Phanamus rushed to where Sunan lay unconscious, jerking his head gently. The guy who had thrown the ball walked over, his face filled with regret. "I'm so sorry," he said, offering to take Sunan to the school hospital.
They knocked on the nurse's door and opened it to find Klahan inside. The sterile smell of antiseptic filled the air. Phanamus was taken aback, his heart skipping a beat. "What's wrong with him?" he asked, helping the guy place Sunan on the bed.
"My ball hit him," the guy admitted, looking disappointed.
"You should be more careful when playing," Klahan warned, his tone stern, eyes narrowing slightly. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of annoyance. Why were students always so careless?
"Okay," the guy nodded, looking chastened.
"You can both leave now. I'll take it from here," Klahan said, dismissing them. Phanamus's face flushed pink as he glanced at Klahan, feeling a mix of admiration and nervousness. Klahan noticed the look but brushed it off, focusing on the task at hand.
Once alone, Klahan approached Sunan, examining his swollen forehead. He applied ointment and massaged it carefully. As he worked, he couldn't help but think about the responsibilities that came with his job. It wasn't just about treating injuries; it was about ensuring the students felt safe and cared for. After finishing, Klahan walked out, closing the door behind him. Phanamus rushed to meet him.
"How is he?" he asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly.
"He's alright. He just fell asleep," Klahan reassured him, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He admired the concern in Phanamus's eyes. It was always good to see students looking out for each other.
"What!" Phanamus exclaimed, relief washing over him.
"You're freshers, right?" Klahan asked, his tone softening. He remembered his own first days at the school, the overwhelming mix of excitement and anxiety.
"Yeah," Phanamus confirmed.
"He might be overwhelmed by that," Klahan said, walking away. Phanamus watched him go, smiling to himself, feeling a strange sense of pride. Klahan felt a small sense of satisfaction. He had done his part to ease their worries.
"I talked to him~" Phanamus sang, heading back to Sunan. He entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Falling asleep, huh?" he said, looking at Sunan, who was still out cold.
The next morning, Sunan and Phanamus sat in class. Students chattered around them, some talking about how Sunan had fallen asleep after being hit by a ball. Sunan twisted his mouth in annoyance, using his hair to cover his swollen forehead.
The professor walked in and cleared his throat, silencing the room. "Good morning, Ajarn," some greeted.
"This is my first class with you all. First, I will say welcome to computer science—"
After the lecture, Sunan and Phanamus walked towards the cafeteria. Sunan stopped and pulled a stainless steel mug with a cover from his bag.
"Whose is this?" he asked.
"P'Klahan!" Phanamus exclaimed, spotting Klahan walking towards the cafeteria with two friends. Sunan ran over and handed the mug to him.
"Thanks for treating me the other day," Sunan said confidently, ignoring the eyes on him.
"But I didn't help you to be gifted. It's my job," Klahan replied, feeling a bit awkward. He wasn't used to receiving gifts for doing his duty.
"I know, but I just felt like it because I'm a fan," Sunan said.
"I can't accept it," Klahan said, walking away with his friends. The students at a nearby table made fun of Sunan, but he walked over and laughed, causing them to stop.
"It's funny, right? I'm sure you can't walk close to him like I did, but look at me, I'm brave," he taunted them, rolling his eyes. "Bitches," he muttered, walking away and leaving them in shock.
"Wow, I really admire your bravery," Phanamus said, looking at his best friend in awe.
"I don't give a damn about anyone," Sunan said confidently.
"That's my friend," Phanamus said, patting his back.
"Wait! Aren't we eating?" Sunan asked.
"Ah, we just walked out because of you," Phanamus replied.
"Me?" Sunan asked, pointing at himself.
"Yes, you," Phanamus said, and they both walked back into the cafeteria.