Saturday, August 7, 2020, Mataram Vocational High School, Jl. G. Raya, Central Jakarta.
One bright afternoon, in the school garden after school, a male and female student were facing each other. The male student remained awkwardly silent toward the female student in front of him. Meanwhile, the female student simply stared at him with a smile. The student's name was Julian Omega (178 cm) and the female student's name was Vanessa Anindya (170 cm).
This happened during the first morning break at 10:00 AM. Julian was walking towards his four friends: Anto Tanara (178 cm), Wiro Sutrisno (180 cm), Kaza Sampora (170 cm), and Alvin Lembongan (180 cm), who were waiting for him to join them for break.
Julian, who had just finished buying food from the cafeteria, approached his four friends for a break. They sat down. Then they each took out their phones and started playing Battle of Deathmatch, a very popular war game at the time. The five of them intended to test their skills using Custom Mode.
"Hmm, Julian's team is one person short," Alvin said.
"Yeah, so it's just Kaza," Wiro said.
Julian and Kaza exchanged glances. Julian happened to see his online friend, who often played with him, had logged in. He immediately made a suggestion.
"How about I invite my online friend to join?" Julian asked.
"Hmm, that's fine, he's just a supporting character anyway," Anto said.
Julian invited his online friend to join, and they started playing together. But before they started, they made a bet that the losing team would have to confess their love to Vanessa Anindya together.
Julian, shocked to hear this, said, "You're crazy, Anto. A girl as beautiful as her must have a boyfriend. Besides, she's rich," Julian said with a shocked expression.
"Don't worry, I heard her boyfriend hasn't been in for three days," Anto said with a mischievous smile.
"Haa... Okay, then I won't lose!" Julian said confidently.
20 minutes later.
Julian's team lost and had to undergo the promised punishment, except this time, Julian's online friend wasn't punished because he was just a supporting character.
"I'm sorry, Crimson-Julian T-T" said Julian's online friend in the chat.
"Yeah, it's okay, just relax" Julian said to his online friend.
Julian was actually very upset about his defeat, but he tried to control his emotions. As he did, Kaza patted Julian on the shoulder.
"Calm down, Julian, I'm right there with you," Kaza said, giving Julian a thumbs up.
"Haa... Okay," Julian said resignedly.
Wrio, Alvin, and Anto could only laugh playfully at Julian and Kaza.
Julian began writing a letter to Anindya. During the second break, Julian entered Anindya's classroom and placed the letter under her desk.
After school ended in the afternoon, Kaza managed to escape, leaving Julian and Anindya alone. Julian remained silent, his hands in his pockets.
Standing up, Julian looked away, thinking to himself.
"Damn you, Kaza, he ran away first!" Julian thought to himself, smiling awkwardly and breaking out in a cold sweat.
Julian looked at Anindya and began to speak.
"A-anu, A-anindya" Julian said nervously.
"Yes?" Anindya replied with a smile.
Seeing Anindya's smile made Julian even more embarrassed. He began to look away.
"Damn, she's so cute!" Julian thought to himself, turning his head away.
"Um, you're Omega, right? From class 11-M?" Anindya asked.
Julian looked back at Anindya and began to regulate his breathing so he could speak fluently.
"Y-yeah," Julian replied.
"Ahh! I see!" Anindya said with a happy expression.
Julian was surprised by Anindya's expression, wondering to himself,
"How could she be so happy?" Julian thought to himself with a confused expression as he stared at Anindya.
A short while later, Anindya asked Julian again.
"So, why did you call me?" Anindya asked with a smile.
Julian began to catch his breath and made up his mind.
"Alright, I need to be brave. That's what a man does" Julian said confidently.
"Besides, she'll definitely reject me" Julian continued, staring at Anindya.
Julian took a deep breath and said,
"ANINDYA, I'VE LIKED YOU FOR A LONG TIME. WILL YOU BE MY GIRLFRIEND!?" Julian shouted confidently.
There was a moment of silence.
"Ahh, this is so embarrassing!" Julian said to himself, his cheeks flushed.
Anindya, shocked by Julian's confession, smiled again and responded to Julian's confession.
"Yes, I'm happy to accept your confession," Anindya replied with a sweet smile.
Julian was surprised to hear this, not expecting it to happen.
"This means we're officially dating, haha" Anindya said with a chuckle.
"Oh yeah, I need your WhatsApp number" Anindya continued, moving closer to Julian.
Julian was still dazed. Anindya started patting Julian's cheek. Julian suddenly came to his senses and said,
"W-what did you say?" Julian asked.
"I need your WhatsApp number, Julian," Anindya said softly.
"Okay, just a minute," Julian said.
He hurriedly took his phone out of his pocket, turned it on, and showed her his WhatsApp number.
"Yup, this way we can stay in touch," Anindya said with a smile.
"Can I call you Julian?" Anindya asked.
"Y-yes, y-you can," Julian replied shyly.
"Okay, I'll go home first, since I'm already picked up," Anindya said.
"Bye, Julian. I'll call you tonight," Anindya continued, smiling and waving.
Anindya began to grab her bag and leave Julian alone. Julian, still in a daze, began slapping his cheeks hard to wake himself up.
"Plakk!" the sound of slapping cheeks.
"Ouch! That hurts!" Julian said, slapping his cheeks.
"I didn't think she'd accept me," Julian muttered.
Then Julian grabbed his bag and left school, in disbelief at what had happened today.
~To be continued~