Chapter 2

Another day, another mask to put on. Always the same routine. Everyday for three years now.

The stupid alarm went off again. This time, he opened his eyes, stared at the ceiling and contemplated whether to get up and go to school or ignore everything and bear Ai'Kitty's never ending nagging both on the phone and on the other side of the wall. He decides to pick the first one even though he didn't want to. It's better to lose sleep than lose hearing with Pha and Kit's combined nagging.

He typed the alarms password and it instantly went dead. His phone dinged indicating he has LINE message. He lazily got up and took his phone from the side table. It was Pha.

"Beam, your meds?"

He checked the bottle. Only two left.

"I still have two." He typed in.

"Okay. We'll get a new bottle later after class. I'll go with you. Don't forget your prescription."

"Okay boss."

He sighed. He lost count of how many bottles of prescription drugs he had consumed in the last three years. But as long as the nightmares don't come back, he don't give a shit.

He got ready for school, just in time for Kit to knock on his door - more like bang on his door. He got out to a grumpy looking Kit.

"What's with the face Ai'Kitty? It's too early for a face like that. Wait! Was Ming rough last night?! Ohoo! Someone won't be walking properly tod -- aww!! ..

Beam didn't finish his words when Kit lightly punched his arm.

".. What the hell was that for?!"

"It's you who won't be walking properly today if you don't shut up. Now come on! I'm damn hungry! .. And besides ..

Kit mumbled. "that asshole doesn't have time for me"

"What?" He didn't hear him properly.

"I said let's go."

---------------

"Ai'Pha hand me your notes for Prof Auntie's class. I need to check something."

"Ask Kit. I forgot to take notes." Pha said without looking up from his phone.

"Why do you even go to school? You should just ask Nong'Yo to put you in his pockets. Don't you get cramps texting all the time?" Beam nagged.

"Okaaaaay Beam."

"Ai'Kit. Hand me your notes."

"........."

It seems Kit was zoning out and doesn't hear him calling.

"Ai'Kitty." Beam waved his hands in front of Kit's face. Pha put his phone down and shook Kit.

"Hey! What do you want?!"

"Whoa there. I'm just borrowing your notes. If you don't want to then fine."

Kit sighed. "Here." He handed Beam his notes.

"Everything alright Kit? You seem off" Pha was now paying attention.

"Yea. Whats wrong?"

"Nothing."

Beam and Pha shared a knowing look. Something was up.

"Come on Kit. You know we don't believe you. What, did you guys fight?" Pha asked.

"Wait! Did that bastard cheat on you?!"

"What?! No! He would never!"

"Then what the hell is it? Let's drop the guessing game shall we?" Impatience was making Beam talk rudely. Well he was always rude but not at times like these.

"Its just .. " Kit was ready to talk now. " .. Just .. You know .. All of this .. is new to me. And sometimes i don't know how to act properly when I'm with him. He is so patient with me like, he never gets mad at me. Ever. And sometimes i think he's just flirting with me and leading me on. But i don't want to lose him. I want to change the way i treat him but i don't know how to act otherwise." Fuck. Did i just confessed to these two about my relationship? This will be a years worth of teasing from Beam.

"Was that what you were upset about P'Kit?"

Kit's eyes widen as he realized the voice he just heared. Seems like Pha and Beam didn't interrupt him when Ming was approaching.

"Don't you trust me P?" Ming's voice sounded hurt.

"No! .. I mean yes !! Wait! .. Ughh!!" Kit's mind was clearly in a mess right now.

"Seems like you guys need to talk about this privately. We'll be going now. Sort things out okay?" Pha tapped Beams shoulder letting him know that they need to go. Beam got up almost instantly.

"Ai'Kit. I'll be going first okay? See you later." Beam and Pha walked away from the couple and headed towards the parking lot. Beam needs to go get his meds.

---------------

"You have your prescription?"

"Yep. It's here." Beam said while buckling his seatbelt. They're using Pha's car.

"Good. Well get your meds from the Pharmacy then I take you home. Nong'Yo still have class so he won't wait long."

"Why did you buy a car that can only accommodate two people. Talk about waste of space. Also too damn expensive."

Phana can only smile at Beam's rantings. This is the Beam they know. Always complaining about something. They miss the normal Beam. Not the Beam who needs to take meds just to appear normal on everyone's eyes.

They reached the Pharmacy after about fifteen minutes of driving. Getting Beam's meds doesn't take long since the Pharmacist knows them already.

"Ai'Pha, Ai'Beam!" Both of them turned to see who was calling.

"Oh Ai'Forth. Long time no see." Pha greeted. "Where have you been?"

"Got busy with some things. Just came from my parents house. What brings you here?"

"I need my meds." Beam said flatly.

"For what? Are you sick Ai'Beam?"

"No. They're for headaches, you know like hangovers. What about you?" Pha answered for Beam. He doesn't want other people knowing Beam's current condition. Not that Forth was considered other people, but still.

"I need my first aid kit. Hey! Speaking of hangovers, you guys want to join us? The guys are having a drink tonight. I miss getting wasted with you guys." Forth offered.

"Maybe next time Ai'For -- " "I'll go." Pha was cut off by Beam's sudden answer.

Pha gave Beam a look that means no.

"I'll be fine. It's okay. I need this." He smiled at Pha.

"Beam." Pha's stare was piercing him.

"I promise." Beam was pushing his luck.

"Is everything alright?" Forth's curiosity was evident now. It seems these two are talking about sonething only they understand.

Beam smiled. "Yes Ai'Forth. Daddy Phana is just being a strict father today. Right Ai'Pha?"

Pha sighed. "All right then. Call me if there's anything. Ai'Forth, don't let him drink anything hard okay. He's a lightweight."

Beam was scowling at him now. "Speak for yourself."

He's gonna be fine. He promised he won't do it again. Pha thought. "Well i'll be off then. Ai'Forth i trust that you can handle my friend? He's quite a handful." Pha nodded at Forth then entered his car and started the engine.

"Hey!" Beam was laughing now. "I'm not your daughter you asshole!" He shouts at his friend who was driving away.

Forth can only laugh at his friends banters.

---------------

After Forth got his medicine kit, they got on his motorbike and drove to the pub. Forth was not a car person. He's more comfortable riding his bike and feeling the wind on his skin when he drives. It's also quite easy for him to park anywhere.

They went inside the pub which was not very far from the uni. This pub was also their regular place when they go out for drinks. This is Beams first time going without Pha or Kit but not his first time with Forth and the other engineering students since they became drinking buddies after the Star and Moon competition.

"Whoa!! A representative of the Crazy Doctors Gang! Make way people! This one is a VIP!!" Lam announced. Lam was always loud and this time the alcohol was acting up so he was extra loud. He took a set next to Lam, Forth followed and took the vacant seat next to him. There were six of them at the table.

The familiar smell of alcohol lingered on his nose. Having alcohol tonight meant no tablets for his sleep which meant that the nightmares might visit. Maybe if i drink hard enough they won't get me. Beam thought.

"Here Beam." Forth handed him a glass of some light drink.

He stared at Forth with that you-gotta-be-kidding-me look on his face. "What the hell is this?"

"Pha said you're a lightweight. He also said to take care of you. I'm just following orders Beam. I don't want to get on his bad side." Forth said with a smirk. He wasn't explaining. He was teasing!

"Seriously Ai'Forth. I'm not some girl you need to watch over. This drink is basically juice. Even a first grader can drink this. And what lightweight are you talking about?!" Beam snarled.

"So you're not a lightweight then?" A grinning Forth asked.

Beam stared at him confidently. "Try me."

---------------

With the help of alcohol and some batshit crazy friends. Beam was Beam again. Crazy, talkative, and a teasing psycho. He can't remember the last time he was this alive. Almost all of them were wasted except Forth who for some unknown reason kept stealing glances at Beam whenever he would say something funny and the whole group would laugh. They we're noisy but not noisy enough to disturb other tables.

After a few more minutes, three of his friends - including Lam were clearly wasted. They were sleeping in uncomfortable positions.

He took a sip from his glass then stared at Beam who was staring down. He leaned in to Beam so he could hear him properly.

"Beam let's get you home na"

He suddenly turned his face to Forth that their faces almost clashed. The distance was so little that Forth could almost count the lashes on Beam's droopy eyes. Forth was shocked of Beam's sudden movement that he himself could not move and Beam didn't move his face away because he obviously didn't know what he just did. And in that moment he swear he heard his own heartbeat.

"Good. I need my room." Beam said after a short pause, his breath brushed on Forth's face. Beam was obviously drunk but he was still awake but not awake enough to comprehend what was happening.

Forth shook his head trying to clear his mind. Perhaps alcohol is taking its effect on me. He went over to where Lam was seating, shook him a little and told him that he will be taking Beam with him. "We're alright Ai'Forth! Go take care of the VIP!!" Like hell you can manage. You can't even lift your head.

He then took Beam's arm and put it around his shoulder for support. His other arm was on Beam's waist. "Let's go Beam." As they make their way out the pub he can't help noticing Beam's weight. Do you even eat? You're damn light for a guy your size. Beam wasn't short. It's just that Phana and Forth is taller than him, but he has petite body.

"I need my room take me there i want my room" Beam kept saying. He was almost asleep now.

For Forth, making a drunk Beam get on his bike was tiring as hell. Making him stay there is another story.

He thought of ways to make Beam stay behind him while he drives. He thought of tying Beam's wrist around his waist so he doesn't fall but decided against it. He thought of taking a cab but he can't leave his bike there. He needs to take Beam and his bike at the same time.

He finally decided to make Beam sit infront of him. It was gonna be an awkward position but it was better than tying his wrists. That shit was stupid.

---------------

They arrived at Beam's dorm in that awkward position on his motorbike. He knows where Beam lives. He once passed by this dorm and saw Beam entering.

He took a half asleep Beam to sit on the couch in the lobby. He still don't know on  what floor and room number Beam lives. He doesn't have anyone to ask since it's already midnight and the Auntie staying at the front is probably asleep.

"Beam what is your room number?" He tapped his cheeks to wake him up.

"............"

"Beam wake up first. What is your room number?" He tapped again.

"Beside Kit's .."

"On what room does Kit live?"

"Beside meeee"

WTF. A guessing game. He sighed.

"P'Forth?" A woman's voice called.

It was Lin. A Chemical Engineering student. She was Mings partner at the Star and Moon Competition. She seemed to be headed to the nearby 7/11.

"Sawadee kha P'. Is everything alright P?"

"Sawadee Nong. Do you know what room this guy lives in?" Forth half hoped Lin to know.

"That's P'Beam right? The Med student? We live on the same floor. He's at 305 i think. I always see his friend P'Phana go in there."

Forth silently thanked the deities for his answered prayers.

"Thank you Nong"

He walked back to Beam who was now sleeping. "Beam come on." He tapped his cheek again but he was not budging.

Since Beam was light he decided to carry him bridal style for it was easier than walking beside him cause he's already asleep. He then have to walk a flight of stairs up to the third floor because this dorm doesn't have lifts. His days of working out at the gym must not fail him.

Beam's face was so close to his neck that his breathing brushes at Forth's neck. If it was another person, he'd be irritated but he doesn't feel that towards Beam. He then snuggled his face closer in the crook of Forth's neck. Beam was hugging him now. There's that fucking heartbeat again.

He was panting when they reached the third floor. He was out of breath not just  because of his midnight work out but also because his heart was in a riot. He took out the keys which he took from Beam's pocket earlier.

Beam's room was a mess. Contradiction to its owner who was always dressed impeccably.

He toed off his shoes, layed him on his bed, took off the other guys shoes, left the keys on the side table then he was ready to leave.

"I need to take my meds .."

He looked back thinking Beam was awake but he wasn't. What meds? This guys even blabbers in his sleep.

"I need my meds .. I don't want them to come back .."

Forth had to go check if he was really asleep because of how clear his words were. He leaned in near to Beam's face. Who's coming back? Wait. Is he talking about a nightmare?

"Kit .. Pha .. Please"

"It's my fault. I killed her."

He remained frozen in that position. Kit? Pha? Who did this guy kill? What meds? Am i imagining things? Wtf is happening?

It was Beam's next words that made his heart sank. It was barely a whisper but it was the loudest cry for help he had ever heard.

"Please .. Someone Save me .."

***************

A/N: Don't worry about MingKit. I just needed a distraction for Kit so Beam can be alone with Forth. 😊