CHAPTER 38: BEFORE WE WERE US, - THE RIVAL NEXT DOOR..

Scene: Present – Mek watches Pete sleeping

His breathing was soft. Calm.

The calm after a hundred storms.

Mek brushed a hair away from Pete's forehead.

> "How did we end up here… after all that hate?"

His heart whispered:

> "Or maybe… it was never hate."

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FLASHBACK — 12 Years Ago

Setting: Rich Neighborhood, Bangkok Suburbs

Two mansions. Side by side.

Two family empires.

The Chanon family.

The Jirawat family.

Pete Chanon and Mek Jirawat.

Same school. Same street.

Same everything — except they were taught to hate each other.

---

Scene: Mek, age 10 – Biking in the neighborhood

He zoomed past Pete's house.

Stopped. Spat toward the gate like a brat.

> "Stupid rich show-offs."

From the balcony?

Pete. Book in hand. Eyes locked on him.

> "Nice spit. Want a medal?" Pete smirked.

Mek yelled back:

> "Wanna eat dirt, snob boy?"

---

Scene: Pete, age 11 – Family dinner, fancy and tense

His father:

> "Don't even breathe in that Jirawat boy's direction. They're nothing but a plague."

Pete stabbed his food, pretending not to care.

But inside?

He remembered Mek's laugh. The way he rolled his eyes. The stupid bandage on his elbow from climbing trees barefoot.

> He was annoying.

Rude.

Too loud.

And yet…

> Pete dreamed of him. Every damn night.

---

Scene: Mek's Backyard – Mek's birthday, no one came

Except…

A paper airplane.

Thrown from the other side of the wall.

It landed in his lap.

On it?

"Happy Birthday, Dirt Boy."

"From the Snob on the Balcony."

Mek smiled for a second.

Then ripped it.

But later that night?

He smoothed it out… and kept it in his drawer.

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Scene: Teen Years – Pete, 14, standing by the fence

Mek, sweaty from basketball, towel slung over his shoulder.

Pete pretended to be on his phone.

> "You still suck at layups," he said.

Mek scoffed.

> "You still suck at flirting."

Pete choked.

Mek laughed and walked away.

Pete stared at him like he was watching the sun set and rise at the same time.

---

Scene: Present Day – Back in the Safehouse

Pete stirred in his sleep, mumbling.

> "Mek…"

Mek kissed his forehead softly.

> "I knew you back when we were warzones in sneakers and spitballs, didn't I?"

> "And still… I think I've always wanted you."