Sorawit's pov:

The bell rang. We walked to the canteen.

“Let’s check your brother first. What if he didn’t do it?” Tor said.

“Stepbrother,” I snapped.

“Okay, okay. Stepbrother. Let’s go.”

We rushed to the final-year classroom. It was empty.

On the first row, at Wichian’s desk, I saw my notebook.

I flipped it open.

The assignment and sketches—perfectly done.

“Wow, Wit. This is beautiful! How did he do this?” Pete asked.

“It’s really amazing,” Tor added.

While they praised him, I glanced under the desk.

There was a box.

The same one his mom packed Som Tum in.

I pulled it out.

“Wow! Som Tum! Your favorite, Wit. Can we have it?” Tor asked.

“Have it if you want,” I muttered and tossed the box at him.

Pretending not to care.

But deep down—I wanted to eat it all myself.

I watched them eat. My mouth watered.

“He might come back anytime! How long are you guys going to eat?” I snapped, taking the box and digging in.

I acted like I was helping them finish it faster.

But I wasn’t.

Once we finished the box, we slid it back under the table and left.

We headed to the canteen, had lunch, and finished the remaining classes.

During the last class, the principal entered with an announcement.

“Dear students, in two weeks we’ll have our annual sports day. Don’t forget to sign up for events. Team details will be on the notice board tomorrow. Let’s see which team wins the championship this year.”

Excited murmurs filled the room.

In our school, grades 10 to 12 were split into Red, Blue, and Yellow teams—randomly selected by teachers.

This was my first sports day here.

My old school never had teams.

I wasn’t looking to compete—just to enjoy it.

The final bell rang, and I returned home.

The house was empty.

Suddenly, a car horn.

Dad’s car.

My eyes lit up.

I rushed outside and hugged him the moment he stepped out.

“What happened, my boy? Did you do something mischievous?” Dad teased.

“Dad… I didn’t do anything. I just missed you.”

Vamika got out of the car and saw us.

She smiled—a genuine smile.

But I felt awkward and slowly let go of the hug.

“Dad, our school announced sports day! It’s just two weeks away. Will you come?” I asked, excited.

“Are you participating?” he asked.

“There’s no racing event to beat you!” I whined.

“Wit! Are you still driving behind my back? Did you forget what happened the last time? Wait till you get your license!”

“I was just kidding, Dad. I’m not participating—I just want you to be there.”

“No problem. Your mom and I will definitely come,” he said, smiling at Vamika.

“Does Wit know how to drive? Isn’t it too early?” Vamika asked.

“He’s been into racing since childhood. He took my car to school once and… had an accident,” Dad said.

“What?! Is he okay?”

“He’s fine! Airbags saved him. Just some minor injuries. I warned him not to drive until he gets his license.”

Wichian arrived just then.

Vamika greeted him and he joined the conversation.

“Chian, how was your day?” she asked.

He glanced at me.

“Nothing big, Mom. It was good.”

He paused.

“And Mom, my friend loved your Som Tum. Hope you make it often,” he added, side-eyeing me.

He knew.

“Chian, Wit told me about your sports day. Are you participating?” Dad asked.

“Yes, I joined badminton.”

“Great! We’ll be there to cheer you.”

He stole Dad again.

I was annoyed.

I didn’t care.

I stomped into the house and went straight to my room.

Author’s POV:

After Sorawit left, Wichian excused himself too.

Mr. and Mrs. Pong sat on the couch.

Vamika seemed lost in thought.

“Honey, what are you thinking?”

“Something’s bothering me. Wichian... he’s not himself. He’s quiet, distant. And Sorawit—he doesn’t even think of us as family. I just hope they don’t fight.”

“They’ll be fine. This is all new. One semester is enough to bring them closer—to each other and to us,” Mr. Pong reassured her.

“I hope so.”

“Trust me. It will.”

“And about Wit’s driving—what happened again?”

“Nothing major. First day of high school, he took my car to show off. Ended up in a minor accident.”

“What! Is he okay?”

“He was fine. Just fainted and had some minor injuries. But I made it clear—no more driving until he’s licensed.”

“He’s still young. Let him wait,” Vamika agreed.

Dinner that night was awkward, filled with unspoken tension.

Next Morning:

Sorawit stepped out of his room, only to see his stepbrother already on the stairs.

They descended together, tension thick in the air.

But their parents, oblivious, only smiled—happy to see their sons together.

“Dad, I’m already late. I’ll eat at the canteen. Bye,” Wit said, heading for the door.

“Wait, Wit! Wichian’s also late. Take him with you,” Dad said.

“If you want him to go in my car, just tell me. I’ll ask Tor to pick me up,” I snapped.

“Wit, he’s your brother. Why are you being rude?”

“I don’t have a brother,” I said. Little louder.

Wichian, hurt and guilty for being the cause of tension, spoke louder:

“The first period’s free. I still have time. I’ll take the bus.”

And he left.

Sorawit glared at his father and stepmother.

Disappointed again.

He called his best friend.

Within minutes, Tor appeared on his bike and picked him up.

The parents stood in silence.

Worried.

Sorawit's POV:

It was break time, but I couldn't shake off what happened that morning. My mind was still spiraling while Pete and Tor chatted beside me. Somewhere in the background, I heard someone mention Wichian again. I turned, and saw two girls deep in conversation.

"Tina! Stop it. Don't tease me."

"Why shouldn't I? You're always talking about Wichian but never have the guts to approach him. How will he ever know you like him?"

"But he doesn't even notice me. Actually, he doesn't notice anyone in this school. He's a total book freak. Always buried in his textbooks or sketchbook."

"Isn't that what attracts you?"

"I know, right? He's not like the others-and I like that. But I'd never dare ask him out..."

Their conversation hit a nerve. First my dad, now these girls? What the hell does Wichian have that everyone seems obsessed with?

Still fuming, I walked over to them. "Hey girls! I overheard you talking about Wichian, right?" Pete and Tor noticed and quickly joined me. "Guys, she likes Wichian. Let's help her out," I announced loudly.

The girls looked confused.

"What's wrong? Don't you trust me?" I said with a grin. "You do know he's my stepbrother now, right? I'd love it if someone could make him fall for them and take him away from my dad."

"To be honest, Kia, you must be incredibly kindhearted," my tone shifted, cold and sharp, "otherwise, how could you like a bastard like him?"

Kia flinched, stunned.

I continued, "My brother's pretty lucky, huh? Right, Pete? Even after being abandoned by his father, being the reason for his parents' divorce, being a homewrecker, and stealing an innocent man's dad-he still manages to charm girls like this."

I turned to Kia, "Go ahead, chase the homewrecker. I don't care. Just don't ever mention his name in front of me again."

I turned to leave-only to stop cold.

Wichian was standing right at the canteen entrance.

Expressionless.

Just... still.

He must've heard everything. But he didn't flinch, didn't look angry or hurt. He just walked past me silently, grabbed his food, and sat down to eat like nothing happened. But the eyes-those judging eyes around us-were impossible to ignore.

I rushed out of the canteen, heart pounding.