Aretta & Secrets

Trying to Rise

I immediately turned on the faucet in the bathroom. Time has come and I need to get ready so as not to be late for my new school. This time I wish I had a good school life.

In my old school, in terms of grades I always got first place. Although my appearance is not attractive but my brain is quite smart. I inherited a lot of genes from my papa who in fact was a biology lecturer at one of the top universities. Unlike Gio who inherits many genes from mama. He also does not have much motivation to learn and he is very poor in education.

After graduating from High School, he did not immediately decide to go to college. I thought it was because he wanted to work, but it turned out that he just wanted to spend his day inside the house doing nothing.

My dad left us when I was 6. His passing was truly a disaster for this family, and the reason behind my mother who hated me so much was, because I was the son of a man who had left without saying goodbye. Mama hates me so much, maybe even she thinks not seeing me is her biggest wish for now.

I went back to my bath. My light brown hair is a legacy from papa. Papa is indeed a Caucasian man who has long settled in Indonesia.

If anyone asks me where my papa is, I cannot answer, because my mother completely shut down access to communication between us. I also only know a little about my papa that I got because I managed to extract information from old records belonging to my mother.

After finishing my bath lightning, I immediately rushed into the room. Change your clothes and get ready to go to school.

After turning into a different figure, this was the first time I took the initiative to make up myself. I used to be unable to do that because no matter what I did they would all still look disgusted at me. But not for now. I've changed and I have to set my image so as not to return to being a victim of bullying.

After feeling enough by tying up the ponytail hair and dyeing the inconspicuous lips, I immediately rushed out. The cold air immediately hit my face as I opened the door.

I walked quickly, the distance from home to school was quite far and unfortunately I did not know the location of the bus stop. I just kept walking but still didn't find a stop. My gaze circled around, hoping that someone would pass by and I could ask for directions.

There was a man in front who looked confused as well. I've set myself up to ask him, seeing him grumbling makes my wish fade. I quickly turned around and stepped from the previous direction towards the house, maybe later I could find someone I could ask about the right direction.

I don't know if this asphalt road is so slippery. As I accelerated my steps unintentionally my legs slipped. I almost fell for not making my body float down.

"Aren't you pa-pa?" A voice managed to make me scream, "so I saw you almost slip," he said again.

I looked over, that was the man I had seen before. I nodded slowly and smiled, "No pa-pa really."

The man nodded and held back my waist as I was about to fall back down. It turned out that my balance was so bad that I couldn't hold my weight. The first thing I saw of the man was his eyes. Although it looks disrespectful to look at the eyes of strangers directly, but it was only a spontaneous thing that happened because he held me back and inevitably our eyes met without being held back.

Feeling uncomfortable with the position, I immediately let go and got up. After feeling I could stand up properly I immediately looked at him, "Thank you," I said slowly as I stepped back.

And again....

The man was too handsome to ignore, but unfortunately time did not allow me to enjoy such an extraordinary creation of God.

"Awhile..." I heard a voice behind me. The sound made me stop and turn my body. I subconsciously bit my inner lip a little because I was nervous.

"Are you really okay? Your path is a little lame" he said.

I didn't realize it but when I tried to step I started to feel pain. But it's nothing because I've been too immune to all the pain I've been through.

I smiled while shaking. Wishing she believed it and let me go, "Just a little sick, but not pa-pa. Btw, thank you for helping me out."

His eyebrows furrowed at my words, probably because he didn't believe it but I didn't care. Before he came back out another sentence I immediately rushed away after leaving a friendly smile. At the turn I could still see the man still standing in his place. Why didn't he leave? What is that guy doing exactly?

Maybe he was waiting for someone. Thought.

I don't care anymore because we won't see each other next time.

The trip now worked. The stop I was looking for was right outside the housing, which means I stepped inside instead of out. I just chuckle at my stupidity.

It's the first time I'm going to use public transport, usually I'll walk no matter how far it is. Because I feel unable if strangers also criticize me. I was full enough of the criticism from those closest to me and this heart did not accept anyone else anymore, nor was there any place to hold all their bad words.

On the way to school, I could only look outside. Nothing is fun, it feels the same as when I walked to school before, it's just that it's cool and not hot here. I don't feel tired either because here I'm just sitting and waiting.

I stared around me, everyone chatting and laughing together. Things I always dreamed of but never felt once. Will I stay alone this time too? I want to have friends, friends that I can tell stories and complain about. All this time I've only held everything myself.

May I have a good new friend, my inner hope.