5

PoV ARKANA

Arkana PoV

"Boo..." I blew Svaha's ear from behind as she was crouching suspiciously behind the pillar of her classroom.

No. She wasn't startled or surprised. She only gave me a second or two to notice my presence. Then she straightened her body gracefully. Turn around and face me.

"Startled?" I asked.

She shook her head. But her face was terrified—as pale as a maniac who had just been caught stealing underwear.

"Who are you avoiding?" I looked up from her position.

"No one."

I squinted. It's understandable with her strange attitude. We're good friends. Long time. So, I know if she's 'like this', it means she's avoiding me. Of course.

Just like that time.

A scorching Saturday afternoon, when Svaha's emaciated body hides and looks great on the utility pole opposite the fast-food restaurant. Her hair is long, black, and straight. Luckily at that time, she was wearing tattered jeans and a tight t-shirt. It didn't look too pathetic.

And when I asked her why she was hiding there, the answer was denial. Svaha doesn't want to have lunch with her mother's new boyfriend.

Svaha is too doubtful (which in her own words is fond of weighing matters). She does not dare to take a stance or decision if the time given to think is too narrow. Maybe shy too. She likes to hide behind a library wall too much, or a room, or even a blanket, among the hundreds of pages of thick books she read. Which can take her to escape for a moment to the world of the middle of nowhere without humans in a concrete form if she has to face new problems or things.

Let's just call her a coward.

"If that's the case, now we have to talk."

"I have class, I haven't made an assignment yet," she said quickly.

"Because you didn't go to school for two days?"

"No. Just a little late."

I don't agree. "A bit late? Of course. You haven't opened the door to your room for two days. You turn off the lights as if you weren't there."

"I'm staying at Cantra's house."

"Okay, then where is she now? Did she make you late for school?"

Svaha is shocked. She looked down as she watched her hands twirling the keychain.

"I wait for you every day in front of the class, Svaha. And don't think I'll just give up. I know you're avoiding me. But you also know that we have serious matters to discuss."

"Yes," she muttered.

It only took her a few moments of patience until she was brave enough to look at my face again. Her expression makes me feel sorry.

"I won't blame you for everything that happened. I just want to hear the truth. What happened last night. I was drunk, Sva. My story isn't perfect. And you're the only one who can complete that story. This is for our friendship. Then, once we both know, we can leave everything behind if you want." I wanted to reassure her that I could be very supportive. I'm not going to judge her.

Svaha swallowed twice. Then cleared her throat. Then take a breath. Then I almost peed my pants out of impatience.

With a slow-motion Svaha pulled my hand away, dividing the coldness on her fingertips into my palm. "Forgive me. I let you do 'that'. To me."

"So, we,"

"Yes. But I don't mean to just give up. I had refused. For whatever. I didn't mean to hide the truth. I just don't want to ruin what we have."

"It's just that if you don't say it, it will ruin everything." I calmed her down. But it doesn't calm me down.

I started it, she said? Impossible.

"How far?"

Svaha bit her lip. Her brows knit together in an awkward expression. Her fingers gripped my wrist tighter. Then she let it go for a moment.

"Good morning, Laung." She greeted my lover. Laung.

"Good morning all. What's the gossip this morning?" The man greeted me while hugging me from the side. His breath reeks of expensive toothpaste.

"No gossip," I told him.

"There is not any? Oh. That means you missed one." Laung blazing like a stove repairman.

Svaha just listened. Occasionally glancing at me with a red bias on the surface of her cheeks that is getting worse and worse.

Laung released his arms from me, he took the phone. Then showed the two of us a flyer.

Svaha and I looked at the noir-style drawing with dark illustrations showing two human silhouettes surrounded by trees. A house stands majestically at the rear end. The word 'fugitive' is bolded using capital letters.

"Fugitive." Svaha and I read it together. We both looked at each other.

"Tonight, at my parents' villa." Laung said proudly.

"I don't like parties." Svaha said.

"It's a game. Yes, there will be a party after that. But it's going to be a lot of fun. Come." Laung looked at me as if asking for help.

"Yes, come. Because I'm coming." I do what he wants.

Svaha looked disapproved, "I, um... I and Cantra have an event tonight. Besides, it's still the middle of the week."

"Take your girlfriend!" forced the man, "Or I'll send her an invitation now."

He sent the invitation before Svaha could hold it in.

"Cantra will come she said," Laung announced.

"Since when do you have Cantra's number?" I asked.

Laung shrugged, "She's popular as you, babe."

Svaha rolled her eyes. That's right, Cantra is a pretty popular girl here. Beautiful, athletic, friendly. What man doesn't like it? But Cantra chose Svaha. That is still a divine mystery.

Hey, without intending to belittle my own best friend. Svaha is actually sweet. She was tall, one hundred and sixty-five. More than five centimeters from me. Her hair is a long black. Straight without the help of tools. Her chest is flat like a bikini magazine model. Tan skin. Brown to light. However, such a physique is less prominent than her quiet demeanor and cowardice. Once again. Emphasize the word coward.

"So, you're coming along?" Laung asked Svaha.

Svaha looked at me. I shrugged.

It's up to you. Up to you.

She snorted, "Let me think about it, now explain what a Fugitive is."

"This game is fun and simple. We will be divided into two groups. Police and Fugitives. After points A and B are determined, the Fugitive Team will flee from point A to point B. The police will chase and arrest the fugitive, then the Police Team will imprison the Fugitive Team at point C. If the Fugitive can escape and get to point B without being caught, they won." Laung explained.

Svaha nodded. "So how do you determine who is the Fugitive and the Police?"

"Easy. We use the lottery or beer pong. Anything can."

"How can you remember all those Fugitives or otherwise?"

Laung was amazed by the questions Svaha asked. The man glanced at me.

"Laung, it's better if," I wanted to save my best friend from this psychopath suddenly.

"Uhm, we'll wear colored bracelets. How about that?" Laung doesn't like being rejected. I understand and have proven it.

Svaha stared intently at Laung. I don't understand what that means.

"All right," said Svaha, "See you later tonight."

"Okay." Laung shook Svaha's hand as a sign of agreement.

"I have to go to class. See you later?" Svaha spoke to me.

I just nodded. Then, as usual, I will kiss her cheek. I took a step forward, but I gave up my intention. Somehow.

Svaha noticed my awkward attitude, she turned and walked towards her class. I saw her walk away.