BLUE KISS CHAPTER 4

 

4

Once Friends, Always Friends

At the hospital

Kao's mother was immediately transferred to the emergency room when they arrived. Pete and Gib were very anxious while waiting for the result from the doctor. Gib was crying most of the time, so Pete tried to comfort her. Even though he wasn't very good at comforting people, he couldn't just sit there watching her cry.

They were waiting for almost an hour until the doctor came out to tell them that she wasn't in serious condition. She only had a high fever and sudden high blood pressure, and she fell down the stairs because she had a blackout. And she needed to be given sutures for her head wound for only a few stitches. The doctor would run some tests when she woke up. If there was nothing serious, she could go home.

Although her mother had been transferred to a patient room, Gib hadn't stopped weeping because she was still worried. Pete tried to make her feel better by telling her that her mother was all right now and that Gib would probably get sick too if she continued crying.

"Gib!"

While Pete was being an older brother for Gib in place of Kao, the door was pushed open so hard that they turned their heads to take a look. Kao walked towards Gib looking extremely worried.

"Kao!"
Gib threw her arms around her brother as if she needed something to hold onto. Despite knowing her mother was fine, she was still worried. Plus, Gib felt uneasy and thought nobody could understand how she felt more than her family.

"How is she?

Kao asked as he hugged his sister, hand stroking her head gently to comfort her. He looked at his mother who remained unconscious in bed, eyes full of worry, then he looked at Pete who was watching him and Gib comforting each other.

Kao had previously received a call from Gib. She'd told him that their mother had fallen down the stairs and become unconscious and that Pete had driven them to the hospital. Kao was on his way home at that time. He'd gotten off the bus rapidly and taken a taxi to the hospital right away. Unfortunately, the traffic had been terrible, so he'd arrived later than he'd expected. It was such a relief now that he'd heard his mother wasn't in serious condition.

"The doctor said she was all right. He'll do a final checkup when she wakes up. If there's nothing serious, she can go home," Pete told Kao because Gib was still crying.

"Thanks for driving my mom to the hospital."

Pete nodded, looking perplexed. He'd never thought Kao would thank him without a care in losing face. Pete felt embarrassed and ashamed for not being able to say 'thank you' or 'sorry' so easily like Kao had done, even when Kao had already saved him twice.

"No problem," Pete said when he realized he needed to say something. He gave Kao an embarrassing smile while scratching his neck like he always did when he was shy or embarrassed. "Even though it wasn't me, whoever was there would do the same thing."

Kao nodded, not saying anything. He took Gib to the couch and sat down between her and Pete. After a while, Kao looked like he recalled something. He turned to Pete with questions in his eyes.

"Gib told me you came to see me. What's the matter?"

"Well…" Pete couldn't even form a sentence.

"Well?" Kao looked at him, waiting for the answer.

"Well… Don't we need to hand in our report on Monday?" Since Kao asked him seriously, Pete decided to tell the truth. He felt like their relationship was getting better, (maybe) it was okay, to tell the truth. "I heard that Sandee and the guys went to Thada's condo to work on their report, but you didn't tell me anything so I thought you were gonna do it alone at home."

"Don't tell me you went to my house to help me work on the report."

"Why not? Can't I help?"

"You can! But don't you think it's weird?"

Kao frowned as if he couldn't believe how Pete had totally changed into a different person. In the past, Pete wouldn't help much even when all five of them had been in the same group, and Kao would do most of the work when he and Pete had happened to be partners. Pete wouldn't even ask Kao about it. But today, Pete had driven to his house to help him work on the report.

It was unbelievable!

"Um… Er, that's because it's just two of us. Who's gonna help you if I don't?" Pete tried to explain, putting on a serious face to hide his embarrassment. It was like he tried to insist that this was completely normal. Totally believable.

"Wow! You're such a good person."

"Even if I don't like you, I'm not that conscienceless."

"Alright, alright. I got it."

Kao looked at Pete and smiled slightly. In fact, he'd never thought Pete was a terrible person. If he was, he wouldn't still be with Kao in the same group of friends when they used to fight before.

And today, Pete had driven his mother to the hospital and comforted his sister.

"l promise that you're gonna work your ass out as you wish."

"I'm not sure if I can be of any help. Don't expect too much."

"l know. Don't be worried. I don't expect anything much from your IQ level."

"Kao, you moron!"

Being indirectly insulted as 'stupid', Pete was one step away from strangling Kao for revenge, but he restrained himself because Gib and her mother were also in the room. Pete and Kao might be fighting a lot, but they both knew that the wall between them started to break down little by little. Now, they'd begun to realize that it took time to become friends.

But… it was worth the wait.

Monday

Kao's house

"I think Pete's a pretty sweet boy, even though he seems a bit brusque."

Kao lifted his head up from his porridge bowl to look at his mother when she, out of nowhere, began to talk about Pete while they, including Gib, were having breakfast together. He was afraid Pete might've done something that upset his mother.

"Why are you suddenly talking about him? Did he do something that upset you yesterday, Mom?"

"No! Why would I compliment him if I was upset?"

She laughed when she saw the worried look on her son's face. Pete had volunteered to pick her up at the hospital yesterday in the morning since she had been admitted for a night for a checkup. After arriving home, Kao and Pete had worked on the report together and finished it in the evening. She'd asked Pete to have dinner together. There hadn't been a single incident that had made her feel bad towards her son's friend.

Actually, she should thank him several times for saving her.

"By the way, you used to tell me that you had problems with your friend at the uni. How is it now?"

"Ah… Well… it's already fine, Mom," he answered vaguely. "Everything's all right."

"I'm glad to hear that. You shouldn't have problems with anyone. Well, I still have no idea who that friend is. Hope it's not Pete."

Kao almost choked on his porridge. He quickly grabbed a glass of water to drink before collecting himself to answer his mother. He didn't want her to know that the friend he'd been complaining about was… the same guy whom she just gave a compliment!

"N… No way."

"Right? How can it be Pete? He was so kind. He kept consoling me that day."

Gib also made an excuse for Pete. Seeing how his mother and sister liked Pete, Kao felt happy for him. However, he couldn't help but think that they were lucky to meet 'Pete, the Hero' who rarely appeared. If they'd met 'Pete, the Villain' like Kao did every day, they would never have said things like this.

Lunchtime

A cafeteria at the Faculty of Engineering, N University

"It was the first time in my life that I gave a seriously."

Pete told Kao while they, with the others, were having lunch at the cafeteria after the Social Studies' elective class finished. This time, Pete helped Kao give the presentation, not just standing there like a mannequin as he'd always done before. Since it was only two of them, if they hadn't divided up their pans to speak, Kao would have had to take it all alone.

Yesterday, after he'd picked up Kao's mother from the hospital and driven her home, she'd thanked him for saving her, Gib had also said that he'd been very kind because he'd comforted her. That time, Pete had felt like his heart was going to burst. It was the first time in his life receiving compliments and gratefulness for doing good things.

After that, they'd worked on their project together, Kao had divided up the content summarized it, and taught Pete how to give a good presentation and how to answer the questions the professor would ask. Therefore, Pete had been well prepared.

"But you did a great job. The professor even praised you," Kao patted Pete's shoulder in encouragement. At first, Kao thought Pete wouldn't be able to pull it off, but he'd done a good job and could answer the professor's questions fluently.

"Because I've got an amazing teacher."

"As expected from my student."

They kept talking and laughing, completely ignoring the three other friends. Thada, Sandee, and June looked at each other in amazement. Had something happened between these two last weekend? They had been about to kill each other last Friday night, so when had they reconciled? How could they chat joyfully like this today?

"Did I miss something?" Thada started.

Pete and Kao paused, looking at the others.

"What y'all looking at?" asked Pete.

"At both of you. What happened? Why are you being friendly to each other today?" asked Sandee.

"Right! I wanted to ask since we were in the class. Why did you guys cooperate so well with each other in the presentation?" June pointed out. "Plus, after we walked out of the class, you guys have been chitchatting in your own world…"

"Couldn't agree more. I thought both of you have been friends since your previous lives," Thada added.

"Well…" Pete thought carefully about how to explain this without losing his pride. "That was because Sandee told me to be his partner. It was only us two, so we gotta help one another."

"That's dramatic progress, Pete. Look at June and Thada! They're as dumb as ever."

"Hey, hey, hey, don't mention me," Thada and June said at the same time.

"Anyway, what's wrong with your face? I've been asking you since morning, but you haven't said a word." June kept at it.

"What were you two up to? Tell us now!" Sandee joined.

Being pressed on like this, Kao and Pete looked at each other and decided to confess Pete told them that he'd gotten into a fight with Mork and his minions and Kao had saved him and that he'd driven Kao's mother who'd fallen down the stairs to the hospital.

"So, you two had touching moments" June teased.

"Yeah! Just like in a TV drama," Thada agreed.

'"Stop making fun of them. It's good they get along well. Aren't you sick of being their referee? Well, I am," Sandee said, relieved that they were on good terms. Every time Pete and Kao glared at each other like they were about to fight, it wore her out because she was afraid they would tear their group apart.

"Theo we should celebrate tonight." June offered.

"Again?" Sandee asked with a bored face.

"It's a celebration of our friendship. And… Pete will treat us again because I have no money." June said.

"Me again?!"

"So you won't come?"

"Of course, I will. No money, no problem, I'll take care of you all tonight!" Pete had a big smile on his face while everyone cheered, except Sandee who was rolling her eyes wearily.

These guys… always found a reason to party!

Several days later

The Faculty of Engineering, N University

As the relationship between Pete and Kao was getting better, the atmosphere of their group was better as well. Pete and Kao always had things to talk about and stuck together like buddies. Thada, Sandee, and June couldn't help but tease them that it was because they'd been repressing themselves for half a year to talk to each other, so they got lots of things to share now when they were on good terms.

"Isn't she a fucking dime piece? Her name is 'Fongbeer' from Management."

Pete was scrolling through his new girl's Instagram photos then he showed them to Kao, asking for his opinion. Pete had asked for her number and LINE ID when he'd met her at the party last time. His friends had probably already seen her, but the pub had beep dark, they'd been pretty drunk, and she had worn heavy makeup and dressed sexily. He thought his friends might not clearly see how adorable she actually was. That was why he needed their opinions again.

But… Kao just sighed, not interested, not looking, not saying anything.

"I'm asking for your opinion. How's she? Is she pretty?" Pete still pressed on.

"Well, yeah," Kao answered just to stop him.

"It's like you didn't mean it. Tell me again. Is she pretty or not?"

"If you like her, go talk with her. Why are you asking me?" Kao got so frustrated. It already irked him knowing Pete had a new girl, and now he even asking for his opinion. This only added up to the pain in his heart. "Now fucking eat up. Stop looking at girls' photos. The class is about to start, so finish your meal in time."

"Why are you mad at me?"

"You two are in your own world again. Pay attention to us too," said Thada.

"What world? He just scolded me."

"By the way… Kao and Pete already made up, but now, what's wrong with this one?"

Sandee brought up a new issue, gazing at June. His face looked serious, his hands typing on LINE, eyes locked at the screen like he was waiting for a reply. From the frustrating look on his face, he definitely didn't get any.

"Hey dude, are you alright? You've been, making that serious face a lot recently," Pete asked June.

"Nothing." June looked up, forcing a smile.

"Nothing my ass. Just tell us already! We're friends, you know. We can tell when you've got problems. "Seeing the look on June's face, Kao got worried. He actually noticed that June had become quiet since yesterday.

"I've just got a call from King's mom. She told me that King didn't answer her calls for several days. I've no idea what the fuck is going on with him." June started to tell them what stressed him out. He was always a fun and very optimistic guy, but now he looked unusually stressed. That meant it was a very big problem. "It was the first time he didn't answer her calls. That was why she called me. But when I called him, he didn't answer my calls too. I wonder what's happening. He's been acting weird lately."

"Maybe he was studying." Sandee tried to be optimistic.

"If that was the case, he could just call me back when he finished." June was still doubtful.

"Did he come back to the dorm?" asked Thada.

"He came back every day, but it was always late. Probably partied with his friends."

"Seems like he's got lots of money lately. I thought he won the lottery," said Kao.

"I used to ask him where he got all that money, but he wouldn't tell me. If I kept asking, it'd be like I was pushing him too much. But he's been acting weirder every day. I'm worried he would do bad things."

"Bad things?" Pete continued asking.

"I'm not sure, but I have a feeling. Whatever! It could be nothing at all."

Since June didn't want his friends to overthink it, he dropped the topic. But he couldn't stop worrying. Apart from what June had said, he'd also noticed other strangeness. King had been sneaky and overly possessive of his phono even though June had never touched it even once. King had also become friends with people June had never seen before, and they didn't look like college students.

June tried to keep all the questions in his mind. He didn't want to press King too much because he didn't want to have a problem with King. Deep down, June believed King wouldn't do anything that would destroy his future.

June's dorm

June tried to think that King wouldn't do something terrible. Perhaps, he'd gotten the money from his part-time jobs other football pools, because he used to get money from the pools when he'd been in high school even though the money hadn't been as much as he had now. Still, June was worried. King had been his best friend since middle school, been through thick and thin with him, and even come to study in Bangkok together. June was really worried about his friend.

June went back to his dorm earlier than usual that evening, hoping he would see King coming back to change his clothes, and he was surprised to see him standing and talking to a group of men in front of the dorm. They were acting strange, and June was sure they weren't King's friends from college. June felt even more suspicious when King saw him and told those guys to leave.

"King!"

June quickly followed him. He thought it was time for them to have a serious talk. The more June let this dragged on, the more worried he felt. He didn't want to keep all the questions in his head anymore. If King really saw June as his friend, he would never lie to him.

"What's wrong with you? Why calling me so loud? You startled me."

"Who are those guys? How did you know them? They seemed suspicious."

"What's with you? You sound so serious."

"Because I'm serious. Now, answer me."

"They're my friends."

"What friends? How did you know them? They're not your college friends, as far as I can remember," June kept asking, eyes observing King's reactions all the time. He'd met King's friends before and remembered all of them.

"They really are my friends. We met in a pub."

"So you're that friendly?" June didn't buy it and thought King was hiding 'something' from him. "You even got some guy friends from the tables nearby? Guys normally get girlfriends when they go party."

"What's the problem if I got some guy friends?"

"One more thing," said June. "Your mother told me you didn't answer her calls. She's really worried about you."

"I was studying when she called me. I just forgot to call her back," King made an excuse.

"But you always answered her calls and never forgot calling her back."

"Why are you interrogating me?"

"That's because you're acting weird."

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Don't make me explain it to you."

June was both worried and mad since King acted like he wasn't his friend. His behavior had also changed a lot recently. But June knew that even if he kept asking, King wouldn't say anything. If King had wanted to tell him, he must have already done it already.

"Call your mom back. Don't make her worried. Think before you do anything. Think of your parents. They work hard and make money so you can study. They want you to be successful, not to make trouble."

King didn't say anything and walked away. All June could do was sigh. He really had no idea what was on King's mind and what he was up to that he'd changed this much. But he would never know the truth by asking.

And if he wanted to know… he must find out by himself!