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"Aren't you a bit too full of yourself? I'm not doing it because I'm mad at you. I really like Kongpob, so just leave me alone." I told Daniel, treating him coldly for the very first time.

And as I said that, I realized there was no turning back now.

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As I said those words, Daniel looked at me with critical eyes as if he was looking for any signs of weakness in me. And it annoyed me even more. How could he be so sure that I got hurt badly by what he did?

"What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? Are you trying to say that I should like you because you gave me a cake and apologized to me? Kongpob gave me a cake too, and it happened to be my favorite. What else did you do that makes you think would make me like you? So you protected me from Jessica once, but was that even real? If it was, well, Kongpob also protected me from Jessica by letting me know the scheme you two were trying to pull on me even before you confessed to me." I remarked coldly.

He frowned at me. "You mean, you already knew about it, yet you didn't confront me?" he asked, his tone much more calm than before.

For some reason, I just knew how to answer him coldly, even though I barely treated people that way. It was probably because I really hated what he had done to me. "Why did I need to confront you? I knew that you were going to quit anyway, since what Jessica was paying you wasn't worth your time in making me fall for you. How much did Jessica pay you anyway? Would you have left me alone if I offered you a higher amount?" I continued to speak harshly, crossing my hands to my chest in defiant mood.

He shook his head in disbelief. "I can't believe you're acting this way." He said and started to turn away from me. But then he suddenly turned back with a disappointed expression written on his face. "You want to know why spending time with you wasn't worth Jessica's money? It was because I didn't think a couple of bills could ever replace your trust in me. I cared for you, more than for her money. But I guess you'll never see that."

After he said that, he left the classroom. And even though I felt bad for hurting his feelings, I didn't stop him. I still couldn't forgive now so there was no use stopping him. Instead, I just watched him leave.

When Daniel was gone, Nam, having been seated right beside where Daniel and I were standing as we talked earlier, stood up from her seat and called for my attention with a tap on my shoulder. When she noticed my sad expression as I turned to her, she gave me a reassuring smile. "You did the right thing." She said in an encouraging tone.

I knew that she was right. I had to show Daniel that what he had done to me hurt me badly and I had always been sincere with him. I really wanted him to be my friend, but after what he did...I was right to treat him coldly. And so, I tried to shake the sad thoughts of regret away and managed to cheer up until the end of the day. In fact, my mood was great as I walked towards my locker after class. May was waiting for me there with an impatient look on her face. I tried to recall whether or not I was supposed to meet her.

"Arthit!" She exclaimed excitedly, her expression changing upon seeing me walking closer and closer to her.

When I reached her, I raised my brow at her. "What's up?" I asked her, recalling that I hadn't schedule anything with her.

She looked at me in surprise. "What's up? You just got yourself a boyfriend and you're acting like nothing's up?" she remarked. "So tell me, is it for real, or is it a part of your plan?"

I gave her a smile. "What do you think, May? Would you believe me if I say it's for real?" I answered mischievously.

She returned my smile. "Okay, you're right. You couldn't have done it for real. But still, Kongpob did save you so I thought you've finally had a change of heart." She responded.

"You were there?" I asked, surprised since I didn't notice her there in the crowd.

She nodded. "Of course I was. I'm always where the action is." She bragged with a proud grin.

"Then I'm sorry for treating Daniel badly. You like him, right? I hope you understand that I had to do that." I said, thinking that she might have been upset with my actions.

"Oh, no, don't apologize. He deserved what he got earlier. He should've known better than to fool you and what's worse is he had to team up with the biggest slut in the whole school. I don't like him anymore." She said in a serious expression. "And it's really annoying how Michael's trying to convince me that Daniel's a good person. There's no point in doing that when there's already clear proof. And besides, why is Michael doing that anyway? Shouldn't he be glad about my sudden change of heart to choose him instead?"

I couldn't help but laugh at May's words. "You like Michael now, don't you?" I asked her with a grin.

She blushed deeply. "Whaaat??? What are you talking about? I'm just trying to analyze his actions. After all, I do have the right to do so, since I am his friend." She remarked quickly.

But even though she didn't say it, I knew that the answer was obvious. Why else was she wearing a pink hair band? May never wore pink before. "I was just asking, because you sounded like you did. But I guess not." I answered wisely, not wanting to annoy her by insisting. I knew that in her own time, she'd admit it. "Anyway, I have to go home now so I'll just talk to you tomorrow, okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I should get going too. But before I go, I just want to tell you to be careful with your plan. That's the reason why I waited here for you. Be careful, okay? Think of it this way, all your previous plans against Kongpob seemed fool-proof to you then. But they all backfired on you. This might happen again if you're not careful. Very careful." She said, her tone dead serious. But when she finished, her usual cheery expression returned. "Okay, I'm leaving now. I still have to meet Michael. See you tomorrow!"

She waved at me as she left and I waved back. Afterwards, Nam arrived and we started walking towards our home. As we walked, Nam seemed like she had several questions to ask me as she fidgeted beside me and kept looking at me, but something seemed to be stopping her. Having a feeling I knew what it was, I decided to begin instead.

"Kongpob asked me, no, he implied that we have rules in dating." I said, knowing she was anxious about what happened when we left the classroom.

She immediately lit up as she turned to me with a raised brow. "Rules in dating? What for?" She asked surprised.

I knew it, typical overly-curious Nam. "He said that it's because of this book that inspired him to think that it's a good idea. Isn't he weird?" I responded.

"No, he isn't. I think it's rather cute. What are the rules you agreed upon?" She disagreed with me. Somehow, whenever it came to Kongpob matters, she often sided with Kongpob. And she actually said she didn't like the guy that much anymore. She obviously still likes him a little.

Not having a chance to complain about the rules earlier with Kongpob, I decided to let it all out now. "The first rule is fine, since it really isn't nice if I go out with other guys while I 'date' him." I made air-quotations in the air as I said the word "date" to make it clear it was fake-dating and saw Nam scoff at that. "But the second rule, he actually wants me to call him everyday!" I remarked, totally not happy with the idea.

"What's wrong with calling him?" she asked as she laughed at my reaction.

"What's wrong with it? Have you completely forgotten how our conversations usually turn out?" I asked her sarcastically.

She shook her head. "That's not a problem, Arthit. Look at me and Joss. I've never really talked to him before my break up. Whenever he talked to me, it wouldn't be directed to me, but to both Kongpob and me. But now, we're talking a lot. Just the two of us. So...just give it some time."

"But there's a difference between you and Joss and me and Kongpob. You and Joss can at least be called friends. Kongpob and I are not, and are never going to be friends. Everything he says just angers me. He's been my rival since kindergarten." I reasoned, gritting my teeth.

"That's because you hate him so much. Stop hating him and you'd feel differently." She remarked in an it's-so-damn-easy-kind of tone.

0_0

Was she serious??? "Yah, if I stop hating him, why would I continue to date him? That's the only reason why I'm dating him in the first place, isn't it? To have my revenge." I reminded her.

"I know that. But think about it. You can't possibly work this plan out if you continue hating him that way. You need to make him like you, so at least let your guard down a bit." She pointed out in a serious tone.

Seeing her point, I let out a sigh. "Fine. I'll try to treat him better." I finally agreed.

After that, we went our separate ways.

When I got home, I debated with myself on whether or not to call Kongpob. I wasn't exactly afraid of the punishment he'd give me if I didn't call him because I knew no matter what punishment he would come up with, it would be something very light and immature. But then again, I had promised Nam I'd try to be nicer to him.

What was I to do?

...

Ugh...

Be nice to him, Arthit.

And so, I decided to call him.

...ugh, why was I so nervous suddenly?

My heart wouldn't stop beating fast and...way too loud.

"Hello?" Kongpob's voice spoke after two rings.

"Umm...it's me, Arthit." I told him, trying to sound...nice.

"Arthit? Wow, you must really miss me to have called me so soon." He replied cheerfully.

That really convinced me that he was retarded. I mean, he was the one who asked me to call him, then why was he acting surprised about it? "Ha-ha, veeeery funny. Look, you just told me to call, right? There's no need to say anything more, so I'll just hang up now, okay?" I said hurriedly, fingers suddenly trembling around the phone. My heart was still beating too fast.

"Wait. I have something to ask you. Remember the third rule? I want you to do something during tomorrow's basketball game." He said, turning a little more serious.

"Three, you have to do everything I say when we're together."

Oh gosh...why was I so stupid to agree to this rule? :(

"...W-what?" I asked anxiously, eager to hang up already.

"I want you to hold up a big banner for me. Write something like 'Go hubby Kongpob!'." He replied with a low chuckle. I could hear the satisfied smirk in his voice.

"What?! No way." I replied instantly, but I could feel a dark blush heat up my whole face. Thank god Kongpob couldn't see me..

He let out a sigh as if disappointed with my answer. Then, he threatened me in an annoying tone. "If you won't do it, you would be breaking a rule. If you are going to, then I'm going to break your rule too."

"Fine." I wouldn't want his hands or lips anywhere near me, would I? But I decided that two could play the game. "But you have to do something for me too. During tomorrow's game, I want you to shoot 30 shots."

He began to laugh really really loud and happy. Wow, I hadn't heard him laugh so happily in school before...ever. "Yah, Arthit, do you even watch basketball? An average player can shoot about 5-10 shots a game." He said in a knowing tone. "And besides, you can't ask me to do something because there's no rule that says you can."

"But everyone says you're the best player in the team. That means you're higher than average. So prove it to me. Or I will really think you're just overrated." I kept teasing him, intentionally making him feel competitive. "But to make it easier, just shoot 20, and I'll believe that you're an excellent MVP player."

He still didn't agree. "Forget it." he said in a hurried response and I hung up on him, laughing to myself about how silly he was.

I wonder, would he really do it...?

For me?

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The next day, I tried to hide my shabby rolled-up banner (which I made hastily and roughly last night) as I walked across the hallway to get to my locker. I knew that if Nam or May was to see me, they would definitely ask what it was. And seriously, I was too ashamed to answer. I'd rather they just saw it when the time came and then let me die of utter embarrassment.

Why was it when a person wanted time to go faster, it would go otherwise? And the same went for when someone who wanted time to go slower. I was dreading the basketball game because I knew that I was going to make a complete fool out of myself by carrying the banner in front of the people. But unfortunately, the time came really quickly. Way too quickly.

Like the first varsity game a couple of weeks ago, our afternoon classes were cancelled for the whole school to watch and support the team. As Nam and I were walking towards the gym, I suddenly remembered that I wasn't holding the banner.

"Hey Nam, can you go first? I need to get something from my locker first." I said, turning around.

"Okay then. I'll just save a seat for you in the front." She replied as I started walking away.

I hurried to my locker and took the banner out. Upon heading back to the basketball court, more and more people were going there too, so I found it hard to get through the screaming, jumping crowd. When I finally got in, the game had already started. The other team was ahead by 10 points. I quickly searched for Nam in the front and took my seat beside her.

"What's happening?" I asked her, seeing a concerned frown on her face.

Nam turned to me with a shocked expression. "Arthit! Kongpob can't shoot! Daniel won't pass the ball to him!" She said frantically.

"What???"

I tried to focus on the game. Michael, as the captain, had called a time-out to reprimand his players. Having been seated in the first row behind their bench, I was able to hear what he said.

"What are you doing, Daniel? Why won't you pass Kongpob the ball???" Michael asked Daniel with a very displeased expression on his face. It was the first time I had ever seen him so angry and it didn't look good.

Not good at all.

Cause Kongpob was looking absolutely pissed as well.

Ohoh...

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