Chapter Text
"Is this my heart going crazy?"
******
“It’s too hot today!” I rushed into the building, clutching a cone of melting ice cream. The sun outside felt like it was sitting right on top of my head.
The entrance of Baan Lanna Grove was quiet as always, soft yellow walls, rows of potted plants along the corners, and wind chimes swaying lazily in the afternoon heat. I turned right toward the elevator, hoping it wouldn't take forever.
“Aee—Aee—Aee...” My ice cream began sliding through my fingers, sticky trails of butterscotch dripping down my hand. “Damn it.” I quickly licked the melting mess before pressing the elevator button with my clean hand.
The digital numbers above blinked slowly... 10... 9... 8.
I sighed and watched a gecko crawl across the ceiling. The building had a stillness that felt almost sleepy.
Finally, the doors opened with a ding. A few people stepped out, I noticed two people. One of them was Uncle Korn from the 7th floor.
Beside him trotted a fluffy Samoyed with snow-white fur and a pink tongue hanging out. That was Tuktuk—his sweet, cloud-like dog. “Hello, Jimmy,” Uncle Korn said, smiling. “Is the weather too much today?” I nodded, grinning.
“Are you taking Tuktuk out for a walk, uncle?” I crouched down to rub the dog’s belly. "Yes, he is just too excited to go out." Tuktuk gave a happy little wiggle. He never bites or growls just leans into your hand, asking silently for more belly rubs.
When Uncle Korn gets busy, I sometimes take him for walks around the neighborhood. Uncle Korn is kind like that.
He even makes me Bua Loi as a thank-you, warm coconut milk and soft rice balls that make you feel like someone cares. “Jimmy, come to my home for dinner someday—it’s been so long since your last visit.” A woman’s voice called as i stood up.
It was Aunty Ning from the 7th floor. Her son, Ryujin, stays in a dorm but will be back soon for summer break. “Ryujin will be home this weekend. Stop by sometime.” N' Ryujin is a good kid—we often play video games when he’s around. “Yes, Aunty,” I smiled. “I’m looking forward to playing games with him too.”
As they walked out of the building, I stepped inside the elevator and pressed 12.
Most people in Baan Lanna Grove are really kind. There’s P'Poppy from 11th, and P'Zee and N'New, the newlyweds who just moved in.
This building feels like a small family sometimes. I finished the last bit of my ice cream just as the elevator let out a ding. The doors opened and a wave of loud music crashed into me.
It had been such a peaceful day… but how could I forget? Flat 1212. Net. “That scum.” I grumbled. “It must be him again.” I wasn’t in the mood for a fight. I walked past the elevator lobby and unlocked the door to my flat- 1211. “Why isn’t anyone yelling at him yet? Is no one else on this floor?” I muttered.
I remembered not many people stayed on this level. The elevator sat between two wings. Each hallway had eight flats.
On the right, people stayed in 1209, 1211, 1212, and 1215. On the left, just 1203 and 1207 were empty. Still.
That music? Way too loud. "You love my lips 'cause they say the Things we've always been afraid of..." The song poured in from the wall.
I flopped onto my beanbag, opened my phone, and muttered, “What should I eat today?”
"I wanna trust me, ooh..."
"Trust me!!” I found myself singing along.
“Ughhhhh!” I shut the phone off and stood up.
That was it.
Time to knock Net down a notch.
I jumped to my feet, nearly slipped on the rug, and yanked open my door
BANG!
“Oops… didn't mean to slam it. Whatever.” I turned right and marched up to 1212.
Knock knock!
No answer.
I knocked again still nothing.
My eyes narrowed.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!!
The music kept playing. I took a big breath and raised my fist to knock again—
Click
The door opened with a soft sound. “ARE YOU CRAZY? HAVE YOU LOST WHAT’S LEFT OF YOUR SANITY?! DO YOU THINK YOU OWN THIS BUILDING? WHY ARE YOU SO DESPERATE TO GET BEATEN UP, NET?!—” I paused mid-yell.
That... wasn’t Net.
Standing in the doorway was someone else.
A young man, beautiful in a way that almost hurt to look at. His eyes were deep, like still water you could fall into. His lips were soft and pink, shiny like he’d just put gloss on. His skin was smooth, his face almost glowing in the hallway light.
“Excuse me—” he spoke, his voice so gentle it made my heart stop. “I’m really sorry about the music. We didn’t know anyone else was on this floor. We thought everyone was out.”
I heard him, but everything felt a little fuzzy. His words blurred as I stared, knees weak, head spinning. How is someone this beautiful real? Something about him tugged at my memory. And then it hit me.
OHM KRIT.
That Ohm Krit?! The Instagram-famous influencer the one people call a DIVA?!?! That POPULAR DIVA IS STANDING BEFORE ME!?!! He’s here—in 1212?! He’s living NEXT DOOR?! My jaw dropped.
“Hey! Hey! Jimmy!” Wait—why does my angel suddenly sound so rude now?
SMACK.
My head turned with a sharp flick. I blinked. It was Net. “Back to Earth now?” he said, raising a brow like I was the crazy one.
I touched my cheek. “Did you just slap me?!” Net ignored that. Of course. I looked past him.
The angel, Ohm was still there, peeking out from behind, his eyes curious. I almost thought Net was hiding him, but then again… Net’s kind of short. “I didn’t know you had someone over,” I muttered.
“He’s my cousin,” Net said flatly. “He’s staying here during his break. Any Problem?” I stepped forward, brushing Net aside like he was a curtain. “I had no idea you had Ohm Krit as your cousin.”
The angel himself smiled and held out a hand. “I’m Ohm. I promise, while I’m here, I won’t be any trouble.”
That smile.
My heart was SCREAMING.
Up close, his smile was even more beautiful than it looked online. I held his hand, "I'm Jimmy."