Aretta & Secrets

Starting a New Story

I continued on my way and frowned a bit as if school wasn't as far away as I thought. Butwhy? Is it possible because yesterday I had to turn around first eating it looked far away.

The new area really got my curiosity hooked. Along the way I can see neatly lined shophouses. This area seems like a strategic place to start building a business. There are local restaurants, bookstores that carry a vintage concept and there is also a cafe among them. Next to it is a musical instrument store and the most end building filled with minimarkets.

I feel like I'm in the right place. Maybe this time I can live well, like other humans in general. Or maybe I could have a friend.

A fella? I scoffed at my naive thoughts. Who wants to be friends with an unattractive girl like me. Mama's right, no one's going to come near me.

As I passed through the next alley, I breathed a little sigh of relief because I recognized this street. Immediately I sped up my pace knowing I might be late on my first day from getting lost earlier.

Still walking quickly, an idea suddenly popped into my head. I want to do things I can't do in my old place. I want to work. I have to get a job. Since I am a new resident, my reputation has not been tarnished and I can comfortably work without having to hear bad rumors about me.

I want to go to college and the only way is for me to save up to make that happen. I want to fly higher and get out of the house. The idea that had just crossed it made my smile grow again. Immediately I accelerated my pace.

There are many memories of the water I found all the way to school. I avoid and as much as possible stay away so as not to get splashed. Fortunately, all passing vehicles have nothing to do with splashing water. I used to get those attacks because they were disgusted to see me.

I finally got to my new school. I still hope school life this time will bring many good memories even though it looks impossible.

I went towards the glass door there. It looks like the main door. There was a large sticker with jasmine flowers and a bird that I believed to be the school mascot. Maybe this is the sign of this school. I took a deep breath while closing my eyes to calm down not forgetting I was also praying for the safety of my life in this new school.

There I saw a middle-aged woman growing stocky with glasses adorning the base of her nose. He seemed to smile at me and signaled me to come closer.

"Hallo! Welcome to Meru High School! Can I help you, baby?"

I was a little surprised to hear such a warm welcome. 180 Degrees different from my school. It was also different from my mother's greeting to me. I've been alive for 17 years and I've forgotten the last time you called me in such a gentle tone. I feel happy and sad at the same time.

I opened my mouth to answer, but the woman spoke first.

"You must be nervous? Are you the transfer student? Aretta Elvani?" He asked while narrowing his eyes. Seemed unsure of his guess.

"Yes mother. I'm Aretta" I said with a smile.

The woman in front of me also smiled when she found out that her guess did not miss. He immediately got out of his chair and scrambled the stack of papers in front of him.

"Ah huh!" he said when he found what he was looking for.

I nodded in understanding and my eyes instantly scanned my lesson schedule for the next semester. I quickly started reading. 1 Hour (Mathematics), 2 hour (Serfer), 3 hours (Geography), 4 hours (Biology), and 5 hours (English).

"Like school in general, the break time is divided into the first break at 09:20 until 10:20, then the lunch break starts at 11:40 until 13:10. Meru High School students and students are prohibited from shopping outside the school area," he said and looked at me to make sure I understood this rule. After I nodded he resumed his sentence, "Sir Andre is already waiting in his room. You just have to knock on the door and wait for him to let you in" she said, pointing to a door I didn't realize was there.

"Thank you, ma'am," I replied, before walking towards the door that read Andre Saputra's name. Printed with bold capital letters.

I raised my hand and started knocking on the door. For a moment there is only silence as a pause. And then a voice sounded from within that ordered me to enter.

I began to enter the room and saw a middle-aged man with partially bleached hair sitting at his desk. He looked at me for a moment and immediately invited me to sit on the chair opposite him. Our distance was limited only by a table.

"Please sit down."

"Thank you, sir," I said slowly.

"I know why you moved to this school because of bullying. And I hope from now on you can live well and also be able to express yourself in this school, because here we do not tolerate bullying in any form."

I nodded in understanding. I also wish I could live happily. I want to open a new page and just fill it with happy memories. I suffered enough yesterday.

"There should be someone you're with to go around. But unfortunately I sent him to class because you were late. There may be something unexpected so I will understand. Just for today, because from tomorrow you have to follow the school rules, and every mistake you make you have to accept if you get sanctions" explained Mr. Andre.

I nodded in understanding.

"This is a school map for you" he said, handing me a paper, "with this your time will be more efficient to meet your classroom."

I accepted, "Thank you, sir," I said quickly.

I started to get out of my chair and walked towards the door. My footsteps were straightforward as I passed through the hall of the teacher room, but when I reached the corridor I started to get nervous. My mind flutters.

What if they don't like me? Or what if they like me but I don't know how to make friends. I've never had a friend and I don't know what it's like, and how to be good friends with someone?

Don't I look stupid like this, but that's how things are.