They went to a small restaurant not far from Carl's shop earlier. The small restaurant is like a private lodge. Few games dominate the place. Tables and chairs made of wood, a small mini bar, and several sofas in the corner of the room. In front of it is a game of billiards.
"What is this place?" Elena asked confused.
"The name of this place, Gazzo. A place for teenagers to spend time. Here there are lots of games, then upstairs contains a place to read or just want a quiet atmosphere. The food here is also delicious and famously cheap." Said Ray. He pulled out a chair for Alena, and then for himself.
"Thank you,"
"What do you want to order?"
"Same with you," said Alena.
"Okay, wait a minute..." Ray left the table, then approached a tall man to order food. After speaking with the man, Ray returned to Alena's desk.
"Is this place closed? Why is there no one at all?"
Ray chuckled, "This place opens at 7 pm. Of course, no one is here but us."
"What? Then why are we allowed in?"
"That's why this place is different from other places to eat. Even though this place opens at 7 pm, the owner still serves anyone who comes to order food." Said Ray.
"You look like you know this place well."
"You can say that. I come here often, or rather first."
At that time, Alena felt Ray had a secret that bothered her.
Around 9pm, Alena returned home, escorted by Ray. All day with Ray, and she knew a few things about the man.
"Uhm, thanks for dropping me off. And for this bracelet too." Alena showed the bracelet in her hand to Ray. She really likes it.
"Don't lose the bracelet." Ray reminded him.
"I'm not going to get rid of it. I'll keep it well." Elena put on a sullen face.
"Good. I go first."
"Uhm..."
"Al?"
Elena looked back. Keane came out wearing a black T-shirt that said 'Earth'. His face looked sour when he found out Alena had just come home with Ray.
"Oh, Keane? What are you doing?"
"You came home late, idiot. I should be the one asking that." Keane said, curtly. "Keene called you, but your cell phone was off. Where have you been?"
Elena immediately reached for her cell phone in her bag. The phone is dead. "Oh sorry Keane, my phone is dead. I just went out with Ray and had a meal together."
"Who's he...?" Ray asked, looking straight at Keane.
"He's my brother's," Alena replied to Ray. The man looked surprised. Seeing Keane's attitude just now, everyone would think that Keane was her lover. "And sorry for his attitude, he's a guy who does get a little rough with new people."
"What's my attitude? Hurry and get inside!" Keane said curtly.
"Keane, stop it. Don't be like that... Ray, forgive my little brother's attitude."
"No problem. Come in, I'll go."
Keane closed the door of the house as soon as Alena entered. His eyes looked at his sister with an innocent face. "What? Why me again?"
Alena punched Keane lightly. Annoyed with Keane's attitude toward strangers all the time. "You suck. And you've gone too far with Ray." The trigger.
Keane shrugged, ignoring the angry Alena. Keene who saw it from the living room, could not help but be silent, as the twin brother, and sister argued again.
"Don't do it again, Keane." Elena threatened.
"I'm not easily intimidated, Al."
Annoyed, Alena, left, stomping her feet. Keene chuckled at their behavior like a pair of lovers fighting. Meanwhile, as usual, Keane could only stare at Alena with an indifferent face.
***
That morning, Alena was surprised by several questions from her friends about what happened yesterday. When Ray suddenly appeared at her locker and pulled her away like a couple.
Elena stuttered unable to answer. Could only be silent when Mika and the others asked a thousand questions that cornered him.
"Are you guys dating?" Mika asked again. I don't know how many times this question has been repeated.
Seeing Alena's silent response, her friend decided the answer himself. "So you guys are really dating?" He demanded then.
"No, it's not like that, we—"
"We're friends."
Elena turned to the source of the voice. Ray appeared to be carrying a bag on her shoulder. Dropped his bag right beside her desk and stood behind Alena.
"We're officially been friends since yesterday," Ray said, repeating his previous words. His hand patted her shoulder lightly. Alena's body jolted when she felt his touch.
Alena lifted her head, looking at Ray. "What?" She wasn't the only one surprised. Everyone in the class was taken aback by Ray's statement.
"What I said just now was a strange thing?" Ray asked.
"It's a bit strange since you've never been seen with girls in this school. Yes, only a few, but not from this class." Miku said. Wondering why Ray could be friends with the nerdy Alena. The two of them hadn't even spoken to each other since grade 1.
"I just want to expand my friendship. Is that the wrong thing? After all, Alena is a good girl. I like it." Ray explained with a straight face.
Everyone present there was stunned in shock. Does Ray like Alena as a friend? Is that true?
"And should I ask permission or tell all of you that I'm friends with Alena? I do not think so. This is a personal matter, and I don't like to share it with other people." Ray explained again. Everyone was silent, including Alena —who didn't know what to say.
A warm feeling enveloped Alena's heart when, without realizing it, Ray gave her a precious opportunity to have friends. A friend who really wants to be friends sincerely without expecting anything.
"Any more questions?" Ray asked, then.
During lunchtime. Alena always sat in the corner of the cafeteria without anyone eating with her. But, for the first time in 3 years, she went to school. Ray was the only person to eat with her for the first time. Sit across from each other like a friend.
"Why are you doing all this?" Elena asked, confused. "Are you planning something evil? If so, sorry, my life is already too pathetic to be made any more miserable."
"Sentimental." Ray's comments. He devoured his food without noticing Alena's sharp gaze, and several pairs of eyes were watching the closeness between the two.
"I'm not sentimental," shouted Alena. "Tell me what you're planning."
"I told you there wasn't. I just want to finish my meal in peace without any probing stares from my own friends." Ray looked at Alena, who was glaring at him lazily.
"I'm not your friend."
Ray snorted, "Are you aloof too much, so you don't really need a friend? I wanted to be friends with you, but you rejected me outright…"
"That's because you're so weird!" Elena exclaimed. "We haven't spoken to each other in the past. Not until that incident. And you suddenly asked me out and told everyone that we were friends. Whereas you yourself are a person who never thinks about anything around you. Do you think I don't find it weird? I may be a geeky girl, but I'm not stupid."
Ray scratched his head non-itchingly. "Eat your food." He muttered, ignoring Alena's words.
"Ray!"
"What?"
"Answer me first… why are you acting like this to me?"
Ray took a deep breath. Put the spoon on the tray. "I said that very clearly, didn't I? I like you because you are a good person. And I want to be your friend."