CHAPTER 1

Character introduction~

Perth 17 y.o

Stacey 17 y.o

Santa 16 y.o

Perth and Stacey have been friends since childhood, always hanging out together. Everyone, including Stacey, think sooner or later they will start dating. Their families live as neighbors and their moms are pretty much besties. Thus naturally, she thinks that she should just let the time flow. Little does she know, all those 'staying-overnights' at her house will be one of many reasons that led Perth to get even closer to her younger brother, Santa..

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-School, end of class-

"Perth, can you help me with Math again? Mr. Prem explained things way too fast."

"Hm, my house or yours?"

"Let's go to my house. Santa and I baked some cookies yesterday."

"Alright. I'll go back before dinner."

"What's the rush? You can leave after dinner. My mom had prepared food for us as she and dad are going for their 'date' until late night anyway."

"...What about Santa?"

"I think he'll be back around 5."

"Alright, let's go."

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-Stacey's house, study room-

Final year exams are around the corner. Thus, it is pretty natural for Perth and Stacey to study together as the first and second rank of the class. They are used to hanging out until late at night revising and doing quizzes.But today, it seems like he has to stay even later than usual.

"...so do you get it now?"

"Urm, I think so." Still focused on the question, Stacey scratches her head a little while slowly staring at Perth's direction.

"Try another one. If you get stuck again, I'll help you." Smiling softly, She nods and brings back her focus on the questions.

-30 minutes later-

"Perth, wanna get something to eat? I'll go get the cookies and some drinks." Standing up while fixing her uniform, she walks towards the door before looking back again, waiting for Perth's response. "What do you wanna drink?"

"Milk will be fine."

"Alright, gimme a moment!"

There she goes, leaving Perth alone in the room. He is so immersed in his book, before another footstep can be heard approaching. Curious, he looks up and sees a familiar boy who always likes to tease and annoy him.

"Phi! You're here again? At this point my parents should just adopt you." Santa approaches Perth who gives him a quick eye roll before bringing back his focus to his book. He sits nicely beside Perth, while settling down his school stuff on the table.

"Is that how you greet someone nowadays? No more 'Good Afternoon' or even a simple 'Hi' ?"

"I don't see the need to do that considering you're here almost everyday."

"Yep, almost everyday to the point that I'm so done dealing with your nonsense."

"Hey, that's my way of showing how much I likeeee you phi." He said jokingly.

"Yea..yea, right. Now go back to your room and stop disturbing me. I have tests coming up."

A quick silence, Santa pulls his books and stationeries before flipping over the pages.

"Who said I'm here just to disturb? I'm here to study as well."

Perth looks at him mockingly, shocked, "Hah, you? Study? Don't make me laugh. You literally almost failed on every test."

"And that's why, since it's my final year of high school, I want to fix it." Santa sides eye him, gives him his iconic smirk while feeling super proud.

"Well, I wish you the best of luck-" Perth pauses for a second.

"Cause you really need that. It will take a whole village to fill that empty head of yours." He reaches Santa's head and gently knocks it a few times, as if looking for any noise from inside.

Santa pushes Perth's hand away, "You'll see. I will pass them beautifully and you won't be able to talk-trash about me anymore."

"Wanna bet?"

"What will I get from someone as boring as you?" He scoffs.

"Anything you want. As long as it's still logical and humane. Just don't ask me for anything funny."

"Hmm.."

Santa looks up for a while, considering, an idea crosses his mind. A small grin can be seen, puffing his cheeks a little. "You sure? Anything? No deadline, right?"

"Hmm. As long as I still remember it. But if you fail, you'll have to be the one granting my wish."

"Heh, deal."

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"What are you guys talking about?" Stacey is finally back with a plate of chocochip cookies and three glasses of milk on the tray. She sits across Perth again while distributing the milk and placing the cookies in the middle.

"Nothing, jee. Phi Perth was just encouraging me to study harder. He said he believes in me and is willing to help." Dramatically placing his left hand on his chest while glancing at Perth's direction to see his reaction.

"Aw that's great! I'm so happy you are finally willing to focus on your studies, Tata."

Perth cuts the siblings' conversation, "Wait, since when did I agree on this?" Raising his eyebrow a little.

"Since now. Here, can you explain to me this question? I still can't get the value of x." He shoves his book and places it in front of Perth, smiling like an innocent puppy.

Perth Sighs. He really can't win with this little brat. Stacey who has been munching on the cookies just giggles a little by their interaction.

"...You are impossible."

"I'll take that as a compliment."....

The clock shows 07:30 PM. The three of them have been sitting and scribbling on their books for more than 2 hours. Just like what he agreed on, Perth ended up helping the Pongsapak siblings with their quizzes. It was pretty tiring, but at least it helped him to refresh and revise too.

Santa yawns and stretches his arms tightly, "ugh...Jee, I'm hungry. Can we go and eat dinner now?"

"Hm, it's already 7:30. Alright, let's go. Tata, you go down and take out the cutleries first. I'll clean up here and then help you. Perth, you can join Tata."

"Hm."

—-------------------------------------------

It's a pretty peaceful dinner, filled with laughter and chatting. As time goes by, they don't realise that it's already 9 PM. As the only child of the family, Perth rarely experiences this kind of moment in his family. His parents often go overseas due to their international clients. Thus, Perth spent most of his time either alone at home or with aunty Lin, who has been with his family since he was just a kid. But these days, he has been spending time with the Pongsapak siblings a lot more often and truthfully, he doesn't hate it.

"Let me wash the dishes. You are taking way too long to wash them." Perth stands beside Santa, picking dirty plates and gesturing to Santa to stop and leave.

"Well, aren't you nice, phi? Thanks for the offer, but I'm good. Go back there and help jee something else." He pushes Perth with his body gently as he has no dry hands.

"Too late, my hands are already dirty."

"Well then, let's see who can wash the dishes the most."

"The loser treats everyone boba."

"Heh, get me a large green milk tea with white pearls."

Stacey finally finished cleaning the dining area, walking towards the kitchen before stopping for a while. She smiles softly, thinking how nice it is to have Santa get closer to Perth. It is very important for her family to like her future partner, right? Even their families have really close relationships with each other. All her dreams are slowly coming true.

—-----------------------------------------------------

"Stacey, I'm going back now. It's already almost midnight. We can continue the study tomorrow morning." Perth closes his book and puts his stuff back in his backpack. As he is about to stand up, Stacey stops him.

"Hmm, how about you just stay over tonight? Tomorrow is Saturday and your parents are still away on their business trip. I will just let my parents know about it."

"I don't think that's a good idea, I don't want to bother you guys."

"It will be fine, Perth. You can sleep in Tata's room tonight."

Surprised Santa quickly joins the conversation, "Wait - What? Why?? I only have ONE bed for your information. Besides, I sleep like a helicopter going 360 degrees."

"It's fine, I can just sleep on the couch or something."

"No, Perth. You'll catch a cold if you sleep there!"

Stacey pulls Santa closer to her side, whispers softly to the younger "Tata, can you help jee this time? I will buy you your favourite tiramisu."

"But, jee, I've never slept with a stranger before..." Pouting his lips towards his sister.

"He's not a stranger, ok? You have known Perth since childhood. I just want to have breakfast with him for once...Please?" Stacey softened her voice even more as pink colour flushes on her cheeks.

Confused but can't refuse, Santa finally agrees with his sister's weird request. Perth just agrees with anything as he is already pretty tired to argue.

"Just don't kick me down to the floor."

"Well, I can't guarantee that. Watch your back."

Tonight will definitely be different for both of them..

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Hi peeps, it's been forever since I wrote on Wattpad again so OOP- I quickly apologize if some parts don't make much sense :,>

Anyways, here is my first chapter! ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I actually got the idea from one Tiktok edit of Perthsanta under the account @bbearspace hihihi Someone commented that they wanted to read so i suppose i can write a quick AU about it. I hope you guys enjoy reading and let me know if you have any comments! I will try to update asap on every chapter, most probably won't make this a very long AU too. Anyways see you in the next chapter! (*^▽^*)