Two female students from a Public High School in Jogja were peeking at something from behind the wall of a classroom labeled 12th Grade Science and Math 1. A few pairs of eyes occasionally glanced at them while passing by, question marks evident on their faces. Still, no one was willing to ask, so they simply walked past.
"The one with long, pale, silky hair, sitting all the way to the left, Nad," said the ponytailed girl to her friend beside her, who was also watching a group of upperclassmen sitting around in front of the classroom labeled 12th Grade Science and Math 3.
"Whoa, she’s really pretty, Rin. That’s definitely the right person, right? You’re not mixing her up with someone else?" her friend asked uncertainly.
"Of course not. That’s Risa from 12th Grade Science and Math 3, the one who’s been chasing Rangga since middle school," she replied, nervously glancing around.
"She’s that pretty, and she’s still been chasing Rangga since middle school? Seriously, what kind of love spell did Rangga use on her?" the girl beside her said doubtfully.
"It’s understandable. Rangga’s handsome too. In fact, he’s the one who’s been rejecting Risa all this time," she replied.
"Hmm, I see."
"Come on, Nad, let’s go. You know what she looks like now, right?" she urged Nadeera.
"Hang on, Karin. I want to know what she’s like, not just what her face looks like!" Nadeera refused.
"Nadeera, a bunch of upperclassmen passing by are staring at us, you know! What if they tell Risa?" said the ponytailed girl named Karin as she tugged on Nadeera’s arm, trying to get her to leave.
"Hey, hey, Karin, wait," Nadeera replied, still unable to tear her eyes away from the upperclassman named Risa. But Karin pulled so hard that Nadeera was forced to turn around and follow her friend.
Karin quickly dragged Nadeera by the hand toward their classroom, 10th Grade Social Sciences 1. Karin’s face showed how hard she was trying to hide her embarrassment in front of the upperclassmen who stared at them in confusion. Nadeera, on the other hand, looked completely unconcerned.
"Nadeera, do you have no shame? You know all those upperclassmen who passed by were staring at us!" Karin exploded once they reached their classroom.
"So what? The important thing is, we weren’t bothering them!" Nadeera argued.
"But..." Karin began, only to be interrupted by—
"Well? Well? Nadeera, did you see what she’s like?" asked a girl with straight hair reaching her waist, left loose beneath a light blue headband.
"I did, Rita. She’s really pretty," Nadeera said, then pouted her small lips.
"See? I told you, didn’t I? I already told you, Nad. It’s your own fault for not believing me," said Rita in a strong Javanese accent, her tone slightly pushy.
"See, I was right, wasn’t I? I told you before, Nad. Whose fault is it that you didn’t believe me?"
"Enough, Rita. Don’t make Nadeera even sadder!" Karin cut in.
"Enough, Rita. Don’t make Nadeera feel worse."
"Whatever. I don’t care how pretty that Risa girl is. Rangga isn’t allowed to date anyone. He made a promise to me first, period!" Nadeera explained, half-shouting as she stood up and slammed her hands on the desk. Her classmates turned to look at her, and so did Rangga, staring at her with a puzzled expression. Nadeera ignored him and sat back down with an irritated look, making Karin and Rita cringe with embarrassment at being near her.
"That’s enough, Nad! Stop embarrassing us!" Karin said, fed up.
"Hahahaha! Nad, Nad, we haven’t seen each other in five years, and you’re still just as wild as ever," Rita said, bursting into laughter at what Nadeera had just done.
"What was I supposed to do? I’m mad at Rangga. How could he treat me like this?" Nadeera protested.
"Yeah, yeah. So what are you going to do now, Nad? The rumor that they’re dating has spread throughout the entire school, and they’re both acting like it’s no big deal. That means it’s not just a rumor, right?" Karin said at length.
"See? Karin’s right, Nad."
"I won’t believe it unless Rangga himself tells me."
"Do you really think Rangga’s going to tell you? Who are you to him? Wake up, Nad, wake up!" Karin said plainly.
"I’ll ask him myself," Nadeera replied confidently.
"Do you really think he’ll answer, Nad? You transferred here a month ago, and he still hasn’t wanted to speak to you at all, has he?" Rita asked doubtfully.
"I don’t care. I’ll force him to answer."
"And what are you going to do if he says it’s true?" Karin asked.
"Maybe I’ll break up their relationship," Nadeera said, narrowing her eyes slightly.
"You’re crazy, Nad. Risa is the most wanted girl here. She’ll rally all her supporters against you if you mess with her," Karin warned.
"Yeah, Nad. Especially since she’s been chasing Rangga since middle school," Rita added.
"So what if she’s the most wanted girl here? If she’s dating Rangga but his heart doesn’t belong to her, I’d rather help free him from that fake relationship," Nadeera said confidently.
"You’re awfully sure Rangga doesn’t have feelings for her, Nad. Risa’s beautiful. Every guy would go crazy over her," Karin explained.
"Please! You’ve both been my friends since we were little. You know the story between Rangga and me. If you don’t want to help me, then at least support me instead of bringing me down!" Nadeera protested, holding back her anger.
"Okay, okay. We’re sorry. We’ll help you as much as we can. We just don’t want you to get even more hurt by continuing to hope for Rangga, Nad," Karin said, followed by Rita’s nod of agreement.
"Thanks. Whatever the risks are, I’ll accept them."
"Ring, ring."
The bell rang, signaling the end of break and the start of a new class period. Students streamed into their respective classrooms, followed by teachers walking down the hallways with several books in their hands. The final class of the afternoon began.
10th Grade Social Sciences 1 had history during the last period, the crucial hour for an afternoon nap. With history added to the mix, several students rested their heads on their desks and slowly closed their eyes. Nadeera, Karin, and Rita were different, though; they were whispering among themselves.
"Nad, ask Rangga when school lets out. This is your chance," Karin whispered to Nadeera, who was sitting beside her.
"Okay, okay, I will. Don’t let Rangga leave first, all right?" Nadeera whispered back.
"Relax, Nad. We’ve got your back," Rita chimed in, turning toward Nadeera after accidentally overhearing the conversation between the two girls sitting behind her.
"Ring... ring... ring... ring..."
At last, the school bell rang, the sound all the students had been waiting for since the final class began. The instant it stopped, the students crowded one another, all trying to be the first out of the classroom. Nadeera, Karin, and Rita, however, remained seated, waiting for their target to make a move.
Rangga seemed reluctant to push through the crowd and chose to wait at his desk until the room had emptied. Once it was quiet, he stood and started walking. At that exact moment, Nadeera blocked his path. Rangga looked slightly startled and stared at Nadeera in confusion, then continued moving away from his seat, trying to get past her.
"Grab."