Duan Pachayakorn. 20 years old. Voted 'Most Handsome' in the Faculty of Architecture two years in a row. That made boys and girls flock around him constantly. Honestly it tired him out at some point but he got used to it pretty fast. He was also close with most of his seniors because of how helpful he was and they never missed a chance to call him cute.
Everybody loved Duan.
----
"I don't know what I'm going to do about my model," Dom complained as they walked into the cafeteria. "This is the third time Professor Phuak has rejected it."
"I already told you. Phuak is detail oriented," Duan said.
The three of them sat down and talked as they ate.
"So have you spoken to your crush yet?" Fah asked.
Duan almost choked on his water.
"What's the matter with you?" Dom snapped, wiping the spots the water touched.
"I don't know how to approach him. He doesn't seem friendly at all," Duan said, slumping.
"You're right," Dom said.
"So are you going to give up?" Fah asked. He'd never seen his friend like this before. Normally Duan was the one getting approached by everyone.
"I don't know what to do. You guys have to help me."
"First you need to get his number," Dom said.
"You think he'll just hand it over if I walk up to him?" Duan asked, annoyance written all over his face.
"Of course not, dimwit. We just have to find a way to get it," Dom retorted.
"Not only that," Fah chipped in. "You need a list of the things he likes and dislikes. Places he normally goes. People he talks to." Duan started typing everything down on his phone.
"Is that all?"
"That's enough for now."
Duan looked up from his phone with a determined smile. "Okay. Operation Pursue Jun. Here I come."
---
The three of them staked out by the basketball court watching one of Jun's friends play.
"How is this helping me talk to my crush exactly?" Duan asked.
Dom sighed. "That's Jet — one of Jun's close friends. Get to know his friends first and maybe you can get the number and the list."
"Am I just going to walk up to him and ask for his friend's number?"
"Duan." Fah placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are the faculty prince. He'll listen to you."
Duan nodded like Fah had just said the most brilliant thing he'd ever heard.
The game finished and the players headed to the changing room. Duan found his moment and slipped in after them.
He spotted Jet sitting on the bench taking off his shoes while chatting with someone beside him. Duan took a few slow breaths and walked over.
"Hi."
"..."
"Can I speak to you outside?"
"Let's just talk here. I'm sweaty," Jet said, continuing to unbuckle his shoe without looking up.
Duan rubbed his palms together nervously. If talking to Jet was already this hard, how was he ever going to face Jun.
"You're here about Jun aren't you?"
Duan's eyes nearly fell out of his head. "How did you know?"
"I remember you. Loy Krathong."
Which meant Jun knew about him too.
"You want to know more about Jun?"
Duan nodded frantically.
"Alright. I'll tell you everything. On one condition."
"..."
"You be my errand boy for a week."
Duan deflated.
"Just kidding," Jet said with a smile. "You're the faculty prince. I don't want your fans cursing me to death."
"So you'll help me?"
"Of course. Just so you know though — my friend is a tough nut to crack."
A wide smile broke across Duan's face.
Mission one: accomplished.
---
"Oh Jun, leaving already?"
Jet jogged to catch up with Jun who was already walking out of the classroom.
"Yes."
That was Jun. One word answers, no elaboration.
Jun Chaiyaporn was a transfer student from Chiang Mai. Ever since he arrived, he'd made a name for himself without even trying. He mostly kept to himself but people couldn't help noticing him anyway. In just two weeks, more boys and girls had asked him out than he could count and he hadn't spared any of them a proper response.
Jet just wanted to see how this golden boy was going to crack his black cat of a best friend.
"Let's get lunch," Jet said, throwing his arm around Jun's shoulder.
"Hmm."
---
Chawin was already at the table with their food when they arrived. They pressed their palms together in thanks and sat down.
"Jun, do you remember that boy from Loy Krathong?" Jet said as they started eating.
"The one you almost crushed?" Chawin added.
"It was an accident," Jun said flatly.
Jet and Chawin looked at each other and said nothing.
"So you're not talking to anyone right now right?" Jet continued.
"You know I don't care about those things."
Of course. Jun had never been interested in relationships. If he agreed to hold a proper conversation with you, you were already lucky.
"What if someone walked up to you to ask you out?"
"Would you stop with the questions already," Jun finally snapped.
Chawin reached over and lightly tapped Jet's arm. Jet closed his mouth.
They continued eating, Jun unbothered and Jet already thinking about the text he was going to send a certain architecture student later.