"Why have you been on the toilet for a long time? Soon the lecturer will come in, you know. Have you had breakfast?" asked Stefa.
Stefa is not a patient person, especially with Taera's behavior, which is sometimes said to be 'weird' or likes to have a world of her own. Stefa is an organized, active, and updated person. Despite Taera being a geeky person. Her life is just monotonous. She never cares about campus events.
This time Stefa was annoyed again. Taera shook her head. She hasn't had breakfast. After finishing the first hour of class, there is a brief pause before the next class. Stefa ate her lunch in class because they didn't move to another classroom. Meanwhile, Taera went to the toilet.
"I had a stomach ache earlier. Yesterday, after I ate a lot of chili sauce," Taera replied.
"You said yesterday you are lazy to come out. How come you bought meatballs?"
"Sonia and Hyona bought me one. They were after traveling. They also bought lots of clothes. Just because there are lots of discounts and the beginning of the month."
Sonia and Hyona are roommates with Taera.
"Are you sure you don't want to move to my boarding house? There's still one empty room."
"It's okay. I'm comfortable there. Besides, my boarding mates are all fine, already a best friend."
"Well then. Oh yeah, when we get home after the class, we'll hang out at the cafe in front of the campus. I want to eat cheesecake."
"I want to go home right away," Taera's habit soul churned.
"Come on, please," said Stefa begging, showing her eye smile.
Taera chuckled irritably. She couldn't refuse Stefa's request, "Yes, okay."
Stefa's smile widened, "Thanks, Taera."
***
Going home from college, Taera took Stefa to buy a cheesecake. Incidentally, there is Taera's favorite black forest. The cafe was surprisingly busy too. Many college students are hanging out there. Taera's eye is focusing on a row of cakes. Earlier Taera didn't have time to eat breakfast, then at noon she only got a little fried rice because the canteen was busy. Then they went to college again. She is hungry right now.
"Woah! There is Hano!" said Stefa excitedly while shaking Taera's arm.
Hano is a senior of them. Hano on a management major, grade three. Stefa has liked Hano since high school. One of the reasons why Stefa chose to study at this college is because there is Hano here.
"Where is Hano?" Taera looked around to look for Hano.
"That's it. The one wearing the jeans jacket," Stefa pointed at the Hano chair, "Eh, there is Alex and Ardilo as well."
Taera immediately glared in surprise when she saw Ardilo there, the boy who hit her this morning. Suddenly her face flushed red. Somehow she felt strange and happy at the same time.
"Stef!" said Hano. He motioned for Stefa and Taera to join them in sitting.
Stefa smiled triumphantly. Finally, she has noticed too.
"Let's go over there," said Stefa.
"No. I don't know the boys," said Taera.
Taera hasn't told Stefa that she accidentally met Ardilo and acquaintances. It is about her pride because earlier indirectly Taera said that Ardilo was not handsome. Even though once he smiled at Taera, she was fascinated.
"It's a chance. There is also Ardilo. You don't know which is Ardilo. This is a chance to see his face closer," said Stefa again.
Taera still showed no desire to join them.
"Come on... You know this is a chance for me to be close with Hano."
Taera understood Stefa's feelings. Finally, Taera agreed with Stefa's wish. They then walked closer to Alex, Hano, and Ardilo's table.
"Hi," said Stefa to Hano.
"You already say hello to him, Stef? Are you not being greeted with your prospective sibling?" asked Alex.
"Do you want to be greeted too?" asked Stefa back made Hano and Ardilo laugh.
"You're bad, Stef. Luckily you are my girlfriend's cousin," said Alex.
Meanwhile, Taera was silent. Take care of her image.
"Sit here. Don't just stand up," Ardilo said to Taera.
Taera then sat in front of Ardilo, Stefa in front of Hano, and there was still one empty seat in front of Alex.
"Do you want to eat something?" asked Hano.
"Yes. I am hungry," said Stefa.
"What do you want to order? Let me order," Hano said, offering himself.
"We can order it ourselves," said Stefa.
"It's okay. I want to add more cheesecakes. That's all. Write your order," said Hano.
"He's very kind, Stef," said Alex.
"Instead of you a lot of talks too much," said Stefa.
Once again, this made Hano and Ardilo laugh while Alex was pissed off because he was upset. This time Taera smiled while looking at Alex's face. A few moments later, Taera stopped smiling when she felt Ardilo looking at her.
Stefa is familiar with Alex. Stefa is Yuna's cousin, Alex's girlfriend. Because Alex often stopped by their boarding house for met Yuna, so Alex and Stefa were very close.
"Is this all? Wait a minute," Hano said and then stood up and went to the ordering table.
"Oh yes, this is an introduction to my classmate. Her name is Taera," said Stefa to Alex and Ardilo.
"Hi, I'm Alex," said him, then shook hands with Taera.
"Greetings," said Taera.
Ardilo then smiled, "We were acquaintances earlier."
"Huh? When was it?" asked Stefa in surprise.
"Earlier we accidentally crashed near the photocopier. Then I got to know Taera," said Ardilo.
Stefa then saw Taera with a look of "You owe me an explanation."
Taera just smiled, "Yes." She was confused about what to say.
Just like that? She won't talk too much, Ardilo thought.
"Eh, what's wrong? I miss something, right?" Hano said, carrying the tray of their order.
"This... we are acquaintance with Taera," explained Alex.
"Oh, Stefa's friend. Hi, I'm Hano."
Taera then shook hands with Hano.
"Let's eat the cake," said Hano.
While eating cheesecake, Stefa chatted with Hano. Meanwhile, Alex is busy with his handphone because he is waiting for the chat from his girlfriend, who hasn't finished college yet. Meanwhile, Taera, who was still awkward, finally chose to stay quiet while eating the black forest. As long as she ate, she felt that Ardilo was watching him.
"Hi!" said a beautiful girl.
"Hi, honey. Why you take so long?" asked Alex as soon as the girl sat in front of him and took the bubble tea in front of Alex.
"My friend borrowed a brief note. As usual, she fell asleep in class," the girl then drank Alex's bubble tea.
Alex hopes to understand the behavior of his girlfriend named Yuna. She likes Alex's food and drinks.
"Oh, there's Stefa, huh. There's Taera too. It's inconvenient for you two to hang out here?" asked Yuna.
"Just happened to meet them here," Hano replied.
Stefa just nodded in agreement.
"Let's go to the movies. There is another good film," Yuna asked suddenly.
"Let's go," Hano agreed.
Alex nodded in agreement.
"I just followed," said Ardilo.
"Come on. I also want to come," said Stefa.
Taera glared at her, "Stef, we have an assignment tomorrow. Have you done it?"
"Tomorrow, we have a class at 1 pm, darling. We can do it in the morning," said Stefa casually.
"I'll help you later," said Yuna. She's also an accounting major, grade three.
"Come on, Tae," whined Stefa like a child.
Taera felt Ardilo was looking at her. Suddenly Taera felt uncomfortable when she wanted to refuse Hano's invitation.
"Fine," said Taera at last.
"So that's it. Calm down, let Alex pay it," said Hano.
"Why always me?" asked Alex.
"You're rich, bro," said Stefa.
"Alright, Lex," said Ardilo.
"Yeah, yeah," said Alex finally.
"Do you bring a car?" asked Hano.
"No, I don't," replied Stefa.
"Then what were you going to use?" asked Taera.
"I was with Yania earlier. Because Yuna went first," replied Stefa.
"Yes, sorry, I was in a hurry. There was an impromptu gathering to discuss group assignments," Yuna said, explaining to Stefa.
"Okay, just with me then. Let Alex and Yuna," said Hano later.
"Okay," said Stefa cheerfully. She was happy because it was a chance to go to the movies with Hano.
"Then what about Taera and Ardilo?" asked Yuna.
"I brought a car," Taera replied.
"Well, then Ardilo and Taera together. Ardilo didn't bring a car," suggested Alex.
"Where's your car?" asked Hano.
"I'm at the workshop again. This morning I was with Umin," Ardilo replied.
"Okay. How about it, Taera? Can you?" asked Hano.
Taera doesn't want to. The problem is she likes to be awkward when she walks with a guy who is not very familiar. Moreover, she just met this morning. Taera was afraid that Ardilo would not feel comfortable going out with her.
Ardilo saw it and smiled.
What are you doing with all the smiles? I don't know Ardilo's smile makes me mad, Taera thought.
Stefa nudged Taera's arm, "Taera?"
"Uh... yes... okay, let's go," Taera replied.
"Okay, then let's go now. Let us not get back home at night," said Yuna.
"Okay," said the others also agreed with Yuna's invitation.
They then exited the cafe and walked to the parking lot to pick up their cars. It turns out that near the parking, lot many college students are hanging out. They watched Alex, Yuna, Hano, Stefa, Ardilo, and Taera whispering.
Alex and Yuna are well-known as one of the best couples in college are always in the spotlight. Stefa and Hano, who walk around jokingly, are also known as the hits student, are in the spotlight. Moreover Ardilo. Ardilo is fair to see because he is one of the candidates for chairman of the SEB Faculty of Economics. Meanwhile, Taera was walking behind him felt insecure seen like that. She felt like she was just an ordinary student who usually just went to class and home from college. Then she is suddenly walking with one of the SEB faculty chairman candidates, people seem to get excited.
Ardilo saw Taera felt uncomfortable, then waited for her to walk together. Ardilo paid no attention to the people who were looking at them whispering. He seemed comfortable walking with Taera.
"Where are the keys? Let me take the car," Ardilo said so close to Taera's car.
Taera was still dumbfounded. She is confused.
"You look tired. Today you go to college from morning to evening. So, let me take the car," Ardilo said, stretching out his hand to ask for Taera's car keys.
"Ah... yes... bro. Wait a minute," Taera then looked for her car key in her bag and gave it to Ardilo.
"You just sit at the front. Please, don't sit in the back," Ardilo said.
Taera just nodded and obliged.
For her, this is awkward. In all of Taera's age, it was rare to walk together with a boy. Once the road is certain they will go on their own. It is the first time she's going in a car with a boy. Except, for his father.
As soon as Taera sat down and closed the car door, Ardilo nimbly put on Taera's seat belt. It's made Taera even more clumsy. If people don't know the reality, they will think they are dating.
"Are you ready to go?" Ardilo asked, smiling at her.
Taera just nodded and smiled.
Ardilo then started the car. Taera doesn't know why that time she felt that along the way to the movie, his smile never subsided.