9. Chapter Nine Spin

Chapter Nine: Spin

P 'Park and I head down the street to the restaurant where Kiet told me to meet them, which features sandwiches made with homemade bread and a variety of soups. It has outdoor seating, and my friends have grabbed a table near the small coin fountain.

"Baby!" Bass opens his arms to me and I run into them and hug him. "I've missed you. Hey there, Park, long time no see."

Unable to resist a snuggle, I perch on Bass's lap.

"So, you two are working together again," Kiet says to Park. "Must be kismet."

"Must be," P'Park says, leaving an empty seat for me between him and Bass.

"Get out of his lap; that's so embarrassing," Daw hisses at me under her breath as the server begins taking orders. Just to spite her, I stay where I am. It's not like I'm on her boyfriend's lap—she can just chill.

When the server leaves, Daw turns her attention to P'Park. "What is a handsome guy like you doing acting in boys love shows, P'Park?"

"All boys love actors are good-looking," Cushion says, and I can hear her unspoken duh at the end.

"Not as handsome as P'Park is." Daw smiles flirtatiously. "He could be in any lakorn he wants to be in."

"And exactly how many bl's have you watched to know how handsome the boys are?" Cushion asks.

I turn to Bass. "That reminds me, did you find out how your audition went?"

"Not yet. Oh, I ran into Nok the other day when I was getting coffee at a shop near her school. She seems really happy,"

"She really likes it there," I say.

"She told me she's moving into a dorm."

Nok mentioned that to me in a text message a few days ago. Due to our conflicting schedules, we haven't seen much of each other lately, so I haven't talked to her about it in person. It isn't that I mind her moving to a dorm—it's included in the tuition—but it's going to be weird for me to live alone. I can't say that to Nok, though, or she might feel like she needs to stay with me.

"Yes, that's right," I say.

"She told me she'll be living with two other girls and that the dormitory is close to all her classes. She already knows one of her roommates because they have a class together. She also said that she's happy she doesn't have any early-morning classes."

"Sounds like you had quite a conversation in front of the coffee shop," I say, thinking that Bass knows more about what my sister is up to than I do.

"Oh, we went inside and sat down to drink our coffee together," Bass said.

I meet Kiet's eyes, and he raises his eyebrows at me. The possibility that one of my best friends might be getting close to my little sister is unexpected. I don't know how to feel about it. The waiter returns with our food, so I move to sit in the empty seat next to P'Park.

"How are rehearsals?" Cushion asks, turning away from Daw, who she's been bickering with back and forth .

"I think they're going well," I say.

"And you two actually kiss in these things?" Daw asks, making a face. "Two guys?"

"Yeah. With tongue," I say.

"We have a photo shoot Thursday," P'Park says, trying to cover his amusement.

Cushion smiles. "That'll go great. Baby's so photogenic."

"You're just being nice," I say, blushing.

"No I'm not. All my pictures of you are great." She takes out her phone and starts scrolling. "Look. This is when we took that trip to Phuket." She tilts her phone so Park and I can see. "You look like a freaking model. I just look constipated."

I shake my head. "You do not. You look beautiful."

"I don't know, Spin, she does look a little constipated in that picture," Kiet says, leaning over to look. "Ouch! Hey, you kicked me!"

"Oh, did I?" Cushion asks innocently. "Sorry about that."

Daw takes Cushion's phone and flicks through the pictures, frowning.

"That's the trip you couldn't go on because you were visiting your aunt," Kiet tells her.

"What are you carrying Spin around on your back for?" she asks him, pausing on a picture. "Did he sprain his ankle or something?"

"No, it was just for fun. I like to carry him—he's small," Kiet says with a shrug.

Daw gives him a disapproving look, but her voice is soft as she says, "You shouldn't do that. People will think the wrong thing about your relationship."

"We didn't know anyone there," Kiet says.

"You never know who you'll run into, but that isn't the point. The point is that the way you two behave is…well, abnormal . "

The anger I've been trying to keep tamped down surges. I'm so sick of her bullshit. I barely see Kiet anymore because of her. "Says who?"

"Says everyone! I've never met boys who act like you two do," Daw says. I can tell she's carefully keeping the venom out of her voice for Kiet's benefit, but her eyes, which are pinned on me, clearly show her disgust.

"You're certifiable," I tell her.

She leans toward me and whispers so that only I can hear, "I know you want him. It's so obvious."

Pressing my lips together so I don't say something that I'll regret later, I give her the dirtiest look I can. She leans back in her chair, and Kiet sees my face and frowns.

She turns toward him, pouting like I hurt her feelings. As if. That woman has no feelings to hurt. She puts on this act for Kiet, and he believes her.

"Kiet, all I'm saying is that if you're going to be working at my father's firm, you have a duty to protect your reputation."

Clearing her throat, Cushion pushes back from the table. "I have to use the ladies room. Why don't you come with me, Daw? Your makeup's looking a little messy."

I can tell Daw doesn't want to leave Kiet, but the fear that her face isn't perfect eventually wins out and she stands, giving Kiet's shoulder a lingering caress before walking away with Cushion.

"Kiet, what the hell? You're really going to work for Daw's father?" I say as soon as she's gone.

"He offered me a position."

I stare. "But..."

Kiet sighs. "I have to grow up and face reality. I got this degree and need to use it. And why were you giving Daw such a mean look a minute ago? You hurt her feelings. "

"She's jealous! She thinks I'm after you."

"No need to get angry just because she's a little possessive."

"She hates me," I say. And the feeling is mutual .

"That's not true. Please be nicer to her."

I look at Bass for help, but he quickly occupies himself with his phone.

The bitch is slowly turning my best friend against me. Tears well in my eyes, and I excuse myself to go to the restroom. I don't get angry easily, but when I do, I get emotional, and this is so damn unfair. I get along with almost everybody, but I can't get along with her , and Kiet can't see her for the bitch she is.

I allow the tears for a moment before blowing my nose and splashing water on my face. A moment later, the door opens and P'Park walks in, Bass close behind him.

"You okay?" P'Park asks.

I shake my head, bottom lip jutting out despite my attempt to hold it back.

"Aw, Baby," Bass says, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I hate her, and I'm going to lose him as a friend," I murmur into Bass's shirt before remembering how unhelpful he was at the table and smacking his arm. "You could have backed me up, you know."

"I don't like confrontation, you know that. Come on. Let's go back to the table. The food's arrived and Cushion's sitting alone. Kiet and Daw left."

"Why did they leave?" I ask.

"Daw said she wasn't feeling well."

"Great. I'm sure I'll get blamed for that, too."

I dry my face with a paper towel and the three of us walk back to the table .

"Baby," Cushion says sympathetically when she sees my blotchy, tear-stained face. "I know. She's awful, isn't she?"

I nod miserably and glance at P'Park as we take our seats. "Sorry you had to witness that, P'Park."

He pats my hand. "Don't worry about it."

Cushion shakes her head. "She's been making these barely disguised insults on my social media posts lately, and I'm tired of it. She doesn't like any of us too close to Kiet, and it's only getting worse. She's always with him."

Bass nods. "I've been trying to get him to go see a movie with me, and he keeps making excuses. It's becoming more and more obvious she's the one keeping him from going."

We eat our meal in near silence.

Half an hour later, P'Park and I are walking back to work where he left his car. "I'm sorry all that happened while you were there," I say again. I find myself walking very close to him, absorbing his comforting warmth.

"It's really okay. Friend groups have their drama, like all relationships."

I sigh. "I usually let things roll off my back, but Daw makes me so angry. I just don't understand why he wants to be with someone like that. His past girlfriends were great."

"She probably doesn't show him the same person she shows to you," P'Park says.

"Yeah. She's fake as fuck," I grumble.

P'Park laughs and ruffles my hair. "Don't worry. Some day Kiet will see her true colors."