CHAPTER 31 : FACE TO FACE

Miss Mettha dismisses our class just as my phone vibrates on my desk. Fortunately, everyone is being quite noisy so she isn’t aware that the iPhone is causing big a tremor against the desk.

I take a look at the screen and think about how Golf has such a perfect timing. “Where you at?”

“Almost there, come get me.” What the heck? Don’t act like you never went to this school.

“Hilarious. Meet me at club room in the F Building. I gotta prepare the prelims event so I’ll be waiting there, ‘k?”

“Not okay! I gave up my precious time for you when I could be hitting on chicks. You better get your ass over to the gate and come get me. I’m almost there, see ya in a bit!” And this jerk is another person in my life that makes assumptions about things and forces people to agree with them. (What is up with these people this poor Noh’s life? Will he ever get his way?!) Golf hangs ups and I put my phone away in defeat before making my way to meet him at the gate.

“Om, mind setting things up there for me? I’ll catch up to you soon.”

Per usual, this bastard has a problem with this. “What the hell, man?! Where are you going?! We gotta start soon!”

“I know. It’ll only take a second. I gotta go get Golf, he’s on his way.”

Om gets excited at the mention of Golf’s name. “For real?! Okay, you go get him so I can kick his ass. He was mixing fish sauce for me to drink the other night at Lumphini Park. It was fucking salty. I’m not letting him off the hook.” Hahaha, you two can sort this out on your own!

I rush over to the school’s gate since my watch tells me that it is almost time for the preliminary round to start. However, I don’t even see as much as Golf’s shadow. “That fucker, didn’t he tell me that he was almost here?” I complain to myself.

While I wait for him, a light-skinned girl who is wearing the convent uniform from afar is stealing my attention. Who’s that? I can tell that she’s pretty hot even from this distance. If I get to see up close? Whoa, I don’t even wanna imagine it. I keep staring as the figure moves in closer and closer with excitement, like any other teenage guys would be like.

But…

Goddamn it. Why didn’t I realize this sooner? I watch as Aim walks over to the school’s gate and I am forced to pretend like I don’t see her, simply because I don’t have anything to say to her. I can tell that she’s looking my way too.

And of course, aside from the security guard, Mister Suchart and other students leaving the school, I don’t see anybody that resembles Phun at all. That means, Aim and I must stand here as we wait for the person that we’re supposed to meet. Honestly, I don’t really care that she’s standing around here. I no longer bother with any forms of politeness since I’ve lost all respects for this woman due to my personal experiences with her.

I lean on the gate and whistle, looking completely content with myself. I’m not even saying hello, hoping that this might piss her off. I glance at her and it seems like she is pretty annoyed by this. I look at her seemingly beautiful face and I know right away that she came all the way here so that she can keep Phun away from me. I bet she’s afraid that I’d rat her out.

She has no idea that I wouldn’t do that. (I’m not that kind of a person.) If I wanted to tell on her, then I would’ve done so back in Hua Hin. If I were that tough, then I wouldn’t have called Golf so he can help me think like this. Speaking of which, when the hell will he get here already?

Soon enough, a purple taxi parks by the sidewalk. I can see Golf’s tall figure digging around to pay for the cab fare to the driver. He steps out of the car with a wide grin, still wearing his personal attire since his school allows that sort of thing.

“Sorry, man. The traffic was god-awful in front of the Mandarin Oriental. I don’t know what the hell was going on.” He hastily gives his excuse, probably because he’s afraid that I might snipe at him (which I was about to). However, before Golf and I can make our way inside the school, our eyes catch the sight of Aim who seems to be very startled.

Right, of course she’s startled. I had just realized that when Aim met Golf, she had no idea that he used to go to this school. Heh heh, it’s going to be fun today. There’s still one person missing though.

Speaking of which, I’m telling you that this guy must be psychic. He’ll show up at the mere mention of this name or if you happen to be thinking about him. Just give him a few moments. “Oh, Noh. There you are. Om was complaining about you.” See? Phun Delivery. Think about him and he’ll show up right away. Let the fun begins. I turn to smile at him while he is jogging over to where we are. I can see that he is out of breath. He was probably rushing to come get Aim.

Phun takes a breather before he notices the person standing next to me. “Golf! You’re came to watch too?” There we go. I bet that Aim’s like a character in a horror movie right about now (where she sees the ghost).

Golf seems to be enjoying this as well. “Yeah, Noh asked if I wanted to come so I decided to drop by. What are you doing here anyway? Aren’t you supposed to be getting ready?”

“Oh, I came to get Aim. Aim, this is Golf. He used to go to his school. He’s real close to Noh. He and I used to hang out too.” At this point, I just know that Golf and I must be wondering what kind of a reply Aim will give to Phun.

“I see. It’s nice to meet you.” Wow, the nerves of her.

“You look familiar, Aim.” Golf throws her the first punch. Haha! I want to give him an award, this is so satisfying.

Aim is taken aback, but I can tell from her eyes that she wouldn’t surrender that easily. “Phun brought me here before, I suppose we might’ve walked past each other before.” Oh, another award winning liar. I guess I’ll need to give out two trophies.

But before we can go any further, my phone starts ringing and signals the end of the first round of battle.

“U-Wo-U-Wo-Oh.

I wasn’t thinking of anything.

You’re cute so I came to introduce myself.”

The LCD lights up with the photo of Om’s middle finger. “What?” There’s no need to be polite when I answer his call, it’s a total waste of energy.

“WHEN THE HELL ARE YOU GONNA GET HERE ALREADY?! IT’S ALMOST TIME TO START, DICKHEAD!” Om is being loud enough that even Golf can hear him. I promptly reply that I’m on the way there when Golf shoves my back.

“Better hurry. You’re the club president, you shouldn’t be late, man.”

Oh, what the fuck? “This is your damn fault!”

***

I rush back to the club room and am greeted by Om, who has a menacing look on his face. Ha, don’t think that someone like this Noh would be afraid of that.

“What? I was only gone for a second. Did you really have to call me?” It’s obvious to me that I’m only making this worse by getting smart with him, but I’m doing it anyway. The result is a fist landing squarely on my head.

“Bastard, don’t get smart with me. Get your ass over there. There’s a problem with the amplifier.” Hmph! I’ll let you off this time. I hastily take Golf to sit and wait behind the judges table before I make my way to check the amp that Om told me about.

We didn’t take too long setting everything up before we begin. This preliminary round is a closed event since we’re choosing which bands will get to compete live on the stage later. I had told all 35 bands to meet up in this cramped club room. We told them that they could not bring their own instruments, which meant that they are forced to use the ones our club had provided. (There’d be no room and we’d end up wasting time if each band needs to do their soundcheck.) I’m afraid that I’ll be spending the night here by the time the last band gets to play.

“Jeez…are we really letting them play two songs? Can’t they just do one?” I start making a fuss from the judges table when I calculated how long this event will take. Om quickly scolds me. “You were the one who told them to play two songs! I told you that one would be enough! We’re gonna be spending the night here, goddamn!” Sure, kick me while I’m down. Well, I thought it wouldn’t be very fair if we judge a band after one song back then. But now, I’m starting to feel like I want to change my mind about that. Y__Y

Time passes by ever so slowly, at least that’s how it feels to me. Even though all these bands are great, having to sit here and score them for each and every song is freaking exhausting. I’m starting to understand what p’Oak (the previous music club president) went through. Fortunately, I closed the sign ups early. Otherwise, we’d be dealing with 50 bands like p’Oak did last year and be forced to judge these bands to death, literally. (Seriously, it took two days last year, we were living on Red Bull.)

I stretch myself to chase away the drowsiness while glancing over to where Phun and his band members are. Aside from a ton of buzz-cut male students, there’s also a beautiful convent student named Aim sitting among them. She is sitting right by the door and I notice that she often asks Phun to leave the room with her. When they come back, they’d carry a bunch of drinks and snacks with them. I can’t help but get curious. Is Aim off her diet or is she just trying to keep Phun away so he can’t just sit there and stare at me.

Because every time I glance that way, my eyes would meet Phun’s puppy-dog eyes, as if he’s trying to make up for something. How many times do I need to tell him that I’m not upset, I’m not mad, and I’m not jealous or anything? I just get pissed off when I see that woman who is lying to you sitting here. Do you get that now?

Sigh…I don’t know what else to say. So let’s just say that I’m trying to be as normal as possible.

“I think Phun thinks you’re upset with him since he brought someone to a closed event. He keeps looking at you and making those sad faces.” Look at that. Even Golf, who is sitting behind me, notices it. Good thing he isn’t nasty like Om. Golf looks at me as I shake my head before he grinds his teeth. “I’m dying to just walk over there and tell Phun all about it right here and now. What should I do?”

“Yo! Chill out.” He’s already acting like he wants to crawl over where Phun is. This damn guy! I swiftly hold him back because I know full well what a hot-blooded dude this guy is.

Soon after that, a 9th graders band finishes playing their set, (they were pretty good, actually) so I need to let go of Golf’s shirt collar and announce the next band that will be playing. “Next is the band number 15…P’Queer’s Band. What a name, Earn.” Earn’s band will be playing next. A bunch of people (especially the junior high kids) are laughing at their choice of the band’s name as they seem to like it. The entire band is made up of the cheer staff from the soccer event. The underclassmen usually address them as p’Cheer, but p’Queer is used behind their backs (because the staff can be pretty mean and strict). Earn actually heard this term used with his own ears, but he’s not angry about it because he used to refer the cheer staff members as p’Queer too. Hahaha. (Where I come from, this is called karma.)

They did a short soundcheck (not much to do since our club had prepared everything already) before they start their first song, which is “Change” by Deftones. I’ve heard Om listening to this song often. I guess they’ll be getting a really high score from Om alone. Speaking of which, don’t underestimate Om (even though I do this again and again) because his father plays for a major symphony orchestra. He’s also a music professor at Mahidol University to boot. Basically, Om isn’t exactly without talent, his only issue is that he tends to act like he’s stupid, causing people misunderstand him. (Or maybe he really is stupid, I’m not certain.) I take a peek at his score card and let out a smirk.

“That’s cheating.”

“They’re really good!” Om loudly exclaims as he tries to hide his score card. I can only laugh at him. It is true though, Earn’s band is playing very well. Earn is great as the lead singer. It’s too bad that this song is a bit too slow and emo, I’m about to fall asleep at any second.

Just as I am at the brink of my decision whether to just fall asleep or not, I hear my name from the speakers. “Noh, please don’t fall asleep yet. There is one more song.” Jeez, Earn. You’re really doing this to me? I’m so embarrassed! I flinch and scratch my head as I stare at his face. Meanwhile, everyone breaks into laughter (I’ll get you back for this). I take a sip of water to hide my embarrassment (and drive away the lethargy).

Earn grins widely, showing his dimples before he continues with the next song. “Listen to this very carefully, Noh.” I guess he’s afraid that I might doze off again.

Hack, the drummer, rhythmically taps on his drum sticks before the guitar begins playing the first few notes of the second song.

“Too close, I don’t want to get too close

I don’t want to go there yet

It’s probably alright to stay at this spot

Too clear, if this is too clear

It may not be as touching

This is probably not too much, is it?

I’d rather slowly get close to you

Little by little, I’ll trickle in until I find your love

It’s not time for you to know how I really feel yet

Allow me to dream and live this fantasy for a while longer

This is good enough even though things are uncertain

It may be only a small dream of mine

But I’ll continue waiting

If we get any closer

Then I am afraid that you’d back away

And never return

I’d rather slowly get close to you

Little by little, I’ll trickle in until I find your love

La…La…La

It’s not time for you to know how I really feel yet

Allow me to dream and live this fantasy for a while longer

This is good enough even though things are uncertain

It may be only a small dream of mine

But I’ll continue waiting

If we get any closer

Then I am afraid that you’d back away

And never return

Oh, you’d go away and never return

I’m not ready to get too close just yet”

Eh?!

I mean, I do like the band Friday. (I dream about having a smooth and dreamy singing voice like p’Boy Thrai.)

But…

Why is Earn staring at me while he is singing? I’m getting so embarrassed that I need the avert his gaze!

It seems like I’m not only one who notices this either.

“Holy shit, Earn! You’re flirting with our boss by singing a love song in front of all these crowds?!” There he goes again. Om yells loudly once the song is finished. -_-” Asshole, this is so humiliating! Couldn’t you have waited until everyone had left before you make such a fuss?! I’m so embarrassed!

I faceplam myself while peeking at Earn, who is still standing there with a smile, accepting Om’s teases. What?! You too! Denying it won’t let anybody! I’d be totally thankful! Don’t just stand there and willingly be Om’s target!

Since Earn isn’t saying anything, Om’s mouth decides to work overtime. “It’s too bad though, Earn! My boss’ real guy is already heading your way! Phun is so gonna kick your ass.” Bastard! You’re dragging more people into this?! However, Om is right. I watch as Phun walks up behind Earn, but there’s a logical reason to this. His band is number 16 and is supposed to be playing after Earn’s band so they’re just setting everything up. I look at Phun, who has a smirk on his face, but he is not saying anything. He passes Earn to grab the guitar and gets into his position.

Smack!

“You really need to watch it, don’t just run your mouth off like that. Don’t you see that Phun brought his girlfriend to watch him?!” Thank you, p’Dew! You tell him. I turn to laugh when p’Dew shuts Om’s shitty mouth up by hitting his head with the coffee cup. Om is now pathetically licking his own wounds by rubbing the spot where he was hit.

“Sorry! I forgot.” Everyone breaks into a laughter once more while Om apologizes to Phun with a wai. The student council secretary quickly accepts Om’s apology before waving him off, letting him that he didn’t mind. Although, Phun’s no longer looking my way.

“Shit, now how am I supposed to judge this band? If I don’t let them through, I might get kicked out of the school or they’ll definitely cut our club’s budgets next year.” Gee, weren’t you apologizing to him only a second ago? Now you’re talking about them by whispering to yourself? And when Om whispers? You’d still be able to hear him even if you stand at the school’s gate. Another round of laughter breaks out in the room.

This time, it’s Fi’s (the student council president and the band’s lead singer) turn at the microphone. “I won’t give you hell if you don’t let my band through. But if you get smart with me then I’m gonna hold your 20k.” Oh, what a prick. He’s using our club’s weakness to threaten us. I actually cower for a moment, but Om lets out a victory chortle.

“I’m not scared! Phun already gave us the money! Hahaha!” Dumbass, why did you tell him that? -_-”

“For real?!” It seems that Fi is unaware of what his student council member has done. He has a shocked expression on his face when Phun gives him a nod, letting him know that this is true.

Fi mutters something to himself by the microphone which everyone can hear thanks to the speakers. “Goddamn it, Phun. You’re actually trying to get with Noh after all?” And it’s back to us again! You assholes need new materials! Look at that. Even the junior high kids and the seniors that don’t even know who I am are laughing along too. What’s the meaning of this? Y____Y There goes my image. Everything I’ve ever built went to hell thanks to these bastards.

I flip my middle finger to those guys, not knowing which names I can call them at this point. Phun seems to be pretty relaxed about this whole thing. He checks the strings on his guitar before he turns to let the drummer (who the heck is that?) know that they’re ready to begin.

At any rate, it’s pretty clear now that Phun is not looking at me at all.