"Hey, y'all! As your student body president, the first thing I'd like to say is welcome back. To start us off, I'd like to bring up a guest speaker to make the first speech of the night and that guest speaker is… Lea Kinandita! "Lea immediately freezes in shock, the crowd turning to her in surprise.
"Please welcome our newest lottery winner, the farm girl from Wyoming herself! "Lea turns to Amira in a panic, but she pushes her towards the podium.
"Come on up, Lea. We'd love to hear what you have to say! "
People whisper to each other as Lea joins Hadyan at the podium stand. She grudgingly takes the microphone from him.
"I'm honoured to be among you all today. I know some of you may look down on me as a charity case, or just someone who got lucky. But I can assure you, I have worked my ass off to be here "Lea's eyes find Amira in the crowd. She smiles at her, encouraging.
"I guess you could say I'm completely out of my element, but I'm thankful, nonetheless. Thankful for the opportunity to expand my education. And thankful, especially, to be amongst you all "the crowd claps politely.
"Thank you. "Hadyan takes the mic back from her. He hesitates and then smiles at Lea.
"Good speech "Hadyan shouts into the mic.
"Time to party! "
The dance party kicks off. Chase sidles up to you. "Hey, pretty girl. Looking good tonight.
"It's one of Hadyan's friends. But the nicer ones, I remember "Lea shoots him a flirtatious smile. He grins back at Lea, shooting her a wink. Hadyan notices, scowling in response.
"Kevin, get out of here "Hadyan turns to you, ignoring the adoring crowd of girls forming around him.
"I prefer if you stop interfering in my life "
"No can do, Lea. You'll just have to trust me "
"Trust you? Why would I do that? "
He hesitates, his eyes flicking to the growing crowd around you both, "come dance with me ".
"I don't think that's such a good idea "a flash of hurt appears across Hadrian's face. He bends down until he's at eye level with Lea.
"Is that what you think, Lea? "His face is inches from Lea, close enough to hear his breath.
Oh, my God. Is he going to kiss me?
Hadyan looks as though he's about to kiss Lea. Just as Hadyan's lips are about to touch Lea, he pushes her away.
"C'mon Lea. Don't embarrass yourself "the music stops. Everyone turns to look at Lea.
"I'm not interested in you that way, though you knew "Lea was flush with humiliation.
"Hadyan "
"Not now, Nes "
I can't believe he's doing this in front of everyone.
Lea turns to Amira, hopeful that she'll intervene. Hadyan notices.
"Oh, you think my sister will choose you. I'm her blood. You're just a temporary distraction.
"Hadyan, stop it "
"Haiyan, why are you acting like this? "a glimmer of pain appears in his eyes. Almost as though it's hurting him to be saying these words.
"Because I don't want a charity case sullying my good name "
"So that's all I am to you? A charity case. "
"I don't know how many times you need me to repeat it. You are charity "the crowd's whispers grow louder. Hadyan keeps going.
"And you know how I know you're a charity? Because you couldn't even find new boots to wear tonight. Only the pretty, disgusting pair you have on right now.
Lea let the tears well up. "Come one, Lea. Let's go "as Amira corrals Lea away, her eyes meet Hadyan's for the final time. He opens his mouth and for a moment, it looks like he's about to apologize. But then he sees his sycophants watching and hardens once more.
"Get her out of here, Amira ". Amira quickly guides Lea away from the crowd.
"Why did he humiliate me like that?"
"Let's talk back in the dorm, Lea "
Lea and Amira head back into her dorm room. A second later, Kevin appears at her door. "Did you follow us here? asked Amira
"I did. I wanted to apologize for Hadyan's behaviour "
"Get out, Kevin. I'm not in the mood "Kevin hesitates, but leaves. Once Kevin leaves, Amira releases a heavy sigh.
"Hadyan usually plays the godfather around these parts, Lea. He doesn't normally treat students like this ".
"Then why am I the exception "
"I don't know "
She doesn't sound like she's telling the truth. "Hopefully tomorrow will be better ".
"I'll try talking to Hadyan. Honestly, you might even have done something to him without knowing. But now, it's time for bed. Early day tomorrow "
Amira slips into her bed. Lea rifles through her suitcase for pajamas.
Lea finds framed photo of Lea's grandmother in her bag. Oh, Grandma. How I miss you.
Lea takes the photo to bed with her. With thoughts of Hadyan permeating every corner of her mind, Lea drifts uneasily to sleep.
***
Lea woke the next morning to a wrapped gift from Kevin lying next to her bed. "What's this?"
"It was just delivered. Open it!"
"Okay, okay, I will "Lea tore the packaging off and found brand new boots.
"Did he leave a message? "Lea nods, seeing the handwritten note next to the boots. Lea read aloud, "They aren't your grandma's boots. So, I know they don't have the same meaning. But I wanted to make you smile on your first day of classes. Sorry again. About last night. "
"Wow, that was generous of him "
"Yeah, it is. But why is he being so nice to me?"
"Maybe he is sorry for last night. Oh, come on, Boots. It's your first day. Lighten up "
"Boots? "
"I've decided that's my nickname for you. You, know, since you love them so much "she smiles warmly, clearly joking.
"Now, first-day checklist. Most importantly, did Hadyan give you the key card?" Lea nodded, removing her key card from her pocket and showing it to her.
Amira frowns when she sees the card. "Uh-oh. He put you with us. "
"What do you mean? "
"I mean you're having lunch with us "
"Is that so bad? "
"It's not bad. It's just surprising "
"Why is it surprising? "
"Because Hadyan doesn't generally invite other students to our private lunches. I'll see you at noon. Come to the red-brick building hidden behind the class compound "
Lea arrives at her first class of the day, a political source. Most of the seats are already taken. Lea plopped herself down in the middle of the crowd, daring them to say something. Eventually, most of the students lose interest and go back to chatting with each other. Except for one, who you recognize as the mean girl from the hallway.
"What a demonstration last night, cowgirl. Mooooooooo "Lea says and does nothing, pretending she didn't hear her.
"Hey, cowgirl! Did you hear me? "Before Lea can respond, or not respond, the classroom door opens. To her shock, Hadyan enters the classroom.
You have got to be kidding me.
"Hello everyone. Professor John had a death in the family. Since I've been going on a business internship with him, I will be taking over the class until he returns "
Oh no. Given our previous interactions, this doesn't bode well for me.
Lea sinks seven lower into her seat, hoping he doesn't see her. It doesn't work. Hadyan immediately turns to you. "Now, let's begin. Lea, please name every president of Indonesia in under 3 minutes. Go. "
He's trying to trip me up.
"Um. Soeharto. Soekarno. No, wait, Gusdur, then SBY" Lea trails off, unable to remember the order. Hadyan opens his mouth to continue, but he's distracted by her new boots.
"Nice boots. Expensive "he takes a beat, squinting down at her face. For some reason, he appears upset.
"Who gave them to you? "
"Umm, why do you care? "
"I care about every student at Elite "
"I don't see you asking anyone else about their choice of footwear " Hadyan starts to respond, but notices other students paying close attention to their conversation. Instead, he scowls and turns away from her.
Did I just screw up my grade in this class, and ruin my chance at keeping the scholarship?
Lea let him walk away without saying anything. One class down, another million to go. A second later, her stomach grumbles. Time for lunch.
Lea follows Amira's instructions to a restaurant. Lea walks in, gaping in awe at the extravagant-up up.
Kevin called, "Lea Kinandita! "
Dito, Hadyan, Amira, and Kevin are already sitting around the table. Oh, God. Hadyan's here. Amira and Kevin wave Lea over. Lea head to the table.
"Here, Lea. You can sit next to me "she pats the chair between her and Kevin.
"Thank you, Amira" Hadyan waves the waiter over. Dito rubs his hands together in glee.
"Time for fillet mignon, oui? "Said Dito
"Voulez-vous commander? "Reply Waiter
"J'aimerais le crabe farci, du pain francais et un verre de vigne. Merci " Hadyan said it in fluent French.