Chapter 2 For Being Late

Damn. Morin was late for school for the second time. What happened then was the same as what she is experiencing now. Watching a movie. Yes, that's what made Morin stay up late and go to bed at 2:15 in the morning.

Morin rushed to the dining room. There were already Herlina, her mother, her sister Nanda, and Irna, who was arranging this morning's breakfast.

"I go first." Morin greeted Herlina and immediately put her strength into running.

"Eat first, dear," Herlina admonished while watching her daughter, who looked strange, not like usual.

"No time, I have to go now. Look, it's already 7:15." Morin showed the object on her wrist. She hurriedly took a piece of bread that had been spread with chocolate jam and went straight out to the bus.

Thankfully, there was still a bus stationed at the bus stop. Morin rushed to the blue vehicle. The boisterous voice of the bus driver calling for passengers was very audible to Morin's ears.

The girl sat in a chair near the door. This would make it easier for her to get out immediately and not experience any jostling. Only Morin was wearing white and gray clothes, and a bag was perched on her back. Inside the bus, it was only filled with mothers who were ready to go to the market to shop. The bus stopped right in front of the school gate. Morin immediately rushed out of the vehicle and offered money to the bus driver.

Morin ran with all her might. With irregular breathing and sweat pouring down her temples, Morin was in desperate need of water and oxygen.

Morin started walking after a short break. The girl saw a crowd of students lining up and the counseling teacher, who seemed to be talking to them all.

"Congratulations, I'm finally not the only one being punished," Morin hissed with great relief. She rubbed her chest and started walking towards the crowd.

"That's Alizter, he's late too?" Morin muttered with wide eyes, looking at the boy who was marching.

Today's tardy students totaled twelve, including Morin. If there are students who come in late, it will be considered carefully.

"I don't want this incident to happen again, if it continues like this, our high school will decline in quality. Do you understand?" said Mr. Rino, the counseling teacher at this school.

"Yes, sir!" said all the students in unison.

"Now, I have a gift for you," said Mr. Rino with a sardonic face.

All students were silent. Morin and all the students who were punished understood what Mr. Rino was saying. Yes, they would be punished.

"Now your reward is to clean the school area. For example, cleaning the front yard, student and teacher restrooms, back garden, water gutters, picking up trash, and so on. That's all I can say, thank you."

Without thinking, Alizter immediately walked towards the place where he would carry out the punishment. He chose to clean the students' toilets. According to him, it was the most fun and light work. Morin saw Alizter walking alone, until the thought occurred to her to go with that boy. After all, she didn't have a partner to carry out this task.

"Hi," Morin said while waving her hand slightly. Alizter only glanced at Morin for a moment, then focused back on the direction of his path.

"Need some help?" Morin offered it a little awkwardly. The girl seemed to be pretentiously close to Alizter. Like she was an old friend.

Alizter was silent, not saying anything. That made Morin a little emotional, but she tried to be patient to deal with it.

"Well, if you're still angry with me. I'll leave first."

Morin turned around and walked away from Alizter. Morin stopped when the boy stopped her footsteps while holding her wrist.

"Wait," he said coldly. His voice sounded heavy.

Morin turned her head, and her eyes fell on the boy who stopped her. Morin was a little surprised when she heard the boy's voice.

"Why?"

"Help me," Alizter replied briefly. His face was as cold as an ice cubes.

Morin simply nodded in agreement with Alizter's request. The boy smiled slightly and continued his journey towards the restroom, with Morin following behind.

They had now arrived at the student restroom, which looked very shabby and dirty. Alizter took a bucket, floor broom, and mop from the next storeroom. The two of them cleaned all the toilets vigorously. Alizter and Morin cleaned corner after corner of the room, and when they were about to go out to get the mop, Morin lost his balance.

Morin almost fell to the floor. Fortunately, Alizter was there, and he managed to hold her hand. They formed a four-eyed gaze and looked at each other. Morin's heart was beating faster than usual. Sweat began to pour out even though this place was not exposed to the slightest sunlight, and nervousness began to cut his body. Morin threw her hand away from the cold grip of the boy in front of her.

"Thank you," Morin said, then continued her steps to exit.

Alizter just nodded. Now the two continued cleaning until the restroom looked like new again.

Morin mopped the floor right in front of the toilet. She actually never did this kind of work in her house.

Morin simply mopped the floor. It was already apparent that the girl was very stiff when using the tool. Alizter smiled at the girl beside him, who looked very cute to him.

"What are you doing?" asked Alizter.

"You have eyes, so you're asking again. You already see that I'm mopping, so you ask," said Morin while continuing to mop the floor carelessly.

"That's wrong." Alizter exclaimed again, causing Morin's gaze to turn back to the boy. Morin's brow furrowed, as she looked at Alizter in confusion. "Let me teach you."

Morin's heart felt like it was going to burst. Her heartbeat was racing faster. Awkwardness had come back to her body. Alizter taught Morin to mop with his palm gripping the back of the girl's hand. Morin was tense. She was not used to being this close to a boy. The boy's breath also hit Morin's face.

The floor was clean now. It looks very pleasing to the eye if it's like this every day.

"Thanks," Morin said, a little embarrassed.

"Okay." Alizter said while fixing the tools he had used earlier.

"Finally done," Morin squealed as she stretched her tightened muscles.

The two of them then walked to their respective classes. Since their classes were in the same direction, on the second floor, they walked to class together.

Awkwardness surrounds Morin's feelings now. There was silence for a while, only the sound of footsteps could be heard.