Before You Loved Me - Chapter 6: The Cultural Festival

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The school was buzzing with excitement.

Colorful banners were hung across the hallways, students rushed from classroom to classroom, and every club was preparing for the annual cultural festival.

"Our class is running a café this year," the homeroom teacher announced. "Everyone will have a role."

Than immediately raised his hand.

"I'll be a waiter!"

The class laughed.

"You just want to eat the leftovers," someone teased.

"That's also true."

The teacher smiled before reading the list.

"Kavin, you'll be in charge of decorations."

"Khem, you'll handle the menu and cashier."

"Than and Rin, customer service."

The four exchanged glances.

Looks like they'd be working together again.

After school, they stayed behind to prepare the classroom.

Than stood on a chair trying to hang paper lanterns.

"Kavin, this isn't straight!"

"It's because you're hanging it crooked."

"It is not!"

Rin sighed.

"Both of you, move."

Within seconds, Rin fixed the decoration perfectly.

Than stared in admiration.

"See? This is why I love having you around."

Rin smiled, slightly embarrassed.

Khem chuckled quietly from behind the counter.

Kavin looked over.

"What's funny?"

"You two argue over everything."

"And yet we always finish the job," Than replied proudly.

For the next week, the four spent every afternoon together.

They painted signs, folded decorations, planned the menu, and practiced serving customers.

One evening, Khem stayed behind after everyone else had left.

He was still counting the café budget when Kavin walked back into the classroom.

"You didn't go home?"

"I forgot my phone."

Kavin noticed Khem rubbing his eyes.

"You've been working since three."

"We're almost done."

"You should take a break."

"I'm fine."

Without another word, Kavin walked to the vending machine downstairs.

A few minutes later, he returned with two cold drinks.

He placed one in front of Khem.

"You don't have to pay me back."

Khem looked surprised.

"...You remembered my favorite."

"You usually buy lemon tea."

"I noticed."

Khem smiled.

"Thank you."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

The evening sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, casting long shadows across the desks.

It was peaceful.

Neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.

Festival day finally arrived.

The café was packed.

Students, parents, and teachers came and went all morning.

Khem worked at the cashier, greeting every customer politely.

Several girls from another class whispered as they walked by.

"Isn't the cashier really cute?"

"I've seen him in the library."

"Should we ask for his Instagram?"

Kavin, who was arranging trays nearby, heard every word.

His smile faded for just a second.

Than noticed immediately.

He leaned over and whispered,

"Jealous?"

Kavin looked away.

"...Maybe a little."

Than laughed quietly.

"Looks like you're in trouble."

Kavin sighed.

"I know."

He couldn't stop people from noticing Khem.

After all...

He had noticed Khem first.

As the festival came to an end, the class gathered for a group photo.

The teacher called out,

"Everyone, stand closer!"

Students squeezed together.

Without thinking, Kavin found himself standing beside Khem.

The camera flashed.

It captured a simple moment.

Friends smiling.

A successful festival.

A memory that would later become one of Kavin's favorites.

He didn't know it yet.

Years from now, he would look back at that photograph and remember not the decorations or the café...

But the quiet boy standing beside him.5Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxPBLqVWJb0

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