Chapter 2 Flashback

Flasback

Beneath the midday sky, surrounded by the grand architecture of the computer-based high school, I looked a little preoccupied, fixing my makeup before stepping through the school gates.

Today was my first day attending this school-because I transferred from a well-known public high school in the city.

"Mom and Dad are ridiculous! Transferring me to a private school just because Mom wants me to study closer to home? Oh, God!" I muttered to myself.

"But it's okay... Besides, Harapan Bangsa High School will only remind me of Ditra," I whispered with a heavy sigh. Ditra, the guy I'd been dating for the past three months... but our relationship ended when he got into a tragic accident and passed away.

Taking a deep breath and preparing myself mentally, I stepped through the gates.

Being the new kid made me a little nervous. I needed to adapt again to face all these new people.

"Oh God... What is this? Nobody's even looking at me? Don't they know I used to be pretty popular at my old school?" I grumbled quietly, walking slowly toward class 10A.

"Hey... A new face with an old look?" someone greeted, causing me to turn around.

At this new private school, many of my junior high friends also continued their education here. And of course, they still remembered me well.

"Hah! You?! Oh my God, why didn't I think twice before transferring here? If I knew you were here, I never would've moved," I blurted out.

"Ugh, acting all high and mighty. You'll get bullied if you walk alone. Come on, follow me," Reni said, grabbing my hand and pulling me down the hallway before sitting down on one of the benches to wait for the bell.

From where we were sitting, not far away, we could hear a noisy group of flashy girls-the usual gang that brought chaos to the school. Their conversation could be heard clearly from where we sat.

"How much do you want to bet?! You really think they broke up?"

"Of course! I mean, it's Hadi! He never sticks around. Pay up, I just won our bet," one of them said. I just pouted at that.

"What are they talking about?" I asked, still unfamiliar with this school called Tunas Bangsa.

"They're talking about Hadi and Intan. Apparently, Intan's been dared to get close to Hadi and date him for at least three months. They're all gossiping about how Hadi can't stay with one girl for long," Reni explained while nodding to herself.

"What if she manages to keep the relationship for three months? What do they get?"

"Money-and free food at the canteen for three months!" Reni replied, making my eyes go wide.

"Whoa, not bad! That's enough to buy mobile data and binge-watch Korean dramas!"

"You and your dramas..." she muttered.

"Who are the most popular guy and girl in this school?" I asked, lowering my voice a bit.

Reni stretched her neck, scanning the area. "Hmm... I don't think they're here yet."

Soon, the school bell rang. Reni and I stood up and walked toward class.

But then... everything seemed to pause.

Everyone's attention turned toward the school gate, where a handsome guy rode in on his MotoGP-style motorbike. He cruised smoothly to the parking lot, and some girls looked completely spellbound.

"There... that's Hadi," Reni said, pointing.

I just stood there, frozen, as I watched him get off his bike and take off his helmet.

"Hadi?" I whispered.

He was tall, had fair yellowish skin, narrow yet sharp eyes, and full lips that curled into a smile with a charming dimple on his left cheek. His neatly cut short spiky hair framed his chiseled face perfectly. Everything about him was just... easy on the eyes.

"Isn't he... Hadi, our senior back in junior high?" I whispered to Reni.

"Yeah. He took a gap year, so now he's in the same year as us," Reni whispered back. The guy was walking toward us.

As we crossed paths, I tried to flash him a sweet smile and greet him.

"Morning, Hadi-"

But he didn't even respond. Just walked past us like we were invisible.

"Wow... so arrogant," I whispered.

"He's always like that."

"He doesn't even know I used to be popular! So many people wanted my attention. That guy is full of himself!" I grumbled.

Reni nudged my shoulder. "He is good-looking though."

"Ugh... I can't let this go! I'm joining that bet too! I have to make that guy fall for me!" I declared.

Reni's eyes widened as she pulled out her phone.

"Look at this!" she said, showing me a picture of a stunning girl.

"Even someone as goddess-like as Intan couldn't win him over. And you think you can?" she scoffed, squeezing my cheeks. I swatted her hand away.

"You don't know what I'm capable of. Just wait," I said quietly.

I was curious now.

"Back in junior high, he wasn't this cool, right?" I whispered to myself.

The lunch bell rang throughout Tunas Bangsa High School.

My first day here was actually going well. The teachers were nice, especially since I had a talent for certain subjects-especially English.

"I do hope you're always successful," said Miss Sera after I finished presenting an assignment in front of the class.

"Thank you, Miss," I replied with a smile.

"You're very fluent in English. Do you take lessons at home?"

I nodded with a wide grin.

"I study foreign languages because I want to go to college abroad. Hopefully, at Seoul National University."

"Woooow, Korea!"

The class erupted in excitement after hearing my conversation with Miss Sera. Everyone seemed impressed-everyone except Hadi. He just glanced forward slightly and returned to reading his book.

"Good luck," Miss Sera said with a proud smile.

"Well then, please return to your seats. Enjoy your break," she said, grabbing her bag and heading out.

I went back to my desk where Reni was already waiting for me cheerfully.

"You're amazing! Super talented! No regrets putting you in my gang," Reni said.

"Ugh, whatever. Who said I wanted to be in your gang anyway?" I grumbled.

"You should treat me nicely. We've been besties since junior high," she replied.

I just smirked and turned my gaze to the crowd leaving the canteen.

Reni and I also got ready to go there, but that guy-yeah, the one who had been messing with my head all morning...

This was the first time I'd ever felt this thrown off.

His aloof attitude and handsome looks were driving me crazy.

For an Indonesian guy, he was totally my type.

"Heh... you're really staring at Hadi, huh," Reni said, shaking my shoulder.

"Didn't he used to be more friendly? Remember when he was our group leader during orientation?"

Reni nodded. "Yeah, but that was because the seniors made him do it."

Apparently realizing we were talking about him, Hadi looked in our direction.

Reni and I quickly looked away.

"Let's just go to the canteen," Reni said, pulling me up.

But our steps stopped as Intan walked into the classroom to talk to Hadi.

Both Reni and I instinctively stayed to eavesdrop.

"Ugh... Something's in my eye. Can you check?" I asked Reni.

She frowned. "What?"

I tried to give her a signal that I wanted to stay and spy.

"Aish... you weirdo," she muttered.

"Do you see anything?"

"Let me check," she said, opening my eyelid wide.

"Ow! Not so rough-you'll tear it!" I complained while sneaking glances at the two.

"Hadi... We need to talk," Intan said firmly.

That handsome guy with the Korean-oppa vibes calmly closed his book and looked up at her.

"I think we've talked enough. What else is there to say?" he replied coolly, his face expressionless.

He reminded me of Kim Bum playing So Yi-jung in Boys Over Flowers.

"I still have a lot I want to say. Do you have time? Please?"

"Sorry... I think we're done. There's nothing between us anymore. I'm busy. I don't have time to entertain girls," he said.

Reni and I exchanged glances, our eyebrows raised.

"Dream guy, right?" I whispered.

"O-oh," she nodded in agreement.

Noticing we were watching, Hadi turned toward us.

"Hey... You two! What are you doing there?!" he shouted, making us jump.

"Huh?! Nothing! Just checking for dust," Reni quickly messed up my eyelid again.

"Ugh! That hurts!" I whispered.

Reni kept blowing into my eyes.

"Okay okay! It's gone now!" I snapped, covering her mouth.

The two of them looked at us like we were aliens.

"What is it-dust or eye gunk?" she asked, poking my eye again.

"Enough! Let's go!" I said, pulling her away.

"Ow, what the heck! My eye still stings!"

"And your breath stinks! Stop blowing on me!" I grumbled, walking to the canteen.

Reni tried smelling her own breath.

"Liar! It smells fine."

I ignored her and headed straight for the canteen.