Teach Me How To Spell Love: Love 010

Episode 2

"Ah, nong Prem, please sit. Make yourself comfortable." His soft voice pulled me back to reality.

I stepped inside, closing the door gently behind me. The office smelled faintly of coffee and old books. I sat on the soft couch opposite him, trying not to fidget.

"Do you know why I called for you?" he asked casually, eyes still fixed on his phone. Gone was the nerdy teacher I saw earlier.

As much as I hated to admit it, something about him intimidated me. My pride, however, forced me to scoff.

"So you can reprimand me?" I sarcastically said, leaning back with false confidence.

"It's good, you know. At least your brain functions well in that aspect." His gaze finally lifted, locking onto mine.

For a moment, I drowned in those eyes, swallowing hard before looking away."Don't try to intimidate me. It's not working," I said, forcing my voice steady.

He scoffed, and the sound made my stomach twist. Did he see through me? That would be a slap to my ego.

"Of all the things in this world, I don't waste time intimidating people," he said, rising slowly.

His steps were deliberate, his gaze piercing. The air between us thickened, and chills ran down my spine. But I didn't back down. I met his stare head-on.

"You know, Prem," he said, voice low, "it's best you keep your habits in check around me."

"And why is that? I can do whatever I like, to whomever I wish," I shot back arrogantly.

Boun's POV

This kid was interesting. Too much bravado, too little control. I studied him, amused at how hard he tried to act tough.

Scoffing, I grabbed his collar, pulling him close until our faces were inches apart.

"And watch your tone when you're around me," I hissed.

His eyes widened, panic flickering there. I almost chuckled but restrained myself, smoothing his clothes before returning to my seat.

I tossed a guitar textbook at him. "Study pages 310, 100, and 500. Tomorrow, you'll teach them in front of the class."

He stared at me like I'd lost my mind.

"Hey, how the hell do you expect me to study all that in a day?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. I want results tomorrow." I waved him off dismissively.

He paused, glaring. "Firstly, I'm not reading this book. Second, who do you think you are to wave me away like I'm some pest?"

"Nong Prem, help yourself out of my office. Your presence has become depressing. After all the stress you gifted me today, I don't want your sulking here."

He clenched his jaw, grabbed the textbook, and stormed out. I expected the door to slam.

Instead, he closed it gently.

I chuckled to myself. "Dad would want to befriend this kid."

Of course, my father would want anything that might drag me back into the family business.

The Next Day

The morning sun glinted off my Lambo as I parked in the lot.

Adjusting my glasses and straightening my mullet, I checked my books. Everything was intact.

I slipped inside the building, careful not to be seen.

"Khun Boun ka," Namtan called, breathless.

I turned, smiling.

"Arun sawat.(Good morning)" she greeted

"Did you run?" I asked after returning her greeting.

She nodded, laughing. "Damn, your long legs... how can you walk so fast?"

I chuckled awkwardly. I couldn't exactly tell her I'd driven.

We chatted briefly about the students until a commotion from the classroom cut us short.

"I'll check it out," I said.

She nodded and left.

Inside, Prem had another student pinned to the wall.

Film covered her mouth, crying. Both boys had it rough, bruised around the eye with broken lips.

I stood silently, letting them throw a few more punches.

"Ai meung, Kru Boun ma laew,(guys teacher Boun is here)" I think it was AJ that muttered,alerting them.

Don't blame me. I still can't differentiate the twins.

The room shifted instantly. I scanned the chaos, disappointment heavy in my gaze.

"Explain," I demanded.

Perth avoided my eyes. "We had a misunderstanding."

"Perth Tanapon, course rep, fighting with a course mate. How does that sound to you?" Silence.

Prem huffed and puffed.

"You're not a train, you know. Why the puff?" I said dryly.

"I didn't — " He tried to defend himself, but I cut him off.

I wasn't going to let him speak, I knew what I was doing.

"This is a university. You're above punishment. Go back to your seats — but be reasonable enough to know what you should and shouldn't do."

The two returned to their seats, though Prem still looked like he had plenty to say.

I ignored him and continued with my lesson.

After teaching for an hour, I placed the chalk down and turned toward the class.

"Prem."

He slowly looked up.

"What now?" he questioned.

He looked ridiculous with all those bruises, but as a teacher, I had to not embarrass him the more in front of the class.

I turned toward everyone.

"Tuk khon (everyone), Prem will be your teacher for the next remaining hour."

I stepped down, taking a seat in the front row.

Prem stared at me for a moment before a mischievous smile slowly spread across his face.

He reached into his bag and pulled out the textbook.

Retrieving the book from his bag, he opened it—and all the pictures inside fell out.

I shot him an amused look.

Like, are you for real?

I leaned forward slightly, staring at the scattered pictures around his desk.

He had torn out every single picture in the book.

The whole class gasped.

"Do you think I would study? Dream on, professor," Prem snickered.

"Wow. Just wow."

I shook my head, picked up the guitar beside my desk, and handed it to him.

"You just made a huge mistake. Now I want you to play the exact chords from the textbook."

Prem's confident expression faltered.

He tried to peek at the book, but I was faster.

I picked up the ruined textbook and, in front of everyone, dealt with it in the burner by the door.

"Now, Prem... I don't have a lot of patience," I said, my voice carrying a subtle but powerful threat.

He swallowed hard before picking up the guitar.

The moment he strummed, everyone covered their ears.

It was that bad.

I closed my eyes for a second, fighting the urge to sigh.

I shook my head in disappointment.

"JJ, come and teach this nuthead how to play the chords from page 310."

JJ stepped forward, took the guitar, and played.

He made a few mistakes, but it was good.

Prem looked at his friend in surprise.

"AJ, come and teach him the chords from page 500," I called.

The same result—a little rough, but solid.

Then I called Bonnie and Film, and they delivered perfectly.

I leaned back in my chair, watching Prem's expression change with every performance.

I took satisfaction in the look on his face.

"It's time for Namtan to take over. After her class, Perth, meet me in the library," I said, gathering my things.

I bid them goodbye and left the classroom.

Later that day

I was reading in the library when a kitten meowed at me.

I slowly lowered my book and looked beside me.

A tiny kitten was poking at the snack bag by my side, seemingly more interested in my food than whatever was written in my book.

I smiled and began to feed it.

"Kaiju! Kaiju!" a hushed voice called.

"Meow," the cat replied, still munching on the snack.

"Ahh, you naughty missy," the owner scolded gently.

"Sorry. Good afternoon, sir," he greeted after picking up the cat.

"Is it your cat?" I asked.

Don't call it a stupid question—he was wearing a lab coat, clearly a veterinary student. It could either be his or a lab cat.

"No. It's for my client," he explained.

"Oh... then here, take the remaining snack. I won't be needing it."

I handed him the bag.

"Thank you," he said, collecting it.

I returned to my book.

"Tata?" a familiar voice called.

The student answered with a smile.

"Phîi," he replied.

I raised my head and saw Perth.

"I thought you'd ditch me," I teased.

"I got held up," he apologized.

"Err... Tata, this is our new music teacher, Khun Noppanut—but we call him Khun Boun. Khun Boun krap, this is Santa... uh, my..."

He stuttered.

"Your boyfriend?" I finished for him.

He scratched his head shyly, then nodded.

"You're so kind, sir," Santa smiled.

"Oh, it's nothing," I smiled back.

But then Santa frowned.

"What happened to your face?" he asked.

"I had a fallout with a friend," Perth answered, glancing at me for help.

"Don't give me that look. I don't even know what happened between you two," I said.

"Phîi, you promised not to get in trouble again," Santa scolded.

"I'm sorry..." Perth apologized hopelessly.

I watched the exchange quietly before speaking.

"Actually, I called you here to ask for the details and scold you. But I think someone here would do it better than me."

"It's my fault," Perth admitted.

He lowered his head before continuing.

"I hosted a pool party at home, and some students filmed Film when she was drunk. I teased her, but I took it too far. Then Prem punched me and we fought. I apologized to both of them and made everyone delete the video."

So that boy has a sense of justice... not bad.

I closed my book.

"Okay. You can go. And tell Prem to bring me a cup of iced latte, no cream, to my office."

Perth nodded, and the two of them left together.

Once they disappeared from sight, I gathered my things and returned to my office.

Prem's POV

After Ms. Namtan's class, we were free.

I walked out with my crew, still thinking about everything that had happened earlier.

"Meung, how did you all know how to play the chords? We never studied. Then how?" I asked my crew—AJ, JJ, Film, and Bonnie.

"Well, yesterday you messed up by missing class," Film explained. "Everyone wants free marks to boost their scores. Mr. Boun revealed our scores yesterday—we were ranking low. We can't graduate if we keep this up. So he suggested that attending his class and answering questions would earn us free marks."

She paused, looking at me.

"He gave you that textbook because you missed class and your CGPA is below average. You'll get withdrawn if that continues."

I stopped walking.

Why would he do that?

Every other teacher never cared about my grades.

Why should he?

"Prem," Perth called.

I turned to him.

He had already apologized earlier—what else did he want?

"Khun Boun wants you to bring him an iced latte, no cream, to his office," he said, then left.

Again...

His office.

Argh.

I went to the café.

But obedient?

Never.

I ordered the opposite—lots of cream.

Boun's Office

I knocked, and permission to enter was granted.

I walked in, flashing a sweet smile as I placed the coffee on his desk.

"Enjoy," I said.

He looked at the cup.

Then at me.

Without saying a word, he tossed it straight into the bin.

"Go and get me another one."

His voice was ice-cold.

What!?

"I just came from the café, and your office is way up here. You want me to get another one?" I complained.

"If you had gotten what I asked for the first time, you wouldn't be going back. You have fifteen minutes to bring me a fresh cup," he said, waving me off.

I stared at him in disbelief before turning around.

Annoyed, I left my bag and rushed out.

What a crazy man...

Fifteen minutes for coffee?

Climbing the stairs alone takes forever.

I returned with the coffee.

Boun's POV

He came back with the coffee, exactly as I ordered.

By then, I had already changed into something casual—my signature hairstyle, glasses gone.

I watched him approach my desk before taking the cup from his hands.

"Good. Now sit," I commanded.

He obeyed.

"Nong Prem, why did you fight in class today?" I asked.

I already knew the story, but I wanted entertainment.

"That's none of your business. I have already told you that I do-"

I didn't let him finish.

I seized his collar, pulling him close.

"Did you forget what I taught you yesterday?" I hissed.

He stuttered, trying to break free, but I didn't let go.

"I... I..."

Finally, I released him.

"You know, you're quite fun to tease," I said, reaching for my drawer.

I pulled out the first aid kit and placed it on the desk.

"Are you four years old that you can't go to the clinic to treat your wound?" I asked sarcastically.

He turned his head away in annoyance.

I opened the kit and began sorting through the supplies.

"Aish... you're staying put until I'm done," I said sternly.

He sighed but remained seated.

For once, he didn't argue.

Author's note

My lovely broccolis… How are you enjoying the banter between them? Tell me cuz I'm still not sure of what I'm writing 😂😂… it's my first fanfic, so your opinion matters. Rak tuk khon muah 💋