Orbit

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Namtan craned her neck to glance at the security desk through the glass window.

Empty.

Kapook was nowhere in sight. The realization struck her like a bolt.

"Wait... did she leave?!" Namtan bolted upright, yanking Film's arm along with her.

"Ow! Phi, what are you doing?" Film complained, clutching her wrist.

"P'Kapook" Namtan gestured toward the vacant desk. "She's gone. I think she went home!"

Film blinked, her expression slowly shifting from confusion to disbelief. "You're joking." The younger girl pointed to the wall clock. It was just around 8pm. "They're probably just out there enjoying the festival" she continued.

"-Stuffing their faces with Pad Kra Pao & Somtan while we're in here starving." Namtan dramatically surmised. Her stomach growled again, louder this time, and she let out a dramatic sigh.

"You know," she said, tilting her head "there's only one solution."

Film's eyes narrowed. "I'm afraid to ask."

"We make a jailbreak."

"No."

"Come on!" Namtan grinned, tugging on the handcuffs. "We'll sneak out, grab some food, and come back before anyone notices. Otherwise, we'll be skeletons in here by the time P'Kapook returns"

Namtan rattled the door handle, frustration etched across her face. "Locked. Of course, it's locked. Why wouldn't it be locked?"

Film sighed, glancing around the tiny room. There wasn't much to work with: a scratched-up desk, a rickety folding chair, a bulletin board covered in faded notices, and a metal filing cabinet that looked like it hadn't been opened in decades.

"This is pointless," she said. "Even if we get the door open, we're still stuck together. Someone will notice."

"That's a problem for Future Us," Namtan responded, grinning as she scanned the room. Her gaze landed on the filing cabinet. "What's in there?"

"I don't know but it's locked too. But from what I know, each class keeps a spare set of keys, or at least that's how it is for us over at Architectures"

"Well, let's find out!" Namtan dragged Film over to the cabinet, their cuffs clinking noisily as they moved. She yanked on the top drawer, but it didn't budge. "Figures. Nong'Film, do you have a hairpin or something?"

Film could only smile at her apologetically, although she suggested they check the teacher's table where a stack of loose papers was weighed down by an old, slightly bent ruler. Namtan's eyes shone with hope, she grabbed it and wiggled it triumphantly. "This'll do!"

"You're going to pick the lock with a ruler?" Film asked, skepticism dripping from her tone.

"Watch and learn."

Namtan crouched by the cabinet, wedging the ruler into the lock. She jiggled it with dramatic flair, making the handcuffs pull the other girl closer. Film sighed but knelt beside her, reluctantly holding the ruler steady.

"I don't think this is going to-" Film began, but a sudden pop cut her off. The drawer slid open with a metallic groan.

Namtan gasped. "Ha! Told you!"

Film blinked and looked at Namtan, seemingly amazed. "You actually... did it."

"I'm full of surprises," Namtan said with a wink. She yanked the drawer open further, revealing a random assortment of items: club registration forms, a pair of walkie-talkies, a flashlight, and - jackpot - a set of keys.

"Think these'll work on the door?" Namtan held up the keyring, her grin widening.

"Um, it won't hurt to try?" Film said.

They shuffled over to the door, their movements awkward as they tried to stay in sync with the cuffs. Namtan fumbled with the keys, her fingers brushing against Film's as they both tried to fit the key into the lock.

They froze for a bit and shared a bashful look at each other.

Film cleared her throat, eyes downcast "You try it first"

It seemed like an endless ordeal as they both took turns trying to unlock the door. Film's hand started to cramp which Namtan didn't fail to notice. She took the hand and started to gently massage it.

Suddenly, the wall poster about school policy seemed like the most interesting thing in the world right now for Film, choosing to stare at it intently; trying to distract herself from the fluttering of her heart.

"Nong'Film, Kho Tohd, I'm really sorry for this trouble. But...just stay with me, okay? Phi will take care of this, just sit beside me, you don't have to do anything"

Something in those words struck a chord inside Film.

Finally, her gaze fell to Namtan. She was engrossed in massaging Film's hand, her foxy eyes almost staring at it apologetically with each touch. It was then that Film realized that beneath Namtan's vibrant and wild exterior lies a tender and gentle warmth.

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-