Chapter 40

Sky Wongravee

The café feels quieter now, the hum of conversation around us fading into the background. The initial burst of excitement has settled into something softer, something steady. The others have already left, their voices lingering through the constant ping of our group chat as they message updates about their walk home, still caught up in the moment.

But I stay behind, my fingers wrapped loosely around my half-empty cup, the last bit of my drink slowly cooling. I don't know why I'm still sitting here, staring at the table like it holds some kind of answer. Maybe I just need a second to process it all.

Nani's leaving.

The words settle in my mind, but they don't weigh me down like I thought they would. They don't sting or feel like a punch to the chest. They just exist, simple and inevitable.

And somehow, I'm okay with that.

Because this? This is a good thing.

Nani has this massive opportunity ahead of him, something life-changing, something he earned. And I saw it in his face tonight—the way he tried to downplay it at first, the way he hesitated like he thought we'd be upset. But then there were those small moments, the ones he probably didn't even notice—the flicker of excitement in his eyes, the way he struggled not to smile when the others hyped him up, the way his fingers twitched against the table like he was holding back the urge to reach for something just out of his grasp.

Yeah, he's scared. But he's also excited.

And honestly? I'm happy for him.

We've had our fair share of issues, more than I can count, but that never meant I wanted him to stay stuck. Nani has always been the kind of person who hesitates, who second-guesses himself, who thinks too much about how his choices affect everyone else. But this time, he's actually choosing something for himself. Something big. Something that could change his entire life.

And that? That's worth being proud of.

I exhale, pushing back my chair and grabbing my things. As I step outside, the night air greets me with a cool breeze, the city buzzing quietly around me. Somehow, it feels different tonight, like everything is shifting, like something new is waiting just beyond the horizon—not just for Nani, but maybe for all of us.

I don't know what happens next. I don't know if things will stay the same when he leaves. Maybe we'll keep in touch, maybe we won't. Maybe the distance will turn us into different versions of ourselves, ones that don't fit together the way we used to. Or maybe none of that matters right now.

Because in this moment, I feel nothing but pride.

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I grab my jacket, the evening air still warm as I step out the door. May had suggested going to the night market, and honestly, it's become our thing. It's the place we go when we want to get away from everything else. The noise, the food, the energy of the market—it's like hitting reset for the evening. It's just us and the vibe, nothing complicated.

May walks beside me, and I can tell she's excited. She has that look in her eyes, the one that says she's ready to dive into whatever the night has to offer. "I've been craving those bubble waffles all week," she says, glancing around at the market. "You think we'll find a spot?"

I laugh, adjusting the strap of my bag. "We always find a spot. It's like... a secret power of ours."

She grins at me, eyes sparkling. "Right? Like we own the place."

We keep walking, the crowd buzzing around us as we make our way through the market. The place is alive—vendors shouting out their deals, the smell of grilled meat hanging in the air, and lights everywhere. It's one of those nights where the energy is contagious, and I'm just glad to be out of the usual routine, hanging out with May. No big conversations, no heavy thoughts—just enjoying the moment.

"So," I say as we stop near a stall, "what's new with you? Anything interesting going on?"

She looks at me, a smile creeping up on her face. "Actually, yeah. I've been working on a new project at the gallery. We're planning an exhibit that'll showcase some of the newer artists. It's been a lot of work, but I'm excited to see how it turns out."

I nod, impressed. "That sounds amazing. You've always had an eye for this stuff."

She shrugs, but I can see the spark in her eyes. She's genuinely excited. "I like to think so. It's more about feeling the art, you know? Some pieces just speak to you."

"I get that," I say, nodding. "I mean, I might not have the same eye for it, but I understand what it's like to be passionate about something."

We keep walking, passing more stalls as the sounds and smells of the market swirl around us. We grab some skewers and bubble tea, leaning against a railing to wait for our order. I glance around at the crowd, taking it all in.

"Have you decided what you're going to do after the semester?" May asks, her tone light but curious. "Still just... going with the flow?"

I take a sip of my drink, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, pretty much. I've been focusing on school and hanging out with friends. Not much time for big plans."

She raises an eyebrow, teasing. "So, no sudden dreams of traveling the world or starting a food blog?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "I think that's more your thing."

She laughs too, nudging me lightly with her shoulder. "Fair. But seriously, you're not planning on sticking around forever, right?"

I glance at her, a little caught off guard by the question, but then shrug. "I don't know. I like it here. It's home."

She grins, her smile easy. "I think that's a good answer. But hey, you deserve to go after whatever you want. Don't let anyone hold you back."

I smile softly at her, appreciating the way she sees things. "Thanks. I guess it's just easier to stay in one place sometimes."

We continue walking, the night stretching out in front of us, like an open invitation. It's a good feeling, being here, just being out with May. No expectations, no pressure—just the city lights and the simple act of spending time together.

"So," I say after a while, taking another sip of my drink. "Have you tried the fried chicken over there? It's the best in the market."

May raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? You're not just saying that?"

"Nope," I say with a grin. "I swear by it. You won't regret it."

She laughs and nods toward the stall. "Okay, lead the way. But if it's not good, I'm blaming you."

I hold up my hands in mock surrender. "I'll take the blame. But trust me, you won't be disappointed."

We head toward the stall, chatting and laughing, and I feel this sense of peace settle over me. For once, the world doesn't feel so heavy. No complicated thoughts, no stress. It's been a while since I've felt this easy, this carefree.

With May beside me, everything just feels right.