Orbit

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This has to be some sort of cosmic joke.

Of course, she would be the one I'd get handcuffed to. Of all people.

Film had known who Namtan was long before tonight. Everyone knew Tipnaree "Namtan" Weerawatnodom - extroverted, vibrant, and utterly magnetic, the kind of person who could light up an entire room just by walking into it. Film had seen her countless times around campus: standing on the tables in the arts courtyard, laughing loudly with her friends, hosting events that drew crowds of curious students. She was larger than life, a figure of confidence and charisma.

And Film? Film was the exact opposite. Introverted, steady & prefers order or routine, someone who would rather listen than speak up. The kind of person who blended into the background and went unnoticed. She wasn't the type of person someone like Namtan would ever notice.

Until now.

Film stole a glance at her, fixing her own glasses as an excuse, watching as Namtan grinned through a mouthful of Chicken Satay, her expression as carefree as ever. Even here, in the most absurd circumstances, she was still so... herself. Like being arrested, handcuffed, and stuck in a closet with a near-stranger was just another fun story she could tell later.

How does she do that? Film wondered, her fingers tightening slightly around the pair of chopsticks.

How does she make this look so easy?

The truth was, Film had always admired her - from a distance, of course. Namtan's passion, her confidence, the way she threw herself into every moment without hesitation. It wasn't just impressive; it was captivating. But Namtan had never even glanced in Film's direction before tonight.

To her, Film had been invisible.

And now? Now Namtan was here, holding her hand like it was the most natural thing in the world, joking about this ridiculous situation as if they weren't fugitives from campus security. Film could feel the warmth of her palm, the slight roughness of her fingertips, and it was doing dangerous things to her composure.

Get a grip, Film, she nagged herself.

This isn't some rom-com. She doesn't even know you.

Except... now she did. For the first time, Namtan Tipnaree knew Film Rachanun existed. And that thought terrified her more than being locked in that booth. It was out of her routine, a disorderly whirlwind of events that rocked her little world.

Film stared at the faint glow of string lights in the distance as they travel past the jail booth to another flight of stairs. As usual, Namtan suggested yet another ludicrous idea: Instead of returning straight to the booth, here they are on their way to "get some fresh air" at the rooftop of all places, as if the air circulating in the campus grounds isn't fresh enough.

Film's hand clutches the plumeria flower inside her pocket, the one Namtan gave her earlier, while the other remained trapped in Namtan's warm, insistent grip. Her pulse thudded softly in her ears, a steady, euphoric reminder of how close they were.

The night air was crisp and cool, carrying the faint sounds of laughter and music from the festival below. As they reached the rooftop, Film's breath caught. The entire campus stretched out before them, bathed in moonlight and dotted with the warm glow of string lights.

"It's beautiful," she murmured without thinking, her voice soft and full of wonder.

"Right?" Namtan said beside her, her excitement bubbling over as she tugged Film closer.

"Best view on campus, hands down. Well, one of the best. Second to the art studio, maybe."

Film blinked up at the sky, her heart fluttering. She wasn't used to moments like this - stolen, quiet, and just a little bit reckless. A part of her wanted to remind Namtan they really shouldn't be here, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she let herself take in the scene, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the chain between them.

Namtan plopped down on the cool concrete, her movements casual and unbothered. She tugged lightly on the handcuffs, urging Film to sit beside her.

"Come on. This view's too good to waste standing."

Film hesitated before lowering herself beside the other girl, her knees drawn up slightly as she stole a glance at the other girl. Namtan looked so at ease, her face lit up in awe as she gazed at the stars. Film felt a little giddy, like she'd been let in on a secret she wasn't supposed to know - that Namtan, campus superstar, had a quiet side.

"Do you ever look at the stars?" Namtan asked suddenly, tilting her head back to rest against her palms.

"Y-yes" Film admitted shyly. "The solar system is fascinating..."

"Right? They're kind of magical. Like... they've been here forever, just waiting for us to notice them. It's the closest thing we can see aside from the sun and moon; the rest of the planets are out of our sight."

"Well, not really, there's a way if you wanted to take a closer look. We have telescopes."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about that. I bet that'd be so cool. What's your favorite planet then?"

"Pluto" answered Film.

Namtan turned to her; her expression amazed "For real?! Me too!

and then softens, "Tell me why"

Film may be quiet, but she sure is smart.

"Well, for starters, Pluto is an icy planet, it has frozen nitrogen, methane, and ice water. I like cold, comfy places. It's also the farthest among the other planets that orbit our sun, reminds me of something that seems so far away or so I thought..." she side-eyes Namtan

and then continues - "Did you know that a day in Pluto is equivalent to 6.4 Earth days? It's also the smallest, even smaller than Earth's moon! I find it cute, like a nong in their little solar space family." Film smiles as she explains intently.

Namtan found it adorably charming; the way Film explains; her hands gesturing here and there, the way she would occasionally fix her glasses and the glimmer in her eye when she talks about something she's passionate about.

Film was suddenly struck with self-awareness and muttered a quick apology for blabbering.

"Don't be. That's the most talkative you've been to me for the whole day and I like it."

Film peeks at Namtan through her glasses, "How about you? Why do you like Pluto?"

Namtan takes a deep breath and ponders briefly.

"I sympathize with it. It was once declared as a planet but was somehow kicked out after so many years. But at least, it's never alone - it has its moon, Charon, like destined lovers --- they are infinitely orbiting each other. For me, it's the love planet, it has this little heart-shaped mark called-

"Tombaugh Regio" they both said at the same time.

Both girls froze, their words hanging in the air like an unintentional secret they hadn't meant to share. For a moment, the silence between them lingered-awkward, tender and alive with endless possibilities.

Namtan finally let out a nervous laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Jynx?" she said, her cheeks suddenly warm.

Film was still flustered at the fact that they had the same thing in mind and the wistful tone in Namtan's voice. She didn't know this girl could sound like this. She usually saw her surrounded by people, laughing and commanding the room's attention.

But here, Namtan seemed... different. Softer.

"I guess I don't stop to notice things like this lately," Film said quietly. "I've been too busy working on my designs."

Namtan perked up at that, her curiosity clearly piqued. "Oh yeah? What kind of designs?"

"Medical science, mostly because of my degree but if I'm not working on those, it's either Abstract or Animalism" Film said, feeling the familiar comfort of talking about her work. "I like animals and creating spaces where people can interpret things differently and yet each one of them finds comfort in their own interpretation, a space where no one needs to justify who's wrong or right"

Namtan was quiet for a moment, and when Film finally looked at her, she found the older girl watching her with an intensity that made her heart skip.

"That's really beautiful, Film," Namtan said, her voice warm. "You're like... an artist for feelings, you know?"

Film blinked, her cheeks flushing. "I-I don't know about that..."

"I do," Namtan said simply, her gaze unwavering.

Film ducked her head, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. She didn't know how to respond to that - to any of this. The giddiness bubbling in her chest made her feel like she was floating, but she didn't know how to let it out.

After a moment, Namtan shifted closer, their knees brushing. Film froze, her pulse quickening.

"The moon looks beautiful tonight," Namtan spoke softly, turning towards the skies and then closing her eyes, hair drifting softly in the cool night breeze.

And it was all so surreal for Film. How her world turned upside down in a single day. The faint sound of festivities below, the dark but glittery night sky and Namtan beside her looking absolutely breathtaking.

"The moon has been beautiful for a long time" Film utters, her gaze fixed unwaveringly at Namtan.

Film let herself relax. The stars above felt just a little brighter, and for once, she didn't mind being caught in Namtan's orbit.

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-