Ray is sick. Those were the first words Alena heard when she entered the classroom. Everyone was talking about the handsome Ray, the impressive Ray, and the sorry Ray for being sick.
Could it be because of last night? Alena thought. Hearing the news that Ray was sick made Alena feel worried. Her eyes darted over to Ray's empty desk.
Alena took the cell phone from her bag. Take the initiative to contact Ray and ask how he is. Her fingers were shaking with nervousness. Typing in the words 'are you sick?' or 'are you okay?' but ended up deleting it again. Alena could only turn off her phone again and take a deep breath. Coward.
Alena wanted to know how the man was now. Is the fever bad? Is there someone to take care of him?
"Hey, Alena… Have you heard that Ray is sick?" Mika asked.
Elena gasped. She looked up at Mika who was sitting at the table in front of her. "Oh? Hmm…" she answered with a mumble.
"You're going to see him?"
"I-I don't know." Reply to Elena.
Mika shrugged. "My friends want to see how things are. But, for fear of being evicted. Perhaps, we will wait until the person enters school." Mika said smiling mockingly, more to herself and her friends. "If you want to see him. Please convey our greetings to him okay?" she said then.
Alena just answered it gracefully. Mika got up from the table she was sitting on. Back to chatting with her friends.
The last lesson finished earlier than usual. Alena decided to venture up to visit Ray at his house. She went to Ray's house by taxi. On the way, Alena sent a short message to Keane.
I came home late. Visiting a classmate who is sick. Say the contents of the message.
When the taxi stopped at one big house. Alena was amazed because she just found out that Ray was from a very rich family. Seen from the size of the house is very large and the yard is so wide — seen from behind the gate.
Elena pressed the bell button. Not long after, a servant came to open the gate.
"Sorry, I'm Alena, Ray's friend."
"Please come in Miss..." The waitress was very friendly. Allowing Alena to enter without questioning the purpose of her arrival.
Alena walked on a path made of flat stones. Around it, there is a grass that is very neatly maintained. Then around her, there are many beautiful plants and flowers.
The maid opened the door. Telling Alena to wait while the maid called someone, maybe Ray. Not long after, a middle-aged woman appeared from the direction of the stairs. Her face is beautiful and looks friendly. When she saw Alena, the middle-aged woman smiled gently at her.
"Hello, I'm Alena Farron, Ray's friend. I came here on behalf of my friends to see him." Alena bowed half of her body, greeting the middle-aged woman.
"I'm Ray's mother..." The middle-aged woman smiled faintly. "It's great to have Ray's friends come to visit besides Jill. Go upstairs. Ray must be happy to see you come to see him."
Alena was confused when Ray's mother just let her go upstairs to Ray's room without accompanying her.
"Ray's room is at the far end of the room. You will find it easily. Meanwhile, Auntie will bring snacks upstairs."
"Oh, okay,"
Ray's mother patted Alena's shoulder lightly. "Don't be so awkward. Think of it as your own home. During this time, no friends other than Jill had come to visit. Especially a girl. So, please, Alena..." Her lips formed a meaningful smile.
Alena just nodded resignedly when Ray's mother left her alone. She looked up to see the stairs she was about to climb. While taking a deep breath. She prepared herself to meet Ray.
Just like what Ray's mother said earlier. Alena found the room at the far end. Elena knocked on the door before opening it.
The first impression that Alena had when she entered Ray's room was the black and white that dominated the room. Typical male furniture, some pictures, and a poster on the wall.
Alena saw Ray was on the bed. His body was covered with a pure white blanket. Alena walked over to the bed and stood there.
"Are you sleeping?" Elena asked doubtfully.
"Hmm... How did you know my house?" Ray asked. His eyes were still closed, not wanting to open them.
"I asked Jill." The answer lies. More precisely, Alena had known from the start where Ray's house was.
Ray glanced at Alena from behind her eyelashes. Taking a deep breath, both eyes opened completely. Staring at Alena who was standing like a statue beside her bed.
"How are you?" Asked Elena.
"Not good," Ray replied. His right hand patted the edge of the bed. Signaling Alena to sit there. The girl complied. "What about you?"
"What?" Alena looked at Ray with a shocked face. Did Ray know?
"One day did not see me. You must be missing me, right?" The corner of Ray's lips formed a seductive smile.
Elena huffed in annoyance. It turns out. "No. I'm just happy that no one bothers me." Alena said lying.
"You hurt my feelings," Ray muttered.
"I met your mother earlier. She was very kind."
"What do you want my mother to be like? Angry when you came to see me?" Ray tease.
"Seeing you can joke like this, you don't look like someone who is sick."
"Hey, I'm really sick. Can't you see I can't move from the bed?" Ray's hand went up and tapped his fingers on his head. Shows how dizzy Ray's head is.
Elena chuckled. "Who told you to rain—" Alena's mouth was locked at once. Staring at Ray who furrowed his eyebrows.
"How did you know I was sick from the rain?" Ray asked probing.
"I-I…" Alena stuttered. Don't know what to answer. "I… Jill told me. Yes, he told me." She said then.
"Oh,"
"You have to take your medicine regularly so you get better soon." Alena tried to divert their conversation. Seeing Ray's face that looked like someone didn't believe her made her feel scared.
Moments later, there was a knock on the door. Ray's mother appeared from behind the door carrying a tray of snacks and drinks she had said earlier.
Smiling, Ray's mother put the tray on the table beside Ray's bed. "Eat while you guys chat." Ray's mother said, then.
Elena smiled faintly. She nodded her head politely. "Thank you," she said softly. Ray's mother answered her with a smile.
Ray lifted himself up, then sat leaning against the headboard. "Mom said something to you?" Ray asked suspiciously. When he saw his mother's eyes on Alena. Something happened.
"There isn't any. So what?" Elena asked confused.
"Just forget it."
"You freak."
Ray laughed. "You're weird too."
"What?"
"You said you didn't want to be my friend, but you were worried when you found out I was sick and came straight here to see me." Ray's words made Alena's face turn red. The girl looked down shyly. "You're worried about me?" she asked softly.
"You're teasing me, right?"
"I'm not teasing you, Alena." Ray grabbed Elena's hand. His hot hand touched Alena's cold hand. Dissolving into a nervousness that made both of them speechless.
Alena looked at the hand that Ray was holding. I couldn't believe it when he did it. Is this a dream, or a hallucination?
"There's something I regret," Ray said then. Alena looked at him with a questioning face. "Someone got hurt because of me, again. I didn't mean to do that, but it's all over."
Alena's blue eyes widened. Could this be about what happened last night? Did Ray regret what he had done to Leanne?
"Honestly, when I saw her cry, I somehow got hurt too. There was something that person was hiding. And accidentally, I touched the wound…"
"Who?" Asked Alena hoarse. She tried to get the one word out of her numb lips.
Ray stared at Alena for a moment, then turned to the hand he had been holding. His fingers played on the back of Alena's soft hand. Just then, he noticed something strange. "Where's your bracelet?" He stared intently at Elena.
Elena looked at her wrist. Oh, shit. She took off her bracelet because yesterday she turned into Leanne and is still in her room. "Oh, maybe the bracelet was left in the bathroom. I didn't even notice that I wasn't wearing it," she said then. She saw the glint of fear in Ray's eyes.