Chapter 2: New Friendships

-A New Seatmate-

The moment the professor called her name, Fah felt the shift in the room.

Eyes flickered toward her. The weight of curiosity now included one more person—Nara.

By the time Fah processed what was happening, Nara was already moving, her long strides effortless as she made her way toward the empty seat beside her.

Fah straightened instinctively. She didn't know why. She wasn't nervous. This was just a normal class. Just a transfer student sitting next to her.

And yet—

As Nara settled into the chair beside her, dropping her bag neatly by her feet, Fah suddenly felt hyper-aware of her presence.

The faintest scent of something floral and clean reached her—Nara's shampoo, probably. She ignored it. Fah didn't turn to look, but she could tell Nara was completely at ease.

No hesitation, no awkwardness.

Like sitting beside a stranger and working with them for the entire semester was the most natural thing in the world. Fah, on the other hand, suddenly felt like she had forgotten how to sit properly. She forced her focus back onto the lecture.

This was fine. This was normal. She didn't need to think about it.

Except, five minutes into the class, she realised something.

Nara was left-handed.

Fah only noticed because their elbows brushed for the briefest second when Nara picked up her pen. It wasn't a big deal. But Fah still found herself staring at the way Nara's handwriting moved effortlessly across the page—small, neat strokes, perfectly aligned.

She didn't know why she noticed.

-After the Lecture-

As soon as the professor dismissed the class, students began packing up, and Fah instinctively started closing her notebook.

Beside her, Nara moved without hesitation—collected, precise, as if she had done this routine a hundred times before.

Fah debated saying something.

Not because she had anything particular to say—just because the silence felt heavier than it should have. Before she could decide, a familiar voice cut through the chatter.

"Look at you two, already best friends," Beam teased as she slid into place beside them, Ton and Phat following close behind.

Fah almost groaned. "We are not—"

"She's my partner," Nara said at the same time.

Beam smirked. "Same thing."

Nara didn't react, simply tucking her notebook into her bag. Phat, always smooth, extended a hand. "I'm Phat. That's Beam and Ton."

Nara shook his hand briefly. "Nice to meet you."

Beam leaned in slightly, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Do you have plans for lunch?"

Nara blinked. "No, not yet."

"Then come with us," Beam said, grinning as if it had already been decided.

Fah expected Nara to hesitate—to say she was busy, or she had other things to do.

Instead, after a brief pause, she simply said, "Alright."

Fah didn't know why she felt so thrown off by that.

-The Canteen-

The campus canteen was already packed by the time they arrived—wooden benches filled with students, the scent of stir-fried basil and grilled chicken thick in the air, the familiar sound of iced drinks clinking in plastic cups.

It was a scene Fah had walked into a hundred times before.

But today, something was different. Because today, Nara was sitting with them. Fah didn't know why that felt significant. It shouldn't have. But it did.

She tried not to think about it as she set down her tray and took a seat.

"So, why'd you transfer?" Beam asked, leaning forward with interest.

Nara placed her spoon down neatly before answering. "Family reasons."

Fah caught the slight pause before she spoke.

Not hesitation—just carefully chosen words.

Beam didn't seem to notice. "I bet our campus is really different from Bangkok U, huh?"

"It is," Nara replied.

Then—she glanced at Fah. "It's... different."

Fah felt something twist in her stomach. Why did she look at her when she said that?

"So, do you have a boyfriend?" Ton's question cut through the conversation like a knife.

Fah nearly choked on her drink. Even Beam looked impressed. "Wow, straight to the point."

Ton shrugged, stirring his iced coffee lazily. "What? It's a valid question."

All eyes turned to Nara. She didn't react much. Simply shook her head. "No."

Ton whistled. "Surprising."

Fah had no idea why she felt relieved. She had even less of an idea why she immediately felt annoyed at herself for feeling relieved.

Before she could figure it out—

Beam leaned forward with a bright grin. "And Phat—well, he's Fah's future boyfriend!"

Fah choked on air. "What—"

Ton and Phat both looked equally stunned. "Excuse me?" Phat said, raising an eyebrow.

Beam giggled unapologetically, waving a dismissive hand. "Oh, don't act like you haven't been waiting for Fah to notice you since first year."

Fah's brain short-circuited. "Beam. What the hell—"

"Am I wrong?" Beam challenged, grinning. Fah opened her mouth. Closed it again.

And then—she made the mistake of looking at Nara.

She wasn't reacting.

She wasn't laughing.

She was simply watching.

And for some reason, that made Fah feel even more flustered. She turned back to Beam, glaring. "You're impossible." Beam just winked. "I like to think of myself as helpful." Nara still hadn't said a word. Fah suddenly wished the ground would swallow her whole.