The late afternoon sun poured a soft golden glow over the rooftop of Wiriya High School, where Nina and Pim had made their unofficial sanctuary. The air smelled faintly of blooming jasmine from the garden below, mixed with the distant hum of students packing up their bags for the day.
Nina swung her legs freely over the edge of the roof, the worn sneakers on her feet scuffed from years of adventures both real and imagined. Her fingers absently traced patterns on the cool metal railing as she gazed out over the city skyline, the sky painted in strokes of pink and orange.
Beside her, Pim sat cross-legged on the concrete, her sketchbook perched delicately on her knees. Her slender fingers held a pencil that moved with slow precision, capturing the outline of a single hibiscus flower blooming in the nearby planter. Her dark eyes were focused, lips pressed into a thin line of concentration.
"You ever think about how weird it is?" Nina broke the silence, her voice light but teasing. "How we've been stuck together since forever? Like some cosmic joke that won't quit."
Pim didn't look up, but a soft laugh escaped her lips. "It doesn't feel weird to me. More like... normal."
Nina snorted, flashing a grin. "Normal? You? Since when did you start sounding like a grown-up?"
"Maybe I'm just... growing up." Pim finally glanced at her, her cheeks tinged with pink.
"Growing up?" Nina echoed, her tone half-joking. "You still wear mismatched socks every day."
Pim rolled her eyes but smiled, the warmth between them as familiar as the setting sun.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Nina confessed quietly, nudging Pim's shoulder.
"Me neither," Pim said, closing her sketchbook gently.
The two sat quietly as the sky deepened in color, the first stars faintly twinkling above. The rooftop was their refuge, a world apart from the noise and chaos of school and family expectations. Here, they were simply Nina and Pim — best friends bound by years of shared secrets, laughter, and unspoken truths.
The peaceful moment shattered when the rooftop door creaked open, and hesitant footsteps echoed on the metal stairs.
"Hey," a soft voice called, timid but hopeful. "Is this seat taken?"
Both girls turned toward the newcomer — a girl they hadn't seen before, clutching a stack of books tightly to her chest, her dark hair falling softly around her face.
Nina exchanged a quick glance with Pim, whose cheeks flushed faintly in surprise.
"Come on up," Nina said warmly, patting the empty space beside her. "The more the merrier."
The girl smiled gratefully and settled down beside them, the tension easing from her shoulders.
"I'm Fah," she introduced herself shyly.
"Nice to meet you, Fah. I'm Nina, and this is Pim," Nina said, extending her hand.
Pim smiled quietly and nodded.
Fah's eyes lingered on Pim's sketchbook. "You're really talented."
"Thanks," Pim murmured, cheeks coloring again.
Nina caught the brief exchange and smiled knowingly but stayed silent.
They settled into an easy conversation, sharing stories about school, hobbies, and their favorite escape spots around town. Fah's nervousness gradually melted away under Nina's confident jokes and Pim's gentle kindness.
As twilight deepened, the three girls watched the city lights blink on, one by one, casting a soft glow around their small circle.
But beneath the easy laughter and shared smiles, a fragile tension hummed — a delicate gap between friendship and something more.
---
Morning at school
The next day, the sun rose over Wiriya High with the familiar buzz of chatter and clattering lockers. Nina strode confidently down the hallway, backpack slung over one shoulder, her long ponytail bouncing with each step.
Pim trailed just behind, clutching her sketchbook to her chest, her quiet presence a soft contrast to Nina's lively energy.
In class, their teacher assigned a group project, pairing Nina and Pim with Fah. The trio exchanged glances — a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.
Throughout the day, the three worked together, sharing ideas and laughter. Fah's shy smiles sparked something unexpected in Nina's chest, while Pim found herself stealing glances she didn't quite understand.
---
Lunch break
Under the shade of a large banyan tree in the school courtyard, the trio shared lunch and stories. Nina teased Fah about her choice of books, while Pim listened intently, her fingers unconsciously tracing patterns on the table.
Fah looked at Pim suddenly, her eyes shining with curiosity. "You really like drawing, don't you?"
Pim nodded softly. "It's how I make sense of things."
Nina caught the glance and smiled — the small moments that revealed who they really were beneath the surface.
After school
Later, Nina invited Pim and Fah to join her soccer practice. Pim hesitated but agreed, wanting to share more of her world with Fah.
On the field, Nina's energy was infectious as she encouraged both girls, laughter ringing out across the green expanse. Fah's presence stirred a mixture of protectiveness and jealousy in Nina, though she buried it beneath her easy smile.
Rooftop, evening
That night, the rooftop felt different. The golden warmth replaced by a cool breeze and a sky full of stars.
Nina and Pim sat side by side once more, the silence heavier this time.
"Do you think things will ever change between us?" Nina asked quietly.
Pim looked at her, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. "I don't know. But maybe... that's not so bad."
The rooftop door opened again, but neither moved. The gap between them — unspoken and wide — stretched into the night.