POV: Anan
The morning sunlight streamed into the classroom, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor. Anan Phongchai sat at his usual desk, nervously tapping his pen against the notebook in front of him. Today felt… different. The teasing from yesterday still lingered in his mind, making him both excited and anxious.
He tried to focus on the lecture, but every glance toward the entrance had him on edge. He wasn't sure why he felt so… keyed up every time Nate Chaiyaporn walked into the room. Maybe it was the teasing, the smirk, the subtle warmth Nate seemed to radiate, or maybe… it was something more.
Finally, the door opened, and Nate entered with his usual confident stride. He spotted Anan immediately, and their eyes met for a brief second. Anan's heart fluttered. But then, his gaze flicked to Krit, who was already smirking from the back of the class. Nate waved subtly, and Anan felt his cheeks heat up.
The lecture began, but Anan's focus kept wavering. He replayed the moments of their study sessions—the brushes of hands, the teasing remarks, the warm glances. And then, he noticed something that made his stomach drop.
From across the room, it looked like Nate was speaking to another first-year—a girl from the economics department—laughing and smiling with a familiarity that made Anan's chest tighten. He quickly turned back to his notes, trying to convince himself it was nothing, but the image had already planted a seed of doubt.
"Anan, you're distracted again," whispered his friend Tee, nudging him lightly.
"I… I'm fine," Anan murmured, though his thoughts were racing. "Just… tired."
He couldn't stop the pang of jealousy that rose unexpectedly. Nate… laughing with someone else? His mind spun, imagining the girl leaning closer, Nate's hand brushing hers as easily as it did with him. He shook his head, trying to banish the thought. He was probably imagining things… right?
After class, Anan stayed behind, pretending to organize his notes while keeping an eye on Nate from a distance. He watched as Nate walked out of the classroom, talking to Krit, laughing casually, seemingly carefree. Anan's chest ached in a way he hadn't expected.
"Why am I feeling like this?" he whispered to himself. "It's… it's just a misunderstanding. He's… he's my senior, and we're just study partners…"
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POV: Nate
Nate walked across the courtyard toward the library, Krit by his side. "So, did you see him today?" Krit asked, nudging Nate.
"See who?" Nate replied, keeping his tone casual.
"You know… Nong," Krit said with a grin. "He was staring at you again in class. And then… that moment with the girl from economics. You're making him nervous."
Nate frowned slightly. "Nervous?"
Krit smirked. "Yeah. Don't pretend you don't notice it. He likes you. And he hates seeing you interact with someone else."
Nate's dark eyes softened. He hadn't intended to make Anan feel that way. In fact, he hadn't even noticed the interaction with the economics girl—it had been a casual conversation about class schedules. Yet he realized how easy it was for Anan to misinterpret things, given his shy and flustered nature.
"He's… sensitive," Nate murmured. "And… I kind of like that about him."
Krit laughed softly. "Sensitive? Cute? Yeah, man, that's why you're drawn to him. Don't overthink it. Just… keep being yourself."
Nate nodded slowly, feeling a protective warmth rise within him. He wanted to reassure Anan, to let him know that none of it mattered—that he was only interested in him. But he also knew he had to be careful. First-years were fragile emotionally, and Anan's trust needed to be nurtured carefully.
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POV: Anan
By the time Anan left class, his thoughts were a mess. He walked slowly across the courtyard, trying to process his feelings. The jealousy, the nervous excitement, the fluttering in his chest—it was overwhelming. He tried to focus on the upcoming library session with Tee , but he couldn't shake the image of Nate laughing with someone else.
As he reached the library, he spotted Nate already at their usual table, flipping through the project notes. Nate's gaze lifted, meeting his, and Anan felt a mixture of relief and embarrassment. He hurried over, trying to keep his composure.
"Hey," Nate greeted, his voice calm and warm. "Ready to continue?"
Anan nodded quickly, but his hands trembled slightly as he placed his notebook on the table. "…Yes. Ready."
They started reviewing the previous work, but Anan found it hard to concentrate. Every time Nate leaned over to point at something in the notes, every brush of fingers, sent shivers through him. And the thought that Nate might be interested in someone else earlier that day gnawed at him.
"Are you… okay, Nong?" Nate asked softly, noticing the distant look in Anan's amber eyes.
"I'm fine," Anan replied quickly, but his voice lacked conviction. He wanted to ask Nate if he liked someone else, but the words stuck in his throat. Instead, he focused on his notes, trying to push down the rising anxiety.
Nate studied him quietly for a moment, then smiled faintly. "You know… if something's bothering you, you can tell me. I'll listen."
Anan's chest tightened. He wanted to say everything—the jealousy, the nervousness, the fear of losing Nate's attention—but he couldn't bring himself to. "…I… I'm okay," he whispered.
Nate nodded, but his gaze softened. He understood more than Anan realized. He decided to let Anan open up in his own time, knowing that patience and gentle reassurance would strengthen their bond more than rushing it.
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After the Library Session
As the sun began to set, casting golden hues across the courtyard, Nate and Anan walked together toward the campus exit. The tension from the earlier misunderstanding hung subtly in the air, but the quiet comfort of walking side by side provided some relief.
"You know," Nate said casually, "I only have eyes for you, Nong. Don't worry about anyone else."
Anan froze, eyes wide, and felt his heart skip a beat. "…Really?"
Nate's gaze softened, a rare, tender smile tugging at his lips. "Really. You don't have to worry. I'm… yours to annoy, tease, and help with this project. That's all that matters."
Anan felt a rush of relief and warmth. His chest tightened as a small, shy smile spread across his face. "…Thank you, Nate," he whispered.
They walked the rest of the way in a comfortable silence, the earlier tension replaced by an unspoken understanding. The bond between them had deepened—not just through teasing and touches, but through honesty, reassurance, and a growing trust.
As they parted ways at the campus gate, Anan turned back once, watching Nate's confident figure walking away. He realized something important: misunderstandings could happen, but with patience, honesty, and care, their connection could survive—and grow even stronger.
And Nate? He watched Anan's retreating figure, smiling softly to himself. First-year, innocent, and endlessly captivating. He was determined to protect this fragile heart, even if it meant navigating the growing tension, teasing, and intimacy between them carefully.
The semester was just beginning, but both Nate and Anan knew one thing clearly: their story was far from ordinary, and every day brought them closer to discovering the depth of their feelings.
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