Before You Loved Me - Chapter 7: The Photo

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The Monday after the festival, the classroom was unusually lively.

Students crowded around the noticeboard where printed photos from the event had been pinned.

"Look at this one!"

"I can't believe you spilled juice on Than!"

"Delete that photo!"

Laughter echoed through the hallway.

Kavin stood quietly near the back, searching for only one picture.

The class photo.

When he finally found it, his eyes immediately drifted to Khem.

Khem wasn't looking at the camera.

He was laughing at something Than had said just before the shutter clicked.

"He looks happier when he doesn't know he's being photographed," Kavin thought.

"You're smiling again."

Kavin turned around.

Than was standing behind him with crossed arms.

"What?"

"You've been smiling at the same picture for two minutes."

"I was just looking at everyone."

"Really?"

Than pointed to the photo.

"You mean everyone... or just Khem?"

Kavin sighed.

"I hate how easily you read me."

Than grinned.

"That's what best friends are for."

During lunch, the cafeteria was packed.

Khem carried his tray carefully, searching for an empty seat.

Before he could find one, a voice called out.

"Khem!"

It was a boy from another class.

"I'm Bank."

"We met during the festival yesterday."

Khem smiled politely.

"Oh, right. Nice to see you again."

"Mind if I join you?"

"Sure."

They sat together and began talking.

Bank was outgoing and cheerful, easily keeping the conversation going while Khem listened with interest.

Across the cafeteria...

Kavin froze.

His chopsticks stopped halfway to his mouth.

"Who's that?" he asked quietly.

Than looked over.

"No idea."

Rin glanced in the same direction.

"I think he's from Class 10-C."

Kavin watched as Bank laughed.

A few seconds later...

Khem laughed too.

It wasn't anything special.

Just two classmates having lunch.

Yet Kavin felt something tighten in his chest.

He looked away.

"Why does this bother me so much?"

After classes ended, Kavin headed to basketball practice.

Usually, the court helped him clear his mind.

Today...

It didn't.

Every time he shot the ball, he remembered Khem smiling at Bank.

Miss.

He tried again.

Miss.

The captain picked up the ball.

"You're distracted today."

"Sorry."

"Thinking about something?"

Kavin forced a smile.

"Yeah."

"A friend."

That evening, Kavin opened the drawer of his study desk.

Inside was the class photo from the festival.

He looked at it for a long time before placing it inside a notebook.

Not because it was a beautiful photo.

But because...

Khem was in it.

He whispered softly to himself,

"I think I'm really in trouble."

Outside, the rain began to fall against the window.

Inside, Kavin finally accepted something he could no longer deny.

No matter how hard he tried...

His heart was already following Khem.5Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvdcrbItTqN

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