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The late afternoon sun beamed through the windows of Auntie Pen’s shop. The smell of the burning incense sticks in the altar within the store floods the surrounding area. The sound of cars passing by in the distance fills the room where the 3 boys stand in.
Ko Neung, Augar and August browse through the endless racks of school uniforms, trying to find the perfect fit for themselves. 10th grade was starting soon, this meant a significant change from the familiar faces they have seen everyday for the past few years.
“We need to build a bigger gang now.” Ko Neung says to the brothers, which in return they both give him a playful hit on the head. Shaking his head at Ko Neung’s comment, Augar continues searching the shelves and racks, pushing the clothes back and forth.
“So? Don't I look cool?” Ko Neung buttons up his shirt and turns toward August. A smirk on his face awaiting a positive reply from his friends.
“Yeah, yeah p’Ko. Hurry up and pay.” August replies, rolling his eyes at the boy in front of him. A hint of slight sarcasm lacing his words.
“After you finish, come with me. I have something to show you.” August tells the 2 boys and turns to walk out of the store while Ko Neung pulls out his wallet and heads to the cash register, leaving Augar alone to browse the items on the shelf.
The sounds of struggle and the aggressive rustling of fabric behind Augar catches his attention. Augar turns around in confusion, only to be met by the side profile of another boy. He was slightly shorter and dressed in different shades of brown clothing that didn't match. The boy was standing on his tippy toes, extending his little arms and trying his level best to reach for the shirt on the highest rack.
“Hey, why don't you use the stick?” Augar suggests with a soft smile to the struggling boy in front of him who seemed to have given up.
“I'm sorry, it's my first time buying shirts alone.” The boy replies softly while turning to face Augar.
Augar freezes, his smile wavering slightly at the sight of the boy. Augar recognises him. It’s the same boy who would sit on the sidelines during his basketball games in the 9th grade. Augar knew that he didn't watch the games specifically for him but he always felt a certain connection toward the boy dressed in all brown.
“Here, I'll get it down for you.” Augar says while reaching over to the wall where the stick rested against. He points the stick up toward the rack and uses it to hook onto the hanger containing the shirt. Once the shirt was hooked on properly, he lowered the stick down toward the boy.
“Thank you so much,” He takes the shirt hanger of the hook, “So, are you new here? I dont think ive seen you before.” He questions Augar with softness and genuine curiosity in his voice.
“No, I've been going to the same school as you, Achi.”
“Oh? You know my name?”
“Of course I do, you watch all the basketball games I play in”
August replays the moment he first noticed Achi in his head.
-
The echo of the final whistle rang through the court, signifying the end of the final basketball match. All their efforts have gone to waste. They had lost by 2 points. The team walked off the pitch with their heads hung low, sweat dripping from their foreheads.
“It’s okay! Keep your head up, you will get them next time!” A voice shouted from the seats up in the stands. Everyone turned their heads toward the voice to see Achi standing up from his seat, shouting these words of encouragement. Although Augar knew that Achi wasn't talking to him specifically, he still felt something flutter in his heart. Since then, Achi has never left Augar’s mind.
-
“Oh… yeah I do,” Achi says in response to Augar. “What’s your name?” Achi questions.
“Augar.”
“Okay Augar, I promise I'll recognize you next time” Achi smiles at Augar, the golden sun shining on them through the windows, leaving a golden hue behind.
“I’ll hold you to that promise” Augar teases back.
Achi nods his head in response, as he turns around to go pay for the school uniform in his hands. Leaving Augar standing in the middle of the shop alone. A tiny smile starts to grow on his face at the realization that he finally spoke to the boy he has been crushing on for more than a year. The boy who gained his interest at first sight. Even though Achi had no clue who he was originally, the small promise he made to Augar meant a lot.
“Hurry up! What’s taking so long?” August shouts at Augar from the front door of the shop.
“Coming!”