as I approached her.

She turned to me with a wide smile. "Hey, what's up?" she asked, continuing to take out the things she needed from the locker.

I decided not to go straight to the point because it might sound too awkward. "What are you doing at lunch today?"

Her eyebrow suddenly went up. "Eating, of course." She remarked.

Somehow, her remark was not a surprise to me. She was one of those girls who just loved to eat and yet always maintained a perfectly slender figure. I was quite jealous of that. "Besides that." I added with a chuckle.

"Oh, nothing. Why?" she asked, blinking her eyes at me.

I gave her an innocent smile. "Can you come with me later? I want you to meet someone." I finally said.

She looked at me questioningly. "Who?" she asked.

"Just someone who thinks you're pretty." I answered teasingly.

Her eyes grew wide. "You're kidding me, aren't you?" she replied, trying to hide her excitement. I shook my head. "Who is it?"

"I can't tell you now because that would ruin the element of surprise." I answered with a smirk.

"At least give me a hint." She requested, her eyes filled with anxiety to find out who it was.

I gave her a grin. "Fine." I told her, seeing how it wouldn't do any harm to give her one. "He's in the varsity and he played a big part in the victory yesterday."

"The varsity?" she repeated, her smile suddenly getting wider. "Oh my gosh, I think I know who that is already!"

"You do?" I asked playfully. "There are five possible guys that fit my hint."

She nodded. "I know that. But I'm pretty sure I know who it is. I've been noticing how he's always looking at me when we pass each other at the hallways." She remarked excitedly. "Anyway, where will we be meeting him later?"

I couldn't help but think that Michael didn't need to be introduced anymore after all. It seemed like May liked him with the excitement she was showing. But nevertheless, a deal was a deal. "At the cafeteria. Let's eat lunch with him." I told her.

"Okay!" she exclaimed in agreement. Then she checked her watch. "Oh, I need to go, I have to meet my classmate in two minutes."

"Okay, then. See you later!" I said, not wanting to be the reason for her being late.

When May left, I then went to look for Michael. He told me when we talked about the deal that he would be in the music room by this time so I headed there. And once I got there, I heard the most amazing voice singing. It was Daniel, and Michael was playing the piano to accompany him. They were so engrossed with what they were doing that they didn't notice me as I entered the room so I was able to appreciate their music for quite a while.

However, I accidentally bumped into a nearby chair and so that caused Michael to stop and turn towards my direction. Daniel followed after.

Feeling like someone who eavesdropped, my cheeks turned light pink as I raised my hand slowly. "Hi." I greeted in a stammer.

It was a good thing they weren't mad. "Hey!" Michael greeted back with a grin, walking over to me. "So what's our schedule?"

"Lunch time. You'll get to eat with her alone." I said, getting rid of my embarrassed side. "That is, after I introduce you of course. I'll find an excuse and leave you."

"I'm in this too, aren't I?" Daniel cut in suddenly with a huge grin.

I raised my eyebrow at him but Michael nodded. "Of course. But you have to leave when Arthit leaves because if you don't, then we wouldn't be eating alone." He remarked happily.

And so, everything was settled. I quickly said goodbye and went to my first class.

"Whoa, you look like you've run all around the school." Nam commented as I took my seat, a little breathless from my brisk walking. "Don't tell me it's another scheme that kept you busy until now."

I shook my head. "Not today. Today is my official break day. I'm not going to plan anything." I answered her with a smile.

"Are you serious or are you just lying to me?" she asked jokingly.

"Yah, don't you trust me?" I responded, playing along. "I'm just lying to you."

We continued joking around until the teacher finally arrived. It was pretty amazing how quickly things went back to the way they were between me and Nam even though we just fought yesterday. I guessed we were friends too long to let something as low as that break our friendship.

When the lunch bell rang, I was worried about Nam not being aware of the date I had set up earlier. Luckily though, she told me she had to do something so I better eat with someone else. I immediately met up with May and then headed towards the cafeteria. As I scanned the tables for Michael and Daniel, May squeezed my hand excitedly. And when we were approaching the table, May couldn't be any more excited than she already was.

"I knew it!" she whispered excitedly.

"Calm down." I told her though I was starting to catch her excitement.

Michael stood up as soon as we reached the table. "Hello." He greeted politely, his cute innocent expression intact.

May seemed surprised by Michael's sudden introduction so I decided to start with the introduction then. "May, this is Michael, the guy I was talking to you about." I told her with a pointed look.

Upon hearing that, I could've sworn I saw disappointment in May's face. But she seemed to have gotten rid of it fast because it was gone in a matter of seconds. "Hello." She replied to Michael's greeting, returning a smile.

We took our seats and just smiled at each other until I realized I forgot to introduce Daniel. "Oh, and that's Daniel, Michael's friend." I hurriedly spoke.

She nodded with a polite smile. "I know him. He's a really good basketball player."

After having said the introductions, I decided it was time for me and Daniel to leave the scene. "I hate to leave so quickly but I need to go now. I forgot to do my homework for trigonometry." I said, standing up from my seat.

Daniel stood up too. "I'll help you. I'm pretty good with math." He said with a friendly smile.

"Okay then." I replied, turning to face May. "I'm really sorry, May. I hope you and Michael have fun though."

And with that, Daniel and I left the cafeteria together. At first, we weren't talking to each other so it was very uncomfortable. But then Daniel broke the ice.

"Listen, I'm sorry about last Friday. I'm not usually nosy when it comes to other people. It's just that, it's not everyday I meet a girl who hates Kongpob, you know?" he spoke in a low tone.

"Well, it's not everyday that Kongpob acts like a big jerk." I answered him in a mumble.

"Would you mind explaining that?" he asked, now in a nice tone.

I didn't know what got into me, but I suddenly told him all about the truth. "Kongpob always wears this facade that people see as perfect. They don't see Kongpob as what he really is, a big jerk. He broke up with Nam, telling her he was tired of playing with her. And ever since then, I just can't see him as anything but a thick-faced player."

"So that's the reason why you want him to hate you." Daniel remarked, putting the pieces together. "But why are you fighting a battle that's not supposed to involve you? Shouldn't Nam be the one doing those revenge plots you've been doing?"

I shook my head. "Nam can't do those things. She's too in love and too afraid to do anything about her break-up. That's why I'm doing this for her. I mean, that's what friends are for, isn't it?"

Daniel went silent for a while, like he was deep in thought. Then he spoke again. "Have you heard Kongpob's side of the breakup? Did he really admit saying those things to Nam? Because I really can't picture him doing something like that."

"I don't need his side of the story to confirm that he really said those words." I answered. "I've known him since kindergarten and I know that he's capable of doing it."

"So you were friends before?" he asked.

I shook my head. "Not really. We weren't enemies but we weren't exactly friends also." I explained. "Anyway, can we change the topic? I don't want to talk about Kongpob right now, especially today since it's my break from revenge."

He smiled at me. "I never knew that you can take a break from revenge." He remarked.

"Well, now you know." I answered him, returning his smile.

After that, we fell silent again. However, this time, it didn't feel uncomfortable anymore. But our peaceful moment was broken by an unfamiliar girl coming up to me in panic.

Arthit! give me your key to your locker now!" she exclaimed in a scary tone.

Surprised by her action, I wasn't able to respond fast enough and so, Daniel spoke for me. "Why would he give his key to you?" he asked in a calm yet dangerous tone.

"He stole Kongpob's bracelet and he's keeping it in his locker!" The girl responded accusingly, near-tears.

"What???" I asked in shock. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't play dumb, everyone knows you did it. Just give me your key and if it's there, then you can't deny it anymore." She spoke with pure hatred. Gees, these Kongpob fangirls were really crazy.

I decided to give her the key since I was confident I didn't do anything wrong. We, Daniel and I, followed her as she headed to my locker. When she opened it, there it was.

I knew it all too well. There was no mistaking it.

That was Kongpob Suhtiluck's precious bracelet in my locker.

But the question was, how did it get in there?

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