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Every year, the university hosted its week-long fair – a compilation of glowing lights; game stalls where you could win trinkets; sizzling mouth-watering food; questionable rides that creaked in the wind; and far too many students pretending they didn’t have projects due the next morning. It was tradition at the university – days of pure laughter and memories that somehow always ended with someone losing a shoe or their dignity.
Namtan, ever the extrovert, suggested to Film that they go together and make it a double date with Milk and Love since they were going anyway.
Film thought it was a cute idea – a nice break from her hectic schedule; good food; excellent company; and maybe even a chance to hold Namtan’s hand under the fair lights.
What she hadn’t expected was complete and mildly adorable chaos.
From the moment the group passed through the wired fence into the fair, Namtan was a force of nature.
“Okay! Here’s the plan,” she announced, marching ahead like someone in the Royal Thai Armed forces. “First, we eat something deep-fried. Next, spend a ridiculous amount of baht at the game stalls on something big enough to regret carrying home. Lastly, scream at least once on a ride.”
Love sighed. “Here we go.”
Milk simply saluted Namtan. “To making memories!”
Film giggled. “I feel like we’re about to get into some trouble. Am I in danger?” she joked.
Namtan smiled. “You’re going to love it.”
She wasn’t wrong.
The university had gone all out this year. Strings of colored lights were hung across the campus and fields where multiple rides had been set up. The scent of sweet desserts and grilled chicken skewers wafted through the air. Laughter spilled from every direction.
Film took it all in with wide eyes.
And Namtan?
Namtan couldn’t stop watching her.
But the peace only lasted about ten minutes when Milk stumbled upon a vendor with inflatable swords.
One moment, Namtan and Film were walking together, arms linked; the next, Milk and Namtan were chasing each other through the throng of people, mock-dueling and nearly knocking over a cotton candy stand.
Love didn’t even bother to stop them.
Film laughed so hard she could barely speak. “Should we–?”
“No,” Love said firmly. “They feed off attention.”
“I didn’t realize Namtan had this much energy…it’s cute.” Film covered her mouth trying and failing to keep her laughter under control.
Love gave her a knowing look, smirking. “It’s cute now, but just wait until she convinces campus security to join in.”
When Namtan and Milk finally returned, they were breathless – hair wild and each holding a bag of roti sai mai that they claimed to have earned through entertainment value. They looked far too pleased with themselves.
“See!” Namtan exclaimed proudly. “No danger at all!”
Love looked at the slightly dented popcorn stand behind them. “Sure.”
They wandered deeper into the fair, snacking on various foods. Occasionally, Namtan would feed Film small bites. Film smiled around it, cheeks warm and her whisker-dimples on full display.
Everything seemed to have gone back to an easy and bright atmosphere…until Namtan pointed dramatically at the bumper cars.
“Oh no,” Love muttered.
“Oh yes!” Milk exclaimed, grabbing Namtan and running off toward the ride.
Minutes later, chaos returned with a vengeance. Namtan and Milk’s friendly competition turned into an all-out war. Each crash was punctuated by laughter and threats of revenge.
Film winced at a particularly sharp collision. “Do we intervene?”
“Nope,” Love said, unbothered as she chewed her chicken skewer. “Let the kids work it out.”
Film’s eyes were soft as she watched Namtan – hair flying and grinning wide. She didn’t know she was smiling until Love called her out.
“You really like her,” she said, watching as Film couldn’t stop staring at Namtan.
Film bit her lip, trying not to smile. “Maybe a little.”
Love gave her a sincere smile, looping her arm through Film’s. “I like seeing you like this.”
Film tilted her head. “Like what?”
“Relaxed. Comfortable.” Love’s voice was quieter now, almost drowned out by the bumper cars in the background. “When you transferred here last year, it always seemed like you had this wall. Not in a bad way, just like you were still trying to figure out where you fit.”
“That’s…fair.” Film smiled faintly. “I’m not good with change. A new city. New people. It took a bit.”
“And now look at you.” Love nudged her shoulder lightly. “Dating the chaos that’s Namtan Tipnaree. Your girlfriend is good for you.”
Film choked on the tea she was sipping. “She’s not my girlfriend.”
“Yet,” Love mumbled.
Film looked down, a little shy. “She makes things easy…and loud.”
The two shared a laugh.
“But in a good way.”
“That’s Namtan. Loud with love.” Love laughed.
The two of them watched as the bumper car carnage unfolded – Milk’s evil laughter echoing through the area and Namtan shouting “Take that!” as she slammed her into the wall.
“They’re going to get banned from this fair aren’t they?” Film shook her head in amusement.
Love grinned. “Absolutely. But at least they’ll go down together.”
“I’m winning that for you,” Namtan exclaimed with determination as the group walked by the game stalls. Sitting in the back of the ring toss booth was a large panda plush nearly her size.
“You don’t have to–” Film began.
Namtan waved her off. “I must,” she declared. “My honor is on the line.”
Five minutes later, her honor was in shambles.
Rings bounced and ricocheted off the bottles. They went in every direction except where they were supposed to land. Each miss made Namtan groan louder.
Film tried, poorly, to hide her amusement behind her hand.
“This game is rigged!” Namtan groaned, frowning at the bottles that had offended her. “The tops are too wide.”
The vendor simply shrugged, “Or you lack the skill.”
Namtan glared at the vendor as Milk stepped up to the stall and handed over a few baht.
“Watch and learn from a true master.” She tossed one ring, casual with almost no effort.
It landed perfectly.
Milk turned to Namtan with a smirk as the vendor handed over a large cat plush. She turned to Love with a giant smile, giving her the cat. “For my beautiful girlfriend.”
Love rolled her eyes, but smiled. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Ridiculously skilled,” Milk said, giving her a quick kiss.
“Witch!” Namtan yelled, pointing her finger at Milk as she and Love walked away for another snack.
Film laughed softly, then picked up one of the rings Namtan had left behind. “Here, let me try.”
And on the first throw…clink.
The ring slid neatly onto the neck of the bottle, dead center.
Namtan’s mouth fell open almost comically. “You– what– how–”
Film just smiled, collecting the oversized panda from the very amused vendor. “Beginner’s luck?” She held out the panda plush to her. “For you.”
Namtan folded her arms, pretending to pout. “I was supposed to win it for you.”
Film tilted her head thoughtfully. “What if I want something else?”
Namtan blinked. “What…what do you want?”
Film leaned in, voice soft. “A kiss.”
Namtan froze, eyes wide. “Like now?”
Film chuckled, taking a moment to think before squeezing Namtan’s hand. “Later. But be prepared.”
She left Namtan standing there as she went to join Milk and Love.
Namtan could only nod, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
They walked for a while, talking and laughing – taking time to watch fire dancers perform near the university’s fountain.
Somewhere in the crowd, Milk and Love disappeared, Milk mumbling something about needing Love’s moral support to win a Demon Slayer figurine.
“Translation,” Film said with a grin, “They’re probably making out in the photo booth.”
“Probably.” Namtan laughed.
And then, Film saw it. The ferris wheel, glowing in a multitude of colors against the night sky.
“Oh, we have to go on it,” Film said excitedly.
Namtan followed her gaze and immediately regretted it. “Oh… uh… sure. Love ferris wheels. Love… being suspended hundreds of feet in the air and not at all thinking about my impending doom if something happens and I fall to my death.” She whispered the last part under her breath.
“What was that?” Film asked.
“Nothing,” Namtan insisted, even as her voice wobbled. “Let’s go.”
She grabbed Film’s hand and walked them to the line.
As they waited, Namtan couldn’t stop fidgeting. Her hands clutched the fur of the panda plush as they got closer to the front of the line.
Eventually, it was their turn. They clambered into the small metal cabin, situating the panda plush between them as they sat across from one another.
As the door clanged shut and the ferris wheel began its slow ascent, it creaked in a way that did not inspire Namtan with confidence.
Namtan held it together at first…mostly.
But as they climbed higher, the ground shrinking below, the creaks grew louder.
Namtan gripped her jeans so tightly her knuckles went white.
The rhythmic click of the wheel matched the pulsing in her chest – one, two, three. Faster and faster.
Namtan shut her eyes, trying to control her breathing and using the giant panda plush to hide her face from Film.
Film leaned toward the window, face lit up with wonder. “Look at the view! It’s so… beautiful.”
Namtan just nodded, her stomach flipping. “Yeah,” she said faintly, eyes still closed. “Very beautiful.”
Film turned back, catching the tension in Namtan’s shoulders and her eyes tightly shut. “You okay?
Namtan exhaled slowly, still not opening her eyes. “I’m good. All good.”
“You’re scared.” It wasn’t a question.
“Maybe a little,” Namtan squeaked, peeking one eye open. “But you wanted to ride it. You looked so excited and I wanted you to enjoy it…” She squeezed her eyes shut again. “Even if I’m terrified.”
For a second, Film just looked at her — really looked. The fair lights flickered over her face, and Film’s heart softened completely.
“You’re ridiculous,” she whispered.
And then carefully, trying not to move the cabin too much, she leaned in and kissed her.
It was soft at first, quick — just a press of warmth against trembling nerves.
Namtan froze, her eyes opening immediately. She was still clutching her jeans but Film could see she was beginning to relax, little by little.
She opened her mouth to say something, but then the ferris wheel jolted slightly making her instinctively shut her eyes again.
Film leaned in again and kissed her once more, slower this time. Gentle and deeper, sliding her hand around the back of Namtan’s neck.
And suddenly, Namtan wasn’t thinking about the creaking metal, the height, or the shaky swaying of the cabin.
Just Film and the sweet taste of her lips. She melted into the kiss.
Her hands had stopped gripping her jeans, instead finding their way to Film’s face, holding her like something fragile.
They had shared a number of shy cheek kisses before. Ones that were warm, familiar, and safe. But this – this was full, soft, and deliberate. Their first real kiss carried all the small moments of closeness they had been saving.
Namtan’s heart fluttered violently in her chest as they separated, but Film didn’t go far.
She rested her forehead against Namtan’s as the ferris wheel paused at the top, swaying gently.
“I… I forgot we were even up here,” she whispered, cheeks burning.
Film smiled, brushing their noses together. “Good, then I’m doing it right.”
“I think I could stay up here forever now.”
Film chuckled softly. “As long as you promise to get off eventually.” She kissed her again, tenderly, as if sealing a quiet promise. “But maybe without the panda in the way.”
Namtan laughed, pushing the panda’s head slightly out of the way as she finally initiated a kiss, full of determination.
As the ride began to descend, their hands remained intertwined, fingers laced.
Namtan finally let herself breathe, heart racing but for all the right reasons.
At the bottom, Namtan stumbled out, flushed and giddy, pulling the giant panda plush with her. “Maybe we should go again,” she said teasingly. “You know, so you can keep me calm.”
Film nudged her shoulder. “Maybe another time.”
Namtan caught her hand and kissed the back of it, lingering, murmuring softly, “I’m holding you to that.”
Film smiled, cheeks flushed.
That’s when Milk and Love appeared, arms full of prizes, lipstick slightly smudged.
Milk was oblivious to the scene unfolding, but Love just smirked. “Well, well… you two are glowing. And I know it’s not from the fair lights.”
Film rolled her eyes, but she didn’t let go of Namtan’s hand.
They walked hand in hand as the fair buzzed around them. The lights shimmered, laughter echoing through the night as if the fair itself was celebrating the start of something unbreakable between them.