The Pen That Changed My Life - Chapter 26 – The School Fair

13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoqPtRveFF

A week after the weather turned colder, the school announced another event.

This time, it wasn't a sports competition or a class project.

It was the annual school fair.

Every class would prepare a stall, and students from other schools, parents, and teachers would be invited.

As soon as the announcement was made, the classroom became noisy.

"We should sell drinks!"

"No, snacks!"

"We need games!"

Everyone seemed to have an idea.

Our class teacher clapped his hands.

"Enough. We'll decide together."

After nearly twenty minutes of discussion, our class agreed to organize a small game stall.

The teacher divided the work.

Some students would decorate.

Some would prepare prizes.

Others would welcome visitors.

Then he looked around the room.

"Phawin."

"Yes, sir?"

"You have neat handwriting. I want you to make the signboards."

"Okay, sir."

"Narin."

"Yes?"

"You'll help organize the games."

The class laughed.

"Perfect!"

"He's loud enough!"

Narin bowed dramatically.

"I accept this great responsibility."

Even the teacher couldn't hide his smile.

For the next few days, everyone stayed after school to prepare.

The classroom no longer emptied after the final bell.

Scissors, colored paper, glue, ribbons, and markers covered every desk.

I sat near the window, carefully painting the letters on a large poster.

WELCOME TO CLASS 8-B

"That looks really nice."

I looked up.

Narin was standing beside me, carrying a box filled with balloons.

"You think so?"

"I know so."

He leaned over to read the smaller words beneath the title.

"You even made the letters perfectly straight."

"I used a ruler."

He laughed.

"I would've just guessed."

"I know."

"You always know."

"I've seen your handwriting."

He pretended to be offended.

"My handwriting has personality."

"It has problems."

He burst into laughter.

"You're getting better at teasing me."

"Maybe you're making it too easy."

By the time everything was finished, the sun had already begun to set.

Only a few students remained in the classroom.

Our teacher looked around proudly.

"You all did well."

Everyone smiled.

As we packed our bags, Narin stretched his arms.

"I'm exhausted."

"You blew up balloons."

"I blew up fifty balloons."

"I think it was twenty."

"It felt like fifty."

I laughed quietly.

"You complain a lot."

"I only complain when I'm tired."

"And when you're not?"

"I talk."

"That's true."

The day of the fair finally arrived.

The school grounds looked completely different.

Colorful banners hung between the buildings.

Music played through loudspeakers.

Families walked through the gates with young children.

The entire campus was alive.

Our class stall quickly became busy.

Narin welcomed visitors with his usual confidence.

"This way!"

"Come and play!"

"You might win a prize!"

His energy attracted people almost immediately.

Meanwhile, I stayed inside the stall, helping younger children understand the rules and handing out prizes.

Whenever there was a quiet moment, Narin would glance toward me.

"Everything okay?"

I nodded.

"What about you?"

"My voice is disappearing."

"You've been shouting all morning."

"I know."

I reached into the box beneath the table and handed him a bottle of water.

"You should drink."

He looked at the bottle, then at me.

"You remembered."

"You've been talking for hours."

He smiled as he accepted it.

"Thanks, Phawin."

For a brief moment, the noise around us seemed to disappear.

It was just a bottle of water.

Nothing more.

But the smile on Narin's face made it feel like I'd given him something much bigger.

As the fair continued, I found myself watching him from time to time.

He laughed with everyone.

He welcomed every visitor.

He made strangers smile within seconds.

And somehow...

Whenever our eyes met across the crowded schoolyard...

He smiled at me a little differently than he smiled at everyone else.13Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxEtelppeK1

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