THE FLO!

Bag. 17

The semester started and I started to get upset. I can't get any information, not even the slightest bit. I couldn't get close to Caesar because he didn't want to get close to me as if I had a contagious disease. The information I got about Collin wasn't as much as I had anticipated. Although Braxton still helps me sometimes by finding information, but still not too much because he still has another job that is much more important. I also can't repay Stella's treatment of my sister because somehow I feel weak. I couldn't bear it when I realized why he could be that cruel. He is just a child who lacks parental attention and looking for trouble is the only way to attract the attention of his parents. But bullying my sister isn't the answer.

I opened the classroom door and realized that all the eyes in the classroom were staring at me. I frowned when I saw Daisy smiling so wide at me. As I passed by one of my friends, they looked at me while narrowing their eyes. I put the bag on my desk and sat on my stool. Daisy came to me, leaning her body against my desk.

"Said there's a date with Mr. Davin on the roof, huh?" god Daisy. I raise my eyebrows. Where does he know? "Supervisor told me that you guys ate pizza on the roof."

I initially frowned, trying to digest her words. "Yes, I eat pizza but it's paid for my help" I replied.

Daisy looks at me. "meaning?"

"Gue help her with something and the pizza pay. How can we go on a date when we only eat on the roof? The date was watching, dinner, sightseeing and others. Eating pizza on the school roof doesn't include dating."

"But the rumors aren't like that."

"Gossip?"

"Yes. Said you came home sooner than the Americans because you wanted to see Mr. Davin."

I can't hold my laughter. The rumors spreading are completely absurd. Holy hooch! I wish I could scream that I never actually went back to America. During my vacation, I was in Indonesia! I shook my head. I who had no intention of explaining anything to Daisy just kept quiet and took the laptop out of my bag.

"This rumor has reached the teacher's office, you know. He said Mr. Davin would be called into the principal's room" Daisy said, leading me to raise my head and look at him.

"Why? My God, just for eating pizza on the roof?" I asked like that squealing. It is strange that this school rules. My attention was shifted when I heard my name being called through the school loudspeaker who asked me to come to the principal's room. I closed my eyes while cursing softly.

"Clearly what really happened. You have nothing to do and you just eat pizza on the roof of your kayak that you say" Daisy suggested.

I got up from my seat holding my bag. "Oh, I can't wait to tell the principal that I love to die with Mr. Davin to be willing to elope with him!" my grunt with annoyance that made all the eyes in the class look at me.

Some of my friends giggled when they heard my words. They even encouraged me to say that in front of the headmaster. Grunting, I left my classroom and walked towards the principal's room. I knocked on the door that was in front of me slowly then when I heard the answer, I opened it. I raised my eyebrows when I saw Davin sitting on the sofa by the headmaster's desk and Pak Jaya, the headmaster of Insani High School, sitting across from him. I frowned when I saw Mr. Yusron sitting next to Davin while looking at me as if he wanted to swallow me round.

"Sit down, Florence" said PakJaya, pointing at the sofa. I just smiled and shook my head. I'd rather be standing than sitting next to that distended Yusron.

"I'll just stand, sir. Can I help you?" ask me while resting my hand behind my body. Davin who saw me immediately narrowed his eyes at me while gesturing me so that I would not be that much. I shrugged both of my shoulders but I kept doing his orders.

"Of course you've heard the rumors spreading, haven't you? Honestly, it's a bit unsettling" said Pak Jaya. I have to thank Daisy for telling me first about the rumors. Maybe if not I will look at Pak Jaya in confusion.

"I told you that Florence helped me and I only paid for her help. That's it" Davin said with confidence.

Even though my answer and answer were the same, hearing it from her mouth immediately made me hurt. I thought I was special in his eyes. But it turns out that he still considers me his student, nothing more.

"I see Mr. Davin often spending time together with Florence. I think it's a bit disrespectful, given your status," said Mr. Yusron as if he was putting salt in a gaping wound. I really want to kick that belly.

"You have no self-defense, Florence?" ask Jay wisely.

"Any," I said slowly.

"Any?" ask the three of them at the same time.

I'm throats. "When I was in America, chatting between students and teachers was common. My teacher bought me not only pizza but also birthday gifts. When I had to go back to Indonesia, my teacher even gave me another gift."

"So you mean?" ask Mr. Yusron who is getting confused.

I frowned at my annoyance as he cut my words. But I went back to my heart to cover up my frustration. "My teacher used to say that teacher-student status was not a status like that between a king and his people where the people had to submit to the king, but he wanted teacher-student status like a friend. He did not want any distance between the teacher and the student. However, I have not been back to Jakarta for a long time and Mr. Davin's friendly actions to me are the thing I appreciate the most, unlike other teachers who only make me blood-thirsty." I deliberately looked at Yusron as he said that, hoping that he would realize my innuendo.

Mr. Jaya looked at me but he smiled. "I understand. You may still be confused about the culture here. So I'm just telling you that meeting a teacher outside school hours is a bad thing" he said.

"So I can't call Mr Davin if I need help? Doesn't it seem culturally here that the teacher is the second parent of the school?" my many. I could see Davin holding back his laughter hearing my answer.

"It's not so, Florence..." Jay began to lose his words.

I looked at him while frowning. "I am becoming increasingly clueless with Indonesian culture. My mother said, Indonesia is a friendly country that upholds courtesy and hospitality, but since I came here, I have never felt what is called politeness let alone hospitality. How will Indonesia move forward if I still have my Indonesian blood not appreciated? What about other foreigners? What if I told my friends in America what school in Indonesia is like? I regret coming to school here. But according to what I read on the internet, this school is a favorite school. It turns out..."

Both Pak Jaya and Yusron seemed speechless to hear my words. At first glance, I saw Davin's shoulders and back shaking. He seemed to be holding back his laughter. I wanted to throw it with something. He instead of defending me was just trying to hold his laugh there. My attention was again focused on Pak Jaya as she cleared her throat and called out to me.

"Well, Florence, I get it. I apologize for this misunderstanding. I'm just asking that you reduce your alone time a little with Mr. Davin. Understood?" asked Pak Jaya and I smiled sweetly while nodding.

"So I can go back to class?" I was half hoping. I'm sick of seeing Yusron's face.

"It has. Mr. Davin too. Once again you apologize for this misunderstanding," said Pak Jaya regretfully. I smiled and nodded. Pak Jaya looked directly at Yusron with her laser gaze. "Sir Yusron, can we talk to you for a second?"

I smiled happily and walked away from the teacher's room. I didn't realize Davin was following me from behind and only realized that he was walking behind me when I heard the sound of his laughter.

"God... Now I can understand why you are so famous among programmers. Your expertise in convincing someone is truly exceptional. I almost added the word 'amin' behind him" he said. But I just looked at him. I still feel hurt by his words.

"That's a compliment?" I asked without expression. He cleared his throat, trying to cover his laughter.

"Take it that way" Davin replied. I rolled my eyeballs and walked away. I still have heartache with the answer. Suddenly my shoulder was pulled from behind.

"You why? I did something that made you angry?" ask Davin.

I looked at him as if I was saying 'Serious lo?'. "What makes me angry?"

"Because of the rumors? Jesus, Flo, it's just gossip! Whoever spreads it is just a man of underwork."

I growled slowly. Why can't men be a little sensitive? "Yes already. Let's just say I'm angry about it."

Davin looked at me while frowning. "Aren't you angry about that?" tanyanya and I just kept quiet. "Then because of what?" I kept quiet, not answering. "How do I know you're just quiet? You're like a high school kid like this!"

I looked at him while grunting in annoyance. "Indeed I'm a high school boy now!" my hiss then walked away leaving him upset.

I don't care if he comes after me or not. Though in my heart I wish she was chasing me and asking what really makes me mad at her. But it seems that my hope is hope. I had slowed my steps but no hand stopped me. With a growl, I quickly put my foot back on. Maybe because it was too fast and my thoughts filled with frustration with Davin kept me from seeing where I was going. Unintentionally, I hit someone pretty hard. I'm hissing.

"Other times if the road, the eyes look ahead!" my hiss then moved back up my legs without bothering to see who I hit.

"Shouldn't I say that?" ask that voice. I raised my head when I heard that familiar heavy voice. I turned my head and saw Azka looking at me. He seemed to be frowning. "Wait a minute! I think I know you!" said.

I pretended to turn my body. "No" I answered.

"According to the gossip, I replied reluctantly.

He's laughing a little. "Lo is very different if you wear a uniform. It's prettier to wear your clothes yesterday. Don't take my compliments seriously."

"No, but thank you for the compliment" I replied with a sweet smile and removed the smile and walked away. Suddenly I felt my hand being held back by something. I lowered my gaze and saw that Azka's hand was holding my arm. I'm staring.

"Today I met a girl who was just like me. Are you really dating Mr Davin?" tanyakanya. I looked at him while narrowing my eyes. He was waiting for my answer even though I had no intention of revealing it.

"No answer? You're actually dating Mr. Davin, aren't you?" ask Azka again. And I did not answer back and instead pulled my arm from the clutches of his hand.

I smiled sweetly at him. "It's not a big brother's business. I want to go back to class. So excuse me," I said, then removed my smile.

I walked away and walked up the stairs to my classroom, sticking out my tongue. According to Brenda, there is only one way to bring a handsome man to his knees. Make it look as if we don't care about her will hurt their ego. They will be curious where it will be for our benefit. I shake my head while smiling. Thank you very much, Brenda. You're amazing. Maybe I should buy her some new make-up because I gave her those tips. According to the data I read, Azka is a big-time playboy. He thought that all women would like him. Let's see how long it took me to get him to start chasing me.

...***...

I didn't think Azka was that famous at this school. Imagine, his arrival to this school resulted in a furore in my class. Some of the girls in my class even put makeup on their faces. Plus, Azka was always the talk of my class. Whatever Azka did was so praised. I'm in wonder. Though the task of students is sometimes watering the school plants in front of their classrooms but when Azka did they really praise him as if he was a saint.

And Stella got into the group of girls. I can see that he likes Azka so much. When my friends talk about Azka, Stella will glare at them and tell them to stop talking about Azka as if Azka were hers. Though according to Daisy, Azka does not have any feelings for Stella just that Stella is too confident and thinks Azka also likes her.

My attention was drawn when I heard my name being called. I, who was busy at first creating a new program for my company, had to raise my head. My eyebrows shot up when I realized who called me that. Azka! And he walked to where I sat. Not only that, almost all the eyes in the class were staring at me. Azka sat on the bench in front of me while looking at me.

"Hi, what else?" asked Azka who made me raise my eyebrows.

"Rest?" my answer more resembles that confusing question. He smiled at me.

"Gue also knows that it's another break. I mean, what are you doing again?" tanyakanya.

Oh, my God, he looks a lot like my coquettish coworker. I just stared at him while frowning at me. "Again sit. Don't see?"

Azka chuckles. "What's up, anyway? How do you think it was so serious?" he asked and tried to turn my laptop but I grabbed my laptop and glared at him.

"Don't touch my stuff!" my hiss while closing my laptop and putting it in my backpack.

He looked at me, raising both hands. "Weits, easy. I just want to see it."

I looked at him while narrowing my eyes. "After me, it's a second-class room and a third-grade room is there." I pointed at the building across from my class.

Azka chuckled again. "Gue knows. I also know that I just want to see you."

I looked at him once more while narrowing my eyes even though in my heart I laughed happily. I'm not happy because he's watching me. I was happy, happy and joyful because he fell into my trap. Oh, Brenda, I love you so much.

"So I should be moved?" ask me reluctantly. I thought he would feel hurt by my words but he actually grinned widely.

"It turns out you are different from them. You want to be my friend?" ask Azka. I shrugged both of my shoulders while smiling innocent.

"There's a benefit to me if I'm your friend?" my many. He shrugged both his shoulders.

"Is there a disadvantage to being my enemy?"

I lifted both my shoulders.

He looked at me while narrowing his eyes. "Gue's sure we've met. I've seen your face before but forgot where."

I lifted both my shoulders.

"Lo why shut up, anyway?" he asked me and his tone sounded annoyed.

Instead of answering, I shrugged my shoulders again. My attention was shifted when someone called me to make my head lift. Caesar, standing beside me, glared at Azka.

"We are called Mr. Davin" Caesar said with a smile on me but as he looked at Azka, his gaze turned cold.

"Make what?" my many. Caesar shook his head while shrugging both of his shoulders. I nodded at him while thanking him then looked at Azka. "Excuse me, sister," I said to Azka without smiling and followed Caesar as he walked out of class.

In front of me, Caesar walked slowly. Surprisingly, we didn't go to the computer lab room or the teacher's room. When I asked, Caesar pulled me to the roof with him. He just let go of his hand when we got to the roof and closed the door.

"Why did you bring me here? Don't we want to see Mr Davin?" ask me confused. Caesar smiled and put his hand in his pants pocket.

"Gue lied. We don't want to see anyone" he replied, leaning his body against the roof guardrail. I frowned and turned my body. But I feel like a hand is holding me back. "Don't get too close to Azka."

I'm staring. "Why? Any reason?"

"Lo remember Freya?" tanyanya and I nodded. "Gue's seen a look like that before. She looked at Freya before they dated."

"Then what's the problem?"

"Azka is a playboy, Flo. He won't stop until the girl who refuses him bends her knees in front of him."

The wrinkles on my forehead are getting worse. "Gue doesn't understand. Try to clear it."

Caesar let out a long sigh and growled and ruffled his own hair. "He used to be the same as Freya when Freya didn't really care about him. He cares for Freya, loves Freya gifts and such that make Freya bend her knees to him. And when his goal is achieved, he throws Freya out! He felt Freya was no longer a challenge. Know now?"

"Why are you talking to me about this?"

"Gue doesn't understand either. I feel like we've met before. I've seen you before. When I saw you introduce myself in class, I felt deja-vu. I feel like I saw Freya when I saw you."

I swallowed my saliva. Is my cover exposed?

He smiled thinly. "Squeaky. You guys are not similar. Your attitude is one hundred and eighty degrees but strangely I feel like you guys look alike." He's back to the throat. "Gue just warned you as a friend. I don't want to see another girl hurt by Azka's treatment."

Caesar walked away from me but I held him back by calling his name. "Why are you paying attention to Freya? Do you love her more than a friend?"

He was silent but did not turn his body. He even lowered his head. "Gue loves him. But I realized too late that he wasn't in this world."

Caesar left me who was still confused by his words just now. My eyes wide. Looks like I'll have to repeat all my investigations. I feel like Caesar is involved.