Chapter 3
Film nearly jumped out of her chair in surprise when Namtan shot through her apartment door, carrying a box of random items, settling them on her kitchen table with a huff. She was dressed casually, her blonde locks tied behind her in a low ponytail.
Film rolled her eyes as Namtan's unceremonious slamming of the door behind her knocked over the little wooden chess pieces she'd been busying herself with. Scrambling to pick them up and return them to their designated spots on the board, she felt Namtan gaping at her, her hazel gaze boring into Film's general direction.
She felt nervous, fluttery and unsure of herself under that gaze, and that gaze alone.
It was pathetic.
"Chess?" Namtan scoffed. "By yourself? Seriously?"
"Hello, Namtan." Film drawled in exasperation.
"Hello, nerd." Namtan grinned, sitting across from her with a huff, eyes catching the way the light framed Film angelically as she clenched her jaw in focus.
"Was the art of knocking not part of your...intensive art schooling and education?" Film asked plainly, feline eyes glinting with humor.
Namtan smirked. "Girlfriends don't knock."
Film glanced up in surprise, mouth parting slightly. "I...right." She sighed, shaking her head.
Why, oh why, did Namtan do that to her? She was bright, the best of her class. She was more than capable of coming up with witty responses, and Namtan was just a bubbly, funny,... beautiful, intelligent, sexy....
Focus, Film.
"So... I seemed to have walked in on you playing with yourself."
Film's jaw actually dropped this time as a crimson blush made its way to her cheeks, her now shaking hand knocking over a poor bishop.
Well, that comment was unholy, wasn't it? Poor Bishop.
Namtan bit her lip to keep from laughing at her own juvenile joke. "You okay there, slick?" She smirked.
Film took in a sharp breath, steadying herself. "This game requires focus, Namtan."
Namtan reached over and propped the bishop back up, eyes never leaving Film's gaze. "Sorry." She murmured, but her voice was clearly unapologetic.
"Let's see what you have..." Film made a motion to rise, but Namtan caught her wrist.
"No, Film..." Namtan stifled a laugh. "That can wait. We have, like, months. Let's play."
Film's eyes widened in surprise as she slowly sat back down, wrist burning where Namtan touched her. "You... know how to play?"
Namtan rolled her eyes. "I'm not an idiot, Film."
Film immediately reproached herself mentally. "I... That's not what I meant. I... it's just... from what I gather, you were the...cool girl, in school. The socialite with fantastic art skills and no time for...menial games."
Namtan quirked a brow, wearing a smirk. "You weren't cool? No way." Namtan folded her arms over her chest, leaning back in her seat.
Film shook her head. "No one wants to be friends with the foster kid, Namtan." She spoke like it was an old wound that had scarred over without ever completely healing.
Namtan's very soul ached for Film.
She'd heard the stories. Film was a product of the foster system, sent from house to house until her final years of high school, where she'd forced herself to get perfect grades for scholarships to prestigious schools.
And she'd become an incredibly astute business major, in the hopes that she could provide for herself.
It was, seemingly, much more noble than Namtan's history of wealth and overbearing family.
Namtan glanced at the way the light illuminated the amber flecks in Film's eyes. She was breathtaking, but Namtan had no more air left in her lungs to spend looking at Film. She'd suffocate before she could ever be sated.
"I would." Namtan pressed earnestly.
Film glanced up with a small smile of appreciation.
"Besides..." Namtan leaned forward, wearing a smirk. "Don't tell her I told you, but... I think the foster girl's pretty hot."
Namtan smirked when Film's cheeks flushed, and she dodged a pen that came flying her way from Film's swift throw.
Namtan knew humor was the quickest way to segue out of those conversations with Film. They'd had a few, over the year, but... something told Namtan, Film was never fully ready to open up.
Namtan respected that.
"So..." Namtan drawled out, re-setting the pieces on her side. "Who was winning that last match there? You, or you?"
"Shut up." Film rolled her eyes. "It... relaxes me."
Namtan let out an amused chuckle. "Your chess is my art."
Film smiled, blinking in surprise. "I'd hardly claim to be that good."
It was Namtan's turn to blush heavily, looking away suddenly. "Thanks but... I don't think the rest of the world shares your sentiments."
Film frowned. "What makes you say that?"
Namtan shrugged sadly, eyes finding a knight on the chessboard to be particularly interesting. "It's not really... getting me anywhere, you know? I wish... I'd been a pragmatist, like you, and went to business school. At least then I wouldn't be pathetically relying on my parents..."
Film shook her head, cutting her off. "Namtan." The way she spoke, so sharply and eloquently enunciating the name, gave Namtan chills. "Don't." she warned.
"Don't what?" Namtan sighed, watching her friend, eyes falling to the dust particles between them, illuminated by rays of the afternoon sun, bleeding meticulously into the apartment from the window.
"Don't doubt yourself." Film spoke in a gentle, even tone. "There's nothing better than just taking a chance. I don't want to say follow your heart, because that'd just be... trite, but really. What you're doing is admirable."
Namtan lifted a brow in surprise.
"You're doing what you love, without fear of consequence. Without fear of how you'll appear to others, which.... is incredibly cool, by the way." Film murmured teasingly, causing Namtan to mirror her smile. "I guess... I'm trying to say that.... I envy you. You get dreams and smiles and art... while I have pragmatism and boring suits and business calls."
Namtan let out a light, delicate, breathy little laugh that sent Film over the edge.
"Let's uh..." Film cleared her throat, shifting awkwardly. "Let's play."
Namtan's features were wiped, a smirk in their stead. "I'll have you know; I was in chess club in high school."
Film glanced up, eyes widening in surprise. "Seriously?" She gasped.
Namtan nearly fell over in her self-induced laughter. "No..." She grinned, recovering slowly.
Film rolled her eyes and gave Namtan the courtesy of the first move.
*
"Oh my god." Namtan groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Shut up, Film."
Film's telltale smirk was driving Namtan insane from her position just across the table.
"I didn't say anything, Namtan." Film's voice was just dripping with humor.
"Yes, you did." Namtan grumbled. "You and those...incredibly stupid, full lips in that stupid, stupid smirk."
Film feigned a look of hurt, mostly to cover up for her flattered expression.
Namtan was staring at her lips.
"You get injections, right?" Namtan fired off, licking her wounds from a terrible defeat.
Film rolled her eyes. "Yes, Namtan, I'm financially struggling to keep my company afloat because I just have to get my lips plumped." The sarcasm was evident.
"I'd believe it." Namtan muttered, causing Film to blush harder.
Luckily for her, Namtan's head was still down and buried in her hands, the ultimate expression of shame.
"You're just... salty because you lost." Film commented wryly, testing out Sonya's proposed vocabulary.
Namtan's eyes shot up as a grin broke out on her face. "What?" She grinned. "Did you just use the term salty?"
Film shook her head, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation. She really needed to stop hanging out with Sonya. "I... suppose I did."
"Nice!" Namtan smirked. "You secretly sleeping with Lookmhee too?"
Film shook her head, rising to stretch her legs. Her shirt drifted revealing her soft skin just above her toned stomach, and she missed Namtan completely gaping at her. "I'm afraid not. Seeing as I'm going to be...taken, quite soon."
Namtan's voice sounded a bit scratchy. "Um... yeah, yeah." She nodded slowly. "I... I think I need some water."
Film made her way to the cabinet, reaching for a glass. "You never ask for anything."
Namtan rubbed her temples as if she had a massive headache. "I... uh..." she couldn't formulate an answer in time, so she simply snatched the glass and took it to the fridge, filling it.
"Okay...." Film muttered to herself, shrugging as she eyed the box Namtan had brought. "What's all this?"
After several gulps of water, Namtan approached the table, leaning forward. "My memoirs."
"You write?" Film asked in confusion, glancing at the books and binders included in the box.
"No. But my parents are camera freaks. There's a picture of me for just about every damn second of my life up until I moved the hell away." Namtan replied, annoyed.
Film smirked. "Baby pictures of Namtan Tipnaree? Wow, I must have done something good in my past life to get this kind of reward."
Namtan rolled her eyes. "Not so fast, champ. I'll only be showing you the relevant ones."
Film smiled, sitting back in her chair. "Lead the way..."
Namtan sat beside her, taking in a breath. "Film. In the next few months..." Namtan began with a dramatic huff. "We have to convince everyone that we are madly, deeply in love."
Film's eyes widened, but she said nothing.
"Now, my parents might have worked for the CIA before, I'm not entirely sure..." Namtan sighed.
Film stiffened. "What? Really?"
Namtan let out a laugh at Film's response. "No, but damn, the way they interrogate my significant others....They probably should have."
Film gulped audibly, and Namtan smirked. "Oh yeah. This is serious business. Ready to learn every aspect of each other's lives until we have it down to a science? Since you are a nerd and all..."
Film blinked. "Couldn't we just tell them that we're a new couple?"
Namtan sighed. "I thought about that. Thing is... you want a loan, or an investment. There's no way in hell my parents would give that to you unless they thought you were committed to me."
Film looked guilty as ever, remorse in her brown gaze, but Namtan went on with her charade.
"Second of all- why would I bring someone I wasn't really serious about to meet my family?" Namtan proposed her thoughts to Film fairly. "They would see something wrong from a mile away."
Film nodded, sighing. "I suppose I should trust you."
Namtan gave her a reassuring smile. "We're already close, Babi. I know a lot. We just have to...stretch it out. Dig deeper. The juicy stuff."
Film found her throat drying. "Juicy?" She echoed unsurely.
Namtan nodded. "You know...little nuances, things that only couples would know about each other... some...sexy stuff..." Namtan wiggled her eyebrows.
Film's mouth was definitely dry. "Your parents would ask about.... 'sexy stuff'?"
Namtan made a face of disgust. "No, but... my friends probably will, the nosy little shits they are. And remember, we're selling this to everyone."
Film nodded slowly. "Let's... cover the basics."
Namtan leaned back, lacing her hand with Film's.
Film's heart was hammering in her chest for some reason, at the contact with Namtan. Before she could ask what Namtan was doing, Namtan took a breath and then began reciting lines like it was a play she was rehearsing for.
"Oh my god, Namtan, honey..." Namtan's voice was high pitched and dramatic. "You never told me she was gonna be so beautiful!"
Film rolled her eyes, blushing, while Namtan smirked. "Thanks, mom." She answered her own statement.
Namtan broke character for a moment, facing Film. "Now here's the sucker punch: my mom's kind of protective? No, I'll say it... bitchy. She's gonna be on your ass from the moment we get there till the moment we leave."
Film's eyes widened. "Uh... may I ask why?"
Namtan nodded. "She's always wanted me to get with Metawin. So does Metawin's mom, Mrs. Kornaphat. But...ew."
"Ew?" Film repeated, feeling a tinge of...was that jealousy? No, it couldn't be. Maybe she just disliked him because of the way Namtan did.
"Ew." Namtan confirmed, nodding. "He's like a brother."
"Ew." Film commented, chuckling at Namtan's nod of approval. "So... you're basically telling me that your mom will hate me?"
Namtan nodded.
"So.... what is the purpose of this?" Film sighed. "What if I can't win her over? What if it's just an exercise in futility?"
Namtan grinned. "Daddy."
Film nearly choked. "Uh, what... did you just... call me?"
Namtan's blush was almost instant. "Oh! God, no! I wasn't talking about you... I was actually... my dad, I meant my dad." She clarified.
"Oh..." Film fanned herself, wondering why she suddenly felt so hot. That was so unnecessary.
Dammit Film, you and your perverted mind.
"My dad..." Namtan cleared her throat, redder than a tomato. "My dad will love you."
Film nodded slowly. "Oh... I see."
Namtan grinned. "Don't worry, it's not like a good-cop bad-cop routine. My dad's just... genuinely nicer. It's weird, I know."
Film nodded once more, taking mental notes. "So...." She began. "Mrs. Tipnaree is the one I need to watch out for. And Mr. Tipnaree-"
"-Keith." Namtan interjected.
"Keith?" Film quirked a brow. "That's... rather impolite, isn't it?"
Namtan's grin widened. "Oh, he's going to adore you."
*
The weeks flitted past Namtan and Film, and an entire month of practices had ended.
Sunrises and sunsets were accompanied by the sound of their laughter and teasing as they explored every topic about each other.
What Film imagined to be difficult and grueling was fun, and light hearted.
What else had she expected from Namtan Tipnaree? The girl radiated joy and laughter wherever she went. They spoke of almost everything and anything, with intimacy being the one topic they reserved for the last few weeks.
It was their friendship in its finest form.
Film had learned so many things about Namtan Tipnaree, and vice versa.
Namtan had seen Film as a rose, budded and closed, with a gorgeous, delicate petal of a layer to peel away at every turn. She watched Film blossom, her beautiful characteristics coming to light over the passing weeks' conversations and late-night talks and "rehearsals".
Neither girl had more fun in years.
Neither one would fully admit it, either. After all, it was supposed to be a strenuous task.
Who wanted to admit they were wrong?
Namtan often spent much of her time, when she wasn't with Film, thinking about their discussions.
They'd discussed Metawin:
"So that's what he looks like." Film murmured as Namtan scrolled through his social media account's pictures.
"Hot stuff, huh?" Namtan teased, watching Film frown in disapproval.
"He's... decent, yes." Film admitted. "You're sure you're not interested?"
Namtan rolled her eyes. "Film, please, you're breaking my bi little heart over here."
Film shrugged apologetically. "He's my competition. I have to be somewhat hostile, right?"
Namtan bit her lip to hide a smile. "Competition would imply that he wants me."
Film glanced up. "And?"
Namtan shrugged. "I don't know if he does."
She kept scrolling through his pictures, various images of him hiking, surfing... a lot of shirtless photos. It was enough to make any girl swoon.
Namtan was staring at Film's gaze, trying to gauge her thoughts.
"Why wouldn't he?" Film retorted carefully.
"You sound like my mom." Namtan mumbled, feeling her heart thud at Film's words.
Namtan scrolled to the next photo, an image of him and Orm on motorcycles, grinning. It was captioned: Miss riding with my baby sis. Can't wait to see you in a few months, Orm!
"His sister Orm is stunning." Film's response made Namtan drop the phone several inches on to the table, causing Film to glance up in surprise.
What the hell was wrong with Namtan?
Namtan looked bashful. "Uh... sorry." She muttered, grabbing the phone and wiping the screen with the lower end of her flannel shirt.
Film nodded in response, eyeing Namtan with curiosity. Did she not like Orm? She'd been under the impression that Namtan, Orm, and Lookmhee were the best of friends.
"No, yeah..." Namtan sighed, straightening up. "Orm's hot.... But, Film Racha, do you have wandering eyes already?" She questioned with what was, mostly, a teasing tone.
"My eyes are only for you, dear." Film's saccharine response earned her a grin from Namtan.
"Dear?" Namtan grinned. "Little old-fashioned."
Film frowned. "Uh..."
"Babi." Namtan murmured.
"Hmm?" Film hummed, eyes snapping up to meet Namtan's.
"My eyes are only for you, babi." The way Namtan murmured it, so well polished and rehearsed, it almost seemed true.
"Oh..." Film murmured, nodding. "Okay. Babi. I'll remember that."
*
Namtan remembered talking about Film's family situation:
"Namtan... you should know." Film pressed earnestly. "Really."
Namtan shook her head, eyeing Film from her spot beside her on the couch. "Film, this isn't part of our story. You don't owe it to me, and you don't owe it to anyone else. It's private. I respect that."
Film's eyes glistened briefly with a tender emotion. When she spoke up, her voice was small. "And that's why I want to tell you."
Namtan's eyes widened slightly as she nodded. "Okay...whatever makes you comfortable, Film."
Film nodded slowly. "I... I didn't originally grow up, here. I went to school... in California."
Namtan' nod was reassuring. "You mentioned living in LA for a while..."
Film glanced up in surprise. "You... you remembered that?"
Namtan nodded with a smile. How could she ever forget anything about Film?
"Right, well..." Film huffed. "I was a foster child. You know that much. I... moved from family to family, I never really knew my biological parents...they passed away, before I ever was old enough to seek them out. Well, that's what they told me, growing up. They don't like to inspire hope. I'm sure they're still around somewhere, forgetting they ever had a child. I had to move on, anyway."
Namtan couldn't help it. She was an emotional wreck. Her eyes were already watering, like rainy blue skies turned grey.
Film heard a sniffle. She glanced into Namtan's gaze. "Namtan?" Her voice was tinged with sad humor. "Are you... are you crying?"
Namtan shook her head wordlessly.
"I..." Film seemed lost for words.
No one really cared like that before.
"Don't let me stop you." Namtan's mumble was silent, but Film heard.
"I..." Film sighed. "There really isn't much else to say, Namtan. I was a product of the system. I made a few friends along the way... Sonya, for example."
"And that girl..." Namtan murmured sadly. "The one you still skype call."
"Ella." Film replied with a smile. "She's... like me."
Namtan felt guilt ball up in her gut. She was living life in the lap of luxury, and here was Film, busting her ass to stay afloat. She felt undeserving. She felt awful.
"And then I... just... kept my head down in high school. I was offered a scholarship to Georgetown...and well, you know the rest." Film finished quietly.
She was surprised, and even let out a gasp, when she was pulled into Namtan's embrace, warmly and tightly secured.
Words weren't adequate to describe what they felt.
Silence, in the form of unspoken words and declarations of love and friendship, filled the void between them.
*
And now, Namtan coached her about lighter topics, like the names of their friends, their interests, favorite shows, and the like.
"What's my favorite TV show?" Namtan grinned, quizzing Film as she took a sip of her beer, Film doing some sort of yoga-like workout on a mat in the center of her living room, furniture pushed aside.
She couldn't lie. The view was fantastic.
Film was in a sports bra and yoga pants, and she was currently bent over, ass in the air waving temptingly at Namtan.
Her hair was neatly tied behind her, revealing her dumpling cheeks.
And she had no idea what she was doing to her.
She'd offered to make room on the mat for Namtan to join her, but Namtan laughed in her face and said she'd rather die than lift a finger to work out again after their morning runs.
Namtan took another sip of the beer Film had bought especially for her, and awaited a response.
"That's a trick question." Film replied coolly, mid-stretch. "You have approximately five or six."
"Name them." Namtan challenged.
Film rose to a tall position, bending over flexibly, leaning down and stretching her right leg. "You enjoy Game of Thrones, Orphan Black, Orange is the New Black, House of Cards, Old Friends re-runs.... amongst other things." Film replied.
Namtan's eyebrows were raised. "Nice." She commented wryly.
"You also consume a lot of pornography." Film smirked.
Namtan nearly dropped her drink. "Wh...what? No I don't!"
Film's gaze bore into Namtan's. "I could hear it."
Namtan looked taken aback. "You.... you could?"
Film shook her head, smirk widening. "I was bluffing, Namtan."
Namtan's jaw nearly dropped. "You learn that in business school or something?"
Film grinned. "I had to manipulate people at every stage in my life. Comes in handy."
Namtan's eyes widened. "You... you are not as dorky and innocent as you seem." She wagged her finger in the air accusingly.
Film shrugged with a knowing smile, switching to her other leg. "I'm simply... not as forward when it comes to staring at people's asses."
She knew, deep inside, there was no way Namtan was into her. But hell, she could learn to play along if it would eventually result in the company's success.
Namtan reddened, rolling her eyes. Okay, Film was really fucking smart.
"What are my favorite shows?" Film challenged cockily.
Namtan rolled her eyes once more. "Uh... anything about old dead white guys."
Film tutted. "The history channel has a name, you know."
Namtan laughed. "Yeah, that. I also know you love Game of Thrones and House of Cards; so don't even pretend you're not listening when I watch it."
Film nodded slowly.
"And your favorite animal is the shark, so.... Shark week." Namtan grinned.
Film smirked at her. "I'm impressed."
"What about Harry Potter?" Namtan tried once more. "What house would I be in?"
Film rolled her eyes. "This won't even come up in discussion."
Namtan gave her a small smile. "I just want your evaluation." She admitted.
Film froze, straightening up as she sat face to face with Namtan. "How do you know I've read them?"
Namtan smirked. "I bluffed. I just figured you were a nerd, and you didn't disappoint."
Film's features softened. "Reading was a favorite pastime of mine, because you know... used books being cheaper than TV and all that."
Namtan nodded, heart melting.
She could imagine little Film, sprawled under a tree, soft grassy field beneath her as she read while other kids shoved each other around.
She must have smiled at the thought, because Film was staring at her confusedly. "What?" She asked gently.
"Nothing." Namtan shook her head, smiling still. "I read them too. What's your label for me?"
"Oh." Film bit her lip. "Arrogant...kind of annoying..." she teased.
"The houses, Film." Namtan rolled her eyes, laughing still.
"Slytherin, maybe?" Film guessed.
Namtan's eyes widened. "Do you think I'm evil?"
Film laughed. "Slytherin isn't evil, Namtan. You could be a Hufflepuff, though."
Namtan shrugged, seeming to accept either fate. "As long as I'm in the cool house or the badass house, I'll survive."
Film rolled her eyes, what was becoming a habit around Namtan. "And let me guess... you think I'm a Ravenclaw? The nerd house?"
Namtan smirked. "Actually...maybe you're evil too."
Film pouted and Namtan's smirk widened.
"Maybe little nerdy Film Racha is actually a badass."
Film smirked. "About time you realized it."
They began to banter like a married couple, their practice effectively paying dividends in their ever growing chemistry.
*
Namtan was up in the kitchen, drooling over Film's cooking, while Film diligently set about working on the pasta.
It was amazing, how terrible Namtan was at cooking.
Once, when she'd been starving, she'd bought a cheap packet of Ramen noodles, the kind you could just pour in a pot and boil for three minutes.
---
Namtan melted the pot handle, and, in her haste to see what the hell was causing her to scream, Film took the painting off the wall that had a hole in it, and peered through.
"Namtan?" She called hesitantly, feeling suddenly very invasive for staring into Namtan's living room.
"Fire! The plastic! It's melting!" Namtan's hurried cries were enough to send Film running to her apartment door, which was, as always, unlocked.
"Namtan?" Film tried, running into to see Namtan slapping at the fire with a towel, the smell of melting plastic assaulting Film's lungs.
"It's fine!" Namtan heaved a sigh of relief as the flames died down. "I'm good."
Film quirked a brow, adrenaline still pumping through her. "Are... you? What were you making?"
She expected some sort of elaborate dish, maybe some sort of flambé. Instead, she heard Namtan murmur, "Uh.... Ramen?"
Namtan ate dinner with Film and slept in her apartment while she aired out her own.
---
Namtan grinned fondly at the memory, while inhaling the strong scent of basil and tomatoes.
Thank god for the ever competent Film Racha.
"That smells so good." Namtan commented from over Film's shoulder.
Film smirked. "Back off there, Ramen girl. These are real noodles. Can't have you burning them."
"Shut up." Namtan grinned. "You were so worried about me."
"I was worried that your apartment fire would result in the entire building catching fire." Film defended stubbornly.
"Yeah? That's why you stuck your head in the impromptu peephole in the wall?" Namtan smirked, jerking her head in the direction of said wall, which now had the painting back up.
Film reddened slightly. "What can I say? I'm nothing, if not heroic."
"Heroic?" Namtan drawled. "Is that what you tell yourself when you stare at me change?"
Film's eyes widened. "I have done no such thing!"
Namtan grinned. "Whoa, easy, girl. I'm kidding. But maybe you should start..."
Film nearly dropped the pot of boiling water she was holding. "Wh...what?"
Namtan smirked. "I mean... we are supposed to be girlfriends, right?"
"Girlfriends, not perverts." Film muttered, cheeks red once more.
"I'm just saying..." Namtan teasingly lifted her shirt, revealing the very hint of toned abs underneath. "You can't be acting surprised when I'm in a bikini and-"
Film bit her lip, hard.
What the hell was wrong with her? She never lost her self-control.
"You're already getting a free dinner, no need to compensate me for it." Film found herself muttering.
Namtan grinned, dropping the hem of her shirt. "I thought you'd never offer."
*
They finished dinner with haste, and Film spent most of it busying herself with learning about Namtan's family.
Namtan, ever the gentlewoman, offered to wash the dishes.
When Film protested, she rationalized that water was a much safer element for her to use than fire, apparently.
Film's laugh was a symbol that she was in the clear.
"You know..." Namtan called over the sound of the water pouring over the sauce pot. "I uh... should probably tell you something."
"Hmm?" Film glanced up in concern.
"My family does this really stupid thing..." Namtan sighed, shutting the water off as she took the towel that was draped over her shoulder.
"Where they love you?" Film teased.
Namtan bit her lip. "No, it's just...my birthday always ends up being during the reunion."
Film nodded. "Yes, Namtan, birthdays tend to fall on the same day, every year."
Namtan threw the towel at her, watching as she caught it with a swift motion. Of course she did. Stupid athletic nerd.
"You know what I mean!" Namtan argued. "What I'm trying to say is... they always end up throwing me a surprise party. But it's never really a surprise, because... they do it every time."
Film couldn't help the grin on her face. This was priceless.
"I know. It's stupid." Namtan shrugged, looking sheepish.
"It's... admirable." Film tried, snickering just a little.
"Just... I'm warning you ahead of time. They might put you in on it or something.... So, you have to tell me." Namtan pleaded. "I hate surprises."
Film faked a gasp. "You mean, lie to you? My fake girlfriend? How could I ever?"
Namtan rolled her eyes. "Ha, very funny. Just a heads up, okay? My family is just... weird."
Film tried not to feel the pang of emptiness whenever Namtan brought up her family.
She'd wished someone had been there to throw her a surprise party she didn't want.
She, instead, returned to reciting the names from the picture Namtan had handed her.
She tried not to focus on how cute Namtan looked five years ago.
She also tried not to focus on the aching feeling it gave her when she saw the happy, wealthy, closely knit families smiling back as if they had no pain or troubles.
She couldn't afford to be petty.
She'd agreed to confide in Namtan about the birthday, and moved on.
"Okay so there's The Kornaphats; Orm and Metawin, Archen and Metawin... Lookmhee, of course, and..." Film trailed off, staring at the last reunion picture.
"-Jackson, the sadistic little shit." Namtan quipped.
"Jackson." Film nodded. "Not Johnny?"
"Not unless you're looking for a black eye." Namtan grinned, patting the spot beside her on the couch.
"As if." Film muttered.
"You could... probably take him." Namtan mumbled.
"You think so?" Film retorted in surprise.
"Uh... yeah. Have you seen yourself....?" Namtan motioned to the episode of Game of Thrones she'd been watching while Film studied her friends.
Film blushed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Namtan smirked. "Fishing for compliments, are we?"
Film frowned. "I wasn't-"
"Lucky for you, baby, I'll bite." Namtan grinned, turning to face her.
Film was still unused to the new nickname. It made something in her stomach churn, and it made her heart beat a little too fast.
"You..." Namtan began with a deep breath, "are, and hear my theory out here.... a secret badass."
Film's eyebrows shot up. "This is quite a change from nerd. Care to elaborate?"
"I will." Namtan nodded. "Okay, if we're talking about looks... Well, if looks could kill, I'd be dead."
"Be still my heart." Film rolled her eyes, trying to cover for the embarrassment and pleasant feeling it gave her.
"No, seriously..." Namtan motioned to the Targaryen princess, the one she always drooled over. "You're like... at her level. But better. I feel like you can kick major ass."
Film smirked. "Danerys Targaryen?"
Namtan nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah but... You could totally fit into that show. Some, I don't know... war paint? A few swords? 'Badass Film' could be a real thing."
Film chuckled, shaking her head. "That's very flattering. Somehow, I peg you as the protagonist, though?"
Namtan smirked. "I love taking charge."
Film paled suddenly, her heart thumping.
Namtan had a tendency to slip little innuendos into her conversations, and it drove Film crazy. Was she doing it purposefully? Did she know what effect it had on Film? Was she testing the waters for their big talk? Was she supposed to say anything about that?
"I...I think we should have the talk."
"Hmm?" Namtan hummed, turning towards Film. "What talk?"
"The sex talk."