FIRST MEETING
The classroom was noisy as ever when the teacher announced a new student would be joining them. The door slid open, and in walked a boy who seemed to suck the air out of the room. His dark, slightly messy hair framed sharp features, and his eyes carried the kind of intensity you’d expect from someone older, wiser, and maybe just a little too cool to be here. As Shin stepped in, his sharp features and confident demeanor immediately capturing everyone’s attention. His hands shoved in his pockets, and he had an air of cool detachment that made the class fall silent.
The teacher introduced him. "This is Shin Naruebet. He just transferred here. Please make him feel welcome."
Shin nodded curtly, his piercing gaze scanning the room. His gaze swept over the class like a calm storm. Most kids avoided eye contact, whispering among themselves about the "scary new guy."
Most of the kids were intimidated, except for one boy sitting in the back row, grinning ear-to-ear.
That boy was Saint Thamnithit......
He had a smudge of dirt on his cheek from recess, his uniform tie askew, and the kind of energy that seemed impossible to bottle. When Shin's eyes met his, Saint waved enthusiastically.
Shin rolled his eyes and walked over, his bag slung lazily over one shoulder. As he sat down, in the only empty seat—right next to Saint he caught the boy beside him still smiling.
"Hey! I'm Saint!" the boy whispered loudly. Shin ignored him, pulling out a notebook.
"I said, hi!!" Saint tried again.
Still no response. But Saint wasn't one to give up.
Finally, Saint poked Shin's arm, which made Shin glare at him. "What?"
Saint grinned even wider.
"You're cool," Saint said simply, as if it were the most obvious fact in the world. "So We're gonna be friends."
Shin snorted. "I don't even know you."
"Yeah, but I've got a good feeling about this," Saint replied, leaning back like the matter was settled.
Shin raised an eyebrow. "Why would you think that?"
"Because you look cool, and I like cool people. Plus, I sit here, and you sit here. It's fate."
Shin didn’t know whether to laugh or groan. Fate? This kid was clearly an idiot.
Shin turned back to his notebook, muttering under his breath. "You're annoying."
"And you're grumpy," Saint shot back, still smiling.
.
.
Shin had barely escaped the chaos of the
classroom when he found a quiet corner under a tree to eat his lunch.
Peace, finally. He opened his bento box, carefully prepared by his mom, and started eating.
"Found you!"
Shin froze mid-bite as Saint plopped down next to him, his tie askew and hair even messier than before.
"What are you doing here?" Shin asked, scowling.
"Eating lunch, obviously," Saint said, pulling out a sad-looking sandwich wrapped in plastic.
"What are you eating?" Saint asked, peering into Shin's lunchbox.
Shin glared. "None of your business."
"Whoa, is that homemade? It looks so fancy! Wanna trade? I've got chips and a sandwich!"
Saint held up his sandwich, which looked more like it had been sat on than made fresh and a crumpled bag of potato chips like it was a treasure.
Shin snorted. "No thanks."
Saint pouted. "Aw, come on. Friends share food."
"We're not friends," Shin said flatly. Saint pouted dramatically, his lower lip jutting out like a kicked puppy. But when Saint gave him the biggest puppy-dog eyes he'd ever seen, Shin sighed and handed him a rice ball in Saint's direction just to shut him up.
Saint lit up like a Christmas tree. "Yes! You're the best!" He immediately stuffed the rice ball in his mouth, crumbs falling everywhere. Shin watched in mild horror.
"You're messy," Shin muttered.
"You're bossy " Saint shot back, grinning through a mouthful of rice.
Shin didn’t reply, but for some reason, he found himself smiling ever so slightly unaware that something
remarkable was about to unfold.
.
.
.
To Be Continued......