It is the anniversary of Red Fountain Academy, most of the students are got up early for the preparations and one of them is Esther.

Esther is combing her hair when Best woke up.

“What time is it?” Best asks half asleep.

“5:30.” Esther said.

“Why are you so early?” Best asks.

“I need to be at the theatre. Fern is already on her way there.” Esther said.

“I’m gonna sleep one more hour.” Best said.

“Don’t you need in the swimming club?” Esther asks.

“They need me but I can still sleep another hour.” Best said.

“Ok.” Esther said and let her best friend sleep.

……………………………………………………

Tao and Thorn are walking around the academy early morning.

“This will be your last day, right?” Tao said.

“Yeah. I’m leaving tonight.” Thorn said.

“I’m sorry I can’t give you a farewell party. Why do you need to leave in the day of the anniversary?” Tao said.

“Because I am preventing you to arrange a farewell party to me.” Thorn said.

“How about Esther? Do you really want to leave her?” Tao asks.

“My decision is final.” Thorn said.

Speaking of Esther, Esther is walking towards them.

“Good morning.” Esther greets.

“Good morning. You’re very early today.” Tao said.

“I need to.” Esther said.

“Are you going to the theatre?” Tao asks.

“Yes.” Esther said.

“Thorn will walk with you.” Tao said.

“Eh?” Esther and Thorn are shocked.

“Thorn and I are checking everything just the two of us because the others are busy with their own clubs. Our work will be faster if we are going separate.” Tao said.

“I see.” Esther said.

“I’m leaving now. I’ll check the art club.” Tao said and left.

Thorn and Esther went to the theatre club. The two are silent while walking.

Just then, Gypsy and Jes came.

“Good morning.” The two greet.

“Good morning.” Esther greets.

“Thorn, from now on I will not be jealous of you every time you talk to Gypsy because we are now official.” Jes said.

“Huh? Aren’t you two started dating months ago?” Thorn asks.

“Just some fake relationships but since yesterday, we are now official.” Jes said.

Esther and Thorn don’t know what to say.

“By the way, you’re leaving tonight, right? Do you want me to drive you to the airport?” Jes said.

Esther is shocked.

“You’re leaving tonight?” Esther asks.

“Yes. I told you I am leaving.” Thorn said.

“But you didn’t told me that it is tonight.” Esther said and walks away.

Thorn followed her.

Gypsy hits Jes.

“Ouch! What?” Jes asks.

“Why did you tell that Thorn is leaving tonight?” Gypsy asks.

“So?” Jes asks.

“Urgghh!” Gypsy said and left.

……………………………………………………

Esther went to the Green Fountain Paradise and Thorn followed her there.

“Esther, I’m sorry.” Thorn said.

“Why didn’t you tell me? Are you afraid that I will stop you?” Esther asks.

“No. I am afraid that if I see you at the airport, it will stop me from leaving.” Thorn said.

Thorn holds Esther’s hands.

“I always love you, babe. You never leave in my heart. Leaving you is so hard but I need to do it.” Thorn said.

“Then, I’ll wait for you.” Esther said.

“No. I don’t want you to wait for me. I want you to forget about me and find another guy that will love you.” Thorn said.

“But-”

“I will be much happy if you do that.” Thorn said and left.

Esther can’t help but to cry after Thorn left. She wants to tell him she loves him but how can she say that when he himself is going away.

……………………………………………………

Theatre…

At exactly 3:00 in the afternoon, the play will begin.

“Good luck, everyone.” Gypsy told them.

Gypsy noticed Gypso in the corner of the stage.

“Are you alright?” Gypsy asks.

“Huh? Ah yeah… I’m just nervous.” Gypso said.

“You’ll do great.” Gypsy said.

“Thanks.” Gypso said.

Gypsy looks around.

“Fern, have you seen Esther?” Gypsy asks.

“No. I haven’t seen her since this morning.” Fern said.

“I’ll be back.” Gypsy said and left.

……………………………………………………

Gypsy went to their secret garden and as she expected Esther there.

“I knew you will be here.” Gypsy said.

Esther wipes her tears.

“Have you been crying here this morning?” Gypsy asks.

“I still love him but he himself is moving away from me.” Esther said.

“Then, you must do something for him.” Gypsy said. “Let’s go. You should see him.”

Gypsy and Esther left.

……………………………………………………

The two went to see Tao.

“President Tao, where’s Shaun?” Gypsy asks.

“He already left.” Tao said.

“What?” Gypsy said.

“He needs to be at the airport early and besides it will take him almost 5 hours to travel from here to there.” Tao said.

“When did he left?” Gypsy asks.

“An hour ago.” Tao said.

Gypsy and Esther left.

“We can’t catch up.” Esther said.

“I’ll drive.” Gypsy said.

“But it is very far.” Esther said.

“Trust me.” Gypsy said.

They are going now to Gypsy’s car when Puifai’s car stops at their front.

“Get in.” Puifai said.

“Puifai?” Gypsy asks.

“I can drive faster than you.” Puifai said.

Gypsy and Esther get in the car.

……………………………………………………

“Puifai, I don’t get it. Why are you helping Esther?” Gypsy asks while Puifai is driving.

“I am not helping Esther, I am helping you. I don’t want you to drive because even though you can walk you must not abuse your feet.” Puifai said.

“Puifai…” Gypsy said.

“Supreeleela, I owe you an apology. I shouldn’t have did those things. I’m sorry.” Puifai said.

“Apology accepted.” Esther said.

Puifai smiled.

Gypsy is happy that her best friend is finally apologized to Esther.

“You should start hanging out with us.” Gypsy said.

“Malaysia.” Puifai said ignoring what Gypsy said.

“What?” Esther asks.

“Thorn is going to Malaysia.” Puifai said. “And I heard that you are going to study there too.”

“Where did you heard that?” Esther asks. Then, she remembers someone. “I see.”

“Then, if Shaun is going to Malaysia and you also going to Malaysia, there’s still a chance for the two of you.” Gypsy said.

“You’re right.” Esther said and feels happy.

……………………………………………………

Suvarnabhumi Airport…

“Thanks for staying with me even though you’re busy with the anniversary, P’Sita.” Thorn said.

“You’re just lucky because tomorrow is the schedule of the Art Club to show to the board of directors our presentation.” Sita said. “Anyway, have you talk to Supreeleela?”

“Yes.” Thorn said.

“And what did she said?” Sita asks.

“She wants to wait for me.” Thorn said.

“Good. That is mean that she still loves you.” Sita said.

“I told her not to wait for me and forget about me.” Thorn said.

“What? You told her that? You’re stupid!” Sita said.

“I just don’t want her to always love me now that I am far away from her. I want her to love a guy that will be always on her side.” Thorn said.

“So, you are just giving up now?” Sita asks.

Thorn nodded.

“Wow… All the efforts to make her forgive you is a waste of time.” Sita said.

“It is not a waste of time. I did that so I can leave without thinking of her.” Thorn said.

“Don’t you know that what you did made you only miss her? Besides, if she still hates you, there’s a chance that she will forget you and find a new guy.” Sita said.

“Is that so?” Thorn asks.

Sita nodded.

“I should have let her mad at me.” Thorn said.

“Too late.” Sita said.

……………………………………………………

Puifai, Gypsy and Esther has been travelling for 3 hours when the car suddenly stopped.

“Oh shoot!” Puifai said.

“What happened?” Gypsy asks.

Puifai checks the engine.

“Overheat.” Puifai said.

“What should we do?” Esther asks.

They look around but it seems that no cabs are going there.

Just then, someone’s coming. A guy riding a motorbike stops.

“Hi!” Victor greets.

“Victor!” they said.

“What are you doing here?” Esther asks.

“I came here because Pres. Tao asked me. He said that it is much faster to go to the airport with motorbike.” Victor said.

“I should thank Pres. Tao.” Esther said.

“Thank him later but for now you need to go.” Gypsy said.

“What about you?” Esther asks.

“I’ll just call my dad to inform that the car broke. We will catch you up later.” Puifai said.

“Thanks.” Esther said.

……………………………………………………

Suvarnabhumi Airport…

“Well, this is goodbye. I need to check-in.” Thorn said.

Sita hugs him.

“I’m gonna miss you.” Sita said.

“Me too.” Thorn said.

“I’m sure ma will find a new guy for me.” Sita said.

“And you will going to hide at the park alone.” Thorn said.

“You’re right.” Sita said. “Well, until we see each other again.”

“Until we see each other again.” Thorn said.

Thorn is about to leave when Esther and Victor came.

“Thorn!” Esther shouts.

“Esther?” Thorn asks.

Esther runs towards him.

“How?” Thorn asks.

“I came here because I love you. Although I know that I can’t stop you from leaving I just want to say that you must wait for me.” Esther said.

“What?” Thorn asks.

“I know that you’re going to Malaysia and I just want you to know that my dad is planning to take me to Malaysia after graduation. We don’t need to live a part.” Esther said.

With what Esther said, Thorn is very happy.

“Is it really true?” Thorn asks.

Esther nodded.

With that, Thorn hugs Esther.

“You don’t know how happy I am right now.” Thorn said. “I thought I am gonna lose you forever.”

“Me too.” Esther said.

Thorn kisses Esther on her lips not minding the people around them.

Then, a flash made them stop from kissing.

“Now that’s what I call a perfect picture for the year book.” Victor said.

Thorn and Esther smiled.

“I’d better go now.” Thorn said.

“Ok. Take care.” Esther said.

“I’m gonna miss you.” Thorn said.

“Me too. But we only just wait for a few months.” Esther said.

“Right.” Thorn said.

Esther, Sita and Victor watch Thorn leaves.

……………………………………………………

Red Fountain Academy…

Esther is sighing while looking at the blue sky.

“Miss him?” Gypsy asks and sat on her side.

“Very. But I know that I will be with him in just few months.” Esther said.

“I wanted to stop you from leaving but you deserve to be with the guy you love.” Gypsy said.

“Thanks.” Esther said.

Gypsy stands up.

“Let’s go.” Gypsy said.

“Where?” Esther asks.

“Noodle restaurant.” Gypsy said.

“Ok.” Esther said.

……………………………………………………

Gypsy and Esther join their friends at the noodle restaurant. It is Esther’s birthday and they prepared a little party for her.

It is hosted by Oaujun and Alice.

Gypsy and Esther’s friends are invited.

They are all having fun.

Esther got tired of dancing so she went out of the restaurant for a while.

“Birthday girl, what are you doing here?” Gypsy asks.

“Taking a rest.” Esther said. “Thanks for the party.”

“You deserve to have a party like that.” Gypsy said. “Also, I have a surprise for you.”

Esther looks at her.

Gypsy points at the door.

There, Best is standing.

“Best.” Esther said.

“I’ll leave you two for a while.” Gypsy said and left them.

“Happy Birthday.” Best said.

“Thanks.” Esther said. “I’m glad you are here.”

“I am not planning to go but Keerati talked to me.” Best said.

“I’m glad she did.” Esther said.

“She’s very nice.” Best said. “I feel guilty of what I have done.”

“It’s already in the past. Gypsy already forgiven you and I am too.” Esther said. “Let’s go back inside.”

“Ok.” Best said.

Esther and Best join their friends.

“Welcome back, Best.” Apple said.

“I’m sorry for being a brat.” Best said.

“Nah… Our group will be boring if there’s no brat among us.” Mild said.

“Besides, we gain new friends. Gypsy wants us to join them in the V.I.P area every day.” Mook said.

“I think I am not ready for that.” Best said.

“Why is that?” Fern asks.

“Is it about Natthapat?” Esther asks.

Best nodded. “I know that you and Natthapat are ok now but the war between us were started even before I met you so it is awkward for the both of us if we are together in a group.”

“I understand. We can still be back as normal group but this time no more war between Gypsy’s group and us, ok?” Esther said.

 “Ok.” They all said.

……………………………………………………

After the party, they all went back to their dormitories.

When Esther, Fern and Best enter their room, Esther saw something on her bed. It is a box of a jewelry.

Esther opens it and gasped when she saw a necklace with a star pendant. There is a little card inside the box.

Hi, babe…

Happy Birthday! I hope you liked my gift to you. Did you know that your name means “Star”? I bet you don’t. Also, I chose it because for me you will always be my star. I love you, babe. Can’t wait to see you again.

Thorn

Esther can’t help but to smile. She love Thorn’s gift and she will always wear it.

“Thank you, babe.” Esther whispered.

……………………………………………………

So, every time Esther misses Thorn, she will stare at her necklace.

“Esther, are you ready?” Best asks while knocking on the bathroom’s door.

“Ready!” Esther said and wears the necklace.

She goes out of the bathroom.

“Let’s go?” Best asks.

“Yeah!” Esther said and get her traveling bag.

While waiting for the elevator, their friends arrived.

“I’m so excited for the cruise.” Mook said.

“I wasn’t able to sleep well last night.” Neen said.

The elevator door opens.

“Let’s go, girls!” Esther said and they all get inside the elevator.

 

~ The End ~

 

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Trivia #26

Every story will begin before they go back to the academy.