Friday evening.
A luxurious penthouse in Bangkok's Thonglor area. The richest boy in class—Tan—had organized his birthday party. The entire class was invited.
Arav hadn't wanted to come. He didn't like these kinds of parties—loud music, crowds, unfamiliar people. But Min had insisted.
"Come on! You've been stressed all week. Come and freshen up a bit."
"I don't know..."
"And Kayen's going too," Min said with a wink.
"Why does that matter?" Arav said quickly.
"Because for the past two weeks you've been sitting right next to him. Your face turns red when he looks at you."
"It doesn't!" Arav protested, his face turning red right then.
Min laughed. "See? Anyway, let's go. If we don't go to Tan's party, he'll be offended."
So Arav agreed.
Reaching the penthouse, Arav was stunned.
Through floor-to-ceiling windows, the entire city of Bangkok was visible. Colorful LED lights, a DJ booth, an infinity pool on the balcony. At least fifty people—classmates, seniors, juniors, and some unfamiliar faces.
The music was so loud that Arav could feel vibrations in his chest.
"Welcome! Welcome!" Tan came to greet them, a cocktail glass in his hand. His eyes were already a bit hazy—he must have been drinking earlier.
"Here, take a drink!" He thrust glasses into Arav and Min's hands.
Arav took the glass but didn't drink. He looked around.
On the sofa, several boys and girls were sitting drinking and laughing. On the balcony, a group was smoking cigarettes, smoke mixing into the sky. Some were dancing on the dance floor, bodies very close together.
"Aren't you going to drink?" Min asked, taking a sip from her own glass.
"No... I'll get dizzy," Arav said. He moved to a corner and began observing his surroundings.
Almost everyone from class had come. Pim, Anne, Som, even Karan—he was sitting on a sofa drinking, occasionally glancing at Arav.
But Kayen was nowhere.
Arav's eyes began searching everywhere. Hadn't he come? Min had said he would...
"Who are you looking for?" Min came and stood beside him, swaying a bit—her drink was working quickly.
"No one," Arav said quickly.
"Kayen?" Min said laughingly. "He doesn't seem to have come. I asked Tan, he said Kayen said 'maybe' he'd come."
Arav felt a strange disappointment. Why? Why was he feeling bad?
Time passed. Arav stood by the wall, occasionally making small talk with someone. But he didn't fit in this environment at all.
Everyone was so comfortable—drinking, cigarettes, flirting. Arav wasn't used to these things.
"Arav! Come here!" Pim called from the sofa. Several other girls were sitting beside her.
Arav went reluctantly.
"Sit down! Why are you standing alone like this?" Pim made space beside her.
"I... I'm fine—"
"Take a shot! Just try it once!" A boy—named Kit—pushed a small glass filled with vodka toward him.
"No, I—"
"Come on! Just one!" Everyone began encouraging him.
Arav felt pressured. He took the glass, but his hand was shaking.
Right then—
"He said no."
A deep voice. From behind.
Everyone turned to look.
Kayen.
He was standing behind them, black jacket, white t-shirt, his height seeming even more imposing in this light. His face was expressionless, but his eyes... like fire.
"Kayen! You came!" Tan came forward excitedly. "I thought you wouldn't come!"
Kayen didn't look at him. His eyes were fixed on Arav.
"Arav," he said, "come outside."
"What?" Arav was surprised.
"Outside. On the balcony. I need to talk to you."
The entire sofa full of people fell silent. Everyone's eyes were jumping between Arav and Kayen.
"I... okay," Arav stood up, placing the vodka glass on the table.
Kayen started walking toward the balcony. Arav followed him, his heartbeat racing.
On the balcony, the air was cool. The city lights were glittering below. No one was here—those who had been smoking had gone inside.
Kayen stood near the balcony railing, his back to Arav.
"What's the matter?" Arav asked, his voice small.
Kayen turned. That mysterious expression on his face.
"You don't like this kind of party," he said. Not a question, a statement.
"How... how do you know?"
"I can tell from your face. You're uncomfortable." Kayen took a step closer. "Then why did you come?"
"My friend... Min insisted," Arav admitted. "And... Tan invited me, so..."
"Tan." Kayen's lips curled. "He was trying to make you drink."
"He was just... party atmosphere—"
"Arav." Kayen placed his hand on his shoulder. Cold touch, but firm. "You don't have to be forced to do what you don't want to. Ever."
Arav looked into his eyes. From this close, Kayen's eyes looked even darker. Almost a red gleam...
"Why... why did you come?" Arav whispered. "Min said you might not come."
A shadow of a smile on Kayen's lips.
"I didn't come for Tan," he said, his voice low, almost like a growl. "I came because... you're here."
Arav's breath caught.
"Me?"
Kayen removed his hand from his shoulder, but his eyes remained locked on Arav's.
"You're wondering why I've been sitting next to you these past two weeks?" he asked.
Arav couldn't nod. His entire body was frozen.
"Because I've been watching you, Arav," Kayen whispered. "For a very long time."