School days returned, bringing with them the usual routine of classes, assignments, and social interactions. But today felt different. As I sat on the schoolyard bench, lost in my own thoughts, Pila approached and sat beside me. At first, I didn't pay much attention, assuming she was simply passing by. However, she inched closer and closer, her presence becoming increasingly noticeable.
I glanced at her, surprised by her proximity. "Is something wrong, Pila?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of curiosity.
She fidgeted nervously, her fingers twisting a strand of her hair. "Um... no, not really," she stammered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I just... wanted to talk to you."
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Pila and I weren't exactly close friends. We had interacted a few times during exams, but our conversations had always been brief and focused on academics. And doesn't she have a boyfriend? The one who was jealous of me.
"Okay," I replied, my tone neutral, trying to hide my amusement at the situation. "What did you want to talk about?"
Pila hesitated for a moment, her gaze darting around nervously before settling back on me. "Well... you're the top student right now, so... the teachers have been suggesting that you should participate in the upcoming quiz competition with me."
Just like I thought...
A small smile played on my lips. It was a classic scenario, the top two students being paired together for a competition. I couldn't help but wonder if the teachers were hoping for some sparks to fly between us, or if they simply wanted to ensure the school's victory.
"And what do you think?" I asked, tilting my head slightly. "Are you interested in partnering up with me?"
Pila's cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. "Well... I wouldn't mind," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "You're obviously very intelligent, and I think we could make a good team."
I chuckled softly. "I appreciate the compliment," I said, my tone lighthearted. "But I'm not sure if I have the time. I'm pretty busy with... other things."
Pila's expression fell slightly. "Oh... I understand," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. "It's just that... the teachers were really hoping you'd agree. They think we have a good chance of winning."
"But I'll make time for you," I reassured her, my voice firm. "Ask the teacher what the quiz is all about, and we'll learn it together, okay?"
Pila's face lit up, her smile returning. "Really?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with hope. The prospect of working with me, the top student, seemed to fill her with a renewed sense of determination.
"Of course," I confirmed, giving her a reassuring nod. "I wouldn't want to let you down, or the teachers."
"Thank you, Xian," she said, her gratitude evident in her voice. "I'll get the information from the teacher and let you know."
"Great," I replied. "Just text me the details, and we'll set up a study schedule."
Pila nodded, a newfound excitement buzzing within her. "I will. Thanks again, Xian."
She stood up, her movements a bit more confident now. "I'll see you later then," she said, giving me a shy wave before walking away.
I watched her go, a thoughtful expression on my face. Pila was a bright and capable girl, and I had no doubt that we could win the quiz competition together. But there was also a part of me that couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew her boyfriend wouldn't be happy about our partnership, and I didn't want to cause any unnecessary drama.
Well, it's just a quiz competition, I reasoned with myself. It's not like I'm trying to steal his girlfriend.
Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking a fine line. I had to be careful not to let my interactions with Pila cross any boundaries, not if I wanted to avoid further conflict with her overprotective boyfriend.
"Senior..."
Now what... Lenna seems upset, calling my name like that.
As I turned around, my eyes widened in shock. Lenna stood before me, tears streaming down her face.
In the quiet corner of the school's backyard, I knelt beside a freshly dug grave. A small, lifeless form lay wrapped in a cloth, its once-bright eyes now closed forever. It was a stray cat that had called the school its home for over a year, a familiar and beloved presence among the students. But its time had come, and I had taken it upon myself to give it a proper farewell.
Lenna stood beside me, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. "Poor cat... I always gave him food," she whispered, her voice thick with grief.
I gently placed the cat's body in the grave, covering it with soft earth. "He had a good life, Lenna," I said softly, trying to offer some comfort. "He was loved, and he brought joy to many people."
Lenna nodded, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "He did," she sniffled. "He was always there, waiting for me after school. He was my friend."
I gently patted her hair, my voice soothing. "There, there. Don't let your glasses get wet."
Lenna wiped her eyes, taking a deep breath to compose herself. "Ah, Senior..." she began, her voice still thick with emotion.
"Yes?" I replied, my gaze gentle and encouraging.
"Um... Senior, have you been use train, right?" she asked, her voice hesitant.
I nodded my head. "Yeah, why?"
"Well... do you know how to get to Bandung?" she inquired, her gaze averted.
I looked at her, confused by her sudden shyness and interest in going to Bandung. "Why?" I asked, curiosity piqued.
"Umm... I want to meet my family there," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Family... what kind of family... I thought, a sense of unease settling in my stomach.
"Why not go with a family member?" I asked, my concern growing.
She hesitated, her lips trembling slightly. Then, with a deep sigh, she looked up at me, her eyes pleading. "Promise you won't tell anyone?"
I nodded, my expression serious.
"Well... I want to run away for a moment..." she confessed, her voice cracking with emotion.
Her confession hung heavy in the air, a stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere of the festival just moments before. The tears that welled up in her eyes, the trembling of her lips, the way she clutched her shirt tightly – it all painted a picture of a girl struggling to cope, a girl on the verge of breaking under the weight of her parents' crumbling marriage.
"Lenna," I began, my voice gentle but firm, "can you tell me what's going on? Why do you want to run away?"
She hesitated, her gaze fixed on the ground, as if afraid to meet my eyes. But then, with a shuddering breath, she looked up, her eyes pleading for understanding.
"My parents... they're getting a divorce," she finally revealed, her voice barely above a whisper. "They fight all the time, and it's... it's unbearable. I can't stand being in that house anymore."
Her words tumbled out in a rush, the dam of her emotions finally breaking. "They don't even notice me anymore," she continued, tears streaming down her cheeks. "They're too caught up in their own problems, their own anger. I feel like... like I don't matter to them anymore."
I listened in silence, my heart aching for her. The pain in her voice, the raw vulnerability in her eyes, it was a stark reminder of the hidden struggles that many teenagers faced, the silent battles fought behind closed doors. It was a reminder that even amidst the fantastical world of superheroes and Harbingers, the everyday struggles of life could still cut deep.
"And who's your family in Bandung?" I asked gently, my voice filled with concern.
Lenna sniffled, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "My grandparents," she replied, her voice still shaky. "They live in a small village outside of Bandung. They've always been there for me, even when my parents haven't."
A wave of understanding washed over me. Grandparents, the unsung heroes of many families, often provided the love and stability that children desperately needed, especially during times of turmoil. It was clear that Lenna's grandparents were her safe haven, a refuge from the storm raging within her own home.
"I see," I said softly, my voice filled with empathy. "It sounds like they're very important to you."
Lenna nodded, her eyes shining with a mix of sadness and gratitude. "They are," she confirmed. "They're the only ones who truly understand me, who make me feel loved and appreciated."
A silence fell between us, the weight of Lenna's confession hanging heavy in the air. I could see the desperation in her eyes, the longing for escape, the yearning for a place where she could finally feel safe and whole.
"I'll help you get to Bandung, Lenna," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "I'll make sure you get to your grandparents safely."
"R-Really?" she asked, her eyes widening in surprise. "Then can we go this weekend?"
"Alright, sure," I replied, a reassuring smile spreading across my face. "We'll leave this weekend."
Lenna's face lit up, a genuine smile replacing the tears that had stained her cheeks just moments before. "Thank you, Senior," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You don't know how much this means to me."
I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, Lenna," I reassured her. "I understand. Everyone needs a break sometimes, a place where they can feel safe and loved. And I'm happy to help you find that."
She nodded, a newfound sense of hope shining in her eyes, and left me alone in the schoolyard.
As I watched her retreating figure, a wave of determination washed over me. "I won't let you go through this alone, Lenna," I whispered to myself, my resolve hardening. "Running away isn't the solution to your problems."
< Chapter 194 > Fin.