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The school year when Off accepted his attraction towards Gun, is the same year he finally realized how lucky he was to be adored by Gun. As he observe Gun’s class from outside he saw many students were admiring Gun secretly they have this same look when Gun is with him. He purposely stop by at times outside the classroom where Gun is, to steal glances at the student or simply know what is keeping him busy.
‘ G-gun, can you try and look if… my graphics are alright this time? ‘ a student who looked like a delinquent stuttered while playing with his side-lip.
The thoughtful student positioned himself behind the delinquent too close, too close for the professor’s liking, he unconsciously cuss when he saw how Gun easily made the other student blush,
‘ Perth? Did you even understand what I just told you? ‘ Gun asked giggling when he saw Perth spacing out staring at him. The latter smiled shyly as he nod.
‘ Ok? then I’ll go ahead? ‘ Perth hurriedly grab his wrist when he was about to leave, he feel embarrassed but decided to just wing it.
‘ Err. I.. my recent works got higher grades thanks to you checking on them before I submit it so.. I feel in debt? D-do you perhaps want to eat outside after class? ‘
Off can’t help but scoff hearing it making Aom and Tina who were watching him since earlier make faces and laugh at the professor’s reaction.
what a lame excuse
Gun pinch the end of Perth’s shirt grinning. ‘ you’ll pay? ‘
The latter laughed and ruffles Gun’s hair. ‘Yup. You can eat anything you want ‘
Ah this teacup pomeranian
*slam*
‘ Mr. Phunsawat see me in my faculty after class, and Mr. Pom said you guys are free to go ‘
Everyone cheered and hurriedly left the room leaving Perth and Off sizing each other up and down, Tina Aom totally entertained and a confused Gun.
Perth sighed afterwards smiling sadly at Gun. ‘ Nevermind. I guess I’ll try my luck next time when you no longer have a bulldog guarding you ‘
Off’s nose flared at how the student mocked him before leaving yet looked away blushing when Gun cutely tilted his head at him.
‘ eh? Why do you suddenly want to meet me after class? There goes my chance of free foods. ‘
The professor step forward and snatching Gun’s backpack before placing one strap of the bag over his right shoulder, using his left hand he drag Gun out of the room, leaving Gun’s friend exchanging looks. Gun silently followed the professor until they stop at the parking lot. Off crumpled his face when his action start sinking in to his brain.
shit, I acted out of impulse
Gun bent down trying to peek at the latter’s face, ‘ Sir ‘
Sighing, Off gave back Gun’s backpack. ‘ Sorry. I’ve gone crazy. Forget what happened. You should go home now. I’ll go back to school and finish some --- ‘
He was cut off at making lame excuses when Gun tiptoed and gave him a light kiss on his cheek.
‘ I’ll go after Aom and Tina sir. Byieeee ‘
Gun was skipping on his way home hugging his bag giggling.
‘ he definitely acted like a jealous boyfriend earlier, that’s a first ‘
Off was currently in the faculty curling his lips while looking at pieces of tissue that were used as a sketchpad, a total of 5 had Gun’s face in it drawn using a pencil. As expected after what happened in the parking lot in order to avoid situations like that again, Off tried his best to keep himself busy, he avoided the sweet student as much as possible making the latter awfully confused and annoyed.
*BAM!*
Everyone’s heart in the classroom dropped, looking at Gun who is currently in a bad mood, AGAIN. It has been like that for a consecutive days that his classmates were worried, the usual friendly looking student turned into a bad-tempered one, they were at loss since they don’t know how to approach the latter.
‘ Gun, you are still not done sulking? ‘ Aom pouted, receiving a long sigh from her friend. Tina on the other hand received a glare from her girl.
‘ what? ‘
‘ And you stop adding negative thoughts to our friend here! ‘
The latter gave her a frown.
‘ Aw I was just being a good friend, helping him eye over his crush and I’m telling you Gun, I really saw him being cozy with a beautiful woman yesterday. Aish! That is just so unfair lately I’m seeing him give Gun those stares then recently he acted like a jealous boyfriend when Gun was asked out by Perth then all of a sudden he was avoiding Gun he even let me caught him being on a date tsk tsk. I’m telling you Sir Off is quite a sly man. Maybe he was weighing his options and finally realized that a professional woman is a better choice for a professor like him than a student like-- *cough* he he he Gun I- was just being dramatic don’t take my words seriously ‘
Tina let her tongue get the best of her not until he saw Gun’s eyes starting to get misty. Gun stood up giving a force smile.
‘ I’ll go ahead and breathe some fresh air message me if our professor finally show up ‘
Aom nodded in understanding patting Gun’s back and when her sad friend left she started hitting Tina’s shoulder.
‘ AW!~~ Babe I- I didn’t mean to make him more sad! ‘ she ran when Aom started hitting her hard,
‘ moron I told you we shouldn’t tell him what you saw for the meantime because Gun will surely be sad over it yet you!!! Aish come back here and I’ll cut that clumsy tongue of yours! ‘
‘ Ah!!!! It’s your loss if you cut my tongue! You love my tongue babe!! Don’t even deny it! ‘
And the couple chasing one another continued while people around them just let them they were used to it already.
--
Gun woke up feeling his neck hurt a little, he sighed when he saw it was already starting to get dark, he didn’t mean to skip his classes but he was sulking too much that he fell asleep in an empty classroom without realizing it.
1 message from Aom:
Don’t think too much over it, Tina was just messing with your head. I have your bag with me. We’ll be waiting for you at the entrance gate. Tina will treat us to dinner because of her tactless mouth. I’m starting to miss your smile, stop sulking already ok?
Gun slightly chuckle at Aom, this is one of the reason Tina feels jealous at times, Aom is such a sweet girl when it comes to Gun but a brutal one around her girlfriend. He was ready to leave when he noticed Off talking with someone on his phone outside the room, right he fell asleep in an empty room near Off’s faculty. He sucked in air when he heard Off laughed lovingly,
‘ stop playing already, do you want me to pick you up or not? ‘
‘ Huh? Oh come on I love your cooking, no need to eat outside ‘
‘ *chuckles* fine fine, I’ll take you out. Sure, I won’t nag even if you pick the most expensive restau ‘
‘ yes yes this is me making up for my attitude last time ‘
‘ ok hahaha see you later ‘
Gun felt his heart aching when Off already hang up yet he was still smiling at his phone. When Off went back to the faculty room he immediately run, he just want to go home.
Off was still smiling thinking how childish his older sister is acting earlier, she told him to make up with her by buying her dinner in an expensive restaurant, since he acted rude to her last time when his sister teased him acting like a fool over a simple kiss on the cheek, he was embarrassed the way a student can affect him like that so he took it out on her by yelling its none of her business, his sister got offended with the tone he used at her and demand to make up with her.
--
The consecutive days of avoiding each other continues; for Off he was avoiding Gun due to the reason that he was controlling himself, he was over the cheek kiss; exams are approaching fast so he don’t want to be Gun’s distraction, yet for the latter he was scared, scared that he will end up confronting Off if he is indeed dating someone or he finally like someone
because if the latter said yes but like someone else and not him he don’t know how to react. So currently the two are avoiding each other not knowing the misunderstanding lying between them.
Every now and then some professor visit the computer lab of senior’s building encoding grades, the school year is coming to an end yet the misunderstanding between Off and Gun is still not cleared. Off at first he shrug it off thinking it’s better to let Gun focus on his studies for the meantime he is after all near becoming a fifth year student, beside for the past school years Gun was totally all over him, he understand if the student want to lay low for a while just like before but lately he was worried by it, and his worries became stronger when he got a glimpse of Gun’s markings.
‘ Professor Pom, is it ok if I look at your students grades? ‘
The latter sighed and nodded. ‘Actually come here and check this out, Gun’s average got lower this year, passed but it’s his lowest grade so far. Do you think he had a hard time with my class, was it my fault? *sigh* but my other students were doing fine, how come the most promising one of their batch had hard time grasping at my class? You are close with him right? Can you talk to him? I don’t know do a counselling? Or something? he’s closed off to most professors here when it comes to personal worries of him so maybe you can help. You can use the fact that you are his crush!’
‘ that was unnecessary to say ‘ Off rolled his eyes at the professor’s last sentence Mr. Pom chuckled and patted his shoulder. ‘ I’m counting on you! It will be such a waste if the kid continue to act like this, just think of it as a responsibility of yours since you’ll be their section’s adviser anyway this next school year ‘
Mr. Pom have a point, Gun will be finally his student this upcoming school year.
--
Gun on his seat was playing with his fingers, his gaze remained down not looking at the professor seated opposite to him. He was laughing around with his two friends and on their way home when a student announced he was called to drop by the senior’s faculty.
‘ Phunsawat ‘
‘ hmmm? ‘
‘ what’s wrong? ‘
Gun felt his heart being tugged with the way the older guy is talking to him softly.
‘ are you having a hard time with your studies? You don’t like the fourth year topics and focus? But you were doing great during preliminary‘
Gun shook his head.
‘ do you have problems at home? ‘
He shook his head once again. Off sighed loosening his tie, he was starting to be annoyed.
‘ will you please look at me in the eye when answering? Where are your manners? I don’t remember you being this rude. ‘
One by one professors sharing space with Off in the senior’s faculty bid goodbye and they were left alone, Off removed his black blazer and kneeled in front of Gun. Lifting the latter’s head to look at him.
‘ care to tell me what’s wrong with you? Do you have any idea how Mr. Pom is worried you are finding his class difficult and probably not interested with his lectures or maybe it was entirely his fault that a promising student like you break his record of best grades while you are under his class. He is doubting his credibility too because of your grades sudden downfall ‘
‘ I passed. That is all that actually matters right? stop making it sound like I'm such a bad student, I got low average compared to my previous grades so what ‘
Gun brushed off his hand and look down once again, frustrated Off even opened one button of his long sleeve polo.
‘ PHUNSAWAT! I’m starting to be really mad here! what the hell is your problem? I thought you were busy with your studies so I never once tried approaching you, because I know you will come to me yourself if you’re not occupied, even if there are times I want to share you some good news since I got used to it because we are friends if we only strip off our titles right? Yet I stop myself because I don’t want to distract you. But what kind of grades are those? Yes, you passed but you always brag about your grades, achievements and contribution to this your university, to the beauty of arts, I remember you dreaming big and I was literally dumbfounded at how mature and a dreamer this kid is, I feel proud whenever I hear compliments of you *sigh* I’m sorry but I just can’t help but to feel disappointed-- ‘
The older guy stopped rumbling words when he take notice of Gun sobbing while his head is still looking down on the floor, letting tears flow continuously hitting the ground.
‘ lies ‘
‘ huh’
Off feel like crying too when he saw how much pain Gun’s eyes were while looking straight at him.
‘ liar, you were not approaching me not because you were concerned distracting me from my studies, you were just simply busy dating around, you finally have someone you can go to and share your good news that’s why you no longer come to find me, you were dumbfounded every time I talk big to you because you find me unrealistic and childish not mature! You don’t feel proud when people compliments me, you even question it and tell me not to be cocky because of it! ‘
‘ Phunsawat ‘ Off badly wanted to wipe away the tears but Gun pushed him away,
‘ are you are done scolding me, acting such an adult around me? ‘
*grab wrist*
‘ Stop being stubborn and listen to me first I think you misunderstood something ‘
Gun being stubborn and being narrow-minded as of the moment, stomp his feet.
‘ No!!! I get it ok?! You said you’re not interested getting yourself be in a relationship so I thought when you finally wanted one, the gap between us will be easier to reach, but recently I accepted it, looking at you and that woman looking so good together, discussing mature stuff, watching you tell her your burdens, struggle at your job. And hearing you rant that me crushing on you is one of your burden, I accept defeat, no matter how close we get, you will never look at me the way I want you to look at me. I will always remain as a student, a kid to you! I GET IT! ‘
‘ PHUNSAWAT COME BACK HERE ‘
Off yelled and chased after Gun but the student was too fast and lost the sight of him.
‘ what the hell was that? me dating someone? Who is he referring to? Tch I don’t look at him the way he want me to look at him? Geez you are clearly blind. Ah what the heck just happened? From his studies to feelings? How the hell we ended up this way? If only he’s not a student here I would’ve kiss the hell out of him for him to sober up. Tsk. I guess I’ll let him cool down his emotions for the meantime. *sigh* School break start next week and he’ll go home to his parents for sure. I should fix things before it gets out of control ‘
Off was still thinking through things when his phone rings and when he saw the caller, he hit his palm across his cheeks, smiling like crazy
‘ ahhh damn adopted you made my boy jealous over us! ‘
To Off’s disappointment Gun did a good job hiding from him, even after Off tried confronting him outside school it was too late, Gun already went out his dormitory and successfully arrived to his parent’s home.
‘ Leeeyaaaaaa! Huhuhu I’m such a theater actor! I burst out my feelings and frustrations all over the place! I just feel like he is being too much telling me this and that regarding my attitude towards my studies when in fact it’s his fault! Then I realized what I did and too embarrassed to face him, he was doing his job as a professor scolding a student for his bad grades and yet… I ranted him about my feelings ‘ Gun whined to his friend. Leeya pinched his cheeks.
‘ why did you even jumped in to conclusion that he is dating that woman? ‘
‘ Aw! How can I not jump into that conclusion, they were being too cozy in public, discussing personal matters, Sir Off being totally comfortable with her not to mention he always talk with her on the phone, smiling. It’s rare for Sir Off to be like that, to be goofy like that around someone unless they are really close. ‘
Gun kick his feet in the air only to mope when Leeya knock some sense into him.
‘ And what if you misunderstood it? And just overreact about it? How will you face that professor of yours? You didn’t even listen to him properly, and you will feel upset because he treats you like a child? seriously? I can imagine you throwing tantrums at him every time things don’t go your way. Just like what you are telling me beside even if he date that woman you have no right to feel that way, you never tried clearing your status with him right? ’
Guilty, Gun pouted.
‘ I did overreact and throw tantrums most of the times. I act all high and mighty but ended up having low grades this school year worst is Sir Off even approached me about it, I guess my emotions were all mixed up so… I acted that way. And mind you I have all the right to feel this way, he made me feel excited with the way he acted jealous one time, he stole glances too, he was sweet and gentle to me too, I really thought he’s starting to return my feelings but then boom! btw aren’t you the one who told me to play hard to get at times?! ‘
‘ May I remind you that I also told you that know your limits? Expect responsibly and never jump into conclusion without actually confronting it first. Tch genius are really dumb when it comes to feelings. Can’t blame you though its your first time actually liking someone and it even got this far. ‘
‘ Leeyaaa how? How will I face him as my adviser this upcoming school year without making myself look more stupid than this? ‘
‘ Play it cool ‘ Leeya shrugged.
‘ huh? ‘
Grins. ‘ why not use your age as an excuse? ‘
‘ *glare* I’m trying so hard to eliminate the age gap between us and you want me to use it? ‘
‘ yeah, like sorry sir I was being an insolent emotional brat at that time, emotions got the best of me, it won’t happen again ‘
‘ LEEYA! You’re not helping! ‘
‘ hahahah I’m being serious, it’s your last year in that university, you no longer have excuses to be with him, see him after that school year, that professor will also have no reason to tolerate you unless…. You two clearly have a proper label this time ‘
‘ we are friends I still have excuses if I want to be with him or see him‘
‘ friends? You will settle with that? when you can have him as more than that? It’s obvious with your stories that he likes you back beside I know you, you won’t hold on this far if you are not confident that you are not wasting your time ‘
‘ Hmm trust me this time around, embrace your actual self, don’t try so hard to narrow the gap between your age. Don’t hold back this time around. ‘
Gun buried his face to the pillow near him.
‘ You’re confusing me! before you told me to play hard to get now you want me not holding back! AHHH! Love is so confusing! ‘
Leeya patted her friend and said. ‘ welcome to reality my friend ‘
A month left before University open classes for a new school year
At home, Gun didn’t care at all even if his mother continuously scold him for it after showering he went out wearing nothing but boxers, his eyes were closed rubbing his stomach yawning as he make his way towards the dining room. Completely ignorant of guests amusedly staring at him.
‘ Mom *yawns* what’s for breakfast? I want some pancakes and maple syr—‘
Off’s heavily gaze was fixated on Gun’s shocked eyes.
.
‘ WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! ‘