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The sun beams down on the church grounds, dew from the previous night’s rain pour still lingering on the grass of the football field. The grass was freshly cut, filling the surrounding area with the scent of the leafy greens.
On the pitch, the church boys dressed in bright yellow sport uniforms kick a football around. They look to be having a lot of fun, screams and laughter from them echo throughout the land. Barth gets a hold of the ball and he passes all the defenders, dribbling past everyone who was trying to intercept with their feet. He reaches the goal, pulls his right leg back and strikes the ball straight into the top right corner.
He runs over to his teammates where they wait with their hands extended to give him a high five, congratulating the boy for scoring the winning match point. The team celebrated him one by one, their full focus being on Barth. All while his own eyes drifted over to Tanrak.
Tanrak sat on the rocks watching the whole game play out in front of him. He saw the way Barth moved, kicking the football around like it was second nature. Tanrak wondered why he never saw Barth play football before, especially when he looked so good doing it. Sun shining down on his fluffy hair, tinting it a slight almond brownish hue. Cheeks flushed in the sun, turning a rosy shade of pink.
Humidity filled the air, sweat dripping down all the boys' faces in the heat. The final whistle sounds and the players fall to the floor, panting to gain their energy back.
“Come hand these out,” Master Phak tells Tanrak and a few others who were sitting on the rocks. They turn their heads towards the voice coming from above them. “A family brought these for us, so enjoy!” Master Phak leaves the cooler box filled with assorted beverages and colorful triangular jellies. The players’ get up from their spot on the grass and rush toward the box, immediately grabbing at the refreshments. Barth however, kept his place on the field.
Barth continued kicking the ball at the empty goal, practicing for their next game in a few days. Well, that was the excuse he used when Kongkit asked if he wanted to head to the showers. Deep down, Barth just wanted to spend time alone with Tanrak as they rarely have moments of privacy. The church was a busy place, no person was in a single place for long. So, Barth had to use any excuse he could come up with in order to spend time with Tanrak.
Master Phak tells the boys to head to the showers and get ready for class later. And so they did. Slowly but surely, the boys filtered off the field. “Hey Kong, you guys go first I’ll catch up” Tanrak turns and tells Kongdech who gives him a nod in return and walks away. Finally, leaving only Barth and Tanrak alone with one another.
Tanrak shifted slightly in his seat on the rocks, feeling nervous as Barth approached the ice cooler next to him. He opens the lid, only to be met with disappointment. In front of him laid ice. A lot of ice. No drinks or jellies to be seen. Tanrak watches as Barth sticks his hand in the ice, searching around for the chance that there is a leftover jelly but alas, nothing.
“Hm, they're all gone” Barth whispers, “I was looking forward to having one.” He closes the lid of the box and shakes his hand to get rid of the remaining water. He turns toward the boy next to him and Barth freezes in place. Eyes widening slightly, he cracks a smile. Tanrak sat in front of him, hand outstretched with two jellies laying in the middle of his palm.
“Hey, did you save this for me?” Barth questions, earning a soft nod from Tanrak. Barth picks the orange flavored jelly and pries open the plastic, popping it into his mouth. Tanrak watched in silent admiration, the way Barth’s jaw moved to chew the jelly, the little exhale of breath he let out when the chill of the jelly reached his tongue. Basking in the flavor and refreshness of the jelly, Barth opens his mouth again to show that he had finished it.
Tanrak opens the other jelly and puts it in his mouth, pushing the more pointy part out of his lips. He stares at Barth, waiting for him to notice. The jelly was the perfect shade of red and tasted like fresh, sweet strawberries. It hangs out his mouth, giving the illusion that he's sticking his tongue out at Barth. And Barth’s heart skips a beat. Multiple beats.
Barth stares at Tanrak’s face, his silly expression providing a warm feeling in the usual seriousness of everything. Barth’s heart fluttered at the sight of the boy moving the jelly around, playing with it like a little kid. He leans forward and Tanrak freezes in place, not knowing what to do, his breath hitches, ears feeling warmer than usual.
Barth lets his heart take over, even though his mind was screaming for him to act with reason. He leans within inches of Tanrak’s face. Butterflies fluttered in the stomachs of both the boys at the proximity. Pulse quickening, trying to hold onto any last bit of self control they have. Their eyes meet, gaze conveying more emotions and feelings than words ever could.
Barth parted his lips, inches slightly closer towards Tanrak’s face and takes’ a bite of the jelly that was sticking out of his mouth. Tanrak's eyes widened at the action, half the jelly still in his mouth. He then let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding in. The already existing blush on his face deepened. Barth then retracts backward, a smug expression painted all over his face. Feeling proud of himself for making the boy in front of him flustered.
Never once breaking eye contact with Tanrak throughout. He whispers,
“Hm, strawberry jelly.”