Chapter 1
Namtan Tipnaree's Apartment Complex: February 2025
"I'm not saying it's weird or anything, but I mean...Don't you want to stop relying on Mommy and Daddy Tipnaree to pay your swanky apartment's bills?" Lookmhee was never one to mince words.
Today was certainly no different.
Namtan eyed her best friend with little enthusiasm. She envied the way the shorter girl always looked so damn good with whatever hair styles she put on. Now, it's in a simple ponytail even so, she looks effortlessly cool, and relaxed, all the time.
Then again, Namtan would be too, if she had her boss wrapped around her finger the way Lookmhee had with Faye.
But of course, Namtan's bosses were curators, and patrons. They were a little harder to sleep with.
"No, Lookmhee." Namtan rolled her eyes, hoping it added to the already dramatic effect she was trying for. "I adore being twenty-five and relying on my parents because my career in art is failing miserably."
Lookmhee shot her an amused smile, straightening out her leather jacket. "Okay, Namtan, I get it. There's nothing wrong with relying on your parents, you know, but....I don't get it. Your art is so good."
Namtan smiled as they approached her apartment door, turning her key into the hole with a chuckle. "Thanks, Mhee. Maybe if you and Faye get married and get loaded, you can buy all my pieces."
Lookmhee blushed at that, her cheeks matching her the crimson color of her jacket. "Okay, Namtan. Shall we?" Lookmhee first headed to the fridge, swinging it open and grabbing herself a frosty bottle of beer. Then she tossed all the mail she'd been holding onto the barren coffee table, grabbing a seat beside Namtan.
"It's a good thing you're good with numbers, or else I wouldn't let you mooch off my fridge so much." Namtan grumbled.
"Yup." Lookmhee popped the 'p', tearing into the first set of envelopes.
"Trash, trash....trash." Namtan mumbled, going through the white envelopes one by one. Each time she found something worthwhile, she'd slide it over to Lookmhee.
"Oh....my....shit...." Namtan suddenly breathed, dropping the envelope she'd torn into.
"What?" Lookmhee glanced up, brows furrowed in questioning. "Who died?"
"Me..." Namtan shook her head frantically. "Please, kill me. No....no....no..no..."
"Yah Namtan Tipnaree!" Lookmhee stood up, grabbing her shoulders dramatically. "What the hell?"
"Here." Namtan reached into the envelope, throwing a glossy looking card at Lookmhee's unsuspecting hands. The card flitted down to the table, landing face up, like a butterfly bearing the mark of death.
Or, at least, that's how it looked to Namtan.
"Holy shit..." Lookmhee breathed out with an amused smile. "Has it been five years already?"
Namtan's eyes widened as she actually counted aloud, backwards, on her fingers. "I'm twenty-five, so....twenty-four, twenty-three....Twenty. Oh, god....yes."
Lookmhee barked out a laugh. "Nice! Where's the venue this time?"
Namtan took the card up in her hand, holding it under the sharp ceiling light. It was a picture of basically everyone that once meant the world to her: Her parents, Orm, Metawin, Lookmhee, Ten, Metawin, Jackson and Archen...Every little friend, all dressed up from their last "family" reunion, a camping trip to the famous Mount Haven.
Or, in other words, Namtan's personal living hell.
Namtan turned the card over, reading the words out slowly:
"It's been too long! Please join us for our quinquennial family reunion,
Hosted by Lana and Keith Tipnaree at Square One Resort in Los Angeles, CA"
Followed by several lines of contact information.
Lookmhee grinned. "I love your parents."
Namtan frowned. "Oh, was last time not enough for you?"
Lookmhee smirked. "No, I met Ten, had the summer fling of a lifetime...I'd say it was pretty damn good."
Namtan sighed, throwing her head into her hands, her elbows propped up on the table before her. "Ugh."
Lookmhee quirked a brow, taking a sip of her beer. "What's got your panties in a bunch?"
Namtan raised her voice to an over dramatically high pitch, imitating her relatives and friends, "Namtan...don't you have a boyfriend?"
"Namtan, don't you like that Jackson boy? He's so strong and...rugged."
"Namtan? What about Lookmhee? Hmm, I know how much you love her?"
"Namtan, you're not getting any younger. Namtan, look at the way Orm just attracts people."
"Grandchildren, Namtan. I want grandchildren!"
"What about Metawin, hmm?"
Lookmhee's grin was back, full force. "Oh yeah! The great 'Metawin and Namtan movement of 2019'. Good times."
Namtan rolled her eyes. "It's as if I'm not worth anything by myself. Like...why can't I just be happy?" her eyes trailed to the apartment wall when she heard the distinct noise of the door shutting from the other side.
Her neighbor.
Namtan zone out for a moment, lost in deep thought until Lookmhee roused her by taking the card and pinning it to the cork part of her whiteboard-calendar by the door, perhaps the only hint of organization in Namtan's chaotic, art filled apartment.
"What about the 'Film'?" Lookmhee smirked, tracing Namtan's gaze.
"What about her?" Namtan sighed, getting up.
"Have you gotten into her pants yet?" Lookmhee's bluntness made Namtan feel thankful that she wasn't drinking anything at the time.
"Uh.... no." Namtan's cheeks turned red. "Some people prefer not to move so quickly in a relationship, I mean...when's Faye gonna pop the question, am I right?" She asked no one in particular for backup.
Lookmhee rolled her eyes. "We've been together for like three months. Don't be so overdramatic."
"I'm not. I'm just saying...there's no way in hell I would....that she would....we're just not..." Namtan struggled to make sense of it.
"Right...." Lookmhee nodded exaggeratedly. "Good point."
"Shut up." Namtan turned to the fridge to begin making dinner.
She thought of the first time she'd ever laid eyes on Film Racha.
*
NOVEMBER, 2019
Namtan had spent nearly an hour trying to perfect her eye makeup for some stupid party that Lookmhee only wanted to attend to meet guys or girls, all for a screw.
Namtan was...focusing on her art. She'd actually been in a rut lately, unable to really capture anything. She felt it was mainly due to a lack of inspiration.
Nothing wowed her anymore. Nothing made her eyes twinkled with curiosity, and nothing made her heart flutter and sing.
Was she in an artistic rut? Or an early-life crisis?
Either way, she was determined to get her smoky-eye perfect, crises be damned.
"Mhee!" She called out, still adjusting her makeup in her bathroom mirror. "How does this look?"
Namtan frowned when no one replied. Stepping out of her bathroom, she zipped the side of her dress by herself, making her way into the living room of the apartment. "Lookmhee!" She called curiously, now genuinely concerned.
And then she heard, "Sonya! You never told me you have friends as hot as you are! Damn, were you all hatched in a lab, or something?"
Namtan rolled her eyes, fearing for Lookmhee's life.
"Tipnaree!" Namtan heard Sonya’s voice call for her. "Get your sidekick off my property!"
"Hey!" Namtan heard Lookmhee protest. "If anyone's the sidekick, it's-"
Namtan stepped out, trying to keep her balance in her heels. She turned to the right, ready to receive a mouthful from Sonya.
Instead, Namtan figured she'd died somehow and stumbled into heaven, because she was sure she was staring at a literal angel.
She was tall, well not really, she's about Namtan's height, maybe only two or three centimeters shorter. Her almond skin glowed in the halls, the light reflecting off a smooth, toned body. Her full lips were pulled in a curious half smile, but what Namtan truly fell for were her eyes.
Curious like a cat, brightly lit, warmth brown reflected back at Namtan, taking in her dress clad figure.
Her eyes locked with Namtan's hazel gaze to form a summer colored bond, a sort of unspoken song that they both seemed to know the words to.
And then there's Lookmhee ruined it by saying something utterly...tactless. "Oh, Namtan, I haven't seen you stare at something like that since the pizza you were dying to eat last night."
Namtan glared at Lookmhee, and Sonya heaved the greatest of sighs. "This is what you'll be living next to, Film."
"Film..." Namtan repeated before she could stop herself.
And then the angelic girl stuck her hand out, offering the cutest whisker dimples with her smile, with perfect white teeth on display, as if she wasn't perfect enough. "Film Racha. I'm moving into Sonya's apartment."
Namtan blinked. "Namtan Tipnaree." She shook Film's hand, holding on for perhaps a bit too long.
"Okay Romeo..." Sonya stepped between them. "We have a lot to do, so...take your lapdog here with you."
Lookmhee smirked. "Lapdog, huh? That's not what you called me when we-"
Film's eyes widened simultaneously with Namtan's, and Sonya whipped around, glaring at Lookmhee with a silent "Shut up or I will make you, Lookmhee."
"Um...when are you moving?" Namtan tried to ignore the fresh hell that unraveled before her.
"Right now, actually..." Film motioned to several cardboard boxes in the doorway.
Namtan's eyes widened. "Oh! Do you need any help? I could totally help."
Film's cheeks turned slightly red. "I think I have it, thank you. Besides...it appears as though you've a party to attend..." She motioned to Namtan's outfit.
"Oh!" Namtan nodded. "Oh....Yeah, I'd forgotten. Well...uh...if you need anything....anything at all, just let me know."
Film dipped her head thankfully. "Thank you, I will...Namtan." The way she rolled Namtan's name off her tongue made Namtan weak in the knees.
Lookmhee was the one to drag Namtan away in the end, because she kept looking back, yearning to make contact with those auburn eyes once more.
DECEMBER, 2019
Namtan dragged her suitcase behind her, thankful to escape the biting cold of Washington D.C. for the golden state's mild winters.
She barely balanced the gift in her arm, the purse, and the suitcase as she struggled to lock her door. Taking a breath, she turned and carefully knocked on Film Racha's apartment door.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
On the third knock, the door unlocked and swung open, Film leaning against the frame.
Namtan's breath caught in her throat. She was in sweats, her hair tied in a loose bun. She glanced at Namtan curiously.
"Namtan Tipnaree?" She offered a hint of curiosity in her schooled tone.
"Happy holidays, Film." Namtan smiled. "I know we haven't really been able to talk much, but-"
"Here!" Noticing she was about to drop the gift, she stepped aside, letting Namtan in with haste.
The first thing Namtan noticed was the organization. For identical layouts, their apartments sure were different.
Though they both had very few items. Namtan noticed that Netflix was on her TV, and Namtan decided against asking what her holiday plans were. Maybe her familial relations weren't so great?
"What can I do for you?" Film turned, eyeing Namtan as she set down her suitcase. "You look like you're in a hurry."
"I am." Namtan replied, smiling all the while. "I'm catching a plane to see my family in Los Angeles."
Film smiled politely. "Oh. I used to live there."
Namtan thought Film looked like she belonged to a beach city. She made a mental note. "Oh, small world, huh? Anyway...I uh.... overheard you complaining about how Sonya left that gaping hole in the wall..." Namtan nodded to the aforementioned hole, sitting just above Film's couch.
Film frowned. "Yes...Sonya wasn't the best past resident, I'll admit."
"Well...I made you this painting in case.... well, I figured you liked the sunset, since I've seen you hanging around our patios... so, I..." Namtan sputtered, trailing off. Why was she so damn nervous? She noticed her heart was racing.
Film's brow furrowed in confusion as she opened the rectangular wrapped gift.
Namtan watched her jaw drop in awe, the quickened rise and fall of her chest.
"Namtan..." Film's eyes traced the bleeding orange sunset Namtan had poured hours of work into, the clouds meeting on the distant horizon where the sun fell behind shadows of trees. "This is....your work....it's beyond words."
Namtan inhaled, unaware that Film's praise would feel so satisfying. "Thank you. Um. I know we don't know each other that well, and I don't want to pester you, because you seem like a very busy woman but...consider this...an open offering of friendship, maybe?"
Film smiled, clutching the photo like it was her firstborn child. "I'd like that very much, Namtan."
APRIL 2020
Film knocked feverishly at Namtan's door, though she was sure it couldn't be heard over the ungodly, loud music that resonated throughout the thin walls of Namtan's apartment.
She opted for just pushing the door open anyway, not surprised to find the lights dimmed and replaced with more colorful alternatives, with bodies dancing everywhere, an abundance of alcohol and likely other substances.
"Namtan?" Film practically mumbled. She saw Lookmhee Racha, Namtan's best friend, playing beer pong with some guy with curly hair in the corner.
"Heathens." Film mumbled disapprovingly, eyes darting past them for Namtan. She pushed her way through the crowd, out onto the cold air of the balcony, where Namtan Tipnaree was drinking, alone.
She was sitting on the edge of the rail, feet dangling.
Film's heart was racing just looking at her.
"Namtan?" Film hoped her voice didn't sound as uncomfortable as she felt.
"Hmm- Oh, Film?" Namtan immediately hopped back onto the safety of the balcony floor. "Oh god, I didn't know you were here."
"I...actually..." Film admitted sheepishly. "I'm here to complain about the noise. I can't focus, Namtan."
Namtan turned beet red. "Right. Yeah....oh my god, sorry. It's just....spring break, some friends were over....things got out of hand..."
Film put her hand up regally. "No need to apologize for having fun, Namtan."
Namtan huffed out a breath. "I wish I were having fun."
Film's brow furrowed in confusion. Was she supposed to respond to that? "Uh..." she began.
"Sorry...." Namtan trailed off, laughing awkwardly. "I didn't mean that...It's not your concern. I just...I'm not in the mood to party, but...they're all here, so...."
Film tilted her head, like a thoughtful puppy, and Namtan melted instantly. "Well...you could come over to my place."
Namtan's eyes lit up. "Really?"
Film nodded slowly. "I'm just...trying to read. I wouldn't mind."
Namtan nodded then, voice cheering up. "I'll turn down the music. Thank you so much!" She threw her arms around the shorter girl, and then disappeared off into the tiny, crowded apartment.
Film was stunned into silence.
They spent that evening debating classic novels, a passion for which Film never suspected Namtan had.
"Pride and Prejudice?" Namtan tried, hair tied up in a messy bun, leaning against the foot of Film's couch, while Film sat on the couch itself.
"A guilty pleasure." Film admitted.
"No frickin way." Namtan was surprised. "I'm shocked."
"What?" Film raised a brow. "Is it a sin to enjoy a good, pure romance?"
Namtan mumbled to herself. "Would've been better if it was Ms. Darcy."
Film quirked a brow, wearing an amused smile. "What, you mean if Elizabeth were a man instead?"
Namtan blushed immediately, evading her inquisitive gaze. "No...I mean...they both should've been women."
"Oh..." Film nodded.
Namtan felt suddenly very awkward, like she had coming out in high school. "I'm sorry if-"
"I agree." Film hummed quietly, mostly to herself, as she tilted her head back.
Namtan's heart jumped out of her chest.
MAY 2020
"Good morning Namtan." Film's voice hardly matched her body, slick with sweat from the run she'd just returned from.
Namtan, on the other hand, had barely gotten up in time to meet Lookmhee for breakfast.
Well, after seeing Film in a sports bra and tights, she did wake up more.
"Do you...always exercise?" Namtan scratched the back of her head, feeling suddenly self-conscious.
"Regularly. A fit body is a temple for a fit mind." Film replied, stretching her legs as Namtan locked her apartment door.
"I'll bet you eat really well, too." Namtan grumbled.
Film glanced at her amusedly. "I don't order pizzas at two in the morning, if that's what you're asking..."
Namtan whipped around, eyes taking in the glorious brunette. "You heard that?" Her tone reeked of embarrassment.
"The walls are....thin, Namtan." Film's voice dropped a bit, and Namtan wondered what else she'd heard. She wanted to run for the hills.
"Yeah..."Namtan gulped, turning away. "How's that finance business of yours coming?"
"It's...difficult, to start a company under such...turbulent times." Film spoke poetically, all the time, and Namtan envied that.
"Right well...least you're not a starving artist." Namtan shrugged.
"Starving?" Film queried. "You have pizza."
"Shut up." Namtan smacked her on the arm playfully. "Maybe I'll join you one of these days....?"
Film cocked her head to the side. "Do you think you can keep up, Namtan?"
Namtan balked. "I uh...well, actually...." And then she realized Film was teasing her. "Hey! I'm not that out of shape."
"You certainly don't look out of shape, Namtan." Film's voice was gone and in a split second she was safe in her apartment, away from Namtan's reaction.
Namtan bit her lip. Okay, this crush was getting out of hand. Did Film just...hit on her? Film the monotonous nerd?
*
JUNE 2020
Namtan could hear Film's new girlfriend, all the time.
Every fucking minute it was "Kapook" this and "Kapook" that.
Namtan wondered how long they'd actually been dating.
Film even stopped running with her in the mornings, which forced Namtan to stop altogether.
Namtan heard Film's laughter, and singing- she wished, no....longed for her to be in that stupidly neat apartment instead of "Kapook".
Namtan had only seen her once, through the peephole.
She was tall, and fit, and of course she was a perfect match for Film, who deserved nothing but the best.
Namtan's paintings came out harsher, and angrier than she'd intended. Her commissions had to be done over and over and over again because she couldn't get her shit together.
She spent as much time as she could at Lookmhee's, for fear of snapping at Film or just hearing them together happily.
Namtan wasn't sure why it bothered her so much.
She decided on the fact that it reminded her how utterly single she was. Yes, that was it, and nothing more.
Namtan had survived being Lookmhee's roommate during her most...active years in college, and she'd survive this.
Headphones had never been more welcome.
*
SEPTEMBER 2020
It was late, maybe one or two in the morning.
Namtan had been trying to finish her piece for Mrs. Kornnaphat’s office, just about the only piece she was actually getting compensated for, when she heard a loud crash.
And then another.
Like glass was being thrown and shattered against their shared apartment wall.
"You...I can't believe you would...." Film's voice was strained, caught in her throat.
"Things change, Film. You can't expect the world to stop revolving because you did!" Kapook's voice, Namtan could tell, was livid.
"Get out." Film's voice was icy, venomous and biting. "Get out, now."
The fight lasted for several minutes, and then a door was slammed. Namtan knew Kapook had left because she heard Film slide against the wall, on the other side, quiet controlled sniffles filling the air.
Namtan went against the bedroom wall they shared, sliding against it as well. By the grate on the lower side, ever so quietly, Namtan whispered, "Film?"
No response. Not verbally, not explicitly. But the sniffling ceased for a second.
"I'm....I'm here." Namtan murmured as she shut her eyes, imagining Film on the other side of the wall, her neat apartment thrown completely out of balance.
Just like her life.
Namtan hummed against the wall for hours until she fell asleep, and she never heard Film's sullen, grateful whisper of "Thank you, Namtan."
*
NOVEMBER 2020
"Namtan?" Film rapped against Namtan's door lightly, fist closed.
"Film?" Namtan's voice was surprised. She hurried to open her door, greeted by the sight of Film dressed quite regally, sweater and collar overshadowed by an elegant scarf. "What's up?"
"I'm...going home for thanksgiving, to see my uh....family." Film sounded strange when she said that.
"That's good." Namtan smiled, feeling oddly empty without her presence. "You deserve to have fun."
They both knew she was referring to the breakup, since which Film had been even more quiet than before, with fewer amused smiles.
"Thank you, Namtan." Film's voice was gentle, unlike the firm demanding tone she usually addressed people with.
"Can I...get you some coffee?" Namtan offered unsurely. "Some leftover three am pizza?"
Film let out a soft chuckle. "No, thank you, Namtan. I have to get going."
Namtan stuck out her tongue. "So you only came by to brag about having plans?"
Film looked worried. "No! Namtan, I wouldn't-"
Namtan laughed, feeling warmth bubble within her. "Babi, I was kidding."
"Babi...." Film murmured with a faint smile.
"Uhm... Not a keeper? What about...whiskers? Cause y'know, your dimples? Or not... Sorry..." Namtan winced awkwardly.
"I believe you are a hypocrite, Namtan." Film announced, eyeing her carefully.
"Me?" Namtan frowned. "What? Why?"
"Because you call me the nerd, when you are, clearly..." she motioned to Namtan, causing her to grin.
"Nerd implies being smart." Namtan argued. "I think the word you're looking for is...dork?"
Film tilted her head back, and it felt good to laugh freely after such a long time of depression and remorse. "Anyway...dork...."
Namtan rolled her eyes, but allowed her to continue.
"I came to tell you that...well...I'm thankful for you Namtan. You're a wonderful neighbor...and dare I say...friend."
Namtan couldn't help the grin that broke out on her face. "Not too shabby yourself, nerd."
*
DECEMBER 2020
"Another gift, Namtan?" Film looked incredulous. "Seriously?"
"Well, you got me one..." Namtan grinned at the organizer Film had bought for Namtan's art supplies. "So...just...open it."
Film unwrapped the paper slowly, maybe just to irritate Namtan a little extra.
Inside the box were two leather bracelets- with names inscribed: Dork and Nerd.
"Are you serious right now, Namtan Tipnaree?" Film admonished her through a toothy grin.
Namtan threw her head back, laughing hard as she took Film's wrist, failing to notice how her breath caught in her throat as she did so, sliding the "Nerd" bracelet on her delicate hands.
"Your turn, dork." Film grinned as she took the other bracelet, doing the same for Namtan.
Neither noticed the other's rapidly racing hearts.
*
PRESENT DAY: FEBRUARY 2025
"I haven't spoken to the nerd in a while...she's been so busy with work, and especially since they upped the rent again." Namtan sighed as she shut her fridge door.
Lookmhee looked at her like she'd just spoken aloud in a foreign language. "Huh? The nerd? You inhale some paint fumes or something, Namtan? "
Namtan chuckled, shaking her head. "No...it's just....I think I have an idea."