The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 10 – The Festival

15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHsokBLIyN

The first semester was slowly coming to an end.

With it came the school's annual festival.

For most students, it was the best day of the year.

There were games, food stalls, performances, and music echoing through the school grounds from morning until evening.

For me...

It was the noisiest day of the year.

As I walked through the school gate, colorful banners hung from every building. Students rushed around carrying decorations while teachers tried to organize the chaos.

"Phawin!"

I turned around.

Narin was waving both hands above his head.

"Hurry up!"

"I'm not late."

"You are if I'm waiting."

I couldn't help smiling.

"You always find something to complain about."

"And you always have an answer."

We walked toward our classroom together.

Our homeroom teacher was assigning responsibilities.

"Everyone will help with the class stall."

Groans filled the room.

"I'll be selling drinks," one student volunteered.

"I'll handle the tickets," another said.

The teacher looked around.

"Phawin."

"Yes, sir?"

"You have neat handwriting. Can you make the price signs?"

"Of course."

"Narin."

"Yes?"

"You'll help welcome visitors."

The whole class laughed.

"Perfect job for him," someone joked.

The teacher smiled.

"Exactly."

By noon, the school had transformed.

Children from nearby neighborhoods visited with their parents.

Former students returned to meet old teachers.

The courtyard was filled with laughter.

I sat quietly behind our stall, writing prices on colorful paper.

Narin walked past every few minutes.

"Need anything?"

"No."

"You sure?"

"I'm fine."

He disappeared again, only to return a few minutes later.

"What now?" I asked.

"I brought you water."

"I already have some."

"Oh..."

He scratched the back of his head.

"I forgot."

I laughed softly.

"You really do forget everything."

"I remembered you."

His answer caught me off guard.

He looked just as surprised as I did.

"I mean..." he quickly corrected himself, "...I remembered to check on you."

"I know."

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

Then someone called his name from across the courtyard.

"Narin! Come here!"

"I'm coming!"

Before leaving, he looked back at me.

"Don't disappear."

"I won't."

Later that afternoon, our class finally had a short break.

Most students rushed to the game stalls.

Narin appeared beside me again.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"You'll see."

"I don't really—"

Before I could finish, he gently caught my wrist and led me through the crowd.

It happened so naturally that I didn't even think about pulling away.

We stopped in front of a small stall where students were trying to win stuffed toys by throwing rings.

"You want to play?" I asked.

"No."

"Then why are we here?"

He smiled.

"Because you've been working all day."

"You deserve at least ten minutes of fun."

I looked around.

Children were laughing.

Teachers were smiling.

Music played in the background.

For the first time that day...

The noise didn't bother me as much.

Maybe it wasn't because the festival had changed.

Maybe...

It was because I wasn't experiencing it alone.

As the sun slowly began to set over the school buildings, I realized something.

Some people don't change your life with grand gestures.

Sometimes...

They simply make ordinary days feel a little brighter.15Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEVfcMyePS

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