Page 7 of Friend Ship
Noi glances at Ford’s closed bedroom door. “Why did he ask if he was interrupting when he obviously was? I mean, we’re watching a movie.”
“I think he was implying we’re on a date,” I say, tweaking Noi’s nose.
“Oh. Well, I guess that means we’re doing it right, then. And stop that!” He knocks my hand away before I can tweak his nose again.
Laughing, I unpause the movie and Noi settles back against me. I like it. I mean, it’s comfortable. I’ve always liked being close to Noi. Being with him puts me on an even keel when so much of the time I feel like I’m performing. That sounds weird, since—duh—I’m studying to be an actor. But all my life I’ve felt like I’ve put on a persona. Perfect son, good big brother. But as Noi’s best friend, I’ve always been able to just be me. I think again about how Bekki wants to say we’re brothers. We aren’t. We’re that close, but we aren’t brothers. I wouldn’t ever sit like this with my little brother Ten.
Not too surprisingly, because it happens every time Noi and I watch a movie, Noi falls asleep before it’s over. His weight against me feels intimate. Rather than move him so he can sleep on the couch, I let him be and continue watching the movie until the final credits run. Maybe even a little longer than that.
Chapter Five: Mee Noi
Sud and I rehearse our scene every spare moment we can, mostly at his apartment because there’s more room. The next time we meet with the others, we do it there and block out the scenes. Save joins us this time, and, after an hour or so, we try filming.
Sud and I put everything we’ve got into acting like two people falling in love. Which is…weird. I mean, we’ve been practicing the scene. It isn’t new to us. But something about having the camera rolling makes it almost seem real. As we say our lines, I can feel myself sinking more and more into character. That’s good, of course; I just wasn’t expecting to feel all emotional and everything. My heart’s thrumming in my chest, and my hands are sweaty. I feel like it’s all happening to me for real.
After another couple of hours, we wrap it up and Sud walks me back to my dorm. It’s something I normally gripe about because it’s unnecessary and Sud insists, but this time I don’t say anything because it’s pitch black out and a couple of owls arehooting creepily back and forth at each other in the woods by the parking lot.
“See ya,” Sud says, waving before turning to leave. I watch him go, part of me feeling mushy that he cares enough to walk me home and also annoyed because I feel like a baby.
The following day, my friend Bua and I sit in the university canteen eating lunch. Without meaning to, I tell her how odd I felt when we filmed the scene.
“Are you saying you’re crushing on Sud?” she asks.
“What?” I put down my drink that I just picked up and stare at her. “No! That’s not what I’m saying at all. I’m just saying that pretending to be in love has given me thoughts and feelings I’ve never had before. Not about Sud, but…in general.” Suddenly feeling too warm, I look at my food instead of at Bua.
“Maybe it’s time you start dating,” Bua says.
“I just told you—“
“Not Sud, dummy. I mean ask a girl out. Or a boy. You’re pretty old to have never gone on a date before, wouldn’t you say?”
“There’s no one I’m interested in.”
“Not at all? Come on. Someone must make your heart beat a little faster.”
I shrug. “Not really.” Although, lately, Sud’s been having that effect on me. Acting in this video is turning my world upside down, but we’ll be finished with it soon and everything will be back to normal.
A shadow falls over our table.
I look up and see it’s P’Tam, the top second year girl at our university. Tall and slender with a heart-shaped face and straight black hair that she’s braided today, she’s very pretty, especially when she smiles like she’s doing to me and Bua right then.
“Sawasdee-kha, Mee Noi.”
“Sa’dee-khap, P’Tam,” I say, giving her a wai, and Bua echoes, “Sa’dee-kha, P’Tam.”
“May I sit down, Nongs?” she asks.
“Of course,” Bua says, scooting down on the bench to give her room.
“You’re Bua, right?” P’Tam asks her.
“Yes.”
P’Tam looks at me. “And you’re Mee Noi.”
I nod. I’ve only spoken with her a couple of times before in passing. I’m a little surprised she remembers my name.
“Can I get you a drink, P’Tam?” Bua offers.
