Gorya is sat at home with her family around the coffee table. She was questioning a lot after that conversation with Kaning and Uncle Ga a few hours ago. She didn't know whether she should actually quit her new school or not.
"Today is Gorya's 222nd day in Kocher High School. I pull out all the stops to celebrate it." Gorya's dad says excitedly. Her mom and brother cheer in happiness as they all sit around the coffee table with their dinner.
"Eat as much as you want. Your dad wanted to treat us all." Gorya's mom says as she sits on the floor with the rest. Until her face drops.
"Wait. Gorya... Why are your shoes worn out? How long have they been in this condition? Don't your friends tease you when you wear them to school?" Gorya's mom says worried.
"They are still wearable so I'll keep wearing them. We should be frugal. We don't come from money." Gorya says and her dads head instantly turns.
"What? We don't come from money? We do have money. That's why I bought roast duck." Gorya's dad says, pulling out a bag.
"Don't talk crazy, Dad. How is it possible? Roast duck?" Gorya's brother, Glakao, says excitedly.
Gorya's dad drops the roast duck out of the bag and onto a place. It doesn't look that advertising but for what they can afford, it was the best they had.
"Roast duck rib with rice. All for 19 baht." Gorya's dad says. Everyone stares at the roast duck in confusion.
"Excellent, Dad. You do know how to spend money!" Glakao says, lightening the mood.
Gorya looks at everyone and frowns.
"All of you are suffering because of me going to that school." Gorya says sadly.
Her mom strokes her hair and then places her hand on her back.
"Who's suffering? We are proud. A small family like ours can send our daughter to a top school! The lady next door is shocked. We are so proud" her mom says smiling.
"Very much" her dad adds. "I'm not a good student or a good athlete. I cant be on a scholarship like you. You're the one thing that I can show off to my friend." Glakao says proudly.
"Don't you worry about the expenses. Books, clothes, or miscellaneous costs may be expensive, but your mom and I intend to find money to support it." Her dad says.
Gorya smiles slightly, then looks back down at her plate with a frown.
"Why that face? Problems at school?" Her mom asks concerned.
"A little bit" Gorya says, playing with her food.
"Hang in there. I know your school is nothing like home, and you worry about the family expenses, but being at the top school is an entrance to high society and investing in your future. We are all willing to sacrifice for you to have a better life." Her mom says inspirationally.
Gorya looks up and smiles at her mom.
"Most importantly, attending a top school gives you a chance to meet and fall in love with a handsome rich guy!" Her mom says excitedly.
Gorya rolls her eyes and looks away. Everyone other than her mom facepalms at her comment.
"Such a chance is rare!" Gorya's mom says.
"So close. Enough. I'll stop sulking, let's eat." Gorya says and everyone cheers. She hates when her mom talks about meeting a 'handsome rich guy'. It's not something she wants to do, she doesn't want to fall in love with someone because of their money. She wants to find true love.
"One, two, three, Yeah!" They all shout as they raise a piece of roast duck. They laugh and begin to eat.
Whilst the family all talk, Gorya notices a poster on the floor. It was of Mira, her inspiration to go to Kocher High School. When Gorya was joining the school, Mira was giving a speech, the speech was so inspirational that Gorya decided to join there and then. She will never forget that day.
-The next day, in school-
"Am i that naive? I honestly thought going to this school would be nothing but beautiful. You may already know that only a few scholarships are offered at this school, and that most students who go here are wealthy. But don't worry you won't belong the school, don't hold on to any statuses, financial or social. I believe that the most important thing is we all have the right to dream. This is our time. If you believe in yourself and follow your dream, a bright future awaits for you." Mira says.
Gorya was sat in the cafeteria watching a video of Mira's speech. She looked up from her phone and looked up at the F4 seating area. It was on the floor above the cafeteria but like a balcony, so they could watch down on everyone. F4 walked into their seating area and all the girls looked up at them and blew kisses.
Gorya put her head back down and frowned, continuing to watch the video until...
"Are you watching Mira's clip?" Hana says as she places her tray on the table and sits down next to Gorya. "She's the coolest, don't you think?" Hana adds.
"You know her too?" Gorya asks excitedly.
"How can i not? Mira is my idol. I decided to go to this school because of her." Hana says smiling.
"Same here." Gorya says as her smile fades and she looks back down at her phone.
"Is anything bothering you?" Hana asks, noticing her smile fade. "You look upset. Are you thinking about yesterday?" Hana adds, Gorya nods.
"Yes." Gorya says.
"I'm feeling bad too. That kind of bullying is awful. I must thank you for warning me, otherwise, I may have helped him and got myself in trouble. Thank you, friend" Hana says, hugging Gorya's arm.
Gorya smiles and turns away as it fades.
"How about this? Let's focus on schoolwork, stay quiet and safe until graduation." Gorya says, putting a hand next to her face so no one can see what she is saying.
Hana smiles and nods. "Stay quiet and safe for a bright future, like what Mira said" Hana says, also putting a hand next to her face. They both laugh.
"I have to go" Hana says, grabbing her tray and standing up. "See you" Gorya says as she looks back down at her phone.
Hana walks off until the sound of food dropping on the floor silences the whole cafeteria. Gorya turns and sees Hana's food fall off her tray onto someone's shoe.
Thyme's shoe.
Hana stood in front of Thyme, shaking and frightened as the rest of F4 stood behind him. Thyme looked up from his shoe and at Hana directly. Gorya looks away, worried for her friend.
"Is this your way of approaching a guy?" Thyme says. Hana stands, holding tightly to her tray, shaking out of fear.
"Thyme, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to. I'll have your shoes cleaned or buy you a new pair." Hana says, a shake in her voice.
"Buy a new pair? Do you know what these are? These are tailor-made in Paris. Can you buy these?" Thyme says.
"Thyme, go easy on her. She's cute." MJ says.
"Thyme, I want to make it up to you. I'll do whatever it takes just as long as you forgive me." Hana says as she grabs Thymes hand but he pulls it away aggressively.
"Whatever it takes?" Thyme says as a smirk grows on his face. "What would that be?" He adds.
"She can clean your shoes now!" A student shouts. "Or lick them" Another student adds.
"That?" Thyme asks. "I wouldn't mind though" he says as he pushes his shoe closer to Hana.
"Lick it, if you do it, I may forgive you" Thyme says.
"Lick it. Lick it. Lick it." All the students cheer.
The cheering got so frustrating. Gorya couldn't stand sitting their whilst her friend was about to be forced to like a dirty shoe. Hana was crying, Gorya couldn't deal with this anymore.
She slammed her hands on the desk and stood up, causing everyone to stop cheering. She stood there for a second, rethinking what she was about to do, but it was too late to turn back. Everyone was looking at her.
She gathered her strength and walked over to Thyme, standing in front of him with her head down.
"What are you doing?" Thyme asks. Gorya was shocked that she did that so it took her time to answer. "Answer me." He adds.
"I think it's too much." Gorya says as she looks Thyme in the eyes. All of F4 look at her in shock. "What did you just say?" Thyme asks.
"I said, I think it's too much. You can see my friend didn't mean to. Cant you forgive her? Please spare her." Gorya asks, looking him in the eyes.
"You dare order me around?" Thyme says as a smirk grows on his face.
"I'm not..." Gorya says as she looks up at Thyme.
She looks back down in fear.
"Sure. Sure. I forgive your friend, as per your order." Thyme says.
"You misunderstood, I didn't..." Gorya says as she is cut off by Thyme walking towards Hana.
"You're lucky to have such a good friend." Thyme says in Hana's ear as he leans back and looks at Gorya before walking away.
The rest of F4 follow him, leaving Gorya, standing in the middle of the cafeteria, terrified.