Chapter 1 - The School

The wind howls as the students arrive through the gates, hustling and bustling down the corridors. Friends are greeting each other with a hug or a playful punch while newcomers stand looking scared. The seniors stand, tall and proud, confidence born of experience. Soon the bells ring and everybody runs except an occasional slowcoach or chatterbox.

Everyone who has ever attended school heard of this name once

“Bully”

“Hey dork! Give me your money!”

The male student dropped his knees, giving him everything he wants.

In the corridors, a teacher stood in front of a group of students with different style of uniform.

“Can you wear your uniform properly?”

“At least I wear my uniform” that guy from my class never skip a word.

Because of someone else's standards, some kids got called bullies. Those who didn't get good grades, but speak loudly.

“Buy me Soya Milk, stray cat!!” he slapped the nerd’s head. James, the retarded student who always alone. James looked up with a pair of pity eyes, looking for a mercy. Soon, the big guy Dennis slapped his head one more time until his glasses fell off from his head. Nobody dares to speak up for James, because that Dennis person is the bad guy in this school, everyone scared of him, except…

A student stood up from his afternoon nap with squeaky sounds of the table moved, his name is Ross, sitting right behind James. Not the bully, but the one I told you earlier, the one who doesn’t get good grades but dare to speak louder.

“Can you stop? I want to take a nap”

Dennis clicked his tongue, laughing wickedly, “So you want to be a hero?” he shook his head as he giggles “Wanna have some gay parties after school with him? Huh?” poking James’ cheek. James head down, doesn’t dare to speak a word.

Ross scoffed, “You have legs and arms, or do you need somebody to break it?”

“YOU!” Dennis pulled his collar and clenched his fist. At the same time, Jimmy stops him. Inside the class, students are watching, like enjoying a reality show.

“Stay away or I’ll break your nose” spoke Jimmy.

“Arghh!” Dennis hit the wall and disappeared behind the door. “Coward!” Kendrick snickered as he walked past him.

That heroic scene doesn’t make me amazed or admires Ross, Jimmy, or Kendrick. For the girls, they are the flower boys. For me, they are just the school rules’ rebels.

(picture from: https://pin.it/6ytQUVa)

Ross is handsome, every girls in the school admires him a lot. He has a pair of black Korean eyes, full rosey lips and about 1,8 m tall. He has a tiny mole under his side of right eye. But I never think the same. Ross never studies or ever listen to the teacher. I have no idea how could he pass into this grade. Plus I don't like him because he is so arrogant.

(picture from: https://pin.it/6qc8H0v)

Jimmy is the class president. He is better between 2 of them, the student that always listen to the teacher. He is wearing a pair of glasses, complete tidy uniform and he is friendly. He has a tiny mole under his lips. Jimmy is the best basketball player in our school. But I never admire him even though he is the cutest among all… I guess? Just my opinion.

(picture from: https://pin.it/6faDJn5)

Kendrick, transferred student since 10th grade. He is the tallest among all, maybe because he practices Taekwondo? His hair dyed in light brown, his eyes are sharp and fierce. Nobody dares to lay a finger on him, he beat 2 bullies last year, ended up getting 2 months of detention.

Outside the class, Dennis blocks his way. But this time, he isn’t alone. Gaby waits just behind him, and Amanda the punk style female –student with hip jutted out leaning by the wall. Ross was just standing with hands on his pocket, he isn’t alone too. Kendrick stood beside him, and then Jimmy, the good, easygoing, decent, nice guy Jimmy, an athlete, a student, the class president.

The only thing everyone knows about Ross is –he hates troublemakers and bullies.

The halls are crowded with people, and the chaos is so perfect, like a movie, waiting for the next winner.

Dennis says, “I better not catch you staring at me again..or even disturb me” pointing finger at Ross.

“So?” Ross answered as he popped a bubblegum from his mouth. Dennis clenched his jaw. “You are dealing with the wrong person, Ross”

Ross sniffed a smile and says “Fagg*t”

Gaby shoves the books out from a girl passing beside them, slamming the book into Ross’ head. Ross didn’t say a word. The girl stood up froze, either want to take the book back or just stay away from the betta fish.

“Pick them up, btch” Ross said.

“Do you think I will take it?” Gaby sniggered.

“Sure” Ross walks past him and whispers, “Because in the end, you have no guts to fight me”. Oh, I forgot, Ross and Gaby have been sworn enemies since middle school, they fought a lot but Ross always win. So.. Gaby still has no guts to fight him back, cause he isn’t ready to lose. Pathetic.

The final bell rang for class to start. Students quickly rushed inside the classroom and the two groups of troublemakers has finally dispersed.

(picture from: https://pin.it/41Vr23q)

(Me, before I cut my bangs) (Me, first make up by mom)

Talking about me, I have never interested to be well –known like most female students want to be. I am just a regular teenage girl, nearly invisible, or I am already invisible. But I love how inconspicuous I am.

***

I dropped my school backpack on the floor and collapsed onto the couch. Mom asked how school had gone.

“Nothing special, mom”

Mom approaches me, sit down beside me “Baby, you have to make friends...”

“Mom, I am hungry” I cut her off, mom wants me to make friends but I hate socializing. I hate school and still prefer being at home, it isn’t because I don’t have any friend or my overwhelmed anti -social shyness, but I always think that I'm more mature than the other students. Mom smiles and stood up “I cook ham noodles today”. Mom doesn’t spend a lot of time in the kitchen, but she can cook very well. Ham noodle is her recipes and one of my favorite.

The moment I slide into my chair, I’m served with enormous platter of food. Omelette, ham noodles, and piles of fried potatoes. There's an elegant cup of orange juice, with Peppa Pig printed around the cup.

I tool a bite of the omelette, cheesy with dark leafy greens. I smile, “Mom, this is so good, what's the green stuff?”

Mom grin as she raised her brows, opening up her eyes, “Stinging nettle, chives and dandelion leaves”

I paused as if my thoughts had stopped entirely, after all I still don’t understand what did my mom mention, I know it only as SPICES.

“So, Irene” my mom chuckles.

“Hm?” I mumbled in question. Mom is in a good mood ever since she dates a guy she met from the café last year, Mr.Park. He is a foreigner, Korean. Moved from South Korea to Indonesia, a professor in this city, live with his only son. He is a single parent too, he lost his wife when gave birth to his son. I heard my mom said Mr.Park barely has quality time with his son, that's why he wants to find a loving mom for him. His son was raised by his grandmother until 10 in Korea, then moved to Indonesia with his father, which is strange for him. I heard he found it hard when he first arrived in Indonesia, because he can’t speak Indonesian or English at all. In 2 years he mastered both language. He must be a smart –*ss kind of kid. It would be okay if one day I have to live with him, since he is smart. Maybe he could help me out with my homeworks?

Talking about my mom, she is single since 5 years ago. Mom is still pretty even in her 50s, which she found it easy to attract man in her age. As long as my mom doesn’t date a younger man, I'm okay with it.

“Anything good to hear?” I asked, slurping down a bowl of noodles. Mom smiles sheepishly, she looks like a 17 years old girl who has a crush with her classmate.

Mom says, “Maybe Mr.Park will move in for a while” with a low chuckle.

Once I heard that words from my mom, I was choked by noodles. I poured water from the kettle and drink it.

Mom taps my back immediately, “Are you okay, Irene?”

I cleared my throat and begin talking again, did I misheard mom?

“What did you say mom?” I lifted an eyebrow.

“Mr.Park will move in?”

This is insane! “Mom?! Are you sure?” I raised my voice, mom is out of her mind!

“I heard his son is the same age as you, and both of you are going to the same school”

She is so excited when it comes to the topic about Mr.Park. The way her lips lifted upward. The way her dimples crinkle. The way her teeth are perfectly aligned. The warm glow her happiness gives.

I clicked my tongue, “It doesn’t matter mom, the thing is… Why move in?” I gave her a shrug.

“We plan to get married.. next year.. maybe..” she bit her lower lips “You don’t like it?” Ah, that puppy eyes. The only strategic she uses whenever I was about to say no, exclude when she sets me up for a date with her friend’s son. I never care about how she expresses.

“Stop it mom, I didn’t say anything”

“So? You agree??” her eyes shone in excitement.

“Yeaa..yeaa” I nod my head, the noodle became tasteless, I lost my appetite. I was very comfortable living with my mom alone. Still, at least I need a proper reason “But why? Again?”

“Mr.Park is renovating his house, so if we get married..” my mom exclaimed as she keeps on fidgeting her fingers. I like being alone with my mom, but my mom was never happy about it. She keeps on saying how she is going to be left alone when I got married which is impossible because I never interested in dating. Plus Mr.Park sounds nice, if my mom likes him that much then I'm happy for her. Am I doing the right thing?

“So, after renovating his house, all of us will move there?”

Mom nods her head. “Are you okay with that?”

I like to be alone, if there’s a brother in the house, then I have to share things with him. I hate it. I don’t like sharing, I am being too comfortable to be selfish.

“Irene?”

“Oh.. umm.. okay...okay mom”

“My good girl” she stood up and hug me like a 5 years old kid.

“Mom.. you make me blushed!”

Her chuckle is low and soft, “I like it when you blushed!” she pats my hair softly. Mom’s love is a bliss, a peace of my heart. But I never wanted a sibling. When I was 5, I remember my classmates talked about their mom’s pregnancy, how he or she admires their newly born baby brother or sister. When my mom asked me about having another baby, I never got to answer her, I ignored her.

Until the day Mr.Park arrived with a big luggage beside him.

“Hi” he greeted me, he is tall and chubby but not fat. He is also good looking, his smile is very calming, he seems nice and wise.

I greet him back nervously, “Hi”.

Then a younger man appeared. My eyes popped up wide.

ROSS?

He looks at me with an eyebrow quirked, like either he knows me or he doesn’t know me at all because I am just his invisible classmate.

But after all, this is a disaster.

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