The door was knocked. Lexa immediately turned around right after taking the last sip of water in the glass that accompanied her dinner. She had opened the door and Bocca was there. A 19 year old man with curly hair and a tall build with broad shoulders. Handsome even though he tries to cover it up with thick glasses which he really doesn't really need. Smiling cheerfully in front of her carrying a large bag of popcorn.
"What do you want to do?" investigate Lexa.
"What else? Listening to your first work experience of course," he had already barged in.
"I haven't said I approve of it," Lexa got annoyed too.
"Do I still need that? You always come whenever you want. Why can't I do it?" Bocca looks sullen.
"It's not like that. I'm just really tired," Lexa walked to her sofa.
"Then you can talk to me while I am massaging your feet. You know I'm good at it, right?" his smile again.
"Hmh. You're stubborn!" Lexa finally gave up and Bocca sat down beside the girl.
"Is the job tiring? How are your friends? Is your boss nice?" asked Bocca curiously.
"Can't you be patient a little bit?" Lexa was tired when she put her feet on Bocca's thighs so he could massage her.
"Ok ok. You can tell anytime. At least nine o'clock tonight because I have to do my homework," Bocca reminded and Lexa rolled her eyes lazily.
Bocca is Lexa's neighbor and friend since childhood who lives in front of her room with her old father. His friend was indeed luckier because he was able to study law majors since last year. His father was a contractor and he had enough money for it. Currently he is not very active anymore, but his savings seem to be enough to support them both.
Bocca never believed it when people said 'bullshit there is friendship between a man and a woman because in the end there will be love there'. Bocca denies it due to the fact that he can still be friends with Lexa, his only female best friend. Everything suddenly changed since last year when Lexa's 17th birthday.
Bocca deliberately prepares a special dinner for Lexa. Bocca even asked her other apartment neighbor whom she always called Tina. A makeup artist at the salon not far from here is working on Lexa. Actually, it is more suitable to be called aunt because she is already 40 years old. She wants to be called by name so that she always sounds young.
Bocca prepares dinner on the roof of their apartment. Table and two chairs. Flower and lots of candles. A small tart with two plates of steak and wine. Busy paying attention to his own appearance in cloth pants and a blue shirt. Instead, he was so transfixed when he saw Tina deliver a perfectly made-up Lexa. Wearing a simple black dress that fits her body and make-up that is simple but accentuates her beauty perfectly.
Bocca knew Lexa very well but that night she could see a different side of her. The side that had been actually too scared for Bocca to know. Because just as he thought, he fell in love. Of course not only because of her physical appearance, but he has had feelings for a long time. It was hard for Bocca not to see Lexa for a day. It was torturous for him when he couldn't talk to Lexa. At that time he dodged it on the pretent it was only a comfort that he got from friendship. Now tonight he could vehemently deny it.
"I just realized you're beautiful," said Bocca jokingly.
"Hahaha. To be honest, I also just realized it," Lexa laughed crisply.
"Happy birthday," said Bocca as he handed her a black velvet box.
"A gift? After all this? Gee, you spent all your money on me?" tease Lexa then.
"Actually, this is a gift from my father. I only gave it to you in my name. Hahaha. He said this necklace can protect you," said Bocca, thrusting the necklace in front of Lexa.
"Protect me from what?" asked Lexa opening the box.
"I don't know. Said you'd find out someday," smiled Bocca.
"This is so beautiful. Even though it doesn't protect me from anything, I will still wear it. I promise not to let it go as long as you put it on me," said Lexa casually.
"Hmh, you're such a hassle," said Bocca but moved to wrap it around.
A silver necklace with a sapphire blue oval pendant the size of a thumb nail fits perfectly on Lexa's neck. Bocca couldn't help but smile at her. His father seemed to be good at conquering women's hearts from a long time ago.
"I think you look a lot prettier now," Bocca smiled proudly.
"Hahaha. Did you almost fall in love?" Lexa's teasing brought her face closer to make Bocca froze for a moment looking at the girl's bright pink lips. Making Bocca have to refrain from acting more on the figure of her best friend.
"Hahahaha. You really suck! Did you think I would fall for a super annoying girl like you?" Bocca finally pushed Lexa's head away.
Memories of that night flashed through Bocca's mind. He refocused on Lexa's words when the girl caught him absentmindedly and tapped him on the shoulder. Pretending to be listening, the story somehow continued into the middle of the night. Lexa is like that. Once she spoke it would be very long.
The conversation that finally made Lexa wake up late again. The alarm doesn't sound because it turned out that Lexa's cell phone was off and she forgot to charge it.
"15 more minutes? It's even worse than last time!" Lexa jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom.
It took her five minutes to get everything ready. This time she wasn't even wearing makeup because it would be easier for her to put it on later. Wearing the uniform she already has. Lexa was about to run towards the bus stop until Bocca saw her.
"Where are you going?" asked Bocca in a hurry.
"Where else? Of course work. I'm late," Lexa was about to run and quickly Bocca caught her hand again.
"I'll take you first on my motorbike!" said Bocca quickly and with lightning of course Lexa agreed.
Riding his motorbike, Bocca had to speed through the busy city streets. Lexa held Bocca's clothes tightly. Passed a bus that Lexa usually rides in the morning. It would be too late if she forced herself to take the bus. Without Lexa knowing there were a pair of eyes watching her from inside the bus. Bocca and Lexa also passed a lot of cars and there was one car that really stood out in the crowd. A red sports car whose passengers can also look at Lexa with a probing gaze.