Chapter 6: James' Birthday Party!

*Third Person's POV

James woke up early before his alarm clock rangs.

He got up quickly and fixed his messy bed. Then he took a bath and and fixed his self.

He put a little blackwater perfume on himself and stared at his own reflection in the mirror and he couldn't help but to praise himself. Why am I so handsome? No wonder why those woman's admire me.

Even with his simple loongsleeve with necktie paired with his black slacks, It's indeed undeniably that he's very handsome.

He hung his expensive headphones around his neck and quickly went downstairs carrying his black backpack as if it were empty. When he already reached downstairs, he was immediately greeted by the fragrant smell *Tom yum goong*. His favorite Thai Food. He just remained standing until his mom noticed his presence.

"oh,Good morning. You're here already. C'mon lets eat."

He did not answer it and immediately sat down on the chair and started eating. He really can't stop himself from eating when there's tom yum goong. He then suddenly remembered his yaya Beth, she often cooked for him when he had a lot of homework to do. He really can't help but to miss her. His mom sat down as well and ate with him. He noticed that his dad wasn't there but he hadn't care to ask his mom about it.

* * *

When he finished eating and brushing his teeth, he got into the car first. Instead of sitting in the passenger seat, he chose to sit at the back.

After a minute or two his mom finally entered the driver's seat and adjusted the rear-view mirror and glanced at him.

"Why don't you sit here in the passenger seat?"

"No, mom. I'm more comfortable here." He refused.

"Okay. Suit yourself then."

Her mom fastened her seatbelt before starting the car's engine.

* * *

*FAH's POV

The school is still far from here. Maybe we still have to travel for about 10 kilometers before we reached in Arcelo Acedemy. I straightened up my sit and leaned my head back in the chair. I closed his eyes. Maybe we'll be able to arrive quickly because it's still early and there's no traffic yet.

It's fun like this. Ever since I changed myself I have been excited to go to school all the time bcause I'm not alone anymore. I already have friends. It's just fun.

It feels soothing. It seems like I almost forgot about my heart disease. And the question that I used to asked myself before. why am I still alive?

I heard mom cough intentionally to get my attention so I immediately opened my eyes and looked at her in the rrar-view mirror.

"I observe that you seem to have changed these past few weeks. Why did you changed?"

"Because of you." I whispered.

"What fah? I heared you said something."

"No. Nothing mom. It's just ...I feel like I want to change myself these past few weeks." I lied.

"Is that so?...Oh right. I forgot to tell you that your Dad isn't here now because they have a meeting about our business."

Even though I didn't care about it. I just nodded in response.

I just noticed that we were already here at Arcelo Academy when my mom asked for my school I.D To give it to the guard and swipe it on the device he is carrying and also to prove that you are indeed studying at this school. Sounds cool, isn't it?

When we arrived at the school's parking lot, I quickly got out of the car and said goodbye to mom.

As I'm walking on the hallway I could hear every scream of the girls I passed. I smiled at them and gave them a winked which makes them giggle and shivered even more. Feeling artist much self uh?

* * *

"In either formula, the coordinates (h,k) represent the vertex of the parabola, which is the point where the parabola's axis of symmetry crosses the line of the parabola itself. Or to put it another way, if you were to fold the parabola in half right down the middle, the vertex would be the "peak" of the parabola, right where it crossed the fold of paper." Bla bla bla bla bla.

So obviously, I'm sitting here now and looking kindly infront but not really listening. It's very annoying! It's just a simple expanation only but our math teacher can't explain it properly. I'm really frustrated here with our Math teacher.

My classmates too, they really can't get it! Just slow ah?

Anyways I just suddenly remembered what happened 1 month ago.

------------------------Flashback----------------------

"Maybe, Because I know the truth?"

His mom didn't move in her seat as if her son's answer was unexpected.

At this time, she only feels nervous while facing her son.

"Oh shoot! Let's say. It's because I know the TRUTH!" I stared at her in the eyes. This time I confirmed that my suspicion about she was hiding something from me was correct. He won't be afraid like this right now if she wasn't hiding something.

She was obviously surprised by what I said but she tried to hide it and said.

"What truth uh?" She asked boldly.

I intentionally just stared her in the eye and saw that they were already shaking and she was obviously nervous.

"Hahaha! It's nothing mom. I'm just kidding. You're just too serious."

-----------End of the flashback-------------

I felt something hit my head so I quickly looked around to find who had thrown it at me.

James signaled that he was the one who threw it so I looked at him with "Why look" and he just signaled again for me to read what was written on the paper and I just followed it.

Today is my birthday.

We will having a birthday party at our house. Come with us please! Some of our classmate will also come. You won't feel awkward. I swear.

I smiled at what I read. I have never experienced attending a birthday party before because I used to be too introverted to go with mom and dad for parties. But now my gut feeling told me to come with them so that I can have another new experience. Also, I'm curious about how it feels. I gave him a thumbs up and he just smiled. I turned my gaze back to the front but I still wasn't listening.

* * *

When our class was over, James immediately came to the front and signaled us to be quiet.

"So guys, Who will come to my birthday party later?"

Almost half of the class raised their hands. James smirked and gave them an evil smile. "So for those who won't go there, you might regret it." He noticed that Aki didn't raise his hand. "Oh, Aki my friend. Aren't you coming to my Birthday Party? How poor I am. Come with me please. Come with us. It's just one night and Once in a year. Pleaseee!" He begged.

"okay fine." Aki agreed and James smiled broadly at him.

"Yes! So, hmmm. Let's go back. I will repeat, for those who won't attend to my birthday party you might regret this day because our school heart throb Chao Fah Tanapon will also come." He even glanced at me and winked.

They all looked at me while they were incredulous and shocked, as well as Aki but suddenly his face changed. He seemed suddenly angry and annoyed. Is he mad at me or what? Did I do something wrong to him?

* * *

We all occupied the five long tables. How come? when they all found out that I was coming, they also came. James' other friends in the various sections are also here. So many people that I met, especially James' cousins who almost don't want to leave me. There's a lot of people around. Also, Only now that I find out that James was rich. He didn't just mention it to us because he's humble and he doesn't want people to think that he's bragging about what they have. They also have a business like us. His family is rich. He really impressed me with how humble he was.

Of course after we ate we talked while eating cake. We're almost shouting at each other here because of the crowded surroundings and so much noise. Add to that their deafening sound system that you think people are deaf as if they can't hear if you'll just turn down the volume. But despite all of that, I'm still happy. I'm enjoying this night. It's my first time to experienced something like this. This kind of fun. James' cousins and the students in the various sections are also taking pictures with me.

"wait,wait,wait. This party is not complete without drinks."

James stood up and said something to his cousin. I even wondered what drinks he meant because there were juices and water here already. When his cousin returned, he was already carrying a few bottles of alcoholic drinks. Seriously? They do that here?

"There it is. Energy booster for all of you." One by one he put alcohol alcohol in each of our glasses.

"A-uhm. Wait James. I don't drink alcohols."

"Oh, no no no no. You're here at my birthday party to have some fun. To enjoy you life and to enjoy this night. Right? Everyone?"

"Yeah,yeah. Right." Everyone agreed.

"So tonight. Let's have some twist. We won't drink this glass of alcohol until when Fah drinks it first. Game?"

"Game. Game." Everyone response.

I have never tried to drink alcohol before and until now it was still not in my plan but since I am here to have fun and enjoy this night. Maybe I'll become a real human tonight. They were all silent as well as the people at the other tables. They're all waiting for me to pick up the glass and drink its contents.

"C'mon bro. You can do it. Don't be afraid. It's just an alcohol. Nothing will lose in trying." James' cheered.

Also, everyone nods.

I took a deep breath. I'm already embarrass by the stare of the crowd. I picked up the glass and took another deep breath. James is right. I should not be afraid. It's just an alcohol and I'm a human. Nothing will lose in trying. I drank it quickly at the same time I just heard the loud applause of them.

"Woah. Congrats bro. You're now officially a human." He laughed. All of the people around us laughed. He put alcohol in my glass again and this time we raised it together and said cheers and drank it together.

I don't know what I'm feeling right now but I'm very dizzy my vision also getting blurry and blurry.

"C'mon. Another shot bro.!"

[Drink]

"Another one!"

[Drink]

"Another!"

[Drink]

I don't know how many glasses of alcohol I've drank already because I'm so dizzy. All I want right now is just to sleep.

"Don't worry. I'm always here. Just sleep. Chao Fah."

Those are the last words that I've heared before I let the darkness cradles me in its arms.

******************************************

For those who doesn't know what *Tom yum goong* is here it is.

Tom Yum➡ is probably the most famous of Thai soups and is popular not only in Thailand but in Thai restaurants worldwide. It is a clear, sour soup flavored with fragrant lemon grass, fresh galangal root and kaffir lime leaf. This potent herbal mixture is well known for its medicinal properties.