Orbit

🎵

Film steps out of the bathroom, a towel draped around her neck as she rubs at her damp hair. Droplets of water still cling to her skin, catching the warm glow of the bedside lamp. For some reason, her shower routine was a lot quicker than normal tonight.

It’s as if she’s anxiously waiting for something, a boiling anticipation that’s been building all day inside her.

She snatches her phone off the nightstand, fingers almost slipping from the moisture still on them. The screen lights up as she unlocks it in one swift motion.

No new messages.

A small frown forms on her face.

She swipes down to refresh. Still nothing.

She said ‘Talk later’.

Did she forget?

No, she wouldn’t. She’s been just as consistent as her. Their little routine, exchanging messages before bed, sometimes playful, sometimes deep, had become something she looked forward to more than she wanted to admit.

She flops onto her bed, gripping the phone tightly.

Maybe she’s just busy. Or maybe—

Ding!

The sound almost sent her into a coma. A notification.

Is it from her? Is it from her? she talks to herself while fumbling with her phone.

Y-E-S!

She reads the message. A slow pout that turned into a smile spread across her face. Namtan was teasing her again. Nevertheless, she finds it amusing and without hesitation, she types back and just like that, their texting continued like an unspoken routine.

Adding a little sass on her reply, she pressed send.

Her stomach flipping in anticipation of her reply.

Just wait until I’m no longer shy, Phi.

She promises silently, a playful smile etched on her lips.

Namtan has been home for several hours already but was pacing around her room, thinking of what to say to Film. She was naturally spontaneous and could quickly start a conversation effortlessly, but she wonders why she’s left dumbfounded at times when it comes to this certain girl.

“Tsk. What to say” she mutters.

“Oh! I got it” She grins over her quick epiphany as her thumbs get to work.

Namtan: Hi 😊 How’s the girl who was reading a book upside down doing?

She exhales loudly, smiling mischievously at herself before tossing the phone back onto the bed with a soft thud. She then ties her hair up and grabs her toner for her nightly skin care routine while turning on the radio just in time for Milk’s show.

Ding!

Her head snaps toward the bed so fast. The poor bottle of toner now discarded and dripping its content on the table as Namtan disappeared in a millisecond, lunging for the phone in absolute flurry, practically diving onto the mattress as she fumbles to grab it.

Film: She would be doing fine if it weren’t for someone teasing her right now 🤔

Namtan sneered. Fingers hovering over the keyboard, she takes a second to breathe—play it cool, Namtan—before typing back.

Namtan: That was fast. Have you been waiting for me to message? 😏

Film’s eyes widen the moment Namtan’s message pops up on her screen.

Her jaw drops slightly, caught off guard by her sudden boldness. She blinks once, then twice, before a slow, playful smirk stretches across her lips.

“Playing like that tonight, huh?” she murmurs to himself, biting her bottom lip with a glint of amusement in her eyes.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the screen, Namtan is wiping down the mess from the spilled toner earlier. Her knees bounce as she beams at her own message. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, waiting.

Maybe she went too far?

Maybe Film is scrambling for a response?

Film: And if I say yes? 😏

Namtan’s stomach flips and she pretends to clutch her chest as if having a heart attack before plopping backwards on her bed.

She dares to play along with my skills???? I underestimated you Film. Namtan mutters to herself, her eyes narrowing as she types a response.

Namtan: Wow. You’re a fast learner for trying to keep up with me. What were you up to anyway?  ☺️

Film glances down at her damp towel draped over the chair.

Film: Just got out of the shower.

Namtan: Ooooh, fresh and clean~ 👀 What soap scent do you use?

Film smirks, leaning back against her pillows.

Film: That’s weirdly random. Why? Gonna imagine it? 😏

Namtan scoffs, rolling her eyes playfully.

Namtan: Pfft, just curious!

Film: Stay curious, Phi. Maybe you’ll find out someday LOL. Hmm actually now that we’re talking, I was surprised to know I was wrong about you. I thought you were the floral-scented perfume type of person.

Namtan: Trying to sniff me on the bus ride back then I see?

Film: Phi!!! Excuse me, the bus was packed.

Namtan: Lolen, lolen. So, what do I smell like then?

Film: You smell like babi powder.

Namtan: Ba-what? Babi?

Film: NO—baby powder!! 😭 It was a typo!

Namtan: Too late, babi. 😏 Now you have to say it out loud.

Film groans, already regretting everything.

Film: No way.

Namtan: Yes way. 😌 Voice clip. Now.

Film: Never happening.

Namtan: Fine, I’ll just keep calling you Babi forever then. 🥰

Film glares at her screen, but a smile is already tugging at her lips. How could she resist Namtan when she’s being so cute.

Film: Phi, you are so stubborn!

Namtan: Takes one to know one 😏

Film huffs, but finally, after a deep breath, she hits record.

The moment the voice clip lands in her chat, Namtan’s eyes widen in excitement. She hesitates for just a second, then presses play.

“…Babi.”

Film’s voice is soft but laced with the tiniest bit of embarrassment, and that’s all it takes for Namtan to lose it.

She lets out an involuntary squeal, immediately rolling onto her bed, clutching her phone to her chest. Her legs kick wildly in the air as she writhes from sheer excitement. “OH MY GOD, THAT WAS SO CUTE,” she exclaims to no one but herself.

She quickly turns onto her stomach, typing in a frenzy.

Namtan: I’M SCREAMING— STOPPP THAT WAS ADORABLE. 😭😭 I need to hear it again.

She shamelessly replays the clip, giggling into her pillow.

Film: I regret everything. 😑

Namtan: No take-backs, Babi. 😌 This is your name now.

Film sighs dramatically on the other side, but Namtan knows she’s probably smiling.

Film: You’re enjoying this way too much.

Namtan: I AM AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO 🤭

She kicks her feet again, feeling a ridiculous amount of joy over something so small.

Who knew a typo could make her this giddy?

-

Film groans loudly, rolling onto her side and burying her burning face into a pillow.

Why did I actually do it?!

Her phone vibrates again. Another message from Namtan.

Namtan: I AM AND I WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO 🤭

Film peeks out from her pillow, lips pressing together in a pout. She knows Namtan is probably spazzing on the other side of the screen, absolutely thriving on this. And the worst part? Film doesn’t have a clapback which makes her a total simp right now.

Film’s face is still warm.

She doesn’t do this kind of thing. She’s never entertained anyone’s teasing like this before. If it were someone else, she would’ve just ignored it, changed the topic, or at worst, left them on read.

But… Namtan isn’t just anybody. The realization makes her blush even harder.

Film: You’re having too much fun with this, Phi… 😑

Namtan: Aww, Babi’s shy? ☺️

Film lets out a small, embarrassed laugh, shaking her head.

Film: Only sometimes… 🙈

She bids Namtan a good night shortly after, avoiding Namtan’s incessant teasing.

Film: Good night, Phi’Namtan.

The reply is immediate.

Namtan: Good night, Babi.

Film sighs, hugging her pillow tighter. 

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-

PS: Have y'all seen day 1 of a Princess Tale Fanmeet? Namtan was dead serious when she said she's gonna ask for Film's hand in marriage in the fanmeet, her parents really did bring the dowry basket today. I'm going crazyyyyyyyyyy 🤪🤪🤪