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Peem harbored disdain for his own existence, and it seemed like life reciprocated the sentiment. Merely a week passed, and his life underwent a complete upheaval.
It's unmistakably Phum's fault. The current situation is also Phum's doing.
Peem should've been out, getting drunk. After all, it's Friday. Going completely wild was within his reach. However, that scenario did not happen. Just as he was about to leave for the bar to meet up with Q and Fai, he received a call.
It was Phum, naturally, because why wouldn't it be? Why did Peem ever need time for anything that didn't involve the other?
“I can't stand you.” Peem stated.
“And you think I like you?” He countered.
Peem submerged his hand, saturating the rag in the sudsy water. “You must if you're constantly contacting me.”
After a brief pause, Phum spoke. “You're annoying.”
“Then let's end this agreement and you'll be free from dealing with me ever again.”
“No.”
Peem had no clue how much longer he would have to put up with this. No inkling of what Phum might impose next. Each minute that went by made him feel like he was losing his grip on reality.
“Can't you give me some space?” Peem asked, irritation creeping into his voice.
“Just want to make sure you're doing it properly.”
"This is dish duty, not car wash duty," With a scoff, Peem continued to scrub the plate.
Peem felt the strong urge to punch him, but he resisted–mindful of the potential for another medical bill to be hurled at him.
“I had plans, you know. Before you called me.”
“I'm sure you did.” Phum replied with little enthusiasm evident in his tone.
Disregarding Phum's lack of excitement, Peem continued. "I was planning on going out to drink.”
Phum shook his head. “Do you excel in anything beyond drinking? Are you grappling with alcohol dependency?”
Maybe receiving another medical bill wouldn't be so bad.
“What's the deal with getting so wasted that you can't even function properly?” Phum added, making Peem's eye twitch.
“I can function.”
"So you never forget what you say or do?”
“Nope.” Peem responded promptly, though the question puzzled him initially. After a pause, realization dawned on him.
"Wait, I don't understand." He spoke, pivoting to face Phum.
Phum responded with a nonchalant hum and a slight shrug.
“Did I do something? What did I do?”
His mind raced. It cycled through a carousel of fear and regret. What if he had hurt Phum again? Guilt flooded his conscience, mingling with apprehension about potential consequences.
Did he accidentally say the wrong thing? Did he accidentally spill the secret they had worked so hard to conceal? The idea made his stomach churn with dread.
Then there was the chance of his own humiliation, the image of him vomiting in his car like a drunken mess. The thought alone was enough to make him cringe inwardly.
Though, one possibility shone in the chaos, sparking his deepest fear. The mere suggestion sent a shiver down his spine, igniting an ache in his chest. Did he kiss Phum?
Uncertainty gnawed at him relentlessly. Despite the unlikelihood, there remained a chance, no matter how slim.
Phum inched closer to Peem. His heart sank.
He opened with, "Well, according to you," he paused, then continued, "I have a tall nose.”
Mirroring Peem's previous action, Phum reached up to tap his nose. The action startled Peem.
He tapped underneath Peem's eye, commenting, “Lovely eyes.”
Concluding with his hand gripping his chin, he added, "And a handsome face.”
Peem was engulfed by a level of humiliation he had never known. Was Phum playing around? There's no way he said all of that.
This was like a bizarre prank; he wasn't sure whether to laugh it off or let it eat at him. Uncertainty hung in the air, leaving Peem feeling completely baffled.
“I'm supposed to believe you? You could be lying.”
“I also could be telling the truth. You can't remember that night, can you? How would you know?”
Swatting Phum's hand from his face, he mumbled, “I remember some stuff… And even if I said those things it doesn't mean I meant them.”
“Don't drunken actions reveal sober thoughts?”
“That's not always true.” Peem felt his heart sink deep in his chest.
“So you didn't mean what you said?”
Peem did mean it, much to his dismay. Phum's features exuded undeniable charm and attractiveness. It was a real head-scratcher, you know? Why were the good-looking ones always the people you'd rather not spend your time with? It felt like a rule or something: to be beautiful, you had to come with a side of trouble.
“No.” Peem falsely stated. “Why? Were you wishing I did?”
“What if I was?” The other questioned.
Peem stood still, disbelief washing over him. He couldn't help but wonder if Phum had lost his mind with that statement.
“Do people not regularly mention your attractiveness?” Jealousy tinged Peem's voice and he found himself confused by the emotion. He silently prayed the other person wouldn't notice.
“Sure, but it'd be different coming from you.”
Sighing, Peem's eyes rolled. This guy was a royal pain.
“Why? You don't need my opinion if you have everyone else's.”
After a moment of quiet, Peem spun around to see Phum leaning against the wall, grinning.
“Can you go somewhere else?” With a swift motion, Peem flicked water at Phum.
Phum made an attempt to step back, but he was too slow.
“Shit.” He sighed, noticing the water soaking into his shirt.
Peem chuckled under his breath, but immediately stifled it to avoid Phum's notice.
“Clean that up.” The rich brat said, pointing at the small puddle on the floor.
Closing the distance between them again, he reached into the water and flicked it onto Peem. Jumping in surprise, Peem reflexively closed his eyes as the water splashed on him.
“That too.”
“What the fuck?”
With a smile, Phum retorted, “You're not the only one who can play petty games.”
Glancing at Phum, Peem's hand grabbed a handful of soap bubbles, reveling in Phum's changing expression.
“Alright then. Let's see who can be worse.”