The Monster In Me

Abian, The Thriller Movie Fan

A few weeks before ….

“Raawrr!”

“Aaaah! Jeez!”

“Abian! Not funny, know!”

The sound of Abian laughter that continues to be shouted by the students echoed throughout the corner of the classroom nuanced dark blue. Some students do not even hesitate to hit Abian, either with their bare hands or using objects that are around. Like a pencil case, a ruler owned by a teacher, to a bag full of books. However, as if the various attacks launched on him were just an ant bite, Abian continued to scare classmates with the mask he had just bought.

The mask is just an imitation of the face shape made of thin plastic and tied with a series of rubber bands. So simple, but looks quite terrible with dark skin color paint and reddish patches in the eyes and mouth that are deliberately hollowed out so that the user can freely see and talk. The ignorant Abian added a dark red ink near his own mouth until the ink dripped every time he moved. I don't know where he got that horrible ink.

Equipped with a growl that Abian let out of his throat, everyone especially the girls who were there screamed in fear and even ran outside the classroom. Luckily, there were no teachers in the entire class who were in the same area. If anything, maybe Abian will be caught off guard has messed up the peace surrounding him.

“Abian! Put down that ugly mask! Where did you get it from, anyway?” adira's reprimand that could not stand just sitting in a corner of the class. He threw his big rubber wiper into the head of Abian. The girl's forehead wrinkled, accompanying her lips which were also slightly curled downwards. His face was slightly flushed with anger, as his learning activities had been disturbed.

Abian just gently rubbed the part of his head that was affected by the eraser. He felt no pain at all. The student smiled back with pride.

“Oh, this? On the street I saw there was a group of high school theater next door that was selling various accessories. If not wrong, on their banner there is the inscription ‘Theater Pancarona’, so. Because it seems interesting, so I just buy it,” replied Abian at length. He took off the mask he was wearing and wiped the red stains that remained in his mouth and chin. Of course after trying to scare the students who were still nearby.

“Can you just focus on the upcoming grade-up exam? Than to keep tinkering with such insignificant objects!” Adira sighed heavily while slamming her books onto the table. The book with the number 10 printed on each corner of the cover looks already shabby and tangled.

Abian even more laughs ignorantly. “Casual, Dir. We're only going up to 11th grade, not going to the college entrance exam. Play a little good for your mentality,” he said while chuckling. “After all, you should thank me.”

“Thank you for what?” tanya Karsa who just came with two glasses of drinks in plastic packaging in her hand. Leisurely the handsome young man walked past Abian and placed one of his drinks on Adira's table. After that he sat himself on the bench next to the girl.

Firda who saw that just rolled her own eyeballs furiously. Without saying anything, he took the drink for himself to drink. Ignoring Karsa's gaze as if ready to hit him right then and there.

However, one smile from Adira made the handsome young man fall silent again.

“Thank you for the drink, Karsa. But I'm not looking for a sweet drink, I'm afraid I'll get sleepy.”

Hearing Adira's words, Karsa was forced to go silent and sip fruit juice in his hand.

“Have the approach? When are you guys, anyway?” Abian who felt no longer the center of attention clucked in annoyance.

Though he had painstakingly made a boisterous atmosphere, but in just a few seconds, Karsa back into the spotlight especially in the eyes of the students.

“They no longer approach, so it won't be.” Firda answered. Act like a manager who represents the artist he works with. “Already, just continue your silly speech earlier. Problem .... what? I forgot.”

Binar was again seen in both of Abian's eyes. “Are you not curious what horrible creatures such as vampires, zombies, and other immortal beings really exist in the real world?”

“No, tuh. Because it's all a delusion. Fictional story! Yeah, right, Dir?”

Adira looked at Firda who asked her. He seemed to think for a while before finally answering. “Yes, it looks like so. For I have never read of such a creature from all the encyclopedias that I have read.”

The other students who had returned to sit on their benches were seen showing different reactions. Some people looked scowled, showing clearly his dislike for Abian's noisy attitude. However, most of them instead sat facing Abian with the same twinkle of eyes as the young man. It seemed, the topic of aliens was enough to arouse the curiosity of all of them.

“Listen to me, all of you!” abian shouted, taking advantage of the situation where he was again the center of attention. “Do you guys not want to know why many movies raise the theme of zombies? It even airs on local TV which is definitely accessible to anyone.”

Adira's forehead is back in a frown. As much as possible he tried to dig his memory about various films he had seen. There are no movies about zombies, vampires, or anything like that.

“Try thinking again! Besides for entertainment purposes, media like television also serves for education, right?”

The other friends nodded. While Karsa kicked the table in front of him quite hard. “Then what? Don't beat around! Tell straight to the point!” said annoyed.

Abian was upset. “Ah, you guys are insensitive! I mean, it means they deliberately show movies about various terrible creatures, so that we are vigilant and know what to do if one day face them in the real world!”

This time Adira laughed. “That's enough, Abian. You're too far-fetched!”

“I'm serious! I want to share all my knowledge of the creatures with you! That's why I brought this mask to do the simulation!”

“What simulation, Bian?”

Suddenly, all the students in the class were silent. Not daring to even just change their sitting position that still faces Abian. The young man slowly turned in his position. Not only to see who had asked him, but also to know whose finger was now holding his ear.

There, right behind Abian, stood their young teacher and always be firm in the face of students who did not behave well. As of this moment, the teacher looked ruffled around with a hardened expression. Staring sharply at Abian who finally faced towards him.

“Eh, B-Bu Danita,” says Abian stutters. It was unexpected that the teacher meeting ended sooner so that the teacher had returned to the classroom.

“Why all of sudden silence? Come on, tell me what you were talking about. Mom curious.” Ms. Danita asked as she let go of Abian's ear. With a little tugging it tight until Abian grimaced.

“Nothing, Bu.” Adira answered while still sitting on her stool. The girl simply raised her hand before speaking as a sign pleading for permission to talk. “Abian just being joking as usual.”

Danita just raised her eyebrows while closing her lips at a glance. “Hmm ... nothing, yes. In that case, can we start today's lesson?”

“Can, Mom!” answer all students compact. In a hurry Abian sat on his own stool so as not to get any more reprimands.

“Good. Did at the meeting yesterday Mother give you a task to collect today?”

The classroom atmosphere was quiet again. There was no sound other than Danita's footsteps wearing high heels. All of the students close their lips, while directing their gaze to anywhere other than towards the teacher.

Only Adira raised her hand. “There, Mom. Mom gave us a task to work on the problem from the Math Package Book page 105.”

That day the whole class threw a cynical look at the girl who was a learning enthusiast.

***