1000 Season of Dream Chasing

part 7's

Laura came home with relief. He does his daily tasks at home more calmly. But in the afternoon, my mother arrived with shocking news. Mama will be transferred to the head office. And that means they have to move house.

"They asked Mama to leave immediately" she explained, "but she asked them to wait until you got your diploma first."

Laura was at a loss for words. He did not expect to say goodbye to the city he had lived in for 10 years.

"Is the headquarters far away, ma?" ask Laura slowly.

Mama nodded. "About 2 hours from here. Get on a plane."

Laura's heart felt tight. He knew he had promised himself that he would forget Niko after graduating from High School. But his heart still held a bit of unwillingness. Now he has no chance at all to enter the same university as Niko. Laura of course won't leave you alone, no matter what.

"Sorry, Laura. Mama has tried to refuse, but it's been a decision of the head office," said mama sadly. "Mom knows you want to go to college here. Sorry."

Laura hugged my mother tightly and shook her head. "No, mama. No need to apologize." Isn't long distance also one way to escape someone? thought Laura. He will end it all upon graduation.

***

School lessons have closed with a national exam, but the students still enter the school. While waiting for the results of the exam, the teachers of the third grade began to give an idea of what the world of college will be entered by the students. The teachers explain how to determine the right majors at the university later.

Niko looked at the brochures of the universities in her town.

"You've definitely entered medicine, right?” ask one of Niko's friends.

Niko sighed. "Yes", he answered. His hand flipped back the university brochure without enthusiasm. His gaze fell on the art major. He tapped the brochure on the table unknowingly.

Behind her, Laura has not been able to decide what majors will be in the university later. Even if the test score is good, it seems he does not want to enter a major that he does not like. Laura thought it would be better if she learned the rights she liked as well.

"You want to look through your brochure?" ask Niko's friend again. Niko shook her head. "I already know which university to enter. Here, you choose."

"You're really lucky, Niko," said her friend. "when you pass the exam, there's a university that will accept you."

Niko just smiled briefly in response to that. Am I really that lucky? ask Niko in my heart. I know not everyone has connections like papa and can get his son into the best medical school. Why does my heart feel heavy?

After deciding not to choose any major that day, Laura looked at Niko again. There was only 2 weeks left to look at him. After that, he won't see Niko again.

Laura truly wished that Niko could be happy all her life. He had imagined Niko wearing a white coat, caring for hospital patients with care. Laura laughed slowly and closed her eyes.

***

The day that awaited the third grade students finally came as well. Announcement of national exam results. All third-graders gathered in the school grounds. Then the homeroom class gave an envelope with their names on it.

After the distribution of the envelopes was completed, the Headmaster headed towards the middle of the field. "In your hands is a letter stating whether or not you passed the national exam you took two weeks ago. On the count of three, I want you to open it together. One...two...three..."

The students impatiently tore the envelope and opened it to see their results.

The headmaster laughed at the actions of his students. Then he said again, out of 297 third-graders, only two... hundred..." The students screamed loudly.

The headmaster laughed loudly. "Yes, right, you passed a hundred percent. I'm proud you all can graduate without having anyone repeat. I'm bored and don't want to be with you anymore."

The students laughed.

Laura looked at the results in her hands happily. The value did not disappoint. His eyes glazed with relief. All students congratulate each other. He sees Niko being hugged by Erika.

Laura remained silent. Now only a farewell party awaits. Laura pulled out her HP and called mom.

Once connected, Laura immediately told him the good news. "Ma, I graduated."

"Happy dear" said the mother happily on the phone. "We're having dinner out tonight to celebrate your graduation."

"All right," Laura agreed. After speaking for a while, he disconnected the phone. Niko received congratulations from the teachers after that, because her test scores were the highest of all the students.

Laura looked at it all with a smile. Beside Niko, Erika smiled proudly, Laura returned to her class. His hand lightly stroked the table where Niko was. "Congratulations, Niko," he said. He knew that at any time he would not be able to enter the world around Niko, which is different from his world.

Laura tidied up the bag, then walked home to the bus stop.

***

"Thank you, Ma" said Laura happily seeing the graduation gift of dr. mama. They're having dinner at a seafood restaurant.

Laura wore a silver watch that mom gave her. "Mama shouldn't be wasteful in buying this expensive hour."

Mom smiled. "It's okay. Mama's really proud of you. Mama knows how hard you're trying to graduate."

"I will always keep this watch," Laura said as she looked at the gentle mama. "So, when will the freight forwarder come?"

Mama took her drink and gulped it down and replied, "maybe tomorrow. Did you pack your stuff in the cardboard?"

"Some of it already is," says Laura. "living the rest of the school books. I can do it tonight."

"You can finish it tomorrow if you're exhausted" my mother suggested.

"I'm not tired. It felt like my energy doubled after eating," joked Laura.

"What did you decide to go to?" ask mama seriously.

Laura sighed. "I don't know yet, ma."

"If you can tell," said the patient mother, "what do you really like the most in the world?"

Laura immediately replied, "together with mama."

Mama laughed. "other than that what else?"

"I love to cook, maybe" Laura replied.

"Why don't you try cooking?" mama's proposal.

"I'm still not sure ma," said Laura hesitantly.

"You don't have to decide now" said the understanding mother. "You'll know it's time. Now...what about your heart problem? you done it?"

Laura thought hard. "I don't know, ma. But in a few days it will all be over. I'm not gonna see him again. And I'll try to forget it."

"First love is hard to forget" said the mother nodded wisely. "Only time will your mother forget it. You ever tell her you like her?"

"Maybe you should tell him, after that you can go on with your life and get a new love someday." Mom touches her daughter's arm slowly. "You need a solution."

"Yes, I know." Laura looked at my mother's eyes in sadness. "I just don't want it to end."

"That you must remember," said the mother to strengthen her son's heart, "you must be true to yourself. Tell him how you feel." "I'll try it" Laura said.

 

***

 

Later that night, Laura packed her former school books. While entering the last book, Laura sees a large brown envelope on her desk. Laura opened the envelope and took out pictures of Niko's jewelry designs. Laura arranged one after another the pictures and looked at them (maybe I should return them to Niko), she said in her heart.

Laura piled up the pictures, then put them back in a brown envelope. He will return it at the graduation ceremony.

The next day, Laura woke up at 05:30, took a shower, then cooked rice. Today is graduation day at the beach. Because Laura only needs to go in the afternoon to gather at school, she uses her morning time to pack other items that are still sitting in the living room.

The paper sound in the throw stopped Laura's activities. He looked at the front page. It was the morning newspaper. Laura took the newspaper and brought it home. He read the headlines at a glance, then read other news. In the middle courtyard, his gaze stopped. Julien bardeux, a renowned jeweler, will hold a two-day exhibition. Today and tomorrow. He wondered if Niko was reading this news. At the very least, Niko could attend this jewelry exhibition.

At about 14:30, Laura arrived at school. As usual, buses are parked in the school area. This time the teachers freed the students to sit on any bus. Laura sees Niko and Erika entering the first bus. He decided to enter the last bus.

As usual, he occupied the back seat. Two hours later, the bus arrived at the beach. The school has rented a meeting hall to be the center of the farewell event.

Inside the building there is live music, buffet food, and floor. Laura sees Erika pulling Niko to the dance floor. Laura chose to grab some food and sat in the corner.

That night, Niko and Erika are chosen as the best couple from their school. Laura clapped as they were presented with a pair of crowns. (They do fit each other), Laura admitted inwardly.

Slowly his steps towards exiting the building. Some other students prepare a bonfire on the beach. Laura walked along the beach and stopped. His eyes looked at the vastness of the ocean. Maybe that's the distance between her and Niko. Without feeling her tears flowing.

I don't know how long Laura stared at the ocean with tears. Suddenly someone's voice resuscitated him.

"Laura...."

Laura tried to wipe away her tears. He turned around and saw Niko in front of him. "You okay?" ask Niko. "We're about to start the bonfire."

Laura gulped. "I'll be there in a minute" he said slowly.

Niko looked at Laura with a little worry. A moment ago, when Erika took him out to look at the preparation of the bonfire, she saw the shadow of someone not far from there and approached her. For some reason, in Niko's heart knew it must be Laura. Laura has never joined any of her friends. Always alone. That was why, Niko approached him to take him to the bonfire event. If her guess was not wrong, she seemed to see Laura crying.

"You sure you're okay?" ask again.

"I'm fine," Laura replied reassuring Niko.

"You should have joined the others" suggested Niko. “The farewell party should be celebrated together."

Laura nodded, "you're right."

"Let's go," Niko asked as she turned around.

Laura looked at Niko's back again. I don't know how many times. Unknowingly his voice called out to Niko.

Niko turned around again, "yes?"

"Have you read the paper today?" ask Laura slowly. "There was a two-day jewelry exhibition. Today and tomorrow."

Niko sighed. "I know."

(Oh, he already knows), Laura said in her heart. "You don't want to attend?" ask Laura again.

"No," Niko replied after a while.

Laura looked into Niko's eyes looking sad as she answered her question. For some reason, her feelings say Niko lied to her this time. Laura clasped her hands tightly. Niko had no idea that her sad gaze had broken Laura's heart. "Niko. here you look." Erika approached Niko and pulled on her arm. His gaze fell on Laura. He snorted softly, "Let's go. The bonfire has begun."

"All right," said Niko. Then I looked at Laura. "I'm waiting for you at the bonfire." Laura nodded slowly. Erika is upset with Laura.

During a campfire event Erika sees Niko's concentration on her split. Niko seemed to be thinking about something. Their hands were indeed linked, but Erika felt Niko's thoughts were not with her.

Laura saw the excitement of the bonfire event from the second row. When one of the students sang in a frenzied style, he laughed.

Opposite her, Niko's hand slowly took off Erika's hand.

Erika looked at Niko in confusion. But Niko's gaze wasn't on him. Erika then looked at Niko's gaze and held her breath. Laura.

Niko looked at Laura who was laughing. And Laura seemed unaware of it. As her breathing returned, Erika could not help her heartache. He turned around and moved away from Niko.

In the middle of the road he stops, hoping Niko stops her. But Erika realizes no one is aware of her disappearance. He ran towards the building and went into the second floor toilet.

He closed the toilet door and sat there. It strengthens the heart not to cry. After a while he stood up and looked in the mirror.

(I will not be defeated by the schoolgirl of the village,) she said to her reflection in the mirror. (i am Erika. Most popular girl in school. It'll all be over in a few days. The village girl will never see Niko again)

Erika came out of the toilet and down the stairs. In the middle of the stairs, he noticed Laura was typing an SMS on her HP. Erika only realized all this time she never thought that (stupid me), said Erika without being able to dampen her anger. He went down the stairs and thoughtlessly seized Laura's HP.

Laura was surprised when someone took her HP.

"You're sending an SMS to Niko, right?!" yelled Erika who could not control her emotions.

"What are you talking about?" laura asked not to understand.

"You must have been texting Niko all along" Erika accused of being upset.

Laura was getting confused, "I didn't send an SMS to Niko."

"You lied!" exclaim Erika. This time Laura was already unable to tolerate Erika's jealousy.

"Give me back my HP", Laura asked in annoyance. "I didn't send an SMS to Niko. I'm sending an SMS to my mom."

Erika laughed cynically. "I don't believe you." He started to push Laura's HP.

Laura's upset. Erika's breaking the prep. Erika is Niko's boyfriend, but Laura doesn't accept being treated that way. His hand tried to take his HP back. "Return"! he said he didn't lose hard.