Throughout the three hours of class, Tasia never stopped moving restlessly. She felt the new guy named Hadyan was kept watching her from behind.
Tata said the feeling was just excessive fear and Tasia's suggestion because her first meeting with Hadyan before was less pleasant. But Tasia couldn't stop her heart and brain from being restless.
"I think I've met him. But I've never. But his face is familiar and scares me!" Tasia whispered for the umpteenth time, making Tata's ears heated up.
"That. Just. Your. feeling. Only. Finish." Tata got furious.
RINGGG!!!
The recess bell rang and after the English teacher left the classroom, all the students started to scatter outside. But some kids took the time to approach the new guy's table called Hadyan to just get acquainted. His handsome face and tall athletic body figure were the biggest reasons they flocked to that guy.
"Tata, let's go to the cafeteria now!" Tasia pulled Tata's arm, who had not finished tidying up the books and the contents of her pencil case which were still scattered on the table.
"Wait a minute, Tasia. Marya and the others haven't come to pick us up yet."
"Well, let's just approach them this time instead, okay?" She persuaded as helping to tidy up Tata's books in a hurry.
"What are you doing, Tasia?!" Unconsciously, Tata raised her voice. Tasia gasped in surprise and froze.
"S..sorry" She mumbled regretfully for being so childish that her irritable best friend became angry.
"Hey, are you girls all right?" Greeted Hadyan, who was already standing behind Tasia.
Tasia flinched and turned her body and smiled stiffly, "Huh? Eum.. Yes."
"I thought you two fought? Your voices caught the attention of the others." He smiled.
Tasia suddenly looked around and it was true that they had become the centre of attention, "Ah... I guess so, sorry for disturbing you guys. It was my fault."
Hadyan smiled kindly, "Don't blame yourself, Tasia."
"Yes, I still remember your name 'TASIA'. We met at the resident block when I fell off my motorbike. I hope you still remember it." He continued when he saw Tasia's surprised face.
"And since then, she's been paranoid and scared of you. Isn't that weird?" Told Tata, who was still upset.
Hadyan frowned while smiling confused, "Really? Why?" Suddenly he patted his head lightly, "Oh wait, by the way, I'm Hadyan." he continued, giving his right hand.
Tata grabbed the hand then frowned slightly, "Tata.. Tasia said your hands are cold like a ghost, and it turned out to be true."
"Hahahaha... Yes, a lot of people have said the same thing to me. But actually, I do have a low body temperature, that's why my hands and feet are always cold and I get cold easily too. It's hereditary." He explained.
"Hem.. And my annoying best friend is getting paranoid about that. And found your guys' first meeting was very strange." The emotional girl pouted while glancing at her best friend.
"It.. It's not like that. I just felt a little weird. Maybe because I wasn't feeling well after my vacation." Tasia stuttered to give an excuse for not feeling good about Hadyan.
"Don't worry about it, Tasia. If it wasn't because my motorbike's tire got slipped, we probably wouldn't have met that day." Hadyan said.
"Well, you hear that Tasia. You're just being too paranoid for no reason. Hadyan who didn't know anything became a victim. I'm sure your trauma will get better if you don't think about it continuously."
"Trauma?" Hadyan repeated.
"So here it is, Hadyan. During our last vacation, we went to a beach far away from here. And while we were playing a banana boat, I drowned and missing for all day long. When I woke up, I was already in the hospital." Tasia told.
"We found her washed up on the shore. I think it's all a miracle that we were able to find Tasia safely. You know, miracles could land anywhere, to anyone, and anytime. Strange indeed, but in this world, there were still many things which can not be explained by common sense."
"I believe in miracles. But somehow since then, even though I can't remember what really happened, why I drowned, and wherever the water took me all day, I've been terrified for no reason. I feel like something bad happened when I was disappeared. It all bothered me and traumatized me for no reason." Tasia said honestly.
That explanation made Hadyan look at her sadly, "I'm sorry."
Tasia and Tata looked at each other in confusion, "Why are you apologizing?"
"I'm sorry for the trauma you felt." He avoided.
"Oh.. It's not your fault Hadyan. I know you're trying to be friendly, but you don't need to apologize for this story of mine." Tasia laughed and followed by Tata's nods of approval.
"I mean, sorry if I reminded you of what happened during that vacation."
"It's okay, Hadyan." Tasia shook her head.
"Eum... Maybe you want to join us to have lunch in the canteen?" Tata asked, remembering the tall student in front of her was a new student. Surely he didn't have any close friends.
"Sure." He nodded kindly.
"Tata! Why did you even invite him?" Tasia whispered annoyed.
"Huh? What's the matter? It's all clear now. What's wrong with you?" Tata replied while glancing behind her back, where Hadyan was following their steps.
"But still, Tata. I'm annoyed by him, I don't think he's a good person."
"Oh come on! You are too paranoid. Your paranoia is getting worse day by day! It used to be only to ghosts, but now, an innocent human-like Hadyan has also become your target!" Tata nagged until Tasia no longer answered.
'Tata is right. What is wrong with me? Why do I always feel uncomfortable when I am close to Hadyan? He never did anything wrong to me. Besides, Hadyan was friendly and kind. The one who is weird is me!'
Tasia thought.
***
"So you're the new kid huh? Where did you transfer from?" Mark asked after Tata introduced the new guy to her friends.
"I used to live with my grandmother in the East of our province. Then because she has died, I returned to my parents' house here."
"Your grandmother just died? I'm sorry to hear that." Mark said.
"From east? Yesterday we just had a vacation there. Scales Beach, do you know that name?" Patra interrupted from behind. He had just finished his remaining task and chased them towards the cafeteria.
"I know." Hadyan nodded.
"Ouch wait!" He stretched out his right hand, "Nice to meet you, I'm Patra!"
Hadyan frowned but still returned the greeting, "Hadyan. Nice to meet you too."
"He's weird, isn't he? Hope you get used to him quickly." Jordi laughed, noticing a disturbing look on the new guy's face.
"Yeh... Don't listen to them, Hadyan. They're too square!" He snorted. Hadyan just smiled wryly.
After choosing a table that large and long enough to be occupied, they ordered food and started chatting. At that time, the chat was so interesting because of the presence of a new friend in their midst.
"You are very good looking, Hadyan. I think your fans will number a hundred girls starting today." Marya complimented him bluntly.
"What a flirty girl," Mark mumbled.
"But it's true, isn't it? Instead of you pretending to be handsome, when you're not!" Marya's joke was followed by another laugh.
"Hei, Hadyan. You've lived in the east for a long time, haven't you? Regarding the Scales beach, is the mystical story real?" Asked Patra.
"Hei Patra!" Tata snapped, secretly glancing at Tasia to see how the girl's expression was.
"Just a little, Mommy. I'm very curious."
"Tsk! If Tasia gets paranoid later, you have to take responsibility for it, okay?!" Tata was furious, but Patra considered it as a permit.
Hadyan smiled amusedly at Tasia who was smiling embarrassedly, "Don't be afraid, Tasia. Nothing bad will happen."
"Okey, okay, okay.. So, how is it?" Patra cut impatiently.
"That's true. There is a kingdom that rules both the coast and the sea. It is a very powerful kingdom and is ruled by a demon prince." He said.
"How about wandering at the beach alone at night?" Mark added, unable to contain his outburst of curiosity.
"When the sky is dark and the clouds are covering the stars. If anyone walks at the beach alone during that time, that person would be kidnapped into the mystical kingdom and made into slaves or food."
"Well! I've..." Patra screamed.
"Someone once told me about it. And I always remember it. And imagine it." Hadyan cut him off while looking at Tasia sharply. The girl realized and immediately looked down, but the other friends did not realize it. They were too focused on Hadyan's story.
"So, you mean you don't know whether the myth is true or not?"
"If I were that prince, I wouldn't kidnap humans to be slaves or food. Maybe I'll find a pretty girl to keep me company."
"Hahahahahaha! Seems like you're a Play Boy too!" Mark laughed.
"Yeah, it's natural because you have a handsome face," Marya added, still staring in awe.
Tasia just smiled wryly. She liked to joke and chat with her friends. But this time, she couldn't help the strange pounding in her heart and her discomfort.
'Am I overreacting, thinking he's always smiling weirdly at me? He scares me!' She thought to herself.
"Hey, Tasia! Why are you daydreaming like that from earlier!" Said Patra who was sitting opposite Tasia, snapping his finger many times in front of the round-eyed girl's face.
"Eh? I'm a little sleepy, Hahahahaha.." She lied.
"Here... So that your eyes would fresh!" He scooped up his chicken porridge which had been seasoned with lots of chilli sauce and pepper. It was his favourite concoction of porridge.
"Choo! Choo! Choo!" While imitating the sound of a train, Patra swung a spoonful of porridge towards Tasia's mouth which opened like a tunnel. By chance, Tasia really liked spicy food.
Klang!
The spoon flung away to the floor and spilt its contents.
They were all so wide that their mouths fell open. Their eyes looked at the poor spoon lying on the floor, then their gazes turned to Hadyan whose hand was still hanging in the air.