❤︎

I was going to say more, but he spoke again, taking me by surprise. "You are still as clueless as before," he spoke in a low husky tone that sent odd tingles down my spine, walking up to me until stopping just an arms length away and staring deep into my eyes.

Why was he so serious suddenly???

Why...why did I find it hard to breathe all of a sudden?

And...

...why...oh why was my heart beating so damn fast???

I was rendered immobile by the intensity of Kongpob's gaze and saw nothing but confidence in those captivating dark brown eyes as he spoke the next words. "I like to make you angry...because only then will you truly notice me. Now do you understand?"

And with that, he walked past me and disappeared around the corner.

❤︎

As I walked away from my locker to start heading home, I found myself walking deep in thought.

What was wrong with me? Why was my heart beating fast as I thought of what happened during lunch with Kongpob? Could I actually like him now?

I pressed a hand to my chest, over my rapidly beating heart.

It was still beating so fast and hard, echoing loudly in my ears.

...

No, it couldn't be, I couldn't fall for the enemy.

But then again, with the way Nam acted earlier, it seemed as if she wanted me to go for Kongpob. Was it possible that Nam had finally forgiven Kongpob and was now helping him to be happy with someone else?

Someone like...me???

Suddenly, I felt someone place a hand on my left shoulder, causing me to turn around in shock. It was Daniel, and he was looking at me with a concerned expression until a smile formed on his lips. "Are you alright? You look...worried."

I returned his smile. "I'm fine. I've just been thinking about something." I answered him as we started walking together.

"Thinking about what?" he asked me, walking side by side with me. "Let me guess. You're still thinking about your revenge on Kongpob, aren't you?"

I looked at him in awe. "How did you know?" I remarked in surprise. "Am I that predictable? Or is it because you know me very well?"

He grinned at that. "Well, a little bit of both. See, ever since I met you, you were always occupied with this revenge business of yours." He spoke wisely. "So, what's bothering you right now? Your plan seems to be working fine."

I raised my brow at him as we walked out of the school. "What's with you today? No, wait, it's not only you. What's with you and Nam? Nam was supposed to be extremely mad at me earlier because I wanted to ignore Kongpob. But instead, she seemed happy and was even trying to convince me that I liked Kongpob now. And you, a few days ago, you were looking at me with anger because you said you didn't like how I was going about this revenge issue. And now...you are supporting me?" I let out in frustration, quite confused by the actions of my friends.

"You're right. I really didn't like what you're doing. And even now, I don't think it's the right thing for you to do. But since I want to be your friend, I figured I should try to support you, no matter what. That's what friends are for, isn't it? And who knows, maybe Nam has figured out the same thing." He replied with a smile that seemed to hide something more.

I wondered if he meant that Nam had already approved of me and Kongpob potentially being together, thinking that I really liked Kongpob. "So you're saying that Nam might actually want me to like Kongpob now? For real?" I asked him, trying to confirm what I was thinking about.

Unfortunately, before Daniel could answer that, someone from behind me suddenly called for me. Just by his voice, I already knew who it was. I turned around to see Kongpob Suthiluck staring at me intently, his eyes focused on me and me only.

As my heart started pounding rapidly again, he looked at me with a raised brow, his eyes cold as he stared at Daniel, before looking at me again, his gaze softer and eyes playful. "Have you forgotten something?" He asked me calmly, lips twisted into a smirk.

That was when I remembered that he and I were supposed to be walking home together. Turning to Daniel with an apologetic smile, I told him I had to go. "I'm sorry for cutting our conversation short, but I need to go now."

He nodded in understanding. "Good luck with your "business"." He said smiling, before he walked away.

Once he was gone, I turned back to Kongpob, who in turn started walking towards me. "Do you have any idea how many rules you've broken so far?" He asked me as he grabbed my hand and started walking with me.

Normally, I would be irritated by his actions. But surprisingly, I wasn't. I guessed it was because I was too busy trying to breathe and stop my racing heart going wild as Kongpob's warm hand squeezed mine firmly. "O-of course," I answered, trying to sound confident, but I stuttered instead. "...T-three."

He shook his head and raised his hand with five fingers up. "It's five. You didn't go home with me yesterday; you didn't call me; you didn't eat lunch with me; you talked to another guy and you're about to go home without me now." He said, lowering a finger upon mentioning each one. "That means you're going to have five punishments now."

As he spoke, I couldn't fully concentrate. I kept wondering how he could be acting like nothing had happened earlier when I was seriously shaking inside. "W-what?" I asked nervously, my heart thumping wildly.

"I'm giving you five punishments." He repeated. Then a smirk formed on his face. "Unless, you give me a kiss."

K-kiss???

Upon hearing that, I snapped back to reality. "Are you crazy? No way!" I exclaimed instantly, escaping from his grip and slapping his arm lightly. But then I figured two could play this game. "That would be breaking my rule. You wouldn't want me to punish you, would you?"

"Actually, if you are the one who's going to kiss me, you won't be breaking your rule. But since you don't want to, then fine. How do you plan to pay for all your wrong-doings?" he remarked, facing me with his arms crossed in front of him, his lips twisted into that arrogant smirk of his.

Oh gosh, why did he look so damn handsome whenever he looked at me like that?

*cough*cough*

Focus, Arthit!

Was Kongpob giving me a chance to choose my own punishment? I let out a sweet smile. "Can't I just not be punished anymore?" I asked him, blinking my big eyes innocently, hoping to escape from the punishments.

"Nice try, but no." He answered firmly. By then, we had already reached my house. "Meet me at school tomorrow morning."

Tomorrow??? But it's Saturday...

"...Fine." I agreed reluctantly, having no other choice. And with that, I said goodbye to him and entered the house.

That night, I couldn't help but wonder what it was that Kongpob was planning to do tomorrow. Could he be planning another date like the one he did involving a picnic last time?

But when I called him (cause I had to), he said that I should wear something comfortable enough to do sports.

Sports???

The sports that Kongpob loved the most was...basketball...

...No way.

He wasn't going to ask me to play basketball with him, was he?

❤︎

When my alarm clock started ringing the next morning, I still didn't want to get up. It was a beautiful Saturday morning, who would want to get out of bed this early? But then, my cell phone started vibrating against my desk. "Yah, if you're not here in 15 minutes, your punishment will be heavier!" Kongpob's message threatened.

Feeling really lazy, I got up slowly and started getting ready. After exactly 15 minutes, I arrived in front of the school, dressed in my jogging pants and a loose shirt. Kongpob was sitting on the front steps of the school, his basketball uniform on and a basketball grasped in his hands. Upon seeing me, he looked at his watch and smiled brightly. "Just in time."

"What are we going to do?" I asked him, yawning as he stood up and started walking towards the basketball court. "Wait a minute, are you actually going to ask me to play ball?!"

He turned around to face me. "We're playing a game today, truth or dare. But instead of a bottle, we'll use this ball. If you shoot a ball, you can ask me a question or make me do something. But if you don't, it's my turn to do so. The same goes I f I shoot the ball or not." He said casually, dribbling the ball from to time.

I shook my head immediately. "No, this isn't fair. You're a basketball player, and I'm not." I objected stubbornly, placing my hands on my waist.

"What's the matter? Weren't you the one who said I was overrated? Not all basketball players are good in shooting." He responded with a playful smile, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. He was definitely up to something no-good. "And besides, you don't really have any right to object because this is your punishment."

"Still, isn't this..." I was cut off when he suddenly threw the ball at me, causing my reflexes to catch the ball.

"I'll let you have the first try so you wouldn't be at a disadvantage." He remarked with a smirk, looking at me with a raised eyebrow, obviously taunting me to play along with him.

Never handling a basketball in my entire life, I walked over to the line where Kongpob was standing at, with my hands shaking nervously. And, without any other thoughts besides thinking it couldn't possibly be that hard to shoot the ball, I raised the ball and threw it in the air. Unfortunately, I was unaware that the ball was much heavier when being thrown, so it just reached halfway, before it began falling to the ground.

Getting the ball, Kongpob smiled victoriously. Then he walked over to me with the ball in his left hand. "So, what do you choose, a question or an action?" He asked me excitedly, his eyes twinkling.

He was really really enjoying this.

"I'll take a question." I answered, playing it safe at first and not wanting to make a fool out of me.

"Okay then. You have to tell the truth for whatever question I'm going to ask you." He instructed, turning serious all of a sudden. For a moment there, I thought he was going to ask me something along the lines of 'Are you dating me only for revenge?'. But instead, he once again smirked and leaned closer to me. "Do you find me handsome?"

Feeling relieved, though a bit bewildered that he asked that question, I found it easier to answer. "Of course you are. You have your own fan club, don't you? That's enough proof." I answered casually, however I could feel my cheeks turn red unexpectedly.

"I'm not asking if other people see me as handsome, I'm asking if you see me as handsome." He remarked, looking at me directly in the eye, as if already aware that it would make me uncomfortable.

I couldn't help but stare at him, mouth open. Damnit, why did he look so damn handsome on a Saturday morning in his basketball uniform with the sun shining behind him to make his skin look extra tanned, sweaty and body extra handsome???

Facing away from him, my cheeks even redder than before, I answered in a small voice, staring at the ground. "...I do."

From the corner of my eyes I could see Kongpob's damn handsome face split into the widest smile I'd seen in a while, his teeth sparkling as his eyes lit up with happiness. And unconsciously, my heart swell upon seeing him smile so happily because of my shy confession. Then, he turned around and prepared to make his shot. I was actually expecting, or rather, sure, that he was going to shoot it successfully. But when he threw the ball, it just hit the ring and bounced off away from it. And he didn't look disappointed at all.

Surprised, I stared at him wide-eyed. I realized immediately he had missed the shot on purpose.

"Looks like I'm losing my touch..." He said with that same all-knowing smile of his, turning to look at me. "So, what's your question?"

I thought for a moment before I figured out what to ask. After all, he did say we had to answer the questions honestly, and he didn't set any boundaries on what we can ask.

"Why did you break up with Nam in that way?"

❤︎