Paper Dove

Hi Enu !

I peeked out from behind my bedroom curtains. See if Juan is still there or not. 

Only 1 day I was sick, but Juan's behavior like I've been sick for weeks. Juan comes to visit 3 times a day. Before going to school, go home from school and in the afternoon before the magrib. Snacks filled my fridge.

Ting. My HP reads, incoming message from Elsa.

Elsa: Dew. 

Me: I miss it too. Tomorrow I'm going in. 

Elsa: The rumors about you in the bullies have spread and worse still there are rumors that are more excited. He said brother Juan prefers a younger brother than school prima donna.

I closed my mouth with my hand as I read Elsa's message. Wow.the cruelty of this world.

Me: It's great that the rumors spread so quickly huh. 

Elsa: It's nothing to think about. His name is also gossip. But I was quite satisfied to see that witch's face buckled every day. Maybe Juan's mad at him. I'll wait in class tomorrow. Adios.

Me: No, Brother Juan can't be angry. Okay deh. Adios.

I cradle my hp. Think about how I'm going to face tomorrow.  Ting the message came in again.

Juan: Dew. Healed yet? 

Me: Yeah. Tomorrow we go in. Thanks for the snack. 

Juan: Tomorrow I'll pick you up. Hour 6. 

I saw the message for a long time. There's no other way to get back at Sarah, I'll stick to Juan like a postage stamp so Sarah's more upset.

Me: Okay.

***

6 Hours teng. I looked out from behind the curtains of my room, Juan was waiting for me outside the fence. I hurried to get my jacket from behind the door.

Before I went out of the room I saw my reflection in the mirror, I was bearded while tilting left on the right. After feeling 'beautiful' I then say goodbye to aunt. 

" Hey" I said to Juan as I opened the gate of my house.

Juan smiled at me. I stood in front of him holding out my hand asking for the helmet I used to wear. Instead of giving me the helmet, Juan welcomed my hand. I'm shocked.

" It's healthy? ", Juan asked in a soft voice like never before.

I hurriedly pulled my hand. " yes. I'm asking for a helmet".

Juan took the helmet and put it on my head. " From today on, I'll take care of you at school. I promise you yesterday's events won't happen again", Juan looks very serious.

I laughed stiffly "Yes. I can take care of myself. Brother take it easy".

And what Juan said happened. Every hour of rest Juan always comes to pick me up. He and Adam followed me and Elsa everywhere. We become like four people who are always together.

At first we became the center of attention of all school residents, over time they did not care anymore about our presence. The thing that stole my attention the most was Sarah who looked at me hatefully every time she met, there was no reproach for her to bully me again. 

There was a time when Juan and I were in the parking lot, and Juan was talking to Junet and his other friends.

Sarah and her gang suddenly passed by, as Sarah looked at me sharply I quickly knitted my finger to Juan's left hand and twitched spoiled in Juan's arm. While looking back at Sarah I raised my eyebrows like a defiant in silence '**See what k**au?… Rasain.. I took Juan', one corner of my lips gave a terrifying smile of victory.

Sarah seemed to understand what I was saying, she pointed her two fingers at me 'Review you', then stomped one of her legs and passed away.

I sneered and saw Juan holding back laughter at my behavior. I quickly deciphered my finger link. At her. I'm really satisfied to be able to repay Sarah.

The four of us became quite familiar, it was just that Elsa and Adam often argued for trivial matters. While we were eating in the cafeteria a friend of my class who was quite famous at school and outside of school invited me to his birthday party. 

" Dew, Elsa here's my birthday invitation. Don't forget to come. Brother Juan and Brother Adam can also come" Yuni told us. 

" Thank you for the invitation", I accepted the invitation "but our upperclassman is busy" I added. 

" No really. We can come" Adam answered quickly.

Elsa and I glanced at Adam at the same time. 

" Thank you, I'm waiting for you brother-sister" Yuni said quite flirtatious in my opinion. 

Me and Elsa looked at Adam while shaking their heads after Yuni left us.

" Loh why? Grade 3 kids also need refreshing ", Adam defending himself. 

John laughed at Adam's statement. 

" The weird thing" Elsa told Adam.

" Duh.ni little boy had a really bad mouth", Adam pulled Elsa's hair slowly.

I looked at Juan. " I go, wherever you go" Juan was like reading my mind. 

I blushed what the hell, poetic snobs. 

" Yes, we will go together with my parents' car" said Adam selow.

Me and Elsa nodded together, at least our hair would not fall apart from being blown off the bike. 

***

The four of us entered the house, the sound of music typical of young people sounded frenetic. It turned out that Yuni invited many people, not just the children from our school. Elsa and I were on a road, knowing no one. Hoping to meet our classmates but it seems like everyone is busy with their respective activities. 

What surprised us was that Juan and Adam turned out to be very popular. Every inch of their movement, there is always someone calling and reprimanding.

Wow really amazing, I like coming from another planet. Elsa is attracted by her Junior High friends. As for me unwillingly to follow Juan's every move, I knew no one. 

What makes me relieved is that Juan always holds my hand wherever he goes. We finally found a sofa to sit on. The one with the party doesn't see the stem of his nose. I didn't want to go deeper because there were too many invited guests present, some even sitting in the front yard of the house.

" You want a drink?", Juan asked me.

" Yes, and a little snack of plis" I whispered to Juan. 

" Okay, you wait here. I'll get you cola. Don't go anywhere, don't answer if someone reprimands. Put on the ugliest look you've got", Juan advised. 

I frowned at what the hell.

" Well that's it, pretty good" Juan smiled and stood up to get a drink. 

No 3 minutes of Juan has passed. Someone stood before me and reprimanded me casually. 

" Hi enu¹... are you alone? ",reprimand a man of Juan's stature and a fairly civilized face. 

I looked up and looked to my right left. I'm the only one sitting there. 

" You asked me the same? ", i asked him back. 

" Yes, there's only you on that couch" the man reassured.

" Oh. sorry. I came with friends earlier", I smiled kindly. 

He nodded "my name is Nandes", extending his hand to me.

I welcome his friendly hand out "Dew".

Nandes nodded "Accordant".

" What?", I wondered. 

" Fits the guy, molas²", Nandes praised me.

I smiled stiffly, crocodile like that. Juan was a long time ago.

Juan appeared carrying a drink, he stood looking towards Nandes with a sharp gaze.

" This is your friend? I go first, later if you go home I must be samperin", Nandes blinked one eye at me, I shuddered. Nandes looked at Juan "You're still alive turns out", after saying that he passed. 

Juan was quiet, calm as always. He didn't seem to be provoked at all. Juan handed me a glass of fizzy drink. 

" This, just a little while ago there was a fly that came yes", Juan quipped. 

I sneered "I'm not interested". Juan smiled meaningfully at my answer.

After feeling long enough at the birthday party, we told Yuni to go home. When I was about to enter Adam's car someone called me. 

" Enu Dewun.. ".

I looked up, Nandes walked up to me. Juan stood close to me. 

" Hey, are you going home?", Nandes asked as he stood in front of me. 

" Yes, I'm first", I replied kindly. 

" Dew I want nanya to?", Nandes held me back. 

" yeah? ".

While looking at Juan Nandes asking "Do you have a girlfriend?", Nandes asked shamelessly.

I looked up, and so did Elsa and Adam.  What kind of question is this. 

I didn't answer just staring at Nandes in wonder. After that I rushed into the car without looking at Nandes again.

Nandes smiled "It turns out he doesn't have a boyfriend".

I saw Nandes talking to Juan for a while, there was a change in Juan's countenance. Before leaving Nandes approached the car window and spoke to me. 

" I'll see you Monday. Bye molas", Nandes then left without burden, I fell silent not understanding what he said. 

Juan got into the car with a different aura. She was silent all the way home, like harboring something. 

***

¹ Enu: Polite call for women in Manggarai regional language (Miss).

²Molas: Beautiful (regional language Manggarai).