Intermissums

Chapter 8

Since sports lessons were not made into written exams, instead, my gym teacher held a swimming practice at one of the swimming spots not far from my school.

However, the day before the practice exam, Nara instead invited me to eat at the mekdi tomorrow.

"And tomorrow we swim, forget?" many confused.

"We don't have to swim" he replied lightly.

Eyes make. "Maybe?"

Nara displayed an anxious expression. "Well, if we say it's an obstacle. I can't swim. Do you want to go swimming?"

I'm shaking. "Yes, no."

I remember the last time I took a swimming exam held by a gym teacher. If I don't remember wrongly, I haven't taken the swimming exam since Junior High. I don't know, I always have a reason not to. The more mature, the feeling of embarrassment growing and make me not want to splash into the water with clothes that are usually tight in the body.

"So, let's eat some yuuk. I want to take Eris with Qia as well. We hang out together. Six months ago became a high school boy, never the same way friends anyway, not exciting. Want huh?"

I held on for a moment, while Nara looked at me with a pleading gaze. "OKAY. But, I was allowed to be with my parents."

Nara jumps up in excitement. "Yey. Okay. I'm going to Eris and Qia first."

Later that night, at home, I waited for the right time for my parents' permission. I waited for them to finish their dinner, and then I went to those who were then relaxing in the living room.

I sat next to my mom who was playing her phone. My mouth was open and my voice was almost out, just before Mama's voice first sounded. "Tomorrow swimming tests, huh, Ra?"

I was surprised, why did the topic fit so well? Then, I realized that Mama might have just read the information conveyed in a special parent class group.

I'm nodding. "Yes, Ma."

Mom looked at me. "Yes, you are ready for what to bring tomorrow. Your swimsuit is still in the closet? Oh yes, do not forget to bring a towel and a change of clothes," Mama ordered at length.

I'm shaking. "E-Hara don't have to go swimming. From Junior High, I have never taken a swimming test."

"Loh why? You're no longer a hindrance, are you?"

"Yes, not really."

"Yes, dong means. The swimming test entered the report card. Inget right, the value of your report card means a lot for SNMPTN? If you're smashing gini, how will your grades be good?" sergeant Mama.

"But, I didn't go swimming, my grades were still good," I started to refute what Mama said, hoping Mama would allow me not to take the swimming test and walk with my friends tomorrow.

"Yes, that's SMP. We don't know if the rules of High School are any different. You have to come" said Mama firmly.

"But-"

"No but-but, Ra. Just follow what your gym teacher asks."

Finals. I can't say anything more because I'm out of words. I sighed softly, then I walked towards my room.

In the room, I lay on my bed and opened my phone, then opened a message from Nara that I had not read since this afternoon.

Nara

I'm the same Eris already got permission, Qia there is an event so can not come. But, he is not papa if we still want to walk. Lo how? Yuk caw's! I've been waiting for the time we can walk and hang out together, finally deliver.

I was just about to reply if I wasn't allowed by Mama, but suddenly my hands were stiff because my mind told me I should come along. In the depths of my heart, I really felt that it took a little refreshing from my daily grind. I've sacrificed anything to focus on the report card and now I really need a pause.

After all, this is just the value of the sport. Sports teachers are always relaxed and demand nothing from their students, but always give good grades. I don't know because that's the truth.

I thought of the right words to answer Nara's message, but I couldn't find it even after fifteen minutes had passed. Actually the only thing I have to say is I didn't get permission. More precisely, I was already refuted before asking for permission to leave. That simple. However, thinking about how Nara was so eager to walk together like a gang of other kids and hearing my inner voice yell out the word "yes, I can" made me unable to say "no".

Then, my hand knew what to reply to all of a sudden. A second later, my fingers began to type something into Nara.

Me :

I stared at the screen of the phone with the body frozen. I don't know why I chose to say that, as if my own body was moving without waiting for orders from me.

The tring!

Nara :'s :

Bener too. Yes, tomorrow we go to the pool. Just a moment.

Me :

Okay.

Instead of being relieved, I realized that what I just did was not right. More precisely I realized that just now was the other side of me. The other side suddenly appeared. However, when I thought about correcting it, as if I was no longer the God of my body, my finger would not move itself. Even until finally the night became late and morning came, I allowed myself to do the wrong thing.

For the first time.

*

The next day, the three of us actually did. We left the school by car to the pool at about 3 p.m.

Fortunately we still have to go to school because we haven't had a day off, so my two friends still carry school bags even though I know they don't carry anything in their bags. Not like me carrying a towel and a swimsuit (i wanted to leave it and keep it in my closet, but I was afraid that Mama would find out and cause trouble).

We arrived at the site of our school's swimming practice exam. Coincidentally today the schedule is all 10th grade girls so the atmosphere becomes crowded.

Not wanting to spend any longer, Nara, and Eris immediately met Maul after paying for the entrance ticket. Even if we don't swim, we have to pay for it in exchange for our absence. So, we actually both lost.

However, we don't care. We are not people who have a lot of free time. Tomorrow, we will be busy again with our respective activities. Like me, who has to take tutoring again before the Christmas break, about two weeks away, even though the school has to take a break. Even if we had, it was difficult to combine us because our homes were far apart. So, we think it's the right time for us to relax for a while.

We found Mr. Maul right in front of the pool entrance. He was shouting at the other children, telling them not to be separated.

"Sir," call Eris first. He greeted Mr. Maul followed by us who followed behind him.

"Hey, MIPA 7 kids right, huh?" exclaim Mr. Maul.

"Yes, sir," replied Eris. Then, the girl turned her head towards Nara, telling her to talk first.

Nara's advancing. "Sir, we have permission yes, can't go swimming-"

"Oh can. Another obstacle, right? Yes time again obstacle, Father forced swimming? No dong," said Mr. Maul cut Nara's talk.

We looked. That easy?

Nara turned back to face Maul. "Hehe, yes, sir. So, can you?"

Mr. Maul nodded. "Sokay, if you have already paid the ticket mah, the value has already entered. Just relax."

We nodded in understanding. Then, we say goodbye to Mr. Maul and get out of the pool area.

"What did I say? Sports teachers are relaxed, not stingy to give value. It was yuk caw. Ris, pesen vehicle through your mobile phone aja dong. Change," cried Nara.

Eris nodded. He ordered a go-car. Not long after, the car came and we got into the car.

Eris and Nara had absolutely no idea that I actually still did not get permission from my parents. I didn't say anything to Mama and went straight to school, as usual.

And now, even though my heart was beginning to say I should have quit my bad plan, on the other hand, I was happy to be able to walk with Nara and Eris. I let the car take me out of the pool and did a stunt that I had been unconsciously in my head since last night.

I hope this is the first and last act.