Chapter 3 Careful

"Miss, two fried noodles and two Fresteas, please," Reni said to the canteen lady while I waited at the table. It didn't take long before she came back carrying the food.

"Here... our lunch," she said as she set it on the table. I grabbed the plate and started eating right away. I hadn't had breakfast this morning because I was in a rush, so now I was starving.

"Ew... careful! You're eating like you're possessed!"

"No, this is Korean-style eating. One big bite!" I said with my mouth full.

"You... you look insane. Whatever," Reni replied, eating gracefully. She twirled her noodles with a fork and chewed slowly, like a Miss Universe.

"Ugh... I'm getting full just watching you eat," I grumbled while munching.

"A girl should be elegant," she said while chewing slowly and neatly.

"Hey, Reni..." three pretty girls greeted us. They were the same girls we overheard arguing in the parking lot yesterday about some kind of bet.

"Oh... Rainbow Gang. What a surprise. What do you want now?" Reni asked. I just glanced at them and continued eating.

"The others are placing bets again."

"And what's that got to do with us?"

I nodded while chewing my food.

"The new girl here looks promising! Wanna join the bet?" one of them asked me, catching me off guard. I choked. The food didn't go down right, and my nose stung and throat scratched.

"Drink... get me some wate-ughuk," I struggled to speak. Reni widened her eyes and tried to open the bottle cap.

"Eat carefully, will you?!" she scolded. Once the bottle was open, I chugged it all down.

"So, you in?" the girl named Sissi asked, according to her nametag.

"You want to, right? You said earlier you wanted to get close to Hadi," Reni chimed in.

"Ah... no! I was just joking!" I replied quickly.

"You'll regret not trying," Reni teased. I frowned.

"Didn't you say you were popular at your old high school? You could get any guy you want, right? Are you sure you wanna pass up this opportunity?"

I fell silent and looked at the girls.

"Yeah, I said that but-"

"Gang, come here! Let's place a new bet!" Sissi called out. My eyes widened as more people gathered.

"Is the new girl our icon for this one?" someone asked.

"Whoa, hold up. You all just barged in. We're eating, and this girl hasn't even agreed," Reni interjected.

"Oh come on, it'll be fun!"

"No way! You all just go away. So annoying," I grumbled. Everyone dispersed, and Sissi and her crew pouted and took a seat.

"You really should participate. This is our welcome gift for the new student," Sissi said. I frowned.

"Aren't there any guys besides Hadi?"

They exchanged glances and turned toward a guy approaching us, swaying his hips while carrying food.

"Here's Ardiansyah..." Reni said, grabbing his hand.

"Ugh, call me Icah! Not Ardiansyah!" he said firmly, making me purse my lips and burst out laughing.

"Oh no, not this. That's not even a real guy!" I said. Everyone laughed out loud.

"Let go! I wanna eat peacefully in the corner. Don't bother me, bye!"

"What a useless life," Sissi remarked.

"So, Tipa, what do you say?"

I stayed quiet, sipping water.

"Didn't you say you were popular at your old school? Could get anyone?"

I paused.

"I lied! I wasn't that popular," I admitted. Everyone fell silent, trying not to laugh. I raised my head and looked at them.

"But... I did get close to the most popular guy, even if in the end-" my voice faltered.

Silence.

"It ended tragically..." I said. Reni and the others looked touched.

"What happened?"

"Ditra... He got into a fatal accident. And I've been kind of traumatized ever since. Besides, Hadi's not even my type. He's way too cold. I'd rather not," I muttered.

They went silent. I honestly didn't want to join that stupid bet. Sure, I was curious about the guy, but I wasn't about to let those four leeches turn this into a money game. Did they think I was that naive?

The evening sky in this big city wasn't as charming as those green towns. The noise of traffic and pollution ruined the beauty of the orange sunset.

Amid the chaos of people going about their routines, I enjoyed my time sitting at the bus stop, listening to the soundtrack from my favorite drama, Boys Before Flowers – "Making A Lover."

"Sasange sorijilleo, I love you, neol saranghandago... Naaui yeojaga doeejullago..." I hummed softly along with the song-until it was abruptly cut off.

The bus I was waiting for had already passed by.

I yanked my earphones out and stood up quickly.

"Wait! Please wait!" I shouted, trying to chase it, but I had been too absorbed in the music to notice the bus had stopped and left without me.

"Ugh... this sucks," I muttered, hands on knees, trying to catch my breath.

"Great. Missed the bus. Mom can't pick me up today since it's Friday and she's swamped at the restaurant," I grumbled.

I trudged down the sidewalk with a sulky face. Maybe I could hang around the city square before finding an angkot, though not many passed by this route.

Across the street, I spotted Hadi getting off his motorbike and parking in front of a bookstore. He seemed like he was about to go inside. My curiosity got the best of me and I instinctively ran across the street.

I forgot it was a main road.

TIIIIIIIIITTTT-!!

The blaring horns and the sight of a speeding car coming right at me made me scream.

"ARRRGH-!"

People turned their heads toward the chaos.

SCREEEEECH-!

Luckily, the driver hit the brakes just in time. The car stopped mere centimeters from hitting me-a black Pajero with a government plate.

"Hey! You think this road belongs to your father?!" he shouted, making my heart pound. My legs trembled. I looked over to see Hadi, who witnessed the whole thing. My face burned with embarrassment.

"Hey! Don't just stand there! Move! You're holding up traffic!" the driver yelled again. I looked back. Several cars had stopped behind him.

"I'm sorry, sir, really sorry..." I said, bowing and folding my hands in apology to everyone. I walked to the edge and stepped onto the bookstore's terrace. Hadi was still staring at me in disbelief.

I gave him a sheepish smile as we stood face to face.

"Are you okay?" he asked flatly. I smiled awkwardly, scratching my neck and gripping my backpack strap.

"Y-yeah..." I mumbled, still shaken.

"Where were you going?" his question caught me off guard. I couldn't tell him I'd crossed the road just to stalk him.

"Uh... I... I was going to-"

I glanced into the bookstore.

"Look for a book!" I blurted.

He looked inside.

"Oh, really? Alright," he said, walking in. I took a deep breath and followed.

For five minutes, I trailed behind him as he browsed the shelves. Eventually, he turned to me.

"Are you here to find a book, or just to follow me around?" he asked bluntly, making my eyes widen.

"H-huh? Sorry, I-I was looking for something but I don't think they have it," I stammered, pretending to be confused. He glanced at my transparent tote bag. The Korean magazine inside, with a Boys Before Flowers cover, made him smirk.

"If you're looking for Korean magazines, you won't find them here," he said. I looked down and raised the bag.

"Yeah, I guess not..."

He shook his head, still smirking.

"Maybe I'll just head home," I said awkwardly. Hadi didn't say anything and continued browsing. I quietly walked out.

"Tipa, you idiot! Ugh, so embarrassing," I muttered under my breath.

Not long after, while walking down the street, I heard a honk. I turned to see a guy on a blue and silver racing bike.

My eyes widened as he stopped next to me.

"Why are you walking?"

"Missed the bus. I'm trying to find an angkot," I replied.

He looked ahead, eyes scanning under his racing helmet.

"It'll be hard to find one this late. I can give you a ride. Hop on," he offered. I froze.

"Well? Don't just stand there. You want a ride or not?"

"Y-yeah, I do-" I whispered as I stepped closer.

"Actually, I'd love to," I muttered again, climbing onto the bike.