Nine centimeters

There are several songs about the November rains, the lyrics tell stories with sad endings about a love not reciprocating or an end of relationship, in any case, during the rain people become more reflective about their feelings. And for me, there is a song in particular that played when I fell in love for the first and last time.

It was November and the light rain fell on the plastic of the umbrella. The sky was dark that night and the streetlights created a lighted path to the dorm. I was late again, I spent so much time in the library that I missed the time to return, my roommate Korn had sent me dozens of messages mentioning how late he was for that Thursday night meeting.

When the music fell silent on the headphones I could hear the drops of water falling on the umbrella. I stopped halfway and took off the left phone; I loved that sound, the wet breeze touching my skin and the cold water falling on my palm. The first notes of November rain started in the right earphone. I raised my face looking at the sky and let the air out closing my eyes.

Footsteps of someone running over puddles of water seemed closer by the second.I opened my eyes and saw him for the first time. The pale skin under the soaked white shirt, the black hair wet over the forehead and the small feline eyes. He had the beauty that I had never seen before in my life, there was something about that boy that made him special to me ... Maybe the sad expression, maybe the music playing in my ear.

He passed me and I followed him with my eyes until I lost sight of him. He disappeared in the same way he appeared in the night.

Later, when Arthit entered the room, he found Korn wearing sunglasses lying on the floor like a starfish. Arthit knew what he would say the same second he saw him open his mouth.

"You are super late, my dear." said Korn "The meeting ended ten minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, I couldn't make it in time." Arthit apologized for taking off his shoes "Do you have the food list?"

"The list?" Korn seemed to think for a few seconds, and then he quickly sat down "The list!"

The young man put his hands on his head for remembering something so important and at the same time for being almost knocked over by the strong dizziness he felt.

"Ah, ah, dizziness, dizziness." complained Korn "Doctor, save me from this dizziness."

Arthit smiled at the dramatic Korn and placed the backpack on the study table.

"You need to stop standing up abruptly, Korn." warned Arthit for the twenty-fifth time that year "And why are you wearing sunglasses in your room?"

Korn sighed and lowered his glasses to look at him. From that distance Arthit looked like someone tall, the nine-cent difference between the two seemed much bigger seen from there; Korn smiled wanly and adjusted his posture to show that he was now a stylish guy.

"My new style. What do you think, doctor?" asked Korn with an excited smile on his face.

"You look good with them in the day." Arthit sat on the chair and opened the backpack.

Korn laughed and took off his glasses as he got up. He liked Arthit's sincerity and thought he was a great friend, although he was only teasing him with his eccentric tastes.

"You know how to convince me, doctor." Korn teased "I'm a really beautiful guy."

Arthit scratched his forehead and let out a nasal laugh at his friend's stupid comment. There was something he needed to do at that moment, something important.

"What would you decide?" asked Arthit as I opened the notebook "I need the list too."

Korn grimaced at forgetting to make the food list. No one could blame him for forgetting this detail when all the members of the theater club were engaged in arguing about who could work with P'An, the most beautiful girl in the club. Korn tried dozens of times to put order in the meeting that transformed with each passing minute in a battle of arguments over who was the best.

"We don't get to decide what we're going to serve." said Korn frustrated as he sat in Arthur's bed "We didn't really decide anything. The guys were too busy fighting over who was the best."

"Okay. We can do this." Arthit turned to him and smiled sweetly "This is not a problem for us, but I will need your help."

A smile lit up Korn's face instantly. He would do whatever was asked of him as long as he could get on with what he had planned for his club's tent.

"I am at your disposal, doctor." said Korn excitedly "Whatever you ask of me, I will do."

"That's nice." Arthit smiled and turned to the table "We need to decide together what to serve at the festival."

"I had thought of putting recipes in line with the time of the play we are going to stage." Korn shared his idea "P'An said that if we made some traditional dishes it would be perfect for visitors to feel like they were traveling through time. And I have to agree with her."

"Hmm, it's an excellent idea." Arthit agreed as he scribbled the notebook "Do you have anything in mind?"

"No, but I thought about calling my grandma tomorrow and asking her." Korn was excited that she was finally talking to someone about preparing for the festival "Grandma cooks very well and has an old cookbook that comes from long generations."

"This is perfect." Arthit said concentrating "I hope she doesn't mind sharing her knowledge with us."

"Grandma will be happy, I am absolutely sure." Korn lay in bed smiling "I haven't seen her in a while. We can go over the weekend, what do you think?"

Arthit kept himself so focused on the shape that the drawing won that he forgot to answer Korn. What at first were just lines and scribbles at that moment had become a face. And the small feline eyes seemed to look directly at him.

He did not notice when Korn got up from the bed and approached him, craning his neck to see what caught his attention.

"Who is he?" the curious young man asked.

"What a fright!" exclaimed Arthit with a spasm of fright.

Korn laughed and looked back at the boy drawn in the notebook.

"So, Doctor, who is this guy?" curious Korn asked again.

"I do not know." Arthit looked at the thoughtful drawing "I saw it earlier and the face does not leave my head."

"Was he a visitor? I never saw him here." commented Korn thoughtfully taking the notebook to get a better look.

"I don't know ..." Arthit sighed and turned to face Korn "Would it be strange if I said that I still see him in my mind?"

Korn returned the notebook to the table and looked at Arthit.

"I don't see any problem. According to what you drew, he seems to be a very handsome guy, maybe that caught your attention." commented Korn.

"Perhaps." Thoughtful Arthit looked at the graffiti on the paper bringing the image of the wet boy running in the rain "Do you think it is possible for someone to fall in love at first sight?"

"Hmm, I think a lot is possible in this life." said Korn wisely and walked over to the desk in the other room, bringing his chair to sit "Did you fall in love with him?"

Holding the pencil between his fingers, Arthit was silent for a few moments. He needed to reflect a little more before he answered.

"I don't know, Korn. For some strange reason, I felt I needed to keep that image." Arthit admitted as he stared at the drawing, letting out a frustrated sigh.

"Hm, you never told me that you liked boys." Korn commented curiously.

Arthit looked at him "And I don't like it, or I didn't like it. I don't know anymore."

"Okay, okay." Korn got up and approached Arthit "Come on, get up and go take a shower. You are tired and confused, a shower will do you good."

"You're right." Arthit got up and walked to the bathroom.

Korn knew his best friend very well and knew that he would think about it for hours and sometimes even days. And nothing would make you feel better than a nice, warm shower on a rainy night.

(***)

The next morning Korn walked to the campus canteen, a little earlier than he used to. He intended to have breakfast with ease and enjoy the morning's calm before going to business school; she chose her meal that day and walked to the nearest table.Not a minute has passed since he sat down, before he could take the first spoonful, his mouth heard LINE's message ring again and again; she exhaled in frustration when she viewed the messages, someone had exchanged the reports.

Korn blocked the cell phone screen, frustrated that they had spoiled the morning with the worry that was forming in his mind. At that point all he had to do was run to college and solve the problem before class.

When he thought about getting up, he came across Type from the engineering course. "Sawasdee Krub." Type greeted him before sitting at the table "P'Korn brought the list of materials for the festival."

Korn looked at the boy in surprise and soon after an animated smile lit up his face. "Let me see."

"After what happened last night, I felt bad because we have so many kids in the club." Type justified himself by handing the list over to Korn "I called P'An and together we made a list of materials we need to make the costumes. If you don't approve, we can get together later and work it out."

"You were very specific." Korn commented as he read the notes, "I like that. It means you're working hard."

Korn smiled sweetly at Type so that his narrow eyes disappeared into just two dashes. He was really happy that someone cared about the event and is willing to work hard.

"We are very excited for the festival." said Type with excitement "It will be a great day for the theater club."

"It will be." agreed Korn when returning the list "But we need the other members to care as much as you do. They are more focused on who is going to kiss P'An."

The grimace that Korn made brought out a few laughs from Type. "Don't worry, P'Korn. I have an idea."

A notification popped up on Korn's cell phone screen, his eyes went to the message displayed there. A sigh of relief escaped as he was informed that the problem with the reports had been solved and delivered correctly to the teacher. When Korn looked up he noticed the confused expression on Type's face, so he smiled sweetly.

"I'm sorry. A little problem with my course." Korn apologized, looking at him "What's your idea?"

Type was not upset by P'Korn's short distraction with his cell phone. In fact, since he saw him a few minutes ago, while picking up the silverware, Type wondered what could have taken P'Korn's morning smile, and at that moment his curiosity was sated.

"Do you need to go over there?" wondered Type concerned about taking his time.

"No, no. Everything has already been resolved." Korn smiled at him "Come on, tell me your idea."

Smiling with relief, Type can then share with him the little idea he had worked out last night to get everyone to work together.

Nearby, in the campus parking lot, a large black motorcycle slowed to a stop in one of the free spaces. At that moment, the attention of many of the students who were passing by returned entirely to the boy on the motorcycle; the second the helmet was removed sighs escaped the lips of some girls and even boys. It was Arthit, the medical veteran, the boy that many of the girls thought was the most handsome at the university, which would be an exaggeration, since there were many handsome boys on campus.

Arthit had received numerous invitations to model in some agencies, he was elected as a freshman the king of the festival, but none of this had any meaning for him, in fact, Arthit prefers to focus only on study and cooking.

The cell phone reported a message, Arthit took off his gloves before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the device. It was Gun asking about the meeting before lunch at the club.

Walking towards the canteen Arthit smiled politely at the students who greeted him. He was really popular and loved. Everyone knew him in a way, there was always someone to tell who Arthit was; there were many rumors spread and some of them were indeed true. Who has never heard of the medical student hitting other people? The handsome doctor? The president of the talented cooking club? Or the short guy who knocked out the engineering student? There was always new speculation about Arthit.

Korn raised his hand as soon as he saw Arthit cross the canteen. From a distance he could see his friend's good mood, making him conclude that Arthit no longer thought about the boy in the cartoon.

Greeting everyone seated at the table Arthit sat down, leaving his backpack on the bench.

"Why are you here so early?" asked Korn "I thought your first class was at 9:00 am."

"It is, but I need to do some things first." said Arthit and looked at Type "It's good to see you here, N'Type."

Arthit took the backpack while the two boys looked at him confused. Taking a pink notebook out of the first pocket, Arthit handed it to the youngest.

"This belongs to your sister. She left it on the bench the other day." Arthit gave a weak smile for remembering that it wasn't exactly like that.

Earth had been going to the club that day just to flirt with him. It was an uncomfortable and embarrassing moment for Arthit, he felt chills just to remember. That day, Earth followed him everywhere, always talking nonstop, making plans for both of them, pushing everyone who approached him and telling anyone that he was flirting with Arthit and so no one else should try. He was polite from the start by asking him to stop, not to bother him and to respect his space, but his patience went to the limit when Earth disrespected club members by saying that all the girls there were "harem sluts" waiting for the time sure to steal Arthit from her.

Everyone knew that should never mess with the girls at the cooking club, no one would dare say a single offensive word to those girls. Arthit protected them like an older brother, if anyone wanted to see him angry, just touch one of them. Jack the engineering student took a few punches from Arthit last year for acting obsessively with Yuki, a Nong from Arthit; that year Jack chased her and threatened her after the relationship ended, Yuki was scared and cried in the corners for knowing only after the end who really was Jack. Arthit at first only observed the situation until he got to the point where he needed to intervene, when Jack tried to force Yuki to get into the car, so that same day the new rumors about Arthit spread on campus. The doctor who beat up a person until he passed out.

"Oh, I'm going to give it back to her." said Type confused as he picked up the notebook "Thank you, P'Arthit."

"You're welcome." Arthit nodded.

"Aren't you going to have coffee?" asked Korn looking at Arthit.

"Yes I will." Arthit smiled as he got up.

"We can take this time to decide some things for the festival." suggested Korn and looked at Type "Do you have class now, N'Type?"

"No." Type smiled excitedly, "I'm free."

"I'm going to get my coffee and I'll be right back." warned Arthit.

The two boys nodded as they watched him walk away. Korn immediately tried to tell Type the ideas he had for decorating the tent, as well as the themed dishes for the event.

(***)

The last classes had been canceled for Arthit's class, the reason was said twice by the last teacher who made sure to explain carefully so that no new questions would come interrupting him. Arthit would have paid attention if he hadn't been drawing during the minutes of explanation; morning went by so slowly that time brought to mind the memories of last night, again that mysterious person was taking over his thoughts. He could not forget the small eyes, the red lips and the thin face, he could not take the image of the dark strands stuck to the pale, wet skin. He couldn't forget the boy from last night.

The cell phone vibrated, bringing him back from his thoughts. In the classroom, the students withdrew gradually while complaining about the deadline for the report that was due that day. Arthit visualized the messages and quickly tossed his things into the backpack; he was in a hurry, he needed to run if he wanted to avoid a tragedy.

GUN: We have a problem at the club.

GUN: A strange guy punched N'Fai. I tried to catch him, but he is very strong.

No one had ever seen Arthit run that way, nor was he pushed around by hearing a loud "sorry" request. Wherever he went he left disorder and confusion on people's faces.

When he finally arrived at the club he was panting and sweating, the screams from inside the room could be heard from the outside, and this caught the attention of a few curious people. Arthit entered the place without even catching his breath; the instant he saw the stranger punching Gun's face he advanced on the unknown boy, hitting him in the back with both feet. The stranger caught by surprise fell on the bench chairs and uttered a few bad words of pain. Breathing heavily, Arthit caught his breath as he had a sharp gaze on the boy complaining on the floor.

"What do you think you are doing ?!" He shouted the stranger and tried to get up the first time.

"I should be asking that!" Growled Arthit enraged, changing his voice in the next second "What the fuck are you doing here ?! Who are you, shit ?!"

The blood ran hot in Arthit's veins, it looked like lava and the boy's skin boiled to a red color on his face. He was enraged.

"N'Arthit." An quickly approached, holding his left arm with both hands, feeling the warm skin under his palms.

"How dare you talk to me like that, you son of a bitch ?!" he shouted the boy on the floor "Who do you think you are, huh?! You little shit!"

The stranger that no one knew his name, nor did he know where he came from, except for Fai, who knew him very well, took it with both hands on his right rib. He probably fractured a rib or two when he fell on the chairs. The impact had been stronger than what they had seen.

"I'll show you who I am!" Snarled Arthit, ridding An and advancing on the boy.

The three girls in the room screamed desperately trying to find a way to separate them, with each punch that Arthit threw or received made them uneasy. They tried to wake Gun who remained passed out on the floor, the youngest-Yuki-used all her strength to drag Gun to a safe place while she tried to protect him from objects that fell on the floor or were thrown. An attempted a first time to push them away, but he was punched in the belly by the taller boy, which only caused more hatred in Arthit and made him hit harder making the blood run down his opponent's face.

Fai, who had run outside looking for help, found several people watching and filming with cell phones, some were tense and worried, but were afraid to join the fight, others did not hide how much fun they were having with the gratuitous violence. The girl gave up on them the same minute she realized that no one was going to do anything; she ran around looking for people willing to help, and then saw a group of boys sitting at the table under the shade of the trees.

"Help me, please. They're fighting in my club." Asked the desperate girl in tears.

Fai didn't need to say more than that, just seeing the young girl's condition, the three freshmen quickly got up leaving their belongings on the table and ran next to her towards the place.

Before Fai could return with help, Korn had arrived at the club. What for him would be a quick pass just to drop some papers became minutes of tension and fear.

"Arthit!" Korn shouted and ran to catch him.

Although Arthit was smaller than he was, what he lacked in height was made up for in strength, and Korn knew he couldn't do it alone.

"That's enough, Arthit!" He asked Korn to use force to restrain him "You will kill him if you continue."

When the unknown boy advanced on Korn and Arthit, three boys rush into the room and hold them. In that minute, Korn breathed a sigh of relief at seeing more people, or else he would have to testify in court if Arthit kept hitting that guy.

"Let me go." Growled Arthit angrily.

"No, until you calm down." Korn said sharply.

"I will not do anything." Arthit easily got rid of Korn's hands.

"I hope not." Korn looked at him disapprovingly.

The unknown boy could barely stand up, he was so ill that he dared not say a word if it were. One of the freshmen who held him suggested that he take him quickly to the campus infirmary, but the other intervened and said that in those conditions in which he was right, it would be taking him to the hospital.

Fai watched them both with teary eyes. Her heart was broken, she didn't know how to react to seeing her best friend so hurt; Fai felt angry when Ton hit him and knocked out his senior, P'Gun, but seeing him so hurt, it broke her heart.

"P'Ton ..." she approached crying "P'Ton ... I'm sorry ..."

Arthit clenched his fists tightly because he realized that his efforts only served to bring Fai closer to the attacker.

"Arthit!" Korn called out to him when he saw him walking in quick steps towards the door.

Over the looks of everyone outside, Arthit passed. The whispers, the strange looks and the expression on the students' faces, all of which he noticed, but he preferred to cross the campus ignoring the existence of everyone. Arthit knew how wrong he was, and frankly there was no way he was more sorry; he should have kept control, he shouldn't even have wanted to go there.

His parents were now going to eat his raw liver when they discovered the great idiocy he had done. Perhaps he was even expelled from the university this time, there were many possibilities of what could happen to him that day and none of it was good.

While mentally scolding himself, Arthit ran into someone taller than him. The boy did not apologize, nor did he look up to see who it might be, he just kept walking with his face closed and his fists sawed. Whoever looked at him at that moment would be afraid, believing that Arthit was willing to buy a fight with anyone who came along, when in fact he was just being martyred inside. Appearances are definitely deceiving.

The boy watched the shorter one walk away. As a slight smile played on his lips. In his eyes that Nong was someone very cute, he looked like an angry tiger cub. Placing his hands in the pockets of his black fabric pants, he thought for a moment whether or not he should follow him.

"He's so tiny. Will he bite someone?" asked himself thoughtfully.

Walking in the same direction that the little Nong followed he can see him just ahead. Looking from that distance he could have sworn that the little person would be hunting someone and that made him curious. What could someone so tiny do? Bite the cinnamon? Kicking the ankle? Maybe punch that place?

"Is it the P'Arthit over there?" heard a girl comment.

"Speak softly. He can come to us." scolded another girl.

Disguising the interest in the subject, the boy stopped and bent down pretending to tie the laces, they did not notice his presence there, his eyes were fixed on the little boy walking to the parking lot.

"Did you see it on Jenny's page? He beat up someone else again. They said he hit a Junior." Commented the girl with the hair stuck in a bun "It is the biggest uproar on Facebook."

"What?!" The friend was shocked "I don't believe that. P'Arthit would never hit a woman, if he beat up a person I bet it was to protect someone."

"Oh, how you are deluded." disagrees the girl "You are easily fooled by his pretty face."

The boy got up walking again leaving the girls' discussion aside; part of his curiosity had been quenched, now that he knew at least the little man's name. His eyes searched for the small person, but he was no longer in the parking lot. After walking all over the place, looking behind the five cars that were there, he didn't find it.

Hyun Jun sighed in frustration at losing sight of someone so interesting to him.