The ceremony was held solemnly, especially because the flag-raising team made all the students even more enthusiastic. After the ceremony ended, the students didn't immediately return to their classrooms because the principal asked them to stay in the field as he had an announcement to make.
Lena guessed that the principal would talk about unpaid tuition fees, especially since the final exams were scheduled for next Monday.
And she was right. The principal discussed the upcoming exams and also mentioned the students who hadn't paid their tuition fees. He even listed their names aloud. When Nurlena's name was mentioned, the students immediately burst into loud laughter. Lena lowered her head in shame, trying to hold back tears as whispers spread among the students.
"That poor girl again. Why hasn't she been expelled yet?"
"Yeah right, just kick that poor girl out already."
Those were the kinds of whispers that rang clearly in Lena's ears. She tried her best not to cry, but she couldn't hold it in. She sobbed uncontrollably and finally decided to leave the field. Although teachers tried to stop her, Lena ignored them. Her friends, seeing her leave, immediately ran after her.
Lena went to the place she usually went when she was upset — the girls' bathroom behind the 12th-grade classrooms. She cried her heart out, calling for her mother. Not long after, Lina and Ani arrived. As her close friends, they knew exactly where Lena would be.
"Lena… please don't cry. You'll make us cry too."
"Yeah, Lena. Ani's right. Don't cry anymore. They're just being cruel."
"They're not cruel, they're right. I don't belong in this school. This school isn't for someone like me," she said between sobs.
"Stop that. You can't say that. You do belong here. You're a smart student."
"Thank you… you guys are true friends. I'm so lucky to have you," she said, hugging her two best friends who felt more like family.
Once Lena calmed down, they returned to their classrooms. When Lena got back to class, she was greeted by her homeroom teacher, who happened to be teaching her class at the time. He was the only teacher who treated her kindly, unlike the others who often belittled her.
"Hey Lena, where have you been?"
"I was in the toilet, sir. I really needed to go, hehe…"
"Oh alright then. Go back to your seat."
"Yes, sir."
The lesson began. Mr. Wawan, or Mr. Wan as he was often called, was a senior math teacher at the school. He had been teaching for nearly 28 years, and it showed — his mustache, hair, and beard were all white with age. Lena loved compulsory math class because it was taught by Mr. Wan, unlike elective math, which was taught by a very strict teacher.
Ting... Ting... Ting {school bell rings}
After the lesson ended, the bell signaled the first break. All the students rushed to the canteen. As Lena was about to leave the class to get some fresh air, Mr. Wan called out to her.
"Lena, I need to talk to you for a bit."
"Yes sir, what is it?"
"Here's the thing, the principal gave me a warning because your tuition fee hasn't been paid. So I need you to bring your parents to school tomorrow, alright?"
"Alright sir, I'll tell them," Lena replied with a smile.
"Alright then. You can go on your break," he said before walking out of the class.
Lena went outside just to get some air. She never brought money or food to school because she never asked for it. She understood her family's situation and didn't want to be a burden, especially with the unpaid tuition still weighing heavily on her. Lena had once asked her parents if she could work part-time, but they refused, fearing it would affect her studies.
Lost in thought, she kept walking with a blank stare until—
BRUAK!
Lena accidentally bumped into someone. The girl she bumped into fell, and her clothes were soaked with the food and drinks she had been carrying.
"OUCH!!!... You again? Ugh, you poor girl… Are you blind or something?! Look at my clothes! You have to take responsibility!"
"I-I'm sorry... I'll replace it, I promise," said Lena.
"What? Replace my clothes? You? A poor girl like you could never afford it. You can't even pay your tuition — dream on!"
"I'm sorry, it was an accident. I was daydreaming."
"Alright, I'll forgive you… but only if you take a punishment first."
"What punishment?"
"You have to tell Aldo — the hottest guy in school — that you like him. How about that? It's just saying it, nothing else."
Lena thought it seemed simple, but she also feared being humiliated again — especially in front of someone as popular as Aldo.
"Hey, stop spacing out. Come on, it's just talking!"
"Okay... I'll do it."
"Now we're talking. But we're coming with you."
Lena just nodded and followed the girl, who was none other than Rossa. Everyone at school knew this crazy girl. She was rich, almost as wealthy as Aldo, though his family was even more powerful. Rossa had two close friends: Riri and Tiara. The three of them were the school's troublemakers — not even the teachers dared to discipline them.
When they arrived at Aldo's classroom — 12 Science 1 — Lena asked someone standing at the door for help. That person was Aldo's friend, Radit.
When Radit heard her request, he chuckled silently to himself. He was used to girls asking for Aldo, but this was different. It was Lena — who didn't know her?
"What's this poor girl doing asking for Aldo? He'll definitely kick her out," he thought.
"Oh, you wanna see Aldo? Go ahead, he's inside," he said, grinning.
"Okay, thank you."
Just as Lena was about to step into the classroom, she was pulled aside by her two best friends, Lina and Ani.
"What are you doing? Going into Aldo's class? They'll just laugh at you."
"Yeah, Ani's right. Don't go. You'll just get humiliated."
"But Rossa gave me this punishment — I have to tell Aldo I like him, or I'll have to pay for her ruined clothes."
"What did you do to that witch's clothes?"
"I accidentally bumped into her while she was carrying food and drinks. It spilled all over her."
"Okay then, I'll talk to that old witch and pay for the ruined clothes myself."
"Wait… don't. I have to take responsibility," Lena said, grabbing Ani's hand.
"Let it go, Lena. The price of that outfit's not even worth it."
Ani then approached Rossa and slapped her.
PLAKK!
Rossa and the others, including Lena, were shocked. No one expected Ani to slap her.
"HEY!!! Why did you slap me, huh?! Come here and I'll slap you back!"
"Why did you make Lena do that? If you want your clothes paid for, I'll do it."
"I don't want your money… I want her to take responsibility!"
"You wicked witch!"
"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL ME?!"
TO BE CONTINUED...