Kiss the Boy

Chapter 2: Shiny Objects

The wind retains its strong blows, but Kongpob still remains frozen on the shore. Was it just a dream?

"Kong!"

He wakes up from his trance when M calls his name. He blinks repeatedly and shakes his head before facing his best friend.

"Where have you been?" M asks. "The hazers are looking for you. They reminded us not to stay on the beach when it's already late!"

Kongpob wants to tell M about what he saw, about the merman, but M will surely just laugh at him. "I'm sorry," that's all Kongpob says.

"The others are still searching for you. Let's go find them before going back."

Pocketing the blue-green stone from the merman, Kongpob nods, and then they start moving. While walking on the sand, Kongpob keeps on glancing back at the beach, wishing he would see the creature again.

After finding Tew and Oak, they go straight to the resort's dining area where everyone is gathered. It's the final night of their stay at the resort, so the hazers allow them to drink, as long as they are under their supervision and won't go to the beach anymore.

"Prae, I have a question," Maprang says. "You're damn so beautiful, but why don't you have a boyfriend yet?"

Praepailin, a little drunk now, faces her friend. "Why I don't have a boyfriend?"

"I think Prae and Kongpob are a good match," Oak butts in, unnecessarily.

Kongpob rolls his eyes. He's a little drunk now to care about and even think of his encounter with the creature earlier.

"Many people are shipping you two, you know? What do you think?" Oak continues.

"Honestly speaking," Praepailin starts, "I... I don't like men."

"What?" Maprang's eyes are wide.

"I said, I. Don't. Like. Men."

Everyone at the table is surprised. Praepailin is the reigning Star of the university, and to learn that she's lesbian is completely unexpected.

"Well," Tew, a little too drunk, joins the conversation. "That's good because... I'll have more chance with men, then... not the straight ones of course."

Their eyes that are wide open because of Praepailin's revelation grow wider.

"Tew, you're gay?" M loudly asks. Kongpob elbows him for him to lower his voice. Tew, suddenly aware of what he has said, nods before bowing his head.

"Ahem." Kongpob fakes a cough. "Given that they both came out now. I might as well—"

Kongpob's statement gets cut, however, when everyone from their table stands to go to the veranda of the dining area.

"What's happening?"

Everyone's eyes are on the lead hazing team who are all at the beach.

"I thought no one is allowed to be there during this time?" Oak sarcastically asks.

No one minds his question as everyone is focused on what their four hazers are doing there. They seem to be praying as their heads are bowed.

Then, they raise their bottles, as if they are offering a toast to someone at the sea.

"Look at those weirdos," Oak says before Tew elbows him.

Everybody rushes back to their respective tables when they see the hazers face them and take their steps back to the dining area.

"Kong, you were saying something earlier," M says. "What is it?"

Kongpob doesn't feel like proceeding with his announcement now. Thoughts about the creature came back into his mind when he caught a glimpse of the ocean again. The strange act of their seniors also got him curious.