Chasing Stars

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The moon has changed years. Laura's fondness for Niko gradually faded away. After all, Laura was now concentrating more on her studies, as the national exam was only a few months away. However, if his heart is careless, he finds himself looking at Niko in the distance.

Tomorrow, Sunday, the school will hold a picnic to the beach for all 3rd graders. Principals want children to get a distraction before concentrating on national exams.

Laura woke up with a new spirit that day. He wanted to forget about the exam questions in his mind for a moment.

''Good morning, baby, '' said the mother to see her daughter who just came out of the room.

''Good morning ma'am, '' Laura replied.

Mom approached her daughter and kissed her. ''Happy birthday, dear.''

Laura just realized today was her birthday. During this time he was busy with lessons, to forget his own birthday. Mom gave him a new shirt.

''You can wear it today, for a school picnic, have fun.''

Laura agreed. ''Thank you, ma.''

***

Arriving at school, the clock has shown at 07:30. Picnic to the beach is scheduled to leave at 08.00. There were a lot of students gathered in the field. Six buses are parked in front of the school. Laura looked at Niko who was chatting with her friends. Laura's heart was a little shaky. He never saw Niko wearing a casual dress. With a blue T-shirt, black jeans, and a black hat, Niko looks very handsome.

Laura turned her body. (''I can't keep looking at him, I don't want my feelings to fall any deeper''). He got on the bus and sat in the back seat. The headmaster asked the students to enter the bus. Ten minutes later, the bus that Laura was riding drove towards the beach. Along the way Laura hears music from her mobile phone. He tried not to look at Niko who was in the front seat. Two hours later, a stretch of sea from the window of the bus was seen. Laura smile.

Laura has never been to the beach. All this time he only saw it from books or television. The morning sunlight makes the sea water sparkle. After the bus stopped at the parking lot, the students immediately got off and shouted happily towards the beach. Laura came down last. Both of his feet stomped on the sand of the beach happily. After that, he hurried to follow in the footsteps of the other friends to feel the sea water. Laura took off the sandals she was wearing and left her feet submerged in sea water. The other students were playing with sand. Laura looked at the vast ocean in front of her, happy to spend her birthday in a place like this.

***

Sweat dampens Niko's back. After a few sessions playing beach volleyball with her friends, she was a little exhausted. His friends take a banana boat ride, but Niko decides to take a break.

He walked to the cafe to buy drinks. Laura is in line.

''Hi Laura, '' Niko said.

Laura turned around slowly. ''Niko, hi. Want to get a drink too?'' 

Niko nodded. When the line gets to Laura's turn, Niko interrupts. ''Let me buy.''

Laura objected to that proposal. ''No need, Niko, let me pay for it myself.''

But Niko's already booked with the cafe clerk. ''Cold coffee, two.''

''Niko,'' Laura said again.

''I know you don't want to be treated. But let's just say this is a prize because it has made our class win during the bazaar first. I haven't had time to congratulate you.''

"Ehm.. is not so, '' continued Laura hesitated. ''Can you change my order? I can't have coffee. Change the orange juice.''

Niko astonishment. ''You can't drink coffee?''

Laura nodded. ''I tried it once. But my stomach was nauseous. Since then, I have avoided coffee. I think coffee is not suitable for my stomach.''

''Alright, '' said Niko, then said again to the cafe attendant, ''Replace the order, one cold coffee and one orange juice.''

''Thank you, Laura said.

They sat together in the cafe waiting for orders.

''Where is Erika? She's not with you today?' 'laura was confused. Erika is always next to Niko.

''He went out of town. There is a marching band competition there, Niko said. ''He just sent me news. He said he'd rather be here. But anyway, as the club chairman, he has to be there. After all, this was the last competition he would attend.''

''May Erika win her competition, '' said Laura smilingly. ''I've seen him in action. He's a great major.''

Niko smiled. ''Yes, he is great.''

The waiter delivered their order. Niko thrusts the orange juice in front of her for Laura. Silence covers both. Niko put her coffee glass on the table.

''We have rarely spoken again since the bazaar back then.''

Laura stopped drinking her juice. ''Yes, I know.''

''You don't have to feel guilty. I've forgotten that problem. I've improved with papa, '' said Niko gave an explanation.

''Thank God,'' said Laura relieved.

''I never blame you. I'm sorry, I don't want you to not feel good about it.'' Niko looked at Laura as if apologizing.

Laura nodded quickly. ''No, you don't have to apologize. I'm the one who apologized for trying to convince you to display your picture.''

Niko smiled. ''Come on, forget about that problem. I was happy when my picture was posted. Almost everyone says my picture is good.'' (''except your papa,'') Laura thought. ''At that time I was completely satisfied, '' Niko continued.

Laura looked at Niko gently. ''You are indeed talented, if you become a jewelry designer, I will definitely wear your jewelry.''

Niko laughed softly, ''Thank you.'' Then Niko's eyes glared and she looked at Laura again. ''I have loved it since childhood. When I was 10 years old, my mom and dad took me to a jewelry show. And then I saw a beautiful diamond necklace. My eyes can't look away from it, you think it's weird that a man likes women's jewelry?''

“It seems only you don't think it's weird.'' Niko smiled again. ''My parents thought it was weird. ''According to them, I am not suitable to be a jewelry designer. After all my parents want me to be like them.''

Laura does not know how a child feels that parents are opposed to achieving her wishes, because all this time mom always supports her. Niko must be feeling really sad. Especially when Niko was a child.

''Niko'', said Laura seriously, ''the image of the star ring I once returned to you, why did you draw it?''

Niko replied without hesitation, I want every woman to feel how to grasp the stars in her day. Not only must he look at her from a distance''.

Laura was stunned by Niko's answer (please don't make me like you from the beginning again. Because I'm not sure I can escape you if it happens again'') Laura said inwardly as she looked at Niko.

Niko took a long breath. ''I want whoever is wearing the ring to know that he can achieve the impossible. But I seem to expect too much, huh?''

Laura's heart was racing. Niko's words made the feelings she had harbored re-emerge. He likes Niko more.

''I assume nothing is impossible if you try, ' Laura said in response to Niko's question.

Niko looked at Laura softly, her heart slightly moved hearing those words. The afternoon sunrays fell on Laura's face. Niko fell silent. Laura was very pretty in her eyes at the time. Niko closed her eyes for a moment and reopened them. Laura smiled at him. Niko couldn't explain what feeling was raging in her heart.

Laura said again, You want a walk around the beach?''

''Oh..well,'' Niko replied, still a little confused by her feelings.

They walked around to see the sun drown. Niko felt Laura's presence beside her making her calm and comfortable. He never told anyone his dream of becoming a jewelry designer. Even her parents never asked her why Niko wanted to paint jewelry. They just outright forbid.

Laura took some beautiful shells in the sand.

''I never thought the sunset was so beautiful, she said.

''You've never been to the beach before?'' ask Niko.

''Not'' Laura replied, ''This is the first time.'' (And I'm glad to be able to spend my birthday on the beach with you).

''Friends propose a school farewell event after the exam will be held here. What say?'' ask Niko.

''Who a good idea,'' welcome Laura happily.

''At night we can make a bonfire, I will propose this to the principal tomorrow.''

Laura hopes the principal grants Niko's proposal.

''What is it?'' ask Niko suddenly.

Laura followed Niko's point of view. His vision fell on an old tree. Lots of paper there. Some students are there.

''Let's go there,'' take Niko.

Arriving in front of the tree, they only found out that the tree is called the tree of desire. The tree was no longer leafy, there were only tree branches. Next to it was a table with hundreds of neatly arranged paper leaves. ''Write your wish here and tie it to the tree of desire.''

 ''You want to try it?'' ask Niko.

Laura nodded. Niko took out two leaves of paper and gave one to Laura. Both write their own desires on the leaf, then tie them to the tree of desires. Shortly afterwards, the principal reminded them to gather on the bus, as their picnic on the beach was over.

On the way to the bus, Niko asks Laura for her wish. ''What do you want?''

Laura shakes. ''Do I have to tell you?''

Niko smiled. “So I wrote so that all third graders pass the test. So what is your wish?''

Laura said slowly, ''something impossible.''

Niko laughs. ''Didn't you say nothing is impossible if we try?''

 ''I know,'' Laura's eyes look sad, ''but this one is definitely impossible.''

Niko got on the bus. ''OKAY. I will not force you to say your wish. I think whatever it is, you can get it.''

Laura got on the bus with a smile. He knew his wish would not be fulfilled. On the way home, Laura couldn't hold back her sleepiness and fell asleep. When he woke up for some time later, his head was leaning on someone's shoulder. His eyes met Niko's.

''Sorry,'' he said as he tried to get away from Niko.

''It's okay, ''' said Niko, ''you look so tired.''

Laura looked at Niko again. ''But, aren't you sitting on the front bench?''

''It was, '' said Niko, ''But my colleague snored while sleeping, so I decided to move, and the only seat left was the back seat.''

''Oh so, '' said Laura quickly.

Fortunately the bus had arrived at school, so Laura Tidsk needed to hold back too long to be embarrassed because she had slept on Niko's shoulders.

''See you tomorrow in class, '' said Niko.

Laura nodded. Meanwhile, tens of kilometers from there, on the tree of desire, a leaf of paper fell down. There's a request there. Laura's Plea. (May this day never end). The leaves of the paper were then swept away by the water on the beach and were not seen again.