Orbit

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The blaring sound of the fire alarm echoed through the halls of the university, sending a wave of murmurs and hurried footsteps across the campus. Professors and students alike began filing out of their classrooms as per protocol.

Film adjusts the strap of her bag, moving with the sea of students spilling out into the open courtyard. She spots Love and her usual group a few feet ahead but loses sight of them as the crowd shifts.

Annoyed, she sighs and slows her pace, deciding to wait until things settle.

Namtan and her friends – Mark, Nanon & Milk abruptly cease their script reading rehearsal for a stageplay project when the bell rang. They had no choice but to quickly pack their things and followed the crowd outside.

The campus grounds were flooded with students, making it nearly impossible to stay in groups. In the chaos, Namtan lost sight of her friends but then, out of the corner of her eye—Film.

Caught in the push and pull of the throng of students, Namtan found herself standing right beside her.

Seriously?

She smiled to herself, couldn’t believe fate is on her side again today.

Film blinks twice the moment she noticed who was beside her, she looks down in disbelief, a little chuckle escaping her lips. It had been quite a while since they saw each other face to face, it has always been thru texting.

“Didn’t think I’d see you here, babi” she murmurs, glancing at Film with a small, amused smile.

Film smirks and shakes her head upon hearing her new official nickname. “You make it sound like I planned this.”

Namtan nudges Film’s arm lightly with her elbow. “Did you?”

Film shot her a confident smirk “If I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”

For a moment, neither of them says anything. Around them, the courtyard is filled with murmurs, laughter, and the occasional complaints about the sudden fire drill.

Then, Namtan stretches her arms behind her head, glancing up at the sky. “Kinda nice though,” she muses. “Getting a little break in the middle of the day.”

Film hums in agreement. “Yeah. Unexpected, but… not bad.”

She sneaks a glance at Namtan, who catches her in the act. Their eyes meet, and for a second, there’s nothing but quiet amusement between them.

The crowd around them is restless, students shifting and murmuring as they wait for the all-clear. Film is barely paying attention, her thoughts occupied by the warmth of the sun, the unexpected break, and the fact that she and Namtan had somehow ended up side by side.

Then—she feels it.

A light, fleeting touch against her fingers.

Film barely has time to register the sensation before Namtan’s hand gently slips into hers, fingers lacing together in a quiet, deliberate motion.

Her breath catches.

Hidden in plain sight, their hands clasp together amidst the crowd—undetected, unnoticed, but undeniably real.

Film’s initial surprise stills her for a moment. She flickers a glance at Namtan, who remains impossibly calm, her gaze fixed somewhere ahead as if nothing had happened. But the slight curl at the corner of her lips, the way her grip tightens just the faintest bit, tells a different story.

Slowly, hesitantly, Film relaxes.

She shifts her thumb slightly, brushing it over Namtan’s skin in the gentlest of motions—a silent response, a quiet acknowledgment.

Namtan’s grip doesn’t waver. If anything, she holds on a little tighter.

Film is washed over by a feeling of dejavu and admits to herself that she missed being around Namtan like this, with their hands clasped together, just like that night in front of the noodle shop.

And amidst the noise, the scattered voices, and the chaos of the fire drill, they exist in their own secret moment—hidden, but felt.

After several minutes which unfortunately felt like seconds for the both of them, the fire drill is finally cleared, and students begin dispersing back into their buildings. The crowd moves as one, a sea of bodies pushing in different directions.

Film feels Namtan let go of her hand and internally protests, she wanted to hold hands for a bit longer. The crowd shuffles, threatening the space between her and Namtan to grow wider. But just as they were about to absolutely lose track of each other, Film feels a hand land gently on the small of her back.

Her breath hitches as Namtan towers over her even closer and her hand on Film’s lower back.

Namtan guides her effortlessly, a subtle but steady touch as they weave through the crowd together. It’s not forceful, not rushed—just there, like a quiet reassurance that they won’t lose each other in the shuffle.

Along the way, Mark standing on his toes, spots Namtan and waves at her exaggeratedly to catch her attention “Don’t forget. Practice later at the auditorium, after class!!!” Namtan flashes him an okay sign.

The two of them continue their way back to the university hallway. When they finally reach a clearing near the entrance, Namtan lets her hand linger for just a second longer before stepping back, stuffing her hands casually into her pockets.

Film turns to her. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around Phi,” she says with a small smile.

With a playful pout, Namtan declines. “Mmm… no.”

Film blinks. “No?”

Namtan pretends to think. “I don’t like ‘see you around’, it’s too…vague.”

Film raises an amused eyebrow. “What’s wrong with it?”

“See you around could mean, next week or next month, can it be… any sooner than that?”

Film huffs a small laugh, shaking her head. “You’re so—”

Goodness. She’s being too cute.

Film is fighting the urge to pinch Namtan’s cheeks seeing her say that with a tiny pout on her face and her pleading puppy-eyes.

She stops herself, sighing in fond defeat. “Fine. See you soon, Phi.”

Namtan beams, clearly satisfied. “That’s more like it.”

With one last lingering glance, she takes a step back before turning on her heel, walking away with an extra happy skip in every step.

Film watches her go, a tiny smile still tugging at her lips.

Yes, I want to be with you soon too

Her thoughts are still lingering on their moment, the warmth of their exchanged glances, the way Namtan had insisted on see you soon instead of see you around.

Lost in her own world, she doesn’t notice the figure in front of her until—

Thud.

She bumps straight into someone, stumbling back slightly.

“Oh, sorry!” the guy says quickly, steadying himself before flashing her an easy smile. “Didn’t see you there.”

Film blinks, regaining her balance. “Ah, no—it’s my fault. I wasn’t looking.”

The guy tilts his head, studying her for a second and grins upon remembering who she was. “I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Nanon.”

Film nods politely, offering a small, reserved smile. “Nice to meet you.”

She doesn’t say her name. Doesn’t ask anything back. Instead, she steps slightly to the side, a quiet but clear signal that she’s ready to leave.

Nanon watches as she takes a step forward. “Hey, are you—”

But Film is already walking away, offering only a brief, “Sorry again,” over her shoulder before disappearing into the crowd.

Nanon furrows his brows, watching her retreating figure with mild curiosity.

Later that afternoon, Film wanders into the auditorium, keeping to the shadows as she watches Namtan on stage.

She remembered Namtan’s friend reminding her of their practice and curiosity had led her here. But now, watching her under the dim rehearsal lights—fully immersed in her role, her voice steady and expressive—Film feels her existing admiration for Namtan growing even further.

She doesn’t stay long, just enough to see Namtan laugh with her castmates between takes. As she turns to leave, something on the bulletin board near the door catches her eye.

A flyer.

Stageplay Mural Painting: Volunteers Needed

Without hesitating, she takes a pen from her bag and writes her name down.

Why? She’s not sure. Maybe she just wants something to do.

But who is she kidding? This is definitely a chance to be around Namtan more. She heads home with the idea of Namtan walking past the mural someday and seeing a piece of Film in it.

- 🐥See you on the next chapter 🐼-