Cracked Pearls

Surprise At Once

A week passed. My situation is still the same. I'm still alone.

Realizing that my cold attitude would not be easy to make friends, I chose to continue like this, and focused more on the lessons. Some children were warm trying to get closer, I could only show a makeshift attitude.

Most of them don't like me. I'm geeky, not very sociable, and not worthy of being friends, I heard accidentally on several occasions.

I don't want to push myself. The disaster of my father's departure was also the extinction of my relationship with Nandan, it was quite torturous. Just a little striped under a word of friendship, I won't want to bother anymore.

____

Two months passed without feeling. I know and try to get along with at least five kids in my class. Academically, they seem to be less prominent. Seen from the style of urination and noise when talking. But they're pretty fun.

Algi, Seto, Gibran, Karin and one of the most intensely approached me - Alna - the twin brothers of Algi.

Ahh, I even smoothly passed on their names. My days have improved apparently.

Oh, yeah, there's one more thing that's changed about me. I introduced myself to them by name; Tiara. According to the advice of Aunt Maria. He said the name was prettier to be a calling. And now, including Om Krishna, one house calls me with that greeting.

In addition, I hope that by changing many things in my personality, it will be easy for me to forget the past that honestly until now is still so imprinted in my heart.

Today I went home using an angkot. Algi's offer to take me home, I refused. I don't want to be teasing other children, especially Algi impressed badboy. And of course, I will be considered the next victim of that guy by them.

The big gate of Om Krishna's house is already visible.

I came down from the angkot after handing the five thousand rupiahs to the driver. My feet are swinging down the lawn. The middle gate was unlocked.

Mr. Soleh's smile greeted me from his post. I waved my hand back at that smile. The old man in the security uniform always did. I was close to him like I was close to Mr. Nandar. Often times fester lightly while watering the plants in the backyard on a Sunday or evening after helping Mbok Misni cook.

I'm getting used to it and I'm in this house.

Aunty Maria showed more affection that I was confused myself, so I felt it was excessive. Almost every week there are things he buys me. Starting from clothes, accessories, shoes, bags and others. I refused, she must have been nagging. Being well received and living in this house alone is enough to make me grateful.

I said my greetings when I was right in the doorway. More than one voice spoke at the same time.

I approached them. And ... There's another figure there.

The figure whose picture I often see in many corners of the walls of this house.

Chelsea Milan Sanjaya's

“Tiara, you're home, sweetie?” Aunt Maria greeted me as usual with her smile. “This look, who came?” One hand wrapped around Chelsea's shoulder.

I smiled stiffly. “Oh hay, Brother. I'm Tiara,” my light greeting while introducing myself.

Chelsea smiled wryly at me, a little-like person dislikes. I can feel that. But I can what.

“Sit's sitting, Honey." The empty seat next to him was patted by Aunt Maria for me to sit on. I just follow without saying much. “From now on, Chelsea will stay with us, also will be studying here. He came home to be picked up by his father because in Japan is a deadly virus. We will be worried. This ... also a surprise for you!”

So excited Aunt Maria said that the arrival of Chelsea was a surprise for me. And it worked - I was surprised.

Not that I'm not happy, that girl is home. Especially since this is his home. But it looks like my days will not be the same, like when there is no one. For some reason, I felt intimidated. The look in his eyes made me .. a little scared.

“Hay, Tiara,” Chelsea greet me confidently. “Thank you, you've been watching Mama Papa for a few months. Mama always looks out for seneng if abis nyerain about you in video call same me.”

“Ah, yes, Brother Chelsea. I am also happy and grateful, because it has been accepted here. Aunty also often told me about my brother,” reply me soberly, daubed a faint smile.

“Call Chelsea only!” The girl attacked. “I feel old called sister. Mama said our age is only different dikit aja.”

“Oh, yes sorry. Che-Chelsea," I'm clumsy.

“Well, it'll be good,” chimps Chelsea again. “Oh, yes that's it. Ma, I'm gonna take a break. My room's been machined, isn't it?” He started to stand up.

“Already dong, dear,” replied Aunt Maria-follow standing. “Ya already, sana break.” Then he looked towards me. “Tiara, you also rest yes.”

As usual, I'll obey.

_____

The next day at school.

“Hay, Tiara!”

I looked up, turning my gaze away from the textbook I was reading. Algi, I know that the guy is already perched in my front seat with his chin propped up in his folded arms.

“What's up?” my many.

“Kantin yuk,” take him with a smile and eyebrows are raised. “I treat deh.”

For a moment, I looked at her beautiful face. “I'm not a laper, I'm not worn out, you take the others," I said, refusing the end, then focusing on my book.

“Don't do it dong, Tiara. Every time I ask you to continue anyway.”

“He won't, Shucks! You still forced it!” Gibran appeared suddenly. A pack of snack tortillas were busy being devoured while walking. “Eat this with me yes, Ra,” bargain then sit filling empty seat beside me.

“No, thank you,” reject my delicate with a thin smile only.

“They are why the hell?” my mind feels astonished.

“Ra, this is your photo huh?” I looked up quickly. Staring at the lighted phone screen that Algi thrust into my face.

“I-this 'kan ...” I stammered in response to the picture on that thing.

“It's really you, right?” cut the guy off with a happy smile. “Very beautiful!”

“Iya," Gibran chimed. “At home as beautiful as that, why go to your school and gini geeky?”

I was confused how to respond.

“Da-where did you get that photo?” tanya nervously I want to know.

“Sunday ago, just as I was boning Gibran passing around the area. Didn't accidentally see another girl watered flowers in the yard. Trus we stop, because cute, why know can be invited to acquaintances, right?" Algi chuckled in between his explanations. “Eh, pas cautiin more details .. kok similar to you. We wonder dong, the hell time is you? But when the security guards call you name, ‘NON TIARA!!’ We're more and more like bego people. Yes, yes, Tiara. I finally got a photo.”

The two laughed in unison, inviting the attention of other friends towards us.

It turns out that this is the reason why their attitude changed 180 degrees. From what was originally just a casual joke, suddenly the two aggressively approached me like a magnet that was difficult to remove.